Say Cheese.....

Before details of this weeks results, news of great racing from the previous weekend.

Alex Banks and Holly Willis went to Somerset to take on the very challenging Big Cheese race. Organised by Cheddar Running Club, who describe it as “off road, hilly and merciless”, this 15 mile, Category B fell race has over 2000 feet of hill climbing.

Superb runs from both Alex and Holly saw them finishing in 13th and 55th places respectively.

20th March, Big Cheese Race, 15 miles, fell race

1 Graham Wadsworth (Unattached) 1.42.11

13 Alex Banks (Cirencester AC) 1.57.22

55 Holly Willis 2.17.05

231 finished

This weekend Karen Higuera was handed an opportunity to race on her favoured off-road terrain by a friend who was sadly unable to use her Covid postponed place in the Combe Gifford to Overton Race.

Karen jumped at the chance to tackle the undulating 16 mile route through the Berkshire and Hampshire countryside. The point to point race took place, quite unusually, in the afternoon and began with competitors being taken to the start by bus. Karen however had husband Paul to chauffeur her and so got to the start before the masses and took time to enjoy the views, peace and quiet.

She describes her afternoon, “It was terrifically well organised with a well marked route that was super easy to follow. We started downhill on a rocky path but soon started to climb with lots of ups and downs. There were rocks, roots and narrow rutted tracks that were demanding on the ankles and I needed to stay focused to remain upright. But I soon got into my stride allowing me to take in the dramatic backdrop. I thoroughly enjoyed the course and it was a perfect way to spend my Mothers Day. Oh, and the homemade cake was in abundance!”

Karen says it’s a great event for anyone preparing for a marathon or ultra. One for the diary. Well done Karen, her great performance also earned her 3rd place in her age group.

27th March, Combe Gibbet to Overton Race, 16 miles, trail

1 Alex Hamilton (Basingstoke Mid Hants AC) 1.39.02

65 Karen Higuera (Cirencester AC) 2.20.06 3rd FV55

149 finished

On the “flat and fast” roads around Calne, Brecht Grieten and Barbara Thomas enjoyed the Clock Change Challenge event where there were both 5k and 10k distances on offer.

Brecht put all his parkrun practice to good use in the 5k with a superb 18.29 finish and 3rd place overall. Barbara chose the 10k option, taking 2nd spot in her FV65 age group.

27th March, Calne Clock Change Challenge, 5k, road

1 Josh Burns (Swindon Harriers) 17.00

3 Brecht Grieten (Cirencester AC) 18.29

61 finishers

27th March, Calne Clock Change Challenge, 10k, road

1 Simon Nott (Calne Running Club) 32.34

172 Barbara Thomas (Cirencester AC) 1.00.42 2nd FV65

234 finishers

There were parkrunners all over the place this week!

Of particular note, Ruth Fulford, on holiday with her sister in Northumberland, tried out the relatively new Pastures parkrun in Alnwick. Ruth describes it as a tough course with a hill and a bog that were compensated for by the wonderful view of the castle and river. She can’t have spent too long looking at the view because her 31.20 finish was enough to break the course record in her FV70 age group!

Also up North, good to see Kate Sackett’s name pop up in results after a long time out with injury.

Ollie Campbell took first place at Chippenham, a full minute ahead of the runner in 2nd place. Ian Barrett had a win at Cirencester with Neil Morrissey not far behind in 8th. Rachel and Alan Mcadam ticked off another local event at Gloucester. At Tetbury, Nea Sneddon-Jenkins and Wendy Nicholls each ran a course PB to take 2nd and 3rd lady respectively.

26th March, parkrun, 5k trail

Kingsway parkrun, Gloucester

1 Jon Freckleton (Unattached) 18.43

34 Alan Mcadam (Cirencester AC) 24.31

43 Rachel Mcadam 26.06

140 finished

Lydiard parkrun

1 Dillon Howe (Unattached) 18.07

88 Gordon Jones (Cirencester AC) 25.03

293 finished

Chippenham parkrun

1 Ollie Campbell (Cirencester AC) 17.02

163 finished

Workington parkrun

1 Stefanos Stephanou (Unattached) 16.47

108 Kate Sackett (Cirencester AC) 45.40

117 finished

Parke parkrun

1 Luke Pascoe (Unattached) 19.20

39 David Moss (Cirencester AC) 26.58

112 finished

Cirencester parkrun

1 Ian Barrett (Cirencester AC) 19.45

8 Neil Morrissey 21.12

54 Samantha Timms 29.29

63 Pamela Wheeler 30.14

81 Brian Harris 35.05

94 finished

The Pastures parkrun

1 Liam Mcdonogh (Unattached) 18.14

34 Ruth Fulford (Cirencester AC) 31.20

48 finished

Tetbury Goods Shed parkrun

1 Nick Holliday (Unattached) 18.50

7 Nea Sneddon-Jenkins (Cirencester AC) 20.38 – 2nd Female

11 Wendy Nicholls 21.05 – 3rd Female

85 finished