Scorchio ! Marathon record for Ian and triathlon debut for Dave

We should start this bank holiday weekend report by confirming that indeed Rob Forbes did come first in the Guernsey Ultra last weekend – well done Rob, who is now off enjoying running and pinching the locals’ Strava segment records in historically famous locations around Greece.

{Ed. - with only the mobile version of Strava, functionality seems somewhat reduced, so I may have missed some news this week - if any Parkrun milestones/PB’s were missed you could always let us know for next week}

***************************PLEASE LOOK OUT ON WHATSAPP FOR THE INVITE TO NEXT WEEKEND’S AWARDS SOCIAL AT THE RUGBY CLUB - PLEASE RSVP ***************************

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On a long weekend containing the hottest day of the year so far on Sunday, there’s only one running race result to report, but it is remarkable, in the literal sense.

Ian Barrett took on the Edinburgh marathon (as did several RSE runners) which turned out to be special for more than one reason. Ian sent in this note.

“Obviously not the 55th birthday run I had hoped for, but not alone in my suffering. Crowded start, but once out of the city and onto the coast plenty of space, just no shelter. Some lovely locals out with their garden hoses and jelly babies, good support all the way. Just it's a long way when the wheels start to fall off. But I made it.”

Ian’s splits show that he started off at around 3-hour pace, but had to slow down, quite significantly over the last 10k. However, his chip time of 3.20.20 did still set a new club V55 record {Ed. – it was only a matter of time before I lost this one, it was softer than the V60 one}. Congrats to Ian and let’s hope that’s some consolation for the suffering. Comments from an RSE runner confirm that a lot of very experienced athletes were failing to finish in the heat.

24 May 2026, Edinburgh Marathon, 26.2 miles road

1 Conor Sarsfield (Helsby RC) 2.18.04 (chip 2.18.03)

473 Ian Barrett (Cirencester AC) 3.22.05 (3.20.20) - club V55 record

? finished edinburghmarathon.com

Westonbirt Sprint Triathlon, 400m swim, 23km bike, 5km run

This event on bank holiday Monday saw 3 club members competing – the very experienced Kate Kilby, not quite an old timer Rachel Ranger and novice Dave Wright, who let himself be talked into it by Rachel as a way of setting a target after an operation around the start of the year.

Keen cyclist Dave who has fairly recently come back to running had two strong legs after the difficult first swim leg (who DOES like that leg?). He finished only just outside the top 10% of the field, a great showing for his first attempt, with amazing progress this year according to his “sponsor”.

Rachel Ranger with Dave Wright after his first triathlon - Westonbirt 25.11.26

Rachel had hoped to improve on her age-group position last year, but her Strava status “hot and dizzy” says it all, and she was happy to hang on to the same ranking.

1 Devilliers Van Den Brink (unattached) (5.45; 36.45; 19.11) 1.05.22

37 Dave Wright (Cirencester AC) (12.27; 38.10; 23.15) 1.20.31

81 Kate Kilby (9.38; 46.48; 25.22) 1.27.381

55 Rachel Ranger (12.12; 49.16; 30.14) 1.38.26

325 finished icompete.co.uk

PARKRUNS

Just the bare results this week.

Cirencester: 4 Rich Allen 19.06, 41 Karen Higuera 24.06, 42 Paul Timms 24.09,74 Alan McAdam 26.12, 84 Susanna Austin 26.45, 117 Brendan McCarthy 28.10,121 Rachel McAdam 28.23, 135 Amanda Naylor 29.36, 152 Kirsty Leggate 30.19,167 Pam Wheeler 30.51, 183 Samantha Timms 32.03, 283 Tom Morgan 43.19,306 Cathie Cowell (tail runner) 1.00.44, 306 finished.

Tetbury: 42 Stephen Hale 25.43, 218 finished.

Swindon, Lydiard Park: 63 David Moss 23.18, 185 Richard Edwards 28.07, 553 finished.

Witney: 77 Martin Croucher 25.36, 315 finished.

Newbury, Victoria Park: 123 Sophie Mason (J) 26.51, 338 finished.

Edinburgh, Portobello: 29 Ian Barrett 21.18, 589 finished