Too hot to trot until the weekend - then a lumpy marathon and Parkrun win for Bill

********************APOLOGY - NO NEWSLETTER LAST WEEK*************

A combination of being away helping family move house all last weekend, and then the very hot weather this week are my only excuses for forgetting to write about w/e Sunday 21st June. However, apart from parkruns, it was only our esteemed results co-ordinator David Wright who actually raced (a 10k at his Ranelagh stomping ground in Richmond).

****************NORMAL SERVICE RESUMED********************

In a week when races including the Frampton 10k on Monday were postponed (now rescheduled) and Tuesday evening training was cancelled due to the extreme heat (Deer Park forbade us from training there), I guess most of us were relieved that the temperatures in the Cotswolds dropped off in time for the weekend. Some of you were reccying your Cotswold Way Relay legs ahead of the event next weekend (good luck to those running or providing the water station, and to Ian Barrett on the co-ordination front), but again only one race that we've spotted.

The member in particular who would have welcomed the less extreme conditions (his Strava activity says 17C feels like 13C ) was Mike Hobbs - he was taking on his third marathon of the year.

 “Long Course Weekend” – The Wales Marathon

“Pembrokeshire hosts one of Wales’ most iconic endurance events every year… The Long Course Weekend. Each summer, at the end of June, athletes from around the world descend on Tenby for three unforgettable days of sport, spirit, and scenery. The Long Course Weekend is a truly unique multi-sport festival that welcomes everyone — from elite professionals to everyday athletes chasing an extraordinary goal. The challenge begins on Friday evening with The Wales Swim, a 2.4-mile open-water swim set against the stunning backdrop of Tenby’s North Beach. On Saturday, competitors take to the roads for The Wales Sportive, a 112-mile ride through Pembrokeshire’s spectacular but unforgiving countryside, cheered on by crowds lining the route. And on Sunday, it all comes down to The Wales Marathon — 26.2 miles of grit, determination, and pure celebration. Since the first event in 2010, more than 20,000 athletes have taken on LCW Wales. Of last year’s 1,000 Long Course Weekend athletes, only about half crossed the final finish line to claim the ultimate reward — the final piece of the Long Course Weekend distinctive medal set, the 4th medal, a symbol of endurance and achievement like no other.”

More than 800 runners took on the finale marathon event, and Mike finished in an excellent 2^nd place out of more than 80 in his super-vet age category with a time of 3:13:26.

“Happy with that. A brutal second half, but didn't slow too much.”

Given the course elevation was around 1900ft, like Mike says mostly in the latter stages, his time compares well to his 3:08:28 at Milton Keynes (<1000ft). It’s also within a minute of his best times for each of the last 4 years (apart from MK), showing you can beat the ageing process for a while with smart training. Congratulations Mike on a great run.

PARKRUNS

Our home course saw the highlight of the parkrunning weekend as two of the club’s fastest men made it a 1-2 double for the club.

Coming off a great run in the recent Sizzler, Bill Leggate collected his first ever win at Cirencester in what was his last run as a 40-something, just shy of breaking 18 minutes (and >81% age-graded). It was a lovely way to pre-celebrate the big 50, and gave him plenty of time to cool down by running with wife Kirsty on her last lap.

Rich Allen was in 2^nd place as he continues to claw back form after his recent injury set- back. Good luck to Rich in getting nearer to his sub-18 minute performance in March this year.

{Ed. - I didnt spot any PB's or milestones this week - but feel free to let me know if/when you get one]

Cirencester: 1 Bill Leggate 18.02, 2 Rich Allen 18.51, 44 Toby Conway (J) 23.56,49 Paul Timms 24.16, 53 Karen Higuera 24.27, 105 Rachel Ranger 26.56, 117 Ben Hilditch 27.38,121 Alan McAdam 27.44, 132 Susanna Austin 28.01, 147 Brendan McCarthy 28.41,158 Rachel McAdam 29.06, 214 Samantha Timms 32.34, 232 Kirsty Leggate 34.13,239 Lorna Harris 35.16, 295 finished.

Tetbury: 119 Martin Croucher 29.24, 210 finished.

Carterton, Kilkenny Lane: 116 Gordon Jones 37.46, 155 finished.

Three Brooks, Bradley Stoke, Bristol: 247 Ruth Fulford 36.57, 301 finished.

Devizes, Quakers Walk: 73 David Moss 26.29, 190 finished.

Weston-super-Mare, Marine Parade: 31 Ben Francis 24.22, 191 finished.

Rendlesham Forest, Suffolk: 21 Colin Tapley 23.56, 148 Clare Tapley 40.53, 181 finished.

And finally, not a race with results, but still a significant achievement for one of the club’s sporting couples.

As many of you know Kate and Andy Kilby have now completed their epic “LEJOG” bike ride – here they are pictured at the finish and earlier crossing [the Severn]

Kate and Andy Kilby, having cycled every day from Land's End June 2026

Kate and Andy on a wet and windy bridge crossing

“We avoided the heatwave altogether by cycling Land’s End to John o Groats with 'Saddle Skedaddle' a group of 13 from assorted countries. We nearly got blown off the Severn bridge and admired many other fabulous bridges. A fantastic way to see the island and the Cotswolds were a great training for the hills.”

Triathlete Kate didn’t mention that she even managed to some running done in their “spare” time !

Well done to both of them for such a sustained effort.