Twixtmas & New Year news (lots of)
- brian17harris
- 2 days ago
- 8 min read
Ed. A surprisingly long report covering the end of the holiday season and the start of 2026.
***********NEW YEAR’S MESSAGE FROM CLUB PRESIDENT*************
Thanks to the Editor for allowing me to gate-crash this first report of 2026.
I just wanted to convey my sincere thanks, on behalf of all our members, to all of the committee who work so hard on our behalf. To Luke and Rich, a massive thanks for the seamless transition from Ruth and me - from our perspectives at least! To our Treasurer Caroline Pople for her continued safekeeping of the clubs finances, to Head of Coaches Tash Pauck and the wonderful team of coaches who turn out week after week for us with new and innovative training sessions. To Dorian Matts and his excellent team of supporters in the extremely popular junior/teen section and of course to Triathlon rep Kate Kilby and Team captains Aaron Willis and Kate Jacobs who get our teams out and keep us all on our toes! And last but certainly not least to Brian Harris for his unrelenting role as membership secretary and his fantastic weekly reports so enjoyed by us all. Behind the scenes we also have Dr Lorna Harris and Nicola Wood who are our club Welfare Officers.
But, as I always used to make clear, there are many more cogs that go into ensuring that we have a well-rounded, competitive, friendly and vibrant club.
Results Co-ordinator David Wright, Entry Central guru Andy Hindson, our much changed but enthusiastic Thursday morning group with routes provided by Nicola Wood, Alan McAdam and Brendan McCarthy. The volunteers at our fantastic local parkrun who regularly turn out week after week. Kate Jacobs who took on organisation and Race Director responsibilities for Chedworth and Luke who has very kindly taken over the 2026 Summer Sizzler organisation and Race Director role.
I sincerely hope that everyone will afford Luke the same degree of support as you did to me over many years.
All that remains for me is to wish you and your families a very happy and prosperous New Year.
Pam Wheeler, President
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RACE AND RUN REPORTS
29 December, Plain Crazy, Warminster, c12.5 miles trail
The “distinction” of running the last race of 2025 went to two of the “Fairford fasties”, Aaron Willis and Rob Forbes. The event is put on by Redfish, who described it thus
“Plain Crazy Winter is a 12.5 (ish) mile run and has been described as hilly, cold, scenic, desolate, windy and can even be snowy. Someone even said they lost their soul. This event is suitable for over 16s only, and is supporting The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.”
Rob took a podium place in 3rd and Aaron wasn’t far behind in 6th out of almost 200 runners trying to shake off the excesses of Christmas. Here’s the Strava feedback from our guys (I leave you to guess which is which).
“Nice race. Felt a little ropey, struggled to get my gel down. Good way to kick off marathon training.”
“Bit of life in old dog yet. Ran surprisingly well given fitness levels, groin and mince pie consumption”
1 Mark Threlfall (Team Bath AC) 1.15.37
3 Rob Forbes (Cirencester AC) 1.21.14 – 1st V40
6 Aaron Willis 1.22.54
186 finished
*****Tuesday 30th December – Luke’s Lovely Lights *****
We don’t often report on training sessions, but we couldn’t let the innovative year-end social pass without a newsletter mention.
Luke organised an orienteering-style social event taking runners/walkers starting at the LC to up to 25 possible locations in and around town (from Stratton to Siddington) to see various Christmas lights, finishing with drinks afterwards at the Crown pub, just off the market place.
It was greatly enjoyed by those who took part – here are just a selection of their photos and comments.
"Hi Luke. Great event which must have taken you time to organise- we 4 had fun and even ran quite hard ( for us) towards the end. Thanks for making it happen and all the best for 2026! "
"Really fun and really good workout, especially the sprint in at the end"
"Well done Luke - a lot of work went into the orienteering trail - THANK YOU"
"Gutted to be missing it" {Ed. me too - pesky family visitors!}
1st Jan New Year’s Day parkruns
Lots of Parkrun courses put on an extra event on NYD – presumably banking on those with New Year’s resolutions to exercise (more) outnumbering those regular parkrunners who had celebrated a bit too hard to turn up?
At Cirencester, Ian Barrett was the first member home and also best age-graded.
Lorna Harris was delighted to be back running (having done no parkruns at all in 2025 due to injuries) particularly as the sun came out and she received encouragement from plenty of familiar friendly faces.
Rachel McAdam managed to get this elusive snap of all three Thursday route-masters in one place at the same time (Pam lauded their combined efforts above). {Ed. I stand to be corrected on lack of an apostrophe in photo title, and should that be route-persons ? ;-) }
Casey Vatcher (below) ran another parkrunwith daughter Bella in the Nipper - and she slept the whole run! 👌
Over in Tetbury, Jo Musk ran with son Brecon (J10)
“Great job by Brecon. Congested at the start so not quick away and finished really strongly. We think a PB, although won't be official. We had to stop briefly to tie his shoelace.”
{Ed. - their strava times were 25s faster than official parkrun}.
Ollie Campbell ran at the home of the Parkrun movement in Bushy Park, finishing in the top 10 in a huge field, albeit a little off his recent best (but it was NYD, just saying).
Cirencester: 12 Ian Barrett 20.16, 37 Toby Conway (J) 22.55, 38 Clare Stickney 22.59,91 Isabella Stickney (J) 26.32, 98 Jonathan Higgs 26.54, 102 Brian Harris 27.00,106 Colin Tapley 27.09, 111 Alan McAdam 27.16, 113 Susanna Austin 27.19,123 Casey Vatcher 27.43, 128 Nicola Wood 27.54, 149 Brendan McCarthy 28.42,158 Rachel McAdam 29.07, 175 Pam Wheeler 29.55, 207 Amanda Naylor 31.37,238 Rachel Jones 33.30, 263 Richard Edwards 35.31, 291 Lorna Harris 38.54,311 Clare Tapley 42.42, 331 finished.
Tetbury: 47 Brecon Musk (J) 22.57, 48 Jo Musk 22.57, 292 finished.
Chippenham: 218 Martin Croucher 42.04, 242 finished.
Three Brooks, Bradley Stoke, Bristol: 384 Ruth Fulford 36.16, 448 finished.
California Country Park, Wokingham: 135 Sophie Mason (J) 29.35, 237 finished.
Bushy Park, Hampton Court: 9 Ollie Campbell 18.04, 1185 finished
Saturday 3rd Jan parkruns
The 5th parkrun in 15 days (phew) for the McAdams (closing in on their 600th) saw "Sunny morning, below freezing and icy patches. But no mud and clean trainers!" Take a week off guys ;-).
It was so cold in fact that some events in England across were cancelled because of the ice (some with only 30 minutes notice!).
The Cirencester event saw a strong club turnout, including a few runners in the XC relay later on Saturday, warming up with their family. No milestones, but congratulations to Charles Woodd for his PB, and to Kate Jacobs and Charlotte Wilton 1st/2nd ladies home.
Cirencester: 5 Rob Forbes 18.42, 9 Charles Woodd 20.24(PB), 10 Kate Jacobs (1st lady) 20.25,21 Charlotte Wilton 21.55, 25 Edward Knight (J) 22.14, 33 Brian Harris 22.53,61 Ruaridh Wright (J) 24.47, 62 Rich Allen 24.47, 78 Casey Vatcher 25.45,88 Rachel Ranger 26.15, 109 Susanna Austin 26.56, 110 Isla Wright (J) 27.03, 121 Alan McAdam 27.29, 134 Rachel McAdam 28.02, 140 Brendan McCarthy 28.20,154 Tom Morgan 28.50, 179 Pam Wheeler 29.59, 185 Samuel Stickney (J) 30.28,188 Clare Stickney 30.35, 192 Amanda Naylor 30.41, 204 Jonathan Higgs 31.18,311 finished.
Tetbury: 18 Paul Timms 22.50, 36 Stephen Hale 24.24, 142 Samantha Timms 31.03,219 finished.
Swindon, Lydiard Park: 250 Richard Edwards 30.13, 488 finished.
Cheltenham, Pittville Park: 18 Ian Barrett 19.26, 618 finished.
Marlborough Common: 27 David Moss 23.15, 218 finished.
Three Brooks, Bradley Stoke, Bristol: 389 Ruth Fulford 37.03, 445 finished.
Milton Keynes: 166 Neil Broadley 26.39, 722 finished.
Saturday 3rd Jan – Gloucestershire County Cross Country Relays
Whilst the county XC league series of races has again failed to attract much participation from our members this season, as Rich Allen kindly reports below, the club managed to field two teams this weekend.
“Men’s club captain, Aaron Willis, organised two strong teams of 4 for the Plock Court XC relays at the Oxstalls Sports complex in Gloucester (home to the Gloucester North parkrun, for awareness). Team 10 consisted of Aaron, Bill Leggate, Rich Allen and Dave Bell. On Team 11 were Dave Musgrove, Ian Barrett, Storm Trow and James Thomas.
The race incorporated the Gloucestershire AAA XC Relays Championship and comprised 4 x 2(ish) mile laps of the flat, grassy and only very occasionally muddy route around the site perimeter. 168 runners forming 42 teams, from 10 different clubs, competed in the cold, crisp, sunny afternoon; near perfect XC conditions.
Before the start of the race a minute’s applause took place to remember Terry Haines, stalwart of Severn AC, who sadly passed away over the Christmas period. Terry always played an integral role in the organisation of the relays, as well as countless other events over the years. He will be sorely missed.
The race got off to a blistering start and by the end of lap 1 Aaron had put team 10 into a commanding 5th place, whilst Dave M finished team 11’s first lap in an impressive 16th. Both teams showed true grit and determination; progressing steadily up the field with each successive lap.
A strong and consistently paced team performance led to team 10 taking 2nd place overall, behind the ever-dominant Western Tempo. Also first veteran team over the line, they can now proudly call themselves County Masters XC Relays Champions! Team 11 finished in a commendable 12th place, a brilliant performance that they can all be proud of.
Overall, it was a hugely enjoyable event and a great club outing. It was particularly great to see the team spirit of those having finished their lap, run around the course to cheer on their club mates! Hopefully this strong club performance will help spur-on more club members to get involved in future XC events.”
Congratulations to the fastest Vets team (Was there any bling?).
As David Wright adds in the detailed results below, our other team was the fastest mixed team - special congratulations to Storm Trow for being the 4th fastest lady. Also, thanks to Ian Barrett for stepping in as a last-minute replacement.
Plock Court Relays, Gloucester, 4 x 1.9 miles cross country
1 Western Tempo 40.28
2 Cirencester AC – 1st V40 men’s team (Aaron Willis 10.42, Bill Leggate 10.31, Rich Allen 10.51, David Bell 10.31) 42.35
12 Cirencester AC ‘B’ – 1st mixed team (David Musgrove 11.55, Ian Barrett 12.14, Storm Trow (F) 11.45, James Thomas 11.06) 47.00
42 teams finished
Fastest times: 1 Luke Carroll (Western Tempo) 9.55, 11= Leggate / Bell (Cirencester AC) 10.31
Fastest times ladies: 1 Isabel Brinsden (CLC Striders) 10.56, 4 Trow (Cirencester AC) 11.45
4 January 2026, Oxford Mail Cross Country League (3 of 5), Horspath, Oxford
The cross-country series put on by one of our neighbouring counties includes some events at locations that may be more convenient than the usual Glos league, so the club is trialling participation in the Oxfordshire league. On this occasion it was just junior/teens coach Dorian Matts and one other athlete – Alice Averies (pictured below) who braved the snowy conditions. Dorian sent this report
“I had difficulty getting my spikes to stick in the ground! I took it steady and overtook some runners on the second lap. Unfortunately, I tripped over before the water crossing and that meant a couple got past me - not next time! It’s a great course and with the sun shining and the packed snow it was a great place to run.”
Well done to both of them!
Men (8km)
1 Quinn Miell-Ingram (Radley AC) 26.13
303 Dorian Matts (Cirencester AC) 47.48
316 finished
U13 Boys / Girls (3km) Cirencester AC finishers:
44 Alice Averies 13.36
AND FINALLY
Most of our readers haven't yet checked out the recent article Dorian Matts posted about the longevity benefits of running.
Spoiler alert - it's good for you and could add around 5 years. But maybe you didn't need much encouragement to keep running?
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