W/e 1st Feb - race win for James in a busy weekend on and off-road

********************REDUCED/DELAYED RACE REPORT SERVICE IN FEBRUARY***********

With thanks again to our excellent results co-ordinator David Wright, we’re expecting the raw race results to be uploaded to the club website on a timely basis as usual – see here

https://www.cirencesterac.com/results

However, these accompanying commentaries will be subject to a variable delay over the next several weeks. If you do race, then please consider posting about it, including any photos, on the Club’s Whatsapp community (there is a race sub-group).

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SUNDAY 1^ST FEBRUARY

Mayhill Trail races at Leaf Creative, Huntley, Glos

“The MAYHILL MASSACRE - a 7-8 mile tough cross country run featuring tough climbs up Mayhill. Throw in some very muddy trails, some great scenery and the open plain at the top of May Hill and you have a recipe for a must do challenge run.”

​The above Saturday event being too easy presumably, James Thomas went instead for “May Hill Mayhem!”  on the Sunday, where competitors run an extra loop, to total 14-15 miles. Only for the brave!

In the “somewhat muddy and hilly” conditions, James did brilliantly to finish first and thus come away with a trophy for the Thomas cabinet – many congratulations James. Photo below shows Cedric looking after dad's trophy.

James Thomas, winner of "Mayhill Massacre", 1.2.26, with family (Photo James)

{Official results not yet available as of going to press}

Oxford Mail Cross Country League (4 of 5), Guiting Power

Some of the club’s juniors and teens, plus their hard working team manager Dorian Matts were in action at the Cotswold Farm Park near Guiting Power. This was an Oxford rather than Glos XC league event - the juniors are trialling the different league this season.

Dorian was pleased not to be lapped on what he enthused was a great “pukka” XC course.

{No feedback yet on the junior/teen runs}

Men (8.5km)

1 Ben Cole (Swindon Harriers) 28.41

250 Dorian Matts (Cirencester AC) 51.35

264 finished

U9 Boys / Girls (1.2km) 

25 Ted Lumley 6.19,

56 Henrietta Franklin 7.35

U13 Boys / Girls (3km) 

41 Alice Averies 14.29

U15 Boys / Girls (4.5km) 

23 Toby Conway 20.01,

24 Bertie Andrews 20.03

Warwick Half Marathon

Mike Hobbs has been managing his leg injury risk over the last year or so by doing a mixture of cycling and running. It looks to have paid off handsomely, along with the perfect conditions for the Warwick marathon. Here is his Strava feedback.

“Despite a chaotic start, that was so slow to get going that I was actually walking after the start line, then surging to get past hordes of slower runners for the first 3k, I’m happy with the effort. Unsurprisingly, I was above threshold from 3 miles, but held on really well on this undulating course.”

Congratulations on a great time Mike, especially given the crowds!

1 Ian Allen (Spa Striders) 1.09.23 (chip 1.09.23)

130 Michael Hobbs (Cirencester AC) 1.26.18 (1.25.30) 3^rd V50

2683 finished www.warwickhalf.com

Slaughterford ‘9’, nr Chippenham, c.9 miles trail

Aaron Willis was tantalisingly just 1 (chip) or 2 (gun) seconds outside his one-hour target time, but finishing 7^th out of over 300 (and 2^nd Vet) he was still happy to run what he reckons is one of the best races in the calendar.  

The race is also Andy Hindson’s “fave mudfest”, so one for next year for some of you other mud-pluggers?  

1 Aidan Daniel (Team Bath AC) 55.30 (chip 55.29) 

7 Aaron Willis (Cirencester AC) 1.00.02 (1.00.01)

115 Andy Hindson 1.21.48 (1.21.31)

316 finished www.chippenhamharriers.co.uk

Chichester 10km at Goodwood

Almost 1400 runners competed in the Chichester 10k, which incorporated the British Masters 10k championships.

Amongst them, David Wright had a long walk from the remote car parking to get to the motor racing circuit at Goodwood {Ed. – unlike for my much smaller marathon field in December when we were allowed to park inside ;-) }

David’s chip time of 41.44 was an impressive 84% age-graded, but in a very strong field and most likely being the oldest in his age group it was only good enough for 5^th in V65 on the day.

1 Charlie Sandison (Hercules Wimbledon AC) 30.07 (chip 30.07)

433 David Wright (Cirencester AC) 41.52 (41.44) - 5th V65

************************PARKRUNS 31ST JANUARY***************

At Tetbury this week both the first man and lady were from the club – congratulations to Rich Allen and Kate Jacobs.

Kate’s time of 18.52 was her 2^nd fastest ever parkrun, and coming a full 10 years after setting her PB of 18.36 it was a clear age-graded best at a whopping 86.75%. Brilliant run Kate, well done!

There were also two milestones, with Colin Tapley visiting Carterton again for his 100^th and Paul Timms clocking up his 200^th at Tetbury.

Given the likely delay with next week’s newsletter, we wish all the best to Rachel and Alan McAdam when they run their 600^th parkrun (hopefully) next weekend (Feb 7^th).

Conditions at the Ciren course were rather muddy again, which may have accounted for a smaller than usual number of club runners.

We're guessing conditions may have been kinder to Ben Hilditch, who easily wins this week's furthest away parkrun in Singapore.

Cirencester: 47 Susanna Austin 27.21, 57 Alan McAdam 27.45, 63 Jonathan Higgs 28.15,70 Rachel McAdam 28.42, 113 Amanda Naylor 31.58, 118 Pam Wheeler 32.24, 163 finished.

Tetbury: 1 Rich Allen 17.45, 4 Kate Jacobs (1st lady) 18.52, 47 Paul Timms 23.45,49 Stephen Hale 23.51, 152 Samantha Timms 31.14, 244 finished.

Swindon, Lydiard Park: 166 Gordon Jones 29.18, 449 finished.

Swindon, Seven Fields: 4 Ian Barrett 19.44, 227 finished.

Carterton, Kilkenny Lane: 33 Colin Tapley 23.52, 148 Clare Tapley 41.49, 164 finished.

Marlborough Common: 87 David Moss 32.20, 133 finished.

Birmingham, Oaklands: 148 Sophie Mason (J) 27.12, 383 finished.

St Austell, Eden Project: 69 Kate Kilby 25.09, 289 finished.

East Coast, Singapore: 52 Ben Hilditch 24.34, 157 finished.