On Saturday, in very cold conditions, Dave Musgrove took on a punishing trail marathon on the World Heritage Jurassic Coast path in Dorset. The route initially heads west from Tyneham then turns to set off east to the finish line in Swanage with competitors having to deal with 4692 feet of ascent along the way. To use Dave’s own words the weather was “a bit lively with a fresh gale in parts”.
Dave was going along well until around the 18 mile mark when he says he “hit the wall pretty badly”. He suffered sickness and had to walk/run the final 8 miles. Given the terrain, the weather and feeling unwell, his finish time of 5:18:35 and 40th place is really impressive. Despite being a little disappointed, Dave says it was a well organised event and a great place to run.
4th December, Endurance Life Dorset Coastal Marathon, 26.2 miles, trail
1 James Ellis (Unknown) 3.38.29
40 David Musgrove (Cirencester AC) 5.18.35
173 finished
David Wright took part in the Victory 5, a flat and fast road race in Portsmouth. This was the 75th running of the race, which attracts competitors from around the UK and overseas. David’s impressive 31:40 finish time took 3rd place in the MV60 age category.
5th December, Victory 5, Portsmouth, 5 miles, road
1 Alex Leuton (Southampton AC) 24.03 (24.03)
144 David Wright (Cirencester AC) 31.43 (31.40) – 3rd MV60
676 finished
Sam and Paul Timms went to the Wiltshire village of Bromham for the annual 10k Pudding Run. The two lap course is described as flat and great for a bash at a PB. The prizes have a festive feel with all runners receiving a Christmas pudding.
5th December, Bromham Pudding Run, 10k, road
1 Jake Stephens (Chippenham Harriers) 33.44 (33.44)
116 Paul Timms (Cirencester AC) 47.05 (46.48)
272 Samantha Timms 58.29 (58.11)
397 finished
Nicola Wood and Paul Edrich have obviously caught the parkrun bug and were found at Lydiard with parkrun stalwarts Rachel and Alan Mcadam. Just 5 weeks after resuming running, Nicola was delighted with her pace.
Much further afield, Luke Campbell took first place in the event in Westville in South Africa. The route is a really challenging one with plenty of climbs. The course record of 23:13 is an indication of just what a tough one it is. Luke says it was very hot and humid but spotting monkeys and exotic birds along the way made for an unusual parkrun.
4th December, parkrun, 5k, trail
Lydiard parkrun
1 Jack Choules (unattached) 18.47
93 Alan Mcadam (Cirencester AC) 25.23
112 Rachel Mcadam 26.49
180 Paul Edrich 30.53
182 Nicola Wood 30.59
319 finished
Wotton parkrun
1 Rohan Archer (Unattached) 18.44
18 Alex Banks (Cirencester AC) 26.48
51 finished
Cirencester parkrun
1 Louis Marengo (Unattached) 20.55
27 Paul Timms (Cirencester AC) 25.14
46 Brendan McCarthy 27.51
70 Samantha Timms 31.16
95 Brian Harris 36.47
109 finished
Westville parkrun
1 Luke Campbell (Cirencester AC) 24.48
98 finished