Bugatti 10k
Beginning at the Prescott Hill Climb, this undulating 10k takes runners through Dixton, Alstone and Gretton. The race is part of the Gloucestershire AAA champion series, meaning individual on the night category medals as well as entry into the overall race series.
A huge well done to Nia Glover, Sharon Smith and Zoe Markham-Lee for taking on the course!
- Nia Glover – 43:32 (1st SL!)
- Sharon Smith – 48:09 (1st LV65 and a CR!)
- Zoe Markham-Lee – 58:36
Two Tunnels
The Two Tunnels races have held a place in the Running Somewhere Else club championship for 3 years running. Although a little further afield in Bath, the mix of hot weather VS cool, mile-long tunnels makes for interesting racing conditions. It is also at this course that RSE’s Rochelle Ravenscroft earnt 10 points in the 2019 club championship, and a half marathon PB. This year, the half marathon race was included in the championship in her honour, with a fantastic turnout of club members taking on the different events and supporting.
Two Tunnels 10k
Mainly fast and flat, the 10k takes runners out and back through the tunnels, before facing a steep hill to the finish line. Following the same route as the ultra, plus the beginning of the half and marathon, meant that runners of the 10k could cross paths with fellow club members!
Pauline Tilbury and Caroline Joynes-Creed took on the challenge, running brilliant times before supporting club members finishing the other races!
- Pauline Tilbury – 1:02:31
- Caroline Joynes-Creed – 1:04:52
A huge well done to Caroline and Pauline!
Two Tunnels Half Marathon
This is a tough race, as ever though, it is always held in the height of summer, it also starts at midday, making it one hot run! This year, the race had a slightly different course, which took runners away from the out and back laps through the tunnels, and down the canal paths into the city. The route was surprisingly hilly, with steps on downhills slowing the runners.
RSE runners were outstanding, encouraging each other along the way, running in pairs, and of course, getting a little competitive!
- Mark Garrett – 1:36:12
- David Witnall – 1:37:43
- Tom Razazan – 1:37:47
- Ollie Hazel – 1:41:40
- Rachel Bodey – 1:45:33 (1st F40-49!)
- Sharon Smith – 1:47:25 (1st F70+)
- Sarah Reynolds – 1:56:32
- Sarah Hancock – 1:57:38
- Martin Sheriff – 1:57:42
- Lesley Hinsley – 1:58:04
- Steve Sandercock – 1:59:20
- Elliot Gardiner – 2:00:14 – 1st Half Marathon!
- Alan Powderhill – 2:01:06
- Paul Robertson – 2:01:09
- Sarah Page – 2:01:30 (1st F60-69!)
- Ellie Taylor – 2:07:30
- Paul Coates – 2:12:07
- Liz Farooq – 2:13:21
- Linda Edwards – 2:19:31
- Gareth Roberts – 2:21:23
- Felicity Crotty – 2:22:06
- Jess Osbourne – 2:41:12
Two Tunnels Marathon ‘City Ticket’
If one loops of the course felt tough, how about taking on a second loop? 2 x that hill at mile 3/16 (Ouch!) and twice down those long, seemingly never-ending canal paths.
That’s just what Nadine Brown did, completing the Two Tunnels Marathon – her 2nd marathon of the month! Starting at a slightly cooler time of the morning and ending in the heat of midday, Nadine finished in a fantastic time of 4:32:52!
Two Tunnels Ultra Marathon
The Two Tunnels Ultra took on a slightly different course to the half and marathon, instead incorporating 5 sets of a 10k out and back – that meant a lot more time in the welcomingly cool (but very dark!) tunnels.
Taking on the 50k (31.125 miles) challenge was Kevin Joynes-Creed, who finished the course in a brilliant time of 5:36:00 – over an hour off his PB! Excellent running, Kev!
South Cerney 10k – The Alternate Two Tunnels
The lakes around South Cerney are a beautiful place to run, and one that was a favourite of Rochelle’s. Running the familiar 10k in her honour was Sallie Clatworthy, Tracey Pitts, Kate Potter, Kirsty Pitts, Jenny Hoffman and Caroline Terry.
The route took them past the lakes and down the old Cricklade railway line, followed by lattes and breakfast at the Gateway – a tradition they enjoyed with Tosh.
RSE Summer BBQ in Dedication to Rochelle
The weekends runs were followed by a BBQ at race HQ, Somewhere Else, where many club members turned out for the dedication to Tosh. The committee unveiled a bench that was commissioned in remembrance – the words engraved a homage to a fellow club member and coach:
Mum, Ultra Runner, Athlete, Humble, Determined, Courageous, Sincere
Always Shining Bright
The following words were said by club chair, Pauline Tilbury, on the night:
As you know this evening is dedicated to the lovely Rochelle and what she meant to this running club.
I’d like to extend a warm welcome to Rochelle’s family tonight – it is lovely to meet you all and thank you for coming. And those from the club who knew her are also family – her running family, of which she was an integral part as a runner, a friend, a club coach and an absolute inspiration to all of us who knew her.
Well done to everyone who ran today in the Bath Two Tunnels races – this event was chosen to be run today for Rochelle as it was one of her favourite events – needless to say when she ran it she got a PB! But that wasn’t unusual, as she was often clocking up PBs. Also, well done to the group who ran a 10k in honour of Rochelle yesterday here in Cirencester.
Rochelle (Tosh) was an amazing inspiration to all who knew her and she is still very much inspiring our runners to go beyond what they thought possible. Her determination and belief has been so admired that it has been the driver for many of our members to achieve running goals the didn’t think possible. Tosh was a strong, determined and talented runner. She excelled at running, at all distances although she was really known as our ultra running star.
It will be with very fond memories that some of our members run the Ridgeway 86 in a couple of weeks time which was probably Tosh’s greatest achievement. It is a run along the Ridgeway of 86 non stop miles! And for those who work in kilometres, that is 138 km. All in one go! She was on her feet for 24 hours, non stop.
When Tosh said, “If I can do it, you can do it,” – she meant it and she made you believe that you ‘could’. And so people did! And people are still doing so.
People run distances now, and did so today, that they would never have run if they had not had Tosh in their lives.
Everyone in this club who knew Tosh remembers her with great respect, fondness and love. We all miss her very much but her continued inspiration is a wonderful legacy to have left us with.