The Cotswold Way Relay which was in its 27th year, operated as 10 back-to-back races, starting each stage with a mass start with an hour between the start of each stage..
Stage 1 started at 7 am on a very hot Saturday 29th June from Chipping Campden with stage 10 concluding at Bath Abbey in the early evening. The race used the waymarked route of the Cotswold Way with over 90% off-road, taking in many hills, woodlands, fields and tracks, all offering spectacular views of the countryside around (if ever a runner looked up from the path to take it in!). Each stage consisted of various distances and ascents which offered a differing flavour for each runner in the team.
This year RSE entered ladies, veterans and mixed teams.
At the time of this the individual stage results have not been published.
The Mixed team consisting of Ollie Hazel, Nick Duncan, Nadine Brown, Henry Church, Ellie Taylor, Ben Chapman, Istvan Vegh, Sarah Reynolds, Martin Sherriff and Rosie Oates completed the race in 18:48:16.
The Veterans team consisting of Cathy Steer, Gareth Roberts, Dave Daniels, Kirsty Pitts, John Buck, Dave Whitlow, Richard Marshall, Rochelle Ravenscroft, Paul Coates and Sharon Smith completed the race in 19:46:19
The Ladies team consisting of Elaine Chapman, Linzi Gregory, Tracey Pitts, Linda Edwards, Felicity Crotty, Vanessa Poole, Anne Gardiner, Becca Wilson, Sarah Page and Jo Beames completed the race in 21:42:34
A great effort from everyone running in very hot conditions and thanks to all supporters and those who assisted in the water station.
GE Aviation Aquathon
The GE Aviation Aquathlon was a fast swim/run event held over two distances which raised funds for the charitable trust which operates Sandford Parks Lido. It was designed for competitors aged 13 and above who enjoyed a personal or team challenge. The race started with a swim in the heated main pool of the lido followed by a fast, flat run on pavement, grass and parts of Sandford Park. There were two separate race distances at which competitors could choose to compete. 400m swim, 2.5km run and 800m swim, 5km run.
Representing RSE and competing in the longer distances was Kate Potter who finished the race in a time of 56:26 coming 3rd in the female over 60 category.
The Chippenham Longest Day 10k took place on Wednesday 19th June. The route started and finished in the town centre before heading out on to the quiet country roads and trails around Chippenham on a predominantly flat course.
First in for RSE was Steve Sandercock who completed the race in 50:13. He was followed by;
Sandie Wood – 56:59
Tracy Webster – 1:04:48
Caroline Sandercock – 1:10:38
Well done all of you.
Chedworth Mid Summer Run Out
The Chedworth Mid Summer Run Out took place on Thursday 20th June. This was a scenic trail run of slightly over 10k. It was a challenging route that was 90% off road and included tracks, woodland and fields along with a river crossing.
Representing RSE was Nadine Brown who completed the race in 58:41 coming 3rd in the Senior Ladies category. She was followed by;
Jon Collins – 1:01:42
Sarah Reynolds – 1:01:51
Jo Wood – 1:03:59
Kevin Joynes-Creed – 1:04:34
Jo Beames – 1:04:59
Linda Edwards – 1:09:03
Cherin Edwards – 1:10:43
Vanessa Poole – 1:17:11
Kate Potter – 1:23:55 and 1st in the LV65 category
Tracy Edgington – 1:31:09
Pauline Tilbury – 1:31:54
Caroline Joynes-Creed – 1:34:04
Kay Thompson – 1:36:43
Nadine Brown, Jo Wood and Sarah Reynolds also came 1st in the ladies team competition.
Great effort from you all
The Nailsworth Mills 10k
The Nailsworth Mills run which took place on Sunday 23rd June was a trail event which climbed out of Nailsworth onto the top of Tetbury Lane, looking over towards Chavenage & Avening. Oh the fields of joy, great views, lots of fresh country air, hardly worth mentioning the uphill!
Representing RSE was Nadine Brown who completed the race in an unofficial time of 1:01:24 and came in as second female runner. Well done Nadine.
Dave McNamee 10k
On Sunday 23rd June the Dave McNamee 10K race took part in Boddington, Cheltenham. Incorporated within this event was the Gloucestershire AAA 10K Road Championship. The race was also the 4th event in the RSE short stuff specialist championship. The course consisted of 2 laps of 3.537K + 2926 metres on a very flat, quiet and almost traffic free roads. First in for RSE was Dave Witnall who completed the race in 39:29. He was followed by;
Mark Garrett – 41:45 and first in the M50 category in the race and a gold medal in the AAA 10k championships.
Dave Daniels – 44:04 and a PB for the last 25 years
Ben Chapman – 45:34
Rosie Oates – 47:38 and second in the senior ladies category for the race and a silver in the AAA 10k championships.
Dave Whitlow – 47:46
Sharon Smith – 48:23 and first in the FV60 category and a gold in the FV60 category for the AAA 10K championships
Ellie Taylor – 49:04 and third in the senior ladies category for the race and a bronze in the AAA 10k championships.
Paul Coates – 49:55
Rochelle Ravenscroft – 50:13 and third in the FV40 category for the race and a bronze in the AAA 10k championships.
Ted Pitts – 51:00
Kirsty Pitts – 52:29
Linda Edwards – 52:39
Sarah Page – 53:07
Amanda Tyler – 54:50
Sandie Wood – 56:16
Tracy Webster – 1:05:08
Kay Thompson – 1:18:48
Fantastic running from you all and great results in the AAA Championships.
Rio de Janeiro Marathon
The Rio de Janeiro Marathon took place on Sunday 23rd June. The course weaved through city streets starting in Receiro and finishing in Flamengo on a point-to-point course. With the Serra do Mar Mountains rising inland from Rio’s fabulous shoreline, this scenery with oceans to your right and mountains to your left makes the course one of the more picturesque marathons in the world. Runners see parts of famous neighbourhoods like Praia da Reserva, Leblon, Ipanema, Copacabana, Botafogo and Flamengo along the way.
The only RSE runner taking part in this was Mark Manley who completed the race in unofficial time of 3:43:00. This now makes it marathons in 6 continents with only Antartica to become a member of the 7 Continents Marathon Club. Great effort Mark.
Cotswold Women Only Triathlon
Now in its eleventh year in the South West of England there was be an open water triathlon dedicated to women. It took place at The Cotswold Country Park and Beach on Sunday 23rd June. The 750m one-lap lake swim in clear water was followed by a fairly flat, one lap 20k ride on quiet country roads before departing for a two lap 5k, traffic free run on paths around the lake.
Representing RSE was Jo Wood who completed the event in 1:22:28 coming 5th in the V40 category. Well done Jo
Mentioned in Dispatches
Some great running from the RSE runners this week but of particular note were all the AAA 10K championship medals that were awarded to RSE runners in the Dave McNamee 10K. They included a gold for Mark Garrett and Sharon Smith, silver for Rosie Oates and bronze medals for Rochelle Ravenscroft and Ellie Taylor. Definitely RSE had the most medals awarded today.
Mention also needs to go to Mark Manley who completed the Rio marathon today. This now makes it a marathon in 6 continents. There aren’t many people who can say they have achieved that, and when he completes the Antartica marathon he would join a very small world wide group of runners.
The Cirencester Park Summer Sizzler 10k race took place exclusively within the estate of Cirencester Park on a wet and cold Wednesday 12th June . The course which is surprisingly described as flat went through scenic parkland by kind permission of the Bathurst Estate. This was the third race in the club short stuff specialist category which resulted in a great turnout of RSE runners and spectators.
First in for RSE was Dave Witnall who finished in a time of 38:35. He was followed by;
Ollie Hazel – 40:45
Mark Manley – 40:51
Mark Garrett – 43:19
Richard Hobbs – 43:59
Ben Chapman – 45:04
Rosie Oates – 46:08 setting a new PB by over 2 minutes.
Ellie Taylor – 47:21
Sharon Smith – 47:24 and 1st FV65
Gareth Roberts – 48:12
Elliott Gardiner – 49:07
Kirsty Pitts – 49:03
Rochelle Ravenscroft – 49:37
Jon Collins – 49:55
Jo Beames – 50:04
Steve Sandercock – 50-24
Jo Wood – 51:37
Martin Pitts – 51:37
Cheri Edwards – 51:50
Linda Edwards – 51:57
Laura Lucking -51:43
Amanda Tyler -52:55
Rachel Anley – 53:37
Istvan Vegh – 53:39
Vicki Mason – 54:34
Ryo Taylor – 54:59
Cathy Steer – 56:19 setting a new PB
Liz Farooq – 56:39
Amanda Haines – 58:35 setting a new PB
Manda Taylor – 59:33 setting a new PB and her first sub 1 hour 10k
Kate Sedgwick – 1:03:34
Jane Odell – 1:03:38
Pauline Tilbury – 1:07:18
Caroline Joynes-Creed – 1:11:32
Caroline Sandercock – 1:12:44
Kay Thompson – 1:17:17
Nadine Brown – no finish time due to selflessly stopping to help another distressed runner.
Hope 24
Hope 24 was a special event located on a private estate in Plympton. The event which took place over Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th June provided a friendly atmosphere for runners to get together and challenge themselves to achieve their own targets. Based on a 5-mile trail course in this stunning estate, the event was open to solo runners or teams of 2-8, over a 24 hour period.
RSE entered 2 teams in the event.
Team 1 which was named Still Running Somewhere Else consisted of Dave Witnall, Elaine Chapman, Ben Chapman, Sandie Wood, Ellie Taylor and Martin Sheriff. The team managed an incredible 160 miles in the 24 hours coming 1st in the large mixed team category.
Team 2 which was named Always Running Somewhere Else consisted of Amelia Culshaw, Nick “Animal” Duncan, Emma Hine, Steve Phelps, Amanda Tyler, Richard Marshall and Dave Whitlow were not far behind completing 155 miles and coming 2nd in the large mixed team category.
Taking part in the solo event was Gareth Roberts who completed a total of 85 miles putting him in 2nd place in the solo male category. Outstanding effort.
Also completing the solo event was Ryo Taylor who completed an incredible 50 miles.
In addition there were also two children’s races that took place on the morning of the Saturday, and a single lap 5 mile version for those that find the thought of 24 hours to daunting.
Hope 2.4 k runners
Bourton Hilly Half
The new Bourton Hilly Half took place on Sunday 16th June. The old half marathon route was revamped to still include the classic ‘Steeps’ climb, but as a two lap course giving runners a chance to enjoy more of Bourton on the Water. The half marathon was part of the Gloucester AAA 2019 Road Racing Series and incorporated the Gloucestershire County Half Marathon championships.
Representing RSE was Sharon Smith who completed the race in 1:51:23. She also came first her age category receiving a AAA Gold Medal. She was followed by;
Kevin Joynes-Creed who completed the race in 1:57:14.
Great effort both of you.
Broad Town 5
The Broad Town 5 mile race was run on Saturday 15th June in conjunction with Broad Town School Fete. The race was a single 5 mile lap on country lanes which are very well marshaled, starting at Broad Town School, Wiltshire and was also race number 4 of The Wiltshire Athletics Road Race League.
Representing RSE was Pauline Tilbury who completed the race in an unofficial time of 53 minutes. Pauline recommended this run stating that there was a lot of support from local running clubs who waited to cheer in the slower runners.
Well done Pauline
Cheltenham Half Marathon Challenge
The Cheltenham Half Marathon Challenge took place on Sunday 16th June. The race presented a tough challenge for experienced distance runners as well as a rewarding route for walkers.
The course was a multi-terrain and wet and at times hilly 13.1 mile route using public footpaths and sections of the Cheltenham Circular Footpath, Cotswold Way and Winchcombe Way.
Representing RSE was Andy Masser who finished in a time of 1:55:27.
The Stroud Beer Race took place on Monday 3rd June. The race was approximately a 7.2 mile road race over an undulating three lap course around Mininchampton Common starting at the Old Lodge Inn, Minchinhampton Common, near Stroud, Gloucestershire.
Representing RSE was Dave Witnall who completed the race in 46:03. He was followed by;
Ellie Taylor in 58:44
Susannah Futter – 1:04:00
Well done all of you.
Laycock 10 k
The Laycock 10k race took place on Sunday 9th June. Starting on the village green opposite the Abbey, the route headed out of town and over some lovely stone bridges over the river Avon. Beautiful country roads wind road to the hamlet of Reybridge with lovely thatched roofed buildings lining the narrow streets. Once through Reybridge the run came back round into Lacock itself and ran along the historic side streets as well as up and back along the main high street. This was a 2 lap course for the 10k event with other distances of 5k and 1/2 marathon also taking place at the same time.
Representing RSE was Manda Bloomer who completed the race in 1:04:00. Well done Manda.
South Downs Way 100
The South Downs Way 100 is a 100 mile foot race taking in the entire South Downs Way National Trail. The South Downs boasts stunning rolling hills, ancient forts, picturesque villages and expansive views across southern England..
The course traveled along the chalk ridgeway, starting just outside of Winchester, the capital city of Saxon England and headed due east until the trail ends in Eastbourne. The South Downs tower over Southern England affording runners awe inspiring views north across the Weald and south across the coast and the Channel.
Representing RSE was Henry Church who completed the 100 miles in an incredible 21 hrs and 49 minutes coming 71st out of 350 runners. Awe inspiring effort Henry well done.
Cotswold 113
The Cotswold 113 was a half Ironman event taking place on Sunday 9th June.
Set in the Heart of the picturesque Cotswolds, the Swim was a 1.2 mile lap in the well known lake 32 based in the centre of the Ashton Keynes water park. The bike section left the water park and headed out the area on a flat and fast course into some of the Cotswolds most beautiful and quiet villages. The route was two laps totalling 56 miles, with the most outbound point was based at the top of the only real hill on the course – Neils hill in Hannington Wick. With the event being held in the water park, the athletes were then treated to a mixture of tarmac and hard pack pathing for the 3 lap 13 mile run that took in lake side paths as well as local village routes before finishing back close to the lakeside transition in the finishers area.
Representing RSE was Andy Sampson who completed the event in 5 hrs 46 minutes 11 seconds. Great effort Andy.
Fairford 10k
The Fairford 10K race which was organised by our running club was timed to coincide with the Fairford Festival which included food, and a wine and beer festival and took place on Sunday 9th June.
The race followed the traditional route, starting at the end of Park Street, heading west along Mill Lane, and then north into Quennington. A drop down Fowler’s Hill brought runners to the bottom of the largest incline on the route. At the top they turned right and headed south and down hill along Hatherop Road back into Fairford, then a swift loop through The Croft, on to the High Street before the final stretch back on Park Street to the finishing point outside Race HQ (The Cricket Club).
Representing RSE was Dave Witnall who completed the race in 40:41. He was followed by;
Steve Phelps – 46:37
Elliot Gardiner – 49:46
Wayne Edington – 50:18
Amanda Tyler – 53:46 taking 2:30 from her previous best 10k time
Kate Bartram – 1:13:19
Taking part in the 3k fun run were Rory Brown, Ellena and Isobel Daniels. Future stars of RSE (of course I am some what biased in my prediction).
Mentioned in Dispatches
There are quite a few runners that deserve being mentioned in dispatches this week.
Henry Church completing the South Downs 100, Andy Sampson completing the Cotswold 113 triathlon and Amanda Tyler taking a whopping 2:30 from her previous best 10k. Great efforts from you all.
A special mention needs to go to the Fairford 10k committee consisting of Sarah Gray, Sarah Reynolds, Pauline Tilbury, Mark Manley, Caroline Terry, Nadine Brown and Dave Whitlow. It took a lot of hard work and dedication from the committee to ensure that the event ran smoothly and i have heard nothing but positive feedback from runners. You did the club proud!!
A further mention to all of the members who assisted in the build up and on the day to make the event the success that it was.
