Author Archives: Dave Daniels

Sydney Marathon

Run one of the world’s most scenic marathon courses, took in some of Sydney’s most spectacular and historic landmarks including the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

The Sydney Running Festival included four distances dependent on your ability.  All events started in Bradfield Park, Milsons Point and traveled over the main deck of the Sydney Harbour Bridge finishing at the Sydney Opera House (Marathon, Half Marathon and Bridge Run) whilst the Family Fun Run (3.5k) had its own unique finish at the Conservatorium of Music, the entrance to the Royal Botanic Gardens.

The first and strangely only RSE representative, was Mark Manley in a time of 3:44:31.

Great effort Mark.

Marlborough Tiny Temple 7 Miler

Setting off alongside the Temple Trail Half Marathon, this 7 mile multi-terrain race was nestled in the spectacularly scenic Marlborough Downs and allowed the runners to take in the start and finish of the Temple Trail, without the other 5 miles in between!

Representing RSE was  Kay Thompson in a time of 1:23:30.

Well done Kay

Mentioned in Dispatches

There was no question that Mark Manley earned the right to be mentioned in dispatches this week however travelling the other side of the world just to get mentioned is taking it a bit too far.  Mark started running 5 years ago and to date has completed 20 marathons which is an impressive total in it’s own.  However his aim is to complete a marathon in every continent.  Sydney marathon took it to 5 continents and with a marathon in Rio booked for next June that will only leave him with Antartica.  A true inspiration and ambassador for RSE.

Cirencester Park Run

Jonathan Lewis – 21:54

Richard Woodsell Taylor – 26:36

Charley Trykush – 35:48

Cathy Steer – 28:30

Jon Collins – 48:13

New Swindon Half Marathon

On Sunday 9th September the second New Swindon Half Marathon took place.  Starting and finishing in the town centre the course is largely flat and brings the runners through the various highlights of the town including the Magic Roundabout, the County Ground, the Oasis, the Railways, the Outlet Village as well as as the Old Town before a downhill finish into the town centre.

First in for RSE was Tom Cooper in 1:27:15.  He was followed by;

Andy Masser – 1:35:05

Dave Daniels – 1:38:57

Sharon Smith – 1:42:15 and 1st LV55

Dave Witnall – 1:43:45

Nadine Brown – 1:45:50

Jonathan Lewis – 1:46:00

Steve Phelps – 1:46:48

Eleanor Taylor – 1:47:14 in a PB

Jo Wood – 1:49:04

Cheri Edwards – 1:49:47 in a PB on her birthday

Elaine Chapman – 1:53:32

Ryo Taylor – 2:02:38

Vicki Mason – 2:07:45 in a PB

Caroline Joynes-Creed – 2:38:40

Kevin Joynes-Creed – 2:38:41

Not only an impressive turnout but great effort from everyone.

Great North Run

The Great North Run is the largest half marathon in the world and was devised by former Olympic 10,000 m bronze medalist Brendon Foster in 1981.  During the first run there were 12,000 runners however over the years this has increased to in excess of 57000 runners this year.  Participants run between Newcastle upon Tyne and South Shields.

Representing RSE was Linda Edwards in 2:11:06

Great effort Linda.

Cheltenham Traithlon

Now in its 23rd year the Cheltenham Triathlon took place on Sunday 9th September.  The race starts with a 500 m swim in the Lido followed by a 13k cycle and a 2.5 k run around Cheltenham and the picturesque Cotswold Hills.

Representing RSE and raising money for Leukaemia and Intestive Chemo (LINC) was Kate Potter who completed the event in 1:16:15.

Great work Kate

New Forest Marathon

The New Forest Marathon starts at the New Park Showground in Brockenhurst and winds through the heart of the New Forest Ntaional Park.  The multi terrain course offered some of the most scenic running experiences in the country with a blend of forest enclosures, open roads, far reaching views and of course the famous New Forest ponies.

Representing RSE and raising money for Dementia UK in her first marathon in an unofficial time of 4:24:29 was Laura Peters.

Also running for RSE was Paul Coates who completed the 10k.

Fantastic effort Laura and Paul.

Mentioned in Dispatches

Everyone ran hard this weekend however particular mention needs to go to Ellie Taylor who knocked an incredible 8 minutes from her previous PB.  An awesome effort.

Sharon Smith continues to impress by stepping down an age category to the LV55  in the Swindon Half Marathon and still managing first place.  Maybe time to enter as a senior female.  How do you do it?

Normally reserved for highlighting runners who have had a great race, mentioned in dispatches can also be used to highlight bloopers.  This week has to go to a person who entered the Swindon Half Marathon.  Well he thought he did.  Having had a boring pasta meal the night before he decided to pack his kit for the early start.  Realising he didn’t have his race number, he searched his emails, bank statements and even contacted the race director to confirm he had entered.  Although he was confident he had entered, to his dismay and embarrassment  it became clear that he had not.  Thankfully he managed to organise a place and take part.  Thanks Coach Dave for giving me your number which I was fortunately able to transfer.

Cirencester Park Run

Ben Chapman – 21:30

Jon Collins – 24:41

Richard Woodsell Taylor – 26:29

Sarah Reynolds – 27:00

Cathy Steer – 28:30

Tracy Webster – 52:15

Hampstead Heath Park Run

Jenny Hoffman – 32:19

Cotswold End of Season Standard Triathlon

On Saturday 1st September the Cotswold End of Season Standard Triathlon took place in South Cerney.  This involved a 1500m swim in Lake 62 followed by a 2 lap 40k cycle around the Cotswolds taking in some fantastic scenery which was fairly flat with a couple of gentle sloping inclines.  The race ended with a 9k lake path run.

First in for RSE was Sarah Reynolds in 2:39:31.  She was followed by;

Jess Osbourne – 2:54:21

Jo Wood – 2:54:22

Great effort from them all.

Chedworth Roman Trail 10 mile

The 20th staging of the challenging 10 mile multi terrain race in the heart of the Cotswolds took place on Sunday 2nd September.  This event started at the Chedworth Village Hall and involved running over tracks and woodland paths through the Stowell Park Estate and close to Chedworth Roman Villa.

First in for RSE was Tommy Cooper in 1:12:47 and in 15th overall place.  He was followed by;

Henry Church – 1:17:42

Mark Manley – 1:22:42

Sharon Smith – 1:30:08 and 1st in the V65 category

Nadine Brown – 1:32:03

Eleanor Taylor – 1:32:56

Cheri Edwards – 1:34:37

Elaine Chapman – 1:39:14

Kirsty Pitts – 1:46:40

Richard Taylor – 1:47:56

Rosie Oates – 1:49:08

Emma Hine – 1:53:37

Richard Marshall – 1:53:38

Liz Farooq – 1:54:57

Kate Potter – 2:01:15

Jenny Hoffman – 2:06:40

Not only a great turnout from RSE but some interesting pictures from the water obstacle.

Mentioned in Dispatches

Normally reserved for individuals who excel during an event this weeks mentioned in dispatches goes to all the volunteers who attended the Cirencester Park Run.  In the region of 40 RSE members attended the event to carry out the roles of marshalls and pacers.  This was an outstanding turnout for the club and only goes to underline the sort of club RSE is.  Being one of the scanners I was one of the last marshalls to see some of the runners and many of them commented on how much they enjoyed the event.  In fact one of the runners stated he had taken part in park runs throughout the world and this one was one of, if not, the best so far.

Cirencester Park Run

Tommy Cooper – 19:56 whilst set to run as pacer for 20 minutes.

Jonathan Lewis – 25:12

Wayne Edgington – 25:46

Richard Woodsell Taylor – 25:53

Steve Sandercock – 26:56

Emma Hine – 29:32 whilst set to run as pacer for 30 minutes.

Eleanor Taylor – 29:32

Caroline Sandercock – 36:34

Dave Whitlow – 36:49

George Rackley – 39:56 whilst set to run as pacer for 40 minutes.

Mr Manley (80 year old father of Mark) – 1:03:05

Nadine Brown – 1:03:05 whilst set to run as tail walker.

Cheltenham Park Run

Steve Phelps – 22:53

Swindon Park Run

Martyn Joyce – 20:43