Author Archives: Ellie Taylor

St. Illtyd’s Ultra Marathon

St Illyds Ultra is a 50KM race across multi terrain with spectacular scenery including canals, woodlands, hills and rivers, taking in scenery such as Bluebell encrusted gems, old ruins and crossing canals and rivers. Organised by Go Events Wales, this was the first time it had been able to run since Covid. The course is fully marked out (fairly rare in the ultra world!) and supported by marshals, and boasts fully stocked aid stations which are more like picnic feasts!

Two RSE runners completed the tough course, Nadine Brown and Gareth Roberts!

Although official times have not been released, there unofficial times are:

• Nadine Brown – 6 hours 30 minutes
• Gareth Roberts – 7 hours 35 minutes

It was a nice race, scenic, hilly and muddy. An out and back marathon in the hills, with an undulating tarmac 5 mile tagged on the end for good measure!

Gareth Roberts

It’s was a well organised, friendly event and wonderful to have Gareth for company at this one too. I struggle with an out and back route but the variety of this one kept it interesting. Makes for an ideal first ultra due to generous cut offs, fab medal and it’s reasonably priced too, if anyone’s tempted?! 😉

Nadine Brown

MK Marathon

This bank holiday included a full ensemble of races in Milton Keynes, from 5ks to relays, to the marathon itself. RSE’s Elaine Chapman took to the marathon course, which began just outside the city stadium. The course is notoriously beautiful, following the cycle paths (redways) around MK, passing many natural beauty hotspots. It is also listed as flat and fast, as well as ranked in the top 10 UK marathons list – perfect for runners chasing a time.

Elaine completed the course in a brilliant time of 4:07:06!

It was a really lovely event, very picturesque. You started off running around the city centre then headed off into all the villages and parks. Great atmosphere and support all the way round. Good event to support too. Ben, boys and mum got to see me a [mile] 11, 20 and at the finish. Stadium finish was brilliant! I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to others.

Elaine Chapman

Brilliant work, Elaine!

Vitality London 10k

This popular event attracts over 10,000 runners every year with it’s celebration style atmosphere, post-event Vitality Wellness Festival and iconic sites on route, such as Big Ben, the House of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. It is also part of the British 10k Championships, which means the elite runners, including Mo Farah, took to the front.

The route is an out and back, starting outside St. James’s Palace before crossing the city and passing St. Paul’s Cathedral to Bank, before heading back along mostly the same course. The finish line is outside Buckingham Palace – perfect for post-run selfies!

Running in RSE colours was Richard Edwards, who finished in a fantastic time of 1:02:46!

Brilliant running, Richard!

parkruns

Cirencester parkrun

• Phil Southworth – 22:07
• Daniel Drayton – 23:43
• Paul Beaumont – 24:11
• Campbell McIlroy – 24:52
• Andy Sworn – 26:02
• Kathryn Cowdall – 28:24 – New PB!
• Anne-Marie Davies – 28:38
• Louise Hayes – 29:51
• Cathy Steer – 31:36
• Caroline Joynes-Creed – 31:42
• Cheri Edwards – 31:42
• Vanessa Poole – 31:54

Central parkrun, Plymouth

• Darren Jenner – 25:50
• Felicity Crotty – 31:51

Parkrun result not mentioned? It may be that you’re not listed as Running Somewhere Else in the parkrun results online. For information on how to change/add RSE as your listed club, click here.

parkrun Cup!

Something is returning and it is called the ………….RSE Parkrun cup!

This is a competition that puts everyone at all abilities on an even playing field. It’s for all runners, from beginners to the experienced – any pace, any level. Everyone who enters will be drawn 1 on 1 against an opponent, but those with faster previous parkrun times will receive a handicap.

For example –

• Coach Dave’s Cirencester parkrun PB is 19 mins
• Ellie Taylor’s is 24 mins

If they were drawn against each other, Dave would need to beat Ellie’s time by more than 5 mins on the day to be able to progress to the next round.

The competition will start in June with round 1, and the final will be in September – you have until June to set your starting time!

For the rules/ guidelines for the competition, or if you would like to enter please message David Witnall.

If you would like a run or race included in the club report, don’t forget to message Ellie Taylor by 5pm Sunday each week 🙂

Title quote – Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare

Shakespeare Marathon & Half Marathon

To celebrate the birth of William Shakespeare, each year the streets of Stratford are lined with runners, ready to take on the half marathon or marathon. The route starts in the town centre, and gives participants a tour of the old buildings, before heading out to Luddington and Welford-on-Avon. The course is a mix of road and dirt tracks across Stratford Greenway. While the half marathon runners then carried on, back to the town centre, the marathon runners turned off to complete an additional lap.

This year’s Stratford race was extra special for RSE, as not only was it included in the club championship (half only), but a coach was hired to take club members on masse to the race HQ and there was a Shakespeare-themed quiz to raise money for our club charity, the Great Western Air Ambulance. Friends, family and anyone with a pom pom were encouraged to come support!

Marathon times:

• Andy Poole – 3:36:34
• Jo Wood – 4:08:21
• Cheri Edwards – 4:12:35
• Sarah Reynolds – 4:23:22
• Kevin Joynes-Creed – 4:28:01
• Zoe Markham-Lee – 4:48:53
• Vicki Mason – 4:51:52

Half marathon times:

• Mark Garrett – 1:27:50
• David Witnall – 1:28:01
• Nia Glover – 1:39:40
• Phil Southworth – 1:43:05
• Rachel Bodey – 1:44:17
• Ellie Taylor – 1:49:38
• Nadine Brown – 1:51:03
• Sarah Page – 1:57:33
• Elliot Gardiner – 2:00:06
• Kirsty Pitts – 2:02:16
• Teresa Hazelwood – 2:03:33
• Elaine Chapman – 2:03:34
• Zan Futter – 2:06:02
• Paul Robertson – 2:10:07
• Amanda Ball – 2:11:22
• Tim Wainwright – 2:12:24
• Caroline Joynes-Creed – 2:23:23
• Jenny Hoffmann – 2:29:00

Fantastic day, a lovely route (when you only have to do the loop once!) and well organised. RSE were incredible, both those who ran and those who came to support. Well done and thank you to all.

Thank you to Dave and the committee for organising and paying for the coach transfers too which complimented the day perfectly. Looking forward to the next one!

Nadine Brown

Pewsey Downsaround 36+

Lesley Hinsley and Mark Manley are no strangers to an ultra, so when a course boasts stunning views and iconic sites, including the Avebury Stone Circle, Silbury Hill and the Wansdyke, how could they resist the Pewsey Downsaround 36 miler. With over 4000 feet of elevation, the course takes participants on a circular walk across footpaths and bridleways, and runners are treated to views of the Vale of Pewsey and Marlborough Downs.

Mark and Lesley completed the challenge in a brilliant time of 7 hours and 35 minutes!

[It] was lovely, soo pretty, but rather hilly. Gorgeous weather [and I] thoroughly enjoyed it.

Lesley Hinsley

Incredible work both of you!

parkruns

Kingsway parkrun, Gloucester

• Felicity Crotty – 31:07

Aberystwyth parkrun

• Cheri Edwards – 27:28 – 1st in age category!

Cirencester parkrun

• William Gardiner – 27:51
• Liz Hulcup – 27:59
• Elaine Chapman – 28:07
• Kevin Joynes-Creed – 28:14
• Anne-Marie Davies – 29:15
• Kathryn Cowdall – 30:10

Stratford Park parkrun, Stroud

• Cathy Steer – 35:16

Berkeley Green parkrun

• Richard Edwards – 26:29

Parkrun result not mentioned? It may be that you’re not listed as Running Somewhere Else in the parkrun results online. For information on how to change/add RSE as your listed club, click here.

If you would like a run or race included in the club report, don’t forget to message Ellie Taylor by 5pm Sunday each week 🙂

Westonbirt Easter 10k

The house and grounds at Westonbirt are notoriously beautiful, and a perfect setting for an Easter run. Runners had the choice of a half marathon or 10k challenge around the grounds, each event finishing in front of the stately home.

RSE club members took on the 10k distance in what was a surprisingly hot day.

• Paul Beaumont – 53:37 – First 10k!
• Linda Edwards – 1:06:41
• Pauline Tilbury – 1:10:38
• Caroline Terry – 1:16:32

Westonbirt 10K. Bit nervous before – was my first 10K – and was following hamstring then covid. Great to see other RSEs running and even an RSE marshall! Did it. (53.37 chip time). Never imagined would do a 10k when joined RSE after lockdown. So many thanks to RSE and ESPECIALLY the coaches. Now for the Stroud Beer Race!

Paul Beaumont

It was, as usual, a lovely event, very friendly and well organised but hot hot hot ☀️😎 ! The three of us (Caroline T, Linda & me) were all coming back from illness and injury so all delighted just to finish. Getting out there has been hard lately but putting on that club vest is motivation in itself 💛

Pauline Tilbury

Incredible work from all those who ran, particularly those returning from injury or illness!

parkruns

Kingsway parkrun, Gloucester

• Darren Jenner – 25:23
• Felicity Crotty – 31:41

York parkrun

• Anne-Marie Davies – 28:16

Big Bay parkrun (South Africa)

• Taryn Hancock – 33:43

Chipping Sodbury parkrun

• Phil Southworth – 21:42

Cirencester parkrun

• Daniel Drayton – 23:37
• Cheri Edwards – 24:29
• Steve Sandercock – 25:35
• Oliver Hughes – 27:54
• Louise Hayes – 31:04

Groe parkrun

• Kathryn Cowdall – 28:45

Hobsonville Point parkrun (New Zealand)

• Campbell McIlroy – 23:47

Tetbury Goods Shed parkrun

• David Witnall – 18:58
• Ellie Taylor – 23:27 – parkrun PB + 2nd in age category!
• Richard Edwards – 25:37
• Richard Taylor – 30:32

Stratford Park parkrun, Stroud

• Cathy Steer – 34:03

If you would like a run or race included in the club report, don’t forget to message Ellie Taylor by 5pm Sunday each week 🙂

Rose of the Shires 54 Mile Ultra

The Rose of the Shires Ultra consists of 54 miles of beautiful Northamptonshire country trails, roads and towpath.
 
The Race start and finish is hosted by the Brixworth Country Park and is a single loop taking in the beautiful Northamptonshire countryside. It includes two country parks, Salcey Forest, the Grand Union Canal and 21 pretty villages and towns following parts of the Nene Way, the Midshires Way and the Northampton Round.

A huge congratulations to RSE’s Nadine Brown for completing the course in 11:53:53 – this is her 2nd ultra in 3 weeks!

I felt under-prepared and nervous for this one. The goal was to simply get round within the cut offs.

The route is 99% self navigated and I’ve discovered 8 hours into running I’ve not necessarily got my wits about me! Anyway, I channelled my inner ‘Mark Manley’, pushed on and am delighted to have finished. Will be taking a break from the double marathon distance for a while though!

Nadine Brown

Incredible, Nadine, well done!

Centurion South Downs 50 Mile

Taking place along the South Downs Way National Trail, the course consists of chalk trails and bridleways which take runners from Worthing to Eastbourne. This ultra is perfect for fans of a hill, as entrants are treated to 6500 feet of elevation and incredible views across the Weald and the coast/ English Channel.

Well done to Mark Manley, who clocked off another ultra in his well-practised belt, to finish the course in 9 hours and 51 minutes!

My shout out is to my parents. 83yo picked me up at 5am, drove me to Worthing; met me twice on route and were on gate opening duty for runners. Dad ran the finish on the running track with me and got applauded (more than me!); took me for ice cream and then drove home. Memories are made of such things.

Mark Manley

Brilliant running, Mark!

Highworth 5 Mile

Highworth 5 is a little different to others, as runners have often caught themselves achieving a 5k PB within the first 3 miles, which are completely downhill (apart from that 1 teeny incline…). You may well think that a 5k PB would lead to a 5 mile one, but unfortunately, the last mile of the race is entirely uphill. And steep – as they say, what goes down, must go back up!

This year, the race was included as part of the club championship, so there was an additional element of competitiveness to an already very fast race.

• Mark Garrett – 31:15
• David Witnall – 32:14
• Phil Southworth – 35:45
• Rosie Oates – 37:48
• Mick Bagot – 38:10
• Ellie Taylor – 39:35
• Darren Jenner – 39:36
• Paul Beaumont – 40:15
• Martin ‘Ted’ Pitts – 42:47
• Kirsty Pitts – 43:47
• Felicity Crotty – 50:40

Well done, Team RSE!

Please note – we’ve noticed a few problems with the online race results for Highworth 5. If you’re time is incorrect above, please contact Ellie for it to be changed.

parkruns

Lydiard parkrun

• Darren Jenner – 34:02
• Felicity Crotty – 39:19

Cirencester parkrun

• William Gardiner – 27:46
• Anne-Marie Davies – 29:51
• Vicki Mason – 33:06
• Sylvia Warman – 36:32

Groe parkrun

• Kathryn Cowdall – 28:40

Leazes parkrun

• Linda Edwards – 31:30

Stratford Park parkrun, Stroud

• Cathy Steer – 35:56

Grove Fields parkrun

• Richard Edwards – 26:52

Parkrun result not mentioned? It may be that you’re not listed as Running Somewhere Else in the parkrun results online. For information on how to change/add RSE as your listed club, click here.

If you would like a run or race included in the club report, don’t forget to message Ellie Taylor by 5pm Sunday each week 🙂