A friendly running club based in Cirencester!

RSE Club Report – Competing with nature!

Woodchester Park

Hosted by Stroud & District AC, this challenging and hilly course follows along the woodland tracks through Woodchester Park for approximately 8 miles. The Woodchester Park run makes up one of three races in the Roger Briers Race Series, the other 2 including the Stroud Beer race and Standish Woodland Chase – the prize medals for each course interlock!

Well done to Anne Gardiner, Anna Field and Jessica James for completing the course in fantastic times!

  • Jessica James – 1:28:28
  • Anne Gardiner – 1:30:46
  • Anna Field – 1:30:46
It was a very hilly race on a hot day, but the scenery was superb and there was plenty of shade. The Roger Briers Series comprises Stroud Beer Race, Standish Woodland Chase and Woodchester Park. Next year I'd like to do Standish to complete the series.
Anne Gardiner

Bedford Running Festival 20

The Bedford Running festival is more than one running event, with options for mile, 5k, 10k, half marathon and 20 mile races. The race village brings out the festival vibe, with music, food and drink, wellbeing areas, fun fair and even an outdoor cinema.

Running for RSE was Sharon Smith, who completed the 20 mile course in a brilliant time of 2:46:22!

Starting in beautiful riverside Russel Park in Bedford and out into leafy avenues and woods. This was training run for me so aiming for 3 hours steady but felt so fresh halfway that I picked it up. [I was] interviewed by the Local Radio Station which was fun. Only downside was a lack of suitable food available, just burgers and spicy pasta. I thoroughly recommend this race to members.
Sharon Smith

Great North Run

The famous Great North run attracted over 60,000 runners this year, following Sir Mo Farah as he completed his last run on the course. The half marathon run is famous for its unbeatable atmosphere, on route entertainment and fly bys from the Red Arrows, making it an event on many people’s bucket lists.

A huge well done to Linda Edwards who finished the race in an (unofficial) time of 2:29 and Paul Robertson who finished in 1:56:27!

This was my 8th GNR and due to an increase in numbers the busiest and definitely the warmest. We stood on our pens for almost an hour in bright sunlight waiting to start. The race starts in Newcastle and ends in South Shields with a beautiful view of the sea. It was Mo Farah's last race and there was superb support throughout with bands on route. The red arrows put in a fine display as the start and on my finishing mile. Unfortunately my race timing was incorrect and not long after I finished my race I was caught up in flash floods in South Shields which resulted in walking though calf deep water along with the other runners. All transport was affected making it a VERY long and memorable day.
Linda Edwards

Chedworth Roman trail

The Chedworth Roman Trail was the next race in the RSE club championship, and although previous runners joked about its hilly course, the hills were the last thing on everyone’s minds after the unexpected events that unfolded! The course follows a 10 mile undulating lap of scenic Cotswold countryside through Stowell Park, the Coln Valley, and close to the famous Chedworth Roman Villa. The already challenging race became even harder as runners navigated around a hornets nest (many getting stung in the process!) and torrential rain caught runners by surprise!

Well done to our club runners for persevering!

  • Mark Garrett – 1:24:11
  • Ollie Hazel – 1:24:56
  • Elliot Gardiner – 1:37:01
  • Daniel Drayton – 1:38:06
  • Paul Beaumont – 1:38:59
  • Alan Powderhill – 1:41:03
  • Robert Baker – 1:55:19
  • Fran Penny – 1:57:20
  • Kirsty Pitts – 1:57:19
  • Nadine Brown – 1:57:20
  • Zoe Markham-Lee – 2:14:44
  • Sharon Smith – 2:17:49
  • Elaine Chapman – 2:17:50
What an eventful race! Hot, hilly, attacked by a swarm of hornets, river crossings & torrential rain! I can easily confirm that’s the 2nd hardest race I’ve done so far! 😅 very scenic but very hard with so many steep hill climbs! The dip in the river near the end was actually quite welcome in the muggy heat! Nice selection of cake at the finish as a reward 😋 🍰
Elliot Gardiner

parkruns - 02/09/2023

Tamar Trails parkrun

  • Darren Jenner – 26:03
  • Felicity Crotty – 35:10

Lydiard parkrun

  • Anne-Marie Davies – 29:48

Cheltenham parkrun

  • Phil Southworth – 23:31

Osterley parkrun

  • Steve Sandercock – 23:24

Cirencester parkrun

  • Jon Campbell – 21:34
  • Daniel Drayton – 22:32
  • Paul Billinghurst – 23:28
  • Phil Newman – 24:43
  • Liz Hulcup – 26:04
  • Sue Navin – 27:09
  • Ellie Witnall – 27:47
  • Nadine Brown – 27:59
  • Vicki Mason – 28:56
  • Maria Yates – 30:52

Seven Fields parkrun

  • Annie Burbridge – 29:37

University Parks parkrun

  • Taryn Hancock – 29:57

parkruns - 09/09/2023

Gateshead parkrun

  • Paul Robertson – 25:20

Cirencester parkrun

  • Jon Campbell – 21:51
  • Daniel Drayton – 23:41
  • Steve Sandercock – 23:58
  • Phil Newman – 24:19
  • Robert Baker – 26:09
  • William Cobbett – 26:48
  • Maria Yates – 34:52

Tetbury Goods Shed parkrun

  • Darren Jenner – 23:45
  • Felicity Crotty – 31:08

Wolford parkrun

  • Liz Hulcup – 29:12

Save the Date!

  • 16th September – Social at Porters Bar, Cirencester – 8:30pm
    • RSE’s Martin Page will be playing with his band Loaded Dice!
  • 17th September – Angels 10k (RSE Championship race)
  • 1st October – Run Upcote 5 mile race (RSE Championship race)
  • 29th October – Stroud Half Marathon (RSE Championship race)

The next RSE club report will be Mon 25th/Tues 26th September


If you would like a run or race included in the club report, don’t forget to fill in the form below by Sunday 5pm.

RSE Club Report – 🎵 Cause I got that sunshine in my pocket, got that good song in my feet. 🎵

Haresfield 5k

For those looking for a fast 5k time, the Haresfield 5k is the must-do race. Although the race profile is described as ‘undulating’, the course feels primarily downhill in the first 2 miles, leaving the last mile to push for the finish. 

There was a great turnout for RSE, with some brilliant times achieved!

  • Mark Garrett – 19:11
  • Nia Glover – 20:49
  • Mick Bagot – 22:54
  • Sharon Smith – 23:13
  • Alan Powderhill – 23:44
  • Steve Sandercock – 24:05
  • Zoe Markham-Lee – 25:28
  • Libby Butler – 25:53
  • Liz Hulcup – 26:05 
  • Felicity Crotty – 32:27

Isle of Wight Half Marathon

The best type of holidays include a half marathon…

This two-lapped course starts at Appley Park, which is conveniently located just above the finish. The route is multi-terrain and undulating, but boasts some fantastic views of the Island (just check out the blue sea in Katy’s photos!)

A huge congratulations to Katy Miller who ran the course in a great time of 2:11!

The Isle of Wight is not known to be flat and this course certainly has a few of those hills! I had decided to do this with my sister back in Jan and we took the small foot passenger boat across the day before and stayed until Monday to have a little holiday! But it is a late start at 11am which does allow for travel across from mainland on the day! A relatively small half marathon organised by Ryde Harriers. Lovely course that was partially on gravel tracks and partly on road. We had beautiful weather and finished up with a dip in the sea! Showers and changing facilities at race HQ and super friendly event. No medal but a branded buff was given to all finishers!
Katy Miller

Severn Bridge 10k and Half Marathon

Every year the iconic Severn Bridge is closed for one specific purpose – to host 100s of runners for a unique 10k and half marathon! Starting and finishing in Chepstow, Wales, the courses of both events are deceptively undulating, as runners make the lengthy climb up and over the bridge.

Congratulations to Darren Jenner, who completed the 10k course in a brilliant time of 50:56, and to Liz Hulcup, who finished the half marathon in a great time of 2:14:38!

parkrun - 19/08/2023

Richmond parkrun

  • Steve Sandercock – 24:41

Black Park parkrun

  • Phil Newman – 25:07

Lydiard parkrun

  • Anne-Marie Davies – 30:04

Plymvalley parkrun

  • Felicity Crotty – 34:23

Abingdon parkrun

  • Taryn Hancock – 30:47

Weymouth parkrun

  • Sarah Reynolds – 27:11

Stratford upon Avon Parkrun

  • Liz Hulcup – 26:00

Cirencester parkrun

  • Mark Garrett – 20:13
  • Daniel Drayton – 23:26
  • Jon Campbell – 24:00
  • William Cobbett – 24:18
  • Phil Southworth – 24:44
  • Paul Beaumont – 25:38
  • Sharon Smith – 25:59
  • Andy Sworn – 27:47
  • Ellie Witnall – 32:05
  • Maria Yates – 33:50

Tetbury Goods Shed parkrun

  • Helen Cue – 35:25

parkrun - 26/08/2023

Hampstead Heath parkrun

  • Jenny Hoffman – 34:17

Cheltenham parkrun

  • Paul Beaumont – 24:21

Cirencester parkrun

  • Jon Campbell – 23:24
  • Phil Newman – 23:29
  • Phil Southworth – 23:36
  • Steve Sandercock – 24:09
  • Paul Billinghurst – 24:10
  • Anne-Marie Davies – 29:19
  • Andy Sworn – 29:20
  • Carol Sworn – 29:45
  • Vicki Mason – 33:44
  • Maria Yates – 37:17

Seven Fields parkrun

  • Annie Burbridge – 27:39

Save the Date!

  • 10th September – Chedworth 10 mile (RSE Championship race)
  • 17th September – Angels 10k (RSE Championship race)

The next RSE club report will be Weds 13th September


If you would like a run or race included in the club report, don’t forget to fill in the form below by Sunday 5pm.

RSE Club Report – Slaying some Dragons!

Bugatti 10k

This single looped race is held in Prescott, Cheltenham, a surprinsingly undulating area of the town. The course starts with a sharp descent followed by an equally sharp incline before settling into a largely rolling first third. Although the middle section of the route is flat, it isn’t long before the undulation begins again and the finish is primarily uphill. The Bugatti 10k is a popular run amongst RSE runners for its local, friendly atmosphere.

  • Mick Bagot – 49:42
  • Steve Sandercock – 53:39
  • Anne Gardiner – 55:40
  • Libby Butler – 57:24
  • Liz Hulcup – 59:18 – 1st LV70!
  • Felicity Crotty – 1:10:54
A scenic course on a warm evening. The last 2 miles is uphill!
Anne Gardiner

Dragon Slayer Ultra Run

If there’s one thing that will entice people to become an ultra runner, it’s the name ‘Dragon Slayer’! Entrants have the option of the 12 mile course, ‘Dragon Tickle’, or the full 35 miles to slay the dragon. Starting at Chepstow Castle, the course follows the Wye Valley path on the Welsh side of the River Wye to Monmouth, before heading onto Offa’s Dyke on the English side of the Wye Valley. The finish is through the 1km Tiddenham Tunnel, before crossing the Old Bridge into Wales and back to Chepstow Castle. The total elevation is 5000ft with some serious climbs, but runners are treated to spectacular views across the rolling hills.

A huge well done to Zoe Markham-Lee for completing her first ever ultra marathon in 8.27.10!

For my first ultra, I thought I'd try one that has the same elevation as the Yorkshire 3 peaks, or one and a half Snowdons. Doh! Hard, hilly, beautiful views. I really must attempt a flat one... This race went from Chepstow to Monmouth and back. One side Welsh, the other English. Exactly like me!
Zoe Markham-Lee

Gloucester Track Ultra

The Blackbridge athletics track currently holds 4 IAU world records as well as many national best performances, making it an exciting track for any runner to get their feet on. By invite only, this weekend runners could take on a 24 or 48 hour challenge to run as many loops of the 400m course as they could within the time frame. It takes a special type of person to take on this unique challenge, and RSE’s Andy Poole did just that!

A huge well done to Andy who completed a staggering 88 miles within the 24 hour time limit!

The Gloucester 24 hr track race is held at the Blackbridge Athletics track. It's a really well organised event with a nice supportive atmosphere and camaraderie amongst the participants. I was pleased to manage 88 miles, which is the furthest I've run to date. I had great support along the way from Henry, Sarah, Ness, Lydia and Heidi, and special thanks to Dave Daniels who supported me throught the 24 hours-I definitely wouldn't have managed this distance if Dave hadn't been on hand to time me, ensure I got the right nutrition, and generally be so encouraging and keeping my spirits up through the really tough parts. Thanks Dave!
Andy Poole

Solihull Half Marathon

It is quickly becoming a yearly tradition at RSE for an ‘Away Day’ half marathon and coach trip, and this year was no different as the club headed out to Solihull. The Half Marathon undulating route, started and finished in Solihull town centre. The route started by following New Road into Malvern Park, before reaching Knowle town centre. A countryside section through Barston and Eastcote followed, which included the steeper inclines and declines of the course, before heading back to Solihull town centre. 

The Solihull Half Marathon was the next race in RSE’s club championship!

  • Mark Garrett – 1:31:17
  • Nia Glover – 1:37:02
  • Rachel Bodey – 1:40:55 – 2nd LV45!
  • Ollie Hazel – 1:41:54
  • Sharon Smith – 1:42:44 – 1st LV70!
  • Martin Sheriff – 1:45:49
  • Elliot Gardiner – 1:47:14 – New PB!
  • Ben Chapman – 1:47:36
  • Phil Southworth – 1:51:04
  • Paul Robertson – 1:52:49
  • Alan Powderhill – 1:52:49 – New PB!
  • Darren Jenner – 1:52:56
  • Zoe Markham-Lee – 1:58:27 – New PB!
  • Sarah Page – 1:59:38  – 3rd LV60
  • Kevin Joynes-Creed – 2:00:18
  • Kirsty Pitts – 2:01:30
  • Liz Hulcup – 2:08:20 – 2nd LV70
  • Linda Edwards – 2:15:31
  • Cathy Steer – 2:16:59
  • Tim Wainwright – 2:19:05
  • Becca Wilson – 2:20:01
  • Felicity Crotty – 2:26:40
  • Jenny Hoffman – 2:29:53
  • Caroline Terry – 2:42:26
Undulating course. (hilly up and down! ) Started and ended in a gorgeous park with beautiful countryside and village on route. Not my best time but did come 4th in age category! Result! (only 5 entered 🤣🤣🤣)
Caroline Terry
Over the moon to get another PB today, on a tough undulating course. I managed to take off a minute and a half from my previous half PB. Great pacing from Robbo! Great away day with RSE!
Alan Powderhill
A fun social day out with RSE - gotta love a coach trip! A surprisingly nice route - hills yes, but closed roads, pleasant lanes, and great local roadside support all made for a good race atmosphere. Thanks to Dave for organising, and to all runners/cheerers for good spirits, great results and excellent support!
Rachel Bodey
Not as hot as last year, but still warm. I had forgotten about some of the inclines, but somehow managed a course PB
Liz Hulcup
Enjoyed today. Not the best of times but for me it was a training run to get 13 miles in the legs again. Thanks Dave for organising and thank you to all who ran or cheered us. I really enjoyed the day out. Thanks 😊
Tim Wainwright
Route was certainly undulating but nice to have mix of town and countryside. Marshall’s cheerful and supportive. Well organised race and park was good setting for race village. Coach trip worked really well and we had great team day out. Thanks to Dave for organising it
Sarah Page
I think this is my first race in at least a year. I liked the course, great support and great turn out from Team RSE. Great training for the marathon plan!
Becca Wilson
Undulating, green and pleasant. Starting and finishing in Malvern Park with good crowd support.
Sharon Smith
Managed a new half marathon PB by over 2 minutes on quite a hilly course! 🤩 Started from Solihull centre, through Knowle, then looped back round on undulating country roads on an out & back route. Even though it was a killer final hill back into Solihull, I stuck to the pacing plan to get another PB in back to back races! 💪🏼 very pleased considering some overindulgence on Saturday! 😅 Celebrated with the rest of the RSE crew with an all day breakfast & beers! 😆
Elliot Gardiner
Fantastic day out with Team RSE! It was definitely an undulating route and the hills in the final couple of miles were a bit of a killer, but it was brilliant to have closed roads and some great supporters cheering us on too!
Nia Glover

Captain’s Update!

A fantastic turnout today, well done to all our runners!
Updated championship results coming soon – what I will say is Nia is one step closer to getting her name on the overall championship trophy. The men’s competition is heating up with 3 runners in the mix, a different name from Mark and Dave has taken the lead.
You all ran so brilliantly today, well done to all. A shout out to Zoe, Al, Elliot who have yet again got another PB! (apologies to anyone I have missed!).
Also Rachel, Sharon, Liz and Sarah for age group success.

– Elaine Chapman

parkruns - 05/08/2023

Lydiard parkrun

  • Vicki Mason – 28:05

Wotton parkrun

  • Cheri Edwards – 28:11

Cirencester parkrun

  • Jon Campbell – 22:25
  • Phil Southworth – 24:09
  • Phil Newman – 24:53
  • Nadine Brown – 28:05
  • Ellie Witnall – 28:09

Haldon Forest parkrun

  • Darren Jenner – 25:56
  • Felicity Crotty – 34:12

Chipping Norton parkrun

  • Liz Hulcup – 27:22

parkruns - 12/08/2023

Lydiard parkrun

  • Steve Sandercock – 24:42

Worcester parkrun

  • Darren Jenner – 44:16
  • Felicity Crotty – 1:05:46

Cirencester parkrun

  • Daniel Drayton – 22:45
  • Phil Southworth – 23:24
  • Phil Newman – 24:08
  • William Cobbett – 24:34
  • Paul Billinghurst – 24:40
  • Sarah Reynolds – 27:50

Gloucester City parkrun

  • Andy Sworn – 26:48
  • Carol Sworn – 27:32

Tetbury Goods Shed parkrun

  • Helen Cue – 34:51

Berkeley Green parkrun

  • Anne-Marie Davies – 29:03

Wolford Wood Parkrun

  • Liz Hulcup – 57:19 (Tailwalker)

Save the Date!

  • 10th September – Chedworth 10 mile (RSE Championship race)
  • 17th September – Angels 10k (RSE Championship race)

The next RSE club report will be 27th/28th August


If you would like a run or race included in the club report, don’t forget to fill in the form below by Sunday 5pm.

RSE Club Report – Ultras, Triathlons and Charities!

Saturn Ultra

Part of a 10 day series (each day a seperate event), this challenge takes place on the River Thames, where entrants are encouraged to run as many laps as they can. All participants receive a medal for completing at least 1 lap, and distance pins are given for runners who complete a half marathon, mega half marathon, marathon, 50km or Ultra in the 7hr time limit. 

A huge well done to Ultra-pro, Mark Manley, who completed 40 miles within the time limit!

The organisers specialise in timed events on the Thames so you start as many loops as possible in the time. I completed 40 miles, the most by 9 miles of the 52 competitors. It’s a trek to drive for a 7:30 start but it’s a lovely flat stretch of the Thames, and a low key event where the battle is with yourself to keep going on repetitive loops when the lure of your car and stopping is there all the time
Mark Manley

LPS Cotswold Lake 62 Summer Series Triathlon Race 3

This series of triathlons is made up of four events across the summer, starting in May and ending in August. Lake 62 is a privately owned well-kept lake in the Cotswolds, meaning that event entrants has exclusive use of the area. The land areas of the course are flat, although due to the prolonged hot weather, the run course was extremely hard packed with some ruts. The area is great for spectators, making it the perfect event for a first time triathlete!

Congratulations to Vicki Mason who completed the event in a brilliant time of 1:24:08!

A well organised small race held in Lake 62 consisting of a 400m swim, 16k bike around local roads and 4.5k running 3 loops around the lake. As this was my first triathlon I was pleased to finish in under 1:30:00 though the swim was long at almost 550m and there was no medal, I would definitely recommend it.

- Vicki Mason

parkruns - 22/07/2023

Lydiard parkrun

  • Taryn Hancock – 30:57
  • Anne-Marie Davies – 31:38

Minehead parkrun

  • Cheri Edwards – 25:23

Wolverhampton parkrun

  • Linda Edwards – 30:15

Exmouth parkrun

  • Sarah Reynolds – 25:40

Cirencester parkrun

  • Phil Newman – 24:17
  • William Cobbett – 24:33
  • Steve Sandercock – 24:38
  • Paul Billinghurst – 25:35
  • Vicki Mason – 29:38
  • Kathryn Cowdall – 35:48

Cranbrook Country Park parkrun

  • Darren Jenner – 24:48
  • Felicity Crotty – 32:30

Crichton parkrun

  • Liz Hulcup – 27:33 – “An undulating course, but in a lovely setting.
    Crichton Campus, Dumfries  🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿”

parkruns - 29/07/2023

Lydiard parkrun

  • Darren Jenner – 24:56
  • Anne-Marie Davies – 30:41
  • Felicity Crotty – 31:35

Torbay Velopark parkrun

  • Alan Powderhill – 23:41

Cirencester parkrun

  • David Witnall – 21:59
  • Daniel Drayton – 23:18
  • Fran Penny – 24:37
  • Paul Billinghurst – 24:54
  • Jon Campbell – 25:43
  • Steve Sandercock – 25:43
  • Anne Gardiner – 26:05
  • Eleanor Witnall – 27:03
  • Nadine Brown – 28:01
  • Andy Sworn – 28:28
  • Taryn Hancock – 30:11
  • Paul Robertson – 31:48

Tetbury Goods Shed parkrun

  • Vicki Mason – 35:50

Seven Fields parkrun

  • Paul Beaumont – 24:22

Alderley Park parkrun

  • Phil Southworth – 24:00

Agnew parkrun

  • Liz Hulcup – 26.29

Charity Fundraising

It’s been a week of celebrating the incredible charity fundraising commitments of the club!

Cirencester Opportunity Group Presentation Evening

Monday 24th saw the annual charity presentation evening, where the club handed over a donation to Cirencester Opportunity Group, who we had been raising money for over the last year. COG are a fantastic charity, based in Cirencester, that provide a Specialist Early Years Centre, supporting children with additional needs and their families.

After an ‘away day’ run around the Cotswold Waterpark and pizza at Pizzeria720, it was time for the presentation. Club Chair, Pauline Tilbury, and Fundraising Officer, Sarah Page, highlighted all the ways RSE has raised money, including quizzes, selling club kit, and raffles, as well as selling (and eating) A LOT of cake! A cheque was then presented to Steph Smyth, Fundraising Manager, and Cath Fowler, Centre Manager at Cirencester Opportunity Group.

RSE are pleased to confirm that the donation was the largest in club history, a staggering £4,000!

COG are currently in search of volunteers, so if you would like to learn more about this fantastic charity and possibly help out, click the link below.

Quiz and Chips

Before RSE begin fundraising for our 2023/24 charity, we decided to do something a little bit special for an amazing runner, Neil Russell.

Neil, who has a Parkinson’s, completed an incredible running challenge from London to Barcelona, where he ran a marathon a day to raise money and awareness for Cure Parkinson’s and Parkinson’s UK. Supported by RSE’s Katy Miller, the club were kept updated throughout Neil’s time on the road, and what a journey it was!

To support with the cause, Running Somewhere Else hosted a quiz night, with part of the proceeds and a 50/50 charity draw going towards the charities. The man himself, Neil, attended the quiz alongside family and his support team. The evening was a huge success, and although runners may be a little competitive, it was a fun evening for all!

We will leave you with the most controversial question of the evening – what meat is used in a Glamorgan sausage?

Save the Date!

  • 13th August – Solihull half marathon and RSE coach trip!
  • 10th September – Chedworth 10 mile (RSE Championship race)
  • 17th September – Angels 10k (RSE Championship race)

The next RSE club report will be Monday 14th August


If you would like a run or race included in the club report, don’t forget to fill in the form below by Sunday 5pm.