Highworth 5
A scenic 5 mile loop mainly on flat, fast roads, with a sting-in-the-tail at the 4 mile marker! The route starts and finishes at Warneford School in Highworth and this year a mightily impressive 26 RSE members took part in the Club’s 4th Championship race of the year!
It certainly was an exciting finish with only 2 seconds separating the first two back for the club, Tom Cooper just holding on to beat Dave Witnall to the finish line! Special mention to Pauline Tilsbury who raced for the first time in 9 months putting in a PB effort, Ellie Taylor knocking off over 2 minutes from her PB and SB performances all round due to most members’ first 5 mile race of the year.
Tom Cooper 31:35(PB); Dave Witnall 31:37(PB); Mark Manley 33:45; Ben Chapman 37:12; Elaine Chapman 37:59; Nadine Brown 38:15(PB); Teresa Hazelwood 38:48; Ellie Taylor 38:55(PB); Paul Coates 39:15; Martin Pitts 39:23; Sharon Smith 39:24; Cheri Edwards 39:40(PB); Sarah Reynolds 39:43(PB); Kirsty Pitts 40:55; Jo Wood 41:08; Norm Lever 42:21; Lindsay Gregory 42:26(PB); Rich ‘Ryo’ Taylor 42:50 (PB); Ruth Herbert 46:26; Sarah Gray 47:33(PB); Kate Potter 50:38; Tracey Pitts 51:22; Caroline Coates 51:22; Laura Butler 56:18; Caroline Terry 57:49 and Pauline Tilbury 57:49(PB).
Llanbedr to Blaenafon Fell Race
Last Saturday Stephen Priestnall took on this classic A to B ‘grassroots’ fell race taking in three major peaks in the South Wales Black Mountains. The route includes 4500 feet ascent over the 15.8 miles and Stephen managed to complete it in 3:22:39. Awesome work!
Railway River 11k
Richard Marshall ran in the Railway River 11k on Saturday 7th April. It begins on the Bristol to Bath Railway Path before branching off to take in some absolutely stunning off road trails, returning to the Railway Path runners before a 2nd loop of this off road section. All this whilst taking in the beautiful surroundings of the Avon Valley, with amazing views of the Bath Skyline. 56 racers took part and Richard finished in 1:05:38, 2nd VM50! Well done Richard!
Taunton Marathon
The 35th Taunton Marathon was held on Sunday 8th April, starting and finishing in an urban area but featuring a mainly rural two lap course, and Ollie Hazel was flying the RSE flag down in Somerset. Quite an intimate marathon, it has a 4hr 30min cut off time and only 184 men and ladies raced. Ollie put in an incredible performance, especially when he hasn’t ran further than 10miles since December, and smashed the sub 3:30 mark with a PB of 3:21:31. Great job Ollie!
Manchester Marathon
In contract to Taunton; Sunday saw over 9000 people take part in the Manchester Marathon, a wonderfully supported course labelled the “flattest, fastest and friendliest UK marathon”. Linda Edwards ran for her 1st claim club ‘Bourton Roadrunners’ and completed the 26.2 in 4:45:23. Well done Linda!
Awesome running too from Jack Pitcher who finished in 3:15:09, over an hour off his previous time! It is at this point we say goodbye to him and Emily Jefferies due to their move to Bristol and therefore, understandably, will not be renewing their membership with RSE. We wish them all the best in their running endeavors with Emersons Green Running Club.
Devizes Half Marathon
The Devizes Half Marathon starts on Church Walk, next to The Green. The route follows Nursteed Road and heads towards Monument Hill before looping off into the surrounding villages. The finish line is on The Green with a spectator friendly loop around the field. Among 675 other racers, Andy Masser took part in this one finishing in 1:38:06. Good work, Andy!
parkruns
Swindon: Caroline Sandercock 33:47.
Linford Wood: Pete Whitmore 40:58.
Cirencester: Laura Butler 48:04.
Well done all racers, runners, volunteers and supporters this week!
