Valencia Marathon
The mild climate year round and flat streets makes Valencia a popular destination for runners, and the Valenica Marathon is also known as one of the quickest marathons in the world. It is therefore unsurprising that it attracting athletes from across the globe.
Joining them from Running Somewhere Else was Linda Edwards, who completed the course in a brilliant time of 4:57:13!
Valencia, city of art, culture and running. It was last winter that my friend Susan from Stratford Upon Avon athletics club suggests Valencia as a marathon. The city is famous for its art and culture and boasts possession of the Holy Grail. A combination of running and tourism made it a great destination to combine both.
As a pre marathon warm up we joined the 5K bimbo run in the beautiful Turia gardens as there are no parkruns in Spain. Looking at the attendees I soon realised that almost all of runners were fit young athletic people which was slightly concerning for two women past their prime. The marathon attracted a good international field of athletes chasing PB's on a flat course.
The logistics of getting to the start line and the organisation of pens meant we had walked around 3-4 miles before crossing the starting mat.The race commenced with a rendition of the Spanish song 'libre' and the music with bands continued throughout the whole course.
Fabulous support and bright sunlight were a welcome treat in December. I loved it all until the usual exhaustion hit me at around 18 miles. Pressing on however I reached what must be the most iconic and beautiful marathon finish line in the world. A blue carpet down an isle of blue water under a blue sky surrounded by outstanding modern architecture.
I finished my 14th marathon in 4:57:13 ( nowhere near a PB on a PB course). Susan however completed her 40th marathon that day. We had much to celebrate over a glass of Agua de Valencia and Paella.
Westonbirt House Christmas 10k
Starting at Westonbirt House, this festive 10k takes runners along 2 laps of the countryside roads around the house before heading back through the stunning gardens. The friendly atmosphere and beautiful scenery makes this a good race to end the year on.
A huge well done to all the RSE runners who took part!
- John Campbell – 46:04
- Daniel Drayton – 47:29
- Andy Sampson – 49:15.8
- Stephen Sandercock – 49:45.4
- Robert Baker – 54:10.8
- Elliot Gardiner – 1:01:32.0
- Sylvia Warman – 1:08:52.3
- Charlotte Austin – 1:14:19.0
Glos AAA XCountry League (race 2)
The Gloucestershire cross country championships were held last Sunday at the University of Bath. this was incorporated in the tri counties championships (Wiltshire, Avon and Somerset), so strong fields were assembled.
The course was relatively flat, especially compared to the Cirencester park course, but was still twisty, muddy and breezy.
Well done to team RSE who took on the mud!
Ladies Race – 6.6km
- Sharon Smith – 33:17 – 1st LV70
- Jo Wood – 34:17
Men’s Race – 10k
- John Last – 43:08 – 3rd MV50
- David Witnall – 50:39
- Mick Bagot – 54:03
- Paul Beaumont – 55:33
parkruns - 09/12/2023
Cirencester parkrun
- Jon Campbell – 24:42
- William Cobbett – 26:13
- Robert Baker – 28:51
- Cheri Edwards – 28:59
- Jessica James – 30:10
- Jenny Hoffman – 36:44
Tetbury Goods Shed parkrun
- Anne-Marie Davies – 29:43
Seven Fields parkrun
- Taryn Hancock – 30:38
Sharpham Estate parkrun
- Darren Jenner – 25:55
- Felicity Crotty – 35:08
parkruns - 16/12/2023
Wotton parkrun
- Vikki Mason – 38:12
Cirencester parkrun
- Jon Campbell – 23:24
- Daniel Drayton – 24:53
- William Cobbett – 26:37
- Phil Southworth – 28:35
- Robert Baker – 29:53
Tetbury Goods Shed parkrun
- Helen Cue – 34:32
Central parkrun, Plymouth
- Darren Jenner – 27:16
- Felicity Crotty – 40:41
parkruns - 23/12/2023
Cirencester parkrun
- Jon Campbell – 22:54
- Daniel Drayton – 24:24
- William Cobbett – 25:37
- Paul Beaumont – 25:43
- Steve Sandercock – 26:43
- Phil Southworth – 27:45
- Liz Hulcup – 30:05
- Ellie Witnall – 30:47
- Sue Navin – 37:51
- Sylvia Warman – 37:53
- Maria Yates – 38:00
Witney parkrun
- Cheri Edwards – 27:04
- Vicki Mason – 34:14
Tetbury Goods Shed parkrun
- Felicity Crotty – 31:37
- Helen Cue – 33:54
Central parkrun, Plymouth
- Darren Jenner – 26:42
parkruns - 30/12/2023
Lydiard parkrun
- Anne-Marie Davies – 29:56
Cirencester parkrun
- Phil Hudson – 24:00
- Sharon Smith – 26:28
- Robert Baker – 26:43
- Andy Sworn – 27:56
- Paul Robertson – 28:05
- Phil Southworth – 28:14
- Carol Sworn – 29:57
- Liz Hulcup – 30:58
Tetbury Goods Shed parkrun
- Darren Jenner – 24:29
- Vicki Mason – 31:50
- Felicity Crotty – 32:05
NB: a consolidated club report for parkruns on Christmas Day and New Years day is not available on the parkrun website, so I have been unable to include these in the RSE report.
Save the Date!
- 20th January – Awards night!
- 9th June 2024 – Fairford 10k!