A friendly running club based in Cirencester!

RSE Club Report – City Streets or Country Trails? Why Not Both?

Boston Marathon

Now in its 128th year, the Boston Marathon is one of the world’s oldest marathons, beginning in 1897. It is one of the World’s six marathon majors and attracts amateurs and professionals alike. Despite, this the Boston marathon is notoriously undulating and the interchangeable weather makes it a tough race to train for. The course is a straight line, starting in Hopkinton, MA and ending in Boylston Street.

A huge congratulations to Jennifer Glass for running the course!

 

  • Jennifer Glass – 3:53:01
It felt like a big achievement to qualify for Boston. I’d never travelled so far to get to a start line but on arrival it felt as if the whole city was excited about the race. It was an A to B race and runners were taken out to Hopkinton 26.2 miles away and then you simply ran back to Boston. Transport to the start was on yellow school buses - which I and the other English runners on my bus thought was pretty cool. The support along the whole route was incredible and every inch of the way we were cheered on loudly. It was a tough race for me, it was hot with little shade along the route plus the serious hills start from about 18 miles. Heartbreak hill lived up to expectations and the last 6kms were not fun. I was very glad to see the finish and make it across the line. However it was an amazing experience and the best organised race I have ever done. It was also the best supported race I’ve done.
Jennifer Glass

Newport Marathon 2024

This popular race is a firm favourite on the Welsh running calendar, boasting one of the flattest marathon courses in Europe. Over 70% of all finishers have claimed a PB on a route that offers iconic landmarks, like the city’s Transporter Bridge and the stunning scenery of the Gwent Levels. The course has been named in a list of ‘10 of the fastest marathons in the world’ by Runners World.

Congratulations to the RSE club members who took on the marathon challenge!

  • Darren Jenner – 3:58:11
  • Jo Wood – 4:05:45
  • Elaine Chapman – 4:23:02
  • Paul Robertson
Heading out of Newport over the iconic city bridge and into the flats of the Usk Mouth, this was a relatively flat course with plenty of switchbacks meaning that the "sights" were, in actual fact, the other runners! Great for keeping a tabs on other Club members and for cheering each other on!
Jo Wood
Very happy that I managed to go sub 4 hours and a achieve a new PB by 12 mins and 20 seconds. The course was flat with a lap of the city centre before heading out into the countryside. Good weather and good support from Felicity Crotty on the course. Great to catch up with team RSE before and after the race to compare notes!
Darren Jenner
I was so anxious about this race! Training had not gone well with back problems, so was not in form and not feeling good about it! But ended up running strong and really enjoyed it - I'm actually smiling in most my race pictures!! It was flat anyway, but new course was even flatter! Great support from team Chapman once they'd finished their fry-up 😂
Elaine Chapman

Butcombe Trail Ultra

The official Butcombe Trail is a 50-mile route around six pubs in the Mendip Hills, a designated area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB). The route is mostly off-road and takes in beautiful running country and fantastic views as it criss-crosses the Mendips. The organisers, marshals, and checkpoint crews are all runners, many of whom regularly run ultras and know what’s needed to make a great race and help people get to the finish.

A massive well done to Cheri Edwards for completing her first 50 mile race!

  • Cheri Edwards – 13:15:00
My first 50 miler! I’m so proud to have completed it. The route is fabulous, basically designed as a pub crawl around the first pubs to stock beer from Butcombe Brewery. So a nice variety of tracks, woodlands, commons, fields, old railway lines etc, going up to viewpoints and down into villages for checkpoints (which were mostly at the pubs!). The checkpoints were great: well-stocked with a good variety of snacks, enthusiastic volunteers and most had the luxury of indoor toilets too! I ran with my friend from work James (his first 50m too) and we had a great time. No navigational issues, no stomach upsets, no injuries and we were thrilled to be 2 hours ahead of cutoffs. The medal is a huge gold cowbell and we got some Butcombe beers too. I’d highly recommend this race if you’re looking for a friendly well organised trail ultra.
Cheri Edwards

Great Birmingham Run

This popular race was completely sold out with more than 14,000 people taking part. Starting & finishing in the heart of the city, the course boasts on route entertainment, an event village and carnival atmosphere. There are 10k, marathon and children’s races available, making it a great family day out.

Well done to Paul Robertson for completing another race! How many is that in the last month?!

  • Paul Robertson – 1:57:48
The course is definitely one to do if you like entertainment, crowds and shopping. The course itself is not too bad, a few inclines in the first 10k and a nice amount of downhill to finish those last few miles! Undecided if it’s a PB course or not, you could definitely give it a go and use the down hill finish. Would definitely recommend and do again!
Paul Robertson

Pewsey Downaround 35

Starting at the Pewsey Scout Hut, this 35 mile course follows footpaths and bridleways with beautiful views over the Vale of Pewsey and Marlborough Downs. The route visits many sites of archaeological interest, including Avebury Stone Circle, Windmill Hill, and passes close to the Stone Avenue, Silbury Hill, the Sanctuary and the Long Barrow.

A huge congratulations to the RSE club members who took to the hills!

  • Nadine Brown – 09:01 something…
  • Kevin Joynes-Creed
  • Lesley Hinsley
LDWA events are tried and tested; they are well organised and always have well stocked checkpoints! Really enjoyed this run, with a relaxed feel and no worries about cut offs! After a cold start, weather improved and was better than expected. Team that with great company, it made for a lovely day out!
Nadine Brown

parkruns - 27/04/2024

Forest of Dean parkrun

  • Vicki Mason – 32:25

Riverfront parkrun

  • Darren Jenner – 28:07
  • Felicity Crotty – 30:27

Cirencester parkrun

  • Ben Chapman – 23:02
  • Paul Billinghurst – 24:11
  • Phil Newman – 25:17
  • Samantha Ward – 30:58
  • George Rackley – 33:27

Marlborough Common parkrun

  • Taryn Hancock – 33:17

Tetbury Goods Shed parkrun

  • Phil Hudson – 21:56

Quakers Walk parkrun

  • Anne-Marie Davies – 29:24

Gloucester North parkrun

  • Liz Hulcup – 29:04

parkruns - 04/05/2024

Cirencester parkrun

  • Paul Billinghurst – 24:02
  • Daniel Drayton – 25:05
  • Steve Sandercock – 25:31
  • Sue Navin – 30:43
  • Samantha Ward – 30:43
  • Rachel Weaver – 57:40

Tetbury Goods Shed parkrun

  • Phil Hudson – 23:14

Seven Fields parkrun

  • Paul Robertson – 28:19
  • Taryn Hancock – 31:07

Central parkrun, Plymouth

  • Felicity Crotty – 30:54

Save the date!

  • 9th May – RSE Skittles Night for TIC+
  • 10th May – Bourton Mile (RSE Championship race)
  • 3rd June – Stroud Beer Race (RSE Championship race)
  • 12th June – Cirencester Summer Sizzler (RSE Championship race)
  • 23rd June – Rounders & Afternoon Tea – RSE vs Bourton Road Runners @ Stow Rugby Club
  • 6th July – Cotswold Way Relay
  • 12th-14th July – Hope Trail Festival
  • July (date TBC) – Family fun & BBQ @ St Michaels Park
  • 3rd August – RSE Summer Pool Party @ The Open Air Pool
  • September (date TBC) – Quiz & Chips for charity
  • October (date TBC) – End of Season social

The next RSE club report will be Sunday 19th May

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.