Running Somewhere Else | A very challenging thing to do – run the Cotswold Way (lesser mortals walk it)

The Cotswold Way Relay

The Cotswold Way Relay is in its 33^rd year. It is a 10 stage relay race covering all 103 miles of the Cotswold Way from Chipping Campden to Bath Abbey. It works as 10 back-to-back races, with each stage having a mass start at the expected arrival time of the 1st runner from the previous stage.It takes in many hills, woodlands, fields, and tracks, all offering spectacular views of the countryside.

Apart from a few busy road crossings there are no marshals, or additional markers, so route finding is all part of the spirit of the event. The race route follows the National Trail except for a couple of well indicated changes made for safety reasons.

Overall unofficial time: 19:03:12

Another year for RSE on the cotswold way. RSE fielded 2 mixed teams this year. Some first timers; some seasoned runners.

Cotswold Way conquered! Well done everyone!

The 2 teams

Keep on running somewhere else
1. James Ball
2. Alan Powderhill
3. Jo Beames
4. Sharon Smith
5. Matt Blackmore
6. Elaine Chapman
7. Rebecca Southerington
8. Becca Wilson
9. Jade Beaumont
10. Teresa Hazelwood.

This team finished in 19:37:48 , in 33/36 position

Running Somewhere up that hill

1. Nia glover
2. Elliot Gardiner
3. Mark Foyn
4. Liz Farooq
5. Jamie Donald
6. Paul Billinghurst
7. Sophie Dickenson
8. Nadine Brown
9. Rachel Bodey
10. Mark Garrett

They finished 30/36 in a time of 19:03:12

And here is one of our captain’s comment

Some fantastic running up some tricky hills. Brilliant camaraderie all day and a lovely get together in the evening.
Massive well done to our latest queen of the Cotswold way Teresa Hazelwood.

Elaine Chapman

I am sure that everyone involved would like to give a huge “shout out” to Elaine for organising all of this. I definitely would, as she so quickly provided a confused person with the information he needed for this report.

Here are a couple of photos with individual times provided. At the end of the report are some more photos for what must have been a great day of achievement and, hopefully, fun. Terrific.

Elliot Gardiner 2:15:11

Sharon Smith 2.09.10

Alan Powderhill 2:14:38

After doing my first stage of the CWR last year and really enjoying it, I decided to try and do each stage in sequence. We were very thankful that the temperature had dropped since the recce last week, but that didn’t make it too much easier! As it turns out, stage 2 happens to be one of the toughest stages! Thanks goes to Alan “PB” Powderhill for dragging me up those mountains! ⛰️😅 Belas knap nearly killed me off! 🥵 But all worth it for the stunning views at the top! 😍
Definitely a much hillier stage than Stage 1 last year! 🫣 Let’s hope Stage 3 is all downhill next year! 😂
Special thanks to our club captains the Chapmans for organising it all and for putting on a celebratory bbq afterwards!

Elliot Gardiner

Stage 4 is tough. AirBalloon is a bit hairy but lots of marshalls
were at the road junctions keeping us safe. Nice finish in beautiful Painswick

Sharon Smith

My first involvement with CW relay. I did Stage 2 with Elliot, and really enjoyed it! Doing the recce the week before certainly prepared me for the hills, and how to deal with the route. Great to be apart of a large team effort. Well done to everyone, still not convinced trail is my favourite but maybe I’ll get there some day.

Alan Powderhill

Evesham 10 K

An accurate chip timed route around the streets, parks and riverside paths of historic and beautiful Evesham.

Sarah Juggins ran the course in 01.00.18. Great stuff, Sarah.

This is one of my favourite races. It’s very well organised the route is fantastic it has a few hills and a mean one on the last km. According to my watch I set my fastest 5km today.

Sarah Juggins

An entry from the previous week

Badminton 10 K

The Relish Running Badminton Marathon, Half Marathon, 10km, 5km, and Fun Run, is set within the stunning private grounds of the Badminton Estate in Gloucestershire. It offers runners a unique opportunity to explore a landscape rich in history, with routes that traverse solid stone paths, woodland trails, and open grass meadows.

Alison Booth entered the 10 K and did it in the excellent time of 00:57:45

This was a lovely run through the Badminton Estate. The day was well organised with waves of 100 runners starting every 10 minutes over 2km, 5km, 10km, half marathon and marathon. The routes were well signposted and marshalled, but it was difficult going through woods, across fields and tracks – a lot of it was uneven underfoot. I finished 2nd in my age group. I’m very pleased with my “podium finish”! And it was very hot!

Alison Booth