Volunteer Awards evening 2025: South West

It was amazing to celebrate the efforts of all the volunteers in the South West at our Regional Volunteer Awards! On Saturday evening, we welcomed all the winners and runners up from across the region to the Devon Hotel, Exeter to say thank you and recognise their contribution. Congratulations to all the award winners and runners up! 

Runner up: David Witnall (Running Somewhere Else)

David Witnall is the driving force behind Running Somewhere Else’s coaching success. As Head Coach, he leads with creativity, empathy, and a genuine passion for making running accessible to all. From beginners’ programmes to technique workshops and time trials, Dave’s sessions are fun, inclusive, and expertly planned. His famous “Dave’s Dice” sessions blend challenge with laughter, while his support for fellow coaches and athletes builds confidence and community. Whether writing personalised plans or cheering from the sidelines, Dave’s dedication shines through. He inspires runners of all levels to believe in themselves—and that’s what makes him an exceptional coach.

(https://www.englandathletics.org/news/volunteer-awards-evening-2025-south-west/)

 

 

Great stuff, Dave

Vitality London 10k

The Vitality London 10,000 celebrates both mental and physical wellbeing. It’s the only 10K in the capital to finish outside Buckingham Palace and takes you past some of London’s most famous landmarks, including St Paul’s Cathedral and Big Ben.

Congratulations to Lee Jones who ran it in a time of 01:00:44.

I’ve always wanted to run through the centre of London & take in all the sites that the London marathon does & this was the perfect event! Very well organised & a great route. Didn’t quite get under the 60min mark, but was very close

Lee Jones

Swindon Half Marathon

The road closed route takes runners through Swindon and the surrounding countryside, past the villages of Wanborough, Badbury and Medbourne. This route is mostly flat for the first 5 miles, miles 5-10 are undulating, before a downhill finish!

It went very well today, because of the hills, and getting over a cold, I set myself a more reserved target of 1:45 today. Ended up running 1:43 exactly – only 26 seconds off my PB which was really pleasing.
A brilliant downhill/flat finish in the last 5k.
Some brilliant RSE results today, another great race day event.

Alan Powdwerhill

Great atmosphere in the event village and lots of enthusiastic spectators on the route. Forgot about the hills! but it was 2018 when I last ran it so possibly a new course. FIRST lv75 and a new UK record time. Rewarded myself with an icecream afterwards Lovely!

Sharon Smith

Haven’t run a HM for a while so wasn’t sure what to expect. Enjoyed the course (even with the hills in the middle). There was great support all around the course including the villages and the Ridgeway!

Felicity Crotty

NEW PB!! Pleasantly surprised to have achieved a second HM PB for the year, improving my best by a further 39 seconds. Especially considering the undulating course (and walking up most of the second hill!).

Darren Jenner

Really pleased to have achieved a PB on a pretty undulating course! There’s a couple of brutal hills thrown in between miles 5-9 as well! Nice medal and great to see so many other RSE runners getting PBs on the course too!

Jade Beaumont

Forgot to take my watch for the Cotswold run last week.  This time I remembered it – but forgot to put it on!  Think I quite like running without it.  Some nice views of the Marlborough Downs and a really nice walk  from the car park to the race village

Paul Beaumont

Swindon half was undulating, but some lovely downhills. I was surprised at the lovely views near Swindon! A very unexpected PB for me.

Zoe Markham-Lee

Sun was shining on Swindon today with a big turnout from RSE, and a load of PB’s.
Described as undulating should be challenged as the two long climbs felt tough and long, but then rewarded with a fast downhill close.
I ran a personal PB today and finished 137th. A great day out and congratulations to all the RSE finishers.

Phil Hudson

 

Philip Hudson       01:34:03 PB

Wayne Hewitt       01:34:45

Mark Garrett        01:37:37

Jennifer Glass       01:41:09

Alan Powderhill    01:43:00

Thomas Barnes    01:43:20

Sharon Smith       01.45.35 (a new UK record time for LV 75)

Paul Robertson    01:48:35

Liam Pettit             01:49:39

Darren Jenner      01:48:17 (PB)

Paul Beaumont    01:52:37

Jo Beames             01:55:05

Zoe Markham-Lee 01:58:07 (PB)

Jade Beaumont    02:05:53 (PB)

Felicity Crotty       02:17:13

Bourton Hilly Half

The Bourton Half Marathon follows an accurately measured 13.1 mile route through the amazing Cotswolds countryside around Bourton-on-the-Water. It is a single lap route on undulating, sometimes hilly, rural roads with some spectacular views en route.

Michael Bagot   01:50:27.59

Gemma Wright 02:15:17.13

Linda Edwards  02:20:53.03

Liz Hilcup           02.57.58

Tail runner, but with lots of walking involved.

Liz Hilcup

Parkruns

Gloucester North parkrun

Vicki MASON                   00:29:43

Cirencester parkrun

Daniel DRAYTON            00:23:20

Steve SANDERCOCK      00:24:22

Claire SHARP                    00:25:29

Alison BOOTH                  00:25:29

Sue NAVIN                        00:26:50  PB!

Phil SCOBLE                     00:29:05

Phil NEWMAN                 00:29:06

Nadine BROWN               00:29:47

Cheri EDWARDS             00:32:15

Rachel WEAVER              00:35:13