Author Archives: Ellie Taylor

Cotswold Evening Triathlon Series – Lake 62

Continuing the Triathlon Evening race series at Lake 62 in the Cotswold waterpark this week was club member Sarah Reynolds. The course included a 400m swim in the lake, 16k bike ride and 4.5k run.

Sarah completed the third event of the series in a fantastic time of 1.05.15, finishing 4th lady, with only 18 seconds separating the top 4 women! Sarah also achieved a 2 minute PB – Congratulations, Sarah!

Actually I think the swim was 500m and lots of weed to slow me down…😂

Sarah Reynolds

Westonbirt 10k

Westonbirt 10k is a firm favourite of Running Somewhere Else members, and spots in the race are sold out each year. Starting and finishing at Westonbirt House, the 10k route takes runners through the estate grounds and out onto the quiet country paths of the surrounding area. The course is mainly flat – apart from those stairs!

Kevin Joynes-Creed and Linda Edwards took to the challenge, on one of the most hottest days of the year!

It was hot with an unexpected finish (steps) so no sprint finish. A beautiful evening though!

Linda Edwards

Lovely route but I always seem to cross the finish line soaking wet. Three years ago at Easter it poured with rain – Friday night I was dripping due to the heat!

Kevin Joynes-Creed

A huge well done to Linda and Kev who finished in fantastic times, despite the heat!

• Kevin Joynes-Creed – 52:47
• Linda Edwards – 59:21

Newbury Racecourse 10k

One of Britain’s leading horseracing venues turned its hand to running events this week, with options of 5k, 10k and half marathon races. Listed as ‘flat and quick’ on the race website, each lap is 5k, perfect for those seeking quick times.

Completing his first race since rejoining RSE was Tom Johnson, who finished the 10k option in a brilliant time of 50:30!

I haven’t raced since 2019 due to injuries and the pandemic, so it was great to be out there. Enjoyed the two lap race around the race course.

Tom Johnson

Hattingley Half Marathon

This new trail event starts in Medstead, one of the highest points in Hampshire, before following woodlands, farmland and fields on a one lap loop. The picturesque views along the run include Bugmore Hill and Godsfield Copse, as well as a run through a vineyard!

Running for RSE was Zoe Markham-Lee, who completed the course in a fantastic time of 2:44! Well done to Zoe as it was also her first ever trail event!

My first trail race and it was all off road, through woods, fields, mud and rain. It was very hard, but I loved it!

Zoe Markham-Lee

Parkruns are Back!

Parkruns have been sorely missed, especially after the club’s first ever Parkrun cup came to a standstill in 2020. But with the announcement that they were back up and running, club members were quick to meet the challenge!

Cirencester Parkrun

• Anne Gardiner – 29:10
• William Gardiner – 31:08
• Carol Sworn – 33:25
• Elaine Chapman – 37:12 (Getting beaten by her son, Daniel Chapman!)

Littlehampton Prom Parkrun

• Felicity Crotty – 29:17

Stroud Beer Race

There was a fantastic turnout by club members at the Stroud Beer Race this week, the third race of the club championship. The 7.2 mile course takes runners three times around Minchinhampton common – the hills are long and steep! This is a brilliant route for those who want to challenge themselves (and get a beer at the end!).

• David Witnall – 51:46
• Rosie Oates – 52:04 – (1st SL, 2nd lady overall!)
• Nia Glover – 52:37 – (2nd SL, 3rd lady overall)
• Sharon Smith – 58:59 – (1st V70!)
• Sarah Reynolds – 1:00:39 – (2nd V40!)
• Elaine Chapman – 1:01:35 – (3rd V40!)
• Sarah Page – 1:04:14 – (3rd V60!)
• Istvan Vegh – 1:04:24
• Anne Gardiner – 1:10:19
• Linda Edwards – 1:11:15
• Libby Butler – 1:17:56
• Pauline Tilbury – 1:18:19
• Vanessa Poole – 1:20:46
• Andy Poole – 1:20:47

It was hot and hilly! Some of the hills seemed to go on forever!

Rosie Oates

Judging by the club WhatsApp comments, these sentiments were echoed by all the club members that entered! Brilliant running everyone!

Caplor Hill 6.5 Mile Race

Tipped by the race website as ‘a testing, multi-terrain course’, the Caplor Hill race lives up to its name – hilly. The race takes places around the Caplor Hill Ancient Hillfort, just outside Hereford, and runs through woodland and past the river Wye.

Andy and Carol Sworn took to the challenge, which was made even tougher by the heat of the day!

So hot but we both got round safe and sound. There was plenty of walking on the uphill bits (and some of the downhills!). A lovely race but not in that heat!

Carol Sworn

• Andy Sworn – 1:10
• Carol Sworn – 1:15

Congratulations both of you – fantastic times on a hard course!

Frome Half Marathon

This picturesque race takes runners through the heart of Frome, surrounding villages and country lanes. As well as quaint views, runners can also expect the ‘infamous’ 1km climb to Egford Hill – just what you need in the heat at mile 11!

A huge well done to Alan Powderhill and Paul Robertson for completing their first ever races in the Running Somewhere Else club vest! And for navigating a half on such a hot day!

It was a very hilly half and obviously with the weather conditions tougher than usual. I have family in Frome, so was great to do and had excellent support all around the course.

Alan Powderhill

• Paul Robertson – 2:03:50
• Alan Powderhill – 2:03:51

Brilliant running both of you!

Check out Frome Half Marathon here.

Bourton-On-The Water 1 Mile Race

This week it was the turn of the mile race – a distance a lot of runners are unsure how to tackle! An incredibly flat, fast course, the Bourton Mile takes runners through the heart of the town and past the picturesque River Windrush. The runners, however, are completely unaware of their surroundings as they are sprinting at top speed towards the finish line!

This year the Bourton Mile doubled as the 2nd race in the club championship as well as a Gloucester AAA event. Running Somewhere Else did brilliantly, with many club members earning extra medals on the night!

• Rosie Oates – 6:05 (Gold medal in the Senior Lady category for Glos. AAA!)
• Ollie Hazel – 5:45 (Silver medal in MV40 category for Glos. AAA!)
• Darren Jenner – 6:40 (40s PB! Plus Silver medal in MV45 category for Glos. AAA!)
• Mark Garrett – 5:33 (Silver medal in the MV50 category for Glos. AAA!)
• Elaine Chapman – 6:43 (Bronze medal in LV40 category for Glos. AAA!)
• Felicity Crotty – 8:51
• David Witnall – 5:38

Race to the Stones 50k

Taking on the rolling hills of the historic Ridgeway, runners can choose from 1 day or 2 day options, finishing at the Avebury Stone Circle. This tough challenge has some incredible views, including the Uffington White Horse, Wayland Smithy and more than 1 castle!

Fresh from completing the Cotswold Ultra challenge only last month, Mark Manley finished the 50k event in a brilliant time of 5 hours and 34 minutes – making him 2nd in his age category!

My go to happy place to run as, starting early at 06:30, it’s beautiful along the Ridgeway. I started near Wantage and finished at Avebury Stones. Supported by my 82 year old faithful parents as crew – They dropped me off, stopped off with water at various points, met me at the end and are always so happy to be talking to the runners. I’m very lucky and grateful!
I was happy bearing in mind I did a hilly 100km only two weeks ago!

Mark Manley

Fantastic running, Mark!

Frampton 10k

This flat, fast course is a favourite amongst runners in the Cotswolds – so much so that places are like gold dust! Starting in the picturesque village of Frampton-Upon-Severn, the route follows countryside paths past the river Severn. RSE member, David Witnall, managed to nab a place for the 2020 race, which was then deferred to 2021.

It was good to back in what felt like a normal race. It was good to use the race as a benchmark run before marathon training begins. I went out comfortably and was happy to get a negative split.

David Witnall

Congratulations to Dave, who finished in a speedy time of 40:23, a personal course record!

Cotswold Way Relay

The Cotswold Way Relay is now in its 31st year and is a challenge that Running Somewhere Else take on annually. Covering all 103 miles of the Cotswold Way, clubs are invited to work as a team to complete the distance. The legs vary in distance (from 7.3 miles to 12.8 miles) and elevation, but none could be considered ‘easy’. This year, RSE members had to sweet-talk club captain, Elaine Chapman, to guarantee one of the ‘good’ legs.

Running Somewhere Else entered one mixed team this year with five men and five ladies taking on the challenging hills in the mixed ‘summer’ weather. Everyone ran really strongly and Sharon was even rewarded with a bottle of wine at the end of her leg for finishing 30 minutes ahead of the cut off and first in her age group!

Many congratulations to Emma Thomas (Leg 1), Teresa Hazelwood (Leg 2), Amanda McIlroy (Leg 3), Sarah Reynolds (Leg 4), Andy Poole (Leg 5), Martin Sherriff (Leg 6), David Whitlow (Leg 7), Mark Garrett (Leg 8), Sharon Smith (Leg 9) and Steve Sandercock (Leg 10).

The Running Somewhere Else team finished in an (unofficial) combined team time of 24 hours 48 minutes!

Hope 24

Another club favourite is Hope 24, a 24 hour running event in the heart of Plympton. Runners can compete in pairs, small groups (up to 5) or large groups (up to 8), and some intrepid challengers take on the event solo! This year, Hope 24 was back on site, its 5 mile course running through woodland, past a river and sheep, and up a lot of hills.

RSE members were out in force this year, with 2 large teams, 1 small team, 3 solo runners, a long-distance walker and 4 Hope trail kids! Starting at 12pm on Saturday and finishing 12pm on the Sunday, the participants faced muggy heat, sunshine, torrential rain and a path turned to a river! Despite the challenging weather and the course closing at 10:30am due to adverse conditions, club members produced some fantastic results.

Solo Runners/Walkers:

• Kevin Joynes-Creed – 60 miles (12 laps)
• Cathy Steer – 20 miles (4 laps)
• Ellie Taylor – 55 miles (11 laps)
• Ryo Taylor – 20 miles (4 laps)

RSE’s first ever small team:

• Team Chapman – 75 miles (15 laps)
  • Ben Chapman – 30 miles (6 laps)
  • Elaine Chapman – 45 miles (9 laps)

Large teams:

• Team 1 – A combined effort of 140 miles (28 laps) – 2nd in the large team relay!
  • Well done to Rob Brown, David Witnall, Nadine Brown, Gareth Roberts, Sarah Hancock, Carol Sworn and Sarah Page!
• Team 2 – A combined effort of 100 miles (20 laps)!
  • Well done to Pauline Tilbury, Richard Marshall, Paul Coates, Caroline Coates, Linda Edwards, Caroline Joynes-Creed, Darren Jenner and Felicity Crotty!

A huge well done also to our mini runners Eden Brown, Rory Brown, Matthew Chapman and Daniel Chapman!

Upcoming Club Social Alert

Sunday 25th July

Away Day Run and Picnic

Join RSE from 12 midday for an away day social.

The run is optional (6 miles trail). Friends and family are welcome!

Save the date! Full details are to follow very soon.