This interestingly named race starts and finishes at the highest point of the Cotswold Way, Cleeve Hill. Previously included in RSE’s championship, this race is hilly and tough, but takes in some stunning views across Cheltenham. Weather dependant, runners can quite literally find themselves amongst the clouds!
Cheri and Vicki
Vicki Mason and Cheri Edwards braved the hills this week, running the 5.5mile course which starts and finishes at Cleeve Hill golf club.
Lovely scenic course but some killer hills!
Cheri Edwards
It was very hilly and a rather warm evening, but really enjoyable, except no medal at the end!
Vicki Mason
Congratulations to Cheri and Vicki who finished in excellent times!
Cheri Edwards – 55:13
Vicki Mason – 1:01:31
Needles Half Marathon
A trip to the Isle of Wight this week saw Sharon Smith taking on the Needles Half Marathon, a scenic but tough race. The route takes runners across sand, up stairs and hills and past the Isle of Wight’s most iconic landmark, The Needles.
Tough and varied, think Terminator meets the Bourton Hilly Half! Great Marshall support and finish, but the views were obscured by the mist!
Sharon Smith
Well done to Sharon, who finished in a brilliant time of 2:02:40!
Burrator 10k
With the sun finally emerging, it was the week for a run with a view! The Burrator 10k is a 1.6 lap run around Burrator reservoir, Yelverton. Starting a Dam bridge, the course is listed as flat, fast and PB worthy.
Felicity (left), alongside Darren and Jenny
The race was done in waves 2 mins apart. We were in the very last wave so got to see everyone with their medals before we’d even reached half way! Forecast had been overcast and possibly rain, but it turned out to be very hot and humid.
Felicity Crotty
Well done to Felicity who achieved her fastest 10k time of the year, finishing in an unofficial time of 1:02:30!
I started running when I turned 30 – 13 years ago (nearly) now! I felt I wanted to push myself and get fit. Signed up for the Plymouth Half without a plan, and that’s pretty much my running style since! However, I was very much ‘off/on’ with my running until I joined RSE.
When did you join RSE?
In August 2016 – I’d moved to Cirencester from Devon and wanted to both get fit and make friends. A club that met at the pub seemed the perfect combination for both! I’m now a really committed runner and couldn’t do without it. That’s the gift RSE has given me.
What motivates you to run?
Lots of things – fitness, improving my mental health, and just enjoying being out in the beautiful countryside we have around here.
I am also massively motivated by the achievements of club members: hearing about the challenges they are taking on (both in running and in real life) sets an example and inspires me to pull on the trainers on days when I’d rather curl up in front of the telly.
Proudest running achievement?
Running a marathon in lockdown on my own, because….well, just because really. I also think back to that first half marathon – I’m not sure how I got round with my half-baked ‘training’ schedule!
Favourite RSE moment (social/ race etc)?
So many – every time I go on a club run I seem to find myself chatting to a different club member and learning about their lives, which is always a joy. Also, bouncing up and down to Plucking Different at a few gigs after races always leaves a smile on my face.
Time to Select a New Charity
It’s time to select a new charity of the year. We have had 5 nominations so the RSE committee has decided to put these to a club vote. Click the link below to see all the nominated charities and read a brief outline of why the nominee feels the charity should be chosen.
The vote will remain open until midnight Sunday 6th June and the chosen charity will be announced during the AGM on Thursday 10th June.
If you have any problems casting your vote, please contact Caroline Joynes-Creed.
Booking is now open for the Fairford 10k time trial – announced on the RSE Info Whatsapp group earlier today!
25 people have now signed up for the Two Tunnels Half Marathon! If you are booked into the race or would just like to come along and support, please contact Dave Witnall if you would like a place on the coach (travelling to and from the Race HQ).
A massive congratulations to Sarah Reynolds who completed the Jurassic Coast Ultra this weekend, a 100km run across the coastline. The run began at Corfe Castle and finished in Bridport, following the beautiful South West coastal path. Organised by the Ultra Challenge series, runners could choose from 25km, 50km or 100km options, and passed iconic sites, including Durdle Door (photographed by Sarah below!).
Durdle Door, Dorest
[I completed] 58km (and 1700m climbing) on Saturday and just shy of 42km today in gale force winds!
Sarah Reynolds
Despite battling the elements, Sarah finished 3rd lady overall in the event, and in an overall time of 14:04:41! Well done, Sarah!
Cotswold Lake 62 Evening Series
It’s been a busy week for the Cotswold Water Park, with multiple events incorporating the lakes, and of course, running.
Congratulations to Libby Butler who completed her first ever triathlon in a fantastic time of 1:17:10! The event included a 400m swim in the lake, 16k cycle (described by the event website as flat with gentle, sloping inclines!) and a 4.5k run around the lake path.
I really enjoyed the experience. The hardest part was the bike as I’m new to cycling. I also struggled with the running afterwards as my legs had no energy from the cycle. It was super tough!
Libby Butler
Cotswold Lake 62 Aquathlon
Another to brave the waters of lake 62 was Kate Potter, who completed the Aquathlon, which included a 4.5k run and 400m lake swim. The run comprised of laps around the lake path, taking in the beautiful Cotswold scenery, while the swim took on the deep water at lake 62.
Thankfully the high winds had dropped so it was fairly calm water but still a bit chilly. The run, 3 laps of the lake, was like a quagmire!! But I thoroughly enjoyed it. I kept hearing Nadine and Gareth [from the Stronger Effort sessions] in my ear saying “Keep moving forward!! “ 😁
Kate Potter
Cotswold Super Sprint Triathlon
The Cotswold Super Sprint Triathlon took place at the Cotswold Country Park and Beach this Sunday, where entrants challenged themselves to a 750m swim, 20k cycle and 5km run.
RSE’s Martin ‘Ted’ Pitts was up to the task, finishing the course in an incredible time of 1:16:11! Ted also came 2nd in his age category!
The swim and run were as I had expected – okay for the amount of training I had done. The cycle on the other hand felt like I was towing a caravan! My legs were heavy; I need to practise the bike to run! That said, I finished 2nd in my age group, so all in all, not a bad day!
Ted Pitts
Well done on a fantastic time today, Ted!
Westonbirt 10k
Following a fantastic half marathon last week, Linda Edwards continued her running streak with a 10k at Westonbirt. Held at the National Arboretum, the run is part of Forestry England’s Active Forests Programme, which aims to motivate sport and exercise opportunities within forests. The Westonbirt 10k took runners through the ancient Silk Wood on a mainly flat course.
[It was] a lovely run through the trees with a surprise hill to finish and a great wooden medal!
Linda Edwards
Linda finished in a brilliant time of 56.14!
Dates for the Diary
RSE have events in the planning, so don’t forget to add these dates to your diary!
AGM – Thurs 10 June
Fairford 10k time trial – Sun 27 June
Treasure hunt & social – Weds 30 June
Running away day, family day & picnic – Sun 25 July
Two Tunnels away race day and Rochelle Ravenscroft memorial evening – Sat 15 Aug
There will be an announcement about the Fairford 10k time trial next week, but bookings can be made from now via the RunTogether app – this can be found under the RSE Racing & TT heading.
Tackling an Ultra is an incredibly hard challenge, both physically and mentally. It’s even harder when you take a slight detour and 50 miles becomes 53! Not to be deterred, Nadine Brown kept in positive spirits to complete this fantastic challenge (only a month after a hilly marathon in Dorset!).
Stunning views at the West Country Ultra
Starting in Taunton, the route takes you along 15 miles of quaint canal path, before you reach the River Parrett and then it’s on to join the West Somerset coast path. The Flat 50 does have some hills, but compared to the Hilly 50 version they run on the same day, they certainly aren’t as challenging! The route finishes just past Butlins in Minehead.
I was unprepared for having to navigate the course as believed it would be well marked (but both Rob and Ollie have since informed me that there isn’t a race organised by Albion Running whereby they haven’t got lost!) However, apart from this, it was a good run and I am very pleased to have completed my first 50 miler.
Nadine Brown
Nadine finished the course in an unofficial time of under 11 hours (results are TBC) – fantastic running, Nadine!
Sarah Hancock
Worcester Marathon
Beginning in Six Ways Rugby Stadium, Worcester marathon follows a two lap course, crossing through Oddingley and taking in the countryside around Worcester. Completing the course in a fantastic time of 4:54:10 was Sarah Hancock!
First one of the year. A lot of fun!
Sarah Hancock
Well done Sarah on a great run!
Zan Futter
A half marathon in time for a 1st Birthday!
Setting herself the challenge to complete a half marathon before her son’s first birthday was Zan Futter. As races were either cancelled or postponed, Zan took to the streets around South Cerney – what better way to complete a challenge than around the beautiful scenery at the water park!
Zan complete the run in a brilliant time of 2:05:07!
It felt really good from the get go. Pacing was good as was aiming for around 6min/km but unfortunately just lost the pace in the last km which was a bit frustrating, but still super happy!
Zan Futter
Zan celebrated with a medal and podium made by her husband!
Linda Edwards
Sutton Park Half Marathon
Part of the Birmingham Running Festival, the Sutton Park Half marathon is one of 3 races held in the 2,400 acre National Nature Reserve in Birmingham. The half marathon takes on a hilly 4-lap course around the park, a tough route for runners!
Linda Edwards took on the course, completing it in an excellent time of 2:11:48!
It was tough. I had been aiming to do a half marathon and stupidly realised after entering there was more climb than Bourton hilly half! – which I wanted to avoid at all costs. [It was] a lovely well organised race (but they don’t advertise the hill profile). It was loops so the hills kept on coming!
Linda Edwards
Hullavington Half marathon and 5k races
Hullavington races have been a club favourite over the last year due to their Covid safety procedures… that and their excellent cakes! Starting and finishing in Hullavington village, the half marathon is described as ‘gently undulating’, and takes runners through rural villages including Grittleton and Alderton.
It was a great turnout for the event from RSE, with club members Liz Farooq, Andy Masser, Jo Wood and Tom Razazan completing the race.
I found it tricky – a lot of uphill and it was really hot but the lemon drizzle cake at the end was amazing!
Liz Farooq
More up than down so it felt (!) and was accurately described as undulating but scenic. Very few big roads – crossing the M4 and back taking in many pretty Wiltshire villages. The most amazing cakes and a amazing ‘plane’ medal (which actually spins!) – a nod to the Hullavington airfield. Highly recommended!
Jo Wood
It was good to be back racing and see some RSE faces also!
Tom Razazan
Official times are still to be published, but here are the unofficial times:
The notorious Hullavington cake (enjoyed by Rosie!)
Tom Razazan – 1:37
Andy Masser – 1:41:03
Jo Wood – 1:50:05
Liz Farooq – 2:01:38
The Hullavington 5k event is described as ‘pancake flat’ and ‘fast’, so it’s no wonder that Rosie Oates set her sights on the race! The race is a 1-lap road course that follows countryside just outside Hullavington.
Advertised as flat but it felt like a constant, gradual uphill. Every corner I was thinking ‘it will go down now’ but it just didn’t 🤣 so more like little undulating! really lovely quiet lanes to run on though and well organised too!
Rosie Oates
Rosie finished in an (unofficial) speedy time of 20:55! She also came 1st lady overall! 🥳
Thank You Coaching Team!
We’ve been secretly gathering some feedback from the club on the Faster, Fitter, Stronger effort programme, so that we can give a massive thank you to our coaches!
Get to Know the Club – Runner Profile
Vicki Mason
When did you start running?
Running was always something I “had to do” in order to pass a fitness test for work but it always felt forced and I didn’t gain much enjoyment from it. That changed in 2016, my youngest daughter was almost 2 and I wanted to reclaim some time for me. I entered the Race for Life 10k in Cirencester Park that summer as something to aim for and I realised that I actually enjoyed it. After that I entered the Bath Half and I’ve continued to enjoy new the challenges that running provides.
When did you join RSE?
I trained for the Bath Half on my own over the winter and it was a struggle to find time to run in the day light as I didn’t like the idea of running alone in the dark. I found RSE and had wanted to join for a while and once I’d plucked up the courage to attend a club run, I realised that it didn’t matter what pace I ran at I’d be welcome. Despite not being regularly able to attend twice weekly I love the support and encouragement that being a member of the club provides.
What motivates you to run?
Initially it was about having some head space and something for myself away from the family and work. Then chasing a new PB motivated me to get my trainers on and put in the effort, but now it’s about the enjoyment of being out, sometimes with company, other times with a podcast, exploring the beautiful countryside. Currently I’m enjoying the challenge of trail running, increasing the distance and seeing what I’m capable of, whilst setting a healthy example to my girls. Oh and I love cake 🧁 so that definitely motivates me to run!
Proudest running achievement?
Probably running the virtual London Marathon last year. It was a bit of a spur of the moment decision to enter and thankfully I was able to convince another Club member that running our first marathon with 40 days notice was a good idea. We laughed, chatted and moaned our way around the 26 miles in the wind and rain, but I loved every minute of it. And the support of club members in Cirencester Park at the end was amazing!
Favourite RSE moment?
Any race with good club attendance, such as the Cricklade Half. As I’m not the fastest runner there’s normally a crowd already at the finish line by the time I get there, and the cheering and support makes you feel like a winner; that feeling of community and inclusion is what makes RSE so special.
A change to Wednesday Efforts
Due to a lower than expected demand for efforts, we have decided to consolidate our 19:05 efforts into one session rather than two. Anyone booked onto a 19:05 session, which is due to be cancelled, will automatically be booked onto the session due to remain. You will receive confirmation emails once the bookings have been swapped over. We are of course keeping a close eye on how any lifting of restrictions may affect us, however at 5pm on Sunday the dept. for culture, media and sport have still issued no update on group sizes permitted for outdoor sport. If this changes we will of course put plans in place as soon as possible.
