Author Archives: Race Reporter

Gloucester half marathon and 10 K

This year the Gloucester half marathon was a club championship race – so, not surprisingly,  RSE was well represented. The route blends city-centre atmosphere, historic landmarks, and scenic waterside running. Starting and finishing at Gloucester Park, this event gives runners the chance to race through pedestrianised city centre streets, pass around the iconic Gloucester Cathedral, and head out on a closed road circuit through Gloucester and Quedgeley before joining the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal Path.

Alan did the course in a fantastic 1:39:41

Cannot believe I’ve gone sub 1:40 in a half marathon. Was worried my legs would struggle after last weekend’s 20 mile race.  I started on pace and managed to hold on for dear life at the end. Such a massive milestone for me. A brilliant sunny day with RSE and some other great PBs too!

Alan Powderhill

Jade    01:53:04

I have to start by thanking Robbo for dragging me round the course to get a massive 9 minute half marathon PB! The course is predominantly flat and has some really nice parts along the canal. It was also lovely and sunny! Well done to all the RSE runners out there today, everyone did amazing and got some brilliant results!

Jade Beaumont

Sarah      1.55.56

Very pleased to get a PB today which was unexpected but the course is pretty flat and is a mix of urban and countryside. Always nice to run on closed roads and plenty of good support on the course. Great medal too!

Sarah Page

Richard     01:52:52

Was aiming to improve on my time from Cirencester half but ended up a minute slower. Still, happy enough after some patchy training! A good day out and some fantastic times from the RSE runners.

Richard Sharp

Zoe  1.58.58

Lots of people and quite a bit of support. I had a massive panic at the start line as I realised I had a 10k bib. Luckily, they let me run the half. Great results from lots of RSE, but a massive well done to Jade for a huge PB.

Zoe Markham-Lee

Sharon  1.41.27

Just one second off a PB ! A PB for this course by 4 minutes though. A late start and no pacers was a bit of a spoiler but fab weather and a flat course made it enjoyable. Also a lot of people were out supporting the majority of non club runners. We all met up afterwards and Louie made a guest appearance looking gorgeous even when asleep .

Sharon Smith

Charlene  01:49:10

Had such a wonderful day from start to finish, first time racing with RSE including getting the yellow vest on and managed a massive PB for the half marathon! Definitely will be doing more races with the club, starting off all together and coming together at the end really made the experience so much more enjoyable and less stressful

Charlene Loft

Linda  2:14:37

This is the first time I have ran this particular route of the half marathon. It was really well organised and the route varied. Unfortunately I didn’t manage my pacing well and suffered for this during the race.
The race was very busy in the first few miles as the 10k runners ran alongside the HM.
Would definitely like to have another go at this race.

Linda Edwards

Dan    01:52:14

A nice route through the historic city of Gloucester in ideal running conditions.

Dan Drayton

Phil H    1:33:25

A beautiful sunny day running round Gloucester Docks and surrounding country lanes on a flat fast course.
I was nervous about today’s half returning from injury and not having run an event since November, really pleased with my pacing, consistent splits and 3rd fastest half.
Another fabulous day out and well supported by some great RSE performances, we even had to share the tow path with an angling competition, so several thousand runners would have kept the fish well away for sure. Classic event planning.

Phil Hudson

Claire  and Alison   crossed the line together  in a time of 1.57.49

It was my first half marathon for over 20 years. I think all of Carol’s efforts on Wednesday mornings helped to make it a lot easier than the 2 I did in my 30s. I ran with Alison, it was her first half marathon and we got round in under 2 hours!!!! Alison was 1st lady home in her age group by 13 minutes!!!It was a nice flat course with lots of nice scenery and lots of support round the course. I can’t believe how warm it was for March. Well done to all the RSE runners today.

Claire Sharp

This was my first half marathon. I found the last 10k very hard but am absolutely thrilled with my time, all due to the efforts of my pacer, Claire. She definitely kept me going! It was lovely to see so many RSE vests – well done to everyone who ran.

Alison Booth

Some bloke from Stratton 01.52.52

00.47 seconds slower than last year.  Disgraceful! Great weather, though

Paul Beaumont

I am guessing that Dave W is  busy with a baby at the moment but I thought it should be recorded he was there and did a time of 1.46.06 – which, hopefully fits in with his preparation for the  race that he’s got coming up.

Forest Of Dean Spring Half Marathon

The Spring Trails Half Marathon is run in the Forest of Dean. Starting on the road adjacent to the Speech House Hotel in the heart of the forest, the course then leaves the road to follow a loop of well maintained forest trails (with gentle inclines) before eventually leading back to the Speech House Hotel for the finish.

This annual event is organised by The Rotary Club of the Royal Forest of Dean and supported by the Forestry Commission. Proceeds are used to support charities, both locally and nationally.

Elaine  2:07:45

For my March half, decided to run one that has been on my list to do for a while – Forest of Dean half. Very well organised event, easy to get to and park up.
Race started well with a lovely downhill for the first 2 miles. Then it was pretty much uphill till about mile 8! Bit of a reprieve for a few miles, then we were back up again at 11. It was a very tough slog! I did enjoy it, lovely scenery and a great atmosphere. But it was quite relentless at times, legs feeling it! Well done to Lesley and Sarah who also ran, was lovely to see them there and thanks Ben for supporting me.

Elaine Chapman

Sarah   02:40:55

It was very tough and hilly. The scenery was lovely. It was very well organised and the Marshall’s were fantastic.

Sarah Juggins

Great stuff, Elaine and Sarah.  Sounds memorable

Parkruns

Cirencester Parkrun

Andy CULLEN                                  21.51

Jon CAMPBELL                               21.52

Wayne HEWITT                              22.08

Rebecca SOUTHERINGTON        22.58

Ben CHAPMAN                               23.54

Daniel DRAYTON                            24.36

William COBBETT                          25.04

Phil HUDSON                                  26.03

Paul BILLINGHURST                    26.04

Anne GARDINER                            26.53

Phil NEWMAN                                28.24

Samantha WARD                            29.44

Jade BEAUMONT                           29.51

Maria YATES                                    31.00

Paul ROBERTSON                          31.30

Elaine CHAPMAN                           41.54

Abingdon Parkrun

Andy SWORN                                  26:21
Linda EDWARDS                            34:19
Carol SWORN                                  44:27

Tamar Trails Parkrun

Darren JENNER                              25:17
Felicity CROTTY                              33:23

Gunpowder Parkrun

Julie TAYLOR                                   37:15

Berkeley Green parkrun

David BARKER                                20:16

Tetbury Goods Shed parkrun

Anne-Marie DAVIES                        31:05

Bushy parkrun

Peter GODDARD                               29:18

Horsham parkrun

Amanda Ball                                       33:09

Diary Dates

Cotswold Way Relay July 4th – contact Elaine if you are interested in being part of the team see https://cotswoldwayrelay.co.uk/

Upcoming Club Championship races – 

Sunday May 10th, Chedworth 5

Saturday May 16th North Cerney Scamper 10k

Fairford 10k on Sunday June 7th – organised by RSE; marshals and volunteers will be required. The committee has respectfully asked members to not enter until we have confirmation of enough volunteers for the event – thanks

Hampton Court 10k

This race is held at the famous Hampton Court Palace, originally owned by Henry VIII. Well done to Ali, Sarah B and Julie. Clearly Henry VIII also put in an appearance!

Julie Taylor – “Fantastic to run in sunshine at Hampton Court. The route took us along the river to Kingston Bridge and then back through the park to finish in Hampton Court palace gardens. Ali and my hubby raced ahead for fab times in 1:04/3. Sarah and I kept to our pace plan, very happy to finish the challenge and cross the line together.”

Fission 20

The 20 mile option is a two-lap flat course in lovely countryside close to the river Severn. The Half Marathon takes in one lap of pretty much the same course.

• Nia Glover 2.25.57 -PB!!
• Al Powderhill 2.44.42 PB!!
• Zoe Markham-Lee  3.22.27
• Jade Beaumont 3.22.27

Al Powderhill  “The goal was to try for sub 2:50 today, so so happy to dig in for a  sub 2:45 and a 9 minute PB. Gave me huge confidence for my upcoming marathon now. Great to run with Robbo today too, well done to the other RSE runners 👏🙌”

Jade Beaumont – “The race started with some really nice weather conditions and was lovely and sunny. This was pretty short lived and for most of the second lap we had to battle drizzle and a headwind! Great marathon training run though and lovely to run with Zoe and Sarah!”

Fission Half

• Vicki Mason 2.19.17

Vicki Mason ” Working back up from injury meant the sensible option was to drop down to the half from the 20 miles today. The plan was to complete the distance and not worry about the time and hope the knee held out, which thankfully it did. A pretty course around country lanes, friendly marshalls but a very lonely course, which always seems to have horrible headwinds, so I was very grateful not to have to battle around another loop, well done to all the 20 mile runners who did!”

Parkrun Report

Event Date: 14 March 2026

Lydiard parkrun

Total Runners: 415

Felicity Crotty | 00:32:25

Lymington Woodside parkrun

Total Runners: 151

Andy Sworn | 00:27:39
Carol Sworn | 00:50:12 (olunteer)

Cirencester parkrun

Total Runners: 203

Daniel Drayton | 00:25:32
Paul Beaumont | 00:26:29
Sharon Smith | 00:27:00
Paul Billinghurst | 00:27:02
William Cobbett | 00:27:06
Elaine Chapman | 00:27:32
Phil Newman | 00:28:33
Rachel Smith | 00:28:47
Peter Goddard | 00:30:33
Vicki Mason | 01:09:52 (volunteer)

Fire Service College parkrun

Total Runners: 95

Elliot Gardiner | 00:23:11

Tetbury Goods Shed parkrun

Total Runners: 218

David Barker | 00:20:44
Samantha Ward | 00:27:27

Berkeley Green parkrun

Total Runners: 182

Rachel Weaver | 00:28:58

Central parkrun, Plymouth

Total Runners: 586

Darren Jenner | 00:24:23

Sandy Water parkrun

Total Runners: 199

Sylvia Warman | 00:34:51

University Parks parkrun

Total Runners: 696

Cheri Edwards | 01:03:29 (volunteer)

🏅 Highlights

• David Barker was the fastest Running Somewhere Else finisher this week with 20:44 at Tetbury Goods Shed parkrun.
• Elliot Gardiner finished 1st in his age category at Fire Service College parkrun.
• Cirencester parkrun saw the biggest club turnout with 10 members taking part.

Great to see members representing the club across multiple locations in beautiful weather this weekend. Well done parkrunners! 🏃

Diary Dates

Cotswold Way Relay July 4th – contact Elaine if you are interested in being part of the team see https://cotswoldwayrelay.co.uk/

Upcoming Club Championship races – 

Sunday March 22nd, Gloucester Half Marathon.

Sunday May 10th, Chedworth 5

Saturday May 16th North Cerney Scamper 10k

Fairford 10k on Sunday June 7th – organised by RSE; marshals and volunteers will be required. The committee has respectfully asked members to not enter until we have confirmation of enough volunteers for the event – thanks

Well done to everyone who raced today. There were some great results, including PBs for Darren, Jenny, Alan and Nia, but special mention must go to Sharon Smith, who broke her own UK age group record for 10 miles!

– Mark

Chippenham 10 Mile Race

“Pleased to say that the Boddington 10 mile in January put me TOP  in the UK . Today at Chippenham I improved on that time with another PB
A familiar course along  quiet country roads and fairly flat. Great marshalling and a crowd filled start and finish . Fab medal. Our RSE members all ran well”  – Sharon Smith

“So pleased to go sub 1:15 today, I wanted the PB today so had to go under 1:17. To knock off over 2 minutes was crazy, another huge confidence boost.
A slightly changed and better course, great results from everyone today well done all!”  – Alan Powderhill

“This is the first time I have ran this race and absolutely loved it.
A slightly undulating race with a surprise trail mile towards the end and a lovely downhill finish line. A great turnout for RSE.”  – Linda Edwards

“This was a really enjoyable race with a bit of a different course to last year and a downhill finish that was particularly welcomed! Lots of RSE runners out on the course today with some great results. A lovely medal and a 10 mile PB by over 5 minutes! A special mention to Ben for keeping me motivated for the first few miles until he edged ahead :)”  – Jade Beaumont

“Perfect conditions for a great route. This was only my second race at this distance, definitely a distance that I enjoy.”  – Rachel Weaver

“Very happy to complete this race after not being well for a while. So good to see some many RSE runners and Thanks Samantha Lane for keeping me running for the first 7 miles.”  – Sylvia Warman

“A well-organised race that’s improved since last year by starting and finishing in the town centre. Lovely to see team RSE cheering us all in.”  – Felicity Crotty

“This race was very well supported and the Pacers were really supportive. Mainly a flat race so not many hills.”  – Sara Juggins

“Great fun racing with so many other RSE runners.  Managed a new PB and was 3rd LV50. I enjoyed it despite what felt like a long old hill at 9km and the downhill finish made up for that.”  – Jenny Glass

Cambridge Half Marathon

“This was a super flat course which starts and finishes in the city, running past the beautiful university college buildings. I found the first 5 miles really congested so it was hard to find a rhythm but thankfully once we got out of the centre my legs just kept turning and I came away with a 1 min 30 PB which was far better than my expectation. Really pleased and a good confidence boost halfway through the marathon training”  – Nia Glover

Park Runs

Lydiard Park

Maidenhead

Cirencester

Tetbury

Stratford Park

Kilkenny Lane

Milton Keynes Winter Warmer (Half Marathon)

“That was a tough one! Lots of undulation. 4 laps. After the first lap, realised it wasn’t the time to go for a time! I enjoyed it though, ran the whole thing even the horrid zig-zag bit. It was a well organised small event The sun even shined as well and the best thing was no toilet queue! Great medal and a penguin for my efforts.”  – Elaine Chapman

Jenner 10K

According to AI (ChatRSE), this Berkley-based 10K race has been named in honour of the 50th anniversary of Darren Jenner. It was a club championship race and several RSE members took part.

“A lovely setting for the start and finish at the Jenner museum. Well organised and friendly and the gentle rain was quite refreshing.”   – Sue Navin

“Great to try a new race, really good to be back racing with RSE. Really happy to grab my second fastest 10k time. Nice little hill at the end to test what’s in the tank.”  – Alan Powderhill

“As it was Darren’s birthday and named after him (as well as a club race), we all had to run it! A different race for us, well organised and a nice route, would do this one again. Nice to have a social in the cafe after to celebrate Darren’s birthday.”  – Felicity Crotty

“The Jenner 10k starts from the Jenner Museum with its pretty garden. The route winds around Berkeley, including some lumpy bits, before an out-and-back section to Berkeley Power Station—very familiar to anyone who has done the Fission! This was my first road race since June 2025, so I was pleased with my time (2 mins slower than PB, but  3rd FV60 and I was happy). It was a lovely event—a great medal handed out by ‘Dr Jenner’ at the finish line; a nice can of zero beer; and the ladies in the museum were serving hot drinks and homemade cakes. Well done to Jade who pipped me to the finish mat and happy 50th birthday to Darren!”  – Anne Gardiner

“Really enjoyed that one apart from the brutal uphill finish! Really pleased to have run a 10k PB by nearly 3 minutes and also a 5k PB too! Some amazing results from the other RSE runners today too.”  – Jade Beaumont

“Not a PB BUT 1st LV 70.
A FLAT course with some lovely downhill stretches. A bleak day with some rain which didn’t enhance the Power station part of the route.    Well marshalled and I welcomed the support of the spectators who called out my name . The cafe looked inviting at the castle . Shame I had to make a hasty retreat to walk my dogs.”  – Sharon Smith

Park Runs

Lydiard Park

Cirencester

South Shields

Tetbury Goods Shed

Seven Fields

Save the date!

Socials and events:

• 28th March: Skittles and Pizza at the Drillmans Arms
• 4th July: Cotswold Way Relay

Upcoming Club Championship races: 

• Sunday March 8th, Chippenham 10 mile
• Sunday March 22nd, Gloucester Half Marathon.