Author Archives: Race Reporter

129th Boston Marathon

• Linda Edwards 4.53.09

“Boston Marathon is one of the 6 marathon majors (6 stars). It is an iconic marathon established in 1897 and traditionally held on a Monday (Patriots Day). I arrived to a city of celebration as the Americans were celebrating 250 years since independence of the Britain which started in Boston. I arrived with a tour group and Cathy Steer, en route to a friend, arrived for a few days and to cheer me on.
The route starts in Hopkington and you run 26.20 miles to Boston. Although there is a net downhill, there are rolling hills all the way with 4 very tough hills at Newton, starting at mile 16. One is famously known as Heartbreak Hill.
My preparation has been good, except for an injury which has significantly affected my last 3 weeks of training. I am not new to marathon running and I had prepared well.  We were taken to the start by yellow school buses and I was hoping my forced rest would keep my injury at bay.
The heat with no wind and shade in the first half affected me badly and I fell over sustaining a lacerated and bruised knee and had to be helped up by other runners. After this loss of time I embraced the joy of the race and took photos etc.
The one thing I hadn’t thought about was my ‘comfy race knickers’. As I ran each mile with an uncomfortable feeling of loosing my underwear it dawned on my the knicker elastic was not quite as strong as it used to be and frequently pulling them up was an unforseen issue.
Cathy was at mile 16 waving the yellow towel and I was so glad to see a familiar face.
The atmosphere was amazing all the way around and the shouts from the crowds kept me going. I absolutely loved it, although my quads certainly did not.
Advice for this race, train hard on hills up and down, wear your name on your vest and for any race don’t rely on comfy underwear!
Five marathon majors under my belt now and one to go!” Linda

The London Marathon

• Nia Glover 3.20.36
• Andy Poole 3.42

“It was really hard in the heat today, but the crowds really carried you through when things got tough! I knew my Goal A pace wasn’t going to happen at about 15 miles so just tried to settle into it and keep ticking on for a PB. Cramp got me over the last 10k and it felt like Big Ben wasn’t getting any closer those last couple of miles! Pleased to come away with a 5 minute PB and finally getting the chance to run London (after many years of ballot rejections!) ” Nia

Shakespeare Marathon

• Darren Jenner 4.07.18
• Felicity Crotty  5.09.57

“We had seen the weather forecast and knew it would get warm, but didn’t realise how warm. Having done all the training we hoped we would be ok. As Shakespeare is a 2 lap course we managed the first lap with relative ease. However as the race split and the marathoners went on to do a second lap it just got warmer (and hillier?!). Glad to have finished, not sure I will be doing this again!!” Felicity

Butcombe Trail Ultra 50k

• Vicki Mason 8.15.00

“A beautiful but brutal course where even some of the descents were un-runable. With Cheri’s chatty company and the excellent support of our own support ‘crew’ of Sarah Reynolds and Katy Miller, along with the fabulous marshalls, I’m proud to have completed my first Ultra and a tough one at that with over 4000ft of elevation! Loved the check point picnics but not the steps at 28 miles.” Vicki

Burnsall Trail Half Marathon

• • Monica Farthing 3.19.06

“Quiet race numbers wise with half and a 12k option available. Well marshalled and signed.

Gorgeous route around the local footpaths made up of 2 big hills, some ‘smaller’ ones and a lot of stiles (23 according to my friend who paid attention and counted) and course of the downhills were fab.

Did stop to take in the Dales and  get a few pics of the stunning views…. Made the hills worth it.” Monica

Malvern Hills Trail Half Marathon

• Anna Field 3.05
• Anne Gardiner 3.05

Views from the trails were stunning and the route was really interesting with twists and turns, varied terrain, stiles, an odd ditch and a long section along the Malvern ridge. This was a tough trail half marathon but one I’d definitely do again.  We will be looking at other events organised by Dave Talbot, his next event is a 55k ultra in the Forest of Dean – too far for me right now! “Anna

Parkruns

Kingston parkrun

A total of 463 parkrunners took part.

• Steve Sandercock 24.42

Barnstaple parkrun

A total of 179 parkrunners took part.

• Jade Beaumont 27.48

Riverside parkrun

A total of 498 parkrunners took part.

• Naomi Allen 26.58

Bognor Regis parkrun

A total of 400 parkrunners took part.

• Paul Robertson 23.18

Tewkesbury parkrun

A total of 99 parkrunners took part.

• Darren Jenner 25.57
• Felicity Crotty 34.12

Cirencester parkrun

A total of 270 parkrunners took part.

• James Ball 19,35
• Phil Hudson 21.51
• Jon Campbell 21.57
• Ben Chapman 22.44
• Paul Billinghurst 22.48
• Claire Sharp 23.37
• Dan Drayton 25.50
• Alison Booth 25.56
• Rob Baker 26.42
• Liz Hulcup 27.07
• Sue Navin 27.20
• Elaine Chapman 28.27
• Anne Marie Davies 29,47
• Maria Yates 30.52
• Sara Juggins 31.44
• Ben Mutlow 37.31

Jamaica Pond parkrun

A total of 77 parkrunners took part.

• Wayne Hewitt 21.46

Groe parkrun

A total of 119 parkrunners took part.

• Kathryn Cowdall 33.47

Stratford Park parkrun, Stroud

A total of 177 parkrunners took part.

• Rachel Weaver 32.33

Sharpham Road Playing Fields parkrun

A total of 154 parkrunners took part.

• Katy Miller 26.30
• Sarah Reynolds 32.28

What a huge amount to include this week! Well done Team RSE.

Anne

Race Report – 21/04/2025

RSE runners made the most of the 4 day weekend to enjoy the Westonbirt House Easter 10k and Half Marathon, including some runners from last year’s beginners group which started almost exactly a year ago to the day! The race looked like a great way to celebrate the 1-year anniversary.

Westonbirt House 10K

• Anna Field: 49:13
• Rachel Weaver: 57:56 – PB!

On Good Friday, I joined Katie and Kathryn for the 10k, whilst Hannah was out doing a great job on the Half Marathon. We all joined the beginners group exactly a year ago. I had previously run the route in December, so I knew what was coming. I ran that in just over an hour. It was great to meet up with Paul who’s been part of our running journey from the beginning. So, do I go with the 60 minute pacer or 58? I joined the back of the 58, keeping the orange 58 in view at all times! Happy to say, today I got a PB!

Westonbirt House Half Marathon

• Zoe Markham-Lee: 02:01:29

Lovely race on quiet roads and went past a pub I haven’t been in! (Yet…) Great medal and definitely did it for the bling. I really must taper now.

Parkruns

Eden Project

• Vicki MASON: 30:33

Stonehouse

• Darren JENNER: 24:22
• Felicity CROTTY: 28:44

Weymouth

• Kathryn COWDALL: 34:13

Cirencester

• Wayne HEWITT: 21:40
• Jon CAMPBELL: 23:03
• Phil HUDSON: 23:22
• Paul BILLINGHURST: 23:23
• Phil NEWMAN: 23:31
• Claire SHARP: 23:44
• Andy SWORN: 27:07
• Jade BEAUMONT: 28:33
• Anne-Marie DAVIES: 29:27
• Maria YATES: 31:04
• Paul ROBERTSON: 33:38

Jamaica Pond, Boston

• Linda EDWARDS: 33:12
• Cathy STEER: 33:14

Seven Fields

• Taryn HANCOCK: 43:56

Newport marathon

The ABP Newport Marathon is a firm favourite on the Welsh running calendar, boasting one of the flattest marathon courses in Europe.  The route  offers iconic landmarks, like the city’s Transporter Bridge and the stunning scenery of the Gwent Levels – with its coastal wildlife and picturesque medieval villages.  Sounds great to me (apart from the 26 miles bit). In 2025, Running Somewhere  Else was well represented with some excellent times.  Some great comments below.  Really like the honesty bit from Elliot and wouldn’t it be nice if Phil H’s meant there was hope for all of us!
Phil Hudson                                                                 03:35:17
Benjamin Mutlow                                                       03:55:03
Alan Powderhill                                                          03:55:08
Sarah Page                                                                   04:12:06
Phil Newman                                                               04:24:39
Elliot Gardiner                                                             04:27:36

Very early start, breakfast at 5 never my preferred option! We parked in one of the car parks close by so walked to event village- lots of helpful volunteers around to point you in right direction. Felt bit odd that the half marathon and marathon went off together and meant it was quite congested at the start- we followed the same route for several miles and when we split off it was clearly marked so would have been hard to take wrong turn. Route is flat and I understand has been changed this year again but took us round some pretty villages and countryside before coming back into Newport . Support was good but not overwhelming.
Sun came out for second half of race and it got quite hot. Well marshalled and plenty of water/toilet stations. Happy overall with my race and nice to get it done !

Sarah P

I did it! So pleased to get that sub 4. It got tough in the second half when the sun came out, but I was determined to keep the pacing as best I could. A brilliant day with fellow RSE runners.

Alan P

Well that was an interesting race, cracking first half, poor second half. It’s another marathon in the bank and the sprint finish with Alan at the end was fun!

Ben M

Beat my 28 year old self by 22 mins and a PB. Felt fabulous until 23 miles then I hit the WALL!
Great times and effort from the RSE TEAM

Phil H

Personal worst – plagued by injury during the training plan resulting in an epic fail on the sub 4 goal! Need to get fully fit before the next attempt!

Elliot G

Newport half marathon

The half marathon route showcases iconic landmarks of the City of Newport as it meanders along the river Usk pathways and through the City Centre.   The Pauls ran it.  Hope they enjoyed the warm ‘welcome in the hillsides’ that Wales is famous for!  (because that’s what it says on the website).
Paul Billinghurst    1:46:22
Paul Robertson      1:57:53

Parkruns

First of all a question. Cirencester had 331 runners/walkers – I haven’t seen a figure over 300 before.  Was this the highest number so far?
Worcester Pitchcroft
Cheri EDWARDS               00:25:27
Cirencester parkrun
James BALL                       00:18:57
Wayne HEWITT               00:21:08
Ben CHAPMAN                 00:23:22
Oliver HAZEL                    00:23:23
Antonia WINSTANLEY   00:23:25
Claire SHARP                    00:23:50
William COBBETT            00:24:52
Felicity CROTTY               00:29:10
Anne-Marie DAVIES        00:30:00
Maria YATES                     00:31:26
Paul ROBERTSON           00:31:28
Elaine CHAPMAN            00:31:30
Kathryn COWDALL          00:35:15
Tetbury Goods Shed parkrun
Helen CUE                         00:35:52
Stratford Park parkrun, Stroud
Jon COLLINS                    00:30:59
Evesham parkrun
Liz Hulcup                         00. 26.21