Author Archives: Race Reporter

The Uffington White Horse Gallop

The White Horse Gallop is a unique and spectacular trail running event, starting and finishing on the historic Ridgeway National Trail, dropping into the ‘valley of the racehorse’ and  passing Ashdown House, the neolithic long barrow burial site at Waylands Smithy, and finally the iconic Uffington White Horse itself. Representing RSE was Sharon Smith in a time of 2.09.01

“This is the same distance as Stage 4 of the Cotswold Way and I completed it in almost the same time even though the stony tracks and 2-3 miles of tarmac hindered me. The views were amazing as were the marshals and the huge welcome at the finish. I hadn’t seen the White Horse since my childhood and it is beautiful. A long drag uphill for home so this race is not for the fainthearted or anyone over 75 really !”

Well done Sharon!

This week’s racing seems to have a very RSE-appropriate theme; Cider, Wine, Burgers, Ice-creams and the Pub!

Also, kudos to those that raced twice this week!

Ciderthon www.ciderthon.com

A half marathon in Henley where you sample different ciders along the way!

Sylvia Warman: 4:31:35

Fantastic fun. Slowest half ever but delicious cider and a great atmosphere.

Heddington 5k

Heddington 5k is a series of races (June, July and August) held near Calne. A really well organised fast and pretty flat 5k course.

Rebecca Southerington 00:21:23

Nia Glover 00:20:17

Rebecca: After not really feeling it when I got to the start, I actually enjoyed most of the race and felt like my fitness is returning! It’s downhill start can catch you out on pace but 100 per cent better then an uphill start 😂. Unfortunately got a stitch 2k in but managed to carry on and got my fastest 5k time in the last few years! They have another race in August and I would recommend it if you want a more simple stripped back 5k race 😊

Nia: The route is flat with a downhill start so is perfect for aiming for a PB… Unless you’re me! 🙈 I got carried away by all the speedy runners down the hill and came out way too fast which scuppered the rest of the race for me. I’m going to have another go in August and hopefully pace it a little better next time.

Hillfort Hustle  www.croftambreyrc.com

Andy Sworn 00:58:00

Andy: Great off road race in Herefordshire organised by our friends running club. Hilly, great views……the majority of which was over private farmland. Couple of big climbs and steep descents made this a challenging but enjoyable race.  Fabulous burgers &ice cream at the end.

Blaisdon 10k www.fod.org.uk

This Glos AAA was held on Tuesday 15th July from the Red Hart pub at Blaisdon, Forest of Dean. It is an out and back course was undulating with one long hill as well as a brutal uphill finish.

Superb representation from RSE with 5 racers, and 2 of our ladies winning their age groups!

Despite an issue with the timing software resulting in a rather shambolic prize giving, the prizes of biscuits or wine went down well.

Sharon Smith 00:48:05

Steve Sandercock 00:50:31

Sharon: Perfect running weather and lots of support and heckling !

 Wye Valley 10k

Runners braved an epic downpour at the start to complete this out-and-back 10k course along a disused railway track. The course included a 1km dark tunnel (both ways) which was disorientating but a bit different, and a lot of very muddy puddles! Pub to finish 🙂

Mark Garrett 00:44:50 1st MV50-59!

Jennifer Glass: 00:47.43

Alan Powderhill 00:48:06

Darren 00:49:57

Steve Sandercock 00:50.35

Tom Burdett 00:52:58

Zoe Markham-Lee  00:56.37

Jade Beaumont: 00:57:01 PB!!

Felicity Crotty 01:08:57

Alan: This was always going to be tough after last weekends ultra distance in my legs. A very unpleasant start with a torrential downpour while we were waiting to go. Loads of massive puddles on the course and the strangeness of the tunnels where we couldn’t work out if we were running on an incline or not. Anyway I was really happy with my time considering everything. Great day with the RSE runners and a lovely meal to finish. Time for a rest now!

Jade: Having not run since Hope last weekend my expectations for this race were pretty low! They then got further lowered when we got absolutely soaked before the race even started. The course was full of mud and puddles and has a 1k section through a tunnel which is a little disorientating! However despite all of that, by some miracle I ran a 10k PB!

Steve:  A stand out for me was standing in torrential rain for our briefing, after which the race ended officer said ‘ just 30 seconds to go before your start ‘ *#/!*. The course quickly became waterlogged, but the route was very picturesque and i really enjoyed the race. Lovely RSE company in the pub afterwards made the occasion so enjoyable !

Jennifer:  Probably the most rain at the start of a race ever! We were soaking wet before the race briefing was finished.  The race was an out and back, part road part trail with lots of muddy puddles to run through and a 1km dark tunnel.  I managed to get 1st in my age group and 7th lady so I was pleased with that.

Park run results

Cirencester

Tetbury Goods Shed

Old Railway Trail, Llangollen

Vicar Water Country Park

Race Report – 13/07/2025

RSE runners tackled the trails this weekend in another heatwave, featuring the ever-popular Hope Trail Festival in Devon and the more local Cotswold Maverick race. It was also Cirencester Parkrun’s 300th anniversary – coinciding with a few members’ own Parkrun milestones too. Definitely a weekend for lots of celebrations 🙂

Hope Trail Festival

Runners can choose between 12, 24 or 36 hours and either compete as a solo entrant or in a team. The course is a 5-mile undulating lap in Newnham Park, Plympton, run as many times as you can within the chosen timeframe. RSE made the most of the weekend, with lots of runners and a great cheer squad too.

Hope 12:

• Linda Edwards and Cathy Steer: 5 laps each – 2nd in category!
• Carol and Andy Sworn: 4 laps each
• Felicity Crotty: 8 laps
• Darren Jenner: 9 laps
• Ben, Laura and Tyler: – 2nd place mixed team!
• Sarah and George: 6 laps each – 1st in category!
• Paul Robertson: 8 laps

Linda Edwards and I entered the 12 hour female duo event at Hope. We chose to run alternating 5 mile loops to allow us some time to enjoy the sunshine and good company! Somehow ended up second in our category! We completed 5 laps each which the last lap run together. Very hot, but great food station on route! Great fun club event with lots of support. Thank you everyone! – Cathy

Having always competed in the 24hr team version Andy and I entered the pairs event at Hope 12 this year for a change. We both had great runs in the blistering temperatures but decided at 4 laps (20 miles) each that we both had had enough of the heat! Such a great event to do as much as you feel capable of on the day but can then still enjoy the fabulous atmosphere and camaraderie of the weekend. Huge well done to all who took part in difficult conditions. – Carol

With forecasts predicting a hot one I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had set myself the target of trying to beat last year’s time/distance but realised early on that was quite a big aim! However, after getting through the first few laps ok and reaching 4 laps before halfway in time, I thought 8 laps was achievable. Was really pleased when I finished my 7th lap and still felt able to continue. Walked lap 8 and reached 40 miles! Which is the furthest I have ever run in a day! The support was amazing and so glad team RSE was there to cheer, make cups of tea, baked homemade cake and help us up when we could hardly walk afterwards! Same again next year? – Felicity

I knew that this was going to be tough given the extremely warm weather and it didn’t disappoint! Probably went out a little too fast on the first two laps but after a snack/drinks break I pulled it back abit. Helped by running some of the laps with fellow RSE members. Managed to beat last years 7 laps and ran a total of 45 miles (9 laps), the most I’ve ever run in one day. As ever a great atmosphere at this event and amazing support from the RSE team, runners and support crew. Very grateful for the assistance at drinks stops and the cheers as we past the gazebo with a mile to go on each lap. – Darren

What a wonderful weekend! I love Hope so much but I was worried about my toe not allowing me to properly take part. Not to mention my dodgy knee. And elbow. And back.
Happily, none of those things hurt. But everything else does! Falling in mile 1 of lap 1 when I’d just got up to running pace was definitely not part of the plan! Literally picked myself up and dusted myself down 😆
Managed 3 laps for Team BLT (Ben, Laura, Tyler) in the 12 hour event, before the reality of having not run for over a month kicked in via screaming legs.
It’s always the people that make an event great and this year was no exception. I am in awe of everyone who ran so many miles in the blistering heat; very well done to you all. The support was incredible – I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. – Ben

My son George and I took part in the 12 hour mixed pair event.
We had a wonderful weekend with Team RSE with lots of support, encouragement and shared moaning about how hot it was!
The course was reversed from last years route which felt better as second half had more downhill I think. Great aid station at mile 3 which was well stocked with lots of goodies.
George and I were very pleased to get first place in our category with each of us managing 30 miles. It was George’s first ever running event so he made it an ultra! – Sarah

Wow, my first experience of a trail ultra marathon. I feel like I could write an essay on this experience but I honestly do not know what to write which wouldn’t ramble with emotion! 
There is such a sense of pride running through me at the moment, not for an individual result but just for a collective experience! I knew we were a family club but didn’t quite grasp how much of a family we truly are. Thank you team Hope for welcoming my wife and children into Team RSE.
To see all of our award winners, to experience raw emotion with friends and to meet new people and make new friends is exactly what I needed!
If you haven’t done Hope – it is definitely worth it! – Paul

Hope 24:

• Alan Powderhill: 13 laps / 65 miles completed
• Jade Beaumont: 50 miles completed
• Nadine Brown: 75 miles completed

I tried the 24 hour event this year and set myself a tough target of 100km, I’m so pleased to have achieved it, completing 13 laps in 65 miles. Such a tough day in the heat and the night runs added to the difficulty this year. A great day with all the RSE people all doing amazing this weekend. – Alan

My first ever ultra marathon and in a heatwave! So happy to have completed 50 miles which surpassed any expectation I had for myself! The event is amazingly well organised with a fantastic aid station at the half way point of each loop which was very welcome! Lots of hills which seem to get bigger on every lap too! As always the support from RSE was fantastic and I’m so proud of the whole club’s achievements! – Jade

Hope 24 Solo done! Managed 75 miles over the 24 hours, which was a little unexpected! Feeling a bit sore and very tired now, especially with the 100k only three weeks ago. I think I’ll take a bit of a break over the summer! This really is one of my favourite weekends of the year – such a brilliant, friendly event. I’m so grateful to everyone who came out to support, and well done to everyone who took part. It was inspiring to see so many people out there giving it their best. Special mention to Andy P who had to put up with me the whole time, including my tears on mile 73! – Nadine

Cotswold Maverick

Starting at Sudeley Castle, the Maverick X Cotswold Series is a trail running race with various distances to choose from – starting from 7km all the way up to 51km. The routes boast beautiful views, steep climbs and feature historic Cotswolds attractions.

• Rachel Smith: 3:39:45

This was the 10th Cotswold Maverick trail race which starts at Sudeley Castle in Winchcombe and follows several route distances around the northern Cotswold countryside. My third time running the course, opting for the longer distance of 23km this time. Seemed like madness in the heat of Saturday, but the race is really well organised with outposts providing very welcome drinks and snacks along the way! Definitely no PB with plenty of walking up the hills but very enjoyable to finish in a time of 3:39:45

Parkruns

Cirencester

• James Ball: 19:30
• Jon Campbell: 21:13
• Phil Hudson: 21:40
• Rebecca Southerington: 22:21 – 3rd lady!
• Daniel Drayton: 23:21
• Paul Billinghurst: 23:49
• Steve Sandercock: 24:21
• Richard Sharp: 25:04
• Robert Baker: 25:35
• Alison Booth: 26:03
• Claire Sharp: 26:11
• Jon Collins: 26:29
• Sue Navin: 28:58
• Katy Miller: 28:59
• Anne-Marie Davies: 30:54
• Maria Yates: 31:41 – 100th Parkrun!
• Samantha Ward: 32:39 – 50th Parkrun!
• Liz Hulcup: 38:08

Hove Promenade

• Paul Beaumont: 28:55

Fire Service College

• Vicki Mason: 29:21

Horspath:

• Ollie Hazel: 22:25

The Cotswold Way Relay

The Cotswold Way Relay is  in its 33^rd  year. It is a 10 stage relay race covering all 103 miles of the Cotswold Way from Chipping Campden to Bath Abbey. It works as 10 back-to-back races, with each stage having a mass start at the expected arrival time of the 1st runner from the previous stage.It takes in many hills, woodlands, fields, and tracks, all offering spectacular views of the countryside.

Apart from a few busy road crossings there are no marshals, or additional markers, so route finding is all part of the spirit of the event. The race route follows the National Trail except for a couple of well indicated changes made for safety reasons.

Overall unofficial time: 19:03:12

Another year for RSE on the cotswold way. RSE fielded 2 mixed teams this year. Some first timers; some seasoned runners.

Cotswold Way conquered! Well done everyone!

The 2 teams

Keep on running somewhere else
1. James Ball
2. Alan Powderhill
3. Jo Beames
4. Sharon Smith
5. Matt Blackmore
6. Elaine Chapman
7. Rebecca Southerington
8. Becca Wilson
9. Jade Beaumont
10. Teresa Hazelwood.

This team finished in 19:37:48 , in 33/36 position

Running Somewhere up that hill

1. Nia glover
2. Elliot Gardiner
3. Mark Foyn
4. Liz Farooq
5. Jamie Donald
6. Paul Billinghurst
7. Sophie Dickenson
8. Nadine Brown
9. Rachel Bodey
10. Mark Garrett

They finished 30/36 in a time of 19:03:12

And here is one of our captain’s  comment

Some fantastic running up some tricky hills. Brilliant camaraderie all day and a lovely get together in the evening.
Massive well done to our latest queen of the Cotswold way Teresa Hazelwood.

Elaine Chapman

I am sure that everyone involved would like to give a huge “shout out” to Elaine for organising all of this.  I definitely would, as she so quickly provided a confused person with the information he needed for this report.

Here are a couple of photos with individual times provided.  At the end of the report are some more photos for what must have been a great day of achievement and, hopefully, fun.  Terrific.

Elliot Gardiner     2:15:11

Sharon Smith      2.09.10

Alan Powderhill  2:14:38

After doing my first stage of the CWR last year and really enjoying it, I decided to try and do each stage in sequence. We were very thankful that the temperature had dropped since the recce last week, but that didn’t make it too much easier! As it turns out, stage 2 happens to be one of the toughest stages! Thanks goes to Alan “PB” Powderhill for dragging me up those mountains! ⛰️😅 Belas knap nearly killed me off! 🥵 But all worth it for the stunning views at the top! 😍
Definitely a much hillier stage than Stage 1 last year! 🫣 Let’s hope Stage 3 is all downhill next year! 😂
Special thanks to our club captains the Chapmans for organising it all and for putting on a celebratory bbq afterwards!

Elliot Gardiner

Stage 4 is tough. AirBalloon is a bit hairy but lots of marshalls
were at the road junctions keeping us safe. Nice finish in beautiful Painswick

Sharon Smith

My first involvement with CW relay. I did Stage 2 with Elliot, and really enjoyed it! Doing the recce the week before certainly prepared me for the hills, and how to deal with the route. Great to be apart of a large team effort. Well done to everyone, still not convinced trail is my favourite but maybe I’ll get there some day.

Alan Powderhill

Evesham 10 K

An accurate chip timed route around the streets, parks and riverside paths of historic and beautiful Evesham.

Sarah Juggins ran the course in 01.00.18.  Great stuff, Sarah.

This is one of my favourite races. It’s very well organised the route is fantastic it has a few hills and a mean one on the last km. According to my watch I set my fastest 5km today.

Sarah Juggins

 

An entry from the previous week

Badminton 10 K

The Relish Running Badminton Marathon, Half Marathon, 10km, 5km, and Fun Run, is set within the stunning private grounds of the Badminton Estate in Gloucestershire.  It offers runners a unique opportunity to explore a landscape rich in history, with routes that traverse solid stone paths, woodland trails, and open grass meadows.

Alison Booth entered the 10 K and did it in the excellent time of 00:57:45

This was a lovely run through the Badminton Estate. The day was well organised with waves of 100 runners starting every 10 minutes over 2km, 5km, 10km, half marathon and marathon. The routes were well signposted and marshalled, but it was difficult going through woods, across fields and tracks – a lot of it was uneven underfoot. I finished 2nd in my age group. I’m very pleased with my “podium finish”! And it was very hot!

Alison Booth

Parkruns

Reading parkrun

Darren JENNER                00:23:43

Felicity CROTTY               00:31:34

Gloucester North parkrun

Cheri EDWARDS               00:30:05

Weymouth parkrun

Andy SWORN                   00:30:36

Lanhydrock parkrun

Anne-Marie DAVIES        00:35:06

Fell Foot parkrun, Newby Bridge

Julie TAYLOR                     00:39:

Portsmouth Lakeside parkrun

Samantha WARD             00:40:30

Cirencester parkrun

Jon CAMPBELL                 00:21:30

Phil HUDSON                   00:23:05

Daniel DRAYTON              00:23:07

Paul ROBERTSON            00:24:20

Steve SANDERCOCK        00:24:23

Claire SHARP                     00:24:25

Richard SHARP                 00:24:39

Anne GARDINER              00:25:33

William COBBETT            00:26:06

Katy MILLER                     00:27:40

Alison BOOTH                  00:28:14

Rachel SMITH                  00:28:14

Stratford Park parkrun, Stroud

Vicki MASON                   00:31:39

Some more photos from that Cotswold relay