A huge week of running for RSE involving races very close to home and some slightly further afield! Thanks to everyone for their input to the report this week and well done to everyone who has raced.
Cirencester 10k
A huge number of 872 people took to the streets of Cirencester to run the inaugural 10k event for the town. Runners were treated to surprisingly calm and sunny conditions as they tackled the course, which involved some undulations in the first half but a nice downhill finish. The race was well supported by RSE with some great results and category placings!
- James Ball – 37:44 (3rd MV40)
- Ben Mutlow – 44:09
- Rebecca Southerington – 44:58 (5th Lady, 1st FV40)
- Elliot Gardiner – 47:30
- Steve Sandercock – 49:55 (1st MV70)
- Stella Pavitt – 52:22
- Anne-Marie Davies – 1:02:57
- Sara Juggins – 1:03:01
- Tim Wainwright – 1:03:58
- Rachel Weaver – 1:04:06
- Lee Jones – 1:07:48
“Such a fun race. Magic atmosphere. Great support for RSE.”
— James
“Well after last weeks efforts at the Barcelona half, I was feeling a bit apprehensive about the race today. A steady start, a few hills and a lovely decline to the end I managed to complete my fastest 10k in 5 years! It must have been the unicorn socks and pink shoe combo! Well done to all the runners who ran the race, amazing efforts all round 😊”
— Ben
“The race was good, busy at the start but good after first 1k. It was a very scenic hilly first half and so I was really pleased at how it went and how I did. Support by everyone great as always and the race was well organised.”
— Rebecca
“First race of the year at the inaugural Cirencester 10K! Great atmosphere despite the drizzle and brilliant to have another hometown race with lots of RSE runners and local supporters! 💪🏼 First half of the race had a few steep hills but the second half was all decline back through Ciren park into the finish at the marketplace, which meant for a great negative split! 👍🏻 Not quite the sub 47 I was aiming for but taking the hills into account, better overall than my previous 10K race in Oct. Feels like the fitness is gradually getting back to where it was before injury! 🙏🏻”
— Elliot
“Really enjoyed the race today in mild conditions on an enjoyable route. Managed to finish 1st in my new age category and completed it in sub 50, which I am pleased about given that it was not the fastest course. Organisers need to learn a few things such as put the starters in speed order for the start to avoid the crush during the 1st km. Also there was no prize giving as such; they just took my photo for their publicity!”
— Steve
“Great RSE support the whole way round. Loved it—even the hills!”
— Anne-Marie
“A lovely route around Cirencester and than up through the park. A very well organised event.”
— Sara
“After injuring myself 3 weeks ago, thanks to the chiropractor I made it to the starting line. I wasn’t sure how the race would go! It was great meeting up with fellow runners from the club. The support along the route was awesome also. I have to say I really enjoyed the race, accepting that walk breaks would be required, before the lovely downhill into Cirencester. Seeing the tower always adds extra speed!”
— Rachel
“A challenging 10k! The weather was good with lots of supporters. Haven’t felt great this week, so did what I could.”
— Lee
Malta Marathon and Half Marathon
A few RSE runners escaped to warmer climes this weekend tackling the Malta Marathon and Half Marathon. Both the marathon and the half marathon pass through countryside, urban areas, past the yacht studded creeks of Malta’s natural Grand Harbour and finish in Sliema, a popular town promenade. With a net downhill profile, the race poses a great opportunity for a good time as some RSE runners found out!
Marathon
Half Marathon
- Darren Jenner – 1:45:24 (PB!)
- Cathy Steer – 2:07:04 (PB!)
- Felicity Crotty – 2:11:54
“The marathon starts at 6.45 am following a bus ride from Sliema. The Marathon loops around a park outside Mdina, with out and backs before joining the half marathon. Views of Valletta and Sliema were beautiful. The only issue for me was that I have trained in the rain and cold and the weather was extremely warm after the first 5 miles. Great support from my friends Susan and Mick and the rest of our RSE contingent. 2 for 1 cocktails now 😃”
— Linda
“Beautiful, mainly downhill course. Serenaded by all of Malta’s brass bands en route. Hot, but not unbearable. Varied scenery; from ancient buildings to very nice yachts! Apparently, Malta is not only a place for a good holiday, it’s also the place to get a PB! (very surprised with my time).”
— Cathy
“This was the second time we did this race (having visited family in Malta lots over the years and hearing about it). The race is a point to point with buses taking us to the start in Mdina (the historic capital) and centre of the island, before running mostly downhill to the seafront. The last 5k does feel a bit never ending as we run around the coastline, yacht marina and tourist cafes before making it to the finish line. It was a cold start and we were a bit worried we hadn’t worn enough clothes, but it soon warmed up. There’s a nice dogleg section around 10k where you can see some of the runners coming back towards you, and Darren and I did wave at each other at this point (although I didn’t see Cathy!). I did see Cathy at 18km when she swooshed past me on her way to a PB. Darren also achieved a 2.75+ min PB with a time of 1:45:24. It was lovely to stay in the sunshine at the finish to cheer Linda in as she completed the marathon.”
— Felicity
Two Tunnels Half Marathon
The Two Tunnels Half takes place three times a year and offers a very unique race experience. It famously includes the longest underground section in a race in the UK. The Somerset & Dorset Railway closed in 1966 and until April 2013, the tunnels had been sealed and inaccessible. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Two Tunnels Group and Sustrans over a period of 7 years, the two tunnels now have a new lease of life as a shared use path. The first tunnel, the Devonshire Tunnel is 408m long and the second tunnel, Combe Down Tunnel is 1672m long!
- Paul Beaumont – 2:05:00
- Cheri Edwards – 2:18:00
“Nice laid back atmosphere. I really liked the way we started in waves with everybody joining in the warm up (including sweeping the chickens!). This must be the longest run I’ve done — had to jog about 1.5 miles there as the train was a bit late. Great to see Cheri and her friend there. Found it a surprisingly hard run — as the inclines aren’t particularly great. Can’t believe I have run over 4 miles through tunnels. Absolutely ridiculous. Time about 2hr 5 mins, I think.”
— Paul
“A brilliant event! My husband chose it as his first half marathon and I ran with him to support. There was also a 5k, 10k and a hilly half marathon taking place but runners were set off in organised waves so it didn’t feel too crowded. The race HQ is in Brickfields Park and from there we headed onto the Two Tunnels Greenway and it wasn’t long before we approached the first tunnel, the Devonshire Tunnel. This was ‘only’ about 400 metres long but quite disorientating when you first enter it — although lit, it did take my eyes a few seconds to adjust to the dimness. The next tunnel was the Combe Down Tunnel which is approximately a mile long! It was pretty cool running through it but probably quite eerie if you were alone. Thankfully there were plenty of runners around so not too spooky today! Shortly after exiting this tunnel we reached the turnaround point, so had to go back through the tunnels to the park. We then repeated the out and back. There were plenty of water/snack stations as well as cheerful marshals along the route, and a great atmosphere at the finish line. I wasn’t racing it but I’d imagine it would be a good course for fast times as it’s mostly flat. I’d recommend it to anyone though as it was a well-organised event, with a huge medal!”
— Cheri
Milton Keynes Winter Warmer Half Marathon
This race has 5k, 10k and Half Marathon options for athletes to choose from and takes place on an undulating route, including some trail and canal towpaths.
- Elaine Chapman – 2:07:10 (2nd FV40 and 9th lady!)
“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
Food Bank Run
Each year, RSE runners come together to support the Cirencester Food Bank, making a pit-stop along the evening’s route to donate food and household items to those in need. We had another great turn-out this year, including both runners and walkers bringing items along.
Parkruns
Seaton parkrun
Keswick parkrun
Zandvlei parkrun
Cirencester parkrun
- David Witnall: 23:43
- Phil Newman: 26:38
- Andy Sworn: 27:54
- Rachel Smith: 30:52
- Carol Sworn: 30:57
- Cheri Edwards: 30:58
Tetbury Goods Shed parkrun
- Phil Hudson: 22:30
- Jade Beaumont: 26:00
- Helen Cue: 35:03
Soham Village College parkrun
Seven Fields parkrun
- Jon Campbell: 20:46
- Andy Cullen: 20:58
- Claire Sharp: 23:45
- Anne-Marie Davies: 29:51
Save the date!
Socials and events:
- 28th March: Skittles and Pizza at the Drillmans Arms – more info to come on WhatsApp.
- 4th July: Cotswold Way Relay – contact Elaine if you are interested in being part of the team see https://cotswoldwayrelay.co.uk/
Upcoming Club Championship races:
- Sunday March 1st, Jenner 10k
- Sunday March 8th, Chippenham 10 mile
- Sunday March 22nd, Gloucester Half Marathon.
