A friendly running club based in Cirencester!

The one with 10 parkruns

Great Birmingham Run – 4th May 2025

Billed as the Midlands’ biggest and best running event, starting & finishing in the heart of the city, the organisers promise thousands of “Brummies” pounding the streets every year and an incredible atmosphere!  RSE members made the trip north to join in the fun and show them how it’s done :-).

I wanted to test myself on a good half marathon course after the recent marathon, as apparently you’re at your fastest just before/after. Well it turned out to be true! Didn’t imagine in my wildest dreams I would finish today with another 3 minute PB and get under the sub 1:45. So pleased to hit another milestone. A great day all round 😎

– Alan

Alan Powderhill  01:42:34

Marlborough Downs Challenge – 4th May 2025

Described by the organisers as a beautiful yet challenging event, the route is mostly off-road along tracks and footpaths with plenty of climbing.  Two distances are on offer, 20 or 33 miles – no short stuff here!  Plenty far (and high) enough to take in some of Wiltshire’s finest countryside, especially on the dry and clear day that greeted the runners this year.  We had RSE members tackling both impressive distances as well as providing roadside support!

Lovely day out running with Elaine, Teresa and Anna- good company, great varied scenery and a very nice pottery mug instead of a medal or t shirt!
Weather kind to us as not overly warm and indeed the wind was strong at times especially on the higher ridges.  Very nice to get some unexpected support from Cheri who came out to meet us before first checkpoint.

– Sarah

Wonderful day out with Elaine, Anna and Sarah. Beautiful course with a lovely mix of bluebell woods and undulating downs. Weather was pretty much perfect. Furthest I’ve run since my last marathon in 2014 and my first 20 miler, and I loved it!

– Teresa

Fantastic run with the ladies today on a beautiful course. Highlights were the bluebells in the woody bit. Plus seeing Cheri en-route as well.
Worst part was falling over at about 5 miles – that is 2 falls in the 2 races I have done on this course 🤣
Well done to Anna, Sarah and Teresa, loved running with you guys today. And a big well done to Nadine for the 33 mile option!

– Elaine

Loved this undulating trail run through gorgeous blue-bell carpeted woods and over parts of the Ridgeway.
Longest race I’ve ever done and I enjoyed it!

– Anna

Completed the 33-mile Marlborough Downs Challenge today in perfect weather—such a relief after the heat earlier this week! I ran it with two colleagues as a ‘training run’ who’ll also be tackling the 100K event with me next month. If you’d like to sponsor me for that adventure, let me know! 😉

– Nadine

Nadine Brown  06:32  (33 mile route)

Sarah Page        03:45  (20 mile route)

Anna Field         03:45  (20 mile route)

Elaine Chapman  03:50:15  (20 mile route)

Teresa Hazelwood  03:45  (20 mile route)

 

London Marathon – 27th April 2025

More great results to add from last week’s London Marathon – RSE’s Tom Burdett picking a grand stage for his marathon debut, and Zoe Markham-Lee doing us proud representing the club as our lucky ballot winner!

I’ve never seen so many people in one place! I started my wave next to a man dressed as the London Eye and his aim what not to end up in A and E! A hot day, so welcomed ice and sports drinks stops. I fell at mile 23 when someone stopped dead in front of me, then slipped on a bottle. I had blood pouring from my knee, but there was no way I was stopping! Marathon PB in London. Perfect. Thanks to RSE for the club place and support. Massive well done to Nia.

– Zoe

This was my first time taking on a full marathon.
The training was good.
The fuelling was good.
The atmosphere was amazing!
The weather…. too hot!!

The first half went pretty much to plan, but I abandoned to hope of a near four hour time in order to try and enjoy myself.

Pleased to have spotted Nia flying along when our paths crossed and managed to see Zoe at the end. What a day!

I was running for charity after failing on the ballot yet again.
Smashed the fundraising target.

Huge thanks for all the support before, on the day and after the event!

It was an incredible experience, and very pleased to have joined the .01% of the population who have ran a marathon.

– Tom

Zoe Markham-Lee   04:23:00

Tom Burdett   04:34:58

Parkruns 03/05/25

Kingsway parkrun, Gloucester

Darren JENNER             00:24:27

Felicity CROTTY             00:29:45

Town Moor parkrun

Sylvia WARMAN             00:34:24

Horsham parkrun

Samantha WARD              00:30:01

Cheltenham parkrun

Paul BEAUMONT           00:25:10

Crosby parkrun

Jane O’DELL                  00:37:34

Cirencester parkrun

James BALL                    00:19:11

Jon CAMPBELL              00:21:19

Phil HUDSON                 00:21:48

Oliver HAZEL                  00:21:57

Paul BILLINGHURST     00:23:00

Claire SHARP                  00:23:45

Steve SANDERCOCK     00:25:00

William COBBETT           00:25:54

Rachel SMITH                 00:27:31

Phil NEWMAN                  00:27:46

Sue NAVIN                        00:30:50

Jade BEAUMONT            00:30:55

Elaine CHAPMAN            00:32:13

Ben CHAPMAN                00:32:20

Paul ROBERTSON          00:32:32

Kathryn COWDALL          00:34:05

Rachel WEAVER              00:36:33

Ben MUTLOW                  00:39:09

Witney parkrun

Vicki MASON                  00:28:15

Katy MILLER                   00:28:15

The Pastures parkrun

Naomi ALLEN                  00:30:19

Chipping Norton School parkrun

Claire COLLETT               00:51:07

Grove Fields parkrun

Liz HULCUP                      00:26:56

 

Save the date

8th June – Fairford 10k:  If you can help marshall this fantastic race event that we host annually, please contact Caroline Joynes-Crees or the committee asap – friends and family welcome!

April Sun Runs

A gloriously sunny weekend for runners in Cirencester and across the country, plenty of blue sky in race photos everywhere – well done everyone who ran and/or competed!  Rachel 🙂

Brighton Marathon – 6th April 2025

This year saw the 15th edition of this popular event, attracting 12500 runners to the scenic route taking in city and seafront.  Running for RSE was our very own club captain Elaine Chapman!

Lovely race, fantastic atmosphere and a chance to be a bit nostalgic (Ben and I were at uni here). Weather was hot, no escape from it on the sea front. Had a cracking first half, was running strong then the wheels fell off at 20. Awful cramp in my legs, had 3 very kind people helping me to try stretch it out, every time I ran they cramped again! Determined to finish so brisk walk for the final 6, very pleased to finish. Moral of the story – even if you are taking electrolytes on a hot day – take more!!!

Elaine Chapman:  5:00:09

          

London Landmarks Half Marathon – 6th April 2025

The London Landmarks Half Marathon is a closed road, central London run taking in both the City of London and City of Westminster, organised by Tommy’s pregnancy and baby charity.  Flying the flag there for RSE was repeat visitor Paul Robertson.

London Landmarks Half Marathon is the half I hold dearest in my heart. It’s my charity race, the only one I fundraise for and it’s just amazing! Crowds from mile 1, bands, choirs, dancers, cheer stations a plenty. Definitely one to do if you’re not a marathon runner as you get the same type of experience as the full London marathon. Come join me next year.

Paul Robertson:   01:41:58

Medieval Backyard Ultra – 5th April 2025

This event at Cosmeston Lakes, Wales, run by Gert Lush Events, describes itself as a twist on a ‘traditional’ ultra marathon race – there’s no fixed distance, instead requiring competitors to complete hourly laps of the 4.167 mile trail course for as long as they are able / continue to think it’s a good idea.  Taking part and running well into ultra territory (as part of her marathon training?!) was Zoe Markham-Lee.

You had to run 4.167 miles every hour, on the hour. Every runner gets a DNF as the only one that does is the winner. At the time of writing this 3.15pm Sunday, there are still 2 runners going. One of which is still going, is the UK backyard champion. This event was hard as you got about 10 minutes to refuel an get back on the course. A very different style to what I’m used to, but got a massive medal and engraved wooden cup. The weather was great, if it was raining, I doubt I’d have done many loops! Total distance 33.25 miles.

Zoe Markham-Lee: 8 laps!

Parkruns – 5th April 2025

Buckingham parkrun

Linda EDWARDS              00:29:44

 

Exeter Riverside parkrun

Darren JENNER               00:24:15

Felicity CROTTY               00:28:59

 

Penrhyn parkrun

Phil HUDSON     00:22:58

 

Leybourne Lakes parkrun

Paul ROBERTSON         00:29:12

 

Cirencester parkrun

Linda EDWARDS              00:29:44

Jon CAMPBELL                00:21:19

Wayne HEWITT               00:21:59

Ben CHAPMAN                00:22:38

Paul BILLINGHURST      00:23:06

Claire SHARP                   00:23:53

Anne GARDINER              00:24:20

Steve SANDERCOCK       00:24:46

Paul BEAUMONT             00:25:15

William COBBETT            00:25:36

Phil NEWMAN                  00:25:37

Andy SWORN                  00:26:53

Alison BOOTH                 00:26:57

Sue NAVIN                       00:27:09

Anne-Marie DAVIES       00:29:14

Kathryn COWDALL         00:36:43

 

Seven Fields parkrun

Vicki MASON                   00:27:56

 

Chipping Norton School parkrun

Liz HULCUP                  26:50

 

Save the date!

2025 Beginners’ Course

Monday 14th April marks the start of the next cohort of RSE Beginners, an 8-week programme aimed at introducing new or returning runners to structured training, with the aim of completing a 5k / Parkrun at the end. Share the poster below with your friends and spread the word!

 

Ultra fun in the sun!

Race Report – 30/03/2025

It was another sunny weekend to enjoy some racing – well done to everyone who ran!

Bath 50k Ultra

  • Ben Mutlow: 06:34:56

“Fantastic run with work colleagues running for the National Foundation for Retired Service Animals (NFRSA), great organised event in the sunshine!”

Gloucester Half Marathon

  • Phil Hudson: 1:35:28
  • Paul Beaumont: 01:52:05

“Great event, smashed my PB by 7 seconds, good consistent pace on a flat course round the city centre and through country lanes. Nice to see Paul Beaumont from RSE” – Phil

“Very nice day. Good course – made me think I ought to visit Gloucester more often. Also good support and marshalling. Found the last 3 miles pretty hard going – but I did it! So that’s okay. Nice to see Phil H at the end – although I’m not sure I was very coherent!” – Paul

Parkruns

Chester

  • Felicity CROTTY: 30:22

Stonehouse

  • Jo WOOD: 25:09
  • Vicki MASON: 26:37

Cirencester

  •  Jon CAMPBELL: 21:18
  • Phil NEWMAN: 22:53
  • Paul BILLINGHURST: 22:54
  • Ben CHAPMAN: 23:09
  • Daniel DRAYTON: 23:22
  • Claire SHARP: 24:31
  • Robert BAKER: 25:12
  • William COBBETT: 25:16
  • Paul ROBERTSON: 28:42
  • Samantha WARD: 29:15
  • Kirsty PITTS: 30:06
  • Elaine CHAPMAN: 30:07
  • Sara JUGGINS: 31:29
  • Martin PITTS: 31:38
  • Charley TRYKUSH: 46:45

Hanworth

  • Steve SANDERCOCK: 24:50

“Hanworth park parkrun near Feltham, SW London is a 2 lap flat course on grass and hard surface. It was a lovely run in bright sunshine, and gave me a decent time of 24m50” – Steve

King George V Playing Field

  • Cheri EDWARDS: 25:45

Plymouth Central

  • Darren JENNER: 25:07

Save the date!

2025 Beginners’ Course

Monday 14th April marks the start of the next cohort of RSE Beginners, an 8-week programme aimed at introducing new or returning runners to structured training, with the aim of completing a 5k / Parkrun at the end. Share the poster below with your friends and spread the word!

 

Race Report – Lung-busting racing!

Race Results

Lungbuster

The Lungbuster is a 9 mile off-road trail race taking place in Broad Hinton. It features the infamous “Lungbuster Hill” and takes place on farmland tracks, fields and woodlands.

  • Sue Navin: 1:50:17 – 1st LV70!
  • Jade Beaumont: 01:58:34
  • Sara Juggins: 2:06:21

“Beautiful weather, lovely countryside and friendly marshals, especially the very energetic ones encouraging us up the hill! But very wet, muddy and slippery and felt harder than last year. I was well past my best at the end. I’d been longing to see the finish for several miles but when I finally got near it I didn’t see it and had to be called back as I headed off down the track away from it…!” – Sue

“My first ever trail race! Loved it and hated it all at the same time!” – Jade

“It was a really tough one mainly because of the muddy conditions” – Sara

Warwick Half Marathon

  • Alan Powderhill: 1:46:01 – PB!
  • Elliot Gardiner: 1:55:57
  • Linda Edwards: 2:11:53

“A brilliant start to 2025 races for me, so shocked to have achieved a PB by over 3 minutes. Lovely race conditions, the route was very undulating but I used the downhill sections the best I could. Brilliant to have the legends for company too. A good day all round.” – Alan

“Used this race as a training run in the marathon training plan while still returning to full fitness. The plan was to maintain 9 min miles or under, so I was very pleased with the pacing and improvement on last weekend’s race. Definitely feeling stronger again with the endurance. Quite a hilly course but I used the downhills to my advantage. Really nice route around the surrounding area of Warwick that started and finished at the racecourse, well organised and a decent medal! Plus well deserved beer & cake at the finish!” – Elliot

“This lovely scenic route starts and finishes at the racecourse. It is a hilly route that gains elevation up to around 8 miles then there is an undulating downhill with a nasty hill at mile 11. It is definitely not boring and a great training run. It was well organised and a large medal to finish. I really liked the route and the challenge it brought.” – Linda

Parkrun Results

Tamar Trails:

  • Felicity Crotty: 30:52

Worcester:

  • Cheri Edwards: 25:24
  • Vicki Mason: 30:08

Cirencester

  • James Ball: 21:14
  • Phil Hudson: 22:45
  • Jon Campbell: 23:30
  • Daniel Drayton: 25:07
  • Phil Newman: 25:48
  • Paul Beaumont: 28:00
  • Robert Baker: 28:23
  • Jess James: 29:34
  • Samantha Ward: 32:32
  • Sara Juggins: 32:41
  • Charley Trykush: 54:15

Babbs Mill

  • David Witnall: 25:08

Stratford Park

  • Sharon Smith: 27:20
  • Cathy Steer: 37:29

Milford Waterfront

  • Rachel Weaver: 29:29

Seven Fields

  • Anne-Marie Davies: 29:30

Gloucester City

  • Liz Hulcup: 26:43 – Course PB!

Cheltenham

  • Jade Beaumont: 27:06