Starting with races from last weekend…
Chicago Marathon
The Chicago Marathon is a road marathon held in October in Chicago Illinois. It is one of the seven World Marathon Majors. The Chicago Marathon is one of the largest races by number of finishers worldwide. The race was awarded the World Athletics Heritage Plaque in 2024, for “outstanding contribution to the history and development of road running.”
- Jennie Glass 3:40.02 (New PB !!)
Jennie “Chicago marathon has to be one of the best organised marathons I’ve done. It was an early start which meant getting to bag drop and the starting corral in the dark but the nerves and excitement of being part of such an iconic event – with 53,000 other runners – helped a lot. The crowd support through the different neighbourhoods was incredible and the route took you alongside Lake Michigan and past some impressive Chicago architecture. Chicago is one of those cities where it feels a bit like you’re in a movie – apparently it’s the birthplace of the skyscraper. The course is flat apart from a small hill at mile 26 which felt hard at the time. I managed to shave 7 minutes off my PB so I was delighted with that. It was a long way to go for a race but the enthusiastic support from the crowd and the whole race experience was unforgettable. I would definitely recommend it.”
Gloucestershire Cross Country Race Number 1
Further to last week’s report, when the results weren’t available.
Jon says “Unfortunately the results are not trustworthy for the blokes. Somehow they’ve scrambled the 2 men’s results and put them in the same race (races 8&10).I think the women’s is ok. This was the first of 4 Gloucs AAA x- country races was held at Nympsfield; organised by Stroud RC. 6km for ladies, 9.2km for men. Dry, cool conditions, perfect for running. Good vibe. Some short and sharp hill work on the big loops. Good turn out from RSE. Enough to gain a team score in both ladies and men, which bodes well for 25/26 season. Tough race, and strong efforts by our guys. Next race is 1 Nov at Ciren Park, organised by us. Dave Witnall is race director. Please help marshal but most importantly, run!!”
Royal Parks Half Marathon
- Sylvia Warman -2:40.05 (New PB !!)
Sylvia “I decided I’d like to try a big closed road half. This was a good choice. Well organised with great volunteers, epic encouragement from the public and a interesting and mostly flat course. The weather was also very kind. And despite feeling very tired towards the end a PB by a few seconds.”
Moving to this weekend….
York Marathon
The largely flat course takes a circular route through York city centre, starting from the University of York and continuing clockwise past York Minster and into Heworth. Runners then head out into the surrounding countryside, continuing through Stockton on the Forest and Stamford Bridge before winding through the village of Murton and returning to finish back where the race started. 10,000 runners.
Paul – “This race was absolutely fantastic. Overtaken London into second place on my favourite marathon (that I have run) list. The organisation, route and finish line was probably the best organised I have seen. Water stations everywhere on route with water, electrolytes and gels at most. Don’t think you ran more than 4 miles without a row of portaloos! The organisation and detail was just top notch. The race village itself takes over the South Campus of York University and there’s everything you could want. Food drink, entertainment, massages, pop up shops the lot! The university itself is beautiful!
Not a PB today but happy to return to the sub 4 marathon club and post my second fastest marathon. I know where I left time on that course so would definitely go do that one again. Crowds not as big as Manchester and London but they are from Yorkshire and they are loud and proud.
Absolutely buzzing.”
Lightning Bolt 10k at Langley Burrell.
Fast and flat; a club championship race.
- James Ball 39.18
- Nia Glover 40.57 (New PB!!)
- Mark Garrett 42.58
- Al Powderhill 44.59 (New PB!!)
- Ben Mutlow 45.40
- Rebecca Southerington 46.01
- Michael Bagot 46.57
- Darren Jenner 47.08(New PB!!)
- Tom Burdett 47.23 (New PB!!)
- Ben Chapman 47.28
- Sharon Smith 47.46
- Steve Sandercock 50.52
- Zoe Markham-Lee 53.37
- Jade Beaumont 57.38
- Felicity Crotty 57.41
Al – “Over the moon to join the sub 45 10k club! I managed a 54 second PB and squeezed under the 45 minute time by 1 second. A brilliant 10k course, didn’t enjoy the rain though.
As always great to see so many other RSE runners doing so well.”
Nia “I’ve been wanting to run this race for ages as it’s famous for being fast and flat and perfect for getting a PB. We had a great turnout from RSE today in less than favourable conditions! I was thrilled to run a PB and also go sub 41 which feels like a big milestone.”
Sharon – “Thanks to the wonderful Dave Daniels who gave me a Sports Massage on Friday I enjoyed the race without any aches at all. Weather was a bit blustery but as always great marshalling and friendly team. A nice flat rural course which I would highly recommend .”
Jade – “Really nice to get out and run despite the horribly wet weather! Great to see so many RSE runners get PBs!”
Darren – “Terrible weather that seemed to get worse as we went along. Very happy and a little surprised to knock 28 seconds off my PB 🥳. A good turn out by RSE and lots of quick runs today. Well done to all of the marshals and supporters for braving the conditions.”
Ben Chapman – “This was a perfect 10K for a PB – and it looks like a lot of our members got one! Not me today though as I’m gradually getting older and unfitter, but I loved it anyway – even though it was rather wet! 🌧️
Highlights included being flanked by a 4-man RSE safety circle just after the start, and the world’s loudest marshal barking instructions and encouragement. Brian Blessed has a challenger methinks! “😄 Congratulations to all the PB earners 🥇
Tom – “Wet race – constant drizzle.
Started with Rebecca, Darren and Mick around the 48 minute pacer. Naturally they all sprinted off and left me.
I stuck with the pacer until the final kilometre. Then I had Ben on my side. This spurred me on to push and get ahead – leaving me with a PB time of 47:23 – beating my Ciren Summer Sizzler PB by two minutes!
Great race – even if the conditions were not so great!
Well done all who took part and thanks to those who came to cheer us on/marshall the event.”
Well Run 10k
This 10k race starts from Far Peak near Northleach. Well Run races aim to encourage runners of all abilities to take part, with the ethos of running a friendly, all-inclusive event that promotes a strong social community and good mental wellbeing for all.
WellRun Kids Fun Runs welcome children aged 6-16 to take part in a 1km or 3km, cross country, undulating race course,
Sara – “It is a mixture of down hill and one long up hill for about 3km. It’s a very scenic route. A very well organised event.”
Running Somewhere Else – Parkrun Report
Event Date: 18 October 2025
Hackney Marshes parkrun (#728)
Haverfordwest parkrun (#343)
Cirencester parkrun (#314)
Chipping Norton School parkrun (#215)
Victoria Park parkrun, Newbury (#4)
Kilkenny Lane Country parkrun (#1)
Witney Parkrun
Diary Dates
November 1st – Glos Cross Country at Cirencester Park. Dave Witnall is organising marshals.
