Edinburgh half marathon

Fast & flat, the Edinburgh Half Marathon follows the marathon course which was voted the fastest marathon in the UK by Runners World, ideal if it’s your first half marathon or you are looking for a PB. The Edinburgh Half Marathon has sold out every year since 2012 and is one of the largest half marathons in the UK.

Wayne Hewitt ran the course and did a fantastic time. Wayne has definitely got the priorities right  – a beer today and maybe an update  on the run next week

Wayne Hewitt 01:36:43

Before and after

Westonbirt 10 K

At the National Arboretum runners are able to take in the world-renowned tree collection at one of its most beautiful times of year, with spring blooms and flowering trees providing the backdrop to this unique 10K.  The course takes participants through the picturesque avenues of the Old Arboretum and into the peaceful tranquillity of the ancient Silk Wood, on largely flat terrain and hard paths. All those taking part in the run are able to make a big difference to their fitness and wellbeing, as well as to the nation’s heritage and environment. Money raised from the 10K goes back into supporting the nation’s woods and forests, and protecting these beautiful places for future generations.

RSE was very well represented

A beautiful, wiggly run around the Arboretum. The support on the course was very welcome as I found the middle miles a challenge, but a lovely evening running with a work friend.

Vicky Mason

An enjoyable route through the Arboretum with several twists and turns and one deer siting running across the course!

Dan Drayton

Really nice, scenic race but the hill at the end is vile!

Jade Beaumont

That was the first time I’d worn my RSE vest and it was so nice to be part of a team. It’s a lovely course through the trees and the weather was perfect.

Alison Booth

Previously did this race in May so was pleased to run it 2 minutes faster tonight. The Arboretum is lovely in the evening. I was surprised by the numbers – nearly a thousand runners! There is a significant incline at 9k – although I did hear Sharon describe it as – a pretty flat course 🤔

Anne Gardiner

Westonbirt 10k is a great evening event running on the forest trails of the arboretum, a couple of testing climbs for the 929 finishers. Great turnout from RSE and lots of support at the finish. I was pleased to finish 35th/929 runners with a Westonbirt PB and my 4th time running this event.

Phil Hudson

Scott Williams                  00:40:18

Philip Hudson                  00:43:59

Rebecca Southerington  00:48:17

Sharon Smith                   00:48:34

Daniel Drayton                 00:49:02

Anne Gardiner                 00:51:13

Tom Mabon                      00:53:02

Vicki Mason                      00:56:15

Jade Beaumont                00:57:34

Amanda Ball                     01:02:17

Rachel Weaver                 01:12:03

Sylvia Warman                01:13:06

Katie Cooper                    01:14:08

Lots of pictures to choose from – went for these because Sharon likes hills; I think that’s Scott – who ran a fantastic time (sorry haven’t met you Scott) and I think that Anne’s smiling going up the hill!

Woodchester 10K Trail run

The route takes you through some of the most stunning elements of Woodchester Park. From easier flat sections to challenging hilly terrain, there’s something for all runners of every ability –  novice and experienced runners alike are welcomed to enjoy the Woodchester Park surroundings

Cheri Edwards  ran the course in a time of 01:03:00. Well done Cheri and thanks for the info below – Woodchester Park is a great place and wasn’t aware that they did regular runs  there

It’s not technically a race as it’s not timed but I wanted to let people know about the Trust10 series. They’re a free event on the last Sunday of each month at various National Trust properties around the country. I did Avebury last year and today went to Woodchester. It was a lovely route (despite the hills!) with a welcoming and friendly atmosphere. Obviously no medal but the cafe was open afterwards and there’s various children’s games/activities so could be a nice family day out!

Cheri Edwards

Parkruns

Cirencester

Jon CAMPBELL                 00:21:30

Phil HUDSON                    00:22:34

Paul BILLINGHURST       00:22:53

Richard SHARP                 00:23:29

Phil NEWMAN                  00:24:08

Paul BEAUMONT             00:24:59

Paul ROBERTSON            00:26:59

Jade BEAUMONT             00:27:46

Sue NAVIN                         00:28:36

Elaine CHAPMAN             00:30:05

Cheri EDWARDS               00:30:05

Anne-Marie DAVIES        00:31:12

Rachel WEAVER                00:31:42

Kathryn COWDALL          00:35:16

Weymouth

Alan POWDERHILL                        00:32:18

Save the date

Fairford 10k race Sunday 8th June hosted by RSE

North Cerney Scamper

Jess,Race Director

the scenery!

Amanda Ball

Rebecca Southerington

Scott Williams

Sharon Smith

This is a fundraising event to raise money for the maintenance of the Village Hall, and to support the local community (including North Cerney PTA). 

The course consists of two 5k loops, taking in the Monarchs Way . The route is predominantly on local trails and farm tracks, with a short road section and a good hill! This is a fun 5k or 10k trail race, open to all abilities aged 15 and over. Race Director is Jess James, member of RSE. 

5k Race

• Rebecca Southerington 25.16  First lady!
• Amanda Ball 37.38   First FV50!

10k race

• Scott Williams 44.23 First overall!
• Ollie Hazel 49.12
• Dan Drayton 55.48
• Sharon Smith 59.28  First LV60!
• Paul Beaumont 59.56
• Anna Field 1.00.43
• Gemma Wright 1.02.31
• Anne Gardiner 1.03.59
• Sue Navin 1.06.32
• Jade Beaumont 1.09.11
• Mary Shepherd 1.11.14
• Anne-Marie Davies 1.12.17
• Becca Wilson 1.12.17
• Cathy Steer 1.17.54
• Rachel Weaver 1.24.14

“This is easily my favorite race of the year. It went so much better than I thought too. I love the scenery and the whole atmosphere. Well done to Jess and team. If you get the chance, please do to next year. Jess’s daughter gave me shells for racing which made my day” Gemma

“Luckily for me N Cerney Scamper accepted last minute entries. Decided on the 5k having been poorly all week. A relaxed village atmosphere, lovely route, lots of familiar faces AND gluten free homemade cake with a proper cup of tea. Couldn’t have wished for anything more. Even went home with a bonus posy of flowers. Huge thanks to Jess and the team of volunteers.” Amanda

“Ist LV60.  A well organised and enjoyable morning.  The Village hall is so welcoming , it was a party atmosphere straight from the ARCHERS !    Beautiful route and views  and well marshalled. Except for the hilly road section the route was surprisingly flat. Would have been tough if muddy but fortunately dry. It would have been good to have water at the finish as I was unable to wait to see fellow runners come in as needed a drink urgently .” Sharon

Suckley Quarter Marathon

• Cheri Edwards 59.16

“A fantastic event, with a strong sense of community and fun! Race HQ was at the Hop Shed brewery who provided refreshments and prizes. They also held a kids race and fun run beforehand which added to the family friendly atmosphere.

I didn’t know the route but had heard it was a mix of road and trail, with a “significant” climb in the first few miles. It was undulating from the start but they hadn’t been joking about that hill! Thankfully what goes up must come down (albeit steeply and over too quickly!). The race brief had mentioned a water station which I was grateful for as it was a really hot day, but amazingly there were 2 extra unofficial water tables set up as we passed through small villages, with locals coming out to support and rehydrate the runners. The second half was more trail, with some gorgeous views across fields and through farmland.

Considering it was a small fundraising event (250 runners) the support and organisation was brilliant. They’d also taken on board some of the SheRACES suggestions who aim to make events more accessible and inclusive to females, with sanitary products in the (very clean!) portaloos and smaller bibs for smaller torsos. See https://www.sheraces.com/ for more info.

As well as a finishing medal there was a great selection of free cake at the end, which was part of my motivation! “Cheri

Plenty to report this week, with races from a single mile up to marathon distance. Great running, everyone.

Mark

Park Runs

Lydiard Park

Darren JENNER                   00:23:48

Felicity CROTTY                   00:29:55

Cirencester

Phil HUDSON                       00:21:39

Paul BILLINGHURST         00:22:32

Daniel DRAYTON                00:23:06

Phil NEWMAN                     00:23:26

Robert BAKER                     00:25:17

William COBBETT              00:25:26

Vicki MASON                       00:28:07

Jade BEAUMONT              00:28:45

Rachel SMITH                     00:29:02

Sue NAVIN                           00:30:40

Anne-Marie DAVIES          00:30:58

Nadine BROWN                  00:31:40

Alan POWDERHILL           00:33:47

Kathryn COWDALL            00:34:24

Sylvia WARMAN                 00:35:39

Cheri EDWARDS                 00:35:49

Carol TAYLOR                      00:46:46

Malborough Common

Linda EDWARDS                00:31:28

Seven Fields

Taryn HANCOCK               00:33:33

Harcourt Hill

Liz HULCUP                         00:31:27

Bourton Mile

As usual, this race was part of our Club Championship. It always makes for a tough recovery afterwards – a bit of a lung-buster. Unfortunately, the starting mat appears not to have worked properly this year, so the times below are gun to chip times and everyone actually ran faster than their official times suggest.

James Ball                                           MV40/09             05:13.9

Ben Chapman                                    MV40/24              06:14.4

Paul Robertson                                  SM/19                   06:14.6

Rebecca Southerington                    LV40/08              06:14.6

Alan Powderhill                                MV40/25              06:15.5

Tom Burdett                                      SM/21                    06:30.3

Darren Jenner                                   MV40/26              06:33.5

Jennifer Glass                                    LV50/05                06:39.9

Sharon Smith                                     LV70+/01              07:16.0

Gemma Wright                                  LV40/20                07:19.0

Mark Garrett                                     MV50/24               07:26.7

Steve Sandercock                             MV60/16                07:29.7

Sue Navin                                           LV70+/02             07:39.6

Liz Hulcup                                         (not guessing)        07:43

Zoe Markham-Lee                           LV40/21                  07:47.6

Jade Beaumont                                 SL/20                      07:50.9

Felicity Crotty                                    LV40/22                 08:41.2

“About the race: First time doing this race and to be honest I was just grateful to have made it with ongoing injury. But like a true competitive person I went all out at the Start and had to drag myself over the line. Can’t wait to do it next year and try for an under 6 minute mile time.
Also was lovely running with RSE and everyone did great as well as the brilliant support”

Rebecca Southerington

“About the race: As always, the weather was perfect, the atmosphere was tense, and the pacing plan was 🤷‍♂️
I was going to take it easy until Paul R passed me in the first minute, so then it became a proper race! Really pleased with my time, and for four of us to finish within a second of each other is insane! 😀”

Ben Chapman

“About the race: God this race hurts! Really pleased to grab another PB, brilliant racing with so many other RSE runners. Such a shame the chip timing wasn’t working, as I would have certainly been quicker. Good fun.”

Alan P.B. Powderhill

“I did this race last year thinking a mile isn’t so far….. Aargh!
I managed not to set off too fast this year so at least was still running at the end but it still felt very hard.  Lovely to be doing the race with other RSE runners and supporters”

Sue Navin

“About the race: Who knew running a mile could be so hard?! Good fun and a really nice atmosphere but definitely hard work! The haribo at the end made it worth it!”

Jade Beaumont

Milton Keynes Marathon

Jade Beaumont              05:16:52

“This was my first ever marathon and I genuinely enjoyed it! (Well most of it anyway) My preparation for it didn’t quite go to plan as I missed my last couple of long runs due to illness so I was definitely worried if I’d even get round! I really struggled in the last 10k! I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little bit disappointed with the time so guess I’ll have to do another one now to beat it!
In terms of the race itself it’s well organised, an undulating course but no huge hills and the finish in the MK Dons football stadium is pretty special. There’s decent crowds for most of it as well to keep you motivated! Oh and the medal is decent too :)”

Shakespeare Marathon

Sarah Juggins                 05:33.31

“I loved the race was better trained for it this year. I love running through the scenic village’s and running along side the racecourse. It unfortunately turned hot so I didn’t achieve the time I wanted.”

Titchmarsh 10K

Ben Chapman             00:50:09

“I grew up in Titchmarsh (Northamptonshire) and have raced this a few times now, but every year it gets hotter! 🥵 The hills never get any easier but the views are amazing, and I still really enjoyed myself. It was great to see my family cheering at the end 🎉”

Sherborne 5 Miler

Liz Hulcup                      00:47.59

Sarah Juggins                00:50.03

“It was a lovely run on mixed terrain. The woods were a very welcome bit of shade as it was a hot one.”     – Sarah Juggins

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