• Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Our Club
    • Roll of Honour
    • Mission Statement & Constitution
    • Code of Conduct/Disciplinary Process Guidelines
    • Safety of Runners whilst taking part in Club Sessions
    • Club Kit
    • Committee
    • Club Captains
    • AGM
    • Contact Us
    • Social Events
  • Membership
  • Running
    • Safety of Runners whilst taking part in Club Sessions
    • The League
    • Tuesday Sessions
    • Thursday Sessions
      • Thursday Short Run Rota
    • Oxfordshire GP Series
    • Cross Country
    • Mota-vation Series 2024
    • Welsh Shield
    • Results
    • Trophies
  • WRR Races
    • Ducklington Dash
    • Cotswold Classic
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Juniors
    • Junior News
    • Training
    • Competitions
    • Junior Summer Fixture List
    • Junior Winter Fixtures and Results 2019/20
    • Junior Membership
    • Junior Club Records & PBs
    • Results Archive
  • Online Banking

WITNEY ROAD RUNNERS

Cotswold Classic 2023 Race Director’s Report

Cotswold Classic Race Director’s Report

Cotswold Classic 2023 Race Director Report

When my alarm buzzed and I could see rain on the window I wasn’t sure what sort of race we were going to have. I’ve never witnessed a wet Cotswold Classic and it would certainly pose a few extra challenges for runners and volunteers alike. Fortunately, by the time we arrived at The King’s School the rain had cleared leaving us all to relax slightly.

Many hands make light work and the venue was set up in record time – so much so that I was sure we must have forgotten something!  Just like in the race, the runners arrive for registration, first as a slow trickle then the masses before it peters out as we get closer to start time.

Crabby, one of the founders of Witney Roadrunners back in the 80’s, was proudly taking the mic as race announcer and did a superb job at getting the runners heading down to the start in good time. Climbing on to the steps to brief the runners (our 2nd highest entries of the modern Cotswold Classic era) is always one of my favourite parts of the day, to be able to see the crowd of eager, excited and possibly nervous participants.

After a brief co-ordination with my committee members up and down New Yatt Road, we brought the runners to toe the line and after synchronising clocks with our timers, DBMax, we got them on their way.  It was our second year of starting on New Yatt Road and it was lovely to see and speak to residents who enjoyed the spectacle of seeing the colourful crowd heading off on the 10 mile route.

This is the first chance that I get to have a breather, knowing the runners are now in the safe hands of our lead car, tail bike and the 80+ marshals who make sure all the runners get support and encouragement at every stage of the race.  I’m proud that one of the things that the race has become known for is the fantastic marshals. Every single one contributes their energy and enthusiasm and the runners really appreciate it so thank you to all the volunteers and thank you to the runners who pass on thanks and positive feedback.

While Raynet provides progress updates to me on both the front and back of the race I get a chance to get some breakfast in me whilst the team get this year’s t-shirts out of hiding ready to reveal the “secret” colour.  I’ve loved the efforts some of my clubmates have gone to this year, trying to work out the sequence or system to predict the colour!  And the other thing being readied is the post-race beer, this year from our new beer partner Little Ox Brew Company, whose brewery in Freeland is just a stone’s throw from the course’s left-hand turn towards East End.

There was great interest in the front of both the men’s and women’s races with the quality field suggesting that both course records could be in danger.  A local unattached runner, Charlie Lyons, who lives in one of the villages on the course was first across the line in 54:43, just 10 seconds outside of the course record set back in 2016 by Steven Naylor.

The winner of the women’s race, Witney Roadrunner Isabel Stubbs, came home in a personal best on the course of 66:25 but couldn’t quite nab the course record from clubmate Frankie Tyrell set back in 2019.  Despite the cooler, cloudier start, perhaps the muggy conditions pushed the course records just out of touch for this year.

And this is the point of the day where activity ramps up: Crabby aiming to call every runner home, the team dishing out the water from Sun Water Systems and Cotswold First Aid on hand to attend to anyone needing a little extra support after their adventures around the course.

Seeing runners don the famed Cotswold Classic long sleeve tee from Aston & James is another of my favourite moments of race day.  I love our shirts and how frequently you see them on the local race and parkrun scene, and this year is my favourite colourway so far.

As well as looking great, our shirts also raise money for charity.  We only order enough for the number of entrants we have but some people don’t make it to the race so there are always some leftovers. Previous year’s shirts are placed alongside an honesty box (and this year a QR code) with a request for a donation in return for rehoming one of our spare shirts.This year an enormous £250 was raised for African Children’s Fund, an Oxfordshire based charity who support education projects in East Africa.

The other good cause you all supported was the local Girl Guides who provided you with some sweet treats after the race.  Your post-race refuelling helped raise over £100 to support their future activities.

The Oxfordshire race scene was spoiled for years with local photographer Barry Cornelius capturing our pain and pleasure at races around the county.and sharing them for free.  With Barry having retired from race photography, it was brilliant when regular Witney parkrun photographer Trish Davies volunteered her talent and lenses to capture this year’s Cotswold Classic.  You can find her photos of you all starting and finishing the race on the race’s Facebook page. Credit Trish if you share and get in touch with her if you’d like a higher res version.

With the last runner returning to the school, Ben & Steve dismantling the course and the prizes given out to the first 3 runners in each age category, the team soon reset the school and with that, another superb race day was over and you wouldn’t have known that 351 runners and nearly 100 volunteers had been having so much fun!

Finally my thanks go out to my race committee, our suppliers, all the volunteers from Witney Roadrunners and beyond, as well as our lead sponsor Bronsens Accountants, our secondary sponsor IndTech and all our other sponsors who help keep the race great value for the runners.

We’re already planning for next year so please keep an eye out on our social media around mid-February for announcement of entries opening for the 2024 race. We were only 40-odd entries away from a record so you’d make me an even happier Race Director if we can set a new record next year!

Dan Wymer

 

Race Director

Cotswold Classic 2023

#CCMMXXIII #CotswoldClassic10

Primary Sidebar

Latest WRR Running Routes

Tuesday Session Routes >>
Thursday Session Routes >>

Instagram Gallery

witneyroadrunners

witneyroadrunners
Bumper crop of hardy WRR beating storm Bert at @ey Bumper crop of hardy WRR beating storm Bert at @eynsham_road_runners 10k 

Well done to all that complete the course it was tough out there! 

Don’t forgot to email you results in to appear in next week newsletter 

#stormbert#runners#10krace
Congratulations to this year’s recipients of the Congratulations to this year’s recipients of the Snowdon Marathon trophies - Rachel Stanley-Evans (4:07:07) and Matthew Lock (2:47:36)

Well done to the 19 Witney Roadrunners who ran this year. Congratulations on your incredible achievement.
A bumper #MedalMonday this week. We had an incred A bumper #MedalMonday this week.

We had an incredibly busy weekend of half marathon races this weekend. With Witney Roadrunners out in force at the Oxford Half Marathon, Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon and the Manchester Half Marathon.

Congratulations to you all on your individual achievements. For quite a few yesterday it was also their first ever half marathon👏🏻
Witney Roadrunners made the pilgrimage this weeken Witney Roadrunners made the pilgrimage this weekend to the home of parkrun and where it all began - Bushy Park.

Ahead of the 20th anniversary next weekend a group of Witney Roadrunners, @eynsham_road_runners and a few other special guests made the trip to run the famous course.

A great morning was had by all those who joined. Attendance this weekend at Bushy Park was 1525.

Answers on a postcard for the next venue for us to visit!
That is a wrap on another Mota-vation series for a That is a wrap on another Mota-vation series for another year. 

We had 74 runners taking part in the fifth and final race of the series at Stratfield Brake.

Well done to everyone who has taken part across the series and congratulations to those who won prizes. 🏆
Last night was the final of the 2️⃣0️⃣2️ Last night was the final of the 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣4️⃣’s Club Time Trial and the incredible @leevanstone cross the line as the winner in 29.53 🏆 Last year winner @fredaford215 handing over the silver ware to the new TT winner 🤩

4 months of monthly heats with the aim to improve on the time you predicted or previously ran.  To qualify for the final you had to of run at least two of this years heats and we had over 60 runners who qualified for the final which is amazing to see! But a total of 50 runners took part in the run with some running there first time trail and we had a total of 25 pb’s which is magnificent showing the hard work all our runners have been putting in over the last few months with their training for various events that are coming up 💪🏻

Well done to all the runners but especially the top 5:

1st Henry Vincent (1st Time trail) 
2nd @leevanstone 🥇
3rd  @ge_andrews96 🥈
4th John Green 🥉
5th  @sfyoungmit 🏅

We are excited for 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣ TT starting in April 25 see you there so better start practicing as you now all got to beat this years times 😃
Witney Roadrunners @oxtrail2024 Challenge - 90mins Witney Roadrunners @oxtrail2024 Challenge - 90mins, collect as many Ox-selfies as you can. Start and finish at The OxTrail Hub Shop. 

We all had amazing fun - see who won with 33 Oxen Selfies collected. Everyone received an Oxley Fridge Magnet for joining in and an Oxley Key-Ring for the winner

#WitneyRoadRunners #running #OxTrail2024 #SobellHouse #OxPloring #Oxford
Tonight saw the return of the annual Club Handicap Tonight saw the return of the annual Club Handicap where we had 45 runners run a course that was only revealed just before tonight’s run. 

Each runner has to predict their finishing time to get around the 4.4 mile course and there is no watches allowed.

Rules: If you are a second over your predicted time you are out and the person who is the most under their predicted time is awarded the infamous Wooden Spoon award.

🏆Congratulations to this years winner Tracey A who was the closest 

🥄 Lindsay S is the new recipient of the Wooden Spoon award

Thank you again to all those who were involved with organising tonight’s handicap.
A brilliant turnout from the club for the @alchest A brilliant turnout from the club for the @alchester5k this evening. We had 48 runners race this year. 

The cooler temperatures made for perfect conditions.

Well done to the following runners who placed in their  categories:

🏆 PaulA 2nd V60M, HollyPR 3rd V35F, PaulT 3rd V40M, JohnMc 3rd V70M.

 🏁 Congratulations also to the 6 runners who also completed the league following tonight’s race
A brilliant turnout once again for the fourth Mota A brilliant turnout once again for the fourth Mota-vation race of the series - Combe II

Well done to the 74 runners who took part and represented the club. 

Congratulations also to those members who won awards in their age categories. 👏🏻
Last Sunday saw the return of the annual Marathon Last Sunday saw the return of the annual Marathon Relay at Radley College.

The relay is a great opportunity for the juniors and the seniors to get together as a club and compete against each other on the track.

The juniors were the winners this year in an impressive 2:02:18. 

Well done to all of the runners and everyone involved in the organisation before and during the event. 

The times this year were as follows:
🏆 Juniors - 2:02:18
🥈 Seniors - 2:03:06
July saw the return of the annual Eynsham Challeng July saw the return of the annual Eynsham Challenge. 

Each host club holds a leg on their own course.

Courses are roughly 4miles/6.5K. The winning club being the club with the fastest average time. Each club runner therefore counts towards the final time.

Witney were victorious 🏆

Will Witney win the Eynsham Leg next month and reclaim their trophy?

Thank you to @witneyproperty for kindly sponsoring the top raffle prize of a Fit2Run voucher.
Good luck to Witney Roadrunner’s Thelma & Louise Good luck to Witney Roadrunner’s Thelma & Louise - Freda and Lynn who are doing Trek26 Cotswolds 2024 today.

Best of luck from all of us at the club 👏🏻

Today they are trekking for the Alzheimer’s Society a charity that means a lot to them both.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Freda-Ford2
We had 35 runners race at the Thame 10K on Sunday. We had 35 runners race at the Thame 10K on Sunday. 

Congratulations to all those who ran and notably to the following 3 runners who placed/won overall:

🏆 Matt L - 1st overall. 
🏆 Sally H - 2nd V45
🏆 Lisa H - 3rd V55

We had several PBs smashed and 4 more runners completed the WRR league.

🏁 Next Race: Didcot 5
It’s voting time! There’s an important one on It’s voting time! There’s an important one on Thursday, but here at WRR HQ we need your help to solve a ‘debate’

Which of our two fabulous races does the running community love more?!

🦆 Are you a fan of the fast, flat 5km at the edge of Ducklington? Our new duck on the block - The Duck Dash.

🏃🏻‍♀️ Or are you more of a Classic runner? The established, ‘fundulating’ 10miler with the fab swag (shirt & beer!) waiting for you at the end after you’ve conquered Hillzakilla in the middle - The Cotswold Classic.

We can’t choose between them so it’s time to put your X in the box and choose.

Comment below with a 🦆 or a 🏃🏻‍♀️ for your favourite and tell us why! 

Share to increase the sample size and improve the validity of our very official study! 🤓
What a lovely evening Friday was. Great to see lot What a lovely evening Friday was. Great to see lots of faces come join us at the Plough in Witney for our pub garden social.

It was a good opportunity to catch up with one another, to  discuss the upcoming few races and for some, their upcoming training blocks.

Already looking forward to our next one. 

Thank you for those who came. The weather was kind(ish) to us 🙏🏻
Well done to all of the WRR ladies who individuall Well done to all of the WRR ladies who individually placed in their age categories at the final Sri Chinmoy race of the 2024 series this week.

Monday saw 49 runners race the final 2 loops around the Peace Mile at Cutteslowe Park.

This race also doubled up as another club league race, which helped 9 more runners complete their 8th race to complete the league.

Congratulations & well done to all of the runners who ran during the series 👏🏻
An amazing turnout for the final Sri Chinmoy race An amazing turnout for the final Sri Chinmoy race of the 2024 series yesterday evening. 

Last night we had 49 runners race the final 2 loops around the Peace Mile at Cutteslowe Park.

This race also doubled up as another club league race, which helped 9 more runners complete their 8th race to complete the league.

Well done to the Juniors and the Senior Men who individually placed in their age categories. Ladies pictures to follow.

Congratulations & well done to all of the runners who ran during the series 👏🏻
A brilliant turnout this evening for the 2nd Sri C A brilliant turnout this evening for the 2nd Sri Chinmoy race of the series. The first out of the two 3 mile race (3 laps of the Peace Mile)

Well done to the 43 runners who ran tonight’s league race. So big we had to split the team picture into two😂

A busy week with another league race tomorrow and the 2nd time trial later in the week.

#running #runners #witneyroadrunners #runningclub #oxfordshirerunningclubs
Nettlebed Stinger 📸 John McCormac Nettlebed Stinger 📸 John McCormac
Load More Follow on Instagram

View all photos in the Instagram Gallery >>

Footer

Contact Us

Join Witney Road Runners
Send in your results
General enquiries

EA Health And Safety Policy
EA Inclusion Policy
Cookies and Privacy Policy

Related Websites

www.parkrun.org.uk
www.englandathletics.org

Social

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Website designed by millerwebdesign.co.uk

Cookies and Privacy Policy Website design by curbridgecreative.co.uk