BRONSENS PRESENT

THE COTSWOLD CLASSIC 10 MILE ROAD RACE

Cotswold Classic Race Director’s Report

When I took over the Cotswold Classic reins from Toby I had no idea I’d have to wait 2 years to get a race under my belt!

We had a great start when we opened entries in February 2020 with record numbers signing up from the off. Little more than a month later the whole world was being locked down. The race was months away so surely all would be ok by then? As time passed, regulations changed and other races postponed. We watched and waited. Fortunately, our suppliers and partners were supportive and patient.

The point of no return soon came and we had no option, with all the uncertainty, to make the sad but correct decision to cancel the 2020 race; my first as Race Director. We hoped that 2021 would see things return to normal.

Fast forward a year and we were not only in the position to plan for a race but one that would be practically “normal”. Now, how do we organize a race again?!

Fortunately, the club has a proud history of organizing races and the experience & enthusiasm of the club shone with around 100 club members past and present, family and friends stepping up to fill the school and course with smiling, supportive faces. It is something that everyone I spoke to commented on: a “brilliantly organized” race with “awesome marshals”.

It was great to see everyone making good use of the King’s School team who provided catering during the day. They were thrilled to have raised around £500 towards their IT upgrade project.

Thanks for continuing to put Witney Roadrunners on the map as one of the best clubs there is. Please pass on my thanks to your friends and family who helped out too.

As for the racing, it was great to see 21 Witney Road Runners in the results and I know of at least 2 others who joined the club since entering the race. We love to have members in the race and just ask if they can find a friend or relative to help ensure we have enough volunteers for the day so if you want to run the race next year start buttering up your nearest and dearest now!

I won’t steal all the thunder from the results section but it was great to see 8 members receiving age category prizes and the club picking up 1^st place in the men’s team competition and 2^nd in the women’s.

My first “year” as Race Director has been unexpectedly eventful but assuredly brilliant. I owe the Race Committee of Steve & Lyn Hopkins, Regina Lally and Tamsyn Wymer a massive thank you for making my job much easier and sharing a passion to make the race a continued success. Also thanks to Dave Johnnys for his graphics help and to him and Conrad Bailey for agreeing to join the committee for the 2022 race.

And I’ll leave you with this:

I had a bit of a sleepless night on Friday. Not because I was worried something would go wrong. No, we had everything covered there. It was because I was so excited to be taking the helm of the fantastic show that is the Cotswold Classic!

Bring on 2022!

Keep your eyes peeled on our Facebook page for the first news about the 2022 race!

Dan Wymer

Past Results

With thanks to Barry Cornelius for providing Race Day photos.

Bronsens Cotswold Classic 10 results 2021| Race Photos

Bronsens Cotswold Classic 10 results 2019 | Race Photos

Bronsens Cotswold Classic 10 Results 2018 | Race Photos

Wychwood Brewery Cotswold Classic 10 mile Results 2017 | Race Photos

Wychwood Brewery Cotswold Classic 10m Results 2016 | Race Photos

Cotswold Classic 10m Results 2015 | Race Photos

Portfolio Properties Cotswold Classic 10m Results 2014 | Race Photos