Sunday 25th February
Brighton Half Marathon
| Sam Upton | 1:17:37 | |
| Jen Horsman | 2:30:54 | 1st half marathon |
Knype Poo Charity 5 miler
| Matthew Lock | 31:36 | 5th |
Getting up at 7am for an 11am race is not what you’d want to do on a Sunday morning – but with the lack of car and limited buses, timing needed to be immaculate. Taking the same bus as I had yesterday (the exact same – they had yet to clear the cigarette packets!), I switched to a second bus and arrived at the closest stop, a 1 mile walk from the start, 1 hour before the start time. As I mentioned in Saturday’s race, Hanley was quite hilly, but this was another level.
I donned the race number 1 and set off fast, with the same plan as Saturday. This gave the same result, with a high standard athlete (with a low standard running technique) all but disappearing within the first 100 metres. Despite this I clocked in the first mile at 5:30(!) and felt strong. However I was overtaken by 2 others in the next mile but let them go – they knew this course better than me and I burnt out quite quickly, not helped by a twisted ankle at around 2.5 miles. Halfway through also came with my only gripe with the race – the race director said conditions were ‘good’ so I thought road shoes would be fine even on a trail race. No. No no no. Brown within seconds of the halfway point and almost losing them on multiple occasions over and down the fields, which led to another overtake.
Coming into the last mile (and the third set of ‘forest stairs’ – all different in terms on length and height) I could hear people cheering after I went past them, meaning another person was on my tail. Having had enough of being overtaken, I dug deep to keep him at bay and finish in a respectable 5th.
Another fun race which I would also recommend – again not a PB course but a challenge all the same. Now as I sit waiting for the train (which is currently cancelled – oh the joy) I feel prepared for next Sunday’s XC as the hills, and mud, and pain have prepared me for the worst.
See you all Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday/Sunday!
The Terminator
Well done to Lindsey, Rachel and Mel who were 2nd Ladies Team
| Lindsey Smith | 1:42:04 | 3rd Lady & 1st V45 |
| Rachel Stanley-Evans | 1:46:47 | 2nd VL35 |
| Melanie Cassidy | 2:15:55 | “a different experience from road running” |
| Paul Rushby | 2:23:00 | |
| Anne Rouget | 2:28:23 | PB |
Bourton-on-the-Water 10km (Chip times)
Great support from John & Bertie and a nice top for all finishers
| Joe Godwood | 37:08 | |
| Tony Lock | 37:27 | |
| Chris Colbeck | 37:30 | |
| James Clark | 38:41 | PB |
| Fraser Howard | 39:28 | |
| Ben Godwood | 40:49 | |
| Robert Green | 41:05 | |
| Adam Leary | 41:48 | |
| Toby Clark | 41:55 | |
| Brian Moore | 41:58 | |
| Tony Burkett | 42:22 | |
| Victoria Munday | 44:55 | |
| Lucy Harris | 45:10 | |
| Jessica Wright | 47:03 | PB |
| Conrad Bailey | 48:51 | |
| Sally Mackie | 53:13 | |
| Frankie Balkwill | 54:56 | |
| Sally Howard | 56:04 | |
| Emily Howard | 56:04 | |
| Darlene Burkett | 56:46 | |
| Ian Fowler | 60:08 |
After hearing so much about this course I managed to enter whilst trying to enter Snowdon marathon as both events opened on the 1st Dec last year.
Luckily it fell on the same day as Terminator and I am grateful for that………
The weather proved to be good and even though cold it was actually pleasant in the sun so I am glad I didn’t wrap up too much.
It was really good to see so many Witney vests on the course so well done to everyone who took part.
Crowds were great in the village and certainly very vocal which did help.
The course was a nice out n back with more ascents on the first half than on the return. Well organised and good to see Chairman and Bertie on the road junction @ 7km shouting words on encouragement so well done you two.
The running top provided at the end was really nice and hope it survives washing machine and lots of use as there were a few loose threads on them as kindly pointed out by Sharon – hopefully Brian’s is still in one piece as he had about 3 cotton reels of thread hanging off his !
After the run a quick coffee and cake pit stop in the Green and Pleasant very quirky cafe.
James & family plus Ian, Darlene, Tony & Toby also had the same idea.
Anyway, overall very happy with my time and although not a PB it was my fastest 10k this millennium.
Cheers Bob
Saturday 24th February
Oxford Parkrun
| Tony Burkett | 21:16 | |
| Richard Redford | 23:18 | |
| Charlie Hudson | 29:01 | JM10 1st timer |
| Rachel Stanley-Evans | 31:33 | Pacing Froggy! |
Abingdon Parkrun
| Victoria Munday | 23:21 |
Hanley Parkrun
| Matthew Lock | 18:16 | 1st SM |
My weekend of running started in Hanley, a 30 minute bus ride from Keele. I passed the park on Wednesday, and couldn’t see many hills, so they were well concealed. Well played, Hanley Park.
The course consisted of a short lap and 2 long laps, with the long lap incorporating the short lap (sound familiar?). My tactic was as always when racing Parkrun – stick with the front runner and hope they’re not too quick. This lasted the best part of 10 metres when the eventual winner strode off like a centaur.
A small scare of geese on the second large lap only made me run faster to secure 4th – just behind a Uni lad that I have since become acquainted with.
Overall a nice Parkrun with plenty of flat between the steep (ish) hills, I would certainly recommend if it you’re in the area and are looking for a Parkrun challenge, as well as being well organised with incorrect token giving out being sorted almost immediately. Also take your time to walk around the park afterwards – much of it isn’t used in the course. Unfortunately forgetting extra clothing meant I was off as soon as I finished!
Parliament Hill National Cross Country
Big hills, lots of mud and masses of people!
| Joel Floyd | 59:41 |
Sunday 18th February
Castle Combe Chilly 10k
| Rachel Stanley-Evans | 43:24 | 1st VL40 |
| Regina Lally | 56:38 |
Wokingham Half Marathon
| James Clark | 1:28:25 | PB by 6 minutes |
| Will Downey | 1:29:09 | |
| Paul Ainslie | 1:29:10 | |
| Billy Rendell | 1:31:38 | PB |
| Lindsey Smith | 1:33:41 | PB |
| Jim Whelan | 1:58:59 | |
| Paul Rushby | 2:02:19 | |
| Vicki Hopkins | 2:11:00 | |
| Lyn Hopkins | 2:11:00 |
Saturday 17th February
Oxford Parkrun
| Sam Upton | 17:28 |
| Graham Le Good | 22:01 |
| Bertie Field | 26:05 |
| Tony Burkett | 26:14 |
| Laura Davies | 27:05 |
| Judith Le Good | 27:31 |
| Linda Field | 29:32 |
| Darlene Burkett | 29:32 |
| Ian Fowler | 30:09 |
| Jen Horsman | 32:54 |
Merthyr Parkrun
| Victoria Munday | 24:01 | 1st Lady |
Woking Parkrun
| Regina Lally | 28:53 |
Sunday 11th February
Bramley 10
| Will Downey | 1:07:54 | |
| Lindsey Smith | 1:11:27 | |
| Jade Hewlett | 1:16:45 | PB by 5 minutes |
| Lucy Harris | 1:17:45 | PB |
| Lisa Holland | 1:19:36 | |
| Paul Rushby | 1:33:10 | |
| Jen Horsman | 1:58:02 |
Bramley 20
| Sam Upton | 2:05:33 | |
| Robert Green | 2:31:36 | |
| Lisa Butler | 2:42:30 | |
| Brian Moore | 2:50:32 | |
| Andy Church | 2:30:33 | |
| Heather Smith | 2:56:47 |
Wiltshire 10 mile
If you like instantly forgettable events, then this is one for you. There was nothing particularly wrong with it. It was well organised, well marshalled and well attended. The route is a ‘q’ shape, with 5 miles of flat, followed by 2 miles of undulations and 3 miles flat to the finish. The only memorable moment was the guy next to me on the start line finishing off his cigarette and dropping it on the floor just as the race started.
Overall an ok event, but ‘ok’ about sums it up. It served it’s purpose of a 10 mile time for the John Rose Trophy.
| Graham Ferris | 1:06:25 |
Dursley Dozen
| Toby Clarke | 1:56:50 | |
| Rachel Stanley-Evans | 1:56:50 | 3rd FV40 |
Saturday 10th February
Oxford Parkrun
| Matthew Lock | 18:45 | |
| Fraser Howard | 19:46 | |
| Toby Clarke | 20:35 | |
| Billy Rendell | 22:12 | |
| Graham Le Good | 22:17 | |
| Sally Howard | 22:49 | |
| Tony Burkett | 22:52 | |
| Laura Davies | 23:05 | 1st Timer |
| Judith Le Good | 26:51 | |
| Linda Field | 27:48 | |
| Bertie Field | 27:49 | |
| Regina Lally | 28:42 | |
| Ian Fowler | 30:59 | |
| Darlene Burkett | 45:38 | Official Tail Runner/Walker |
Boston Parkrun
| Roxanne Clark | 24:19 |
Abingdon Parkrun
| Lindsey Smith | 21:20 | 1st Lady |
Northala Fields Parkrun
| Dan Wymer | 21:47 |
Shrewsbury Parkrun
| Sam Upton | 17:14 | 2nd overall |
Sunday 4th February
Oxford Mail Cross Country: Round 4 – Lawns Park Swindon
Well done to all those who ran today – a challenging course! Cold, hills, mud and great for spectators.
Many thanks to the supporters and the encouragement from the ladies to the men runners and vice versa.
Thanks also to all those who brought cakes!
Ladies
| Lindsey Smith | 30:49 | V1 |
| Jade Hewlett | 32:01 | S |
| Sally Howard | 33:32 | V1 |
| Jessica Wright | 35:11 | V1 |
| Cathy Morley | 37:18 | V2 |
| Jeanette Ashton | 38.14 | V3 |
| Suzanne Reeve | 39:42 | V2 |
| Judith Le Good | 40:05 | V3 |
| Debbie Marshall-Thomas | 40.15 | S |
| Nicola Henman | 40.23 | V1 |
| Anna Whitham | 40:29 | S |
| Anne Rouget | 43:53 | V2 |
| Frankie Balkwill | 44:04 | S |
| Hannah West | 49.41 | V3 |
| Tabitha Durkin | 49.41 | V1 |
Men
| Matthew Lock | 36.56 | U20 |
| Chris Colbeck | 37:55 | V1 |
| James Clark | 39:44 | S |
| Fraser Howard | 40:20 | V1 |
| Joel Floyd | 41:26 | S |
| Tony Lock | 42:17 | V2 |
| Paul Ainslie | 42:40 | V2 |
| Robert Green | 44.25 | V2 |
| Graham Le Good | 45:09 | V3 |
| Nicholas Smith | 45:46 | S |
| Dan Wymer | 45:47 | S |
| Tony Burkett | 45:50 | V2 |
| Jim Whelan | 53:33 | V3 |
Saturday 3rd February
Oxford Parkrun
| Matthew Lock | 18:40 |
| Toby Clarke | 20:22 |
| Graham Le Good | 22:01 |
| Lindsey Smith | 23:01 |
| Rachel Stanley-Evans | 23:01 |
| Tony Burkett | 25:09 |
| Lucy Harris | 26:11 |
| Bertie Field | 26:11 |
| Judith Le Good | 27:28 |
| Darlene Burkett | 32:37 |
| Tamsyn Wymer | 33:31 |
| Dan Wymer | 33:31 |
| Ian Fowler | 33:32 |
Bedford Parkrun
| Regina Lally | 28:59 |
Gloucester North Parkrun
| Victoria Munday | 25:17 |
Upton House Parkrun
| Sam Upton | 17:08 | 2nd |
| Jen Horsman | 33:47 |
Harcourt Hill Parkrun
| Harriet-Rose Noons | 31:22 |
Banbury Parkrun
| Tom Garrod | 20:35 |
| Lucy Garrod | 23:48 |