Saturday 23rd March
Banbury parkrun
| John McCormac | 39.21 |
Forest of Dean parkrun
| Jane Colbeck-McKinnnon | 27.20 |
| Skye McKinnon | 35.15 |
Hampstead Heath parkrun
| Fred Kirby | 20.10 |
Oxford parkrun
| Graham Le Good | 21.38 |
| Judith Le Good | 27.56 |
| Ian Fowler | 31.01 |
Boston parkrun
| Roxanne Clark | 24.42 |
Sunday 17th March
Banbury 15 (GP)
| Sam Upton | 1.28.11 | 2nd & 1st SM |
| Gareth Petts | 1.28.33 | 3rd & 2nd SM |
| Matt Lock | 1.30.35 | 3rd SM |
| Graham Ferris | 1.44.14 | |
| Brian Moore | 1.59.13 | |
| Lindsey Smith | 1.59.16 | 3rd LV45 |
| Billy Rendell | 2.03.04 | |
| Mel Cassidy | 2.03.56 | |
| Alice Parsons | 2.06.33 | |
| Lisa Butler | 2.08.07 | |
| Lucy Harris | 2.08.08 | |
| Laura Davies | 2.08.08 | |
| Simon Rhodes | 2.17.01 | |
| Louise Rhodes | 2.17.17 | |
| Lee Vanstone | 2.19.34 | |
| Sharon Christie | 2.25.00 | PB |
| Tracey Moss | 2.27.47 | |
| Allison Maybrey | 2.38.36 |
Fleet Half Marathon
| Tony Lock | 1.21.55 |
Reading Half Marathon
| Stan Charles-Jones | 1.26.37 | PB |
| Isabel Stubbs | 1.33.20 | |
| Suzanne Bartlington | 1.59.11 |
Oundle 20 Mile
| Rachel Stanley-Evans | 2.38.07 |
Fission 20/20 Mile
| Will Downey | 2.16.44 | PB |
Weymouth Half Marathon
| Graham Le Good | 1.39.48 | 1st MV65 |
| Judith Le Good | 1.59.27 | 1st LV65 |
There are not many things to look forward to as you get older but a new age category is something an older runner can get excited about. This March I reached my final running age category, so I had to celebrate this momentous occasion by taking the family away for the weekend and telling them they were all running a half marathon with me.
I chose Weymouth as the seaside seemed a good destination to blow the winter cobwebs away. I wasn’t anticipating Storm Gareth doing such a good job.
Having found an ideal Airbnb accommodation located equidistant from the Weymouth Parkrun and the start of the half marathon, we arrived in a blustery Weymouth on my birthday. Saturday was Parkrun day and the six runners tried to take it gently round the flat fast course.
The half marathon had an 8.30 start on Sunday. A chilly morning but at least the wind had appeared to drop slightly and the sun was making a rare appearance. The family group was Graham and I, Sarah and Simon, son in law Duncan and Simon’s partner Elly. The walk to the start was time to sort out the usual dilemma of what to wear.
The start was the usual chaos and I found myself swept along and running faster than I was intending, but with a following wind and a flat seafront to run along it was easy going. Of course this couldn’t last and turning round into the wind was a lot harder. The course looped through the park where we had done the Parkrun and then back to the seafront and through the town. I hadn’t studied the profile so was surprised to find the course climbing up a steep hill followed by a very scenic but hilly section long the coast with great views. Miles 8 and 9 were seriously slow but fortified with more jelly babies the last two miles were downhill with a following wind so I surprised myself by crossing the line in just under two hours.
We all enjoyed the course, traffic free, some off road and on tracks, lots of variety and very scenic.
The family all were happy Simon, Elly and Duncan got PBs. The oldies got first in their age category and Simon and Sarah got second, so we all had to get on the podium. So that’s what the the Le Goods do on a birthday weekend.
Graham’s birthday is going to be another exciting family weekend. Next instalment in June!
Saturday 16th March
Banbury parkrun
| Bertie Field | 24.24 |
| Linda Field | 28.52 |
| John McCormac | 41.30 |
Cannock Chase parkrun
| Becky Adams | 28.54 |
Oxford parkrun
| Simon Welch | 26.19 |
Abingdon parkrun
| Anna Flory | 26.37 |
Hilly Fields parkrun
| Victoria Munday | 24.28 |
Cheltenham parkrun
| Andrew Green | 24.19 |
Telford parkrun
| Sally Mackie | 26.29 |
Weymouth parkrun
| Graham Le Good | 22.33 |
| Judith Le Good | 27.55 |
Harcourt Hill parkrun
| Lucy Bailey | 33.03 |
Guernsey parkrun
| David Rouget | 27.31 |
| Anne Rouget | 28.45 |
Witney parkrun
| Matt Lock | 19.27 | 2nd |
| Fraser Howard | 20.25 | |
| Paul Taylor | 22.00 | |
| James Webster | 23.11 | |
| Rob Green | 24.13 | |
| Oliver Schroelkamp | 24.33 | |
| Sally Howard | 24.33 | |
| Harriet Howard | 25.05 | |
| Alice Parsons | 25.09 | |
| Lily Sherwood | 25.18 | |
| Alex Westbrook | 25.29 | |
| Martha Sherwood | 26.34 | |
| Roxanne Clark | 26.39 | |
| Charlie Hudson | 27.21 | |
| Lee Vanstone | 29.17 | |
| Fraser Bisp | 30.34 | |
| Gill Sherwood | 30.39 | |
| Jane Colbeck-McKinnon | 30.40 | |
| Regina Lally | 31.46 | |
| Dan Wymer | 31.52 | |
| Emily Howard | 35.54 | |
| Martin Crabb | 48.31 | Tail Walker |
Wendover Woods parkrun
| Sam Upton | 19.49 | 1st |
| Jen Upton | 33.36 |
Sunday 10th March
Barcelona Marathon
| Allie Maybrey | 5.00.44 |
The Vitality Big Half
| Regina Lally | 2.19.13 |
Draycote Waters Half Marathon
| Lisa Holland | 1.53.26 | 2nd LV40 |
Despite the wind blowing a gale across the open water, this is a good,traffic free, reasonably flat course. After a 20 minute walk to the start, it was 2 and a half laps round a very scenic course, including running across the dam, and alpacas looking on. The last mile is pan flat and straight, so seemed to go on forever. Still ,happy with my time as part of my marathon training.
Saturday 9th March
Inter-County XC Championships
U15 Girls
| 178 | Tilly Westbrook | 16.53 |
U20 Men
| 149 | Nick Key | 35.37 |
Senior Men
| 178 | Sam Upton | 38.01 |
| 196 | Tegs Jones | 38.24 |
Basingstoke parkrun
| Anna Flory | 26.32 |
Oxford parkrun
| Billy Rendell | 27.40 |
Royal Tunbridge Wells parkrun
| Andrew Green | 25.10 |
Pomphrey Hill parkrun
| Regina Lally | 30.41 |
Worthing parkrun
| Joe Godwood | 17.47 | 2nd |
Bicester parkrun
| Debbie Marshall-Thomas | 29.34 |
Witney parkrun
| Matt Lock | 18.56 | 1st |
| Paul Sherwood | 22.56 | 2nd |
| James Webster | 23.41 | |
| Dan Wymer | 23.47 | |
| Stephen Roberts | 24.50 | |
| Harriet Howard | 25.34 | |
| James Field | 25.58 | |
| Charlie Hudson | 28.03 | |
| Stephen Ratcliff | 28.35 | |
| Lee Vanstone | 28.47 | |
| Jane Colbeck-McKinnon | 28.48 | |
| Simon Rhodes | 29.10 | |
| Louise Rhodes | 29.11 | |
| Paul Molyneaux | 29.47 | |
| Trudie Ratcliff | 29.52 | |
| Jacob Hepworth | 30.29 | |
| Frankie Balkwill | 30.52 | |
| Linda Field | 31.11 | |
| Paul Bowden | 31.31 | |
| Louise Henderson | 31.48 | |
| Jessica Wrigh | 32.34 | |
| Stan Charles-Jones | 34.13 | |
| Emily Howard | 38.59 | |
| Jen Upton | 40.24 | |
| John McCormac | 44.29 | |
| Hannah Makins | 47.45 |
Lochore Meadows parkrun
| Victoria Munday | 23.28 | 4th Lady |
Isabel Trail parkrun
| Graham Le Good | 21.52 |
| Judith Le Good | 26.22 |
Sunday 3rd March
Oxfordshire Cross Country league, Race 5
Men
| Sam Upton | 38.08 |
| Matt Lock | 40.26 |
| Nick Keys | 42.00 |
| Chris Colbeck | 42.03 |
| George Reynolds | 44.40 |
| Fraser Howard | 46.36 |
| Dan Wymer | 50.36 |
| Graham Le Good | 54.23 |
| Joe Rainer | 56.28 |
| Stephen Roberts | 56.29 |
| Jim Whelan | 59.28 |
| Stephen Ratcliff | 64.43 |
| Lee Vanstone | 64.48 |
Series Results
| Matt Lock | 2nd U20M |
| Witney A | 2nd Division 2 & promoted to Division 1 |
| Witney B | 5th Division 3 |
Ladies
| Kirsty Lockwood | 41.09 |
| Lindsey Smith | 41.40 |
| Jade Hewlett | 42.28 |
| Helen Train | 45.30 |
| Michele Hustler | 45.43 |
| Jenny Moore | 46.16 |
| Jessica Wright | 51.10 |
| Trudie Ratcliff | 52.55 |
| Judith Le Good | 43.39 |
| Jane Colbeck-Mckinnon | 57.13 |
| Anne Rouget | 57.29 |
| Tabitha Durkin | 58.21 |
| Frankie Balkwill | 58.39 |
| Debbie Marshall-Thomas | 58.44 |
| Hannah West | 66.06 |
Series Results
| Hannah West | 3rd LV65 |
| Witney A | 2nd Division 2 & promoted to Division 1 |
| Witney B | 6th Division 3 |
| Witney C | 12th Division 3 |
| Witney D | 19th Division 3 |
Well today was the last race in the 2018-2019 XC season. I hope those who ran any of the 5 events enjoyed themselves and got to experience the joy of team-spirit, mud, hills and making friends with those from other clubs. We had an amazing WRR turnout: 90 runners in total: 23 juniors, 36 men and 31 ladies! Afraid the final results haven’t been released yet but I know we’ve done well!…..
I would like to extend a special thank you to those who worked behind the scenes to allow us individuals to take part. As a non-hosting club, we are required to provide three volunteers for three races to cover one marshal position for the duration of each fixture, so many thanks to Alison Maybrey, John McCormac and Lucy Harris for doing this.
To Paul Rushby and Richard Stockting for resolving all the last minute membership inquiries, registrations and club payments.
To Matt Lock for collating the men’s team details and to Fraser Howard, Bertie Field, Mike Miles and Tony Lock for not only sorting out the junior entries but for arriving early and staying late at every race to collect the team sheets, race numbers, assemble and dismantle the club tents and flag and sort out any last minute admin!
Finally to all the supporters – for not only cheering us all on but for supplying cakes and chocolates for all to enjoy! Hope I haven’t forgotten anyone (apologies if I have).
As ladies XC Captain, I’d like to say a special thanks to all the chaps who stayed behind after their race to cheer us ladies round – it really does make a difference having our team’s support so thank you from all of us!
Hope everyone enjoyed themselves and see you at the 2019-2020 season!
Lindsey Smith
Goring 10K
| Conrad Bailey | 48.06 |
Two Tunnels 10km
| Sharon Moore | 1.13.12 | PB |
| Brian Moore | 1.13.12 |
Thames 20 Mile
| Lucy Harris | 2.58.06 |
Saturday 2nd March
Banbury parkrun
| John McCormac | 41.07 |
Gloucester North parkrun
| Sam Upton | 17.38 | 1st |
| Jen Upton | 31.58 |
Oxford parkrun
| Graham Le Good | 21.54 |
Raphael parkrun
| Lee Vanstone | 27.24 |
Abingdon parkrun
| Dan Wymer | 27.19 |
| Hannah Makins | 43.39 |
Tollcross parkrun
| Ben Godwood | 21.09 |
Witney parkrun
| Matt Lock | 21.05 |
| Bertie Field | 26.34 |
| Simon Rhodes | 28.20 |
| Louise Rhodes | 28.37 |
| Anna Flory | 28.47 |
| Judith Le Good | 29.44 |
| Anne Rouget | 30.31 |
| Emily Howard | 30.33 |
| Linda Field | 30.37 |
| Gill Sherwood | 30.37 |
| Fraser Bisp | 30.56 |
| Suzanne Bartington | 31.53 |
| Fiona Tate | 34.06 |
| Tamsyn Wymer | 38.01 |
| Paul Taylor | 38.04 |
Harcourt Hill
| Lucy Bailey | 32.08 |
Guernsey parkrun
| David Rouget | 27.22 |
Groe parkrun
| Tom Garrod | 21.20 | |
| Lucy Garrod | 22.37 | 1st Lady |
Rhayader 30K
| Graham Ferris | 2.20.32 |
There is a little known trophy gathering dust in the archives of Witney Roadrunners, called The Welsh Challenge Shield.
You have to complete 3 races in Wales. Rhayader 30k, (formerly Rhayader 20) Offa’s Dyke 15 and Snowdon Marathon. Nobody has been able to do it for many years because Offa’s Dyke ceased running.
All 3 are now back, so I thought I’d give it a go.
My source of information about Rhayader was Keith Morgan, and I wasn’t sure how much I could believe. He gets that look on his face as he recalls how he’s benefited from other runners failings at such races.
So, with Keith’s tales echoing through my head, I set off for Rhayader. It’s a 3 hour drive, but with a 1pm start there’s no early rise.
The Weather report isn’t great. 40mph winds and rain forecast. Rhayader is nestled in the bottom off the Elan Valley, so when you get out of your car, you think ‘ah it’s not that bad’.
How wrong can you be?
The race starts with a downhill run through the town, and then out into the countryside and the BIG hill. From 2k to 8k is UP (very similar to the first climb at Snowdon) and with a gale force wind coming from the left, it’s hard not to get blown into the ditch at the side of the road.
Having checked out the race profile I know it’s downhill once over the top.
We bear slightly right, so how the hell can the wind now be straight in our faces. Never has it been so hard to run downhill. It felt like I was doing Michael Jackson’s Moon Walk. My feet were definitely going forward, but I was going backwards.
Luckily a group of 4 runners push by and I tucked in behind them.
From about 10k the course rocks and rolls. The group I’ve been hiding behind for about 2k are slowing, so it’s time to press on. I move out from behind and realise why, OMG!……I can’t go back behind because then I look a right wimp. The headwind and now the driving drizzle in your face is a real battle. Head down and man up….surely the wind has got to be behind us at some point…..not until the 20k though. Then it’s downhill with the wind behind all the way to 29k. A definite 9k Pb.
Just as you think it’s going to be an easy finish, there is a final climb back into town to bring you to your knees.
Finished. 2.20.32
Medal and a T-shirt….happy days.
Not long after it starts to pour down with rain, and an hour later as I head for home the poor sods who are still finishing look like zombies.
It’s a very well organised race with over 700 entrants, through some beautiful Welsh scenery. On a sunny day it must be spectacular.
Overall an excellent race. Well worth the effort and the long day.
They also run a 5 mile race alongside this one, which is the final 5 miles of the 30k. 200+ runners for this one. Buses out to the start line and run in.
Harvard Invitational 800m
| James Currah | 2 min 05.9 sec |