dursley running club

London Marathon 2019

An amazing 17 Dursley Running Club athletes had entered the VLM marathon this year. The excitement was steadily building all week, with the entrants hoping that the weather would calm down after the scorching Easter Bank Holiday weekend. Many weeks of training taking place just to get on the start line, and for some the process had not been smooth with Caroline Jones and Joe Ball both having disrupted training schedules. This year has seen a range of training groups and sessions so many were turning up with a good base, even if for some it would be their first Marathon. First timers included Ball, Martin Bragg, Dominique Pemberton, Emma Keating, Matt Turner, Becky Whatling and Eileen Hieron, a few had dipped their toe in before: Jones, Andy Kilby, Ian Roberts Stuart Gwilliam and Karen Eadon , with seasoned marathoners in the shape of Damian Lai, Neil Parry, Neil Hodgson and Mark Brasier.

Once gathered at the start the runners were greeted with a cool April day, albeit with blustery winds, the temperature was 10 degrees cooler than in 2018, and the impact of this was clear as many elite athletes ran personal bests. Eliud Kipchoge yet again showed his class running the second quickest Marathon time in history with a time of 02:02:38 breaking the course record along the way Bridget Kosgei ran the fastest ever second half of marathon to win the women’s race. Of the British runners Mo Farah was fifth and Callum Hawkins took two minutes off his personal best to finish in the top ten, proving that one bad race/marathon can be put right! Charlotte Purdue ran 2:25.38 to finish tenth and become the third fastest British women in history, behind only Paula Radcliffe and Yama Yamauchi. So for the Dursley athletes looking for a good time it looked like it was all to play for.

Parry led team DRC in the initial miles hitting the first 5K 21:46, with Gwilliam ahead of, Hodgson and Brasier, first time marathoner Bragg went through 5K in 23:44 giving him an estimated finish time of 3:20. Lai Dwas though 5k in 25:48. Parry’s pace started to drop back a bit after his fierce start, whilst Gwilliam was warming to his task, his second 5K seven seconds quicker. It took a while for the remaining DRC athletes to get over the start line. The first 5K are downhill and so it is notoriously difficult not to run a bit quick over the initial miles, only Gwilliam, Hodgson and Brasier managed to rein themselves in. Emma Keating and Dominique Pemberton were running side by side from the off and there would with hardly be a second to split them for the next 26 miles.

After the fast first 5k most of the DRC athletes reined back in and set a steady pace over the next 10 to 15k. By Half Marathon stage DRC had 9 runners under two hours with Parry and Gwilliam around 95 minutes. The trio of Neil Hodgson, Martin Bragg and Mark Brasier not far behind. Damo led Andy Kilby Paul Breen and Joe Ball over the half way-mark in 01:50, 01:52, 1:55 and 01;57.

Mark Brasier had been starting to slow over consecutive 5k splits before halfway, it looked like he was in for a hard day at the office. Turner was next over halfway in 2:16 and then a host of DRC came over close to 02:30, Jones, Keating, Pemberton with Hieron not far off the pace at 02:40 FV75 veteran Hieron had been keeping her pace very steady around the 8 min/km pace, ,as were Keating, and Pemberton who had settled into a c.7:20/km pace from 10k. Perhaps the model of consistency was Hodgson running between 04:43 and 04:51 up until the last 10k. He was not running at his fastest and as a result commented “A truly enjoyable run!! Loved it!!” At the sharp end for DRC Gwilliam was speeding up from 04:28 per km to 4:25 and then really pushing on running 4:13 from 35 to 40k and putting in a finishing effort at 04:11 pace, a consummate piece of distance running to complete the course in an excellent time of 03:06:53. Behind him Parry was pretty consistent, slipping back to 04:55 for the last 2k but he had done all the hard work by then and finished in super time of 03:14:19. Hodgson came home in a very respectable 03:25:22. Bragg was running one of the runs of the season in his marathon debut, his first 25k was run at an incredibly consistent pace, and when he started to slow he kept everything under control to finish in an brilliant 03:27:21, 68th M60-64. DRC spectator Margaret Johnson commented that “he looked the picture of concentration”.

Elieen Hieron also ran one of the outstanding runs of the day placing 5th in the F75 -79 category and displayed great control of her pace over the 26 miles. In fact nearly all the DRC athletes managed to maintain a steady pace over the course, and where they could not pick up the pace they controlled their deceleration as best they could. Finishing close to the 3:50 mark were Breen, Brasier and Lai. Ball finshed his first marathon in 04:14 just under 6 minutes ahead of Kilby. Jones and Matt Turner were next to finish. Keating and Pemberton continued their successful partnership, they had passed Roberts along the way and held their pace very well to complete the course in 05:18:54, Roberts held on to finish in 05:33; Hieron completed her amazing effort behind him with a time of 05:40:07.

Karen Eadon and Becky Whatling completing DRC incredible effort on the day. In terms of fundraising club members have raised in excess of 15K for a variety of charities and probably more, With Pemberton leading the way with over £4000 for Clic Sargent and Lai, Whatling, Eadon, Kilby and Kate Sackett all raising over £2K for the British Lung Foundation, Longfield Trust, The Childrens Trust and Scope, with other club members raising money for Linc Linc The Leukemia And Intensive Chemotherpay Fund, Dementia Revolution and Frontline Children.

VLM Results: Stuart Gwilliam, 03:06:53, 2964th , (196th M50-54); Neil Parry, 03:14:19, 3911th , (311th M50-54); Neil Hodgson, 03:25:22, 5696th , (795th M45-49); Martin Bragg, 03:27:21, 6068th , (68th M60-64); Paul Breen, 03:49:11, 11089th , (3935th MSen 18-39); Mark Brasier, 03:51:27, 11468th, (1581st M40-44); Damian Lai, 03:54:59, 11593rd , (1638th M40-44); Joe Ball, 04:14:02, 18374th, (6182nd SenM 18-39); Andy Kilby, 04:19:49, 18565th , (337th M60-64); Caroline Jones, 04:38:44, 24918th , (1418th F40-44); Matt Turner, 04:44:45, 17754th , (3136th M40-44); Emma Keating, 05:18:53, 33693rd , (1801st F45-49); Dominique Pemberton, 05:18:54, 33702nd, (6507th SenW 18-39); Ian Roberts, 05:33:44, 35905th , (3442nd M45-49); Eileen Hieron, 05:40:07, 36773rd , (5th F75-79); Karen Eadon, 06:10:13, 39682nd , (1411th F50-54); Becky Whatling, 06:45:30, 41322nd , (8978th SenW 18-39).

From Sea Level to Dusseldorf to Summit

Also running on the Sunday were Charlie Taylor who completed the Forest Warrior (Result tbc)

Hannah Osbourne Shakespeare Half Marathon 87th 01:59:14 (Chip), Quentin Somerset, The Shakespeare Marathon 495th 04:55:13 (chip) Matt Strezeckli the Dusseldorf Marathon 04:18:38,Kate Browning the Bath Beat Marathon, on Saturday, 27.99 miles in 05:24:57 (Strava) followed by Pewsey Ultra 35:21 miles in 07:26:46 on Sunday. Rachel Brown and Kevin Brockway took part in the Sea to Summit Marathon and Half, a very Hilly off road marathon. There was 6200 feet of climbing which meant some very steep tricky descents. Brown finished in 7 hours and Brockway finished in 8 hours 8 minutes. Kevin Jackson placed 4th senior veteran male; at the Frecnhay 10K. Result: K Jackson 57th, 44:33 (4th SenVM). Richard Pitts completed the Burnham on Sea Super Sprint, . 250m swim 10k bike 2.5k run. Pitts was 7th overall and 1st in 50-59 AG Swim T1 Bike T2 Run 4.15 0:78 18:59 0:51 11:57

Parkrun

21 parkrunners under the DRC flag this Saturday, Matt Rogers only 36 seconds ahead of Garry Strickland at Wotton to claim DRC’s fastest time of the weekend. Alice was back at Wotton notching up 79.% on Age Grade, with Paul Lee closest with 70.5% at Stonehouse. Three PBs: Tel Cother, Sarah Newall and Richard Hensman.

Westonbirt Half and 10K

Twenty-two DRC athletes were on the start line of DB Max’s inaugural Westonbirt Easter Half Marathon and 10K event.

Conditions were far from ideal, it being very warm, and the course is rolling, but this did not stop a host of great performances, topped off by Paul Hocking who won the Half in just under 80 minutes. Kevin Jackson was next home for the team in 30th position overall and 4th M50, with Shane Bond third to finish for the club. Clare Troy was first DRC woman home in just over two hours. Rach Goatman ran with Damian Lai enjoying his recovery run after a great run at the Brighton Marathon last weekend, the pair completing the course in 02:43, with Sarah Willcox just behind them and Sam Stevens finishing up for DRC in the half with a time of 02:54:20, a great effort.

There were more super performances in the 10K with Dan Lygo leading the team in, placing 8th overall and 2nd M40, Jacky Gilmour next to finish in 55:44 placings 3rd F60, with Andrew Eades and Caroline Harper-Easthope crossing the line together, although Harper-Easthope’s chip time put her eight seconds ahead! Eileen Heron continued her “warm up” for London placing 2nd F70 in a time of seventy-five minutes.

Results (Half): Paul Hocking , 01:19:33, 1st , (1st M40); Kevin Jackson , 01:38:23, 30th , (4th M50); Shane Bond , 01:50:09, 98th , (25th M40); Clare Troy , 02:03:02, 190th , (16th F40); Peter Allen, 02:07:03, 211th , (68th SenM); Lucy Fairall, 02:12:32, 252nd , (34th V40); Terry Cother, 02:14:31, 266th ,(27th M50); Rachael Goatman, 02:43:40, 392nd, (68th M40); Damian Lai, 02:43:41, 393rd , (64th M40); Sarah Willcox, 02:44:02, 394th , (69th F40); Sam Stevens, 02:54:20, 405th , (87th SenW). 10K: Daniel Lygo, 00:41:58, 8th , (2nd M40); Jacky Gilmour, 00:55:44, 178th , (3rd F60); Caroline Harper-Easthope, 00:57:15, 196th , (18th F40); Andrew Eades, 00:57:23, 195th , (54th SenM); Mark McConnell, 01:04:21, 349th , (35th M50); Jo Lewis, 01:04:21, 350th, (26th F50); Rich Barker, 01:09:03, 443rd , (58th M40);Nicki Cowle, 01:09:04, 444th, (76th F40); Dave Ashford, 01:09:53, 455th, (60th M40); Rachel Smith, 01:13:57, 505th , (128th SenW); Eileen Hieron , 01:15:22, 522nd , (2nd F70).

Parkrun

Easter Saturday saw 44 DRC parkrunners in action, with Junior Jake Mathews running a PB and the quickest DRC time of the weekend in 21:06 with an impressive age category percentage of 70.46, just three scored higher, Paul Lee at Stonehouse, 23;19 and 73%, Alice Lewis at Churchfield Farm, 25:28, 76.18% and Graeme Hawkins, Stonehouse, 22:32 and 79.2%. Annette Heylings was a first timer at Severn Bridge and happy to come away as first F60 and with negative splits. There were plenty of personal bests as well, Catherine Faye, Julie Davies, Julia Dawson, Mim Chapman Paul Lee, Clare Troy and Adrian Carter.

Longtown Llanthony Loop and Stockton-on-Tees Tri

The previous weekend Tony Wooldridge was the sole DRC entrant at the Longtown Llanthony Loop fell race. The event is run over a 13.6 km course with 792 metres ascent, (8.5 miles and 2600 feet). He reported that “I had a glorious day in the Black Mountains on Saturday – There was a high quality field for the fell race since it was part of the Welsh fell running championships this year (with)114 finishers’. He finished in 1:25:40 and was 2nd in the MV60 category, some six and a half minutes faster than his 2018 time. This was an excellent performance from Wooldridge. Another solo DRC performer that weekend was Richard Pitts who travelled up to Stockton-On-Tees in search of an ITU World Championship qualifying time. Pitts felt that his race “went well although it was both chilly and windy”, he described it as a good venue, with closed roads, and the bike was draft legal. Distances were 5k, 20k, 2.5k he completed the first run in 20:08 spending 01:42 in transition 1, he completed the bike course in 34:27, with 02:37 in T2, finishing the second run in 11:37. This performance placed him 9th in his in the J Vet 3 category ina total time of 01:07:33, the race was a Qualifier for ITU World Championships next year when he moves up an age group.

Sprigings smashes Paris!!

Mark Sprigings produced the most outstanding performance of the weekend in Paris. Fresh off a massive half marathon PB at Reading a few weeks back, Mark had set his sights for around 3:05, with a view to a sub 3 attempt at Berlin later in the year. In Mark’s words: The plan was to run a controlled 3:05 but felt so good after just the 1st mile I thought I’m going to go for it!

Couldn’t believe my luck when everything was still going well at halfway..then still at 20 miles and through all the way to the finish! Mark crossed the line in an incredible 2:55:43, a massive 20 minute PB and an impressive 863rd out of approximately 60000 runners.

Great Welsh Marathon

Tony Freer, Jon Tudor, Jadie Cotterell and Fran Amigoni headed to the Llanelli for the Great Welsh. Jon reports: Strong winds and chilly conditions greeted the 4 DRC runners at the start. The first half of lap 1 was fairly easy going with the wind behind us. Tony set off strong averaging 8mm pacing with myself Fran and Jadie sticking together at 8.30mm. After the first turn point, Tony continued to maintain his pace staying just ahead of the 3.30 pacer. The route brought us back through Festival Fields and took us along the beach path to Berry Port and the next turn point. We then headed back to Festive Fields to start lap 2. Tony continued to maintain his pace but Jon Tudor started to close the gap averaging 8.20mm.

Fran and Jadie continued their phenomenal performance sticking together like a well gelled unit. After the turn point at mile 18 the wind got brutal severely slowing all of us. The game of attrition had begun. The wind continued to hamper us all the way up to the final turn point at Berry Port before mercifully weakening.

All that remained was to complete the final 2 miles thus completing one of the most brutal marathons I have ever done.

Results: Tony Freer 3:37:15, Jonathan Tudor 3:45:15 (PB), Francesca Amigoni and Jadie Cotterell 3:49:56 (both PBs)

Brighton Marathon

Damian Lai was the sole DRC representative on the start line for the Brighton Marathon. Damian reports: Brighton was a fantastic race, the crowd support in places was awesome, I couldn’t hear myself think!

My name was being shouted all the way round and this really spurred me on! The temperature was perfect and after a frosty morning it was 4 degrees when we started but the sun was shining so it felt warm. I loved the race there were a few short hills but I just pushed up the hills. A stiff Easterly breeze in the last 5 miles did not stop Damian posting a 5 minute PB.

Result: Damian Lai, 3:44:32 1804th

Chedworth Roman Trail

11 DRC runners lined up for the Chedworth Roman Trail Race. Dave Saunders reports: It was a very hilly course and also included a ‘river crossing’ at 5 miles with water up to our knees. At least there wasn’t a great deal of mud but the wind was strong and very cold.

Results: Alice Lewis 153rd (LV60/02) 1:30:52 Andrew Kilby 170th (MV60/07) 1:33:34 Nicola Christopher 174th (SL/11) 1:33:43 David Saunders 215th (MV70+/01) 1:37:42 Darren Smith 319th (SM/60) 1:48:46 Zoe Fowler 331st (LV40/35) 1:49:22 Rachel Cook 332nd (SL/39) 1:49:22 AndrewFerguson 345th (MV40/90) 1:51:02 Julie Froggatt 411th (LV50/41) 1:58:58 Claire Searle 412th (LV50/42) 1:58:58 Carly Heath 427th (SL/53) 2:02:00 Clair Norman 428th (SL/54) 2:02:00

Parkrun

There was just shy of 30 parkrunners for DRC this weekend. Fastest time of the weekend was Kris Rymer at Stonehouse in 21:29 with the best Age Grading being Graeme Hawkins with 78% at Kingsway.

Greater Manchester Marathon

Sunday saw two DRC Club Stalwarts, Margaret Johnson and Kevin Jackson at the Greater Manchester Marathon, as ever for a spring marathon they had months of training in the dark and cold to get to the line. Johnson GPS data is evidence of her consummate ability to pace herself, she was delayed around the 18 to 19 mile mark, but apart from this she ran a very controlled race, finishing an excellent 18th F50 out of 360 in the category and 326th out of 4194 women. Johnson commented “I am happy enough with my time, felt ok throughout, lost a couple of minutes in second half due to issues, but it’s a marathon after all, things happen and a marathon is a long way and should never be under estimated”.

Jackson was running strongly but due to losing his gels early in the race he ran out of energy at about fifteen miles it was then all about juts getting to the finishing, which of course he did. The mental effort this takes should not be underestimated. Johnson and Jackson dedicated their runs to the mother of a fellow DRC athlete who had suddenly died of cancer. Results: Margaret Johnson, 03:35:40, 3135th, (18th F50); Kevin Jackson, 04:07:24, 5696th , (181st M55).

Angels 10K

Sunday saw the third race in the Glos AAA Aroad Race series, the Angels 10K held at Ashleworth, just North of Maisemore. Last year’s April event had been postoned until September due to flooding, this year it was a dry cool April morning, with a strong breeze. The course can best be described as testing, after a gentle downhill, that encouragies fast runing, over two and half miles the runners are then faced with a half mile climb with the gradient reaching around 10% in parts. The second half is rolling with a couple of nastly little rises before the finish on the outfield of the Woodpecker’s Cricket pitch.

Injury again took it’s toll of the DRC team with Mike Brown and Rachel Brown not making it to the start line. The cool morning was ideal for running. Quite a few DRC were first timers and were warned by those who had raced the course that they had some serious climbing ahead. It is fair to say even with a pre-warning it is still a tough race. the DRC athletes all paced it well, all finishing strongly. Dave Durden led the team home in 42:29 (gun time) and was pleased with his even effort over the course, which was difficult to pace. Andy Probert was next in just of three minutes in arrears, with Graham Tudor sprinting for the line to place 52nd. As ever Dave Saunders and Alice Lewis did very well placing 1st M70 & first M60. Results: Dave Durden, 24th, 42:29; Andy Probert, 44th, 46:12; Graham Tudor, 52nd, 48:12; John Delafield, 62nd, 49:18; Alice Lewis, 64th, 49:39; David Saunders, 71st, 50:53; Hugh Poppy, 73rd , 51:00; Steve Barnes, 101st, 56:48; Annette Heylings, 111th, 01:01:30.

Cattle Country 5k/10k

The Relish Events double header also took place this weekend at Cattle Country. Graham Wilkes the sole DRC representative in the 5K finished home in 55th position with a time of 38:54. Five athletes took part in the 10K. Matt Hazel-Livall led the team home in 44:20, 1st Senior male and 3rd overall. He was joined by Richard Hogg, 6th senior male, Clare Troy, 5th Senior Woman plus Hollie Dent and Charlie Taylor.

Results: 5K: Graham Wilkes, 55th (10th M40) 38:54. 10K: Matt Livall, 3rd (1st SenM) 44:20; Richard Hogg, 13th (6th SenM) 47:17; Clare Troy, 67th (5th F40) 01:02:11; Hollie Dent, 108th (26th SenW); Charlie Taylor, 150th (43rd SenW) 01:24:10.

Parkrun

26 DRC athletes were at parkrun this weekend. Caz Harper Easthope was over the moon with a big personal best at Kingsway, getting herself into the 60% age grading as well. Other PBs were run by Julia Dawson(Kingsway) and Alexandra Kemp (Wotton), whilst there were course bests for Ellen Efford(Chippenham) Jackie Pennington ((Chipping Sodbury) and Janet Matthews at Thornbury. Chris Rymer was fastest on Saturday with 21:26 at Cirencester, Janet Matthews fastest DRC woman. Top of the age gradings was Mouse Clutterbuck running his fastest ever parkrun at Gloucester City as first timer, his 21:20 gave an Age Grading of 72.6%, with Eileen Hieron heading up the DRC women with 67.97%.

Cirencester: Kris Rymer, 7th , 21:26; Damian Lai, 30th , 23:47; Chippenham: Ellen Efford, 160th , 31:38; Chipping Sodbury: Jackie Pennington, 226th , 28:49; Gloucester City: Mouse Clutterbuck, 14th , 21:20; Richard Prior, 54th , 26:37; Steve Barnes, 69th , 27:31; Caz Harper-Easthope, 94th , 26:32; Terry Cother, 102nd, 27:07; David Quarterman, 103rd, 27:10; Paul Dunn, 130th , 28:59; Joseph Dunn, 131st , 28:59; Amanda Hensman, 151st , 30:11; John Spicer, 165th , 31:00; Eileen Hieron, 211th ,36:19; Karen Eadon, 212th , 36:20; Julia Dawson, 222nd , 38:04; Sarah Kiddle, 229th , 38:45; Llanelli, Andrew Oborne, 31st , 22:28; Thornbury: Carl Fivey, 13th , 24:24; Janet Matthews, 26th , 26:00; Wotton, Garry Strickland, 15th , 24:14; Alexandra Kemp, 30th , 27:31; Tracey Strickland, 48th , 31:08; Steve Rugman, 49th , 31:09; Jude Rugman, 80th , 37:58.

Vale of Glamorgan Coastal Ultra

Paul Lee reported on his Vale of Glamorgan Coastal Ultra run, “after a cold and windy start from Penarth pier very pleased to reach the finish line at Ogbourne-by-sea after 33 miles along the Glamorgan coast. Mostly wonderful scenery with an interesting tour of Barry Island Fortunate with the weather and the favourable wind direction. Well organised and friendly event with a lot of support from the locals”. Another great endurance performance from a DRC athlete.

Ocean Lava Olympic Triathlon

Ray Williams returned to Triathlon after 18 months out of competion due to an serious injury that required surgery on his shoulder. Racing with Mel Williams, they completed Ocean Lava Olympic Triathlon at Fuerteventura, he described it as tough race with lots of climbs and strong winds”. Ray managed to 03.03.50placing 179th out 231 athletes with Mel William finishing in 03:30:53, 208th and winning her age category in the process.

Another big weekend for Dursley Running Club Athletes and in particular the participants in the club’s Walk2Run Programme. Saturday the 30^th saw Cam and Dursley shrouded in cold mist and as DRC athletes travelled to the Kingsway parkrun “DRC takeover” it hardly lifted. It was of course ideal conditions for running. Kingsway saw 37 DRC athletes on the start line, many members there to support the 2019 Walk2Runners “graduate” including club veteran John Spicer, running his first ever parkrun in the M75 category. The DRC W2R programme is now in its sixth year and is proud of its athlete centred approach, ensuing those new to running take a progressive approach to becoming active. Some of this year’s graduates have progressed from 1 minutes running and 1 minutes walking in January to running the whole of the Saturdays parkrun, a continuous run of around 40 minutes! The programme was coordinated by a former Walk to Runner Damian Lai he posted “Thank you very much to Kingsway parkrun for hosting the Dursley Running Club takeover for the Walk2Run graduation. For the DRC walk2runners this is the culmination of 12 weeks on a life changing journey. It was great to see all Dursley runners running the whole way around. It was a proud moment for the club when they all came in. For Dursley there were a total of 37 runners celebrating the achievements of what has been an excellent 2019 Walk2Run programme”. As a result, there was just the one DRC runner at Wotton. Matt Rogers enjoying “springy” conditions under foot to record DRC fastest parkrun of the weekend in 19:29 Lots of PB/CBs headed up with Lai, fitting for the W2R graduate turned W2R coordinator, on the fourth anniversary of his graduation run in 2014.  Dave Quarterman, Carly Heath, Natalie Sankey all ran PBs at Kingsway and Paul Lee at Stonehouse. Results: Chipping Sodbury: Catherine Pinnock, 96^th , 23:10, VW35-39, (F35 AG 64.53%); 132^nd, 24:44; Janet Matthews, 195^th, 26:56; ; Exmouth: Pete Dunn, 118^th, 24:41, Kingsway: David Durden, 10^th, 20:02, VM50-54, (M50 AG 76.04%); Graham Tudor, 43^rd, 22:45, (M60 AG 72.38%); , Alice Lewis, 50^th, 23:01, (F60 AG 83.13%); John Delafield, 51^st, 23:05; Andrew Oborne, 57^th, 23:23; Damian Lai, 58^th, 23:30, (PB); , Huw Poppy, 63^rd, 23:54; , Antony Ball, 98^th, 25:24; David Quarterman, 106^th, 25:44, (PB); Erica Fuller, 108^th, 25:52, (F50 AG 64.82%); Steve Barnes, 119^th, 26:23; Claire Searle, 129^th, 26:44, (F55 AG 66.83%); Darren Smith, 140^th, 27:19; Carly Heath, 155^th, 27:57, (PB); Julie Froggatt, 165^th, 28:20, (F55 AG 63.06%); , Nikki Pallister, 187^th, 29:28, (W2R- First Timer); ,Lisa Ind, 188^th, 29:30, (W2R First Timer); , Kate Hrozova, 192^nd, 29:42, (W2R First Timer); , Mark Mcconnell, 200^th, 29:59, VM55-59, 51.70%, First Timer! Tracey Strickland, 206^th, 30:14; Diana Gore, 208^th, 30:18, (F60 63.15%); ,John Spicer, 215^th, 30:49, (M75 AG 61.49%, First Timer); Annie Hidden, 226^th, 32:03; , Julie Davies, 270^th, 37:04; , Jacky Gilmour, 271^st, 37:05; Natalie Sankey, 275^th, 37:31, (W2R- PB); Mim Chapman, 276^th (W2R); Conor Small, 277^th, 37:39, (W2R First Timer); Mike Hanman, 278^th, 37:39; Josie Clarke, 280^th, 37:40, (W2R First Timer); Vicki Howe, 286^th, 37:48, (W2R First Timer); Sam Martin, 287^th, 37:49; , Michael Froggatt, 292^nd, 38:19; Emma Alesworth, 332^nd, (W2R); Veronica Higgins, 320^th, 45:21; Kevin Brockway, 333^rd , 55:07. Stonehouse: Paul Lee, 23^rd, 23:47, VM65-69, M65 71.83%, (PB): Wotton, Matt Rogers, 2^nd, 19:29, VM45-49,  M45 73.31%,

Frampton Globe Trot

Also on Saturday Steve and Jude Rugman were at the Frampton Globe Trot completing the 8 mile race raising money for Frampton Cottrell CoE Primary School. Steve Rugman 102^nd 01:22:31, Jude Rugman 209^th 01:58:49. Running at the Bisley 10K on Sunday were Mark Springings and Sam Stevens. Sprigings reported it was “A well organised small event with only around 160 runners in total”, the athletes running around the attractive village of Bisley on a course described as “undulating” it was not a fast course and Sprigings commented that it “was certainly testing with a fair few steep inclines!” he finished 3rd overall in a time of 39:52, Stevens 01:16:21. A final pair of 10K athletes were to be found at the Cardiff Bay 10K, Adrian Carter achieving a PB. Result: Adrian Carter, 00:58:19, 2389^th , (47^th M60); Dave Ashford, 01:04:08, 3188^th , (260^th M45).

Rogue Runs Night Series

Off Road saw two trios of DRC runners in action. On the evening of Thursday the 28^th Nicki Cowle was with Rachel Brown and Caroline Whitlock competing in the last of the Rogue Runs Night Run Series.

 Whitlock was first home for DRC over the 5 miles in 48:20, 53^rd and 9^th F45, Brown and Cowle finished together in 55.09, both 13^th in their age categories! Sunday the 31^st Rachel Brown, Dave Wood and Andy Probert completed the Cleevewold 14 . The Cleevewold is a tough and hilly 14-mile multi-terrain race. The race starts at the medieval Postlip tithe barn and covers the highest points of the Cotswold hills on Cleeve common, before returning to Postlip via the Belas Knap neolithic burial mound. Wood ran strongly, 5 minutes quicker than 2018, with an average pace of 8:30 minutes a mile. Andy Probert just over two and half hours and Rachel was happy with her run”. Provisional (Strava) times: Dave Wood 02:01:22; Andy Probert 02:30:38 Rachel Brown (tbc).

Merthyr, Yeovil and Dorset

Last week at Merthyr Tydfil Kris Rymer ran a tough and undulating Half Marathon course, this did not stop him running a six-minute personal best, reflecting his strong season in 2018 and his commitment to training over the winter. Result: Kris Rymer, 01:42:56, 133, (19^th M40). This weekend Anne Harris ran the Yeovil Half, an attractive but again undulating ciourse. Harris had completed limited preparation and so was in her own words “very pleased to finish and collect my goodies”.  Result: Annie Harris, 02:19:15, 1272^nd, (162^nd F40-49). Quentin Somerset New Berkeley Harriers BH founder  and DRC athlete completed the Dorset Ooser Marathon his 92nd Marathon.

Titan Training

The weekend saw another big training Saturday for the DRC- Tri-team after their Westonbirt training day last weekend. The team were in Wales preparing for the Brecon Titan Middle Distance Triathlon. Twenty athletes started the in very misty and cold conditions and finished in the warm sun, the cycle of c.60 miles with almost 5000ft of elevation representing some excellent training.

It was another busy weekend for Dursley Running Club, in particular the DRC Tri-team. Saturday morning saw the team training at Westonbirt and Sunday the Westonbirt Duathlon, Fran Amigoni, Ian Fendt, Richard Hogg, Leanna Parry, Teresa Walton and Cara Zoglowek competing. Over the two 5K runs and the 22K bike it was close run thing to see who would be quickest DRC athlete with Richard Hogg and Amigoni battling it out. Hogg was marginally quicker on the run but the time Amigoni took back on the 22Km cycle route mean she was home 18 seconds in front of Hogg, Both placed well with Amigoni 58th overall  5^th female and 4^th in the F35-39 category whilst Hogg 61^st overall and 12^th in the equivalent men’s category.

New member Parry came in next, then Fuller who was 12^th F50 in 01:47:57 just ahead of Fendt. Sweeping for DRC Walton and Zoglowek were thoroughly enjoying the event. Walton reported that it was a “Fabulous day for this super scenic Duathlon amongst the trees and following the Westonbirt Tri bike route, Walton was very pleased to finish 2^nd  F60-64.

Results: Francesca Amigoni, 58^th , (4^th F35-39),  01:25:42; Richard Hogg, 61^st, (12^th M35-39),  01:26:00; Leanna Parry, 181st, (1^st F20-24),  01:37:14; Erica Fuller, 293^rd , (12^th F50-54),  01:47:57
Ian Fendt, 297^th, (43^rd M45-49),  01:48:09; Teresa Walton, 367^th , (2^nd F60-64),  01:58:14; Cara
Zoglowek, 424^th, (26^th F45-49),  02:16:20.

Francois Low was on the start line of the Lulworth Cove Trail Marathon on Saturday. was billed as a 28.5 mile marathon with 7713ft of climbing turned out to be 29 miles and 5500ft. Low cloud and rain eventually cleared enough to see some of the sea views.

After an early navigational error Low found the remaining seven checkpoints along the course. Low commented “The hills came early and frequently….power hiking and gentle mutterings  got me through the first but by the ninth it was pure grit and sweat!’ Low found the final five miles tough, although flat, his legs were feeling the effort already made. A final push saw Low over the line in 05:12:18. 5^th in category and 7^th overall (provsional), an excelent perfomance by Low whose focus now shifts to the Brecon Beacons Ultra Marathon in May. Saturday also saw Kate Browning compete the Poets Potter Marathon on her way to 100 Marathons.

Twenty three DRC Athletes took part in three half marathons over the weekend. Eighteen Dursley Athletes had registered for the Forest of Dean Spring Half, last year, the race was postponed due to snow, the conditions were absolutely perfect on Sunday for the 20th vesion of the local Rotary Club’s race. There was a slight breeze in places, but the sun was shining throughout and it was about twelve degrees.

The first two miles are downhill giving many a false sense of security. An undulating run, some long ascents made it challenging, especially the last uphill mile. James Everett, continued his fantastic run of form after the Dozen and was the first DRC home. Despite lack of training he had excellent race, finishing 9th in 01:19:43 in a field of 1887 finishers. He also managed a one second personal best. Matt Read was next home in 01:31:53. New DRC member John Bourne looked very fresh when he passed Damian Lai and Simon Jones and was third DRC to finish in 01:36:34. Zoe Lamerton was first DRC woman home in an excellent 13^th F35 position, with a time of 01:40:41. Simon Jones and Damian Lai finished in 01:47:05, Jones coming back from illness. Lai was pleased with his time, after the Gloucester 20 last week. Pete Dunn started too quickly and suffered the consequences, he and John Delafield worked hard to finish in just over 01:50. Behind them Huw Poppy ran a great first ever off-road half, finishing well to record 01:56:18. Jo Robinson was second DRC woman to finsh in finished in just over 2 hours followed by Rachel Cook and Zoe Fowler who came in at 02:15:59 and 02:16:19 respectively. As part of his London Marathon preperation, Ian Roberts finished in 02:15:44. Carly Heath running with Charlotte Christopher, ran a PB with 02:20:58 closely followed by Nicki Squire who was perfecting her run/walk tecnique with Darren Carter Smith both finishing in 02:25. Steve Barnes swept up for DRC in 02:28:56, commenting that he found it a very tough race

Results: James Everett, 9th, (6th MSen), 01:19:45; Matthew Read 104^th (53^rd SenM) 01:32:00; 7861 John Bourne 196^th (88^th SenM), 01:37:13;Zoe Lamerton 272^nd (13^th F35) 01:40:47; Damian Lai 444^th (157^th M40) 01:47:11; Simon Jones 445^th (158^th M40) 01:47:12;John Delafield 593^rd, (84^th M50) 01:51:09: Pete Dunn 607^th (204^th M40) 01:51:30; Huw Poppy 792^nd(245^th M40) 01:56:45; Joanna Robinson 983^rd (93^rd F35) 02:02:16; Rachel Cook 1410^th (181^st F35) 02:17:12; Zoe Fowler 1421^st (187^th F35) 02:17:32; Ian Roberts 1433^rd (351^st M40) 02:17:48; Nicola Christopher 1538^th (149^th SenF) 02:23:02;  Carly Heath 1539^th (208^th F35) 02:23:02; Nicki Squire 1620^th, (226^th F35) 02:27:57; Darren Smith 1621^st (333^rd SenM) 02:27:57; Steve Barnes 1678^th (48^th M60) 02:31:23.

Two DRC athletes were at the London Landmarks Half. James Price was the 01:45 pacer and brought his athletes home 18 seconds under target time. Lisa Young cruised in well under two hours and not far off her PB. Results: James Price 1506^th (01:52:48) 01:44:42 (Pacer) Lisa Young 2529^th (90^th F45) (02:03:40) 01:55:28. At the Weston Super Half Ian Cole led the DRC home with Sue Peachy second to finish, Dave Symonds was proudly wearing the DRC vest for the first time this weekend he confirmed that it was “absolutely tough and I enjoyed every minute of it”, Results: Ian Cole 290th (85th M40) (01:46:11) 01:44:06; Susan Peachey, 507^th (34^th F45) (01:54:39) 01:53:42; David Symonds, 1059^th (226^th M40), (02:15:39), 02:12:56.

Mike Hanman completed this 50^th parkrun at Kingsway on Saturday. There were 24 DRC parkrunners,  with 9 PBs, including Walk to Run athlete Julia Dawson (2^nd ever parkrun) and Junior Alex Lygo (23:51 at Stonehouse), alongside his father Dan Lygo, other bests were by Russell Rolls, Andy Kilby, Jackie Pennington, Di Gore, Cath Faye and Alexandra  Kemp. Matt Rogers was quickest DRC parkrunner of the weekend 21:09 at Kingsway Alice Lewis quickest DRC woman and recorded the highest DRC age grading of  82% at Crissy Field. Paul Lee topped the men’s AG with 69.4% at Stonehouse. Sunday saw Stonehouse Junior parkrun’s 1st Birthday. Sam Hill reported ”Perfect morning for a parkrun in the lovely sunshine. Smiles all the way round and nice piece of birthday cake at the end”. Results: Isabelle Crompton 10:04 PB; Liz Hill 11:37 PB; Olivia Sprigings 11:38; Megan Figgis 13:38 (1^st Junior parkrun) Chloe Sankey 17:07 PB

The weekends mostly start with parkrun, but it was a 9am start for the seventeen Dursley Running Club athletes taking part in the Fission 20/20, for many a chance to put training into action in a race environment, whilst also keeping the powder dry for their marathons. The athletes had specific targets which they achieved comfortably in tough conditions due to the wind although the reasonably flat two lap course is perfect for pacing. For Ben Amigoni, Fran Amigoni , Louise Biddell, Janet Matthews, Emma Keating and Dominique Pemberton this was their first 20 mile run and longest run to date, mentally and physically an important milestone.

Jon Tudor and Mouse Clutterbuck ran in support of Fran Amigoni and Jadie Cotterell. Tony Freer cruised through the 20 miles really comfortably and in control. Matthews and Biddell also made the twenty look easy and finished strongly. Keating and Pemberton were very pleased with their efforts. The stand out run for the 20 miler was Martin Bragg. who planned and executed his run perfectly picking up his pace from half way and another finishing strongly. Unsurprisingly he was first in his age category Margaret Johnson also ran a disciplined race, Bragg commented “Margaret demonstrated her usual amazing ability to maintain a consistent pace. She wanted to run within herself and not push the pace too hard, but rather be sure that the pace she chose, she could stick to right to the end – which she did to perfection”. The wind was equally horrendous for the 20k runners. There were times when, although the arms and legs were moving, the body was totally stationary. Kris Rymer led the 20K team home with a good 93 minute run, Pete Allen managing to keep ahead of Clare Troy, with Annette Heylings placing 3rd in F60 category. Results: 20mile: Martin Bragg 67th (1st M60) 02:35:43; Ben Amigoni, 78th (25th SenM) 02:37:33; Tony Freer 102nd (10th M50) 02:43:41; Margaret Johnson 130th (5th F50) 02:47:10; Jonathan Tudor 140th (34th SenM) 02:49:24; Francesca Amigoni 141st (19th SenF) 02:49:25; Mouse Clutterbuck 146th (9th M55) 02:49:53; Jadie Cotterell 147th (21st SenF) 02:49:54; Andrew Hara 180th (42nd SenM) 02:56:58; Louise Biddell 336th (58th SenF); 03:27:27; Janet Matthews 337th (25th F40) 03:27:27; Emma Keating 392nd (37thF45) 03:48:58; Dominique Pemberton 393rd (75th SenF) 03:43:58. 20km: Kris Rymer 14th (7th M40) 01:33:04; Peter Allen 61st (6th SenM) 01:56:27; Clare Troy 74th (14th F40) 02:00:33; Annette Heylings 96th (3rd F60) 02:18:06 3rd F60. The second 20 miler of the weekend saw four DRC athletes out at the Gloucester 20, for Dave Saunders, Damo Lai and Andy Kilby a training race, for Dave Durden a counting race in the Glos. AAA Road Series. The runners were treated to a cold but sunny twenty miles.

The wind was still there but it blew the athletes up the long drag to Haresfield and up the two hills, there were still some sections of head wind. Durden and Lai both ditched pre-race target paces. Lai pushed on moving to an 8:30 schedule from his planned 8:45 and he executed well, running a 10 minute PB, at 8:29 to finish in 2:48:45. Durden managed to hold on after a fast start, struggling up the last two hills he pushed on to record a 9 minute PB placing 7th M55 in a time of 02:27:59, Kilby continues his strong run of form was third home and 6th V60 with Dave Saunders cream of the DRC category crop, 4th M70+. Results: David Durden 101st (7th M50) 02:27:59; Any Kilby 202nd (6th M60) 02:46:47; Damian Lai 219th (31st M40) 02:48:45; David Saunders 362nd (4th V70) 03:13:54. Four DRC athletes were on the start line of the Reading Half. Paul Hocking returned to competition after an injury layoff and left it all on the road with a 77 minute effort. Behind him Mark Sprigings’ attention to detail in his training paid of with a big 4 minute personal best of 01:25:36. Sprigings commented that he “was happy with the start and how the first half of the race” he then encountered a strong headwind and it became a case of just hanging on.

Despite this he ran a great PB boding well for both his Berlin Marathon. Mike Brown and Neil Hodson also found going tough and were some way off their bests as a result of injury. Results: Paul Hocking 01:17: 50: Mark Sprigings 1:25:36, Mike Brown 1:26:52, Neil Hodgson 1:32:16. The other big half of the week end was at Bath. Neil Parry, Andrew Eades, Lynne Murray, Caz Harper Easthope and Leigh Allen were on the start line for the two lap course. Parry was using it as part of his marathon preparation whilst Eades has been struggling with a niggly knee condition and so in his own words “wasn’t looking forward to running at all” despite this he felt strong throughout the race and was able to get within 32 seconds of his personal best. Parry led the DRC team home in strong 90 minute run. Just behind Andrew were Lynn Murray, with Caz Harper-Easthope and Leigh Allen running buddies raising money for the British Heart Foundation. Easthope achieved a PB Race hat-trick, 3 races, 3 PB’s so far this year, finishing in 02:15:1, a 13mins PB. Results: Neil Parry 01:31:18, 591st (40th M50), Andrew Eades, 01:59:02, 4225th (3282nd SenM); Lynne Murray 02:02:27, 5521st (86th F50); Caroline Easthope, 02:12:50, 8084th (315th F45); Leigh Allen, 02:19:45, 8945th (390th F40). Two DRC-Triathletes travelled to Ebbw Vale to compete in the Try out Try event, a beginner triathlon consisting of a 250m swim, 5km bike ride and 2.5km run. Leigh Allen took and new DRC Tri member Louise Saum to the event and she took to Tri like a duck to water placing first woman in 8th place overall in a time of 31:41. Leigh’s time of 44 minutes is provsional, the windy conditions made the outdoor activity “horrendous” according to Allen. 27 DRC park runners ran Saturday. Richard Pitts was the fastest DRC parkrunner of this weekend in 21:52. Whilst down in New Zealand, Alice Lewis ran the fastest DRC female park run with a 23:46 and topped the Age Gradings with 81.65%, and John Rogers ran his first ever parkrun. Nicola Christopher ran the sole DRC parkrun PB of the weekend with 26:18 at Wotton

After months of planning and preparation Sunday the 10th of February saw the 2019 version of the Dursley Running Club’s Dursley Dozen taking place. Six hundred athletes had entered the race with 450 making the journey to Dursley, they were greeted by a chilly and overcast morning. This year race was marked by a large turn out from DRC reflecting the club’s growth with 75 entrants and over 60 finishers. Up until a week ago the course was quite dry but a week of persistant and heavy rain meant that it was going to be reasonably challenging underfoot. From the gun there was rush from May Lane up Hilll Road with those with an eye on a top placing keen to get into the woods ahead for the masses. James Everett led the way for DRC. Sadly for DRC Dan Anderson and Paul Hocking were not on the start line due to illness and injury, which was a blow to DRCs hopes of another win in the mens team race, with Robyn Wait missing from the DRC women’s team. Everett noticed that one of his competitors, James Pictor, was findng it easy enough to talk to him on the initial climb to the Golf Course, a concerning sign, as Everett was working hard at this point. By the time the Pictor came off the golf course road and into the woods he had just over a minutes advantage of DRC’s Everett and Simon Byrne of Swindon Harriers. Xander McInnes was next in the woods for DRC. First woman at this stage was Annabel Grainger just three minutes behind the leader with Matt Read a minute behind Grainger. Next in for DRC were Ben Amigoni, Haydn Smith and Chris Sweet. Nicki Morgan of Chepstow Harriers (F50) was second woman at this stage with a 3-minute deficit on Grainger. DRC’s Zoe Lammerton entered the woods as 5th woman with Margaret Johnson a minute or so back. By the time they reached the Quarry Pictor, now running in bright sun, was now a clear two minutes ahead. Everett’s was second with two chasers within striking distance. Behind Everett for DRC it was MacInnes and Read, chased by Smith who had overtaken Amigoni, with Louis Rummer-Downing in the mix as well. In the woman’s race Grainger has almost 5 minutes on Morgan now, with Lammerton had moved into third position a further two minute or so in arrears. DRC runners were now coming through the Quarry thick and fast, Johnson just in advance of Jadie Cotterell and Kim Bird who were working well together. There was plenty of support around the course for all the runners and the course was well marshalled. As the runners ascended to the Golf course there was not much change in the key positions, with both the leading man and woman having commanding advantages that only a severe mishap would interfere with. At the finish Sam Pictor was a clear overall winner as was Annabel Grainger in the women’s category. Pictor floated around, unsurprising for an athlete who ran a 31:29 10K in 2018 and who posted that he was achieving 20 hours training a week mid-January. Grainger’s run was a master class in form and concentration. James Everett came home second overall and first for DRC. He was really pleased with his run he said it felt “harder’ but he was quicker than last year and he confirmed that conditions underfoot were definitely more testing than in 2018. Zoe Lammerton also continued to work hard to ensure she was not going to be caught on the run-in. She looked as strong as she had earlier on in the race as she started her decent in to Dursley. Zoe led a strong DRC women’s performance, with Johnson and Cotterall joining her to finish first Female Team. Bird, Lewis and Caroline Whitlock placing 3rd female team. Despite missing two key runners the DRC men’s team managed second place behind local rivals Thornbury with Everett McInnis, Smith and Read counting, DRC also supplied the 5th men’s team in the form of Amigoni, Rummer-Downing, Sweet and Jackson. There were at least two DRC personal bests on the day, Damian Lai and Louise Biddell were very pleased to smash their PBs on the course. There were a number of DRC athletes debuting some like Margaret Badger, a Walk to Run Graduate, and Hannah Osbourne vowing to marshal next year having experienced the challenge. DRC brought the race home with Nicki Cowle, Ben Houghton and Margaret Badger finishing in just over three and half hours.

Overall Results Top 3: Male: Sam Pictor , 01:20:40, Un affiliated; James Everett , 01:23:51, (Dursley Running Club); Paul O’Mara , 01:24:29, (Tyne Bridge Harriers). Female: Annabel Grainger , 01:36:00, (Bristol and West AC); Niki Morgan , 01:46:12, (Chepstow Harriers); Zoe Lammerton, 01:48:30, (Dursley Running Club).

DRC did well in the age categories with Lammerton 1st F40, Lewis first in her category. Johnson and Everett 2nd in theirs and Kevin Jackson 3rd in his. Jenny Mills travelling up from Launceston was sprightly as ever, returning to Dursley to place first F65 ahead of Kate Sackett (F55) and Alice Lewis(F60), a very impressive performance, as was Chris O’Carrol’s first pace M70 performance. Tony Freer Race Director commented “ What an amazing day, this time being the 30th running of this amazing event which attracts runners from as far as Cornwall and Newcastle. As always, the success