Running, cycling and sightseeing…

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  5th female and 4th in the F35-39 category whilst Hogg 61st overall and 12th in the equivalent men’s category.

New member Parry came in next, then Fuller who was 12th 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 2nd  F60-64.

Results: Francesca Amigoni, 58th , (4th F35-39),  01:25:42; Richard Hogg, 61st, (12th M35-39),  01:26:00; Leanna Parry, 181st, (1st F20-24),  01:37:14; Erica Fuller, 293rd , (12th F50-54),  01:47:57
Ian Fendt, 297th, (43rd M45-49),  01:48:09; Teresa Walton, 367th , (2nd F60-64),  01:58:14; Cara
Zoglowek, 424th, (26th 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. 5th in category and 7th 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 13th 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 104th (53rd SenM) 01:32:00; 7861 John Bourne 196th (88th SenM), 01:37:13;Zoe Lamerton 272nd (13th F35) 01:40:47; Damian Lai 444th (157th M40) 01:47:11; Simon Jones 445th (158th M40) 01:47:12;John Delafield 593rd, (84th M50) 01:51:09: Pete Dunn 607th (204th M40) 01:51:30; Huw Poppy 792nd(245th M40) 01:56:45; Joanna Robinson 983rd (93rd F35) 02:02:16; Rachel Cook 1410th (181st F35) 02:17:12; Zoe Fowler 1421st (187th F35) 02:17:32; Ian Roberts 1433rd (351st M40) 02:17:48; Nicola Christopher 1538th (149th SenF) 02:23:02;  Carly Heath 1539th (208th F35) 02:23:02; Nicki Squire 1620th, (226th F35) 02:27:57; Darren Smith 1621st (333rd SenM) 02:27:57; Steve Barnes 1678th (48th 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 1506th (01:52:48) 01:44:42 (Pacer) Lisa Young 2529th (90th 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, 507th (34th F45) (01:54:39) 01:53:42; David Symonds, 1059th (226th M40), (02:15:39), 02:12:56.


Mike Hanman completed this 50th parkrun at Kingsway on Saturday. There were 24 DRC parkrunners,  with 9 PBs, including Walk to Run athlete Julia Dawson (2nd 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 (1st Junior parkrun) Chloe Sankey 17:07 PB