Author: Mike Crompton

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Final DRC Grand Prix 2018 Results

Congratulations to Tony Woodridge and Alice Lewis who both successfully defended their DRC Grand Prix titles!

In the men’s league Andrew Probert secured 2nd place and was the only other man to complete all the qualifying criteria. This left us in the unexpected situation of not having 3 runners meeting the qualification criteria, however as the 3rd highest point scorer and having completed 7 of the 8 races required, more than any other competitor, Matt Read picks up a deserved 3rd place.

There was a similar situation in the women’s league. Annette Heylings picked up a comfortable 2nd place, almost matching Alice’s maximum points which would have left us in another interesting situation! More rule clarifications required for next year…!

So as in the men’s league, it has been decided as the 3rd highest point scorer (just) and having run an equal number of races to anyone else, Eileen Hieron matches last years result with another well earned 3rd place. Well done to Julie Froggatt who just misses out for the 2nd year running, this time injury getting in the way.

Well done and thank you to everyone who took part. Final tables can be found here >>>

Prize giving will be at the next Tuesday night social on Tuesday 20th November.

As for the 2019 series, we’ve made the decision to start the series from January 2019. This gives us more time to take on board feedback we’ve received on the series, and will also align with next years planned end of year awards evening. So the series will finish with the Stroud Half Marathon 2019 rather than starting with it. More info and race list to follow very soon.

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DRC Grand Prix 2018 Update – Finally!

After a busy summer, we’re long overdue (sorry!) a DRC Grand Prix series update. In this update are points from Wotton parkrun in June, 10k races at Thornbury and Westonbirt House, plus the Woodchester Park race earler this month.

Click here for the latest league tables >>

Congratulations to Alice Lewis who has successfully defended her title with another maximum points total! Alice is followed by Annette Heylings who is the 2nd of the ladies to complete all the required races this year and looks a sure bet for 2nd place.  Eileen Hieron and Julie Froggatt look like they will be contesting the 3rd place on the podium.

Tony Woolridge is getting ever closer to defending his title but still needs one more race result to ensure top spot. Andrew Probert is lurking in a solid 2nd place if Tony slips up. Matt Read and Pete Chaffer have only 1 point separating 3rd and 4th  place, but with Matt only needing one more result to qualify and Pete needing 3, Matt is in the driving seat to secure some silverware.

There are just 2 more qualifying races left in this series, both Half Marathons at Bristol (Road) and the Forest of Dean (Trail) later this month. As this year series approaches the final straight, a couple of reminders…

Marathon results must be submitted using this form for this years series. You have until the end of September to fill in a result for it to count towards the series.

Due to the inclusion of the Forest of Dean Autumn Half when the Spring Half was rearranged, the awards for this year will not be presented at the AGM, instead they will be presented at a Tuesday social night, or the Christmas Party. More details to follow…

As always, please feel free to get in touch with Mike Crompton or Tony Freer if you have any questions on the Grand Prix, either individually or using the email address grandprix@durslingrunningclub.org.uk

Finally, look out for an announcement on here soon regarding the race list for the 2019 series.

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Dursley Peaks Race 2018 – Race Report and Results

A claggy late may evening greeted the 90 participants in the 2018 running of the Dursley Peaks Race, giving it that “fell race” feeling.

It was a great evening of racing for DRC. Dan Anderson led up the Peak and did not relinquish control of the race at any point. He finished in 44:31 a new course record, by just two seconds.

DRC’s Dan Anderson Starting the Uley Bury Climb on his way to a New Course Record

DRC’s Robyn Jackson was first woman home setting a course record for the women.

Paul Hocking and Jonny Marks were 3rd and 4th overall respectively. Jonny was a minute and half quicker than last year even though he had competed at the Gloucester Sprint Triathlon on Sunday!

DRC had winners in many age categories too, Margaret Johnson was third woman home and first F55, running over 2 minutes quicker than her previous outing and looking like she was enjoying herself all the way around. Tony Wooldridge first M65 and Alice Lewis first F60.

With so many strong finishes by DRC, local knowledge was clearly an advantage, with the visitors often quite leggy as they entered the final 50m. Conditions were not easy, wet and muddy after the torrential rain and quite humid, great efforts all round, and super, as ever, to see all the competitors enjoying the event.

Despite the mist the race was well supported with a large contingent on Cam Peak cheering the runners out and back.

Full race results can be found here >>>

 

 

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Berkeley 10k 2018 – Race Report and Results

A warm May evening greeted the runners at a sold out Berkeley 10k 2018. 50 of the 422 starters were Dursley Running Club athletes. Despite the hot weather, after a rousing send off from Dave Wood the front runners started briskly.

Steve Millward of Gloucester AC led the race around the first circuit, completing the 5k loop in 16:31 as he piloted Lee Stopford of Stroud AC into Hamfield Lane for the second time. They had an ample lead on the following runners and it seemed that it would all be down to who of the two had the legs. Steve later admitted that he probably adopted the wrong tactic of front running as he was unable to break Stopford who eased past him with 600m to go and extended his lead to about 15 metres in the run in, enough to secure him the victory.

Behind this tussle Eilidh Bell representing Team Bath AC had a more comfortable race to be first woman finishing in 37:22 and looking controlled, with Dursley’s own Robin Jackson second woman in 39:05, a  new personal best.

Jonny Marks was first home for Dursley in 38:12, with Nigel Sankey second in and very pleased with his personal best of 38:54 off the back of some great training runs. Margaret Johnson was second DRC woman home with a PB of 44:25 with Fran Amigoni in 3rd to complete the women’s team. Fran was picked off by Graeme Tudor who paced his finish extremely well pulling past Fran with about 25 meters to go. The club had a host of top ten age category finishers; Veronica Higgins, Audrey Harris, Claire Searle, Jim Moss, Fran Amigoni Graeme Tudor, Nigel Sankey and Jonny Marks. On the Podium along with Robyn Jackson were Kevin Jackson second in his category, Alice Lewis first F60 and Margaret Johnson first F50. The strong women’s performance saw DRC third in the women’s team race behind Almost Athletes and CLC Striders.

Ronnie Williams completed her first 10k a year after her first attempt was curtailed by the need to have her appendix removed, Kris Rymer achieved another PB, his first in the space of a month whilst Ellen Efford and Graham Wilkes , both Walk to Run Graduates also completed the race.

Full race results can be found here >>>

Special thanks go to Race Director  John Rogers and all his helpers, in particular Dave Saunders and Alice Lewis, but so many other people out there making the event run smoothly. Big thanks to Matt Sherrington and Jo Turner and crew who did massages and physio after the race raising over £70 for the clubs charity! Thanks to DB max for their excellent timing service, SGS College and Hamfield for use of facilities and Skills4Life for their medical support.

 

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DRC Grand Prix 2018 Update – Frenchay 10k & Stroud Trails Half

The latest DRC Grand Prix series includes results from the Frenchay 10k in April and last weekends Stroud Trail Half Marathon. Also included are a couple of corrections (thanks to those who pointed them out!) and some more marathon results which shuffles the points in this category around a little.

Click here for the latest league tables >>

As a reminder, marathon results must be submitted using this form for this years series. This includes the Stroud Trail Marathon. There’s been so many marathons over the past month that I’m sure there are lots of points waiting to be claimed so please don’t forget!

The Frenchay 10k and Stroud Trail Half Marathon both saw a good turn out from DRC runners in search of Grand Prix points. For those who ran but haven’t entered the series, there’s still time to do this by filling out this short form.

Pete Chaffer still hangs onto 1st place in the men’s league but now has the ominous form of Tony Wooldridge breathing down his neck. Andrew Probert has jumped into 3rd place courtesy of a good performance at Frenchay and entering his Prague Marathon result.

In the women’s league Alice Lewis continues her fantastic age grade performances and maintains a perfect record to remain on top. With only 2 more races needed to qualify for the prizes, and quite a gap already to 2nd place, Alice looks a good bet to defend her title from 2017.  Annette Heylings remains in 2nd place but good runs at Frenchay and Stroud mean Julie Froggatt has now taken the 3rd spot ahead of Eileen Hieron and Caroline Jones.

No one was brave enough to take on the only ultra race in this years series, the Marlborough Downs Challenge, so some potentially easy points have been missed there. Something for runners to consider for next years series maybe…

Next up is Wotton parkrun throughout the month of June, followed by the Thornbury 10k which is full. Entries are however still open for the Westonbirt House Summer 10km in August, though I expect it will sell out before the day so don’t hang about if you need more races to qualify for the prizes!

Finally don’t forget that this years series has been extended to include the Forest of Dean Autumn Trail race due to the cancellation of the original spring race.

As always, please feel free to get in touch with Mike Crompton or Tony Freer if you have any questions on the Grand Prix, either individually or using the email address grandprix@durslingrunningclub.org.uk

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DRC Grand Prix 2018 Update – FOD Spring Half Marathon

The latest DRC Grand Prix series tables are now available to view.

Click here for the latest league tables >>

This update includes the first two marathon results submitted for this series. Well done to Steve Barnes and Matt Read who finished at Gran Canaria and Manchester respectively and currently take the top points in this category. Remember, this can all change as more results are submitted up until the end of September!

Also, well done to Tony Woolridge who was the only DRC runner brave enough to take on the Tour of Torpantau fell race picking up maximum points by default!

The re-arranged FOD Spring Half Marathon took place last Saturday. Following the cancellation earlier in the year entrants were offered a place in on the rearranged date or a place in the Autumn Half Marathon on 30th September. Therefore the Autumn Half Marathon will be now be added to this years series which provides another opportunity for runners to complete the 8 races needed to qualify for the series prize giving.

Pete Chaffer and Tony Wooldridge still lead the way in the men’s league, with Matt Read now replacing Mike Crompton in 3rd just one point ahead of Andy Probert.

In the women’s league Alice Lewis remains on top, however Annette Heylings has closed the gap to just 10 points following maximum points at the FOD Spring Half overtaking Eileen Hieron who now sits in 3rd place.

The next event in series is the Frenchay 10k this weekend, followed by the Marlborough Downs Challenge Ultra and the Stroud Trails Half/Marathon. Details and links to entries for each can be found on the main Grand Prix page.

With quite a few of the big city marathons happening over the coming weeks, don’t forget to enter your time using the short form also found on the Grand Prix Details page to make sure its included.

As always, please feel free to get in touch with Mike Crompton or Tony Freer if you have any questions on the Grand Prix.

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DRC Grand Prix 2018 Update – Chipping Sodbury parkrun

Chipping Sodbury parkrun was the focus of the Grand Prix series this February with many DRC runners making the effort to go a bit further from home to record a qualifying time on a Saturday morning whilst also having a go at Neil’s February challenge!

Pete Chaffer still holds the lead in the men’s league, but he now has the familiar face of Tony Wooldridge lurking just behind in 2nd place following an impressive 81.86% age grading.  Mike Crompton now sits in 3rd after recording a 17:35 5km PB for a 74.6% age grading.  It remains very tight at the top with Andy Probert is just 1 point behind Mike, and Matt Read and Dave Durden both a further 2 points behind.

In the women’s league the top 3 remains unchanged after Alice Lewis recorded an excellent 83.17% age grading, however Annette Heylings has now closed to within 2 points of Eileen Hieron. Shona Darley and Margaret Johnson lead the chasing pack.

Click here for the latest league tables >>

Note that I’ve also adjusted some scoring from previous events to account for the most recent entries.

Its still not too late to fill in the entry form, a link for this can be found on the Grand Prix Details page or here >>

The next event in series is theTour of Torpantau Fell Race on 10th March, followed by the Forest of Dean Spring Half the weekend after.

If you’re run a marathon, don’t forget to enter your time using the short form also found on the Grand Prix Details page to make sure its included.

As always, please feel free to get in touch with Mike Crompton or Tony Freer if you have any questions on the Grand Prix.

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DRC Grand Prix 2018 Update – Cross Country Championships and DHHM

January has seen two 2018 Grand Prix Series events, with the Gloucestershire XC Championships at Old Down Estate earlier in the month and more recently the Doynton Hard Half Marathon.

Pete Chaffer maintains a healthy lead at the top of the men’s league, but is now joined by Andy Probert and Matthew Read in 2nd and 3rd respectively. But with only 7 points separating 2nd down to 8th they’ll need to keep on it if they want to remain there!

In the women’s league normal service is resumed as Alice Lewis jumps back to the top spot with maximum points in both races. Just behind her, Eileen Hieron drops into 2nd place with Annette  Heylings hanging onto 3rd by just a single point from Margaret Johnson.

Click here for the latest league tables >>

Its still very early days in this years competition and it’s not too late to fill in the entry form, a link for this can be found on the Grand Prix Details page.

The next event in series is Chipping Sodbury parkrun throughout February. You can attempt this as many times as you want over the month, with your best time being used to calculate Grand Prix points at the end of the month.

Following this there is a debut in the Grand Prix for Tour of Torpantau Fell Race on 10th March, details of which can be found here >>

This race has been popular with some of our veteran runners for many years and offers something a bit different for those looking to broaden their horizons!

Then on Sunday 18th March its the Forest of Dean Half Marathon.  Entries usually stay open for this up until close to race day so it’s a good chance to compete a Trail and Half Marathon race in one go!

Finally, if you run a marathon and want your time to be included in the Grand Prix, please don’t forget to complete the short form also found on the Grand Prix Details page.

As always, please feel free to get in touch with Mike Crompton or Tony Freer if you have any questions on the Grand Prix.

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DRC Grand Prix 2018 Update – Changes to Race List

As previously mentioned, unfortunately the Aztec West Fast 5k series had to be cancelled this year, and it looks like there will not be a direct replacement this year. Therefore we have now chosen to replace this with an additional month of parkrun’s.

So Wotton parkrun will now be part of the 2018 grand prix race series. However, in order to allow for more favourable race conditions at Wotton where the race is 100% off road, we will swap Chipping Sodbury parkrun in June for Wotton parkrun, and move Chipping Sodbury parkrun to February 2018.

Therefore your fastest time from any Chipping Sodbury parkrun in February 2018 and any Wotton parkrun in June will count towards the grand prix series. Chipping Sodbury parkrun will be classed as a road race, Wotton parkrun will be classed as a trail race, both will tick the 5km box.

Any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. Website to be updated ASAP.

Mike & Tony