Road racing – Gloucester AAA road series opener
The first fixture in the county road race series saw a full ten club members line up for the flat 4-lap 10 mile race at Boddington on Sunday 26th. Whilst the country lanes were mostly traffic free and fairly fast and flat, strong winds picking up in the second half made it heavy going in places, but at least the rain held off. The winds didn’t stop a new course of just inside 50 minutes from one of Western Tempo’s squad.
Apart from a new club record (see below) and half of the starters placing in their respective age groups, perhaps the most encouraging outcome from the race was our mixed team finishing in 4th. We know we have a very competitive ladies team, but last season our younger/faster men mostly just didn’t show up to the AAA road races. We hope to see more of them this year.
First home in his debut race in club kit, and just inside the hour at 59.30 was Rich Allen. This puts him at 15th in the all-time club rankings, a strong debut!
Also sporting a brand-new club vest, Jack Bonnick was disappointed with his pacing - fractionally outside 30 minutes for the first 5 miles on his way to a strava 10k m PB, but unfortunately paying for it later, he slowed to a still respectable 63.08.
After last week’s blistering 5 miler, Kate Jacobs’ time of 63.08 placed her up at 5th in the club all-time rankings. Kate reports that
“it was really windy and tough going in places. I came 3rd lady after a hard-fought battle to hold my position, which I was thrilled with given how competitive the ladies field was.”
Unsurprisingly she also picked up 1st in LV45.
Brian Harris sliced 9s off his time last year, finishing 3rd MV60 again, and beating his target for the race of >80% age-graded. Brian ran 90% of the race with Jo Musk, both of them fairly tired from training volume but working well together and with a small pack to maintain 90 min HM pace plus or minus depending on the wind. Brian surprised himself by managing to find a little extra over the last mile to pull away from Jo by just 10 seconds, to turn the tables on last year’s finishing order. However, Jo is plotting a swift revenge at Bourton 10k next month (should be a no contest looking at the form book).
Charlotte Wilton finished 2nd LV45, and in the conditions was happy to be only slightly behind her time last year.
Most notable performance of the day though goes to Karen Higuera, newly 60, who knocked 41 seconds off Kate Kilby’s club LV60 record to finish in 68.37. A very successful outing for her new aero vest. Congratulations to you both ;-))
David Moss with a park run still in his legs was a little slower than last year, as was James Widdowson who was pleased just to finish as he continues his recovery from injury.
Unfortunately Corinne Clark (DNF) had to pull out soon after the start with a calf problem that had been niggling throughout the warm up. Our best wishes are with Corinne - hope it doesn’t turn out to be too serious.
{Ed. most of the first finishers had to get back home asap so no full group shot taken}
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Off-road – how to do it….
Dave Musgrave, one of our most prolific ultra runners last year, opened his tab this year with a 14th/40 finish in the South Devon ultra on Saturday 25th , a 34 mile “severe terrain” level 4 trail race and UMTB qualifier. In his own words
“Finally managed to do an ultra in a sensible, controlled fashion. Wasn't sick, followed my nutrition plan, kept an easy pace. Quite enjoyed the whole thing and had loads in the tank for the final 10k so was actually overtaking people rather than dragging my sorry ass over the line. I'd say it's a better approach than going full throttle from the off.”
{Ed. - having DNF’d on my only ultra attempt, this advice will stay with me just in case I’m mad enough to try again. Thanks Dave.}
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Parkruns
A great Forbes family outing at Ciren this week with Dad Rob over a minute clear in 1st place at Ciren, with son Heath also nabbing a top 10 finish and Otis a few minutes behind.
The Timms (and Steve Hale) joined the Macadams on their home course, and it was a relief to see Rachel back running again after some weeks off.
Nowhere particularly exotic this week (I'm not sure Ilford counts Martin?).
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26 January 2025, Boddington ‘10’, Cheltenham, 10 miles road
25 Rich Allen (Cirencester AC) 59.35 (59.30)
38 Jack Bonnick 1.03.10 (1.03.08)
41 Kate Jacobs 1.03.28 (1.03.27) – 3rd Lady / 1st FV45
84 Brian Harris 1.08.54 (1.08.49) – 3rd MV60
87 Jo Musk 1.09.04 (1.08.59) – 3rd LV40
96 Charlotte Wilton 1.10.07 (1.10.02) – 2nd FV45
145 Karen Higuera 1.18.42 (1.18.37) – 1st FV60, club FV60 record
166 David Moss 1.23.10 (1.22.57)
188 James Widdowson 1.28.10 (1.27.56)
233 finished
Teams (mixed: 2 men, 2 women): 1 Western Tempo 92pts, 4 Cirencester AC 191pts
Cirencester: 1 Rob Forbes 18.33, 9 Heath Forbes (J) 22.15, 22 Otis Forbes (J) 24.20, 29 Neil Broadley 25.14, 55 Annabel Campbell (J) 27.03, 72 Phil Davey 28.38, 79 Brendan McCarthy 29.32, 90 Kirsty Leggate 30.43, 93 Richard Edwards 30.53, 97 David Moss 31.17, 100 Pam Wheeler 31.28, 130 Tilly Campbell (J) 34.13, 137 Helen Manners 34.59, 174 Jocelyn Randall 50.19, 132, 180 finished.
Tetbury: 29 Paul Timms 23.44, 40 Stephen Hale 25.27, 41 Alan McAdam 25.38, 68 Rachel McAdam 28.05, 104 Samantha Timms 31.52, 148 finished.
Swindon, Lydiard Park: 126 Gordon Jones 27.37, 381 finished.
Chippenham: 155 James Hunton 31.31, 244 finished.
Valentines, Ilford: 17 Martin Croucher 21.00, 363 finished.
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