Leo Crawford went to the other side of the world for the run of a life time. After a boat ride to the start, he followed the Abel Tasman trail, one of New Zealand’s most popular ‘tramping’ routes winding along the north west coast of South Island. Steep hills and endless tree roots make this a run which demands total concentration despite tantalising glimpses of sandy beaches and azure blue bays but, shaded from the sun, temperatures remained cool and he completed the 33km in 3.12.43 to finish 43rd and 2nd international runner.
Tasman Coastal Classic, Awaroa to Marahau, N Zealand, 33km trail
1 Vajin Armstrong (NZ) 2.28.44 43 Leo Crawford (Cirencester AC) 3.12.43 291 finished.
Mark Sysum had a rare (first?) go at a half marathon to finish 54th in the Cheltenham ½ with a strong time of 1.27.01. Constant Fischer, more of a half marathon fan, finished in 1.44.18 and not so far behind was a jubilant Louise Horner-Baggs with a new PB of 1.50.10 (chip time).
Cheltenham ½ Marathon, 13.1 miles road
1 Dominic James (Cheltenham & County Harriers) 1.10.24 (chip 1.10.24) 54 Mark Sysum (Cirencester AC) 1.27.01 (1.27.00) 397 Constant Fischer 1.44.18 (1.43.22) 675 Louise Horner-Baggs 1.52.07 (1.50.10) 2436 finished.
Peter Rowlands went for a harder version, tackling the tracks and trails of the Forest of Dean to finish the Autumn Half in 2.25.46.
Forest of Dean Trails ½ Marathon, 13.1 miles trail
1 Eliot Taylor (Cheltenham & County Harriers) 1.16.22 (chip 1.16.21) 551 Peter Rowland (Cirencester AC) 2.25.46 (2.24.53) 632 finished parkruns, 5km trail
Three wins for the club this week demonstrating just how varied the speed and quality of these events can be and the old running adage that “you can only beat the runners who are there”. Our winners were Tom Purnell (Swindon 17.59), Ian Barrett (Tetbury 18.30) and James Thomas (Droitwich 20.35) but we should add Wendy Nicholls (Cirencester 21.55) and Kate Sackett (Stonehouse 22.43) who were both first lady and Ollie Pritchard (17.05) and Ollie Campbell (17.52) who had the two the fastest times but were “only” second at Skipton and Chippenham. Droitwich, for example, is known to be one of the toughest of parkruns and James’ time was close to the course record.
Cirencester AC finishers: Cirencester: 3 Sam Alcott (J) 20.29, 9 Wendy Nicholls 21.55 – 1st lady, 11 Steve Derrick 22.15, 19 Ionel Iancu 23.20, 26 Neil Broadley 24.29, 39 Joe Cook (J) 25.11, 40 Sam Cook (J) 25.12, 45 Rachel Ranger 25.29, 55 Brendan McCarthy 26.09, 56 Jocelyn Randall 26.15, 77 Denise Ewbank 29.05, 87 Ruth Fulford 30.14, 146 Jenny Brewin 38.47, 157 finished Tetbury: 1 Ian Barrett 18.30, 12 Nicola Denning 22.02, 24 Alan McAdam 23.46, 37 Rachel McAdam 25.44, 84 finished Swindon: 1 Tom Purnell 17.59, 126 David Moss 26.46, 233 Barbara Thomas 31.07, 386 finished Stonehouse: 5 Kate Sackett 22.43 – 1st lady, 54 finished Chippenham: 2 Ollie Campbell (J) 17.52, 173 finished Moreton-in-Marsh: 60 Thomas McNally 28.33, 167 finished Churchfields Farm, Droitwich: 1 James Thomas 20.35, 76 finished Banbury: 174 Bryan Reid 29.17, 372 finished Porthcawl: 41 Joyce Matthews 21.44, 397 finished Skipton: 2 Oliver Pritchard 17.05, 92 Rachel Barrow 29.34, 136 Paul Barrow 33.21, 185 finished
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