Some pretty serious training runs put Nea Sneddon-Jenkins in a great place for embarking on her first ultra event on Sunday. She completed the Brecon to Cardiff Ultra, a linear 70k race along the Taff Trail, and tells us a little about her day.
“For my first ultra, it was an absolute dream. I chatted to several really lovely runners and really enjoyed the experience, even when my legs started to hurt after 55k.”
“I’m still in shock to have finished in the top ten females, and my dream goal was to run it as close to seven hours as I could…..but I didn’t think I would ever be as close as I got.”
“If you had asked me when I had just crossed the line if I would ever run another ultra I would have said absolutely not! Thankfully, time gives perspective, or just lets you forget the hard parts, and I’m super excited to be running The Lakes Traverse in six weeks time.”
We all wish Nea well for that and look forward to hearing about it.
19th February, Brecon to Cardiff Ultra, 70k, trail
1 Ben Wernick (Unattached) 5.15.45
35 Nea Sneddon-Jenkins (Cirencester AC) 7.07.57
348 finished
There was cross country action on Saturday in the third of four races in the Gloucestershire AAA League, this time at Pitville Park in Cheltenham. It wasn’t a terribly muddy affair this time after a few weeks of pretty dry weather.
Dorian has already posted details of the splendid performances by our juniors.
There was Cirencester representation in the men’s 9.3k race. First home was Bill Leggate in 37.03 taking 3rd MV45 spot. Great running from all the other team members and Tom Payne managed a bit of plugging of the Summer Sizzler race too. Dorian Matts rounded off the day after taking care of Race HQ and looking after the youngsters.
The ladies 6.4k race was combined with the MU17 and MV65+ categories.
Kate Jacobs excellent 28.52 took 1st place in her FV45 age group. Next came Karen Higuera who was 3rd LV55. Tanya Everett and Jos Randall also enjoyed the race.
Sadly Kate Sackett had to take the decision to pull out after falling and twisting her ankle. She admits to maybe getting a little carried away chasing Karen on one of the downhill sections! Wishing you well for a speedy return to running Kate.
Well done to everyone who represented the club.
18th February, Gloucestershire AAA Cross Country League – Race 3, Pitville Park
Men’s 9.3k Trail
1 Leon Chevalier (Team Bath AC) 33.04
29 Bill Leggate (Cirencester AC) 37.03 - 3rd MV45
47 Brecht Grieten 38.49
79 Andy Fellows 42.01
104 Simon Campbell 44.39
124 Tom Payne 47.16
139 Dorian Matts 53.40
148 finished
Ladies 6.4k Trail (incorporating MU17 and MV65+ races)
1 Isaac Henderson MU17 (Cheltenham and County Harriers) 22.43
6 (and 1st Lady) Megan Marchant (Western Tempo) 25.20
31 Kate Jacobs (Cirencester AC) 28.52 - 1st LV45
89 Karen Higuera 33.31 – 3rd LV55
128 Tanya Everett 37.47
132 Jos Randall 38.25
154 finished
It was marathon number 121 for Martin Croucher on Saturday in another of the Kentish timed challenges that he enjoys. This time it was the Moonlight Challenge. He felt he really paced it well and, with an afternoon start, enjoyed running the final few miles by the light of a head torch.
18th February, Moonlight Challenge, 10 hours Challenge, trail
1 Josie Nye 8.59.57 – 56.25 miles
27 Martin Croucher 6.11.32 – 31.25 miles
86 finished
Some highlights from parkrun news this week, Luke Campbell ran in the Bushy event, home of the first ever parkrun and a huge field!
Ollie Campbell was 2nd overall at Coventry as he approaches his 300th parkrun.
There were some age group 1st places for Rachel McAdam, 1st LV60 at Tetbury where runners were treated to the more cross country route, and Gordon Jones, 1st MV70 at Seven Fields.
Alan McAdam took on tail walking duties at Tetbury.
18th February, parkrun, 5k trail
Bushy parkrun
1 Simon Baines (Unattached) 16.27
320 Luke Campbell (Cirencester AC) 23.25
1387 finished
Coventry parkrun
1 Dan Clarke (Unattached) 16.16
2 Ollie Campbell (Cirencester AC) 17.02
684 finished
Pomphrey Hill parkrun
1 Chris Davidson (Unattached) 18.11
197 Ruth Fulford (Cirencester AC) 32.03
294 finished
Cirencester parkrun
1 Tom Skinner (Unattached) 17.45
15 Paul Timms (Cirencester AC) 23.23
70 Brendan McCarthy 28.42
96 Samantha Timms 30.42
120 Lorna Harris 35.17
121 Brian Harris 35.17
151 finished
Witney parkrun
1 Matthew Lock (Unattached) 18.22
20 Neil Morrissey (Cirencester AC) 23.41
209 finished
Tetbury Goods Shed parkrun
1 Peter Grist (Unattached) 19.06
44 Rachel McAdam (Cirencester AC) 27.23
121 Alan McAdam 55.52
125 finished
Seven Fields parkrun
1 Mark Purbrick (Unattached) 19.08
48 Gordon Jones (Cirencester AC) 25.34
123 finished
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