Snowdonia Marathon - 27 October
The last weekend in October saw Bourton Roadrunners taking part in 5 different events across the country.
Firstly, on Saturday was the Snowdonia Marathon, which fully deserves its reputation as one of the world’s toughest marathons, featuring gruelling climbs through spectacular scenery. Dennis Walmsley (5 times winner of the event), took on the challenge, despite having been laid low by illness during the preceding week.
Dennis held onto 7th place for the first half of the race; before the effects of his illness caught up with him and he showed remarkable bravery and fortitude to continue to battle up the climbs of the second half (including a final 1200ft climb, followed by a steep, uneven descent), to finish in 3:15:31 and 3rd V50 out of a field of 2,200.
The Chocolate Biscuit Race - 27 October
Also on Saturday was the cross country 4.5 mile race at Plock Court, which was a clean sweep for the Bourton men with Daryl Kiey-Thomas 1st V40, Chris Hartley 1st V45, and Norm Lane 1st V60.
Threshold 10k - 28 October
Sunday was Race 1 of the challenging Threshold 10k Winter Series, held in Ilmington and featuring a relentless 3K hill climb. Niamh Shoemark had a great run for 3rd Lady in 49.26 and Susan Hunt was 1st V45 in 51.18. Gill Carrick finished in 53.23, Jan Short in 54.59 and Emma McCoombes in 64:00.
Great South Run - 28 October
In contrast, to this local hilly rural race was the “flat and fast” 10 mile BUPA Great South Run in Portsmouth, with a record 25,000 entries. First Bourton Roadrunner to finish was Steph Holton, with a huge PB of 1:17:09. John Gibson finished in 1:23:00 with Caroline Middleton in 1:23:14. Gary Holton celebrated his return from injury by taking over 5 minutes off his PB, finishing in 1:39:53.
Preston Marathon - 28 October
Steve Edwards with Liz McColgan and Ron Hill at Preston Marathon.
Finally, in cold, wet and windy conditions, Steve Edwards crossed the finish line of the Preston Marathon in a time of 3:14:03, becoming the first person in the UK to run 250 sub 3:15 marathons. He’s also now just one away from becoming the first athlete in the world to run 500 sub 3:30 marathons which, all being well, he hopes to achieve in two week’s time at the Fox@40 Marathon at Caldecote Lake in Milton Keynes.
Highlights
Dennis Walmsley faces the Welsh Wall.
Steve Edwards completes his 499th sub-3:30 marathon.
Prizes all-round in Chocolate Biscuit Cross-country race at Plock Court.
5 Bourton ladies show how to tackle hills at Threshold 10k.
Caroline Middleton and John Gibson brave the cold at Great South Run.
Other reports may be found on our recent race reports page.