The Oxford Half Marathon - 17th October 2021
This flat, fast and very well marshalled course took the runners through the City of Oxford past famous sights, museums and colleges. Out of almost 13000 runners Bourton Roadrunners had 3 of their members competing. The first of the three to finish was Michela Sartori in 1:44:26. Next home was Jonathan Thomas in 1:57:10 followed by Claire Carroll, running her second half marathon in a matter of weeks - crossed the finishing line in 2:14:01.
The Great South Run – 17th October 2021
Part of the Great Run series of races, the Great South is a very popular event that takes in all aspects of Portsmouth, including the historic dockyard and naval war memorial. Among the thousands of other runners were a small group from Bourton Roadrunners. For Tony Goodwill, who had started his working life serving in the Royal Navy based out of Portsmouth, this was a particularly poignant moment. He was joined by his son Kevin, who had picked up an injury playing football the day before, and training buddy John Gibson, all enjoying the moment and the supporting crowds.
Also running from Bourton were Nick Harper and Alli Quinn, both of whom were recovering from long-term injuries and therefore taking it a little more steadily. Their times were John Gibson 1:32:11, Nick Harper 1:35:11, Tony Goodwill 1:40:00 (his target time), Kevin Goodwill 1:43:42 and Allie Quinn 1:53:06.
Asda Foundation Yorkshire Marathon – 17th October 2021
Susan Hunt and Linda Edwards, both 2nd claim members, travelled to York for this marathon. The weather conditions were cool and damp, perfect for running. The course was undulating, with an uphill section before a final downhill for the last 200m. Susan finished in 4:09:34 and Linda, a nurse, had a fantastic run having recovered from Covid earlier this year and finished in 4:44:18
Asda Foundation Yorkshire 10 mile – 17th October 2021
Steph Holton had a great run with little training and finished in 1:20:55, Graham Lane was next to finish in 1:27:15, followed closely by Gary Holton, his first race since having surgery, in 1:37:00
Parkruns
York: a pre-race leg stretcher for Graham Lane - 25:43, Susan Hunt (2nd claim) - 27:20, Steph Holton - 31:26, Gary Holton - 31:26 and Linda Edwards (2nd claim) - 31:26.
Cardiff: Cath Nesbitt - 27.33 (PB).
Chipping Norton School: Ali Tighe - 32.34.
Cirencester: Jenni Glass - 23.20, Liz Hulcup – 41:41.
Lands End: Rob Williams – 27:02.
Newport: Jaq Underwood (2nd claim) – 22:25.
Highlights
There were a numbers of fine performances this weekend at various distances, including Michela Sartori, Nick Harper, Alli Quinn, Graham Lane, Jaq Underwood and Jenni Glass.
Tony Goodwill makes a return to Pompey to finally run the Great South Run, joined by son Kevin. Had he raced it while based there in his Navy years he would have been up with the leaders, as a comfortable sub-60 minute 10-mile runner.
Back-to-back runs for Graham Lane, Susan Hunt, Steph and Gary Holton, and Linda Edwards; parkrun before their York races - I love it.
Other reports may be found on our recent race reports page.