Upcote 5 Mile Trail – 1st October 2023
This week saw the penultimate event for this year’s Club competition at Upcote Farm, Withington – host to the Upcote 5 Mile Trail run and home of the 2000 Trees Festival. It provided a mix of bridleway and permissive paths enjoying stunning views, challenging climbs and exciting descents.
Bourton Roadrunners fielded 22 runners with Steven Howell first to finish for the club in 45 minutes and 46 seconds, closely followed by Graham Lane in 46:15 and Lee Hutton in 46:35. Also battling through the challenging conditions were John Harding – 47:11, Ian Tolfts – 47:36, Chris Dry – 48:34 and Barry O’Leary – 49:15.
The club’s first lady to finish was Gillian Howell – 49:35, chased by Giles Canning – 52:54, Gill Carrick – 54:23, Clemmie Bright – 55:10, Gillian James – 59:48, Samantha Mellor – 60:45, Sharon Rees – 62:27, Janice Townsend – 64:28, Annie Oliver – 64:28, Ali Tighe – 65:17, Val McKay – 66:43, Imogen Cox – 66:55, Jenny Evanson – 84:02, Louise Hamilton-Smith - 84.03 and Claire Carroll – 84:05.
Catch a slideshow from photos kindly taken by Allie Quinn.
Loch Ness Marathon - 1st October 2023
On the same day Steph Holton and Linda Edwards travelled to Scotland for the Baxter’s Loch Ness Marathon, quite possibly one of the most stunning marathons in the world with spectacular scenery.
The course provides a point-to-point route alongside Loch Ness, with a start in an atmospheric moorland setting, venturing along the south-eastern shore of Loch Ness, across the River Ness to finish in Inverness, capital city of the Highlands. Bourton Roadrunners’ Steph Holton and Linda Edwards, with five runners from Cirencester’s Running Somewhere Else Club, took on the challenge, with Steph finishing in a brilliant 3 hours, 50 minutes and 50 seconds, while Linda achieved 5:05:43.
Afterwards, Steph said “Wow! Stunning scenery but OMG I’ve never ran so many up and downs in one run and then they hit you at mile 18 with a 2 mile up!”
Cardiff Half Marathon - 1st October 2023
Also on the same day, Bourton’s Jaq Underwood was running closer to home at the Principality Cardiff Half Marathon. Starting outside Cardiff Castle before heading off to Penarth and the Marina, crossing the barrage and heading to Cardiff Bay. Through the heart of the bay, then heading to the north of the city, completing a loop of Roath Park before a grandstand finish at the Civic Centre. Jaq completed the course in a fine 1 hour, 52 minutes and 6 seconds.
Parkruns- 30th September 2023
To round-off another busy weekend, the club was out in support of parkrun at the following venues:
Chipping Norton School: Rob Williams – 30:37 (MV60/3), Cleo Carruthers – 40:16 (LV70/1).
Stratford-upon-Avon: George Swayne – 19:25 (JM15-17/2).
Torvean, Inverness: Steph Holton – 37:57, Linda Edwards – 37:58.
Highlights
22 Bourton Roadrunners were out in support of the Update 5 mile Trial, all eagerly seek club competition points.
The stunning views of Scotland drew Steph and Linda to the Loch Ness Marthon, along with five members of RSE.
Jaq stays ‘local’ for the Cardiff Half Marathon.
Catch the gallery of 17 photos from the Upcote 5 below.
Upcote 5 Trail Run Photo Gallery
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