Bourton Roadrunners Club report – 24th September 2023
Bourton Roadrunners has been celebrating the success of its member Neil Russell, who won the South West region’s Pride of Britain Fund Raiser of the Year award, with members out in force to support a quiz evening, which featured an emotional account of his epic London to Barcelona run, in support of Parkinson’s UK.
Whilst the holiday season marches onwards towards Autumn, the desire to run hasn’t diminished, with a record number of people signing up for the club’s latest Couch-to-5k programme, and members still keen to seek out events wherever they happen to find themselves.
Dolores Night-Trail Run, La Caldereta - 24th September 2023
Of particular note is Derek Darby, who having supported Neil Russell throughout his training for the Barcelona run, even running the opening and closing sections with Neil, found himself in Spain on holiday in time for the Dolores Night-Trail Run, La Caldereta. Not one to sit on his laurels, he signed up for the 16Km run that started in daylight and finished in the dark, running up a “nice, chunky, barren mountain”, and Derek was kindly loaned a head-torch for the event.
With the race starting at breakneck speed, by the time Derek got to the first out and back climb, the leaders were already on their way down. Along the route there were poles with a little green light on to follow. Even though the ground was treacherous with dips, rocks, pot holes, sandy sections and loose stones, there were no accidents. Derek finished the gruelling course in 1 hour 38 seconds, first in his age group and 27th overall among the 55 runners. Derek says “it is a truly amazing run experience, so if you are every in Fuerteventura, it’s worth checking out“.
Windsor Great Park Half Marathon - 24th September 2023
Nearer to home, John Harding opted for the Windsor Great Park Half Marathon this weekend, where the veteran runner was pleased to complete the 21.1Km course in two hours and 17 seconds.
Vitality London 10K - 24th September 2023
This weekend also saw the Vitality London 10K, having been moved from its usual May bank holiday weekend due to this year’s Coronation. The run, which starts and finishes by Buckingham Palace, takes in many of London’s famous City landmarks, and attracts around 15000 runners.
Despite this year’s event being marred by thousands of runners not having received their numbers, resulting in queues for replacements and a delay to the release of the official results, three Bourton Roadrunners enjoyed perfect running conditions, with 16 year-old Jonanthon Cook leading the trio home in 49 minutes, ahead of his grandad John Gibson in 53:29 and Tony Goodwill close behind in 54:40. They had run together for the first 5K, when personal goals crept into the equation!
Parkruns- 23rd September 2023
To rap-up the weekend, the club was represented at parkrun events at various locations, including:
Cheltenham Pittville Park: Chris Dry – 27:44.
Chipping Norton: Dougal Hamilton-Smith – 20:31 (course PB and JM15-17/1), Lorna Shawcross – 25:59 (LV60/1), Louise Hamilton-Smith – 32:08 (LV40/1),
Sharon Rees – 33:09.
Cirencester: Liz Hulcup 28:18 (LV70/1), Barry O’Leary – 28:19.
Exmouth: Gill Carrick – 30:14.
Woolacombe Dunes: Rebecca Townsend – 28:06 (SW20-24/1).
Highlights
Following Derek’s support for Neil’s London to Barcelona run, he ran at the Dolores Night-Tail Run, La Caldereta.
John H took on the Windsor Great Park Half Marathon.
Jonathon, John G and Tony opted for the shorter Vitality London 10k.
Jonathon, Tony & John at Chancery Lane, London 10k.
Jonathon approaches the finish, London 10k.
Other reports may be found on our recent race reports page.