Polar Night Half Marathon, Tromsø City Norway - 7th January 2023
Bourton Roadrunners’ Graham Lane is always looking for a new challenge, whether it’s a mountain cycle race or long-distance running. His latest venture this weekend took him almost 400Km north of the Artic Circle to Tromsø City, Norway, for the Polar Night Half Marathon.
Although starting in the middle of the day, it was run in darkness as the sun never rises above the horizon at this time of year. Facing temperatures that had dropped to -15°C, and -23°C with the wind-chill factor, gives the reality of tackling a half marathon that extra edge; however, veteran runner Graham demonstrated mental strength achieving the 21.1Km in a very respectable two hours and sixteen minutes.
Gloucestershire AAA Cross Country Championships - 7th January 2023
Saturday also saw Bourton Roadrunners and North Cotswold Tri & Run clubs collaborating to host the Gloucestershire AAA Cross Country Championships at the Cotswold Farm Park, near Guiting Power.
The weather conditions were atrocious with strong wind and rain; however this didn’t put-off the many keen athletes from across the county and wider afield. Bourton’s Rosanna Mutsaars braved the elements and finished in 27:03 and finished 6th Senior Lady.
Bourton’s Rosanna Mutsaars finishing at the Gloucestershire AAA County Cross Country Championships, at the Cotswold Farm Park near Guiting Power.
Bourton Juniors also fielded nine runners, with Edward Hare claiming a personal Bronze medal in the under-13 boys’ category and helping to secure team Bronze with Thomas Harvey and Oliver Robertson. Meanwhile, Bourton under-11 boys also secured team Bronze with Jack Roberts, Will Harvey and William Bell.
Woodcote 10k - 8th January 2023
Darren Long and Maxine Emes joined over 300 other runners at the Woodcote 10k, organised by the Rotary Club of Pangbourne; the route comprising of 6Km downhill followed by 4Km uphill, making it a tough race. Darren finished 3rd MV50 in a time of 40:10, while Mixine was 3rd LV40 in 47:37.
Fladbury Festive 5 Multi-Terrain - 8th January 2023
The Fladbury Festive 5 mile race - a multi-terrain course, that followed the River Avon, through Fladbury Village and Lower Moor, Worcestershire - organised by the Friends of Fladbury. The event was celebrating its 10th anniversary, and was well supported by Bourton members on Sunday.
The first club member to finish was Steph Holton in 49:52 - LV55/3, followed by Nick Harper (2nd claim) in 52:38. Close on his heals was Susan Hunt (2nd claim) and despite taking a tumble in the mud still finished in 53:42. Next in was Liz Hulcup in 54:59 - LV65/1 and then birthday-boy Gary Holton (who loves lots of water and mud) in 56:23. Running her first trail race Allie Quinn finished in 65:25 with her pacer Lynn Hudson in 65:27.
All finishers were given a cyclamen, a wooden medal and there was free cake and hot drinks at the end of the race!
Monmouth GLCL Cross Country - 7th January 2023
Meanwhile, Jaq Underwood tackled the Monmouth GLCL Cross Country; a true cross-country course of just over a 7Km, with lots of water and mud, completing it in a time of 47:35.
Parkruns
Finally, with lots of parkruns being cancelled this week due to the weather conditions, club members managed to find four that were still on, including:
Burgess Park, London: Barry O’Leary – 24:45 (course PB).
Chipping Norton: Louise Hamilton-Smith – 60:05.
Chipping Sodbury: Susan Hunt – 26:06 (LV55/2).
Riverfront, Newport: Jaq Underwood – 30:09.
Highlights
Graham Lane ventures deep into the Artic Circle for the Polar Night Half Marathon, Tromsø City Norway.
Meanwhile, another hardy gang braved the elements at the Fladbury Festive 5 trail run, and had great fun.
Bourton Roadrunners team at Fladbury Festive 5 Multi-Terrain
Allie Quinn at her first multi-terrain race, with Lynn Hudson
The County’s Cross Country events don’t organise themselves, and several Bourton members braved the inclement weather to support the participants.
Annie Oliver assisting the County officials at the finish area, just awaiting the next race.
Jaq Underwood (220) with a fellow runner at the Monmouth GLCL Cross Country.
Other reports may be found on our recent race reports page.