Bacchus Wine Half Marathon - 9th September 2023
Bourton Roadrunners’ Annie Oliver is always looking for sporting new challenges and this weekend she found it at the Denbies Wine Estate near Dorking, Surrey, at the Bacchus Wine Half Marathon.
The route was mainly a trail event and certainly undulating, with one significant hill. There were 6 wine stops and snacks on the route, with the added bonus of live music along the way. The finishers were rewarded with a medal, a t-shirt plus a hog roast! Annie “Jeffed” the distance, not only because of the wine, but mainly because of the heat. Fancy dress was optional and many runners did dress up.
Stockholm Half Marathon - 9th September 2023
Meanwhile, group of eight runners plus supporters ventured to Stockholm to experience the culture of Sweden’s capital and its half marathon. Better known for its full marathon, the city was certainly out in force to the support runners from around the world for the Stockholm Half Marathon.
Starting and finishing at the royal palace, runners were introduced to many of the major sites of the city’s inner archipelago and parks. Despite a number of recent injuries, the Bourton group enjoyed the experience, including the four first-time half marathoners.
Ian Tolfts who is still nursing an Achilles’s injury, led the team home in two hours, four minutes and eleven seconds, in what proved to be a very warm and sunny Saturday afternoon. Next to finish was Louise Hamilton-Smith, who tailored her usual pace in preparation for this year’s New York City marathon in November. Louise was pleased to complete the 21.1 kilometres, in-line with her target, in 2:19:29, accompanied by John Gibson in 2:19:30.
First-timer Samantha Mellor was pleased with her controlled pace, finishing in an excellent 2:28:11. Lynn Hudson and Gillian James ran together, supporting each other, and enjoyed the experience, both finishing in 2:28:28. Chris Lynch maintained a well-balanced pace and was rewarded with a time of 2:37:05. Jenny Evanson, who was taking on her first half marathon, was rewarded for her dedication to her training, completing the course in very warm conditions ahead of thousands of other runners in 2:57:14.
Allie Quinn, who organised the brilliant trip, is still recovering from a serious injury. With New York marathon also her major goal, elected to run the first nine miles of the route, and managed to reach the finish to welcome home her club-mates home at the finish; well done to Allie.
Parkruns- 9th September 2023
Despite the a focus on the road races, Bourton Roadrunners still managed to have several members out in support of parkrun at the following locations:
Cheltenham Pittville Park: Chris Dry – 29:03.
Chipping Norton: Lorna Shawcross – 26:52 (LV60/1), Sharon Rees – 34:53 (LV55/1).
Newport, South Wales: Jaq Underwood – 25:38 (LV55/1).
Tamar Lakes: Susan Hunt – 25:08 (LV55/2).
Wolford Wood: Dougal Hamilton-Smith – 21:03 (3rd overall and JM15-17/1 with a course PB), Liz Hulcup – 29:12.
Highlights
Annie sniffed-out the Bacchus Wine Half.
Eight Bourton Roadrunners, plus supporters, ventured to Stockholm for its half marathon, with Ian leading the team home.
Part of the Bourton team ahead of the race
Relaxing the following day
Other reports may be found on our recent race reports page.