Maverick Peaks Merlin Ultra - 1st June 2024
Increasingly runners are exploring the challenges and benefits of trail running, often with various distances on offer at each event. This weekend Bourton Roadrunners’ second-claim member Craig Hamilton-Smith travelled to Bakewell, at the heart of the Peak District National Park, for the Maverick Peaks Merlin Ultra, a 52Km race with over 1200 metres of climb, and lots of technical terrain.
Taking in the Pennine footpaths in parts and lesser-known tracks elsewhere, Craig was pleased to finish 40th overall from a very competitive field of over 300 runners and 6th in his age-group, in a time of five hours, 36 minutes and 59 seconds. Participation in such events requires runners to develop a clear strategy and to master their refuelling, and Craig was pleased with his.
Royal Sutton Fun Run - 2nd June 2024
Meanwhile Barry O’Leary opted for the ever-popular Royal Sutton Fun Run, at Sutton Coldfield, close to where he was brought up. Despite being labelled a fun run, participants still cover 8½ miles, some of which is quite hilly. However, this charity event has endured more than forty years and draws large crowds of spectators. Barry dealt with the heat to finish strongly from a field of almost 5000 runners in 73 minutes.
Witney parkrun - 1st June 2024
Bourton Roadrunners has been a keen supporter of the Couch to 5K initiative for some time, having arranged a number of programmes and has been thrilled by the level of interest. To celebrate their successful completion of the programme, participants are invited to join the club in a graduation run at a local parkrun, supported by the wider club membership.
This weekend the club travelled Witney parkrun for the latest graduation in support of Terri Sykes, Gemma Pye, Sharon Coventry, Jessica Hart and Kate Franklin.
Parkrun events - 1st June 2024
The club’s full parkrun coverage this weekend included:
Bolberry Down: Giles Canning – 27:36.
Chelmsford Central: Susan Hunt – 24:45.
Crystal Palace: Eva Shoemark: 26:30.
Evesham: Megan Ratcliffe – 24:04.
Monsal Trail: Dougal Hamilton-Smith – 21:21.
Severn Bridge: John Conway – 37:37, Sarah Conway – 54:18.
Stratford-upon-Avon: George Swayne – 18:55.
Witney: Ian Tolfts – 24:06, Graham Lane – 25:50 (VM70/1), Lorna Shawcross – 28:38, Margaret Hollamby – 30:33, Judy Kong – 30:52, Alison Tighe – 33:09,
Sharon Rees – 34:02, Gemma Pye – 34:10, Jenny Evanson – 35:57, Kate Franklin – 36:16, Jessica Hart – 37:17, Alan Thomas – 37:22, Judy Cheyne – 37:53,
Val McKay – 38:29, Terri Sykes – 41:13, Allie Quinn – 41:14, Sharon Coventry and Shirley Creed – 41:35.
Woolford Wood: Derek Darby – 21:29 (3rd overall).
Highlights
BRR members were racing at Maverick Peaks Merlin Ultra, Royal Sutton Fun Run and our recent C25K graduates were out with supporters at Witney parkrun.
Craig at the Maverick Peaks Merlin Ultra - 1st June 2024. Click on image for a larger version.
Our C25K team and supporters at Witney parkrun - 1st June 2024. Click on image for a larger version.
Judy Kong at her first parkrun at Witney - 1st June 2024. Click on image for a larger version.
Other reports may be found on our recent race reports page.