Bourton Mile - 9th May 2025
Harry Wells won the Bourton Mile and, in a thrilling sprint finish, it was only the shortest of strides that separated him from his friend and former team-mate, Richard De Camps. For Wells, 24, a long-time Gloucester AC athlete who now competes for Victoria Park Harriers & Tower Hamlets club in London, it meant a Bourton double, coming after his victory in February’s Bourton 10km.
Start of the 2025 Bourton Mile Race - picture by gillian carrick
click on the banner picture to download a larger copy.
The pair finished well clear of Western Tempo’s Luke Carroll in third but there was no course record bonus as Wells clocked 4min 21.5secs, only half a second in front of De Camps. He said: “The aim was to try and feel comfortable, wind it up through each quarter and any sprint finish was me reacting to Richard coming alongside me in that final stretch.” “I know Richard well and he always used to beat me. I thought he might catch me this time so it’s nice to get the win.”
With three-time winner, Ben Robinson opting not to run, it was Wells’ loping stride and impressive pacing that proved enough to secure victory. His times for each quarter mile were 67sec, 66sec, 66sec and 61sec.
The women’s race saw a first Bourton Mile win for Abbie Milnes as Weston Tempo secured a one-two. Milnes, an Art teacher from Cheltenham College, crossed the line in only her second road mile in 4min 57.6sec. Her team-mate, Amber Watson took second place in 5min 9.6sec, holding off the challenge of the fast-finishing Steph Lane from Bourton Roadrunners. “That was my best time for the mile,” said Milnes. “I felt good until half-way but I enjoyed it.”
In this, the biggest Bourton Mile ever staged, there were 50 entrants for the Junior Mile, with the boys’ race won in 5min 3.1sec by Jack Taylor of Witney Roadrunners and the girls’ race won in 5min 34sec by Lily Sienna Hodgeson from Chepstow Harriers.
A total of 179 runners completed the mile along the flat course which starts on Rissington Road and ends in the centre of the village. Race Director, Gill Carrick said: “It was a fabulous evening for running fast and that was reflected in the times in a top-quality race. We’d like to thank everyone who turned out to support the runners.”
The host club, Bourton Roadrunners was represented by Alex Pye (4:54.4 - PB), Steph Lane (5:10.5 and 3rd woman), Dougal Hamilton-Smith (5:33.0), Rebecca Townsend (6:05.0), Lisa Braid (6:37.9), Tony Goodwill (7:22.8), Graham Lane (7:43.4 and MV70/3), Liz Hulcup (7:43.6 and LV70/3) and Janice Townsend (8:32.3).
Sherborne 5 - 11th May 2025
Another local race taking place this weekend was the Sherborne School’s 5-mile multi-terrain plus a fun run. Bourton Roadrunners have been long-term supporters of this event, with Alex Pye having another strong run, finishing second in a time of 31 minutes and 13 second, and Steph Lane was first woman and fourth overall in 31 minutes and 44 seconds.
Other Bourton members included Dougal Hamilton-Smith (35:01), Tim Hemming (36:52), Niamh Shoemark (37.34 LV50/1), Rebecca Townsend (38:29 SL/3), Iain Cox (40:22), Steve Howell (40:33), Ian Tolfts (41:03), Pat Gill (41:55), Lee Hutton (42:26), Lisa Braid (44:06), Claire Cox (44:09), Robin Smith (44:11), John Harding (44:24), Jaq Underwood (44:24), Gillian Howell (44:26 LV60/1), Graham Lane (44:54 MV70/1), Giles Canning (45:58), Claire Blackie (46:04), Lee Smith (47:48), Liz Hulcup (47:59 LV70/1), Gill Carrick (48:38), Lucy Smith (50:06), Tom Knight (52:38), Janice Townsend (56:36), Cathryn Nesbitt (56:36), Alison Quinn (56:36), Val McKay (63:04), Jenny Evanson (66:42) and Dawn Coley (74:38) despite getting stung by a bee! Louise Townsend was the volunteer tail-marker.
Touer de Hvar Trail Marathon - 11th May 2025
Arianna Downs also electing for an off-road challenge travelled to Croatia for the Touer de Hvar Trail Marathon. Battling the tough terrain and heat, Ariana completed the 40Km race in a time of 8 hours, 11 minutes and 53 seconds, receiving a medal for finishing second woman in her age group.
Yarrow Valley Bluebell 10k - 11th May - 2025
Steph and Gary Holton, along with their son Tom and his wife Amy, took part in the Yarrow Valley Bluebell 10k. Whilst not their fasted 10Km race they loved it with its technical twists and turns, ups, downs, uneven tracks and river crossings!
Vancouver vertical beer mile - 9th May 2025
After completing the Newport and London Marathons, Bourton’s Kevin Goodwill decided that a holiday to Canada was in order. However, rather than resting he up took part in the Vancouver vertical beer mile! Incorporating 1600m of assent, competitors had to run in fancy dress and drink a beer every 400m. The four-lap route provided interesting challenges in completing the 3.9 miles distance, although Kevin finished first Brit.
Parkrun - 10th May 2025
Despite a busy weekend of racing, several club members still found time to support parkrun, with attendance at the following venues:
Clapham Common: EvaShoemark - 28:04.
Evesham: Megan Ratcliffe - 25:16 (VW55/1), Lorna Shawcross - 26:40 (VW60/1), Alex Wilson - 27:39.
Harcourt Hill, Oxford: Claire Louise Carroll - 31:27 (VW60/2), Liz Hulcup - 31:27 (VW70/1), Louise Hamilton-Smith - 31:28.
King George V Playing Field, Cheltenham: Chris Dry - 28:35.
Marlborough Common: Susan Hunt - 27:41 (VW60/1), Linda Edwards - 31:28 (VW60/2).
Witney: Val McKay - 34:34 (VW60/3).
Return to the Current Race Reports page.
Highlights
Another busy weekend, with Bourton Roadrunners hosting the second event of its race series with the Bourton Mile. BRR members were also present at Sherborne 5, Hvar Trail Marathon, Valley Bluebell 10k, and the Vancouver Vertical Beer Mile.
A few photos from this weekend’s running.
Click on thumbnail to load.
You can then run manually or automatically.
A separate page containing a selection of photos from the Bourton Mile will be available shortly.
Arianna with her well-earned medals from the Touer de Hvar Trail Marathon, Croatia - 11th May 2025
Click on image for a larger version.
Kevin in costume at the Vancouver Vertical Beer Mile, Canada - 9th May 2025
Click on image for a larger version.
Other reports may be found on our recent race reports page.