Cotswold Hilly 100 Relay - Sunday 31st May 2026
One of the highlights of the running calendar in the Cotswolds is the Cotswold Hilly 100 Relay, which is organised by Stratford upon Avon Athletics Club, and this was the fortieth anniversary. An this year there were 40 teams representing many of the areas’ running clubs, with Bourton Roadrunners mustering four teams, including runners of all abilities taking part, and one of our teams including four members of the same family.
Bourton’s Team-A were looking to better their 2025 performance in the mixed-team category, where they had finished third. Supported by fellow club and family members throughout the 100-mile route, there were many outstanding individual performances, but it was all about the team and overcoming the many unexpected challenges that can arise during such an event, including delays at a railway crossing!
Despite an inspiring display of endurance and support throughout the exceptionally hilly course, Bourton Roadrunners were just pipped into third-place again, this time by just three minutes. It was down to an equally strong performance by local rivals Cheltenham & County Harriers, and partly due to a four-minute wait at a railway crossing, leaving Bourton to finish in 11 hours and 43 minutes.
Within Bourton’s other three teams there many individual stories, with several runners well out-performing expected times, overcoming last minute injuries, and one runner having to undertake a second stage following one participant falling. Overall, Team-C were 20th, Team-B 21st and Team-D 35th. Of special note were Bourton’s four team captains themselves providing inspiring performances; they were Ian Shoemark, Tim Hemming, Megan Ratcliffe and Tom Hill.
But every race has many sub-stories, and a complex event such as the Hilly 100 provides countless opportunities for these lesser reported activities. A small number of runners had to undertake a second stage following Pat and Noelle both taking a tumble on their respective stages, with Noelle having to attend A&E for stitches.
As always an army of club supporters were out providing transport and morale support, some by team members who had completed their own run. The day was brilliantly rounded-off by the traditional celebratory gathering in the evening, which was held this year at the Duke of Wellington.
Stroud Beer Run - Wednesday 27th May 2026
Earlier in the week Gill Carrick took part in the Stroud Beer Run, a 7.2 mile, three-lap race, which is part of the Gloucestershire Road Race series. Running in hot conditions Gill found the going tough, but finished in a respectable 77 minutes and 54 seconds and achieving 3rd place in the FV65 category.
Parkrun - Saturday 30th May 2026
Of course, no weekend would been complete without a Parkrun, and this week Bourton Roadrunners could be found at the following venues:
Chipping Norton School: Jenny Evanson – 38:33 (VW60/3), Louise Townsend – 47:13.
Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire: Michela Sartori – 26:06 (VW45/2).
Conyngham Hall, North Yorkshire: Kieran Vallance – 27:12 (SM30/3).
Evesham: Alex Wilson – 30:37.
Fire Service College, Moreton-in-Marsh: Tim Hemming – 21:10 (VM55/1 and 5th overall), Paul Delicata – 22:50 VM45/2), Ian Shoemark – 23:06,
Lorna Shawcross – 26:37 (VW60/1), David Rees – 26:40 (VM60/1), Eva Shoemark – 27:25 (SW25/2), Niamh Shoemark – 27:26 (VW55/2), Sharon Rees – 33:50,
John Conway – 40:37, Lee Smith – 49:37.
Kilkenny Lane Country: Jaq Underwood – 22:43 (VW60/1 and 2nd woman overall), Claire Louise Carroll – 27:27 (VW60/2), Louise Colwyn – 30:19 (VW45/2),
Cath Nesbitt – 31:33.
Tewkesbury: Linda Edwards – 30:58 (VW60/1).
Zamek w Malborku, Poland: Susan Hunt – 26:37 (VW60/1).
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Highlights
This week Bourton Roadrunners were in action at the Cotswold Hilly 100 Relay, the Stroud Beer Run, and Parkrun.
Congratulations to all of our runners and supports for a great day at the Cotswold Hilly 100 Relay.
A few photos from the Cotswold Hilly 100 Relay.
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Gill at the Stroud Beer Race, where she was FV65/3 - 27th May 2026.
Other reports may be found on our recent race reports page.