Welcome to the first edition of what will hopefully become a regular and popular way to keep up to date and in touch with all matters pertaining to Cirencester Athletics Club. We have a smashing little club with a great buzz pervading on a Tuesday night in anticipation of Bob's proclamation of the evening's efforts ahead. This newsletter aims to encapsulate that atmosphere and express it in a wider context, both to those who regularly attend the club sessions and to members who live away from Cirencester and want to keep in touch with the club.

In this first edition, a brief résumé of 2004 to date will be set out along with an idea of what to expect from future editions. The ultimate success or otherwise of this publication will depend on members. By the very nature of e-mails the idea is not to have a major tome extending to numerous pages detailing every step of each race but rather to convey topicality in a relatively short snapshot. To this end any input by members will be greatly appreciated, whether it be a report on a race, a training run on holiday or any running related experience that may be considered of interest to the membership as a whole. It is important to remember that the club does not revolve around the relatively few who race regularly over 10km. It is a club that embraces running - as well as cycling & swimming for the duathletes and triathletes (about which more in future newsletters) - in all its forms, whether it be the one mile Race for Life or the 145 mile Birmingham to London Grand Union canal race (of which more later).

OK, so to précis 2004 to date. Mid-summer's day has been & gone so there is a lot to get through. Hence this edition will be considerably longer than future issues.

OXFORD LEAGUE

The 2003/2004 season saw the club's greatest collective effort in its short history, with the Ladies achieving the magnificent feat of winning the Oxford Mail XC league held over five races during the winter. Victory was made possible in the three to score event, not always by the same trio, but by seven ladies mixing and matching throughout the season - Cathy Cook, Wendy Jones, Kim Ingleby, Helen Langsam, Ellen Leggate, Jane Wassell and Elaine Wilson all scored valuable points towards ultimate victory. Plenty of other ladies were on hand at all the fixtures to ensure that the team would close in with a decent score. Ultimately victory was comfortable against much larger, Oxon. based clubs such as Witney, Headington and Oxford City . It should not be overlooked also that Cirencester had many miles to travel to four out of the five events yet were committed enough to secure a magnificent team victory.

This club triumph will be celebrated on the evening of Saturday 24 July when all club members (plus partners) are invited to David Wright's house at 14 Morestall Drive, Cirencester (01285 641224) for a party to commemorate the Oxford league victory. Put the date in your diary - more details later.

It should be noted that the men also covered themselves in glory by avoiding relegation!

Individually the following athletes achieved success: Wendy Jones, overall ladies winner, winning four races outright; Kim Ingleby 5 th senior lady overall in her first season; Jane Wassell 2 nd lady Vet O35; Dick Waldron 3 rd Vet O60.

One other runner deserves mention: Jack Stevens, at the tender age of 12, has now run in 28 consecutive Oxford league races, firstly in the U11 age group and latterly in the U13's. He doesn't get close to winning but runs them because he enjoys the races. Isn't this what running is all about and doesn't it make us all feel a bit humble? Well done Jack and keep on enjoying yourself.

More on the Oxford League, including previous results, can be found on www.geocities.com/oxmailxc

ROAD RACING

Following team glory in the winter, two club members have totally dominated the road running scene in Gloucestershire. Wendy Jones and Jane Wassell have had phenomenal success and between them won nearly every race in the region in 2004. Wendy has been victorious in the Bourton 10k, Berkeley 10k, Fairford 10k and last weekend in the inaugural Bourton ½ marathon. Jane has won the Stroud '7' and Broad Town '5' as well as coming 2 nd (1 st Vet) in the Highworth '5'.

In addition, Wendy has found time to run her first marathon at London ( 3:09 despite illness in the week of the race) and her first race abroad, finishing 4 th behind two Kenyans and a Russian in a 15k race near Rotterdam in Holland .

To complete the roll call thus far in 2004, the club have won two team prizes. Firstly at the Highworth '5'. Even then the ladies couldn't be kept out: the team comprised David Wright, Martin Pitts and Jane Wassell, the first time anyone can remember a lady forming part of an overall winning team! The ladies team prize at Fairford was also captured, by Wendy Jones, Jane Wassell and Carol Clarke.

Space precludes full club results from all races competed in by members this year, although it is hoped to give details of all races in future newsletters. Instead results from races forming the club's road race championship are set out below, together with the London Marathon and last weekend's race:

29.02.2004 BOURTON-ON-THE-WATER 10k

26 Wendy Jones 35.27, 55 Keith Firkin 37.45, 76 David Wright 38.55, 127 Chris Riches 41.20, 128 Bob Ferris 41.22, 136 Chris Sherrington 41.43, 151 Tony Curry 42.38, 172 Dick Waldron 43.42, 221 Kim Ingleby 46.19, 222 Elaine Wilson 46.20, 244 Carol Clarke 47.15, 271 Kim Withycombe 48.32, 286 Paula Vass 49.19, 331 Graham Clarke 52.46, 381 Lyn Ferris 56.37, 430 finished. Unfortunately a number of members either gave their number away or ran with someone else's number, making accurate results impossible.

25.04.2004 HIGHWORTH '5'

14 David Wright 30.49, 15 Martin Pitts 30.54, 19 Jane Wassell 31.40, Duncan Atkinson 32.50, 37 Bob Ferris 33.15, 62 Chris Sherrington 34.12, 74 Tony Curry 35.04, 121 Dick Waldron 37.24, 141 Carol Clarke 38.48, 178 Kim Withycombe 40.43, 216 Graham Clarke 42.25, 352 finished.

17.05.2004 BERKELEY POWER STATION 10k

6 Wendy Jones 36.24, 17 David Wright 37.59, 31 Jane Wassell 39.23, 32 Martin Pitts 39.25, 52 Nigel Morris 40.36, 61 Duncan Atkinson 41.39, 62 Bill Leggate 41.46, 70 Chris Riches 42.26, 73 Bob Ferris 42.38, 87 Tony Curry 43.42, 118 Kim Ingleby 46.44, 161 Paula Vass 51.00, 202 Ruth Fulford 59.01, 219 finished.

06.06.2004 FAIRFORD FESTIVAL 10k - Very hot!!

11 Wendy Jones 36.40, 20 David Wright 38.29, 27 Martin Pitts 39.18, 29 Chris Illman 39.25, 55 Nigel Morris 41.42, 65 Duncan Atkinson 42.09, 70 Jane Wassell 42.43, 71 Bob Ferris 43.02, 74 Ian Fletcher 43.22, 77 Chris Sherrington 43.32, 89 Chris Riches 44.14, 104 Paul Barlow (u/a) 45.13, 108 Tony Curry 45.20, 112 Kveta Kroulikkolva (u/a) 45.36, 169 Carol Clarke 50.17, 194 Kim Withycombe 52.01, 202 Jonathan Young 52.28, 208 Paula Vass 52.49, 240 Sue Brown 54.26, 250 Graham Clarke 54.58, 267 David Edelsten 56.23, 298 Lyn Ferris 58.38, 385 Ann Sherrington 69.14, 405 finished.

In addition to the 10k, the Fairford organisers put on a 3k fun run with over 300 participants. Amongst those taking part were 6 year old Cameron Wassell who amazingly finished 39 th overall and unsurprisingly won his age group. His 8 year old brother, Lewis, also performed really well to finish 72nd. Further results from the fun run will appear next time.

In summary the club races have been supported better than for many years with excellent turnouts in each.

18.04.2004 LONDON MARATHON - not part of the championship but always worth recording.

Approx. times: Wendy Jones 3.09, Bill Leggate 3.34, Liza Darroch 4.22, Alison Emes (as was) 4.25, David Edelsten 4.42, Fred Robson 4.45. Fred improves with age - now in his 70's he has improved his time over each of the last three years. Apologies if any times are incorrect.

26.07.2004 INAUGURAL BOURTON-ON-THE-WATER ½ MARATHON

8 Wendy Jones (1 st lady) 1.24.10, 167 David Edelsten 2.04.04, 188 finished

ROAD RACE CHAMPIONSHIP

After four events, positions in the club championship are as follows (remember bonus points are on offer for personal best times):-

Men : D Wright 58pts, D Atkinson 46, M Pitts 43, B Ferris 42, T Curry 39, C Riches & C Sherrington 31, N Morris 25, R Waldron 24, G Clarke 19, K Firkin 15, M Humphries 14, C Illman 13, B Leggate 11, I Fletches 9, J Young 5, D Edelsten 3.

Women : W Jones 48pts, J Wassell 43, C Clarke 39, K Withycombe 36, K Ingleby 27, P Vass 23, S Brown 20, L Ferris 18, E Wilson 13, J Bourke 8, A Sherrington 8.

There are three races left in the championship, details of which are set out below.

Monday 12 th July at 19:30 . Frampton 10k .

This is a very popular evening race, not least because a free half pint of cider is given to all runners, post race it must be stated! Starting and finishing on the massive village green at Frampton and looping out over the Sharpness canal and alongside the Severn river , the race regularly attracts over 400 runners. Entries are usually accepted on the night but to be sure to get in it is advisable to enter in advance. Stroud & District AC have an excellent website and full details of the Frampton race (entries £4 in advance or £5 on the night), as well as results from previous years, can be found on www.stroudathleticclub.org.uk

Sunday 12 th September at 11:00 . Cotswold Classic Witney '10'

A tough but very picturesque course with lots of prizes for those with pretensions in this direction. Cost is £5.50, or £6.50 on the day: full details can be obtained from www.witneyroadrunners.org.uk

Sunday 24 th October at 10:00 . Stroud Half Marathon

It is imperative to enter in advance for this race as entries close well in advance of race day. This is one of the classic races in Gloucestershire and is by far the biggest with some 1500 runners. Not to be missed! Entries close 15 October latest. Full details on www.stroudathleticclub.org.uk

Other forthcoming races and contact details:-

25 July Gloucester ½ marathon, nr. Newent www.gloucester-athletic-club.fsnet.co.uk

7 August Cranham Boundary Chase 5.8m www.gloucester-athletic-club.fsnet.co.uk

15 August Standish Woodland m/terrain 10m www.stroudathleticclub.org.uk

29 August Pewsey Vale ½ marathon www.pewseyvalerunningclub.co.uk

19 September Woodchester Park m/terrain 8m www.stroudathleticclub.org.uk

and, most importantly our own autumn promotion,

26 September CIRENCESTER PARK 10k - whilst some will be able to race, the club will also be looking for volunteers to help. Further news on this race in due course but put it in your diary.

TRAINING

As most members will be aware, main club training times are Tuesday at 18:30 and Sunday at 09:30 at Cirencester Sports Centre. Those with energy left can join the swim group on Sunday evenings at 19:00 . On the first Thursday of each month, for a bit of variation, a steady run of about seven miles takes place at a different location. The next such run is, confusingly, on 8 th July, the second Thursday in the month, meeting at 19:00 in Chedworth at the Seven Tuns pub. David Edelsten promises a gentle run through Chedworth Woods, the Coln Valley and the Stowell Estate. Presumably, given the location, refreshment will be partaken afterwards. All welcome.

During the summer months the Tetbury branch of the club, a thriving throng, meet and run, free of charge, at the Westonbirt Arboretum at 19:00 each Thursday. All Cirencester members welcome for a steady run (lots of different paces, so all catered for) in absolutely glorious surroundings. Just turn up on any Thursday but specifically the last Thursday of the month in an effort to get a Cirencester group there. It has been known for the evening to conclude at the adjacent Hare & Hounds watering hole.

MISCELLANY

One of the pleasures of our sport is in where it can take us. In recent months members have taken part in events both extreme and far from home. Over the next few issues it is hoped to publish some articles on Rupert Chesmore's epic Birmingham to London 145 mile canal race, Chris Sherrington's corporate run in the Oslo ½ marathon, Wendy Jones' 15km in Rotterdam as an invited elite athlete and Keith Firkin's experiences of running in Japan whilst working out there for a few weeks. To kick off this series, Jenny Hill writes:

"How to Peak three times in 24 hours

Now this may sound, to some, a little odd, to others, rather exciting and to those of us who are not as fit as we have been in the past, very intriguing. For me, last weekend, it was all of the above!!

I was invited as reserve (or last resort) to take part in the National Fire Services " Three Peak Challenge". For those not well acquainted to this challenge it involves climbing the three tallest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales and which surmounts (pardon the pun) to 18,786 vertical feet of ascent and descent, 21 miles of hiking (If you can call it that) and 500 miles of driving between the peaks, all of which has to be completed in 24hrs.

Quite why I have always wanted to have a go I cannot say, but with no specific training and only 12 hrs notice I didn't really have much time to think about it.

Our start time was 5:12 Sunday afternoon and after a full kit inspection we were at the starting post ready for the 4,408ft of Ben Nevis . Apart from being eaten alive by midges, the scenery and the general spirit of the other teams and ourselves made for what was going to be a great challenge. The weather at the base was sunny and warm, which led us into a false sense of security. By the time we reached the top we had encountered nearly every element open to us, including driving snow and sub-zero temperatures. Once at the top we had time for a quick photo and banana before we were off back down at break neck speed. To ensure not a minute was wasted a mobile call ahead meant that the bus was warmed up and ready to go. We then all had to strip off and do all the necessaries on the move. At this point eating cheesy pasta perhaps wasn't the best idea. Guess who had to stop the bus and empty ones stomach in a projectile vomit that any man would have been proud of? But there was no time to be girlie and after one quick swig of water we were off again. Needless to say I had no more to eat and slept as well as I could on two seats charging through the Scottish Highlands.

And then came Scafell Pike . This I thought would be the easiest at a mere 3,560ft; the only disadvantage being we set off at 4.30am !! But I have to say this was definitely the worst, not only because of stiff legs, no food and very little sleep but nobody told me that it goes straight up, you can forget traversing and slow climbing, the bloody thing was a 1 in 2 with scree, false summits and a boulder field before you got to the top. I actually said some rude words on this mountain (all learnt since joining Ciren A.C.). Bob is my mentor on this point!!!

Snowdon at 3,560ft was great. The clock stops at the top so only half a mountain at speed, the weather was fantastic as was the scenery and although a steep climb, you do get to a point where you know you are going to make it, which we did in an amazing (for us) time of 20hrs 58mins giving us a silver medal on our first attempt. It really was a terrific 24hr Challenge and although I was unable to walk unaided on Tuesday I would recommend it to anyone (it's got to be easier than Rupert's mad challenge). So maybe next year?

For those of you in the fitter and faster part of the club .. the winning time was 16hrs 48mins, set by a team of four completely mad runners in running gear, all over their prime but in "peak" condition (as were the Royal Marines and firemen but that's another story!!)."

That is about it for the first newsletter. Further information on the club can be found on www.cirencester-ac.org.uk . Any feedback will be very welcome but can I please ask for one simple rule to be adhered to. To maintain a semblance of organisation and editorial control, please direct all e-mail responses to the newsletter, whether in terms of reaction to a particular item or to the submission of an article for a future edition, to David Wright at wrights@tesco.net and not by clicking on the "reply to all" icon.

David Wright