HEADLINES

• Carol Clarke first FV55 at Great North Run
• Jane Wassell selected as a reserve for England Veterans
• successful GB debut for Wendy Jones in World Championships & she is picked again!
• Ladies relay team finish 15th in National Championship
• 22 club members run Stroud ½ and Sue Brown wins age group prize
• Chris Illman and Jane Wassell win the club’s road race championships

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

This heading appears to be here to stay. Another of the club’s successful ladies team has been rewarded for some consistently fine results. Jane Wassell has been selected as a reserve for the England Veterans team for next month’s Home International race to be held in Falkirk , Scotland . It’s a shame the selectors didn’t wait a week or two longer as Wassell’s storming run in the English road relay championships would surely have warranted selection for the final team. She will still be hoping to get a race however and we all wish her well should she successfully pull on an international vest.

Meanwhile Wendy Jones not only achieved her ambition of a Great Britain vest (see report below) but following her run in the relay, has been selected again. As avid readers of teletext and the BBC sport website will have spotted, Jones has been selected to run for GB in the famous Chiba Ekiden International Marathon Relay in Japan on 23 November. She has been asked to run the 10k stage that Paula Radcliffe ran for GB in the same event last year, the other stages being another 10k, three 5k’s and a 7k. Her team manager will be the great Liz McColgan. See www.chiba-ekiden.jp for some great photos of last year’s event which was watched by thousands of spectators.

ROAD / MULTI-TERRAIN RESULTS

1 October, Cricklade 10k Further Cirencester results following previous newsletter.

36 Kveta Kroulikova (3rd lady) 43.31

161 Peter Moran 57.15. 255 finished. www.crickladefunrun.co.uk

1 October, Cricklade ½ Marathon

1 Mike Smith (Bourton) 1.18.03

24 Adam Harborow (Cirencester) 1.27.35. 295 finished. www.crickladefunrun.co.uk

1 October, Great North Run As promised last time, further details of Carol Clarke’s run have emerged including the great news that she was first FV55, a fine performance in such a prestigious race. Here are Carol’s thoughts on her weekend in the north east:

“Given a place in the GNR, after a good for age time earlier in the year, I set off from my B&B under overcast damp skies; perfect running conditions for me. At 7.45 the Metro was packed solid with runners and a foam-rubber Dragon! The air was heavy with the smell of liniment as we all headed for the biggest half marathon in the country. Thankfully Newcastle FC were playing away that day. Start positions had been allocated according to recorded finish times and, based on my Leeds time, I was fortunate enough to be in the group which lined up behind the ‘elite’ men and in front of the ‘masses’. The nerves began to build, the sun came out but the start was delayed due to a technical fault. Steve McLaren finally started the race. Not sure if I tried to keep up with the ‘elite men’, or maybe the occasion was just too much for me, but my legs felt like lead right from the start.

The first taste of what was to come met me as I entered the underpass of the central motorway; deafening cries of ‘Oggy’ ‘Oggy’ ‘Oggy’, echoed from spectators and runners alike. Over the Tyne Bridge - the only landmark I remember - and East, towards the seaside town of South Shields . Cooling-showers had been erected and even sympathetic spectators stood on bus shelters with hose-pipes, to form their own make shift showers, and cheered loudly. Numerous rock bands dotted along the course belted out encouraging lyrics; even a favourite of mine, “Keep On Running” by The Spencer Davies Group (a few club members must remember that one), did nothing to lessen the agony as I dragged myself up yet another incline (yes Fred, there were hills!!).

The half way signs loomed and, although a huge screen had been erected showing the time (so I was informed later), I missed this significant marker! At nine miles, ‘Runners Welfare Pick-Up Point’ notices appeared and I was sorely tempted to be the first in the queue for a bus ride to the finish!

My first glimpse of the sea coincided with brain and legs communicating and a short sharp hill down to the coast road gave me my fastest 50 metre dash ever. The sea front was just a mass of runners and spectators and I was unable to see the finishing line from a mile away. At 800 meters all I could think about was the Tuesday night track sessions and, again, at 400 meters, but still I couldn’t see the finish.

At last the time clock appeared and through the sweat I made out 1:39:40 ; yes I could do it, but suddenly the course took an unexpected turn to the right, across a short expanse of grass, before the finishing line. I crossed the mat at 1:40:09 - 16 seconds slower than my PB from Leeds . I wasn’t really disappointed, the race had been tough and it hurt. 36,234 runners crossed the finishing line, my position 2,245, not bad for a day out.”

1 October, Marlow Rowers Revenge Rowathlon (row 4k, bike 25k, run 7½k). Thanks are due to Mark Evans for feeding through numerous triathlon, duathlon and now even rowathlon results during 2006.

1 David Koss (15.33, 451.17, 28.27) 1.25.20

72 Mark Evans (Cirencester) (16.15, 47.57, 35.28) 1.39.41. 401 finished.

8 October, World Road Running Champs , Debrecen , Hungary . After a long journey, involving flying to Budapest followed by a four hour coach trip to Debrecen on the eastern border of Hungary near Slovakia, Ukraine & Romania, Wendy Jones arrived at the venue of the World Road Running Championships where she was to make her debut as a Great Britain international. The 20km race was run over a pancake flat four lap course in the “big wood”, a lovely expanse of greenery adjoining Debrecen ’s university. The weather was perfect with warm sunshine and little wind. Only about 65 runners lined the start, but what quality! Olympic & world medallists abounded and it was quite a sight seeing the rapid start. Jones sensibly latched onto the back of the main pack keeping an eye on her team mate, experienced international Susan Partridge. Even so her first 5k of 17.03 (36th) was half a minute faster than planned! The two leaders, Lornah Kiplagat of Netherlands (via Kenya) and Romanian Constantina Tomescu raced through 10k in an astonishing 31.11 whilst Jones slowed slightly (17.34) for an excellent 34.37 clocking (37th). By this time the field had begun to string out making the long straights on each lap particularly hard work. Although slowing further, an inevitable consequence of a restricted build-up (a mere five weeks after getting the all clear following Achilles problems) and a rapid start, Jones still managed a more than competent 36.18 for her second 10k (18.03, 36th and 18.15) for an overall finishing position of 38th. Kiplagat prevailed over Tomescu by two seconds, both of them beating Paula Radcliffe’s world record for the distance. Her prize was $30,000 and she was awarded a further $50,000 for breaking the record. Jones, running in front of her very proud mum, was elated with her performance and the experience of racing against the best in the world will stand her in good stead for, hopefully, more international appearances in the future. She even had to undergo a drugs test! Some quotes after the race:

UK Athletics website “Jones, returning after injury, can be well satisfied with her GB debut in a high quality field”

Athletics Weekly “Scot Susan Partridge and GB debutant Wendy Jones of Cirencester, put in solid efforts … Jones [who] had been rewarded for excellent form this year at the age of 37, ran 70.55 for 38th.”

Wilts & Glos Standard (quoting Jones) “I was so proud to get my GB vest. It’s the lowest I’ve ever finished in a field before in my life but the standard was so high. When I saw the start line, I was trying to concentrate on my race but was also star spotting.”

1 Lornah Kiplagat ( Netherlands ) 1.03.21 (World record)

27 Susan Partridge ( Great Britain ) 1.09.17

38 Wendy Jones ( Great Britain ) 1.10.55

57 finished. www.iaaf.org

15 October, Amsterdam Marathon

2685 Terry Ranger (Cirencester) 3.48.26 (chip time 3.46.31). 5,828 finished.

15 October, Swindon ½ Marathon .

1 Tim Crossland ( Leeds City ) 1.13.37

23 Susan Marr (Highworth, 1st lady/FV40) 1.24.38

35 Cathy Cook (Cirencester, 2nd lady/FV40) 1.26.12

781 Jim Fallon 2.02.41. 1,189 finished. www.swindonhalfmarathon.co.uk

21 October , AAA Women’s 4 Stage Road Relay , Sutton Park , Birmingham (4 x 4.3km). Having performed so well in the Midlands relays a month earlier, Cirencester’s ladies team ventured back to the same venue for the National version. Unfortunately Cathy Cook was unable to make this event due to a prior engagement but new member Nicola Denning stepped in at short notice and performed admirably. The club’s travelling supporters comprised a mixture of young and not so young with team manager David Edelsten, his sidekick Tony Curry and Jane Wassell’s parents trumped by five of the offspring of the team. Dan Leggate was the only follower filling the gap between the ages of 11 and 60! As anticipated, in view of the fact that this race was the official trial for GB selection to the Chiba Ekiden Relay in Japan , the first stage was of a very high standard. Wendy Jones was up against a lot of Britain ’s top track runners and did well to keep within 20 seconds of 1500m star Helen Clitheroe. The run of the day was undoubtedly Wassell’s. Fresh from having been picked as a reserve for the England Veterans team, the confidence gained from that selection galvanised her into a storming run, some 20 seconds faster than her effort in the Midlands race. This left Denning with the daunting task of setting off in 10th. Despite running the Cardiff ½ Marathon a week earlier and having little chance to prepare for this race, she ran the time expected of her and held on very well to give Ellen Leggate the chance, which she accepted, of charging through the field on the last stage. To finish 15th in a National event is a very fine performance for a small club like Cirencester. Bring on the six stage relays next Spring!

1 Birchfield Harriers 59.33

15 Cirencester AC 1.02.52

Wendy Jones (6) 14.31, Jane Wassell (10) 15.49, Nicola Denning (24) 17.32, Ellen Leggate 15.00

78 teams finished. Fastest individual times: 1 Helen Clitheroe ( Preston ) 14.11, 9 Wendy Jones (Cirencester) 14.31, 29 Ellen Leggate (Cirencester) 15.00. www.race-results.co.uk

22 October, Stroud ½ Marathon . Club championship event. A wonderful turnout from Cirencester AC for the final club race of the road season, reflecting the upturn in fortunes experienced by the club in the last 18 months. To go with the quantity the red & blacks also brought quality to the proceedings with a very important side issue to be decided. The season long battle between 19 year old university student Chris Illman and 31 year old eternal student Pancho Gonzalez-Diaz came down to the last event. Whoever finished ahead at Stroud would win the club championship. Pancho almost missed the start - he thought it was 10.30 not 10.00 – but just made it through the masses before the gun went off. Despite the relative closeness of the result, Illman was always comfortably ahead and such is the progress made by both runners during the last 12 months that neither was over happy with his run. If only the rest of us had that problem! The big two led Cirencester to third team prize supported by Adrian Williams, who carved another four minutes from his best time, and the hamstrung David Wright. Robbie Brown continued his rapid improvement on a great day for the Brown family as Sue walked away with first FV50 prize. Unfortunately our esteemed captain collected this prize on behalf of Sue, as well as his own individual prize and the two team prizes but inadvertently left all the vouchers at the presentation! At the time of writing it appears that they may have been recovered by the organisers so the captain may live to tell the tale. The second team prize referred to was for third ladies team but was a little embarrassing for the club as a lady member had given her number to her male partner, who promptly led the ladies home! As it turned out the first three official ladies of the club, Kveta Kroulikova, Trudy Compton & Kim Withycombe would still, almost certainly, have won the same prize. It does, however, highlight the need to abide by the stated rules of the race.

1 Simon Kasimili ( Kenya ) 1.04.51 (chip time 1.04.49)

12 Chris Illman (Cirencester) 1.14.16 (1.14.14) – club U20 record

13 Pancho Gonzalez-Diaz 1.14.38 (1.14.37)

58 Adrian Williams 1.23.01 (1.22.53)

84 David Wright 1.25.26 (1.25.13)

112 Robbie Brown 1.26.55 (1.26.33)

144 Dorian Matts 1.28.41 (1.28.27)

156 Tim Collings 1.29.49 (1.29.26)

189 Jamie Cameron 1.31.02 (1.30.29)

204 Jonathan Young 1.31.53 (1.31.45)

260 Stephen Elverd 1.34.30 (1.34.17)

272 Chris Bean 1.34.58 (1.33.06)

282 Andy Bradley 1.35.37 (1.35.23)

367 Darren Dent 1.38.51 (1.38.03)

372 Kveta Kroulikova 1.39.00 (1.37.09)

437 Trudy Compton 1.40.52 (1.39.27)

453 Kim Withycombe 1.41.25 (1.41.12)

493 Tim Willson 1.42.34 (1.41.31)

537 Carol Clarke (3rd FV55) 1.43.56 (1.43.43)

715 Rupert Chesmore 1.48.51 (1.47.00)

772 Sue Brown (1st FV50) 1.50.26 (1.49.43)

1105 Dick Waldron 2.01.46 (1.58.57)

1215 David Edelsten 2.07.07 (2.05.48)

1232 Cathie Cowell 2.08.01 (2.06.35)

1258 Yvonne Binks 2.09.59 (2.07.10). 1,552 finished. www.stroudathleticclub.org.uk plus photos on www.photo-fit.net (access via Stroud website having noted race number from results).

2006 CLUB ROAD RACE CHAMPIONSHIP

There was a grand finale to the 2006 club championship with a head to head between Chris Illman and Pancho Gonzalez-Diaz. Whoever prevailed between the two at Stroud would win the championship and this year it went to the young legs of 19 year old Illman. During the season there were five different leaders and an indication of the current and future strength of the club is that of the top seven finishers only the ancient newsletter editor is a veteran. That is totally contrary to recent years as well as the situation in many running clubs and is a great positive to take forward. The women’s championship wasn’t quite as close as Jane Wassell swept all before her to capture the Cross Country & Road double, possibly the first time this has been achieved by a lady.

Whilst a healthy 42 men took part in at least one event during the year only 19 ladies appeared which, when looking at the breakdown by gender on Tuesday nights, is slightly disappointing. Still a total of 61 members competing would have been unheard of five years ago so the momentum is positive.

One slight blot on the championship: it has been pointed out that some members have been awarded points when not wearing club vests. Although it clearly states in the rules that to score points club colours must be worn, it has proved impossible to fully police this. Therefore in recent years the rule has not been implemented and this will be the case for 2006. The rule will be clarified for next year. It should also be pointed out that to take advantage of the lower entry fees applicable to club members for open road races, thus avoiding the unaffiliated £2 loading, runners must wear club vests.

Men:

1 Chris Illman 131pts

2 Pancho Gonzalez-Diaz 129pts

3 David Wright 117pts

B Leggate 115pts, P Barlow 109pts, A Williams 89pts, S Elverd 78pts, A Bradley 65pts, D Matts 55pts, A Harborow 47pts, J Young 45pts, D Edelsten 38pts, K McAnespie 35pts, D Cook 30pts, T Kingston & I Pople 28pts, L Horton 27pts, C Brough 26pts, R Brown 22pts, M Gluning 20pts, D Dent 18pts, C Tapley 17pts, D Waldron 16pts, T Ranger 13pts, N Dunnage, C Sherrington & J Prout 12pts, D Atkinson & R Chesmore 11pts, C Goldie 10pts, J Fallon & T Collings 9pts, F Robson, J Cameron & B Ferris 8pts, C Riches 7pts, A McKeeman, C Hook & T Willson 4pts, A Fraser 3pts, P Moran & G Clarke 1pt.

Women:

1Jane Wassell 102pts

2 Kveta Kroulikova 93pts

3 Trudy Compton 90pts

Corinne Clark 58pts, W Jones 52pts, Carol Clarke 48pts, K Withycombe 42pts, S McKeeman 33pts, S Brown 32pts, E Wilson 28pts, Y Binks 21pts, J Manners 19pts, C Pearson & C Bolam 13pts, F Collings, L Darroch & C Cox 12pts, J Nielson 9pts, L Ferris 8pts.

The club is always open to suggestions for races to include in the championship so if anyone has a favourite race please let David Edelsten or the editor know. The main aim is to get as many members as possible competing together in local races, irrespective of their ability. A good spread of distances to race (this year it covered one mile to 26 miles) and within an hour’s drive of Cirencester to attract decent numbers is the target.

CROSS COUNTRY RESULTS

14 October, Glos League at Blackbridge, Gloucester .

U11 Boys (2.4k): 1 Miles Burton ( Bath ) 8.41, 3 Cameron Wassell 8.48, 8 Lewis Wassell 9.03. 38 finished.

Ladies (7.7k):

1 Emily Pidgeon ( Gloucester ) 27.27

5 Jane Wassell (Cirencester, 1st FV35) 29.03. 84 finished. www.glosaaa.org.uk

CROSS COUNTRY FIXTURES (Sunday unless stated)

5 November, Oxford League at Ascott-u-Wychwood. As stated in the last newsletter, a big turnout is needed for the first race of the winter. Ascott is just beyond Burford so is no great distance away. If going independently, take the A361 out of Burford towards Chipping Norton, then right onto the B4437, probably signposted to Ascott. The course is on the right of this road and there will probably be signs to the “XC” on a small right hand turn before reaching the village. The car park is in a field for which there is usually a £1 charge levied. The club erects a tent at the race so look out for lingering members in red & black congregating around the temporary HQ. Alternatively meet at the leisure centre at 09:30 for a convoy to the race. The women start at 11:10 and the men at 11:40 . The course includes a water jump and a few hills. Full details can be found on the league’s excellent new website www.oxonxc.org .

18 November (Sat), Glos League at Pittville Park, Cheltenham www.glosaaa.org.uk

3 December, Oxford League at Culham Park , nr Abingdon. This is a new venue for the league. Culham Park is located off the A415 between Abingdon and Clifton Hampden. From Abingdon take the A415 east and turn left at the sign for Culham No. 1 site (this is the first turning before Culham Science park). There is a £1 car park charge. Alternatively meet at the leisure centre at 09:30 for a convoy to the race. There is a course map on the website www.oxonxc.org

9 December (Sat), Glos League at Plock Court , Gloucester www.glosaaa.org.uk

31 December, Oxford League at Radley College www.oxonxc.org

6 January 2007 (Sat), Glos County Championships, venue tba www.glosaaa.org.uk

4 February, Oxford League at Cirencester Park

4 March, Oxford League at Drayton School , Banbury

NEW MEMBERS

Another healthy influx of new members has recently joined the ranks of Cirencester AC: Chris Bean, Nicola Denning, Joanna Green, Amanda Harrison, Andrew Mosley, Bryan Reid and James Rumsey.

CLUB TRAINING

Because of the unprecedented increase in club members in recent times, finding appropriate training locations on Tuesday evenings around Cirencester for the winter months has become a bit of a headache. Bob Ferris has come up with the following solution:

“Due to the increase in membership over the last 12 months (which the club is very pleased about), some of our old training venues will no longer be safe for training. So the club has hired Deer Park School astroturf football pitch for some of the sessions. This will cost the club £35 per evening, it’s not perfect but it is traffic free and very well lit.

The around the town venues may change throughout the winter, for various reason, but I will attempt to keep as close to the printed list as possible (see below and on club noticeboard).

For new comers, Tetbury hill is a circuit of just under a mile, with a hill. Abbey grounds: we can do various sessions here if the lights are working. College is a road circuit of about 500m, which we can use during school/college holidays. These are venues which I believe will be safe for the Tuesday evenings training sessions.”

Proposed venues: Oct 31, School; Nov 7, Abbey grounds; Nov 14 School; Nov 21 Tetbury hill; Nov 28 School; Dec 5 School; Dec 12 School; Dec 19 Abbey grounds. Further updates to follow.

A reminder also that at the AGM it was agreed to start Sunday morning club runs at 9.00 rather than 9.30 commencing this Sunday 29 October from the leisure centre.

CHRISTMAS PARTY

There are only four places left for the Christmas party to be held on Friday 8 December at the Corinium Court Hotel (same venue as last year) at 7.30pm . Cost is £25 per head. Social secretary Wendy Jones asks that anyone who has booked but not paid please do so by 20 November by cheque (payable to Cirencester AC) to Wendy either at the club or to 2 Totterdown Cottages, Totterdown Lane, Fairford, Glos. GL7 4DG (tel 01285 712439).

FEATURE ARTICLE

Occasionally articles are received that, although linked to races in some form, are peripheral to the actual running side of things. These articles are to be encouraged because they give the newsletter a broader brush. Usually they are written by Rupert Chesmore and are so long that they have to be spread across more than one newsletter which, of course, makes the anticipation for the next edition even more exciting! Mr Chesmore now has a rival as Andy Bradley, a relative newcomer to the club, has written a mighty tome entitled “How Good’s That” about an epic journey undertaken by a few members to watch Wendy Jones’ debut international race in Hungary (see results above):

“The trip started with a BANG. Paul Barlow and I went to pickup David Wright & Sue Jones (Wendy’s mum) from Fairford. As we arrived four F16 fighter planes took off from the US Air Base behind Wendy’s house. Quite impressive. Loads of thunderclouds above London meant a 30min delay to the Malev plane taking off and a bumpy take off through the clouds, causing Paul to bite his fingernails down to the bone. I have to agree that the engines did sound similar to a Honda 50 Sports bike I had when I was 17. The air hostesses were a delight, about 10yrs below retirement age (they retire at 75 in Hungary ). Still they did a “good job” in bringing round the food – a Hungarian Panini & cardboard box containing condiments, milk, sugar, salt etc and a Kit-Kat but no food!
We arrived in the centre of sunny Budapest & Paul soon spotted the first of many Honda cars. Our apartment was clean & modern. Paul volunteered to sleep on a mattress on the floor to allow Sue a room to herself. That left David & I in single beds but attached with a single headboard (a bit too close for both our liking). We spent the evening down by the Danube , drinking on a riverboat & eating outside at a Hungarian restaurant. Paul used the blanket provided to keep warm. Sue braved the chill. We passed by a large but peaceful demonstration against the PM & nearly bought a t-shirt that read in Hungarian “@#?$ the prime minister”. But my bartering skills weren’t good enough & she rejected my 2 for 1 offer.
Next day we went to the larger railway station to get the train to Debrecen , only to find we should have gone to the smaller one. So we got a taxi driver to take us across town. Sue attempted to get into the front left side seat, but the taxi driver insisted on him driving. We all laughed. Having agreed a fixed price, he shot out of the station and along the high street at supersonic speed. I reached for the safety belt but it was broken. Good job it was only a short trip. Personally I’d rather save that sort of excitement for the amusement park. We bought the tickets for Debrecen & got a cappuccino at McDonalds, where the girl spent 15mins creating a flowery picture in the cream, with sprinkledchocolate, which caused a queue of about 10 people (spot the hungry Hungarian). All of the carriages in the train were taken, so we picked one with a single gent in. The train was circa 1960, the type you saw in those old black & white films (like Hard Days Night) where the walkway is on the side and the carriages have a sliding door. Paul was the first to speak to him in broken Hungarian, but he didn’t understand. So Paul then spoke to him in Mancunian English, but he still didn’t understand. Then the guy said in perfect English, “Do you speak English?” “Yes”, we all replied. “Where are you from?” he asked. “ England ” we replied. He introduced himself as Attila. He explained that he taught English part time, but wasn’t fully qualified. He then went on to tell us his life story over the next 2hrs. He knew loads about English history & his main subject was astrology. His comment about “parallel lines meeting in infinity” stayed with us all weekend. When he got off the train he waved & I took a photo. As the train left the station he waved & carried on waving until he was out of sight. He was going to see friends he hadn’t seen for 22yrs. We joked that they may have gone away for the weekend; such was his ability to talk. A nice man, but probably rather lonely. He certainly made the long train journey go quicker.
We arrived in Debrecen and again the apartment was excellent. We ate out and again the food was 1st class. With pre meal Hungarian schnapps downed as recommended by the waiter. Next day we caught a tram to the University grounds where the race was being held. We met up with Wendy, who looked really happy at seeing her mum, but admitted to feeling a little tired. She had jogged the 5k course & explained it was pancake flat, tarmac throughout, start and finish at the same place, in front of the main university building. We had some coffee & pastries and left her alone to concentrate on her small task of racing the world’s greatest long distance runners on the following day (piece of cake).
Next day was race day. First the women: 70 of the world’s top long distance runners from 20+ nations, with $30k for the winner plus team prizes [see report of race above]. Paul and I watched the race next to an American coach who supported every female runner in the race by calling out “good job”. Very supportive, very positive, very American if not slightly irritating after 10 or so (pleasingly Wendy beat the entire five strong American team).
The men were next. A large pack for the first two laps before Tadesse of Eritrea pulled away to win in 56.03 about 15s outside Gebrselaisse’s world record. That’s an average of just over 4½ minutes per mile. And he didn’t look at all knackered when he crossed the line either. To see these athletes at close quarters is very inspiring. Such speed, technique & grace. Highly skilled, motivated, focused. Such dedication & desire, commitment & ambition. All the drugs in the world couldn’t get me to run as fast as these folk.” … … to be continued: tune in next time to find out all about Ralph & Hugh, the GB dancing team (nul points), more manic taxi journeys and a corpse.

MISCELLANY

… there have been a number of recent additions to the club’s separate website archive of photographs: Frampton 10k, World Road Champs, Midland & National Road Relays, Stroud ½ Marathon . Contributors since last update include Clare James, Brian Smith, Sue Jones, Andy Bradley & David Wright.

… the club is looking for someone to take on the computerised results at the races we will be organising in 2007: Chedworth Roman Trail (April), Westonbirt 10k (May) and Cirencester Park 10k (September). The previous incumbent, George Abouyannis from Fairford, will not be doing it any more but is willing to assist his replacement. We need someone who is computer literate and has their own laptop & printer. We use some straightforward software so the operation is quite easy. If you think you can help please contact David Edelsten.

… finally good luck this weekend to Rupert Chesmore who is running (and reporting on?) the Snowdonia Marathon, the toughest 26.2 miler in the country; also to Chris Goldie who will be lining up on the Verazzano Bridge with 35,000 others on Sunday 5 November for the New York City Marathon.

David Wright: wrights@tesco.net or 01285 641224