31th March 2009

Chris Illman was frustrated in his attempt to revise the club half marathon record at last weekend's Reading Half Marathon as he was directed off course during the later stages of the race. Despite this he recorded a competetive time of 1.11.01 for 24th position. Adrian Williams was pleased to break 75 minutes for the first time, whilst David Wright continued his string of age group wins with a comfortable victory in the V50 class. Paul Barlow was another recording a personal best time, whilst a little further down the field Neville Prinsloo and Terry Ranger were both producing solid performances. The final fixture of the Gloucestershire Cross-country League at Leamington saw Jane Thomas return from injury in time to clinch a well deserved second place in the U20 championship. Supported by Avril Haseler and Christina See, the ladies team finished sixth on the day. Meanwhile, Jane Stevens was taking part in the Draycote 5 mile race, finishing in a time of 42.39.

17th March 2009

Adam Harborrow showed good form ahead of next months London Marathon with an excellent time of 1.22.40 at the Bath Half Marathon. Steve Elverd was the next Cirencester finisher, narrowly ahead of Chris Riches. His time of 1.36.39 would have been a new club age group record but for a fine run by Ian Pople at the Forest of Dean Half, setting new V55 figures of 1.36.01. Yvonne Binks was also in record breaking form, whilst Neil Dunnage led home the Cirencester runners in 117th position. The previous weekend Rupert Chesmore braved the tough multi-terrain challenge of the aptly named "Grizzly" 20, finishing in a commendable 924th place.

9th March 2009

Members of Cirencester AC competed across the country last weekend, and were rewarded for their travels with some fine results. Adrian Williams and Paul Barlow both received call ups to the Gloucestershire Men's team for the Intercounties Cross Country Championships at Nottingham, recognition of their fine form this winter. Performing well in such a high class field, they finished 233rd and 254th respectively. Alice Thomas and Cameron Wassell also received county vests, acquiting themselves ably against the cream of the UKs juniors. Adrian Williams was also in action the following day, defying tired legs to finish an excellent tenth at the Salisbury 10. Chris Riches also ran, and revised the club V55 record by over 6 minutes with a time of 72.22. Performance of the weekend came from Chris Illman at the Gloucester 20, defying gusting winds and freezing rain to record a comfortable victory. David Wright finished sixth overall and first veteran, setting yet another club V50 record in the process. Meanwhile Jon Young and Martin Croucher both made the trip to Milton Keynes with Jon setting a new half marathon best of 88.58

1st March 2009

The final fixture of the Oxford Mail Cross Country League, held at Clanfield, saw Cirencester AC finish it's league campaign in style. Although too far behind to overtake leaders Headington in the overall standings, the men's team had the satisfaction of beating their Oxfordshire rivals for the second consecutive fixture. Led once again by Marc Fallows and with Charles Woodd having his best race of the season in eighth, the team were closed by Bill Leggate who made a welcome return after injury. Wendy Nicholls was another on the comeback trail and she placed a comfortable second in the ladies race. With able support from Jane Wassell and new member Lucy Doughty, the ladies team finished a close second on the day to banish lingering fears of relegation to Division 2. Jane Thomas was unable to race due to injury but was rewarded for a fine season with third in the overall U20 championship, whilst Marc Fallows and Adrian Williams were fourth and eighth respectively in the final men's standings. Several juniors were away at a school's championship but there was an excellent eight place finish by Casey Fallows in the U11 Boys race. David Wright broke his own club V50 record at the previous day's White Horse 5 mile race, just holding off the fast finish of Paul Barlow. Barry Sampson also broke 28 minutes to shave a few seconds off his personal best. Andy Hindson opted to test his endurance over 30 miles at the Wye Ultra Marathon, finishing an excellent 33rd, whilst Chris Riches narrowly missed the club V55 record at the recent Bridge Inn 5km.