29th March 2010

Adam Harborrow led the way for Cirencester AC at last weekend's Forest of Dean half marathon, finishing 20th in a new personal best time of 1.22.20. With the race representing the second fixture in the club championship, he now takes a deserved early lead in the competition. Renata Sharp garned maximum points in the ladies championship. Martin Croucher used the Carterton 10k as a final warm-up before heading to South Africa for the Two Oceans ultra marathon, whilst David Wright finished 5th at the Swindon Parkrun.

Click here to read David Wrights article on the 4th Swindon Park Run.

23rd March 2010

Cirencester AC's annual Chedworth Roman Trail 10 mile race last Sunday was blessed by warm spring sunshine, although the previous day's rain made underfoot conditions sticky in places. Steve Millward of Gloucester AC emerged the victor in 58.09 having overtaken early leader Lee Rankin of Stroud around halfway, but was made to work hard for his win by Abingdon's Paul Fernandez who was just 37 seconds down at the finish. Gwen Kingsey from Severn AC was a more comfortable winner of the ladies race from Bracknell's Annie Baumber and local triathlete Ann Fallows. Anne's brother Marc was the host clubs leading performer with an excellent 6th place, with Mark Gluning also making the top fifty and Tony Shelbourne finishing 3rd V60. Adrian Williams produced a strong performance at the Reading Half Marathon to finish 51st, whilst Neville Prinsloo and Jan Trocki also competed, recording times of 1.33.24 and 2.01.48 respectively. Keith Firkin was the lone Cirencester representative at the inaugural Cotswolds Marathon, finishing 18th in just over three and a half hours.

16th March 2010
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Cirencester AC's Jane Wassell and Jane Thomas received well deserved call-ups to the Gloucestershire squad for the UK Inter Counties cross country championship held last weekend at Cofton Park, Birmingham. Both performed admirably on the day to help the Gloucestershire team to a top ten finish in a high quality ladies race won by GB international Freya Murray. Jane Wassell continued her recent rich vein of form to finish 88th and third scorer for Gloucestershire, whilst Jane Thomas also ran strongly to complete the team scoring. This was an especially noteworthy result as it marked her debut in senior women's competition. Meanwhile, Martin Croucher completed his preparations for next months Two Oceans Ultra- marathon in South Africa, recording a time of 2.41.09 at the "Mad March" 20, Bournemouth.

15th March 2010

Congratulations to Adam and Helen Harborow on the birth of Tom, a brother to William & Megan, on 14 March and weighing in at 6lb 8oz. According to Adam it was a text book home birth.

This is the third boy born to club members in the last three months. In 2020 Tom could, with help from Harry Dunnage and Gabriel Nicholls, form a strong U11 team for Cirencester in the Oxford League!

8th March 2010
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Cirencester AC's ladies finished off their Oxford Mail Cross-country League campaign in style with victory in the final fixture at Horspath, moving them up into third position overall in Division 1. Jane Wassell made light work of the stiff climb onto Shotover Common to lead the team home in third, whilst Lucy Doughty produced a fantastic performance to make the top 10. Jane Thomas completed the team in 17th position, a result which confirmed her as the winner of the club championship after a fine season. The men were decimated by a raft of call-offs, with junior team manager Colin Tapley commendably donning a club vest at late notice to help the team effort. Adrian Williams ran strongly for 9th to retain his club championship, and with everyone battling hard for points further down the field the threat of relegation was safely negotiated. Several other club members chose to turn out on the roads, with Tony Shelbourn producing a new club V60 record at the Gloucester 20, his first race ever beyond the half marathon distance. Maggie Elsey also set a club age group record as both she and Yvonne Binks continued their London Marathon preparations. With less than one month to go before his attempt at the Two Oceans ultra marathon in South Africa, Martin Croucher opted to incorporate the Duchy Marathon into his training, finishing just outside the top 50 in a time of 3.35.38

8th March 2010

Adrian Williams summarises this seasons Cross Country.

Well another Oxford league completed. I have really enjoyed the season, personally not by best but one of the best team spirits we have had since I have been club captain. We have had a number of new runners this year and up until today we did have 2 completing men's teams and the women did complete two teams which is the first time Cirencester has done that for a long time. Today was another story, I was really worried for the men today with 5 of our top men not being able to make it for a number of reasons, but with great thanks to Robbie, Stephen running with a sore back and Colin running his first race in 3 years we not only scrapped a team but managed to get 9 out which was a fantastic effort. For the women some great runs by Jane Wassell and Lucy.

Overall the Men finished 6th this season so safe in the end and the Women ended up 3rd which is a fantastic result as before Cirencester it was looking a little dodgy for first division survival.

Individually we had some great results and below are the finishing members from Cirencester.

Women
Jane Thomas - 2nd under 20 (Fantastic)
Nicola Denning - 6th Vet 35 (again brilliant)
Barbara Thomas - 16th Vet 45
Christina See - 17th Vet 45

Men Adrian Williams 8th
Bill Leggate - 17th
Adam Harborow - 20th (great first season)
Martin Croucher - 37th (again another great first season)
Neville Prinsloo - 40th
Ed Morris - 45th
Richard Smith - 48th
Keith Firkin - 22nd V40
Dorian Matts - 35th V40
Stephen Kell -36th V40
Rob Ferris - 19th V50
Tony Shelbourn - 3rd V60 (fantastic first season)

So until next November when this all starts again well done and enjoy the summer months on the road!!

Last weekend's Bourton 10k heralded the start of the 2010 Cirencester AC road race championship, with Adrian Williams making the best possible start to the defence of his title. With the race held in damp, blustery conditions, he took shelter amongst the leading runners to place an excellent 10th overall, comfortably Cirencester's first finisher. Behind him Adam Harborrow also ran a well judged race, outlasting Bill Leggate in the final kilometer to dip under 36 minutes and set a new personal best time. The club was well represented amongst the leading ladies, with Jane Wassell clocking a great time of 38.13 to finish sixth overall and second FV35. Sarah Gunn went one better in her age group with a fantastic victory in the FV45 category. Jenny Manners had looked on course for a huge revision of her PB when placed second lady at half way, but was unfortunately forced to pull out in the latter stages of the race with an ankle injury.

Also Auckland ½ Marathon cancelled due to tsunami, Stephen Elverd was there. Click here to read more.