HEADLINES

* Despite wild & windy conditions the club's major race promotion for the year, The Chedworth Roman Trail ‘10', was once again a great success.

* Wendy Jones' year just keeps on getting better. Not content with a superb cross country season she has now made a real breakthrough on the roads by running the fastest half marathon by a Briton in the UK this year and gained selection for the GB elite endurance squad as a result.

* Another London Marathon has passed and 2006 represented the club's largest turnout and best results yet. All 11 members competing, on what was a perfect day for marathon running, ran to form and produced great results.

* Yesterday saw not only individual & team success at Highworth but probably the club's best turn out ever for a road race – at least 25 toed the line. A few miles down the road Cathy Cook was making a bit of history as she won a race outright. A long newsletter but lots for all to read...

CROSS COUNTRY RESULTS

1 April, Gloucestershire short course Champs, Plock Court , Gloucester . Lots of chocolate fingers on hand for all junior finishers and senior prize winners, so the Wassell household didn't go short for Easter! Despite small numbers competing, this was an excellent workout for Jane Wassell and gained her another county medal.

U11 Boys: 6 Lewis Wassell (first Year 5 to finish and youngest in the race by far)

Senior 4km: 1 Tom Russell (Stroud) 12.39, 9 Sian Lewis ( Severn , 1st lady) 15.03, 11 Jane Wassell (Cirencester, 2nd lady, 1st FV35) 15.10. 23 finished.

ROAD / MULTI-TERRAIN RESULTS

9 April, Reading ½ Marathon . Some extracts from Martin Duff's article written for and published by Athletics Weekly (AW) say it all in terms of Wendy Jones' brilliant run: “It was the women's section that drew all the headlines … runner-up Wendy Jones made a massive breakthrough from [a pb of] 79 minutes to 73.21. 36 year-old Jones had veteran international honours last winter, but a run such as this puts the Cirencester runner in a different league and, like fellow veteran Kate Ramsey, who headed her in the Vets cross-country championships, must be classed as a developing athlete and be ripe for international honours at Senior level. Mutwa [the first lady, from Kenya ] and Jones were through five miles in 27:00 and 27:35 and kept up the pressure right through to ten in 54:45 and 55:30 … meanwhile, Jones was soon charging through the line simply not believing the scale of her achievement. Featured in the Athletics Weekly veterans section last winter, Jones time was soon noticed by wily national coach Bud Baldaro, who was on commentating duties here and, now ranked in the top six in the country, can look forward to honours a'plenty. “I can't believe I ran that quickly and at the start I thought I would run with Nikki (Slater) who runs about 76 minutes, but I felt so good I pushed it on,” said Jones. “I looked at my watch at ten miles and said out loud ‘oh ****' as I've never cracked 60 minutes before” [ed. trust a Ciren athlete to utter an expletive in the national press!]. Encouraged by her veteran successes, Jones has put in a good winter's work and is now running around 60 miles a week.” As well as being the fastest time by a Briton in the UK so far this year (two have run faster times abroad), Wendy's five & ten mile splits (both personal best times) were also well up the rankings, albeit unofficially. Her five mile split is second only to Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Liz Yelling's time and her ten mile time is the fastest in the country. She therefore boasts the fastest 5k (see Bristol race below), 10 mile and ½ Marathon times by a Briton in the UK in 2006!

Wendy was subsequently featured in AW's editorial under the headline “No keeping up with Jones” .

Chris Illman, who beat Jones at the Bourton 10k, must have wondered if his teammate was going to come back to him as he settled for running most of the race with Nikki Slater, the third lady finisher and winner of the last Oxford League fixture. Illman's training is clearly going very well whilst at Sussex University – he has some wonderful places to run, particularly on the South Downs – and this race continued his rapid progress as he beat his own club U20 record. Sensibly, unlike last year, he plans to stay away from marathons for a while so that he can improve his speed.

1 Simon Kasimili ( Kenya ) 1.04.51

11 Cathy Mutwa ( Kenya , 1st lady) 1.12.10

18 Wendy Jones (Cirencester, 2nd lady / 1st FV35) 1.13.21 - club FV35 & absolute ladies record

22 Nikki Slater (Witney, 3rd lady) 1.14.24

26 Chris Illman (Cirencester) 1.15.22 – club U20 record.

8,837 finished. Photos of the race can be accessed via www.marathon-photos.com (race nos 9 & 807 for Cirencester runners) where full results from Reading can also be viewed.

9 April, Pewsey Vale 10k . Cathy Cook just got the better of Bill Leggate and easily won the women's section of the Pewsey 10k. There is no stopping the ladies at present.

1 Vito Graffagnino (u/a) 33.02

21 Cathy Cook (Cirencester, 1st lady / FV35) 38.00

22 Bill Leggate 38.01. 189 finished. See www.pewseyvalerunningclub.com

23 April, London Marathon . Fine runs all round with PB's for most and great experiences for the newcomers on a perfect day for marathon running. Club captain, Pancho Gonzalez-Diaz, appropriately led the red & blacks home with an incredibly even paced run: his four 10k splits to 40k were 37.03, 37.44, 37.12 & 37.28. Paul Barlow who, like Pancho, had suffered with numerous leg injuries during the race build up but, also like the captain, had not compromised on his long training runs, likewise ran even paced (41.04, 40.51, 40.59 before slowing slightly to 42.58) in achieving his aimed for sub-three. Kim Withycombe & debutante Corinne Clark ran the first half together before the experienced marathoner pulled away and nearly caught Terry Ranger & Steve Elverd as the three of them finished within 2.54 of each other (616 positions!). The indefatigable Fred Robson filed his best time for a few years and it represents the inaugural club V75 record – a tough one for Messrs Edelsten, Curry & Waldron to chase in a few years time!

1 Felix Limo (Kenya) 2.06.39

158 Pancho Gonzalez-Diaz (Cirencester) 2.37.38

803 Paul Barlow 2.55.24

6,823 Terry Ranger 3.41.19

7,037 Steve Elverd 3.42.21

7,439 Kim Withycombe 3.44.13

8,697 Corinne Clark 3.49.34

10,067 Tony Kingston 3.54.48

13,276 Chris Goldie 4.07.07

15,338 Carolyn Pearson 4.15.28

18,348 Yvonne Binks 4.26.58

23,010 Fred Robson 4.46.54 - club V75 record.

In addition second claimer Pete Holmes ran 3.07.16. 32,974 finished on the day. To access the results, including splits, enter www.london-marathon.co.uk then find results and enter Ciren under team name (note not the full Cirencester as our club captain can't spell!).

26 April, Bridge Inn 5k , Shortwood, nr Bristol . Another fine effort from Wendy Jones who was rewarded with the fastest time by a British lady in the UK this year.

1 Peter Danwood (unattached) 16.07

4 Wendy Jones (Cirencester, 1st lady/FV35) 16.40 - course record / club FV35 & absolute ladies record

13 David Wright 18.34. 58 finished

30 April, Highworth ‘5' miles. A fantastic turnout from the club with matching results, notably Wendy Jones managing third overall and breaking the course record by 1½ minutes and leading Pancho Gonzalez-Diaz and Chris Illman to team victory. There were also four club age group records achieved on what is not an easy course. Ace reporter Graham Clarke doesn't race too often (too much cricket & golf) but he got his money's worth as he appeared in the results twice. So happy was he (particularly as one of his finishing positions, albeit the wrong one, was just ahead of Carol, his wife) that he wrote this article : “Whilst it was a little cold and breezy for the start of the race, it did not deter some 30 Cirencester Club athletes - and your intrepid reporter - from setting off. It was however a little soon into the recovery programme for some of our London Marathon squad and sadly Paul Barlow had to retire after only a couple of miles. Trust that you are ok now Paul.

The last advice I got, whilst waiting for the off, was not to go too quickly to begin with. However, in my anxiety to slow before the start line - to say good luck to Elaine - I was very nearly tripped to a dead stop by Fiona! Meanwhile all of the elite athletes had shot off down Swindon Road with Jane Wassell flying through the first mile in 5.48! Come on Jane, how many times does my wife have to tell you all not to set off too quickly!

Anyway, as I approached the one mile marker I got a wonderful view (down and round the bend of Fresden Lane ) of Ciren's 30 man squad positively dotted along the course in its most distinctive red, black & white vests. After two miles – completed in 16 minutes 24 – I was beginning to think that I was back marker, when Lyn Ferris shot passed me saying something about me talking on the course! Good to see Lynn back in the Lycra despite the niggles in her bum although, from where I was Lynn , the niggles weren't all that obvious! Talking of which, did you know that Lycra only creases in the right places … come on ... you have to think of something when you are at the back of the race!

Earlier I had seen Chris Sherrington looking super fit as ever and what a wonderful sight Wrighty was at the start having missed early season training with a bad chest. His valiant effort at the front of the pack was good enough to earn him a very creditable 19th place and he won't mind having been pipped by Bill Leggate who finished 17th in an amazing time of 29:55.

As I approached three miles I began to lose touch with Captain Pancho, but only for a while, as my mobile phone signal was getting faint – another great race Pancho finishing 4th, just in front of Chris Illman, 5th. Fantastic boys….well done.

And then Eastrop Hill: I was closing in fast on Dick (he was waiting for an extra shot of my asthma inhaler to get him home) and, to my amazement, I started to pass other runners for the first time. This is a great feeling, which grows somewhat when you near the finish and other Ciren runners - who have finished their races - come back and shout encouragement. Thanks Bob ... you had a good run despite your 87 miles on the bike yesterday with the captain.

What about Wendy Jones I hear you ask? Well unfortunately, in this report, Wendy doesn't feature - you see I never saw her! Neither did anyone else I talked to on the way round. Just too slow I guess … must have come in after me. Sorry, Wendy I fibbed. What a fantastic effort, 3rd place overall, broke the course record by 1½ minutes, a wonderful time of just over 27 minutes and led Ciren to the Team prize! Whatever next.

And me, was I happy with my performance? When I heard what was pinned on the notice board as we left I was very pleased!!!!

115th Graham Clarke (Cirencester) 36.00, 117th Carol Clarke (Cirencester) 36.08. 

however, the truth is my 45 minutes isn't anywhere near the new club vets55 record. Congratulations my dear!”

1 Simon Fortnam ( Severn ) 26.26

3 Wendy Jones (Cirencester, 1st lady/FV35) 27.03 - course record / club FV35 & absolute ladies record

4 Pancho Gonzalez-Diaz 27.12

5 Chris Illman 27.20 – club U20 record

17 Bill Leggate 29.55

19 David Wright 29.59 – equals own club V45 record

22 Jane Wassell (2nd lady/FV35) 30.37

23 Adam Harborow 30.40

28 Mark Gluning 31.14

42 Jon Young 32.25

65 Bob Ferris 33.30

69 Colin Tapley 33.40

71 Dorian Matts 33.51

76 Steve Elverd 34.11

77 Chris Sherrington 34.18

79 Kveta Kroulikova 34.24

101 Fiona Collings 35.36

109 Andrew Frazer 35.47

115 Carol Clarke 36.08 – club FV55 record

127 Dick Waldron 36.34

138 Elaine Wilson 36.50

140 Sue McKeeman 36.53

227 Jim Fallon 40.27

228 Pete Moran 40.28

256 Lynn Ferris 42.18

302 Graham Clarke 44.22

443 finished. Teams: 1 Cirencester (Jones, Gonzalez-Diaz, Illman). Full results on www.swindonweb.com/hrc

30 April, Neolithic ½ Marathon , Stonehenge . It just keeps getting better. Whilst Wendy Jones was battling with the outright winner at Highworth, Cathy Cook did even better and achieved the very rare feat of a lady winning a race outright with a fine run on this off road race. Cathy states: “Was pretty astounded to find myself in the lead after five miles and then it was quite a learning curve to keep on pushing to the end. There were no walkers or runners ahead of me so it was quite a lonely experience but also very enjoyable. Especially watching the faces of people at the drinks station when they realised that the first runner approaching them was a woman! The terrain underfoot was stoney and rutted hard ground so the soles of my feet are pretty hammered. Still I ran over a minute quicker than last year. So, all in all, a very pleasing result.”

1 Cathy Cook (also 1st lady / FV35!) 1.23.19.

LONDON MARATHON REFLECTIONS

Some reflections from club participants - firstly Carolyn Pearson:

“I took loads of the advice I was given, got to the start in plenty of time, calmly went around getting ready, I let people speed up around me over Tower Bridge and I enjoyed it (well I think if you'd asked at 17-20 miles I might have said differently). It only took us a couple of minutes to cross the line, and the start was slow - we even ended up stopping after a few hundred metres (I think this was due to the toilet dash).  It all went very well, most of it went by without too much pain, and I was running well after 22 miles (don't get me wrong I felt like I'd be running and wasn't fresh, but could have felt much worse), many others seemed to be flaking but I was feeling strong (though I wasn't getting good mile times - but I didn't care as I was feeling good). I really enjoyed the last few miles, and was beaming (I hope I had a big grin on my face, but if not I was feeling like I did).  I was very pleased with myself. Miles 17-20 were the hardest. Oh and then there was my tumble, with slippery road and loads of people I fell before I got to the mile mark. I was kindly quickly picked up so I was not trampled all over, but ended up with grazed and bloody knees - nothing serious. I even got to see Pancho when he was running down the other side of the road at around 22 miles, and I was around 14 miles.”

Fred Robson picks up the story:

“What a weekend. It was marvellous.  We had a great time with Pancho and his wife and his run was superb.  I had a very good run, best for years. The time was showing 4hr 47 as I came in but I think it would be a couple of minutes less. Haven't an aching muscle or limb and not a mark on my feet, great, but so tired and the inside has not caught up with me yet. M y wife Marilyn and son Matt, from a vantage point on Embankment Bridge watched Pancho as he cruised through in superb style. Going like the wind, with such style, panache and rhythm that he would have won ‘come dancing' easily. Marilyn who had been waiting with her camera for such a picture, got so excited, shouted so hard she lost her voice, and forgot to snap what would have been the picture of the year. Completely out of character, she was jumping up and down waving her arms about. In near perfect marathon conditions at the start, completely overcast sky, with slight drizzle no wind and a temperature of 11C the starters lined up. Up to the point when Seb Coe set them off the picture had been slightly subdued but at that point all hell broke loose and the noise continued all day from the massive crowds from the start to the finishing line.”

Debutant marathoner Chris Goldie pens his thoughts :

“I was a marathon virgin until Sunday. I lost my virginity in London , and, to extend the analogy, I have to say that it was an experience that I enjoyed and recommend. I was raising money for The Children's Society, and had a charity place in London (as I also have in New York in November), so I was part of the mass Red Start. From where I positioned myself in the queue, it took me 17 minutes to cross the start line. As I am not any sort of athlete, I was happy to have other runners around me keeping my pace down through the early stages of the run. Conditions were ideal for Goldilocks - not too cold, not too warm, not too dry, not too wet - just right!
Everyone says the atmosphere is the key to London , and I don't have anything to which to compare it. But the atmosphere was fantastic. The crowds cheered us around the whole course. Whenever I got tired, I drifted to the side of the road and the crowd called out my name; I'm not famous - I had it written on my vest. That lifted me for the next few hundred yards. The Charity's cheering station was also a great help, and ideally situated at 13 and 22 miles, so I got a double morale boost. The ready supply of water and lucozade sport also made the actual run easier than some training runs.
I ran virtually non-stop for nearly 23 miles, which I know may be pathetic for some of the other club members, but it was longer and further than I have ever run. I walked twice between there and the 25 mile marker, and then completed the rest by running. I came in at 4:07:07 , in 13,276th place - in my view not bad for an oldie. I was really pleased to achieve that, and at the end pleased to feel a mixture of exhaustion and elation. What I didn't feel was "never again". My charity arranged refreshments and massage in the Cabinet War Rooms, which was great. It was really good to feel that they were appreciating and celebrating what I had done.” Chris was featured in the local paper just before the marathon, albeit not in club kit, and stated that he was hoping to raise as much as possible for The Children's Society by running both the London & New York Marathons (the NY-LON Challenge) this year, having first started fund raising with a sponsored trek in Nepal in 2001.

Yvonne Binks was also featured in The Standard (wearing Ciren AC fleece) and as many members found out on the Tuesday before the race (yes, Yvonne the £5 is on its way), she was raising sponsorship funds to buy equipment for the Park Surgery to help ease the suffering of terminally ill patients. She was also quoted as stating that London would be her last marathon – time will tell.

Finally new member & Fairford resident Tony Kingston gives his views:

“Got round in 3.54.48 – not too happy as the conditions were ideal but had been suffering a calf problem all week which gave me a sharp reminder at around seven miles and then cramped up approaching 20, needing a massage to get going again (and a couple of Nurofen!). Thoroughly enjoyed myself anyway though! Am going to try to do the Dublin Marathon at the end of October, with the Robin Hood Half as a warm up in September – so hopefully go quicker then – especially as it'll be the first time that I haven't stopped training completely after the Marathon, until October/November…” This was Tony's third marathon, his first two both being 3.57, he continues, “At least I'm consistent! Hopefully a bit more time with the club, doing some more longer runs etc will help – I want to go sub 3.30 if I can. I think it's going to take a lot of effort but I'm now in that zone where I really enjoy my running – and miss not doing it! I know that 13 ½ stone is too heavy to achieve those times so I'll try to keep off the sausages at the BBQ's over the summer!” He finishes with a tip, “Out of interest, my missus and parents were on the Embankment near to Cleopatra's needle on the right hand side – so as soon as I got to the embankment I ran on the right hand side of the dual carriageway for about a mile – everyone else stayed on the left hand side so I had the whole road to myself. I got massive cheers from the crowd over on that side as I was the only person they had to cheer – felt like an elite athlete out in front!! Will do that every year now…”

CHEDWORTH ROMAN TRAIL ‘10'

2 April. After a very dry winter, the spring rains arrived just in time to freshen up David Edelsten's magnificent multi terrain course taking in the Stowell Estate, the Coln Valley and the famous Chedworth Roman Villa. As in 2005 Vito Graffagnino, conspicuous in his track bottoms and personal stereo but thankfully this year not shedding his racing singlet, totally dominated the race from the gun. Since appearing from nowhere 12 months earlier Graffagnino has been virtually unbeatable in off road races throughout the south west, although remains unattached to a club. For the second year in a row Lee Rankin of Stroud was an isolated second. From a distance Rankin is the spitting image of Cirencester's very own club cross country champion, Justin Nicholls, in terms of both his springy running action and his hair ‘style'. Would that Nicholls could produce the same result, maybe next year? The ladies race was a lot closer with just half a minute separating the top three. Not many Cirencester members ran, most hiding behind the need to help marshal the course, thus avoiding the tough climbs and gale force winds that made this a real test for any runner. Bill Leggate had his best run since pulling a calf muscle last summer; whilst not far behind him a face from the past appeared in the guise of ‘Big' Marc Fallows. Marc still holds a lot of the club's junior records and although he's not raced for a number of years he is still younger than most club members. Race numbers were up on 2005 despite very few entering on the day. With so many races closing entries in advance these days, people seem not to want to risk missing out because the race is full. Club resources were stretched to the limit, covering car parking duties, late entries, time-keeping, marshalling, results & teas. Only 22 club members actually helped on the day. This is quite a disappointing number and meant that resources were spread very thin. It was only thanks to some Chedworth residents and the offspring of those that were there that no problems arose. Nobody went off course thankfully but the organisers will be looking for more input from members at the next club promotion in September. As ever David Edelsten produced a fantastic race and was ably assisted this year by Rupert Chesmore.

1 Vito Graffagnino (u/a) 1.01.59, 2 Lee Rankin (Stroud) 1.03.51, 3 Mike Johnson (Kenilworth) 1.04.03, 21 Bill Leggate (Cirencester) 1.11.35, 29 Marc Fallows (u/a) 1.13.28, 38 Martin Pitts (Cirencester) 1.15.44, 43 Laura Kent (Cheltenham, 1st lady) 1.16.21, 46 Nicola Denning (Chippenham, 2nd lady) 1.16.42, 49 Angie Sadler (Tewkesbury, 3rd lady) 1.16.52, 59 Mark Gluning (Cirencester) 1.18.05, 157 Trudy Compton (Cirencester) 1.29.25, 263 Jim Fallon (Cirencester) 1.41.42. 341 finished. Full results are on the club website and a welcome addition this year is a photography service which can be accessed via www.picsforyou.co.uk/chedworth.htm

FORTHCOMING ROAD & MULTI-TERRAIN RACES & CONTACT DETAILS:

Races are on Sundays unless stated. Assuming a noticeboard will eventually materialise at the new leisure centre, entry forms for these races will appear thereon. Otherwise access details via website details given.

3 May (Wednesday), Stroud Beer Race, 7.2 miles, Minchinhampton Common at 19:30 . Three tough laps but a welcome pint afterwards in the Old Lodge Inn on the common. See www.stroudathleticclub.org.uk

7 May, Tewkesbury ½ Marathon at 09:30 . 700 runners in 2005.

15 May (Monday), Berkeley Power Station 10k at 19:30 (not 7:30 am as stated in Runners World!). www.g4cio.demon.co.uk/berk10k.htm

18 May (Thursday), White Horse 5k, Sandhurst , Gloucester at 19:45 . Club championship event. Enter on the day. Details on www.severnac.co.uk This race forms the first of four 5k races at The White Horse (formerly The Globe Inn), just off the Gloucester ring road, forming a summer series (the others being on 15 June, 20 July & 17 August).

29 May (Monday), Whitsun ‘5' mile beer race, White Horse, Sandhurst at 11:30 www.severnac.co.uk

30 May (Tuesday), Bridge Inn 5k, Shortwood, nr Bristol at 19:30 www.bristolandwestac.org.uk

4 June, Fairford 10k at 11:00 Club championship event. There is also a 3k fun run starting at 11:05 www.fairford.org/10k/index.html

7 June (Wednesday), Cleeve Cloud Cuckoo 5 mile, Cleeve Common, Cheltenham at 19:30 www.cheltenhamharriers.co.uk

10 June (Saturday), Broad Town ‘5' miles, nr Wootton Bassett at 14:30 . Good old fashioned race centred around village school fete. Just turn up and enter on the day.

24 June (Saturday), Bourton ½ Marathon at 18:00 . Hilly but scenic route. www.bourtonroadrunners.co.uk

26 June (Monday), Westonbirt Arboretum 10k at 19:30 . The inaugural race last year sold out very quickly and the race, which is promoted by our friends Tetbury Royals, received a lot of publicity through the running press and is bound to reach its limit of 550 again, probably in the next seven days. Promoter Tim Willson will be looking for some administrative & marshalling help from the club but if wanting to enter view www.tetburyroyals.org

10 July (Monday), Frampton-on-Severn 10k at 19:30 . Club championship event. Very popular evening race despite nearly always coinciding with a heatwave. One lap course starting & finishing on the magnificent Frampton village green and hugging the banks of the River Severn. Barbeque and drinks adjoining local sailing lake afterwards. Not to be missed. Like a lot of races this year no late entries will be accepted. Entries close on 30 June www.stroudathleticclub.org.uk

RANKINGS

Both 5k and 10k club records set out below to coincide with the next two club championship races:

Ladies

U20: 5k, no times recorded; 10k, 42.11 Becky Stagg, 1989

Senior: 5k, 16.59 Wendy Jones, 2000; 10k, 34.18 Wendy Jones, Bourton 1998

FV35: 5k, 16.40 Wendy Jones, Bristol 2006; 10k, 34.16 Wendy Jones, Bourton 2006

FV40: 5k, no times recorded; 10k, 41.24 Molly Fisher, 1998

FV45: 5k, 23.53 Ruth Fulford, 1998; 10k, 43.22 Molly Fisher, 1994

FV50: 5k, 23.31 Ruth Fulford, 1999; 10k, 46.53 Ruth Fulford, 1999

FV55: 5k, no times recorded; 10k, 44.51 Mary Campbell, 2001

FV60: 5k, no times recorded; 10k, 52.38 Mary Campbell, Westonbirt 2005

Men

U20: 5k, 16.54 Chris Illman, Gloucester 2005; 10k, 33.50 Marc Fallows, 1993

Senior: 5k, 15.33 Mike Smith, 2000; 10k, 32.12 Mike Smith, 1998

V40: 5k, 16.30 David Wright, Gloucester 1999; 10k, 33.57 David Wright, Bourton 1997

V45: 5k, 18.02 David Wright, Gloucester 2005; 10k, 35.28 Brian Wither, 1993

V50: 5k, 19.43 Colin O'Hare, 1999; 10k, 38.40 Tony Curry, 1997

V55: 5k, no times recorded; 10k, 42.38 Tony Curry, Bourton 2004

V60: 5k, 22.46 Dick Waldron, Gloucester 2005; 10k, 43.10 Dick Waldron, 2002

V70: 5k, no times recorded; 10k, 53.32 Fred Robson, Fairford 2005

2006 CLUB ROAD RACE CHAMPIONSHIP

Scores to date, after three races plus the first points garnered from running in a marathon:

Men: P Gonzalez-Diaz 70pts , P Barlow 51pts, C Illman 38pts, A Harborow 36pts, D Cook 30pts, J Young 29pts, S Elverd 25pts, T Kingston 21pts, I Pople 17pts, T Ranger & B Leggate 13pts, N Dunnage & D Wright 12pts, D Atkinson 11pts, C Goldie & M Gluning 10pts, A Williams, J Fallon & F Robson 9pts, B Ferris 8pts, C Brough & C Tapley 7pts, D Edelsten & D Matts 6pts, C Sherrington 4pts, A Fraser 3pts, D Waldron 2pts, P Moran & G Clarke 1pt.

Women: Corinne Clark 47pts, T Compton 38pts, W Jones 37pts, K Withycombe 29pts, E Wilson & J Wassell 28pts, Carol Clarke 23pts, S McKeeman 21pts, J Manners 19pts, C Pearson & K Kroulikova 13pts, Y Binks & F Collings 12pts, S Brown 11pts, L Ferris 8pts.

The rest of the championship fixtures (in addition to the imminent ones shown in fixtures above) are as follows:

15 July, Bourton 1 mile (yes, one mile) * www.bourtonroadrunners.co.uk

2 August, Bugatti 10k, Gretton, Winchcombe, nr Cheltenham * www.cheltenhamharriers.co.uk

10 September, Beacon 10k, Hardwicke, nr Gloucester * www.cheltenhamharriers.co.uk

17 September, Oldbury 10 mile www.thornburyrunningclub.co.uk

1 October, Cricklade 10k www.crickladefunrun.co.uk

22 October, Stroud ½ Marathon * www.stroudathleticclub.org.uk

In addition, times recorded at any marathon between the dates of February 26 and October 22 will score points in the same format as the races above i.e. as though all competed in one race.

Points will be awarded on the basis of 15 for first Cirencester finisher down to one. Races marked with * form part of the Gloucestershire County Road Race Series for 2006. Further races in this series, but not included in the club championship: May 7, Tewkesbury ½ Marathon ; June 24, Bourton ½ Marathon ; September, Cirencester 10k; November, Tewkesbury ‘5'. Full details of this championship can be found on www.mozart.e7even.com/running

TRIATHLON

Bob Ferris writes : “Once more the triathlon season is upon us, in fact some ultra keen members have already been competing. On 23 April Cathy Cook was second lady in the Tidworth sprint triathlon, I can't give you her finishing/split times because I could not make sense of the web site, but it was a good performance from Cathy, as usual. Pancho and Bill Leggate are looking to make their debut at triathlon this season, Bill at the Glos triathlon on 29 May which is a sprint event - sensible choice for the first timer. Pancho, on the other hand, will be travelling to Switzerland ( Zurich ) with Martin Pitts and myself for Ironman Switzerland , the boy does like a challenge and because it takes all day he feels he is getting value for money. How he will carry his bacon butty during the swim section I have not worked out yet. Dave Cook will be competing at Ironman UK in August and Niel Dunnage will be competing in a long distance triathlon in France during September, not Ironman distance but close, again good luck to Neil. Other members will be making the step up to Olympic distance this season and without naming names should do very well in their respective age groups. Some could make the UK age group team for World Championships to be held in Lausanne , Switzerland in September, which gives them something to go for. Listed below are some local triathlons taking place this summer.” For any more info contact Bob.

29 May Glos tri www.triteamglos.co.uk

Castle Combe mid week duathlon series Wed evening May – Sept. www.bathamphibians.co.uk

11 June Wantage, 800m swim, 35k bike, 12k run, www.soll-leisure.co.uk

18 June Marlborough 400m – 20 miles – 5miles, www.conceptsports.co.uk (concept sports run a series of events, Justin loves the Marlborough event.)

9 July Hereford 400m – 16k – 5k www.herefordtriathlonclubco.uk

16 July Bath sprint 750m – 20k – 5k www.bathamphibians.co.uk ( Bath hold an Olympic distance on the same day, pool swim.)

6 August Worcester sprint tel- 01905 840082.

27 August Malmesbury 400m – 22k – 5k www.nwll.co.uk

3 September Faringdon 800m – 50k – 8k www.soll-leisure.co.uk

10 September Cotswold tri open water, 750m – 20k – 5k or 400m – 20k – 2k www.triferris.com

If you want to travel further afield try Big-cow events www.big-cow.com Wendy, Justin and myself competed here last season and it was well worth the trip ( Milton Keynes area).

MISCELLANY

… Liza Darroch has received the following message: “Cancer Research's Race for Life is coming to the Cotswolds. The event will be held at Kemble Airfield on 21st May at 11am and we are hoping women from all across the district will join us for the 5k walk/run to raise money for this worthwhile cause. We are also hoping to recruit volunteers to help out on the day. Volunteers are usually requested to be on the site for 8.45am and will finish approximately 1.30pm .
If anyone would like to take part in the Race for Life you can enter online at www.raceforlife.org or call 08705 134 314. To volunteer to help out on the day at Kemble please contact Jeanette Hughes 01285 623450 or email, jeanette.hughes@cotswold.gov.uk for a volunteer information pack.” Liza will be happy to co-ordinate a little band from Cirencester – men and women marshals both desperately needed but only women to run or walk. She can be contacted on 01285 657832 or eqd@cirencester.ac.uk

… On Sunday 7 May Wendy Jones will be competing as an elite entrant in the Great Edinburgh 10k. The women's event is separate from the mass race, just as in London , and highlights are due to be televised on Channel Five that evening. Look in listings for precise timings.

… Chris Riches, the club's Malmesbury representative, advises of a 5k fun run series in Malmesbury during the summer on Thursday evenings over different courses and variable terrain. See Chris for more details.

David Wright: wrights@tesco.net or 01285 641224