HEADLINES

• Superb victory in Oxford League gets men within touching distance of title.
• Alex Chantler wins U11 Boys race in Oxford League.
• Men finish a magnificent 8th team in Midlands XC Championships.
• Wendy Nicholls 5th at Midlands .
• Good start to year for Jane Wassell & Adrian Williams in County Championships .
• V60 Tony Shelbourn second overall in road race in Florida .
• Cirencester 3rd in Highworth Team ½ Marathon with Nicola Denning 2nd lady home.

CROSS COUNTRY RESULTS

5 January, Gloucestershire County Cross Country Championships, Blackbridge, Gloucester . Pitifully small fields attended what used to be one of the winter’s blue riband events, yet the standard was high at the front of the senior races. Only 11 runners toed the line in the women’s race but it produced not only the best quality of the day but also the tightest finish. Current senior internationals Sophie Morris and Rachel Felton pulled away early on. There was then a titanic battle for the bronze medal between Helen Fines from Bristol and our own Jane Wassell. With less than a mile to go on a soggen grassland course, it looked all over as Fines had a lead of some 30 metres. However with lots of the Wassell family and the club’s senior men all urging her on, Wassell inperceptively started closing the gap and in an amazing finish the two of them were together just 10 metres from the line; agonisingly Wassell couldn’t quite force her way past. With today’s top four and the inclusion of Wendy Nicholls (out with a bad back from this race) and Stroud’s Louise Durman (racing in an international race in Belfast ), Gloucestershire have a real chance of gaining medals in the six to score inter-counties championships in Nottingham on 15 March.

In the men’s race, captain Adrian Williams inflicted a rare defeat on Bill Leggate and only missed out on automatic selection for the county by losing out on a sprint finish. Both runners will, however, be hoping for a call-up for 15 March.

U11 Boys: 2 Cameron Wassell 6.07.

U11 Girls: 8 Hannah Tapley 8.04.

U17 Girls: 4 Alice Thomas 24.15, 5 Jane Thomas 24.54.

Women:

1 Sophie Morris ( Windsor , Slough , Eton & Hounslow) 23.32

4 Jane Wassell (Cirencester, 1st FV40) 24.52

10 Barbara Thomas 35.36. 11 finished

Men:

1 Tom Russell (Stroud) 30.28

10 Adrian Williams (Cirencester) 33.37

11 Bill Leggate 34.15

17 David Wright (1st V50) 37.18. 32 finished. www.glosaaa.org.uk

26 January, Midland XC Champs, Leamington Spa . This was another step in the right direction for the continually improving men’s team. For the first time in many years, a full team gathered for the Midlands , thanks in main to continued cajoling by the club’s irrepressible captain, Adrian Williams. The result, on a course that had dried considerably after recent floods, was a superb 8th place in a high standard competition involving clubs geographically located from Bristol in the west to Nottingham in the north. Chris Illman, in his first race for a while following some leg problems, led the team home with a good solid run. He was followed in by the Oxford League regulars, all of whom are building some good consistency, although the aforementioned captain needs to practice his ditch jumping! Run of the day was undoubtedly Robbie Brown’s effort in closing in the team scoring. Having missed most of the winter with a broken jaw from playing rugby, this was a tough assignment and over distance for Brown, yet he paced his effort perfectly and finished very strongly. Earlier in the day, Wendy Nicholls had a great battle in the ladies race over the much shorter 6km course. Despite always pushing at the front of the field, she couldn’t burn off the finishing pace of her track specialist rivals. Sure enough Emily Pidgeon and Tina Brown swept past in the last mile. Hannah Whitmore, another 1500m runner, bided her time before passing Nicholls and overtaking the rapidly fading two leaders close to the finish. Nicholls, who appears to gain more enjoyment watching the men race, particularly when there is a boggy ditch to run through, than in her own performances, took lots of photos which can be viewed by logging on to www.snapfish.co.uk. Other photos can be viewed on www.dk10k.co.uk

Women (6km):

1 Hannah Whitmore (Charnwood) 22.08

5 Wendy Nicholls (Cirencester) 22.30. 182 finished.

Men (12km):

1 James Walsh ( Leeds City ) 39.36

37 Chris Illman (Cirencester) 43.57

55 Marc Fallows 44.54

88 Bill Leggate 46.58

89 Adrian Williams 47.12

107 Paul Barlow 48.14

146 Robbie Brown 50.21

181 David Fong 51.59

283 Stephen Elverd 56.44

287 Dorian Matts 56.51. 379 finished.

Teams (6 to score): 1 Notts AC 63pts, 8 Cirencester 522pts, 41 teams closed in.

2 February, Gloucestershire League at Plock Court , Gloucester .

U11 Boys: 2 Cameron Wassell (Cirencester) 4.41

3 February, Oxford League at Cirencester Park . Surely we can’t lose a lead of 468 points in the last race of the season. That is the margin that Cirencester men take into the fifth and final fixture on 2 March thanks to another overwhelming team win yesterday. Adrian Williams pulled out all the stops to ensure another good turnout, not just stopping at the likely seven scorers but encouraging as many as possible to run. Chris Illman, still on the comeback trail after injury, was isolated in third place throughout, behind an epic battle at the front of the race. He was superbly supported by likely club champion Marc Fallows, who is also now in second place overall in the league, with fine runs also by half of the Norris twins – Jon this time, after brother Mark had run so well in the last fixture – and Bill Leggate, who put in a storming finish. Williams and Paul Barlow maintained their consistent running of the winter and the seven closed in with a gutsy run from a far from fully fit Charles Woodd. There was never any doubt about the result and the overall title, never before won by Cirencester, is now virtually guaranteed at Horspath in Oxford . For the spectator on this bitterly cold morning, there was plenty more excitement to keep warm over as numerous battles down the field ensued, the famous hill near the end of each lap providing plenty of thrills and some spills. It was particularly good to see Mark Langman perform so well in his first cross country race; he was just pipped by Dominic Thompson, a member from many years ago and a very welcome addition back into the club fold. Messrs Reid, Bradley & Riches continued their battle from the previous Tuesday’s Bridge Inn race (see below) with Bryan Reid’s “ample” frame prevailing, rather surprisingly, off the top of the final hill. Closing in for the club but also closing in on the aforementioned trio as the race progressed, was Bob Ferris despite spending a fair chunk of the weekend preparing the course. This was his first race for some time and with a big birthday very imminent, expect to see some good battles and club age group records between Ferris & Riches as the year unfolds.

Unfortunately, after four years of success the ladies have struggled this season and it was very disappointing to see only four line up for the club. Jenny Manners increased her lead in the club championship, which will be hers if she makes the last fixture; she is also in line for an individual award in the U20 category of the league.

Earlier in the day, Alex Chantler became the first Cirencester athlete to win an age group race in the Oxford League and was closely followed in by team mate Jake Ashton.

Given the bitter conditions prevailing, thanks must go to all members who helped make Cirencester’s hosting of this ever increasing and popular league go so well. A lot of people spent many hours out on the course. The club’s ace photographer, Wendy Nicholls, has posted numerous excellent pictures on the Snapfish website for all to view.

U11 Girls: 14 Rhian Gardner 8.11, 22 Hannah Tapley 8.42, 24 Jodie Hatton 9.01, 34 Lauren Smith 10.13, 37 Alice Andrews 10.45, 38 Lucy Stevenson 10.58, 39 Emma Hatton 11.26, 40 Megane Hatton 12.21.

U11 Boys: 1 Alex Chantler 6.38, 3 Jake Ashton 6.49, 23 James Chantler 8.04.

U13 Boys: 17 Daniel Cation 9.27.

More details on the exploits of the club juniors can be found via the junior section on the club website or direct on www.cirenhares.co.uk

Women:

1 Frances Briscoe (White Horse) 23.32

24 Jenny Manners 27.53

34 Alice Thomas 29.25

56 Sue Brown 31.40

86 Barbara Thomas 35.31. 105 finished.

Teams (3 to score): Div 1; 1 Team Kennet 35pts, 7 Cirencester 159.

Positions after four races: Div 1; 1 Team Kennet 132pts, 2 Headington 135, 5 Cirencester 271.

Men:

1 Matthew Almond (Alchester) 30.54

3 Chris Illman (Cirencester) 32.09

7 Marc Fallows 32.42

11 Jon Norris 33.19

14 Bill Leggate 33.36

25 Adrian Williams 34.17

28 Paul Barlow 34.37

35 Charles Woodd 35.02

46 Andy Bickerstaff 36.00

98 Mark Gluning 37.32

118 Dominic Thompson 40.45

119 Mark Langman 40.45

121 Stephen Elverd 40.47

124 Dorian Matts 40.54

150 Bryan Reid 42.32

156 Andy Bradley 42.53

166 Chris Riches 44.06

168 Bob Ferris 44.17. 223 finished. Full results on www.oxonxc.org

Teams (7 to score): Div 1; 1 Cirencester 123, 2 Headington 263. Div 2; 1 Swindon 303, 7 Cirencester ‘B’ 775.

Positions after four races: Div 1; 1 Cirencester 663pts, 2 Headington 1,131, 3 Abingdon 1,187.

Overall individual positions to date (best three of four races):

FU20: 2 Jenny Manners

Senior Men: 2 Marc Fallows

CROSS COUNTRY FIXTURES

2 March, Oxford League, Horspath, Oxford . Will this be the day that the men of Cirencester get hold of the coveted team trophy for the first time ever? Be there and witness history in the making. Race headquarters are at the running track in Horspath, very near the main Cowley car plants, and the race is over Oxford University 's famous Shotover course. From Cirencester the best route is probably via Burford onto the A40, turning right off the Oxford ring road onto the A4142. The left turn to the track is about two miles down this road. Alternatively those departing from Fairford or Swindon might find it quicker to go via Faringdon and the A420 to Oxford and then around the southern ring road which becomes the A4142. The race HQ will then be on the right after the Cowley car plants. Remember that to facilitate the prize giving the timings are different for the senior races. The men start at 11:10 and the women at 12:00 .

15 March, Inter-Counties, Wollaton Park , Nottingham . Races will be shown live on Sky TV.

29 March, National Masters XC Championships, Banbury. www.bvaf.org.ok

CLUB CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP

This championship is simply calculated from club finishing positions in the five Oxford League fixtures counting down from 30 points for the first club finisher (15 points for women). There are no bonus points available. In his comeback season, Marc Fallows is in pole position for the men whilst the consistent Jenny Manners is heading towards victory in the ladies championship. Scores with just one race left:

Men: M Fallows 117pts, B Leggate 108, P Barlow 105, A Williams 103, C Illman 86, D Matts 81, A Bickerstaff 70, S Elverd 59, M Norris 54, C Riches & C Woodd 51, D Wright 49, D Fong 44, A Bradley & B Reid 37, M Thomas 32, D Roper 29, J Norris 28, M Gluning 22, J Nicholls & D Thompson 21, M Langman 20, C Brough 19, C Tapley 16, J Davies 15, B Ferris 14.

Women: J Manners 55pts, A Thomas 49, B Thomas & S Brown 31, C Conway 29, V Brann 27, J Thomas 23, S McKeeman 18, W Nicholls & J Wassell 15, Corinne Clark 10, L Ferris 7.

ROAD / MULTI-TERRAIN RESULTS

15 December 2007 , Lake Jovita 5km, Dade City , Florida , USA . Despite some “lacklustre” training whilst on his winter travels, Tony Shelbourn reports on two impressive performances in Florida :

“The inaugural race was held at a golf club and resort. Beautifully landscaped and manicured, the golf course and its attendant posh homes are set in rolling countryside, real hills here in Florida . Now I know that articles written for running mags are packed with poetic license but, let me assure you, these were hills and a couple fell into the short, steep category. We ran along the winding golf cart trail; well watered greens and fairways were our constant companion. In many areas the concrete path was mossy and slippery and the wooden bridges were treacherous but we all got round in one piece.

The organizers, and let me say that this really was a well organized race, were pleased with the 109 runners who gathered by the pool and the post race food was as good as you get. The winner, a young triathlete, smoked this testing course with a 16:48 and no real competition. Four of us had him in sight for the first mile but after that he was long gone. I had looked for the “runners” at the start line and identified the top four or five and, modesty forbid I put myself amongst them. The members of the Lake Jovita Gym and Leisure Centre were tanned and toned but clearly running wasn’t on their training schedule. I overtook the third and then the second place chaps and plodded resolutely on to finish second in a sweaty 19:39, a distant three minutes behind the winner who had done his cool down before I got in. I learned that he had finished second in the 18-19 year old category at the World Triathlon Championships in Lausanne so my bragging rights are that I was beaten into second by a world silver medal winner – not bad, eh!”

1 Javier Beuzeville ( USA ) 16.48

2 Tony Shelbourn (Cirencester, 1st V60) 19.39. 109 finished. www.lakejovitagolfcc.com

29 December, Manatee River Run ‘5’, Palmetto , Florida , USA .

“This race has established itself as the Florida 5 mile State Championship so there was no difficulty in picking out a few dozen runners who would leave me, literally, in the dust. The course was a mixture of crushed shell and stone trails and paved roads, so running flats were no good. There were a lot of pre-race announcements, the race organizer sang the Stars and Stripes and the runners sweltered in high 70’s (20C), for the breakfast start. They had us walk up to the start line in estimated mile time order, and a few went up at the 4:45 mark so this really was going to be tough.

The course flanked Tampa Bay and was absolutely flat (flat is good) but the heat proved to be the toughest competitor and after the first mile I was tired. I had checked the 2006 winning result in the Senior Grand Master category and his time was 30-something, so my first mile of 6:12 was not a good omen and sadly it was downhill from there. Again it was a well organised race and they coped well with the 500 runners from around Florida . The winner, finished in a time of 24:43 but it was the second place “man,” Mohammed Ahmed, a sixteen year old, who floated in with a 25:33 who was the most impressive. A piece of good fortune fell my way as last year’s 60 plus winner didn’t appear and I got a monster engraved Stein for my overall 36th place. Not a good time by any means so it feels like a hollow victory – but Florida State champ, I’ll take it!”

1 Darren Brown ( Texas ) 24.43

36 Tony Shelbourn (Cirencester, 1st V60) 32.19 – club V60 record.

458 finished. www.bradentonrunnersclub.com

13 January, Rough & Tumble ‘10’ m/t, Marlborough Downs.

1 Steven Herring ( Salisbury ) 1.07.57

473 David Edelsten (Cirencester) 2.17.40. 524 finished. www.grassrootsevents.co.uk

20 January, Highworth Team ½ Marathon . Club captain Adrian Williams pens his thoughts on a road race with a difference: “Highworth Running Club invites local clubs to bring up to 12 runners to the race with a complete team comprising five to score of whom at least one must be a lady. In the run up to the race, it was hit and miss if it was going to go ahead with the organiser contacting me several times with updates as to the state of the course due to the heavy rainfall and flooded roads around Kempsford and Castle Eaton. The day arrived and it was dry but a little windy. We were told at the start that there were a couple of patches of water and to stick to the left!!!  Actually there were two parts of the course with water going up to your ankle (if you managed to keep to the shallow parts) and both were about 100 meters in length (look on Snapfish to see for yourself). There were nine Cirencester runners this year and three managed pb's (Williams, Harborow and Cooper), which was great effort considering the conditions. This year the club came in third in the competition behind Woodstock and White Horse.”

Look on the club’s Snapfish website for evidence of the course conditions as captured by Jon Young.

1 Marcus Maxwell ( Woodstock ) 1.16.05

10 Adrian Williams (Cirencester) 1.21.27

18 Adam Harborow 1.24.12

41 Martin Croucher 1.30.39

46 Nicola Denning (2nd lady) 1.33.31

58 Chris Brough 1.36.15

67 Sarah Cooper 1.37.26

70 Mark Langman 1.37.54

75 Trudy Compton 1.39.29

100 Sue Brown 1.48.19. 118 finished. www.highworthrunningclub.com

20 January, May Hill Massacre 8½ m m/t, Huntley, Gloucester .

1 Lee Rankin (Stroud) 58.29

362 Jane Stevens (Cirencester) 1.44.37

386 Christina See 1.52.50. 413 finished. www.mayhillmassacre.co.uk

27 January, Slaughterford m/t ‘9’ .

1 Tom Room (University Bath ) 54.50

69 Nicola Denning (Cirencester, 5th lady / 2nd FV35) 1.10.10

148 Sarah Cooper 1.17.59. 346 finished. www.chippenhamharriers.co.uk including photos.

29 January, Bridge Inn 5km, Shortwood, nr Bristol . A great battle between Bill Leggate and Adrian Williams led to personal bests for both as well as the valuable scalp of Wendy Nicholls, whose time is the fastest ladies time in the country so far in this embryonic year.

1 Mark Jennings ( Cardiff ) 15.09

3 Chris Illman (Cirencester) 16.09

7 Bill Leggate 16.29

8 Adrian Williams 16.29

12 Wendy Nicholls (1st lady) 16.43

26 David Wright (3rd V50) 17.47

80 Andy Bradley 20.43

84 Bryan Reid 20.54

86 Chris Riches 21.01

115 Tony Curry 23.32. 136 finished. www.bristolandwestac.org.uk

ROAD / MULTI-TERRAIN FIXTURES (Sunday unless stated)

10 February, Dursley Dozen 12m m/t. Long standing off roader with some big hills! www.dadac.org.uk

16 February (Sat), White Horse ‘5’, Sandhurst , nr Gloucester at 15:00 . Enter on the day. www.severnac.co.uk

17 February, Cirencester Park off road duathlon at 10:00 . This twice a year event organised by Lorraine & Kevin Ferris always seems to attract muddy conditions, to which as any attendees in November would attest. Format is 2mile run, 10mile bike, 2mile run or novice/youngsters event of 1-5-1 . www.triferris.com

24 February, Bourton 10km. Club Championship race. The race limit has been reached so no more entries will be accepted. A number of members were too late in entering so if anyone has a number but will not be able to run, can they please contact the editor as the race organisers do allow name switches but need to be informed. www.bourtonroadrunners.co.uk

2 March, Gloucester ‘20’, Frampton-on-Severn at 10:00 . www.gloucesterac.co.uk

16 March, Forest of Dean ½ Marathon . Club Championship race. www.forestofdean-halfmarathon.co.uk

30 March, Cleevewold ‘14’ m/t. Challenging course based at Winchcombe. www.cheltenhamharriers.co.uk

5 April, Midland 12 stage & ladies 6 stage road relays, Sutton Park , nr Birmingham . Following on from the club’s success at last autumn’s 6 / 4 stage relays, Adrian Williams is hoping to get teams together for the spring version of these major events.

6 April, Chedworth Roman Trail ‘10’ m/t at 10:30 (see club promotions below).

13 April, London Marathon .

20 April, Highworth ‘5’ at 11:00 . Club Championship race. As with many races, there are no entries on the day and entries will close when the 500 limit is reached. Last year this happened a few weeks before the race, so enter early. www.highworthrunningclub.com

ROAD RACE CHAMPIONSHIP 2008

Note that the Beacon 10k has now been taken out of the championship as it clashes with another event being promoted by Tony Curry, more of which very soon. Herewith fixtures for this year (some of the dates are still to be confirmed):

24 February, Bourton 10k (details above)

16 March, Forest of Dean Trails ½ Marathon (details above)

20 April, Highworth 5m (details above)

15 May (Thu), Globe Inn 5k, Sandhurst , nr Gloucester www.severnac.co.uk

1 June, Fairford Festival 10k www.fairford.org

7 July (Mon), Frampton-on-Severn 10k www.stroudathleticclub.org.uk

19 July (Sat), Bourton 1m www.bourtonroadrunners.co.uk

24 July (Thu), Malmesbury 5k

6 August (Wed), Bugatti 10k, nr Winchcombe www.cheltenhamharriers.co.uk

14 September, Witney 10m www.witneyroadrunners.org.uk

12 October, Chichester 10k www.chichester10krace.org.uk

26 October, Stroud ½ Marathon www.stroudathleticclub.org.uk

In addition, times recorded at any marathon between the dates of February 24 and October 26 will score points in the same format as the races above i.e. as though all competed in one race. The Chichester race, which should be entered early as it’s very popular, has been inserted as a suggested idea for a club trip away for the weekend. Of the 13 races, including marathon, best eight scores to count. 20 points will be awarded to the first Cirencester finisher in each race down to one point for the 20th and any subsequent finishers. Male & female championships will be scored separately. Bonus points will be awarded for any personal bests achieved against times published in the newsletter for 2006 and 2007. One bonus point will be awarded for every 15 seconds improvement up to a maximum of two minutes (8pts) for races of up to & including 10k and three minutes (12pts) for longer races. If no qualifying times have been recorded in the last two years, the first run in a championship race in 2008 will form the benchmark for any subsequent bonus points. To qualify for points, runners must be fully paid-up members, be entered under Cirencester AC and be wearing a club vest.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY ROAD RACE SERIES 2008

Fixtures for 2008 have now been published. This county series follows a similar format to the club championship and also shares some of the same races. The Gloucester ‘20’ (see fixtures above) is the second event of the series and will be followed by the Stroud Beer Race in May. For a full race listing, rules and up to date positions, look up www.runnerduck.co.uk/running

CLUB RACE PROMOTIONS 2008

Cirencester AC will once again be promoting three races this year. David Edelsten outlines below details of each race:

6 April, Chedworth Roman Trail ‘10’ m/t at 10.30am. Entries received to date 103. No limit on numbers but no entries on the day.

9 June (Mon), Westonbirt Arboretum Trails 10k at 7.30pm . Entry limit 600, forms available at end of February.

28 September, Cirencester Park 10k at 10.30am. Entry limit 600.

 “In all cases I will be responsible for entries and all pre-event administration and promotion. On the day organisation and marshall recruitment will be the responsibility of me plus Rupert Chesmore (Chedworth), Tony Curry (Westonbirt) and Bob Ferris ( Cirencester Park ). Full details as ever can be found on www.cirencester-ac.org.uk .

Another date for the diary is Tony Curry's cancer charity event in Cirencester Park on September 6/7. More details to follow on this major weekend of racing in a future newsletter. 

Members should keep all these dates free as they will be expected to be available to marshall if they do not wish to run.”

TRAINING

The leisure centre will reopen on 1 March, 2008 so Tuesday night meeting and changing stays at Deer Park School until then. Updated proposed club sessions on Tuesday nights listed below, note these are only plans and there may be some variation:

5 February – school, 12 February – abbey grounds, 19 February – school,

26 February – college, 4 March – abbey grounds, 11 March – school.

Whatever the session, meet at Deer Park school at 6.30pm until 4 March when we can restart using the leisure centre facilities.

For newer members, the sessions at the various locations are:

School – efforts on floodlit astroturf circuit

College – efforts on 600m road circuit (only run during college holidays)

Abbey grounds – variable distance road efforts on footpaths lit by street lamps in and around grounds.

MISCELLANY

… as well as publicity officer Bill Leggate’s musings in the Wilts & Glos Standard, the club receives a fair amount of unsolicited column inches in the Gloucestershire Echo which can be accessed via www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk then clicking on athletics.

… on Tony Shelbourn’s temporary return to his home of the last 10 years - Toledo, Ohio - he was asked to write an article about running in the UK by the editor of his running club over there. Here is his view of the UK running scene as painted to his American clubmates:

“ Toledo Road Runners Club – Out of the Comfort Zone:

In running terms it has been tough settling back in the UK . After various Runs Through Hell I remember winning Toledo runners being announced as “flatlanders,” but I always felt that the Michigan hills were tameable if your training was reasonably balanced. It has, though, proved a battle over in the UK and almost impossible in the rolling Gloucestershire countryside to avoid “hill agony”. During every race there are always nasty, long, steep obstacles in the way. It is tough enough getting used to every new course and this is compounded by not knowing the competition. Gloucestershire seems to be populated by V60s who are running machines. These over sixty year old veterans, who should be at home with their carpet slippers and a newspaper, are battling it out in sub 39 minute 10Ks and sub 19 minute fives. Being beaten most weeks is bad enough but not initially knowing who these geezers are is most frustrating.

Despite the fact that I am on “home turf” it has been almost impossible to find our way to some of these tucked away places and my club mates must think I am particularly stupid as I double and triple check where the races start. As well as the tendency to put hills in every race there is a season of real cross country races plus other called “multi terrain”. As pleasant, flat 5Ks are as rare as hens teeth there isn’t much in the way of easy racing to look forward to, but I’m loving it, so here is my race report mentioning a few of the races from the last few months.

The Pilot Inn, near Gloucester , hosted a 5K that had relocated several times because of serious flooding. This course, running alongside the Severn Estuary, was flat and fast (for a change) and as an out and back the times were expected to be quick. I managed an 18.45 and ended up second in the Veteran 60 category. The course was close to the Gloucester Ship Canal and by the end of the race the cool mists made this August race chilly and damp, as one would expect in England . True to form a pint or two was consumed after the race.

Frampton on Severn 10K is a lovely village and our base was the local sailing club. Although the race was in the same Severn Estuary this course had a nasty hill two miles in and this took the edge off everyone’s time. I finished with an adjusted 38.58 which was a personal best so the Tuesday night training sessions are paying off. No beer tonight as everyone was given a free glass of alcoholic cider (or two). The Cirencester team left the race this cool August evening with a warm and cozy glow, not only because of the cider but because we had a whole bevy of prizes to take with us.

The Beacon Inn, Haresfield. A Sunday morning race after which some stayed for lunch. The course was a sadistic mixture of short, sharp hills at the start and a couple of long drags back up to the finish. Throw in a couple of freeway bridges for good measure and this was a tough one. My 39.20 was a disappointment (I finished second in the V60) and that was after a halfway 5K of 19.10. Tough over here!

Witney Classic 10M. Before this race in Oxfordshire there was much discussion about the first hill on the course (which gave you a nose bleed as you ran down it), becoming the final hill as you reached the last mile. No one mentioned the other 13 hills en route and you could hear cow bells and people yodeling as you ran! This race was a real test of stamina and Chris [Brough], my Sunday morning running buddy, really hauled me through the last few miles. The toughest 10M I have ever done and my 68.10 fell short of the winning V60 time by about 6 minutes.

Cirencester AC 10K, on home turf and our club race. A perfect day and other than “Big Bertha,” a savage besom of a hill, whom we encountered twice it was an excellent race and very well organized. Great to have the support from the home team marshals but it didn’t help as my 39.36 left me second V60.

The moral to be found in all of these results? Running will always have its challenges. I have enjoyed every race this summer but have sometimes found myself wishing for familiar surroundings and people. Next year I won’t have any excuses for not doing better, so the hard training sessions will need to be stepped up a notch. At least I shall be in my new comfort zone – however uncomfortable it might be. Enjoy your running and remember; the race is only a small part of the whole enjoyable experience of being a runner.” Shelbourn is due back in the UK in mid-March and will no doubt be aiming for some more club records in 2008.

David Wright: wrights@tesco.net or 01285 641224