A rather long newsletter this time due to the overlapping seasons and some excellent submitted articles. The road running season has now officially finished with the successful running of the Stroud ½ marathon in which over 2000 took part, including 20 Cirencester athletes. As a result Jane Wassell and David Wright have been crowned club champions for 2004. The year has seen the highest number of club participants in races for a long time and we must hope that this continues into the cross country season and on into next year. Sunday's first Oxford League race has clearly maintained the momentum as record numbers turned out and excellent results were achieved. Other results have filtered in from all over the world recently as can be seen below.

RESULTS

03.10.2004 Cricklade ½ Marathon : In addition to results published in the last newsletter it should be noted that Andrea Lawson successfully completed her first half marathon at Cricklade. Sadly the organisation left a lot to be desired and numerous finishers were missed off the results. Like a lot of races this one suffers from the big increase in entries and as a consequence struggles to cope with the organisation.

16.10.2004 Gloucestershire XC League, Plock Court , Gloucester : In the ladies race Jane Wassell was an excellent 3 rd (1 st LV35) in 23.55, having been beaten by 17 year old sensation Emily Pidgeon of Gloucester (22.44).

17.10.2004 Swindon ½ Marathon : An excellent breakthrough run on a very tough course by 17 year old Chris Illman.
1. Matt O'Dowd ( Swindon ) 1.11.17, 13 Chris Illman (U20) 1.22.03, 52 Simon Smith (Tetbury) 1.31.24. 974 finished.

24.10.2004 Stroud ½ Marathon : All the recent heavy rain and strong winds evaporated in time for the conclusion of road racing for another year as record numbers entered. The club's leading trio all finished within six seconds of each other with Wendy Jones running a personal best time despite relatively low key training in recent months and leading the ladies to a well earned third team prize. She also won the Gloucestershire county championship, run in conjunction. Francisco, better known as Pancho, Diaz, a new member from Uruguay , ran his first race for two years and his result augurs well for the future. Other notable runs came from Jane Wassell in her debut ½, Bill Leggate with a personal best time just a few weeks after running a marathon and Liza Darroch, who insists that she ran just under, not just over, two hours!

1. Z Kihara (Kenya) 1.04.11, 87 Wendy Jones (9 th lady, 4 th LV35) 1.21.49, 88 Francisco (Pancho) Diaz 1.21.53, 90 David Wright 1.21.55, 161 Garrett Gloyn 1.26.54, 174 Jane Wassell (22 nd lady) 1.27.35, Tim Collings 1.28.43, 260 Bob Ferris 1.31.09, 268 Bill Leggate 1.31.30, 441 Jonathan Young 1.37.24, 467 Tim Willson (Tetbury) 1.38.01, 497 Terry Ranger 1.38.50, 647 Chris Riches 1.42.36, 809 Carol Clarke 1.46.47, 1030 Kveta Kroulikova 1.52.08, 1220 Sue Brown 1.56.48, 1287 Jenny Hill 1.58.34, 1288 Sandra Elphick 1.58.34, 1344 Liza Darroch 2.00.01, 1443 Fiona Collings 2.02.53, 1602 Graham Clarke 2.09.10. A record 2021 finished.

Final scores in the club road race championship:

Men: D Wright 101pts, B Ferris 64, M Pitts 58, D Atkinson & B Leggate 46, C Sherrington 41, T Curry 39, C Riches 38, T Collings 26, N Morris & G Clarke 25, R Waldron 24, P Barlow 23, K Firkin & F Diaz 15, M Humphries & J Young 14, C Illman, M Gluning & G Gloyn 13, D Edelsten 12, J Prout 10, I Fletcher 9, T Ranger 8.

Women: J Wassell 72pts, C Clarke 66, W Jones 63, K Withycombe 51, K Ingleby 40, S Brown 31, L Ferris 30, P Vass 23, S McKeeman 14, E Wilson 13, K Kroulikova 12, J Hill & S Elphick 9½, J Bourke, L Darroch & A Sherrington 8, F Collings 7.

24.10.2004 Palma , Majorca Marathon: Mark Gluning suffered in the 30º heat as his halfway split of 1.46 was augmented by a second half in 2.32 for a finish in 4.18.05, 520 th out of 1015 finishers, mainly made up of Spanish and German runners.

24.10.2004 Boo Run 10k, Sarasota , Florida , USA : David Edelsten takes up the story of great personal glory .

"Getting up at 6am for a run was never my strong point but with an 8.15 start for the second Boo Run - a 10k race near Sarasota in Florida - I was out of our house and heading up the Interstate 75 in the dark. Arriving at the start venue - an elementary school that would dwarf Deer Park , on the edge of an enormous new community called Lakewood Ranch - I was pleased to discover the race had picked the coldest morning for several days. Around 68 degrees at 8am was OK for a hardy Cotswold lad but most of the locals were huddled in their fleeces.

The course was an unremarkable very flat, out and back run through the sprawling Lakewood Ranch estate and golf course. I ran last year's race (on a different course) and started too slowly, not knowing the strength of opposition. This time I lined up nearer the front and was surprised to still be able to see the leaders after the first mile. Although I inevitably slowed after the first couple of miles - nothing new there then! - I was pretty happy with the run and even more so to beat 50 minutes for the first time in three years. I was even more delighted to discover that I had won the over 60 category and for the first time ever had a reason for staying for the awards to receive a rather naff gaudy trophy (very American) depicting a witch riding her broomstick! But when it is your first ever one is very grateful, although I did resist sleeping with it .

My time was 49m33s - 42nd out of approx.160 finishers. Winning time was 36 minutes so not exactly a high class field."

30 & (theoretically) 31.10.2004 Two day Karrimor Mountain Marathon, Wales: Chris Riches reports on this brutal event in which runners compete in pairs navigating to pre-determined checkpoints. He ran with Simon Smith, a Tuesday night regular at the club.

"You'll not be surprised to learn, I'm sure, that we didn't finish the two days and, in fact, we didn't do the second day. We were happily tucked up in our beds on Saturday night and not camping out in the wilds of the Black Mountains ! I know it's a sad pathetic tale not to have completed the two-day marathon but I think we can both take the flack that comes our way!

Simon's achilles decided we should abandon our efforts. We had missed getting in on time anyway as we had managed to lose our way on the top of the mountain in thick fog, which covered the area for over three hours, leaving us with less than fifty metres visibility.

I think we found every peat bog in the area and disappeared down our fair share of holes en route. However, as Simon was the only map reader all credit goes to him for getting us through the distance. I was, what Blair is to Bush in media terms, a bit of a poodle tagging along behind!

The descents and the climbs did appear a bit too often. Any plateau was short lived. A surreal moment was meeting an armed SAS man in training walking ahead of us on top of the mountain with his 70lb pack. With the visibility so poor I wondered who we might meet next as we tackled steep climbs up the mountain side with 700' drops just to our side! I think we had encountered a sufficient number of 1000' ascents and descents to test the calf muscles and knees for one day when we reached our destination.

The terrain was fairly unforgiving and most of the ten hour slog was walking at pace, or little pace or no pace at all with only the occasional token run thrown in. We were wet underfoot within half an hour and so crossing raging river torrents seemed much easier than trying to balance on rocks and stay dry.

There was one entertaining moment which I did enjoy, when a guy slipped and the weight of his backpack pulled him back and he slid about 150 metres down a steep slope gaining speed all the time and only just missed slicing himself in two on a checkpoint pole at the bottom of the gully! If we'd travelled 17 miles that day then it was 17 miles I'm sure many others, not just ourselves, would have found testing and we were both sort of pleased with what we had achieved...if a tad disappointed.

I think Simon and I both concluded that those that do it are a mad breed! The winners in the Elite Group (i.e. running a marathon each day) completed the 52 miles in 11 hours! Good luck to them and I hope they enjoy wearing the T-shirt!

07.11.2004 Oxford Mail XC League, Ascott-under-Wychwood: In total 38 runners competed for Cirencester at Ascott - a fantastic number for a small club. On top of the turnout there was great success, both individually and as a club. Thanks to Paula's efforts (Vass not Radcliffe) the junior age groups performed very well on a damp, still morning; highlights included a fine 4 th place in the U11 Boys race by George Collings and excellent turnouts in the U11 & joint U13/U15 girls events, including 5 th team in the latter.

The ladies commenced their defence of the team prize with a good solid performance. Wendy Jones once again showed her superiority with a truly dominant front running display that was clearly too much for the rest of the field. Jane Wassell and Helen Langsam, the latter making the effort to come down from London with husband Pete, both ran really sensibly by pacing their races to perfection and picking up places through the race; Jane's 4 th place being her best ever in this very competitive league. Although the ladies didn't win the team race it is wide open for the season and should prove to be very exciting with only three points separating the top three teams.

For some time this year there has been the feeling that thanks to the influx of many new members the men had an opportunity to turn out in numbers and give a real good fist at avoiding relegation. The worry had been that the club would still lack presence in the top 30. Young Chris Illman, together with 'Pancho' Diaz proved that the worries were unfounded with stunning runs, particularly from 17 year old Chris. Not too many members know Chris but Tuesday nighters will remember him from the summer of 2003 when he was lapping everyone on the track sessions. He has since moved to Whelford, nr Fairford so hasn't been seen too much - he is also studying for his 'A' levels - but results reported in the newsletter for the recent Cricklade 10k and Swindon ½ marathon indicated that his running was going well. Despite all that no-one expected such a top class run as produced at Ascott. Against a quality field he started fast and was unfazed by the experienced opposition and the tough hills as he produced the best club run in the mens league since Dan Leggate's victories. Pancho, wearing spikes borrowed from the sadly missing Bob Ferris, sidelined with a knee injury, and running his first ever XC race, also ran really well and finished extremely strongly. Thankfully the good work of the leading two was supported down the field by the mass of red and black vests, resulting in a really creditable 6 th position out of 10 in division one, only 16 points off 4 th . With seven to score, a full 'B' team finished and most of a 'C' team. There was a real team atmosphere and vibrancy around the club tent and out on the course, which can hopefully be maintained throughout the season. The newer members have to be thanked for this feeling pervading through the club as they have collectively brought so much to the table.

U11 Boys: 4 George Collings 3.44, 18 Elliot Manners 4.19, 22 Mark Whistler 4.24.

U11 Girls: 7 Lucy Vass 4.13, 11 Laura Eales 4.26, 17 Laura Hobson 4.44, 22 Olivia Williams 4.53, 31 Isabelle McKeeman 5.54.

U13/U15 Girls: 13 Robyn Maxtone (U13) 8.41, 14 Jenny Manners 8.43, 35 Henrietta Ward (U13) 9.48, 37 Alice Thomas (U13) 9.59, 38 Anna Rohan 10.13. Teams: 1 Oxford City 13pts, 5 Cirencester 62.

Women: 1 Wendy Jones 19.10, 4 Jane Wassell 20.24, 17 Helen Langsam 23.18, 40 Sue McKeeman 24.59, 44 Diane Moore 25.06, 57 Carol Clarke 25.51, 72 Sue Brown 27.31. 108 finished. Teams: 1 Headington 20pts, 2 Cirencester 22, 3 Witney 23, 15 Cirencester 'B', 37 teams closed in.

Men: 1 Chris Sykes (Woodstock) 31.50, 5 Chris Illman 33.09, 25 Pancho Diaz 34.59, 41 David Wright 36.00, 42 Rod Sinclair 36.03, 65 Bill Leggate 37.46, 72 Nigel Morris 38.23, 93 Duncan Atkinson 39.50, 95 Mark Gluning 39.55, 112 Tim Willson 41.16, 128 Pete Langsam 42.21, 131 Chris Riches 42.27, 133 Paul Barlow 42.38, 141 Ian Fletcher 43.19, 147 Colin O'Hare 43.39, 149 Chris Sherrington 43.42, 154 Tony Curry 44.02, 173 Dick Waldron 45.48, 207 David Edelsten 51.40. 217 finished. Teams: Div. 1 - 1 Headington 80pts, 6 Cirencester 343, 10 Banbury 994. Div. 2 - 8 Cirencester 'B' 887, 19 Cirencester 'C' 1337, 26 teams closed in.

Forthcoming races and contact details:

28 November at 10:30 Eynsham 10k - popular race on fast course. Must enter in advance. Forms on club noticeboard at leisure centre.

21 November 2004 Tomac Off Road Duathlon, Cirencester Park - This race is organised by Lorraine Ferris (Bob's sister-in-law) and is repeated on 13 February 2005 . It comprises 2 mile XC run - 10 mile MT bike - 2 mile XC Run (inc Relay) or 1 mile - 5 miles - 1 mile
For entry email: triferris@btinternet.com or tel Lorraine: 01793 853933 or talk to Bob Ferris

5 December 2004 Oxford Mail XC League, Enslow Quarry, nr. Bletchingdon - Directions: West of Bletchingdon, just south of the B4027, near the Rock of Gibraltar pub. Meet at 9.30 at the leisure centre or visit www.geocities.com/oxmailxc for more details. The website describes the course thus: " Lot of short and sharp up and downs, some stony stretches, and a good wet/boggy stretch" .

CHRISTMAS PARTY

Jenny Hill now has menu choices for the party at The Corinium Hotel, Gloucester St , Cirencester on Friday 10 th December. Booking forms are currently being distributed; if unable to get down to the club contact Jenny on jennifer.steve52@btopenworld.com Cost for a great night out is £25 and payment needs to be made by 1 st December.

MISCELLANY

Chris Sherrington writes: "Club trip to Lisbon Half Marathon ( March 13 th 2005 ). Need something to look forward to on those damp winter runs? How about a spring weekend with clubmates running the Lisbon Half Marathon , "the world's fastest half", enjoying the beautiful city sites, street cafes, beaches or even the "deepest Brazilian dives". There is availability now but the agent isn't holding places for us so we need to act quickly. If interested please let me know on 01453 731287 or Christopher.sherrington@eon-uk.com as soon as possible and by Friday 19 November at very latest. As soon as I hear from you I will then let you know when deposits must be made to secure places.

Details: Direct flight London Heathrow - Lisbon plus 3 nights hotel (B&B basis). Organised through Nirvana Europe . Travel out: Friday 11 March, fly home: Monday 14 March. 3 night costs (per person): twin - £309, single - £369. 5 night costs (returning Wednesday): twin - £365, single - £465. Hotel is 3 Star Holiday Inn Lisbon Continental in central Lisbon www.ichotelsgroup.com All costs include return direct flights from London Heathrow, 3/5 nights accommodation, buffet breakfast and race entry. If there are people who wish to travel but do not require a race entry deduct £25 per person. The quote is based on direct British Airways flights from London Heathrow and the times are as follows: depart Heathrow 08.40 arrive Lisbon 11.15; depart Lisbon 12.05 arrive Heathrow 14.45. Deposit payable on booking is £150 per person with final payment around end January. Costs not included: travel and parking to / from airports, all meals except breakfast, travel in Lisbon ."

Finally another blockbuster from Rupert Chesmore who has been on his long distance travels once again. He writes on the UK Ultra Trail Running Championships, held at Buxton, on 19 September:

"I must be a very slow learner, because I found myself standing on the start line of yet another mad run. A 40 mile race around the ' White Peak ' area of the Peak District. The usual culprits stood around me from earlier experiences..... Simmo off to attempt a 555 km run in Niger, Central Africa .... two other canal runners.... the cream of British insanity all attempting the UK Championships.

Buxton is a northern version of Cheltenham but has surrounding hills that make Big Bertha look like a pimple on a flea's ar..... It appeared so peaceful as I followed the 90 odd starters out of the town up and over the first fell, down along two long reservoirs and then (guess what?) up again! The pattern was developing. Linking road sections down dead ends led out onto bleaker terrain inhabited by sheep, 4 WD fanatics and anarchists pretending to be ramblers. A sudden rain storm came on so quick I could not get my coat on in time, I was soaked. The higher we went the lower came the cloud and over Mam Tor I could only see 50 yards ahead. I was alone by now relying on the odd direction arrow and a photocopy of an inaccurate map for company. Fortunately the cloud lifted briefly and I saw my path down to Castleton village. A short road section to get the pace back up again before climbing up Cave Dale onto the moor again. This was the section I had been warned about but I managed to keep in touch with a group in front before the route followed tracks and then a lane leading to Tideswell and ultimately Monsal Dale. I was really cold by now and a cup of tea worked wonders at the next control before the beautiful trail led down the valley past steep eroded cliffs and man made lakes feeding old mills. Onto a railway line I staggered along totally lacking any umphh. I realised that I had not done enough training for this but it was too late to stop. Only 10 miles to go and I met Liza who, prepared for her usual weekend run, was going to run with me on the final leg. 10 miles yes, run no as I was reduced to a walk in some quite runnable sections. Deep Dale 1 had to be walked before an evil 3 mile road section into the wind. Finally Buxton in the distance and a kind across the fields section before the sting in the tail. Deep Dale 2, a 300' deep and 300' wide ravine to cross. Real hands and knees stuff just to kill you off. Final walk, trot and run into the finish and a very welcome cup of tea. A painful experience at the time but with hindsight quite an achievement on the shortage of the right training. It is a classical trail run with all sorts of terrain over the most wonderful countryside. Results-wise I was only the 38th maddest person so I will have to do better next time...."

More information and news, including a new section on the juniors, can be found on the club's website www.cirencester - ac.org.uk .

David Wright: wrights@tesco.net or 01285 641224