Optimistic October
Cross-country season has now started and Tewkesbury Running Club made a promising start to the 2015/16 campaign. Wes Reid helped pull some runners together and despite not quite fielding complete teams we did field some hardy runners: Steve Maber impressive in his second run of the day – the V50 runner managed to beat a former GF5 winner to the finish line by two seconds. A good anecdote to have for Steve. Following Steve in the men’s raceCalvin Blandford finished in 45 minutes and five minutes behind Terry Ballard completed his first XC for the club. Wes timed under the hour over a course which is mainly flat but surprisingly testing. Tewkesbury’s men scored in the Vets competition with a fine 23rd from at least 25 teams.
The Cotswold Farm Park event was also treated by a visit from Carol Cowley and Karen Maber. Carol was supreme in the V65 category and Karen, like Steve above, raced her second race of the day and ran well. The competition in both men’s and ladies races were of high standard with the winner of the ladies race a ‘Paula Radcliffe beater’. Our ladies were one short to score in the team comp however, like most things in life, it’s the taking part that counts so well done to the six who ran and those who supported. Running in the biggest race of his life thus far, Rob Bowery took on the Gower Ultra. A South Wales treat for any rambler but to run such a testing route is a serious business. Taking in most of the Gower Coastal path, including Rhossli Bay (voted Britain’s best beach), Port Eyron, Oxwich, Three Cliffs and the Mumbles. Rob teamed-up with a work mate and comfortably run the 50 mile course in just over 10 hrs. I say ‘comfortably’ but when I touched base with him yesterday, his feet where in some pain! It’s been Rob’s long term goal and we’re all pleased he completed it as some of us know Rob has had some hospital repair done on his leg and it’s safe to say know that he’s back on course.
Angie Sadler raced in the York Marathon. It’s the first road marathon she has ran for 18 months! Also known as the Plusnet Yorkshire marathon, the race has featured on Channel 4 before and it’s certainly a course for quicker times and that’s just what Angie clocked, a fine 3:28 hrs. She placed 544th overall, 40th female and an impressive 1st V55. This is also a ‘qualifying time’ for any of the “majors” should Angie wish to take the stage. Phillip Howells also ran the Yorkshire course and timed 5:22 and position 66th in the V60 category.
