Late Summer Round-up.
24th August 2019
Vicky Earls travelled back to her native Ireland for the famous and very popular Frank Duffy 10 mile race … this year the race numbered just short of 4000 finishers. Having focussed on the shorter distances this year Vicky was looking forward to enjoying the race … and enjoy Vicky did; although she had to battle the 25 degree heat, the undulating nature of Dublin’s Phoenix Park as well as the demanding distance to record her 1hr 52.51 secs.
28th August 2019
After some impressive mid summer parkruns, one of this year’s leading county veteran’s Alan Whitby had been looking for a fast road 5km race to test out his form. Lining up at Severn AC’s Pilot Inn 5km, the course looked perfect …. but the weather had taken a turn for the worse and the 32 runners faced heavy rain throughout the race. Undeterred Alan, meant business with a fast 6min 10secs 1st mile. Alan then settled into a solid rhythm and stuck his head across the line to record an excellent new PB of 19mins 39secs ! Alan’s time meant he had set a second new club record for the year with his 19.39 5K, after his Boddington 10K earlier in the year. Alan’s exploits had also learnt him a race prize of a pack of digestive biscuits !
7th September 2019
GREAT NORTH RUN
As the autumn months start to draw in, the race calander starts to provide many half marathon opportunities for runners. This year Tewkesbury Running Club had 4 runners in the biggest half marathon of them all - The Great North Run.
Russell Steele was the first runner to appear from the 43000 finishers in a healthy finishing position of 2767th with a time of 1hr 40.33secs. Russell had also been running the race for his chosen cancer charity and he had a successful weekend all round.
Ian Caley had had an excellent run in the Tewkesbury Half Marathon in May to just go under the 2 hour barrier and with a summer full of long distance training Ian was fully up for his North East task. Ian was also running for his chosen charity and was delighted with his 2hr 59secs time … a time very close to his PB.
Lynda Gardiner had also been seen putting in some quality long distance training runs before her date in the North East and would have been full of confidence as she lined up with the 43000 other eager runners. All Lynda’s training paid off as she strode into into the South Shields finish line with a time of 2hrs 8mins 25secs … a huge 12 minutes quicker than her last Great North Run time.
Tonia Whitebeam had had a quiet time this summer from racing after her heavy winter / spring time racing schedule. However with some noticeable long run training Tonia was one to keep an eye on as she toed the lined the line in Newcastle’s Town Moor park. Tonia appeared from the masses with an excellent time of 2hrs 11mins 43secs … a minute and half improvement on her Bangor HM time last year.
CHIPPENHAM HALF MARATHON
Further south 2 TRC members made their presence felt at the ever popular Chippenham Half.
Shona Crombie-Hicks had been selected to run for Gloucestershire as part of the South West Inter Counties Championship. After a fast start and overcoming a stitch Shona worked hard to lead the Gloucestershire Ladies team home in a time of 1hr 25mins 5secs. Along with her team mates, Shona collected a bronze county medal as the Gloucestershire team came 3rd.
Lesley Allaway also lined up for a flatter Half Marathon than her Frome Half earlier in the summer and was happy to post a creditable time of 2hrs 24mins 35secs - a season’s best by 5minutes !
WOODCHESTER 9 MILE MT
Stroud AC’s Woodchester trail race has fearsome reputation as very demanding hilly course which can be tackled at speed. Angie Sadler was the sole brave Tewkesbury Running Club representative this year and Angie showed her wily off road skills by posting up a time of 1hr 5mins 26secs coming home 7th lady. Angie’s age grading score for the race was easily the best from all the 117 competitors.
