Hereford 5K, 27/04/2006

A dozen TAC runners made the trip across to Hereford leisure Centre. Conditions were perfect and the runners made the most of it with no less than eight personal best times being recorded. With Club Championship points to run for, pulses were high right from the starting gun. The most impressive performances were, again, from the girls. Smooth moving Angie Sadler, fresh from an outstanding FLM race, found herself running in a competitive tussle for the duration. It wasn't until the 400m track finish that Sadler selected top gear while her challengers found reverse. Sadler ran a 5km personal best time only 4 days after her marathon! Club captain, Cathy Dudfield impressed yet again to finish just outside 21 minutes with a new Pb. Likewise, Carol Cowley, who surprised herself with another Pb in just over 21 mins. Lisa Kane and Sandie Harwood ran shoulder to shoulder for 23 minutes before entering the track together where tactics and sheer determination was on view to the cheering crowds. Kane broke free with 20
yards to go and finished just a couple of strides ahead of her club mate. Bev Thomas completed the ladies contingent with an extremely healthy Pb time. Best male efforts came from Nigel Tillot and Stuart Dudfield who both claimed Pb's despite relatively little quality training of late. Jon Mansfield, Jason Draper and Roger Bennett were the first three athletes to complete the course for the club. Bennett bouncing back from last Sundays FLM. Phillip Howells too was also running again 4 days after a marathon - in which he finished inside the top ten!

16.57 Jon Mansfield
18.09 Jason Draper
18.54 Roger Bennett
19.20 Angie Sadler (Pb)
19.32 Nigel Tillot (Pb)
20.28 Stuart Dudfield (Pb)
21.11 Cathy Dudfield (Pb)
21.35 Carol Cowley (Pb)
23.00 Lisa Kane (Pb)
23.03 Sandie Harwood (Pb)
23.04 Phillip Howells
26.23 Beverly Thomas (Pb)

Top 10 at Tresco

SuperVet Phillip Howells shrugged off the effects of his recent 100K to finish inside the top 10 at Tresco last Sunday, with an excellent time of 3:30:02. More details of this unique race can be found here.

Top 400 for Andy!

Andy Hawkins led the way at the 2006 FLM with an excellent run. His time makes him 371st finisher, and must rank as one of the best Tewkesbury performances this year.

Andy Hawkins 2:45:54
Clive Baker 3:0:50
Angie Sadler 3:06:00
Roger Bennett 3:07:12
Amanda Martin 3:22:13
Barry O'Driscoll 3:22:48

Tewkesbury Belles secure another team victory!!

Jon Mansfield reports from the Severn Easter 10km at the White Horse, 15th April 2006:

Runners from Tewkesbury AC were collecting prizes again after an afternoon 10k race. Six club members made the short trip to Gloucester over the Easter weekend to test themselves over a relatively fast course. The outstanding individual performance of the day came in the shape of club captain Cathy Dudfield. She hacked 1.19 minutes of her 10k Pb. Running with a foot niggle and fresh from impressively out-running a pony and trap, Dudfield was all smiles after checking her stop-watch. Elegant distance competitor Angie Sadler performed well on the eve of her FLM start. She ran well enough to finish second overall female behind a new ladies course
record. Joining Dudfield and Sadler in the top ladies team was Sandie Harwood, using the event as part of her build-up to the Tewkesbury 1/2 marathon next month. Likewise was the improving Bev Thomas who sliced 32 seconds of her previous best for the distance. In contrast to the girls, the boys found the going a little difficult! Club treasurer Roger Bennett, also running before his FLM start, ran a respectable time but, had expected to run with more ease. Jon Mansfield paid the price of cycling instead of running over the last six weeks and too found the going uncomfortable and in turn, just missed out on the prizegiving!

11 - Jon Mansfield 35.55
26 - Roger Bennett 39.23
39 - Angie Saddler 40.30 (2nd FM)
53 - Cathy Dudfield 44.48
58 - Sandie Harwood 49.53
61 - Beverly Thomas 54.09

Club Handicap #1 - 12/04/06

Jason reports the following times and positions from the first 5 mile handicap race

The results show handicap position, followed by actual position and time

1st CHARLOTTE MOWBRAY (5 POINTS) 1st SIMON HALL 28:27
2nd SANDIE HARWOOD (4) 2nd ROGER BENNETT 31:08
3rd CATH DUDFIELD (3) 3rd ANGIE SADLER 32:43
4th BEV THOMAS (2) 4th STEVE DARNELL 34:26
5th ANN ROBINSON (1) 5th STU DUDFIELD 34:51
5th NEV SIMPSON (1) 6th CATHY DUDFIELD 35:21
7th ROGER BENNETT (1) 7th ROB JORDAN 35:49
8th ROB JORDAN (1) 8th CAROL COWLEY 37:03
9th SIMON HALL (1) 9th NEV SIMPSON 38:52
10th ANGIE SADLER (1) 10th SANDIE HARWOOD 38:54
11th STU DUDFIELD (1) 11th LISA KANE 40:31
12th LISA KANE (1) 12th CHARLOTTE MOWBRAY 41:47
13th CAROL COWLEY (1) 13th BEV THOMAS 42:29
14th STEVE DARNELL (1) 14th ANN ROBINSON 42:48

Leamington 10K, 9/4/06

Cathy reports....

Three club members travelled to Leamington to take part in a mostly flat 10k run. It took them through lovely parks and streets of Regency Leamington. Jason was first back in 31st place in a time of 38:20. Next came Jason's sister Lisa in a pleasing time of 48:15 followed by Bev who was running her first 10k. Bev was very pleased with her time of 54:41. They all enjoyed the race especially as it was an early 9am start!

Leamington 10k Results
Jason Draper - 38:20 (31st)
Lisa Kane - 48:15
Bev Thomas - 54:41

UK 100km champs, 2/4/2006

Sue Bruce reports....

I am afraid you have ALL been out performed by Phil who completed the UK 100km championships at RAF Insworth yesterday. He ran a very respectable 11hrs8min and finished 1st vet 55. Like the rest of you he battled through wind rain sun and er more wind except he did it for 11 hrs or 31 laps of a VERY exposed course.This was despite having to have paracetamol tylenol and Ibuprofen from 13 miles onwards because of a niggly hamstring . He had a dodgy patch at about half way and had to have a little sit down but unlike an awful lot of the competitors he got going again and at no time lost his composure despite my shouting at him to get a move on in the last 2 laps or he wouldnt be allowed to complete it because of the time limitations- he took it all with his usual good grace! Unfortunately the battery on the finishing clock went as he came round the final corner 4mins before he got to it. However his time is correct he ran with superb courage and determination and I particularly enjoyed him collapsing into my arms when he stopped! I think we should all buy him a drink or two when he next appears on clubnight as he is now a national 100k champion!

Phil adds..

Praise indeed Sue, thank you very much - obviously delighted to finish and win the O55 prize despite making it more difficult for myself by running almost on one leg for the last 50 miles or so with that hamstring injury; pain not really to be recommended!

However, have to say many thanks to you for looking after me so well as race doctor and club member, and to all the other Tewkesbury guys who were there on the day - Andy (who came after taking a superb 2nd place in the White Horse half marathon earlier, so many congrats to you Andy). Mike, Angie (after her success at Chedworth), Jason, Amanda and Mick - to cheer me on and give invaluable moral support and to the messages of support from many other club members. Very humbling to be looked after by champion athletes in their own right, thanks guys. Also had lots of support around the course as a local club member - could hardly not finish with all that backing!

For the record, my time was 11hrs 8mins 43secs and I actually finished 25th of 25 finishers (including 5 ladies), but as Sue said, lots did not finish,including all the other O55s naturally (although I was always ahead of them anyway!) - and a race favourite Dennis Walmsley - so although I had hoped with some confidence to beat 10 hours, I have to feel pretty well satisfied with the performance and it gives me a good target for a PB next time!!! The winner was Matthew Lynas in 7hr 17mins 40secs.

Having Sue to catch me in her arms at the end made it all worthwhile and I am certain, much more enjoyable for me than it would be for her, given the sweaty and dishevelled state one finishes in after 11 hours on the road!

White Horse Half, 2/4/2006

Andy Hawkins reports....

On Sunday 2nd April I travelled to the White Horse Half Marathon which is near Wantage, Oxfordshire. The race was started in windy but sunny weather. I started off at a good pace, the leader was well away from the start. As the race progressed the pack I was in which included the first lady got smaller and we were slowly picking off the 3-4 runners in front of us. From about 6 miles the wind was in our faces and it was certainly strong. Then the rain came at just after 8 miles which lasted for a good 10 minutes, the rain was bordering on hail as the temperature dropped and ferocity was intense. We got to 11 miles and I was now 2nd with the first lady on my shoulder. The third and fourth men were only just behind. I got to 12 and dug in again, we started to drop the 2 men. In the end the first lady out kicked me with about 15 metres to go. My finish time was 1:17:29 (the weather cost me at least 90secs). The leader won with a time of 1:13:43.

Overall the race is well organised with a great course to go with it. It is practically flat with only 2 small climbs of railway bridges to negotiate. It is a pity that the weather intervened and ruined any chance of a PB, which I know I am in. However I am in good shape and hope to go well in London in 3 weeks time, weather permitting. I would definitely recommend this race to anyone and I may do it again next year.

Deutsche Weinstrasse Half, 02/04/06

Tewkesbury's international season continued as your webmaster jetted off for a weekend in Frankfurt to catch up with an old training partner. No detail was missed as we prepared for this scenic half marathon with a 3 mile shuffle on the Saturday morning, followed by a breakfast of German sausage. Tapering down with a few beers, a curry, and an evening spent alternately watching footy and listening to a 1980s metal covers band, there was no doubt that the half marathon was going to a unique test of mind and body.

The Germans do know how to put on a race, with superb levels of organisation, excellent facilities, full road closures and the obligatory beer tent in which to collapse afterwards. Feeling surprisingly refreshed at the start, I jogged the first half, then picked up the pace back through the vineyards, finishing in under 1:34 and collecting a goody bag whose contents are on show here!

This is the second time I've done a German half, and they are great events. 1600 took part in this one, and runners of all paces are welcome. Race directors are happy to translate instructions into English, and fellow runners always seem very friendly and welcoming. You might like to try this link if you're interested

Peopleton 6 & Chedworth 10, 02/04/2006

Cathy Dudfield reports....

Peopleton Scenic 6 mile.
Jason and myself travelled to South Worcestershire to take part in the Peopleton Scenic 6 mile. The very tough multi-terrain course was made more challenging by the wet and windy conditions. It took us accross very wet hilly fields with plenty of steep climbs. There were plenty of styles to cross and areas of deep mud. Jason completed the course in 42:50s and myself in 49:40s. In hindsight I think we both enjoyed the challenge (I think!!!)

Chedworth 10 mile.
Four Tewkesbury runners took part in the Chedworth multi-terrain 10 mile. The course was challenging and again the runners were met by very wet and windy conditions. Due to the recent rain, the river that competitors had to cross was very high. All who took part stated they enjoyed the run. First back for the club was Angie in a time of 1:16:52 (49th) She again earned another trophy for being 3rd lady overall and was also 1st V45. Next home in a time of 1:29:25 (156th) was Carol. She also picked up a trophy for finishing 2nd V55. The next two home for the club were Sandie and Jon. Jon has just returned from a 3 week training camp in Lanzarote and ran the complete course with Sandie to help her run her first 10 mile race. Sandie finished in a time of 1:40:36 (250th) with Jon one place behind in 1:40:37 (251st)