Snowdonia Marathon, 29/10/06

Phillip Howells reports...

Just to confirm, Angie and I made the Snowdonia Marathon in good time with a 5am departure and both of us completed the event in good shape. It was a superb Autumn day, mild, no wind, sunny and perfect for theglorious mountain and lake setting - so still, the mountains were reflected in the lakes like a mirror and the Autumn colours a delight; and of course we made sure we admired the views on our run! The course is basically a loop around the Snowdon, on road and with 3 major climbs - 4 miles out of Llanberis straight up the pass from the start, a further 3 mile climb after Beddgelert at halfway and then a brute of a 3 miler from 21 miles!Angie starred as ever, finishing 54th (from around 1500 starters) in 3-18-47 to finish 5th Lady and first Female VetO45. My time was a bit more sedate, but having set myself a steady 4 hours target I was more than satisfied to finish very strongly in 3-50-59 (after admiring the views in the first half to do that in 1-58), so a much quicker 2nd half, for 262 place and 11th in my O55 age group. A great day all round.

BUPA Great South Run

Stuart Buchan reports.....

I made my way down to Portsmouth at the weekend to take part in the BUPA Great South Run, lining up with 18,000 other runners on a VERY wet and VERY windy Sunday morning.

I was hoping to get another PB but the atrocious weather conditions put paid to that - however, I did manage a respectable 67.57 minutes, finishing in 314th place, which was only 14 seconds off my current PB.

As soon as the race started the heavens opened, however, I managed to maintain a good pace round most of the 10 mile course and was still on course for a PB until the last 2 miles which were into a headwind and sidewind! But I managed a good sprint finish at the end for the cameras! Then it was back to the hotel for a hot shower and some hobnobbing with the TV Times/Leukaemia Research celebrity runners (more B list than A list though - unless you're an Emmerdale fan!).

My daughters Alys and Liesl also took part in the Mini South Run on the Saturday morning (in lovely sunshine!) and finished their 1 mile course in an excellent 12.48 and 12.56 respectively to their immense pride and got a lovely medal to show off as well!

Despite the weather though it was a thoroughly enjoyable and fantastically well organised weekend of races.

Stroud ½ Marathon - 22nd October 2006.

Jon M reports from the final club championship event...

Tewkesbury AC had fourteen representatives in the county's biggest race of the year. The event produced some outstanding performances with Tewkesbury runners securing three top 10 category placings.
The Dudfield household was certain to hold a ‘post-race partying’ after both husband and wife recorded impressive personal best times. Stuart Dudfield started the race quicker than planned, however, he worked hard enough during the later miles to cross the finish line in under 1hr 35 mins, over 2 minutes quicker than his previous best time. Wife Cathy wasn’t going to miss the party as the Club Captain reduced her pb time by nearly 2 minutes. Both athletes had been focusing on this event for months and it paid off with Cathy finishing 8th in her very competitive V35 category.
Bredon’s Carol Cowley successfully defended her V55 title she won last year. A time of 1hr 40 mins gave the gifted runner an overall position of 466th from a starting line-up of 1,600.
Mike Ward placed runner-up in the 70+ cat after timing 1hr 51 mins.
Lottie Mowberry, the club’s youngest athlete, attempted her first ½ marathon. It was a success as the 17yr old recorded 1hr 48 mins.
Tewkesbury’s fastest run of the day was recorded by the club’s No1 runner, Andy Hawkins. A swift time of 1hr 18 mins was off his best, nevertheless, a top 30 placing for the second year in succession for the 35 yr old. Experienced marathon runner, Clive Baker, completed the 13.1 mile course in 1hr 24 mins. Baker had a tremendous final 5 miles to finish 12th in the V40 category. Jason Draper marked his third autumn ½ marathon solidly. The vice-captain capped a fine performance by beating Jon Mansfield to the line in 1hr 26 mins. Draper raced tactfully and displayed no sympathy as he pasted struggling Mansfield during the home straight. Nigel Tillott and Adrian Lavery also had a race to remember. Improving Tillott had the edge on his team mate after a race long contest, finishing just 10 seconds ahead of long distance runner Lavery.
Ultra-distance talent, Phillip Howells raced well although, slightly down on last years time. He came in just ahead of star-man Dudfield in 1hr 34 mins. Wesley Reid completed the Tewkesbury contingent. Reid was hampered by a knee niggle partway through the course. The local rugby star needed to reduce pace and came in outside his target time in 2hr 19 mins. Inside the top 1,500 and with his second ½ m under his belt, the up and coming runner will now be aiming for the popular Tewkesbury GUY FAWKES 5 mile event on Sunday 5th November (11am start)
27th Andy Hawkins 1.18.42
74th Clive Baker 1.24.26
96th Jason Draper 1.26.11
104th Jon Mansfield 1.26.29
178th Nigel Tillott 1.30.09
184th Adrian Lavery 1.30.22
261st Phillip Howells 1.33.58
271st Stuart Dudfield 1.34.27 (pb)
374th Cathy Dudfield 1.38.13 (pb)
466th Carol Cowley 1.40.55
762nd Charlotte Mowberry 1.48.43 (pb)
848th Michael Ward 1.51.31
1,421st Wes Reid 2.19.47

Cardiff Half, 15/10/06

Steve W reports..

Took part in the Cardiff Half yesterday morning and felt much better than Bristol 4 weeks ago. Got round this one in 1:40:37, which was 5 mins and 20s faster than Bristol. I finished 799th out of 5755 finishers, with 25 not finishing. There were a further 1246 in the marathon, including Andy Gore from Cheltenham Harriers and a few Angels and Almost Athletes.

Good run overall and a good steady pace and overall pretty happy, good course, basically flat wih a great finish in the Millenium Stadium.

Next stop Stroud on Sunday, then a rest !

Blenheim 10km, 15/10/06

Brother and sister duo Jason Draper and Lisa Kane travelled to Blenheim Palace to take part in the annual Rotary 10km race. In aid of local hospices, over 700 entrants lined-up in front of celebrity starter Jim Smith. Conditions were good as Draper was one of just 20 runners to break the 40 minute mark. A creditable 16th placing was pleasing after shaking off last month’s bout of Flu.
Sister Kane was delighted with her performance. The course was testing as it cut through the regal grounds so a finishing time 51 minutes was outstanding for the improving runner.

16th Jason Draper 39.33
212th Lisa Kane 50.58
477 finished.

Glos X-C #1, 14/10/06

Jon M reports..

Tewkesbury fielded skeleton teams for first of this seasons XC events. Black Bridge in Gloucester was the venue and the racing attracted not just the top local teams but also several of the regions best.
With junior races starting first, it wasn’t until the afternoon that a competitive ladies race started. 2012 Olympic prospect Emily Pigeon lead from start to finish however, Tewkesbury’s very own accomplished international runner, Angie Sadler display her familiar grace as she lead the Tewkesbury team of three over a non-demanding 7.1 km course. Sadler finished in 12th place with only some great XC talent ahead of her.
Club Captain Cathy Dudfield was just two minutes behind her team mate in 31st position. Pleasing, as the Captain’s target race is just 8 days away in Stroud. One minute later, veteran talent, Carol Cowley crossed the line scooping another V55 1st place. The Bredon runner will also be running in the Stroud ½ Marathon - defending her 2005 V55 crown.
The team of three formidable females won the vets competition.
The men’s team were two runners short of the requisite six. Nevertheless, Tewkesbury’s XC sectary Andy Hawkins, demonstrated expert XC running. Setting off at a good pace and not letting it slip during the men’s 11.2km course. Despite producing a good performance, the high level of competition meant that Hawkins had to settle for a top 25 placing. Satisfying as the clubs best distance runner has the Stroud ½ Marathon as a priority too. One minute behind Hawkins came Jon Mansfield. Mansfield paid the price for keeping pace with Hawkins for the first 15 minutes as a convoy of ten runners passed the struggling Triathlete late on. Stuart Dudfield set off at a controlled pace and maintained it throughout. Hampered by a niggle mid-race, he finished strongly. Phillip Howells produced another fine example of pace control. The ultra-distance runner had a faultless run in the first of a Gloucestershire series of four events over the winter.

Women 7.1km
12th Angie Sadler 31.13
31st Cathy Dudfield 33.27
34th Carol Cowley 34.28
From 84 finishers

Men 11.2km
23rd Andy Hawkins 40.01
32nd Jon Mansfield 41.09
88th Stuart Dudfield 46.52
107th Phillip Howells 49.32
From 141 finishers

Weekend race news

Jon M reports..
Jason Draper shock off a recent bout of influenza in time to start the Kenilworth ½ Marathon. After not training for 10 days, the club vice-captain ran at a controlled pace with perfection to collect a finishing time of 1hr 29.45 seconds. It was a top 50 placing over an undulating course in which 700 runners started.
In the Forest of Dean, Jon Mansfield raced the Duathlon centred around Lydbrook. After the first 5km through the forest, the Tewkesbury athlete was lying in 8th, two minutes off the leaders. The 10 mile cycle leg was successful as Mansfield rode back into transition just seconds behind the leader. The final 5km decided the final outcome as the 39 yr old came in third to make his 12th podium finish of 2006.

Triathlon News!

Jon M reports..

Eastnor Castle was the setting for the first ever locally staged ½ Ironman distance triathlon. Tewkesbury AC’s Phillip Howells and Jon Mansfield took part in the event. Both athletes were novices at this type of distance. The challenge started with a two lap swim in the Castle lake before cycling a four lap course over the Malverns, taking in 54 miles of climbing and descending. The final discipline was 10 miles of tough running through Eastnor deer park.
Howells, relatively new to swimming, was pleased to be back on dry land after 52 minutes of swimming in a partially muddy lake! The ultra-distance athletes swim went to plan. However, what wasn’t on the plan was a trio of set backs while cycling. A snapped gear cable was one handicap the experience cyclist had to contend with - a major problem on a course where a minimum of 18 gears is crucial. After a smooth transition, the Ledbury competitor, set off at pace into the 10 miles of running. His pace never slackened and went on the cross the finish line in 6 hours and 4 minutes. Finishing position was 95th.
Jon Mansfield’s race went pleasingly. Pleased to complete the muddy lake swim in 25 minutes which left the 38 year old in 33rd position. His cycle ride went better than expected although it wasn’t until the fourth lap that the leading female triathele was caught. Setting off on the run being pursued by the fast moving female challenger, Mansfield was able to catch another runner ahead and settled into 14th position before having to sprint finish to hold off the 1st place woman. Mansfield recorded 4 hours and 22 minutes.
The top placed Three Counties finisher was Jon Rawlings, racing for Tri Team Glos, in 9th place.
126 athletes entered the race of which, 100 completed the course.

Two Tewkesbury AC athletes raced at Newent for the 18th annual sprint distance triathlon. With the unfortunate withdrawals of Barry O’Driscoll and Sandie Harwood, it was just Barbara Dunn and Jon Mansfield who were treated to spectacular thunder and lighting during a 3 hour deluge. Dunn, making her return to racing after an 18 month hiatus, didn’t let the weather affect her day as she was very satisfied to complete the event in under 1 ½ hours. That time gave the locally based competitor 144th place overall. Mansfield, the 2005 winner, took on the waterlogged lanes with caution. By the time the triathlete had started the run the sky started to clear and the rain stopped. A finishing time of 55 minutes meant that the runners-up spot was his this time. The overall winner had 36 seconds to his credit.

X/C Relays - full report

Jon M reports...

Tewkesbury AC gained unprecedented success at the annual cross-country relays. Tewkesbury fielded two teams, one male and one female. While the men’s team was the same formidable line-up as last years event, the ladies team was a fine blend of youth and experience.
The race started in mass and first to take on the fast, flat 2 mile circuit was in-form Andy Hawkins and talented Angie Sadler. The first leg competition was immense as some of the South West regions leading athletes were on show. Nevertheless, the Tewkesbury pair kept their concentration well and tagged team mates, Clive Sentance and Lotty Mowbray respectively. Sentence, who’s renowned for his shorter distance speed, ran superbly to keep the men’s team in contention. Mowbray, a few days before her 17th birthday and fuelled with adrenaline, ran superbly too.
At half way point, the race became clear as both TAC teams were running in bronze medals positions. Third legs were run by Jon Mansfield and Carol Cowley. Mansfield having the benefit of the second placed Gloucester AC just 50 yards ahead, just needed keep the competition within distance, while Cowley found herself isolated and needed to run against herself, which she did with expertise.
For the final 2 miles, Simon Hall was handed the task of running down the silver medal position. With a 15 yard gap to bridge, Hall timed his run perfectly as he overtook the Gloucester AC runner within ½ mile to go on to record the fastest club time of the day.
A different story for the ladies as final leg runner Cathy Dudfield was up against a healthy Bourton team. With a 500 yard gap to bridge, it was a bridge too far. Dudfield gave 100% to make good time and ensure the ladies took 3rd place.
Men’s Team = 41.41 minutes
Andrew Hawkins @ 10.30
Clive Sentence @ 10.27
Jon Mansfield @ 10.27
Simon Hall @ 10.17
Women’s Team = 51.41 minutes
Angie Sadler @ 11.38
Lotty Mowbray @ 13.29
Carol Cowley @ 13.27
Cathy Dudfield @ 13.07

County X/C Relays, 30/09/06

Cathy D reports....

I would just like to say well done & a big thankyou to all those who took part in the X-country relays today. We all did extremely well with the men's team taking silver medals in the Glos AAA series & the ladies taking bronze. An extra well done must go to Charlotte who ran an excellent 2nd leg especially as this was her first time out representing the club. Thanks to our supporters, Sophie Sentance and Rob and Sally Jordan.