An unprecedented three members of Tewkesbury AC flew off to South Africa to compete in the famous Comrades Marathon which was held on 17th June. The 89km/56 mile race is a legend in its home country and attracts over 10,000 runners each year for a route that is never flat and takes in five major hills as well as lots of 'rolling' ones between the cities of Durban and Pietermaritzburg. Durban is on the coast and Piertermaritszburg is at an altitude of about 2,500 feet, with the highest point on the course at around 3,000 feet. Because the route changes direction each year, they are known as either 'down' runs or 'up' runs.
2007 was a 'down', and tackling the race for the first time were club members Angie Sadler and Michelle Laws, while going for his fourth start (with 2 ups and 1 down completed beforehand) was 60 year old 'veteran', Phillip Howells. Although Michelle's travel arrangements proceeded to plan, the journey for Angie and Phillip was a nightmare, with three changes of flight schedules needed before they arrived a day late and exhausted with just 2 hours to spare before registration closed.
Despite the stress and weariness of the journey, Angie delivered an outstanding run of pure class to record a remarkable 7hrs 42mins 51secs, to finish 714 overall (from 10,003 finishers within the strict 12hr cutoff deadline), 23rd lady (from 1,758 women finishers) and 7th in the 40-49 women vets category. By any standards an excellent debut at such a demanding event and one which underlines her increasingly recognised pedigree as an ultra distance runner. She earned a much coveted 'Bill Rowan' medal for her run (awarded to all finishers who record between 7.5 and 9 hours) only missing out on an 'elite athlete' Silver medal (awarded for beating 7.5 hours) by 13mins. (The top 10 runners are given a Gold medal - the winning time this year was a 'down' record of 5hrs 19mins.)
Michelle ran strongly and conservatively to meet her target of a sub-10 hour run with 9hrs 56mins 28 secs and 4,426 overall to secure a Bronze medal (for finishers between 9 and 11hrs - the remainder get a Vic Clapham copper medal; those outside 12 hours get nothing, even if just 1 second outside - it is pure pathos to see several hundred runners miss the cut-off, especially when just yards from the line, a feature which is a strong part of the unending attraction and drama of this great race).
Phillip also just secured a Bronze (his third) with 10hrs 56mins 30secs (for 6,997 place overall), satisfied with a finish, but also very disappointed to have an 'off-day' and unaccountably struggling from just 10km into the race after winning a Bill Rowan the previous year and hoping to improve, rather than go almost exactly 2hrs slower!
However, at least it was mission achieved in that all three runners finished to justify the long months of hard training; thought are now already on the up run in 2008?
Monday, June 25, 2007
White Horse 5km, Thursday 21st June
Our Captain reports from her sofa...
Three members took part in the White Horse 5km race, in what was a large strong field of competetors. First home for the club was Tewkesbury's top runner Clive Baker. He is continuing his recent top form & ran very strongly to finish 15th in a time of 16.44. Next up was Stu Dudfield who also had an excellent run especially with the little training he is doing of late(i'm to blame for that, he's had to turn into a house husband while i'm off my feet). He finished 48th in a time of 19.08. Amanda was the third member to finish in what was her first race after the FLM. She ran really well as she has also eased back of late with her training. She came 70th in a time of 21.39. Both Clive & Amanda both won biscuits in the V40 prize catorgory.
Three members took part in the White Horse 5km race, in what was a large strong field of competetors. First home for the club was Tewkesbury's top runner Clive Baker. He is continuing his recent top form & ran very strongly to finish 15th in a time of 16.44. Next up was Stu Dudfield who also had an excellent run especially with the little training he is doing of late(i'm to blame for that, he's had to turn into a house husband while i'm off my feet). He finished 48th in a time of 19.08. Amanda was the third member to finish in what was her first race after the FLM. She ran really well as she has also eased back of late with her training. She came 70th in a time of 21.39. Both Clive & Amanda both won biscuits in the V40 prize catorgory.
Man v Horse
Bradley Crouch reports...
Just and recovering from another running Man Versus Horse 22 mile marathon..
I fully recommend this race, it is a nice multiterrain race running on some hilly terrain and a couple of streams added to for the entertainment.
This year there was around 50 horse, 250 solo runners and 60 Teams of three entering Man Versus Horse. Due to the heat this year there where several retirements, with around 15 horses, 50 runners and 1 team not finishing.
This year one man and two teams managed to beat all the horses, the solo runner winning the race in 2:20:30. I managed to finish further down the field coming the 38th runner, 12th horse and 17th relay team in a time of 3:10:42. Unfortunately struggled last four miles, walking, jogging, but fortunately managed to beat my previous years time by thirteen minutes.
Just and recovering from another running Man Versus Horse 22 mile marathon..
I fully recommend this race, it is a nice multiterrain race running on some hilly terrain and a couple of streams added to for the entertainment.
This year there was around 50 horse, 250 solo runners and 60 Teams of three entering Man Versus Horse. Due to the heat this year there where several retirements, with around 15 horses, 50 runners and 1 team not finishing.
This year one man and two teams managed to beat all the horses, the solo runner winning the race in 2:20:30. I managed to finish further down the field coming the 38th runner, 12th horse and 17th relay team in a time of 3:10:42. Unfortunately struggled last four miles, walking, jogging, but fortunately managed to beat my previous years time by thirteen minutes.
Cloud Cuckoo 5.5, 6th June
A strong contingent of Tewkesbury AC runners took part in the 5.5ml Cleeve Cloud Cuckoo Land race over the ups and downs of Cleeve hill on Wednesday 6th June. The course, which starts and finishes at Cleeve Hill Golf Club, is all off-road and takes in several steep climbs and a couple of fast descents to pose a severe challenge for runners - any lack of hill fitness is soon exposed on this unforgiving route. Six Tewkesbury runners braved this course on a hot and sunny evening, with Clive Baker (in 6th place overall) and Angie Sadler (second lady and first lady over 40) putting up the strongest performances.
Full results:
6 Clive Baker 38-32
18 Bradley Crouch 39.04
37 Angie Sadler 41-26
41 Stuart Dudfield 42.07
68 Phillip Howells 65.51
105 Helena Turner 58.48
Full results:
6 Clive Baker 38-32
18 Bradley Crouch 39.04
37 Angie Sadler 41-26
41 Stuart Dudfield 42.07
68 Phillip Howells 65.51
105 Helena Turner 58.48
Otmoor Challenge, 2 June
Angie Sadler and Phillip Howells competed in the multi-terrain Otmoor Challenge (based on a local fete in the picturesque Oxfordshire village of Horton-cum-Studley) on Saturday 2nd June as part of their final preparations for the 56 mile Comrades Marathon in S Africa on June 17th.
A 13.5 mile jaunt around the lovely Otmoor nature reserve, it was held on a typically flaming June hot day which made appreciation of the countryside all the more rewarding. Angie was the defending ladies champion and was well in the lead in the ladies competition this year when she and half a dozen male runners were sent off course by some half a mile due to a moved arrow (a shame, because this is a well organised event with an enthusiastic following, but even the best organisation cannot cope with kids playing what they see as a huge joke!) so she eventually had to be satisfied with 5th placed lady and 2nd lady over 40 in a time of 1-42-48 and a position of 62nd from a field of nearly 300.
Phillip finished in 1-49-20 with 93rd place. Both felt that the outing was a good workout for the big challenge in less than two weeks time.
We have also just had the result of the Marlborough Downs 33 mile Challenge which Angie Sadler, Michelle Laws and Phillip Howells ran on Saturday 20th May. We all took it fairly steady and just as more 'on our feet' preparation for Comrades than as a serious race, but we all finished with respectable times - Angie and Michelle in 60th and 61st places respectively in 6hrs 37mins 58secs and Phillip in 64th place with a time of 6-46-57. It was held on a sunny, windy day with occasional showers and took us across historic and stunningly beautiful countryside, including passing the famous white horses cut into the hillsides and passing through the 2,500 BC stone circle at Avebury (much older than Stonehenge and the most important bronze age temple in Europe).
A 13.5 mile jaunt around the lovely Otmoor nature reserve, it was held on a typically flaming June hot day which made appreciation of the countryside all the more rewarding. Angie was the defending ladies champion and was well in the lead in the ladies competition this year when she and half a dozen male runners were sent off course by some half a mile due to a moved arrow (a shame, because this is a well organised event with an enthusiastic following, but even the best organisation cannot cope with kids playing what they see as a huge joke!) so she eventually had to be satisfied with 5th placed lady and 2nd lady over 40 in a time of 1-42-48 and a position of 62nd from a field of nearly 300.
Phillip finished in 1-49-20 with 93rd place. Both felt that the outing was a good workout for the big challenge in less than two weeks time.
We have also just had the result of the Marlborough Downs 33 mile Challenge which Angie Sadler, Michelle Laws and Phillip Howells ran on Saturday 20th May. We all took it fairly steady and just as more 'on our feet' preparation for Comrades than as a serious race, but we all finished with respectable times - Angie and Michelle in 60th and 61st places respectively in 6hrs 37mins 58secs and Phillip in 64th place with a time of 6-46-57. It was held on a sunny, windy day with occasional showers and took us across historic and stunningly beautiful countryside, including passing the famous white horses cut into the hillsides and passing through the 2,500 BC stone circle at Avebury (much older than Stonehenge and the most important bronze age temple in Europe).
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Bank Holiday Success!!
Fabulous Baker boy grabs victory!
Tewkesbury AC runners had an action packed bank holiday.
Without any doubt, the big news story is that Clive Baker became only the second runner, within our recent history, to win a road race .
Baker's glorious moment took place at the 12th annual Whitsun 5 mile race staged at Sandhurst, Gloucester on Monday 28th May.
Weather conditions were unkind to the small group of five Tewkesbury runners who took on the event. The rain had stopped in time for the 11.30am start and right from the gun Baker set his race out. Alone at the head of the race with just the lead bike for company, the V40 man pulled away from a chase group of four runners. Despite completing a 12 mile training run the day before, Baker remained unchallenged and hit the finish line in a new personal best (Pb) time.
The chase group, by now fragmented, followed and it was another podium place for Tewkesbury as Luke Antony clocked a Pb time in third place. Jon Mansfield came in 4th followed by Stuart Dudfield and Neville Simpson in 11th and 22nd respectively.
1st Clive Baker 28.14 (Pb)
3rd Luke Anthony 29.11 (Pb)
4th Jon Mansfield 29.38
11th Stuart Dudfield 33.38
22nd Nev Simpson 36.15
Gloucester Triathlon.
The 9th 'Tri Team Glos' Triathlon took place Sunday 27th May .
The event returning to its Brockworth venue after extensive refurbishment.
Two Tewkesbury AC members took part and it was hardly triathlon weather as stormy conditions effected the 200 plus entrants. Barry O'Driscoll made his return to multi-sport racing after sitting-out the previous weekends Tewkesbury Triathlon. Having shaken off a virus, O'Driscoll wasn't going to let the worst possible conditions get in his way. However, his race started badly when his swim counter miscounted his distance and ordered him to swim two extra lengths! The strong swimmer complied with the race official and clocked-up 450 meters of swimming. Obviously, the wet weather affected the cyclists the most as corners became slippery and brakes became ineffective. O'Driscoll's 10 miles of cycling was safe and he went on the enjoy the 6.25km run.
Jon Mansfield raced in his new veteran category. Despite being just 39, British Triathlon rules state the athletes age at the year end governs the category. Mansfield's race went well and it needed to as the Gloucester event was part of the South West race series and two leading Vets from Glastonbury and Exeter were looking for glory. But it was glory for Mansfield as his rivals headed south with minor prizes.
Jon Mansfield 58.15 mins
Baz O'Driscoll 1hr 18 mins
Tewkesbury AC runners had an action packed bank holiday.
Without any doubt, the big news story is that Clive Baker became only the second runner, within our recent history, to win a road race .
Baker's glorious moment took place at the 12th annual Whitsun 5 mile race staged at Sandhurst, Gloucester on Monday 28th May.
Weather conditions were unkind to the small group of five Tewkesbury runners who took on the event. The rain had stopped in time for the 11.30am start and right from the gun Baker set his race out. Alone at the head of the race with just the lead bike for company, the V40 man pulled away from a chase group of four runners. Despite completing a 12 mile training run the day before, Baker remained unchallenged and hit the finish line in a new personal best (Pb) time.
The chase group, by now fragmented, followed and it was another podium place for Tewkesbury as Luke Antony clocked a Pb time in third place. Jon Mansfield came in 4th followed by Stuart Dudfield and Neville Simpson in 11th and 22nd respectively.
1st Clive Baker 28.14 (Pb)
3rd Luke Anthony 29.11 (Pb)
4th Jon Mansfield 29.38
11th Stuart Dudfield 33.38
22nd Nev Simpson 36.15
Gloucester Triathlon.
The 9th 'Tri Team Glos' Triathlon took place Sunday 27th May .
The event returning to its Brockworth venue after extensive refurbishment.
Two Tewkesbury AC members took part and it was hardly triathlon weather as stormy conditions effected the 200 plus entrants. Barry O'Driscoll made his return to multi-sport racing after sitting-out the previous weekends Tewkesbury Triathlon. Having shaken off a virus, O'Driscoll wasn't going to let the worst possible conditions get in his way. However, his race started badly when his swim counter miscounted his distance and ordered him to swim two extra lengths! The strong swimmer complied with the race official and clocked-up 450 meters of swimming. Obviously, the wet weather affected the cyclists the most as corners became slippery and brakes became ineffective. O'Driscoll's 10 miles of cycling was safe and he went on the enjoy the 6.25km run.
Jon Mansfield raced in his new veteran category. Despite being just 39, British Triathlon rules state the athletes age at the year end governs the category. Mansfield's race went well and it needed to as the Gloucester event was part of the South West race series and two leading Vets from Glastonbury and Exeter were looking for glory. But it was glory for Mansfield as his rivals headed south with minor prizes.
Jon Mansfield 58.15 mins
Baz O'Driscoll 1hr 18 mins
Bath AC Hilly 10
Mike Ward reports....
On Sat 26th May I ran the Bath AC Hilly 10 after an enjoyable curry meal in great company the night before. Many thanks to Cathy again for arranging another club social evening which Pam and I always enjoy.
Why the Hilly 10 some ask? Well, because I am a member of the South West Vets I like to run their series of championship events over different distances at attractive venues such as Exmouth, Bath, Bournemouth,Portland Bill etc. This years 10 mile championship race was in the Bath Hilly 10.
The course for the Hilly 10 is in the countryside south of Bath and only 47 miles of motorway/dual carriageway from Churchdown.
The weather for the race was superb(unlike the rest of the week-end) and there were 141 entries which is about normal for this event. The course is 8 miles of country lanes and 2 miles of main road to finish. A beautiful undulating course with outstanding views from the summits. The 3 main villages on route were set in hollows so brakes had to be applied on descending with preparation for the climb outs. Not knowing the course beforehand I was apprehensive but as I progressed through the race I enjoyed it. The were some good stretches for nice running BUT the last mile was 16% uphill and I finished in 1.30.16 - 112 of 141.The winning time was 58.58 and apparently there is a £200 bonus prize for anyone dipping under 50.00. So get cracking lads!.
The highest award is 60+ but as I was 1st 70+ Bath AC kindly presented me with a bottle of nice wine.
In conclusion!!!!!! this was an enjoyable country race and now I know the
course hope to do a lot better next time around.
Now the Bath Hilly 10 is over I shall have to start some serious training
for Bourton Hilly 1/2 in June!
On Sat 26th May I ran the Bath AC Hilly 10 after an enjoyable curry meal in great company the night before. Many thanks to Cathy again for arranging another club social evening which Pam and I always enjoy.
Why the Hilly 10 some ask? Well, because I am a member of the South West Vets I like to run their series of championship events over different distances at attractive venues such as Exmouth, Bath, Bournemouth,Portland Bill etc. This years 10 mile championship race was in the Bath Hilly 10.
The course for the Hilly 10 is in the countryside south of Bath and only 47 miles of motorway/dual carriageway from Churchdown.
The weather for the race was superb(unlike the rest of the week-end) and there were 141 entries which is about normal for this event. The course is 8 miles of country lanes and 2 miles of main road to finish. A beautiful undulating course with outstanding views from the summits. The 3 main villages on route were set in hollows so brakes had to be applied on descending with preparation for the climb outs. Not knowing the course beforehand I was apprehensive but as I progressed through the race I enjoyed it. The were some good stretches for nice running BUT the last mile was 16% uphill and I finished in 1.30.16 - 112 of 141.The winning time was 58.58 and apparently there is a £200 bonus prize for anyone dipping under 50.00. So get cracking lads!.
The highest award is 60+ but as I was 1st 70+ Bath AC kindly presented me with a bottle of nice wine.
In conclusion!!!!!! this was an enjoyable country race and now I know the
course hope to do a lot better next time around.
Now the Bath Hilly 10 is over I shall have to start some serious training
for Bourton Hilly 1/2 in June!
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