2023 News
Our 35th Anniversary and the Many Accomplishments of 2023
As Christmas draws ever closer, many Almost Athletes hung up their running shoes and swapped them for high heels and suits as they gathered to celebrate not only the festive season but also their many running accomplishments over the past year. There was also cause for extra celebration at the party this year as the club reached its 35th anniversary, which was honoured in great style. After a good meal, cake and dancing, awards for the hotly contested Road and Off-Road Race series were presented at the event. Jo Johnson (1st picture below) took home first prize for both the Open Female Road and Off-Road race series after an impressive year and many successful races. She was followed in the road race series by Issy Ravenhill who came in 2nd and Alison Hume was 3rd in the rankings. Alison also came third in the Open Female Off-Road race series, behind Hester Coggin. Other female category winners in the Road Race series were – Issy Ravenhill (senior female), Cheryl Rodham (FV45), Deborah Elliott (FV50), Alison Hume (FV55), Sandra Stuart (FV60) and Charlotte Jamieson (FV65). In the off road race, female category winners included Elzbieta Antosiewicz (senior female), Patricia Dendy (FV40), Hester Coggin (FV45), Deborah Elliott (FV50), Alison Hume (FV55), Jane Russell (FV60) and Desiree Beer (FV65).
More silverware was in store for some after last week’s Cross-Country event in Bath as it was confirmed that several club members had received age group medals. As results were confirmed, Victoria Willoughby was awarded with gold, with silver for Patricia Dendy and bronze for Nick Lewis, Dave McGrath and Jo Johnson.
As a slightly diversion to running, Philip Jeyes travelled up the motorway to Halesowen bright and early on Sunday morning to compete in the Halesowen Tri Club duathlon. He completed the 400m pool swim in 8 minutes and ran the 5k run in 30 minutes, with a total time of 40 minutes and 32 seconds to come fourth in his age category.
As always there was a fantastic turn out at parkrun with members running or volunteering at a variety of locations including many local events including Cheltenham, King George V Playing Fields, Gloucester City and Gloucester North. Elliot Jordan ran a PB at Cheltenham in 20:34. Nine Almosts travelled to the Riverfront parkrun near Newport on Saturday to complete the run along the river Usk. The furthest runner afield this week was Sarah Wallbridge, who ran at Bunyaville, in Queensland, Australia.
Steve Axford topped the Men’s Open Road Race series, with John Johnson and Mike Kennedy coming in second and third. Joshua Rimmell scored the most points in the senior male category with Daniel Magovern and Josh Hand in second and third respectively. Chris McMahon (MV40), John Johnson (MV45), Mike Kennedy (MV50), Peter Mitchener (MV55), Ross Greening (MV60), Jeffrey Tibbles (MV65) and Allan Green (MV70) also topped their categories. In the Off-Road Race series John Johnson took home the top spot, closely followed by Craig Jackson one point behind him to take second place in the Open Mens and Ian Coggin in third. Craig Jackson was successful in the senior male Off-Road category and Craig Bullingham came first in the MV40 category. Ian Coggin took first in the MV45 category, with Mike Line (MV50), Peter Mitchener (MV55) (1st picture below), Neil Tring (MV60), and Kevin Richards (MV65) also taking home the first place trophy for their efforts. The MV70 category win was shared between Bill Jones (2nd picture below) and Allan Green as both ended the year on equal points.
More silverware was in store for some after last week’s Cross-Country event in Bath as it was confirmed that several club members had received age group medals. As results were confirmed, Victoria Willoughby was awarded with gold, with silver for Patricia Dendy and bronze for Nick Lewis, Dave McGrath and Jo Johnson.
As a slightly diversion to running, Philip Jeyes travelled up the motorway to Halesowen bright and early on Sunday morning to compete in the Halesowen Tri Club duathlon. He completed the 400m pool swim in 8 minutes and ran the 5k run in 30 minutes, with a total time of 40 minutes and 32 seconds to come fourth in his age category.
As always there was a fantastic turn out at parkrun with members running or volunteering at a variety of locations including many local events including Cheltenham, King George V Playing Fields, Gloucester City and Gloucester North. Elliot Jordan ran a PB at Cheltenham in 20:34. Nine Almosts travelled to the Riverfront parkrun near Newport on Saturday to complete the run along the river Usk. The furthest runner afield this week was Sarah Wallbridge, who ran at Bunyaville, in Queensland, Australia.
Helen and Tristan Run from Cheltenham to Birmingham in Extreme Weather
On a seasonably wet and windy December weekend, the Almost Athletes were busy clocking up miles both near and far.
Earlier on in the week, Helen and Tristian Motteram embarked on an ultra challenge. They started at Charlton Kings in Cheltenham, and finished at the Bull Ring in Birmingham, clocking up an impressive 53 miles in a total time of 18 hours. They battled extreme weather and flooded routes to raise much needed funds for a local wildlife charity. Well done both on completing such an epic challenge!
Other recent news
Christopher Benjamin acted as sweep runner for the Forest of Dean race at Mallards Pike, reporting that all runners got back safe. Great volunteering Christopher!
A group of Almosts including Oliver Nolan, Rachael Nolan, Coralie Pearson and Karla Cleverley took part in the Gloucester 5km Santa run. The annual event sees runners dress up in festive costumes and run around the city.
On Sunday, the rainy and windy conditions continued and made for a rather muddy cross country race in Bath. The race is one of a series of cross country events across Gloucestershire, which form a league. First almost across the line in the men’s race was Nick Lewis (43:28). He was closely followed by Dave McGrath (45:24) and Jamie Baron (47:31). Also running were John Johnson (47:59), Elliot Jordan (48:07), Craig Jackson (48:21), Hamish Adamson (49:40), Mike Kennedy (50:16), Sam Pegler (50:57), Steve Taylor (53:13) and David Garnett (01:01:38). Patricia Dendy (27:52) was first almost across the line in the women’s race, followed by Joanne Johnson (29:45) and Isobel Atkin (29:45). Also running were Victoria Willoughby (35:05) and Elzbieta Antosiewicz (36:35). Great running from both the men’s and the women’s teams, in some very challenging conditions!
At Westonbirt Christmas 10km, Alice Tredgett ran a superb race to finish in 1st place female, in a time of 40:13. Also running at Westonbirt were; Andy Holmes (53:31), Helena Nilsson (58:17), Sharon Hadad (1:08:34) and Kim Lewington (1:14:30).
Parkrun: Peter Mitchener continued his fantastic running form of late to finish 1st in age category at Cheltenham. Also finishing 1st in age category was Mark Bush (24:35) at Cirencester. Almosts were represented both near and far at parkruns which included Bournemouth, Foro Italico, Gloucester North, Tremorfa and Woy Woy to name a few!
Well done team Almosts on another great weekend of running!
Many Almosts Beat the Freeze and entered the festive season with characteristic enthusiasm despite plunging temperatures across the country. It was very much a weekend for girl power. Patricia Dendy smashed her 5k PB at the Five Arches parkrun in Radstock, even managing a wrong turn before finishing as first female home in an impressive time of 19:50. Joanne Johnson was also first female over the line at Porthcawl parkrun in a time of 21:21. Staying in the county, Kate Nichol was first female Almost home at the Forest of Dean parkrun in 29:56. Graham Stopp landed a top ten overall finish with a decent time of 25:51.
Locally, Issy Ravenhill placed in the top ten at Cheltenham parkrun in a time of 23:38 closely followed by fellow Almost Sarah Wood in 25:10 while at King George V Playing Fields Nick Lewis and Rosemary Hubbard each placed third in their gender categories with sub 30 finishes. John Johnson ran a creditworthy 21:16 to finish in the top ten overall at Gloucester City parkrun. Meanwhile, at Evesham parkrun Elliott Jordon and Jeanette Gullick each placed in their gender top ten in times of 21:51 and 23:27 respectively.
Dave Nelson, Kate Bestwick and Sue Sturgeon provided a trio of representatives at a chilly Quakers Walk parkrun, while at the Peel parkrun in Greater Manchester Matt Polson marked a landmark 250 with a time of 18:39 which earned him a top ten placing.
Almosts were also present at Berkeley Green, Gloucester North, Chipping Norton, Tamworth Castle Grounds and Poolbeg. Mention should also go to local Almosts Pete Mitchener, Sarah Wood, Steven Wood, Mark Bush, Richard Knightley and Ela Antosiewicz for providing their much appreciated roles as pacers for the Cheltenham parkrun.
Almosts on Tour at Weston-Super-Mare’s Christmas Cracker
Another popular race took place this weekend and attracted a handful of Almosts; the Weston-Super-Mare Christmas Cracker 10km. This 10km race raises money for Weston hospice care and sees runners typically dress up in festive gear to complete the challenging course. Clive Baker was first almost home in 48:25, followed by David Davey (51:00), Declan Walker (59:08) and Carl Methven (58:37). Also running were; Lesley Cottle (59:15), Clare Bone (01:01:34), Coralie Pearson (01:10:01), Claire Hawes (01:12:26), Melanie Methven (01:17:04), Graham Philpot (01:20:31), Rachael Nolan (01:31:36), Karla Cleverley (01:31:35) and Oliver Nolan (01:35:11).
Claire Hawes at the Otterton 10k on the East Devon Coast
Claire Hawes enjoyed a bright but chilly Otterton Reindeer 10k down on the splendid East Devon coast.
Forrest Wheeler among the temples of Angkor Wat for the International Marathon
Forrest Wheeler survived a blister scare a few days prior and intense humidity to complete the 28th Angkor Wat International Half Marathon in Cambodia on route to family in New Zealand
Allan Green Revs Up for the Lanzarote Marathon
A little closer to home, veteran Allan Green (1st picture below) completed the Lanzarote Marathon in an impressive 4:47 while Neil Tring and Lorraine Taylor (2nd picture below) enjoyed the Mediterranean sun for the Half Marathon event in a joint time of 2:21 putting recent injury issues behind them
Paul Jones wears purple at the Koln parkrun in Germany
Severn Bridge Night Run
The nights may be getting longer, but members of Almost Athletes aren’t letting the shorter days deter them from pounding the streets of Cheltenham and beyond and putting in some sterling running performances.
This week’s report kicks off with a race that happened earlier in the week than usual, as four club members headed (just) across the border to take part in the Severn Bridge 5-mile night race. Embracing those dark winter nights and leading the club home was Mike Bryce, finishing in 38:15; and he was joined by Forrest Wheeler (54:42), Jeffrey Tibbles (54:44), and Janine Bennett (58:50).
Saturday saw the Chepstow Running Festival take place, which held events at 5k, 10k and half marathon distance, all comprising of laps of Chepstow Racecourse. A contingent of Almosts took part, with Nicole Hope (55:25) and Steve and Helen Yarnold (both 1:25:12) taking part in the 10k; and Steve Phelps running the half in 1:48:34.
Also in midweek, serial marathon man Allan Green ran the Dormouse Challenge Marathon in 5hrs 11mins, then followed that up by pulling double 26.2-mile duty and running the Oulton Park Marathon on Sunday in 4:41.
Elsewhere on Sunday, Shaun Carr chose an interesting way to celebrate his 50th birthday, by completing the 45km Medal Madness race in 5:34:43. Happy milestone birthday from everyone at the club Shaun!
Duplicate for removal?
Almosts Celebrate Their Accomplishments From 2023
As Christmas draws ever closer, many Almost Athletes hung up their running shoes and swapped them for high heels and suits as they gathered to celebrate not only the festive season but also their many running accomplishments over the past year. There was also cause for extra celebration at the party this year as the club reached its 35th anniversary, which was honoured in great style. After a good meal, cake and dancing, awards for the hotly contested road and off-road race series were presented at the event. Jo Johnson took home first prize for both the open female road and off road race series after an impressive year and many successful races. She was followed in the road race series by Issy Ravenhill who came in 2nd and Alison Hume was 3rd in the rankings. Alison also came third in the open female off road race series, behind Hester Coggins. Other female category winners in the road race series were – Issy Ravenhill (senior female), Cheryl Rodham (FV45), Deborah Elliot (FV50), Alison Hume (FV55), Sandra Stuart (FV60) and Charlotte Jamieson (FV65). In the off road race, female category winners included Elzbieta Antosiewicz (senior female), Patricia Dendy (FV40), Hester Coggin (FV45), Deborah Elliot (FV50), Alison Hume (FV55), Jane Russell (FV60) and Desiree Beer (FV65).
Steve Axford topped the mens open road race series, with John Johnson and Mike Kennedy coming in second and third. Joshua Rimmell scored the most points in the senior male category with Daniel Macgovern and Josh Hand in second and third respectively. Chris McMahon (MV40), John Johnson (MV45), Mike Kennedy (MV50), Peter Mitchener (MV55), Ross Greening (MV60), Jeffrey Tibbles (MV65) and Allan Green (MV70) also topped their categories. In the off road race series John Johnson took home the top spot, closely followed by Craig Jackson one point behind him to take second place in the open mens and Ian Coggin in third. Craig Jackson was successful in the senior male off road category and Craig Bullingham came first in the MV40 category. Ian Coggin took first in the MV45 category, with Mike Line (MV50), Peter Mitchener (MV55), Neil Tring (MV60), and Kevin Richards (MV65) also taking home the first place trophy for their efforts. The MV70 category win was shared between Bill Jones and Allan Green as both ended the year on equal points.
More silverware was in store for some after last week’s cross country event in Bath as it was confirmed that several club members had received age group medals. As results were confirmed, Victoria Willoughby was awarded with gold, with silver for Patricia Dendy and bronze for Nick Lewis, Dave McGrath and Jo Johnson.
As a slight diversion to running, Philip Jeyes travelled up the motorway to Halesowen bright and early on Sunday morning to compete in the Halesowen Tri Club duathlon. He completed the 400m pool swim in 8 minutes and ran the 5k run in 30 minutes, with a total time of 40 minutes and 32 seconds to come fourth in his age category.
As always there was a fantastic turn out at parkrun with members running or volunteering at a variety of locations including many local events including Cheltenham, King George V Playing Fields, Gloucester City and Gloucester North. Elliot Jordan ran a PB at Cheltenham in 20:34. Nine Almosts travelled to the Riverfront parkrun near Newport on Saturday to complete the run along the river Usk. The furthest runner afield this week was Sarah Wallbridge, who ran at Bunyaville, in Queensland, Australia.
Severn Bridge Night Run
The nights may be getting longer, but members of Almost Athletes aren’t letting the shorter days deter them from pounding the streets of Cheltenham and beyond and putting in some sterling running performances.
This week’s report kicks off with a race that happened earlier in the week than usual, as four club members headed (just) across the border to take part in the Severn Bridge 5-mile night race. Embracing those dark winter nights and leading the club home was Mike Bryce, finishing in 38:15; and he was joined by Forrest Wheeler (54:42), Jeffrey Tibbles (54:44), and Janine Bennett (58:50).
Saturday saw the Chepstow Running Festival take place, which held events at 5k, 10k and half marathon distance, all comprising of laps of Chepstow Racecourse. A contingent of Almosts took part, with Nicole Hope (55:25) and Steve and Helen Yarnold (both 1:25:12) taking part in the 10k; and Steve Phelps running the half in 1:48:34.
Coppett Hill Fell Race
On Sunday there was the busiest event of the weekend, as 13 club members competed in the Coppett Hill Fell Race, a challenging and hilly 5-mile off-road run. Ian Coggin led the club home in a fantastic time of 49:35 to finish 8th overall and take 1st in his age category. There were also strong age category performances from Jamie Courtenay (56:03, 3rd in category), Hester Coggin (57:28, 2nd in category), Dave Elliott (1:02:14, 3rd in category), Cheryl Rodham (1:02:46, 3rd in category), and Ela Antosiewicz (1:04:02, 3rd in category). Also running were Steve Phelps (1:04:59), Kevin Richards (1:07:01), Deborah Elliott (1:09:15), Bob Spawton (1:11:26), Mike Line (1:12:37), Adrian Courtenay (1:13:17), Jeff Tibbles (1:14:42), and Janine Bennett (1:14:59).
Almosts on tour at Coppett Hill Fell Race
Dave Rogers completes 100km Beacons Way Ultra
One of the most impressive performances of the weekend was put in by Dave Rogers, who battled the elements to finish the Beacons Way 100km ultra to finish 14th overall in 19:01:37. No mean feat considering only 22 of 90 starters made the cut-off time in the horrendously wet conditions!
Dave Rogers at the 100km Beacons Way Ultra
Recent Parkruns
As always, parkruns in a variety of different locations saw a good turnout from the club, despite the awful weather in a number of places on Saturday morning. At Exeter Riverside, Felicity Read was first in her age category in 28:55; while both Neil Tring and Lorraine Taylor achieved the same at Merthyr, finishing in 23:13 and 29:45 respectively.
Age category wins were also recorded by Peter Morris (22:09), Johanna Bogle (23:36) and Julia Whittaker (30:58) at Cheltenham; Patricia Dendy (22:33) at Pontypool; Sharon Hadad (27:57) at Wolford Wood; and Ben Taylor (20:22) at Mundy; while Jo Johnson was 2nd overall lady at Porthcawl in 20:53.
Janine Bennett earned a course PB at Thornbury (31:57); as did both David Davey (23:08) and Mark James (27:40) at Cheltenham. Also at Cheltenham, James Clay hit his 250th parkrun milestone while volunteering as tailwalker – a great achievement for a member of the parkrun’s core team, as well as one of the club’s own coaches.
There were also age category placings for Megan Davis at Kingsway (3rd); Lynne Macedo at Upton Court (3rd); Alistair Mathew, Steven Wood and Catherine Williams (all 3rd), and Sue Monaghan (2nd) all at Cheltenham; Hamish Adamson at Tewkesbury (3rd); John Johnson (2nd), Lynn Stacey and Corinne Cooper (both 3rd) at Gloucester City; Kate Freeman at Severn Bridge (2nd); Mark Wreford-Bush and Ross Greening at KGV (both 2nd); and Matt Polson at Morecambe Prom (2nd).
Almosts also ran at Bushy, Wimbledon Common, Minehead, Bolton, Wotton, Weymouth, Bicester, and University of Northampton.
Well done to everyone for getting out there in some really poor weather and putting in some fantastic performances!
Another very busy week for Almosts
Now we’re well into the summer racing season, Almosts lost no chances to gather on the starting line of various events. The ever-popular Frampton 10k saw 14 members on the starting line and all acquitted themselves well. Of particular note was Katie Coleman who won the FV45 category in a time of 41:05.
Other results were: Nick Lewis 38:41, Dave McGrath 39:34, Jo Johnson 42:21, Mike Kennedy 43:28, Dale Midwinter 45:31, Duncan Mounsor 47:09, Charmaine Brunt 50:38, Lauren Morgan 53:32, Simon Morgan 53:48, Debbie Elliott 54:36 – a 3 second PB! – Peter Allsopp 1:04:51, Iris Mayo 1:10:57, Dave Mayo 1:10:57.
Saturday is of course parkrunday, and this weekend there were special celebrations to mark the NHS’ 75th birthday. At Cheltenham Club Chair Peter Mitchener was Run Director and was very pleased to present a special NHS award to regular volunteer Ken Pollock.
L-R Peter Mitchener, Claire Radley, Ken Pollock and Matt Holdaway at Cheltenham parkrun
It was a slightly quieter week than of late for Almost Athletes this week, but that didn’t mean there was nothing going on! Club members still kept themselves busy at a variety of events and parkruns. The first events came on Friday evening, when Lesley Cottle took part in the Westonbirt House Summer 10k, finishing in 57:07 to take 3rd in her age category.
More Parkrun news
Nick Goddard completed his 250th Parkrun at Cheltenham
Nick Goddard’s 250th parkrun at Cheltenham
While at Evesham parkrun Issy Ravenhill was first female finisher. At Tewkesbury Julie Averiss notched up a new PB in 33:33.
Many Almosts entered into the party spirit wearing appropriate fancy dress to run or volunteer at various parkruns: Leamington, Moors Valley, Gloucester North, Gunpowder Park, Cheltenham, Newent, Preston Park, Cirencester, Weymouth, Ellesmere Port, Evesham, Blackpool, Gloucester City, Victoria Dock, KGV Playing Field, Berkeley Green, Peel, Merrymeeting, Maryport Prom, Wynyard Woodland.
It wasn’t just running for Phil Jeyes on Saturday. He took part in the Clevedon SwimRun – four 250m swims interspersed by five short runs totalling in Phil’s words, an ‘unexpectedly undulating’ 6k. He completed this unusual take on a duathlon in 66 minutes.
Despite a sad, police-led incident affecting the route of the Evesham 10k (well done to the organisers for coping with this last-minute issue) nine Almosts were ready when the starting gun was fired. Ian Poole was first home for the club in a time of 45:51. Other results were: Dave Davey 48:27, Ivana Wilson 55:15, Lawrie Baber-Scovell 56:38, Mark James 58:28, Jason Hulance 59:46, Vicki James 1:08:33, Dave Nelson 1:10:02, Steve Yarnold 1:27:53.
Meanwhile over in an equally hot Bourton on the Water, thirty-three Almosts made their way to the Greystones Nature Reserve for the 10k trail run there.
Almosts on tour at the Greystones Nature Reserve 10k trail run
A very successful morning saw John Johnson was first home for the club in 42:42, claiming second place in his age category. He was followed by Craig Jackson in 43:31 – third in his age group; Katie Coleman, 2nd woman home overall and 1st woman in the LV45 category in a time of 43:35, Patricia Dendy, third woman home and also first in her age group LV40, in a time of 44:02, and Joanne Johnson, 4th woman home and second in her age group LV40 in 45:18.
From left to right, Katie Coleman, Patricia Dendy, Joanne Johnson at Greystones 10k
Not to be outdone Peter Mitchener crossed the line second in his age category, MV55 in 45:35 and Isobel Atkin also claimed second spot in the LV45 age group, and 5th woman home, in 45:34. Shaun Carr finished in 45:56, Neil Tring (1st MV60) 48:49, Ingrid Harris (1st LV60) 50:13, Rob Hume 50:55, Clemens Orth 52:00, Nichola Sanderson 53:48, Carl Methven 54:06, Graeme Stopp 53:53, Cheryl Rodham 54:44, Alison Hume (1st LV55) in 55:34, Steve Phelps 55:44, Andy Holmes 55:49, Richard Smith 56:09, Jane Russell 57:49, Elzbieta Antosiewicz 58:38, Mike Line 58:58, Deborah Elliott 59:18, Kate Nicol (making a very welcome return after a long lay-off for injury) 59:56, Desiree Beer (1st LV65) 1:00:54, Bob Spawton 1:00:41, Jeffrey Tibbles (1st MV65) 1:01:19, Janine Bennett 1:06:35, Mariel Chretien 1:07:30, Adrian Courtenay 1:09:09, Julie Averiss 1:10:55, Susan Sturgeon 1:22:31 (All times are chip times.)
Almosts were busy elsewhere in the country too. Allan Green was of course running a marathon, this time at Ferry Meadows Peterborough which he finished in 5 hours 12 mins. At the other end of the distance spectrum Corinne Cooper ran the Butetown Mile in Cardiff, scoring a new PB in 8:55.
It was also the weekend of the Sue Ryder Cycle Sportive event and Mark Stojanov completed a busy weekend after marshalling at Tewkesbury parkrun on Saturday by riding his eighth entry in the Sportive.
Donation to Emily’s Gift
The club was very pleased to present a cheque for £750 to Emily’s Gift, a new children’s cancer charity to finance the employment of a specialist psychologist to help care for children and young people with cancer at the Emily Kent Unit at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.
Michelle Balchin presenting the cheque to Dr Chrissie Parfitt at Kent Unit in Gloucestershire Royal Hospital
Rich Birch and Dave Elliott – Kings of the Cotswolds
Four teams of Almost Athletes ran the length of the Cotswold Way this weekend as part of the Cotswold Way Relay, a firm fixture in the running calendar which starts in Chipping Campden and finishes at Bath Abbey. In keeping with tradition, each team was named in honour of a club member sadly no longer with us.
Rich Birch and Dave Elliott became the latest members of the club to be crowned Kings of the Cotswolds for running all ten legs of the relay over the years. Final results were not available at the time of publication, but the club was represented by the following:
Team 1 – Almosts Running for Chris Winchcombe – a veteran male team comprising Peter Mitchener, Ian Poole, Mike Kennedy, Duncan Mounsor, Neil Tring, Rich Birch, Mark Wreford-Bush, Ali Shaikh, Shaun Carr and Rich Knightley (provisional cumulative time – 16:34:34).
Newly crowned King of the Cotswolds Rich Birch (left) with Catherine Mason, Portia Clapham and Ian McKinlay
Team 2 – Almosts Running for Anne-Marie Willicott – a mixed team comprising Amy Sheer, Issy Ravenhill, Paul Chambers, Thom Stephens, Danny Carroll, Catherine Mason, Kev Fairs, Vicky Kennedy, Craig Jackson and Fran Hill (provisional cumulative time – 17:41:40).
Almost Athletes’ newest King of the Cotswolds Dave Elliott (2nd left) with Mark Wreford-Bush, Liza Habgood and Kev Fairs
Team 3 – Almosts Being More Doug Waymark – another mixed team comprising Sue Pearce, Claire Sullivan, Norm Lever, Lizzie Renn, Andrew Wilkinson, Portia Clapham, Dave Elliott, event manager Dave Chittock, Ela Antosiewicz and Clemens Orth (provisional cumulative time – 19:17:37).
Team 4 – Almosts Running for Rich Walklate – an open team comprising Giles Forster, Graeme Stopp, Sally McKinlay, Peter Mulligan, Tom Fletcher, Ian McKinlay, Liza Habgood, Dave Rogers, Sam Wizard and Ian Coggin (provisional cumulative time – 17:42:16).
As is customary, the club also provided a number of volunteers to help the event run smoothly. The leg three water station was covered by Hazel Everett, Alison Hume, Penny Lewis and Mary Welsh while Pete Blakeman, Mariel Chretien, Zakia Hussain, Phil Jeyes, Forrest Wheeler and Victoria Willougby marshalled at strategic road crossings along legs three and four. Lorraine Taylor was tail runner for leg five and Piotr Michalski for leg eight.
Sandra Stuart runs her 20th Consecutive Race For Life at Cheltenham Racecourse
Earlier in the week, the Run The Runway event was held at Staverton Airport. This charity event was held to raise money for Maggie’s and fly2help, with the aim to run as many 1.5km laps as possible within a 1 hour time limit, and reach the end of the runway before sunset. The event was organised by club members Ela Antosiewicz and Kim Lewington; and 50 entrants took part, including a number of Almosts. Well done to both ladies for putting on such a successful evening!
On a weekend where the parkrun world record was broken in Edinburgh, the club were again out in force at the weekly events – although no-one quite got close to that new record time! Furthest travelled this week were Matt Polson at Tokoinranta in Helsinki, Finland (3rd overall), and Hamish Adamson at Roma Pineto in Italy (3rd in age category). Claire Hawes celebrated her 200th parkrun at King George V Playing Fields, winning her age category in the process; while Mark Stojanov hit the tourist trail to run the tough Ludlow event.
Robert Foord was first in his age category at Henley-on-Thames, while Clare Bone was first in hers at Mallards Pike, as was Peter Mitchener at Cheltenham and Jo Foster at Beacon Hill Country Park. Ed Munro also won his category at East Grinstead, as did Rosemary Hubbard at Weymouth and Felicity Read at Mallards Pike. There were age category positions for Mike Bryce at Wolverhampton (3rd); Duncan Mounsor at Gloucester North (3rd, course PB); Ross Greening (3rd), Julia Whittaker and Christine Harker (both 2nd) at Cheltenham; Brian Maggs at Blandford (3rd); Liz Garner at Evesham (3rd); Paul Thomas (2nd) and Michael Daly (3rd) at Gloucester City; Sharon Hadad at Somerdale Pavilion (2nd); and Graeme Stopp at Mallards Pike (3rd).
The club were also represented at Wimbledon Common, Bath Skyline, Bracknell, Wycombe Rye, Longrun Meadow, Lanhydrock, Victoria Dock, Jersey Farm, Stratford Park Stroud, and Chipping Norton School. Overall, 75 members ran at 27 different events.
Alice Crushes Parkrun Time Target
Nearly sixty Almost Athletes took to the rolling parkland of Cirencester for the Summer Sizzler 10k, an event which certainly lived up to its name this year. The two-lapper doubles as the next race in the club’s road race series and the Gloucestershire AAAs road race series, meaning that members were out in numbers and on the hunt for valuable points.
First home for the club was in-form Steve Axford, who finished third in his age category (41:18). He was closely followed by Dave McGrath, who also finished third in his age category (41:41) and Katie Coleman, who was second in hers by an agonising two seconds (41:52). Also placing top five in their respective age categories were Jo Johnson (4th, 42:52, course PB); Jeanette Gullick (3rd, 44:54); Ross Greening (5th, 45:48); Issy Ravenhill (5th, 45:54); Allan Green (4th, 51:26); Julia Whittaker (3rd, 58:56); Pauline Bargus (5th, 61:21) and Sheila Chatterley (2nd, 66:20). Allan’s time also improved the existing age category club record by over three minutes.
New member Polly Lane earned a personal best of 46:50 in the sweltering evening sun while Chris McMahon scored a course personal best (50:35), as did Corinne Cooper (65:21).
Also running were: Ben Stone (42:25); John Johnson (43:41); Mike Kennedy (44:06); Peter Mitchener (45:54); Elliot Jordan (45:59); Maddie Page (46:07); new member Paul Smith (46:42); Duncan Mounsor (46:55); Matt John (47:39); Neil Tring (47:44); Sam Wizard (48:27); Steve Taylor (48:36); Duncan Eeles (48:40); Vincent Cowling (49:36); Louise Knowles (49:50); Dave Davey (50:18); Paul Jones (51:55); Alison Hume (53:27); Nichola Sanderson (53:39); Ivana Wilson (54:37); Charmaine Brunt (54:53); Rob Hume (55:12); Andy Holmes (55:29); Dave Elliott (55:50); Clare Bone (56:00); Cheryl Rodham (56:31); Deborah Elliott (57:49); Carl Methven (58:13); Victoria Willoughby (58:31); Hollie Galvin (58:35); Felicity Read (58:46); Adele Steptoe (59:04); Bob Spawton (59:43); Wan Hartley (61:20); Christine Harker (61:21); Charlotte Jamieson (63:08); James Wilson (66:10); Claire Cook (66:21); Sandra Stuart (67:41); Kevin Keegan (71:16); Dave Nelson (72:00); Kate Stanley (72:29); Lynne Macedo (72:40) and Pete Blakeman (80:27).
Not content with being boiled alive once this week, Felicity Read took on the hot and humid Alresford 10k in Hampshire, finishing in 60:40 for second in age category.
Four members went long at the Race to the King ultramarathon. Thom Stephens and Ela Antosiewicz competed in the 100k option, finishing in 13:15:28 and 17:33:44 respectively. Catherine Williams finished the 50k distance in 6:52:45 with Glenda Gill completing in 7:39:31. Glen went on to support her sister Nicky, who was taking part in the 100k distance.
Keeping with the family theme, Mark Willicott celebrated his 150th marathon – the Salomon trail marathon in Coed y Brenin, Wales – with his son Finlay, finishing the testing course in 5:10:47.
Allan Green completed the Denbies wine estate trail marathon in Dorking in 5:38:10, a 26-lap course on an undulating one-mile loop requiring both physical and mental endurance in spades, while Jackie Slaughter took part in her third Hampshire Hoppit marathon – hilly and hot but thankfully dry – enjoying a well-deserved beer for her efforts at the finish (6:53:44 to include stopping to support another runner who had suffered a bad fall until the medics arrived).
Jackie Slaughter (RIGHT) with new running buddy at the end of the Hampshire Hoppit marathon
Almosts Winning at Standish Woodland Chase
Another busy week for Almost Athletes saw members competing in races and, of course, at various Parkruns across the country and further afield.
The main event of the week was perhaps the Standish Woodland Chase, a 10 mile trail race held just outside of Stroud. The club was represented by 16 members, with Mike Kennedy leading the merry band home in 1:17:03, which earned him a second place finish in his age category.
2022 Bugatti 10k Won By _____ _____
Another successful Bugatti race, again sponsored by Up & Running, took place on 10th August in very warm weather.