Record numbers for Cirencester race (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Record numbers for Cirencester race

A RECORD entry of over 550 runners were received for last Sunday's Cirencester Park 1-k race, organised by Cirencester Athletics Club.

This was the biggest entry the club has ever had for any event in its 20 year history.

The attractive course on the private roads within Cirencester Park was looking its best in the autumn sunshine after early rain.

Conditions for running were excellent and despite the tough course with two climbs up the notorious hill to the polo ground the winner set a new course record.

Andrew Gardiner from Buckinghamshire, representing the Windsor, Slough and Eton club, was the runaway winner coming home in 32min02secs over one and a half minutes ahead of Bourton's Dennis Walmsley. Another local runner, Dave Roper from Eastington, Northleach and representing Tri Team Glos, was third.

The host club had something to cheer about in the ladies category as Wendy Jones justified the tag of being favourite by finishing thirteenth overall in 36m37s, nearly two minutes ahead of Lucy Townsend from Bourton Road Runners.

Andrew and Wendy also won the male 40 and female 35 age categories respectively while the other category winners were Steve Cook from Gloucester (male 50), Norman Lane from Bourton Road Runners (male 60), Sue Bourne from Somerset (female 45) and Shirley Brokenshaw from Nibley and running for Hogweed Trotters (female 55).

Cirencester Athletics Club was a full stretch with the organisation and making sure the course was well marshalled but the club was also well represented among the runners, finishing third men's team and fifth ladies team.

The club's individual results were: 13 Wendy Jones 36m37s, 16 Joe Barrowclough 37.18, 19 Paul Barlow 37.27, 46 Mark Cluning 39.56, 194 Corinne Clark 47.41, 216 Jim Fallon 48.53, 226 Fiona Collings 49.24, 235 Sue Brown 49.45, 322 Brian Barrowclough 53.58, 378 Fred Robson 56.59.

Race organiser David Edelsten was very happy with the way everything went thanks to the support of the runners and his club colleagues who marshalled the course.

He was especially grateful to the Bathurst Estate for continuing to allow the race to take place in the beautiful surroundings of Cirencester Park.

The club will return there in early February for the penultimate round of the Oxfordshire Cross Country League. Following that will be the popular Chedworth Roman Trail race on April 2. This is a ten mile multi-terrain in the Coln Valley.

The club always welcomes new members of all abilities and ages. The weekly training sessions are on Tuesday with members meeting at the Cotswold Leisure Centre at 6.30pm. Just come along and join in. Further details on the club's website www.cirencester-ac.org.uk