Cirencester AC and Triathlon Club

Cirencester Park Summer 10km

LOSING their long-standing Forestry Commission Westonbirt race at late notice meant that Cirencester Athletics Club had to find a venue and organise their own event in a very short time.

Cirencester Park Estate was enormously helpful and with an experienced CAC organisation and marshalling team the Cirencester Park Summer 10km was born.

On a perfect evening and with a demanding course many Ciren members gave up their chance of racing to help the smooth running of the event.

CAC’s fellow Cirencester club, Running Somewhere Else, supported with a great turn-out as did many other local clubs. Bourton Roadrunners also went away with ample silverware.

CAC had just 15 of the 300 entrants but had an outright winner of the race, Adrian Williams (35.05), who romped away to a two-minute victory over Ewan Smith of Bourton RR, with Matt Lambourne of RSE in third.

Great runs by all as the new course includes tackling the infamous climb 'Big Bertha' twice.

The ladies' race was led home by Shona Crombie-Hicks (38.47) of Bourton RR, closely followed by Gemma Hargraves of Almost Athletes and another Bourton runner, Lucy Walmsley.

All the top six will face even greater challenges next year as this spectacular event pulls in many other top racers.

Other Ciren athletes to mention are Sarah Gunn (42.36), who was fifth lady and first LV45, Gordon Jones, whose 47.36 earned him second MV60 and Barbara Thomas (58.19), which was good enough for second FV55.

There was also great support from many new Ciren members who raced for the first time. Newcomer Amanda Hart talked of 'the motivation and friendly support from the experienced marshals'.

There was also an excellent turn-out for a junior’s 3km race with 63 entrants battling it out in numerous age categories, with the Ciren juniors doing well on the night.

Parkruns, 5km trails

Lydiard Park, Swindon

MARTIN CROUCHER (20.42) put in a bit of speed-work for his ultras and came in 24th out of 416.

Mark Edwards (22.53) finished 71st and Barbara Thomas (27.40) was second FV55/60 in 189th place. Chris Cameron (18.01) won. 416 finished.

Bovey Tracey, Devon

DAVID MOSS (24.09) ran a relaxed race to finish 18th out of 77 behind winner Geoff Davey (19.36) of Teignmouth Trotters.

Little Stoke, nr. Bristol

PARKRUN regular Ruth Fulford (28.11) ran well to a first FV55 place, finishing 120th out of 189. Luke Evans (16.34) of Bristol and West AC won.