update from the Forest of Dean

Well, the results have finally appeared and I can now give you the lowdown the Harriers! For the ladies, leading the way was Robin Golding in 01:25:41, then Sandra Price 01:45:31, Hayley Johnson 01:45:56, Jane Goodwin 01:52:53, Rebecca lived it 01:54:20, Sarah Tucker 01:59:22, Jane Thornton 02:01:36, Emma Powell 02:07:51 and Victoria Jones 02:22:36. Well done ladies!

For the men, Matt Ellis in a time of 01:13:20 was the winner! Next home was Robin Phillips 01:26:45, just ahead of Julian Bailey-Gard in 01:27:45. Then came the senior version in 01:34:28, followed by Andrew Swann in 01:36:45. Clive Atwood 01:36:46, James Boswell 01:42:13, Nick Taylor in 01:42:20. Then we had Richard Hughes in 01:46:47, Andrew Gibbons in 01:47:14, who was just ahead of Graham Bazley in 01:47:28. Aidan Naughton 01:52:10, Julian Pyrke 01:59:40 and John Percival 02:04:43. Great running!

Golden couple make it a 1 - 1 at Forest of Dean

Matt Ellis and Robyn Golding ensured it was a day of glory for Westbury at the Forest of Dean 1/2 marathon. Ellis, suffering from a cold and promising to take it easy, clocked a time of 73.20 to take the title, ensuring that a Westbury runner has won the event for the past three years, with former member Julian Hatcher winning in 2009 and 2010. In the women's race Robyn Golding won the title in 1.25, following on from last year's winner Vicky Plume (also of Westbury!)

There were plenty of other Westbury performers too, more news on them as we have it!!!

Forest of Dean 1/2 marathon

Results in from the Forest of Dean 1/2 marathon and great news for Westbury - as Julian Hatcher successfully defended his title in 1.15.30. The ladies race saw Vicky Plume romp home to victory in 1.22.40 over the Forest trails!

Julian was pushed hard by the unattached Jonathan Pugh, who finished just 6 seconds behind, with James King of Caerleon RC finishing 3rd in 1.19.36. Bristol and West's Kuok's Yuen Teh, running under the BAD Tri team banner finished 5th in 1.19.44, whilst GWR's Tim Britton ran 1.20.27 to finish 7th.

In the ladies race, Vicky Plume was over 4 minutes ahead of second place Marianne Gittoes of Chepstow Harriers (1.26.46), with Katie Beecher of Les Croupiers Running Club 3rd in 1.27.20.

The Harriers had a big turn out in the race with Jullian Bailey-Gard Jnr running 1.29.13; Robyn Golding, returning from illness, ran 1.31.27 (to finish 8th lady). Jullian Snr was next home in 1.34.53, Stephen Woodward ran 1.38.08 and Debbie Cleary 1.39.14. Siana Jones, the recent recipient of the Most Improved Lady, ran 1.42.08. Brian Edgar ran 1.47.08, Judy Knights 1.4944, Richard Wesson 1.53.09 and Graham Bazley 1.53.21. Andrew Gibbons ran 1.55.48, Richard Hughes 1.56.13, Andrew Parsonage 1.58.16, Rob Emony 1.58.53 and Clair Cusack running in under the 2hr mark in 1.59.31.

Robert Hawkins clocked 2.01.47, Andrew Russell 2.03.03, James Bardwell 2.03.43, Elizabeth Smith 2.06.56, Louise Hodgetts 2.07.07, Emma Powell 2.11.07, David Taylor 2.12.40, Eithne Noonan 2.14.17, Gill Anagnostakis 2.18.38, Myriam Camboulives 2.25.26 and Sandra Bailey-Gard in 2.36.48. Awesome running guys and girls!!!

San Domenico 20m and Forest of Dean 1/2 marathon

The two main races to focus on this weekend are the San Domenico 20m and the Forest of Dean Half Marathon. With the London Marathon only 4 weeks away, the SD20 is a good opportunity for a tune-up prior to the big race. I am a big believer in progressive tempo runs, rather than attempting to run 20 milers flat out - which could conceivably take 2 weeks or more to recover from. So tomorrow's plan will see me starting easy for a few miles and gradually upping the pace, hopefully finishing at around 6.10/mile pace. The winner of the 2008 race, Julian Baker, is listed to start on Sunday and must be one of the favourites - whilst in the ladies race it looks like Gemma Jones, who finished 2nd in the Gloucester 20m and Emma D'Alton who won last week's Rhayader 20m, should be well up there.

The Forest of Dean half marathon is always looked forward to and Westbury's Julian Hatcher may well be looking to defend his title - having run a cracking 1.14 last year on the undulating trails. With Westbury's Robyn Golding also on the start list - it could well be a Westbury winner in both the mens and ladies races! Apparently this year's course has been altered slightly to make it flatter, so there may well be some quicker times out there yet!