Club Race

The ‘Eynsham 13’ were among a field of 250 runners for the ‘Banbury 15’ 2020, run over a 15-mile course in challenging and wet conditions.

Race Report: Ascot-under-Wychwood  Multi-Terrain 10K

The race is set in a picturesque village in the Evenlode Valley, organised by a band of very dedicated people who put on a well organised event to raise money for their local village charities.

Woodstock 12 (The Golden Loo Heist)

A lovely sunny September morning as we set off from Eynsham to Woodstock. 

All I can remember about this race was the booze.

Ian’s plan had me down for 15 miles that day, but I had entered the Hooky 6, so went for a long warm up and stumbled across the Hook Norton Brewery, before finding my way back to the start line.  It was a two lap course and 6 miles later we ended up back where we started.

The race, which is in the Club Champs and is the reason why I had entered, sells out quickly and unfortunately quite a few people were not able to get a place.  There was a bar at the finish and although Adrian and other Eynsham Road Runners had missed out on getting a place they did not miss out on getting a pint ready for the presentations.

Kate finished second lady overall and won a box of 3 Hook Norton beers and a beer glass.   She didn’t like beer so promptly gave the beer away to Jackie and Adrian, but kept the beer glass – because having won the race last year she now has a matching set.  Top tip, if you like beer make sure you are near Kate at the presentations.

Jackie was then declared second in her age category and won more beer. 

Jackie and Adrian had kindly given me a lift and on the way home talk was about the Hooky Christmas Canter, which again sells out.  Adrian was telling us that he enjoys that race because as you run round you pop into the church and get mulled wine and mince pies.  Jackie didn’t know of this, as she’d always sprinted past the church to win the race!

I did not win any beer that day, but did complete the 15 miles and won the wine 3 weeks later.

Hornton 6, by Graham Bridges

As I told just about anyone who would listen on the day, my preparation for this race was unusual to say the least. I did the Oxford Parkrun in the morning (starting slowly before building up speed towards the end), then went to London for a drinking session with some old friends (started reasonably quickly before slowing right down), before arriving back at Oxford Parkway some time after 5, ready to whisked up to the wilds of the North Oxfordshire border country.

With all this behind me, I wasn’t sure how the famously challenging hills around Hornton would feel. The answer was ‘not too bad’, or no worse than usual, at least. There were a decent number of ERRs there, but with Witney out in force we didn’t quite clean up trophy-wise as we had in recent years. Well done to Robert and Jacky for winning their categories, and to our men’s team of Robert, the Baker boys and, er, me for finishing a notional 2^nd men’s team, which was still handy for Grand Prix points.  

The trophy presentations were quick and efficient which, whilst lacking the comic value of last year, did mean we were in the pub in good time for our post-race meal, organised by Tom. About 15 of us, runners and supporters alike, crowded into the Dun Cow for some excellent food, and yes, more drinks. So maybe this regime of race, beer, race, beer has something going for it.

On a warm, pleasant Sunday morning on the last day of June, a select group of 8 Roadrunners made our way to the Thame 10k. It was my first time at this race, and by far the biggest field I'd run with before, with well over 800 runners taking part. Apart from a rather over enthusiastic MC, I thought it was well organised, with the start having different sections marked out in five minute intervals (faster runners at the front). The course itself was, as promised by those who'd run it before, mainly flat, with the first few kilometres taking us through the town centre. The conditions were, I thought, very good, not too hot with a gentle breeze providing a bit of relief from all the exertion. Paul and Stan played their jokers, a good move considering the small numbers from Eynsham. I'd been told that Thame was a good course to improve a PB, and so it proved for myself, Stan and Caroline. Mine was an improvement of over a minute, which I was very pleased about. Kate A was the 3rd lady to finish, which was a great effort. Ian K popped up at two points along the course, including at a crucial section half a kilometre from the end, which definitely helped push me to the finish - thanks, Ian! There was a bit of crowding in the finish funnel, but there was a T shirt and refreshments at the end of it. I enjoyed my race, and would definitely run it again in future!

As Kate says, I thought it time we had a run report written in doggerel. Below is my best effort.

“The course is safe, albeit hilly”

Said the website. Had I been silly

To sign up for this race? How would hills affect pace?

As 22 Eynshamites gathered

And we’re off – uphill to start

The Chiltern Way featured in part

Through farmland and beech wood,

More hills, the odd puddle

It enchanted my (hard working) heart

My time? Respectably mid-table

(I ran as fast as was able)

Twas a fun, friendly day

And a Club Championship 10K

Verdict? “Do again” is the label.

Chalgrove Festival 10k, Monday 6 May 2019

A cool May Day Bank Holiday saw 16 Eynsham Roadrunners turn out for the tenth anniversary of this popular and scenic, single-lap 10k race. Starting and finishing (literally) in the middle of a busy village festival, congratulations must go to the organisers for their superb arrangements. A few minutes after the last runner had finished, all the fencing and other stuff had been tidied away so it seemed like it had never happened and everyone was free to enjoy the funfair, stalls, food and entertainment.

ERR members scooped two category wins:

• Robert Storey 1^st MV50 (36.45)
• Jacky Pinnock 1^st LV55 (48.49)

Other notable runs were:

• Kate Allred 2^nd LV45 (40.19)
• Laura Leach 2^nd LV35 and PB (41.51)
• Kate Williamson 2^nd LV55 (49.11).

One of our runners took a worrying turn for the worse during the race and so spent some time in an ambulance and at the John Radcliffe Hospital. Happily, all seems to be OK and they live to compete another day…

Thanks to all who helped with lifts and more. This race is a nice, early-summer outing along quiet lanes, with drinks, jelly babies and super-soaker cooling at halfway, plus free tea and cake at the end – highly recommended! Next year’s race is on 4 May 2020 – see http://www.chalgrovefestival10k.com

As I sit here in 23C blazing sunshine, it seem hard to fathom that less than a week ago I was lining up to start the Chedworth Roman Train race with blue fingers and chattering teeth. The wind was biting, and the hills looked formidable, but the race delivered everything it promised - and to be honest I wouldn’t want to race 10 miles over terrain like that in weather like we are experiencing this Easter weekend. The most important thing to mention about the Chedworth race was the star quality of the marshalls. Despite the cold wind, I’m pretty sure that every single one of them cheered on the runners, offering hearty support all the way round the course. And the clarity of instruction was also great to hear - no one was going to go the wrong way on this trail run! Earlier than I expected, at around the 8km mark, we had a river crossing to make - bringing back ‘happy’ memories of Ascott cross country! This meant kilometers 9 and 10 were a bit of a challenge with heavy feet, but we were then rewarded with a further two kilometers of flat terrain (bliss!). I had a strong finish (for me), picking off those runners that I could see ahead of me in the final straight kilometer of road running and I put that squarely down to Ian’s Tuesday night sprint sessions (it might have taken four years of attending those sessions but it’s finally paid off and I knew I could have a fast finish this time!). If you fancy a spring challenge next year then this is a good one to run.