Last Saturday saw Rod Lopez taking part in his first road race since joining the club by heading off down to Dorney Lake in Windsor for the Maxifuel half marathon. The conditions were perfect at about eight degrees and no wind at all on a very flat course around the Olympic rowing venue. the only issue was that it was 4.5 laps!

He started conservatively as it was really a fitness tester for his upcoming half Ironman, but as the race progressed Rod decided he felt pretty good and came home just eight seconds outside his PB in 1.32.10 and in 56^th place out of 359. read more

In recent months, Gail Duckworth has led the world for the 3000m at the F55 age group as far as times are concerned. Lats year she took two silver medals at the European outdoor championships in Hungary and has won numerous cross-country titles. With her reputation now going before her, she went off to Ghent in Belgium last week for the European Masters Indoor championships as the firm favourite.

Gail's race was on Wednesday afternoon, which was the first day of the five day event for all the leading athletes from Europe aged over 35. Gail is running just about as well now as she ever has and arrived in Belgium full of confidence that she could take her first international track title. However, as the time got nearer the pressure of being favourite gradually built and she arrived at the venue with a lot of nerves. However, she kept herself calm and as she stepped on the track she knew she was ready to go. read more

There were nine personal best times in the March Stag Trophy race, which was the penultimate one of the season. First home was Jane Sauer with a huge PB by over a minute to take the 25 points. There were five of the U16 members of the club who ran once again, and all five of them achieved a new PB, with Jake Irvine just pipping Joe McGarry for second place on the night.

Prior to the race, there were three people who could take the title, with Steve Orlando the strong favourite with 112 points in the bag. Ian Grimshaw was one of the challengers, but needed to win the race to stay in contention, so despite another PB after a hard race with Andy Inchley, his 7^th place has left him fighting for the minor medals. However, another big PB by Dan Webb saw him splitting the junior members and coming home 4^th on the night for 22 points. This result just about keeps him battling with Steve for the top prize. read more

Over the weekend of 11^th/12^th/13^th March two Hobbs embarked on their second in what seems to becoming a bi-annual challenge. Over the Easter weekend in 2009, Bernie and Joby Hobbs (accompanied by Joby’s friend Chris) ran the length of the Kennet and Avon Canal from Bristol to Reading. Why? Well Joby had decided that it was about time he saw more of the canal after years of training along the same stretch of canal between Bradford-on-Avon and Bath. Bernie agreed and the rest became history… 89 miles completed in 4 days. read more