The information below refers to both Tuesday and Thursday night Club runs:

* As we are meeting outside all runs will start promptly at 7:00pm, so if you want to run with your mates please be there in the top car park for 6.55pm

* Please make sure your name is registered for track and trace.

* The top car park is marked out with the usual Thursday Group names 7 min, 8 min, 9 min, 11 min, 5k, & Walkers and for Tuesday marked with Efforts, steady 5k and fastish 5k. Please go directly to your area once you have been registered.

* Once you have a group together and a Leader then have your Group photo taken then go.

Please make sure that your attendance has been registered on the weekly track and trace list each week at each session, Tuesday and Thursday. As requested everyone is arriving a few minutes before run time, which puts pressure on the person with the clipboard and list. Please avoid crowding around them whilst also ensuring your attendance has been acknowledged. The photographs we use as back up for attendance will get more difficult as it gets darker.

Hi-Viz tops are now required for Club Night runs.

Please remember that by attending you are confirming that within the last 14 days you have NOT:

• Experienced a new cough that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
• Experienced new shortness of breath that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
• Experienced a new sore throat, loss of taste or smell that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
• Had a temperature at or above 37.8C or the sense of having a fever?
• Had close contact with someone who is or was sick with suspected or confirmed COVID-19? (Note: Close contact is defined as within 2 metres for more than 10 consecutive minutes)
• Been isolating due to potential exposure to Covid? (applies to you or a household member)

If you can answer YES to any of these questions you must NOT attend.

• Maintain social distancing at all times
• Follow hygiene procedures
• Run in groups of no more than 6 people.
• Bring your own water (no tea or squash after)
• On return after your run please do not gather in groups
• Don’t wear Club colours.

********************************************************************************************
Group Leaders 01/10/20
7 min Group Rob Watkins
8 min Group Natalie Bennett
9 min Group Chris Pritchard
11 min Group Arthur Renshaw
5k Group tba
Walking Group Val James

Track & Trace A : Kevin Wood
Track & Trace B : Nigel Hale

1. Run Group Sizes
We are back to Groups of 6 on a Thursday Club Night & on a Tuesday Efforts Night for a few weeks at least or until the Government or England Athletics issue further directives. If you intend cutting short your run or leaving your group for any other reason please make sure your Group Leader is fully aware.

2. AGM, renewal of Membership & annual subs
If you remember back in March we deferred everything and extended everyone’s Membership until October. We will be having a Committee Meeting on Tuesday 29th September when we will have to address these issues and decide what we are going to do next. If you have any views or comments please speak to any Committee Member.

3. Share your favourite local route
On the Club website Steve Dimond & Nick Langridge have done a great job of curating local routes. We currently have 8 off road, 2 on road and 8 winter routes, all from the Leisure Centre. It would be great get some new routes as some of the existing routes date back to 2014 – Long or short routes and especially your favourite route.
Please help by sharing and telling us about your route:
• Distance: In both miles & Km.
• Terrain: On or off road.
• Type: In one word – Hilly, flat, fast etc… be creative!
• Short description: In the style of the routes currently on our website
• Map: Ideally in GMap pedometer. If that is not possible then any format, or just a jpeg of a route and we can create the Gmap.

This also helps the Leaders each week find routes. Please send to Nick, Steve or captain@thornburyrunningclub.co.uk

4. Virtual London Marathon – Sunday October 4th
Good luck to all the club runners running their Virtual London Marathon on Sunday 4th October. In alphabetical order and hoping we haven’t forgotten anyone!
• Ian Evans
• Kev Cundy
• Kevin Wood
• Magda Johnson
• Malcolm Carr
• Mark West
• Mike Bennewitz
• Paul Reeves
• Sonya Bryson

5. Race Cancellations/Races still on.
Rogue Runs are still intending to hold a Marathon on Sunday 4th October (London day) with a 5 lap course around Berkeley, Shepperdine & Hill. Max entry 130 people and run on a Time Trial basis. Entries now open.
The Grizzly has been postponed to later next year however the Beachy Head Marathon is definitely on for Sat 20th October and entries are still open. The Weston Xmas Cracker in December has been turned into a virtual only event .
We are exploring all possibilities of what we can do with the Riverbank Rollick scheduled for Sun 10th Jan. No decisions have been taken as yet. If you have any ideas or you see or participate in any races that we may use as a template for the Rollick then please let our Race Director Jo Emerson know. jo.plumbley@gmail.com
The Doyton Hard Half scheduled for Sun 17th Jan has also been cancelled.

That’s all for this week. If you have anything to add or any suggestions or announcements please send by e-mail to trc@rensh.idps.co.uk

As we are restarting the Tuesday night sessions from tomorrow 22nd Sept the information below refers to both Tuesday and Thursday night Club runs:

* As we are meeting outside all runs will start promptly at 7:00pm, so if you want to run with your mates please be there in the top car park for 6.55pm’

* Please make sure your name is registered for track and trace.

* The top car park is marked out with the usual Thursday Group names 7 min, 8 min, 9 min, 11 min, 5k, & Walkers and for Tuesday marked with Efforts, steady 5k and fastish 5k. Please go directly to your area once you have been registered.

* Once you have a group together and a Leader then have your Group photo taken then go.

Please make sure that your attendance has been registered on the weekly track and trace list each week at each session, Tuesday and Thursday. As requested everyone is arriving a few minutes before run time, which puts pressure on the person with the clipboard and list. Please avoid crowding around them whilst also ensuring your attendance has been acknowledged. The photographs we use as back up for attendance will get more difficult as it gets darker. Thank you.

Hi-Viz tops are now required for Club Night runs.

Please remember that by attending you are confirming that within the last 14 days you have NOT:
• Experienced a new cough that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
• Experienced new shortness of breath that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
• Experienced a new sore throat, loss of taste or smell that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
• Had a temperature at or above 37.8C or the sense of having a fever?
• Had close contact with someone who is or was sick with suspected or confirmed COVID-19? (Note: Close contact is defined as within 2 metres for more than 10 consecutive minutes)
• Been isolating due to potential exposure to Covid? (applies to you or a household member)

If you can answer YES to any of these questions you must NOT attend.
Please remember – this applies to you all
• Maintain social distancing at all times
• Follow hygiene procedures
• Run in groups of no more than 6 people.
• Bring your own water (no tea or squash after)
• On return after your run please do not gather in groups
• Don’t wear Club colours.

********************************************************************************************
1. Run Group Sizes
We are back to Groups of 6 on a Thursday Club Night & on a Tuesday Efforts Night for a few weeks at least or until the Government or England Athletics issue further directives. If you intend cutting short your run or leaving your group for any other reason please make sure your Group Leader is fully aware.

2. Return to using an inside room at the Leisure Centre
The results of the recent Doodle poll gave the Committee a clear mandate to agree to continue with Club Night meeting outside in the top car park. We don’t foresee returning to a room inside in the near future but we intend to keep our options open with the Leisure Centre by offering to pay a ‘retainer’ on the Filnore Suite for when we do want to return inside.

3. AGM, renewal of Membership & annual subs
If you remember back in March we deferred everything and extended everyone’s Membership until October. We will be having a Committee Meeting on Tuesday 29th September when we will have to address these issues and decide what we are going to do next. If you have any views or comments please speak to any Committee Member over the next few weeks.

4. Park Runs
Park Runs are expected to be back across England by the end of October.

5. Race Cancellations/Races still on.
Rogue Runs are still intending to hold a Marathon on Sunday 4th October (London day) with a 5 lap course around Berkeley, Shepperdine & Hill. Max entry 130 people and run on a Time Trial basis. Entries now open.

The Grizzly has been postponed to later next year however the Beachy Head Marathon is definitely on for Sat 20th October and entries are still open. The Weston Xmas Cracker in December has been turned into a virtual only event .

We are exploring all possibilities of what we can do with the Riverbank Rollick scheduled for Sun 10th Jan. No decisions have been taken as yet. If you have any ideas or you see or participate in any races that we may use as a template for the Rollick then please let our Race Director Jo Emerson know. jo.plumbley@gmail.com

The Doyton Hard Half scheduled for Sun 17th Jan are following a similar path to us at the moment – no decision yet.

That’s all for this week. If you have anything to add or any suggestions or announcements please send by e-mail to trc@rensh.idps.co.uk
Arthur Renshaw

This is now week 7 of the return to Club Night and everything so far is going to plan even though we have decided to go back to groups of 6 max whilst the furore about size of Groups in the community still rages on . We have Groups ready to go at 7pm on the dot so if you want to run with your mates please be there in the top car park for 6.55. The top car park is (re-)marked out with the usual Group names (7 min, 8 min, 9 min, 11 min, 5k, & Walkers) Go direct to your Group area to meet your Leader and have your name taken for track & trace. Once you have a group together and a Leader then have your Group photo taken then go. There are 9 exits from around the Leisure Centre you can choose.

Hi-Viz tops are now required for Club Night runs.

Please remember that by attending you are confirming that within the last 14 days you have NOT:

• Experienced a new cough that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
• Experienced new shortness of breath that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
• Experienced a new sore throat, loss of taste or smell that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
• Had a temperature at or above 37.8C or the sense of having a fever?
• Had close contact with someone who is or was sick with suspected or confirmed COVID-19? (Note: Close contact is defined as within 2 metres for more than 10 consecutive minutes)
• Been isolating due to potential exposure to Covid? (applies to you or a household member)

If you can answer YES to any of these questions you must NOT attend.

Please remember – this applies to you all
• Maintain social distancing at all times
• Follow hygiene procedures
• Run in groups of no more than 6 people.
• Bring your own water (no tea or squash after)
• On return after your run please do not gather in groups
• Don’t wear Club colours.

********************************************************************************************
1. Run Group Sizes
We are back to Groups of 6 on a Club Night for a few weeks at least or until the Government or England Athletics issue further directives.

2. Tuesday Night sessions
Based on the same principles we have adopted for the return of the Thursday night run we will aim to bring back Tuesday night ‘efforts’ from next Tuesday 22nd September. There will be the usual three Groups with areas marked out – Efforts, fastish 5k and steady 5k from the top car park at the Leisure Centre at 19.00. (Basically everything as we used to do on a Tuesday!)

We just need to set-up an initial list of people who are likely to turn up on a Tuesday to help with track & trace if necessary. If you plan to attend on a Tuesday night please send an e-mail to membership@thornburyrunningclub.co.uk so we have an idea who may turn up. (this does not commit you to be there on a Tuesday)

3. Group Leaders
As we now have a full session back on a Thursday and will have, from 22 Sept, also on a Tuesday we need more leaders. This is particularly for the 8,9, 11 min and 5k Groups. If you know your way around the area and are prepared to lead a Group occasionally please see Kevin Wood.

4. Return to using an inside room at the Leisure Centre
The results of the recent Doodle poll gave the Committee a clear mandate to agree to continue with Club Night meeting outside in the top car park. We don’t foresee returning to a room inside in the near future but we intend to keep our options open with the Leisure Centre by offering to pay a ‘retainer’ on the Filnore Suite for when we do want to return inside.

5. AGM, renewal of Membership & annual subs
If you remember back in March we deferred everything and extended everyone’s Membership until October. We will be having a Committee Meeting on Tuesday 29th September when we will have to address these issues and decide what we are going to do next. If you have any views or comments please speak to any Committee Member over the next few weeks.

6. Park Runs
Park Runs are expected to be back across England by the end of October (not the UK and in September as I reported incorrectly last week)

7. Race Cancellations/Races still on.
The popular Clevedon Boxing Day event has been cancelled. The Dursley Dozen re-scheduled for November has also been cancelled. Gloucester Council have refused permission for the Gloucester 10k scheduled for 27th November.
Rogue Runs are still intending to hold a Marathon on Sunday 4th October (London day) with a 5 lap course around Berkeley, Shepperdine & Hill. Max entry 130 people and run on a Time Trial basis. Entries now open.

We are exploring all possibilities of what we can do with the Riverbank Rollick scheduled for Sun 10th Jan. No decisions have been taken as yet. If you have any ideas or you see or participate in any races that we may use as a template for the Rollick then please let our Race Director Jo Emerson know. jo.plumbley@gmail.com
The Doyton Hard Half scheduled for Sun 17th Jan are following a similar path to us at the moment – no decision yet.

That’s all for this week. If you have anything to add or any suggestions or announcements please send by e-mail to trc@rensh.idps.co.uk
Arthur Renshaw

This is now week 6 of the return to Club Night and everything so far is going to plan. We have Groups ready to go at 7pm on the dot so if you want to run with your mates please be there in the top car park for 6.55. The top car park is marked out with the usual Group names (7 min, 8 min, 9 min, 11 min, 5k, & Walkers) Go direct to your Group area to meet your Leader and have your name taken for track & trace. Once you have a group together and a Leader then have your Group photo taken then go. There are 9 exits from around the Leisure Centre you can choose.

Please remember that by attending you are confirming that within the last 14 days you have NOT:

• Experienced a new cough that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
• Experienced new shortness of breath that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
• Experienced a new sore throat, loss of taste or smell that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
• Had a temperature at or above 37.8C or the sense of having a fever?
• Had close contact with someone who is or was sick with suspected or confirmed COVID-19? (Note: Close contact is defined as within 2 metres for more than 10 consecutive minutes)
• Been isolating due to potential exposure to Covid? (applies to you or a household member)

If you can answer YES to any of these questions you must NOT attend.

Please remember – this applies to you all
• Maintain social distancing at all times
• Follow hygiene procedures
• Run in groups of no more than 12 people.
• Bring your own water (no tea or squash after)
• On return after your run please do not gather in groups
• Don’t wear Club colours.

********************************************************************************************
1. Run Group Sizes
England Athletics have relaxed the ruling on the maximum number of runners in a Group. As we have now successfully tested our Thursday Club Night in a COVID-secure environment and, in-line with EA recommendations, we can now increase the maximum run group size from 6 people to 12 people (a Leader plus 11)
“Each coach/leader is able to train 12 people at one time so in a club/running group setting, multiple coaching/training groups can be run if the requisite number of coaches/leaders are present.” https://www.englandathletics.org/athletics-and-running/news/guidance-update-for-restricted-return-to-activity-for-coaches-leaders-athletes-runners-and-facilities-step-3/

2. Tuesday Night sessions
Based on the same principles we have adopted for the return of the Thursday night run we will aim to bring back Tuesday night ‘efforts’ from 22nd September. There will be the usual three Groups – Efforts, fastish 5k and steady 5k from the top car park at the Leisure Centre at 19.00. (Basically everything as we used to do on a Tuesday!)
We just need to set-up an initial list of people who are likely to turn up on a Tuesday to help with track & trace if necessary. If you plan to attend on a Tuesday night please send an e-mail to membership@thornburyrunningclub.co.uk so we have an idea who may turn up. (this does not commit you to be there on a Tuesday)

3. Group Leaders
As we now have a full session back on a Thursday and will have, from 22 Sept, also on a Tuesday we need more leaders. This is particularly for the 8,9, 11 min and 5k Groups. If you know your way around the area and are prepared to lead a Group occasionally please see Kevin Wood.

4. Return to using an inside room at the Leisure Centre
**Please respond to the Doodle Poll ** https://doodle.com/poll/wnf5sq7fmek5vziu
Clearly the Filnore Suite room that we used to use on a Thursday is not suitable for use under the present covid circumstances. The Leisure Centre have offered us use of the much larger Severnside Suite – three times the size of the Filnore Suite with space for 100 people & with separate entrance/exit. Your Committee would like to hear Members views on the principle of using an inside room on a Thursday as we used to. Would you be comfortable meeting inside using the Severnside suite? If you get the opportunity please go and have a look at the Severnside Suite. Please complete the Doodle Poll and/or let any Committee Member know your view about meeting in there. We will be making a decision on Tuesday 15th September so please make your views known before then if possible.

5. AGM, renewal of Membership & annual subs
If you remember back in March we deferred everything and extended everyone’s Membership until October. We will be having a Committee Meeting on Tuesday 29th September when we will have to address these issues and decide what we are going to do next. If you have any views or comments please speak to any Committee Member over the next few weeks.

6. Park Runs
Park Runs are expected to be back across the UK by the end of September. No more details are available at present.

That’s all for this week. If you have anything to add or any suggestions or announcements please send by e-mail to trc@rensh.idps.co.uk
Arthur Renshaw

For one week only the 11 min Group will be setting off at 18.30 this week. Everyone else at 19.00 as normal

We are now four weeks in and everything is going to plan on a Thursday. We have Groups of 6 ready to go at 7pm on the dot so if you want to run with your mates please be there in the top car park for 6.55. The top car park is marked out with the usual Group names (7 min, 8 min, 9 min, 11 min, 5k, & Walkers) Go direct to your Group area to meet your leaders and have your name taken for track & trace. Once you have six people and a Leader have your Group photo taken then off you go. There are 9 exits from around the Leisure Centre so no bunching.

Please remember that by attending you are confirming that within the last 14 days you have NOT:

• Experienced a new cough that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
• Experienced new shortness of breath that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
• Experienced a new sore throat, loss of taste or smell that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
• Had a temperature at or above 37.8C or the sense of having a fever?
• Had close contact with someone who is or was sick with suspected or confirmed COVID-19? (Note: Close contact is defined as within 2 metres for more than 10 consecutive minutes)
• Been isolating? (applies to you or a household member)

If you can answer YES to any of these questions you must NOT attend.

Please remember – this applies to you all
• Maintain social distancing at all times
• Follow hygiene procedures
• Follow public guidance for health
• Run in groups of no more than 6 people.
• Bring your own water (no tea or squash after)
• On return after your run please do not gather in groups
• Don’t wear Club colours.

********************************************************************************************
1. Tuesday Night sessions
Based on the same principles we have adopted for the return of the Thursday night run we will aim to bring back Tuesday night ‘efforts’ from 22nd September. There will be the usual three Groups – Efforts, fastish 5k and steady 5k from the top car park at the Leisure Centre at 19.00. (Basically everything as we used to do on a Tuesday!)

2. Group Leaders
As we now have a full session back on a Thursday and will have, from 22 Sept, also on a Tuesday we need more leaders. This is particularly for the 8,9, 11 min and 5k Groups. If you know your way around the area and are prepared to lead a Group occasionally please see Kevin Wood. As from October it appears that all Leader in Running Fitness (LIRF) courses will be only available on-line.

3. Return to using an inside room at the Leisure Centre? (see separate e-mail questionnaire on this issue)

**Please respond to the Doodle Poll sent to you last Friday regarding Club Night meetings**
>https://doodle.com/poll/wnf5sq7fmek5vziu

Clearly the Filnore Suite room that we used to use on a Thursday is not suitable for use under the present covid circumstances. The Leisure Centre have offered us use of the much larger Severnside Suite – three times the size of the Filnore Suite with space for 100 people & with separate entrance/exit. Your Committee would like to hear Members views on the principle of using an inside room on a Thursday as we used to. Would you be comfortable meeting inside using the Severnside suite? If you get the opportunity please go and have a look at the Severnside Suite. Please complete the Doodle Poll and/or let any Committee Member know your view about meeting in there. We will be making a decision in two weeks on 8th September so please make your views known before then if possible. Thank You.

4. AGM, renewal of Membership & annual subs
If you remember back in March we deferred everything and extended everyone’s Membership until October. We will be having a Committee Meeting on Tuesday 29th September when we will have to address these issues and decide what we are going to do next. If you have any views or comments please speak to any Committee Member over the next few weeks.

5. Cross Country
England Athletics updated the info on XC events 28th August. Licenced XC events can resume from 17th October. There is a significant possibility that the Gwent League will cancel all fixtures this season but the Gloucester League dates might survive…
Sunday 22nd November 2020
Saturday 12th December 2020
Saturday/Sunday 9th or 10th January 2020
Saturday 27th February 2021

6. Cape Wrath Challenge
Finally a sad note to end on this week. The Cape Wrath Challenge has been going since 2000 and over the years many TRC Members have made the long trip to the farthest point on the north west of mainland UK to run 5 races in a week culminating in the Cape Wrath Marathon and the ceilidh on the Saturday. Next year, in May, was to be the last Cape Wrath but due to covid the local organising Committee have decided to stop now and there will not be any further Cape Wrath Challenges. Judy Mills has done every one and Pete Mainstone has done nearly all over the last 20 years. Those of us who have been there will never forget the warmth and friendship of the Durness community and of all the runners who attended year after year.

That’s all for this week. If you have anything to add or any suggestions or announcements please send by e-mail to trc@rensh.idps.co.uk
Arthur Renshaw

Having resumed the Club Night runs on a Thursday over the last 4 weeks we have been seeing around 30 people attending which leaves a large percentage of the Membership, as yet, not coming back on a Thursday.

Your Committee is trying to find the best way forward and we really need to know your views on what would make you feel comfortable about returning on a Thursday and subsequently what you would feel like about having the use of indoor facilities at the Leisure Centre. So far we have been meeting outside in the car park at 19.00 but as the nights draw in we need to think about what we are going to do as it gets darker and colder.

Everyone has a different comfort level and way of coping with the virus depending upon their personal circumstances, and that’s totally understandable. Some are comfortable with social distance running, whilst others are not. Some people are happy to meet inside, whilst others think this is a step too far.

In order to determine a way forward that works for a majority of the Club Membership we would like to sound out your opinion please:

1. I don’t feel comfortable running at a social distance so won’t be returning until the situation changes.

2. If we continue to meet outside in the Leisure Centre car park on Thursday throughout winter are you:
a. More likely to continue to attend / start attending?
b. Less likely to continue to attend / start attending?
c. Makes no difference to me

3. If we started to meet inside the Leisure Centre for the winter months are you:
a. More likely to continue to attend / stat attending?
b. Less likely to continue to attend / start attending?
c. Makes no difference to me

We acknowledge that the Filnore Suite room that we used to use on a Thursday is not suitable for use under the present covid circumstances – too small, only one way in/out etc. The Leisure Centre have offered us use of the much larger Severnside Suite – three times the size of the Filnore Suite with space for 100 people & with separate entrance/exit. Would you be comfortable meeting inside using the Severnside Suite? If you get the opportunity please go and have a look at the Severnside Suite.

Please confirm your view on the 3 questions above by completing the Doodle Poll here within the next couple of weeks (by 8th Sept): https://doodle.com/poll/wnf5sq7fmek5vziu
Assuming enough Members respond to this poll we should have a much clearer idea on how we move forward with Thursday Club Nights.

We would welcome your thoughts on the above, and any other matters related to keeping the club running (literally and physically) send to membership@thornburyrunningclub.co.uk or speak to any Committee Member. We have to let the Leisure Centre know what we want to do in the next few weeks and we have a Committee meeting in two weeks on Tuesday 8th September so please make your views known before then if possible.

Thank You.

Arthur Renshaw
Chairman

We are now three weeks in and so far everything is going to plan on a Thursday. Based on the last three weeks experience we expect about 30 people to turn up on Thursday. The only problem we foresee is with people who turn up after 7pm. We have Groups of 6 ready to go at 7pm on the dot so if you want to run with your mates please be there in the top car park for 6.55. The top car park is marked out with the usual Group names (7 min, 8 min, 9 min, 11 min, 5k, & Walkers) Go direct to your Group area to meet your leaders and have your name taken for track & trace. Once you have six people and a Leader have your Group photo taken then off you go. There are 9 exits from around the Leisure Centre so no bunching.

Please remember that by attending you are confirming that within the last 14 days you have NOT:

• Experienced a new cough that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
• Experienced new shortness of breath that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
• Experienced a new sore throat, loss of taste or smell that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
• Had a temperature at or above 37.8C or the sense of having a fever?
• Had close contact with someone who is or was sick with suspected or confirmed COVID-19? (Note: Close contact is defined as within 2 metres for more than 10 consecutive minutes)
• Been isolating? (applies to you or a household member)

If you can answer YES to any of these questions you must NOT attend.

Please remember – this applies to you all
• Maintain social distancing at all times
• Follow hygiene procedures
• Follow public guidance for health
• Run in groups of no more than 6 people.
• Bring your own water (no tea or squash after)
• On return after your run please do not gather in groups
• Don’t wear Club colours.
*********************************************************************

1. Tuesday Night sessions
Tuesday night sessions are under discussion by the Committee at the moment. Once we are happy that Thursday nights are working well we will aim bring back Tuesday night ‘efforts’ from the top car park at the Leisure Centre in September. In the meantime a few of us are doing efforts on a Tuesday in the Mundy PF start at 6pm.

2. Local Races
For those of you who have entered the Severn Bridge 10k please check the website – the Car Parking & Start/Finish area have been moved to this side of the Bridge. The event is still going ahead despite the last minute changes.
The DBMax Westonbirt Sprint Tri on Monday 31st August is also still going ahead.

3. Cotswold Way event – July 2020 Report by Judy Mills.
The Socially Distanced 2020 Cotswold Way Relay was completed throughout the month of July, with Clubs able to enter 10-person teams as usual, or select the 5 northern or 5 southern Stages. There was a lot of interest from Thornbury, which allowed us to enter 8 teams; two teams of Veteran Men (over 40) and six Mixed teams, each of which required a minimum of 2 female runners As on this occasion it wasn’t necessary to declare beforehand who would be running in each team, we were able to submit the fastest times in one Vet and one Mixed team. On the other hand, as usual a few people had to drop out, but we managed to find three quality replacements, though still had 3 No Runner Stages.

Rob Watkins’ team of Vets took 2nd place in their category, Garry Slater having run Stage 7 in under an hour to take his place in the Team which sadly meant Paul Clark and Rob Hopkins had to move aside. With Rob Watkins and Garry were Henry Orna, Martyn Green and Dave Beard, with a Team time of 6:29:48 behind Bath AC’s time of 6:23:10. Another latecomer to the party, Nick Langridge, who commented on his inability to nowadays sprint up the field at the start of Stage 6 (Stroud to Dursley) still ran fast enough to take a place in the second Vet’s team which, with Paul Clarke, Paul Saville, Jim Godden and Moray Sloan came 4th in a total time of 7:07:32, third place having gone to another Bath AC team in 6:58:18.

The best of the rest were slotted first into Laura Orna’s team, who with Ben Bohane, Mitch Ford, Ros Rowland and Dylan Roberts were the fastest Mixed Team in the event with a time of 7:07:10. They were closely followed by Natalie Bennett’s team with Paul Thomas, Ben Foss, Mel Wilson and Adrian Savery in 7:25:12. Hogweed Trotters and BADdocs sARC took 3rd and 4th places, then it was Thornbury again, with Ian Evans, Chris Foley, Emma Barnes, Clare Watt & Kevin Wood 5th in 8:03:53 & Rich Forman, Nancy Harding, Taryn Roberts & Alan Gatling 6th in 8:22:06.

The remaining two teams which, like our 6th placed team, carried a non-runner came in 10th (Kev Cundy, Rob Hopkins, Sarah Newnes & Rebekah Gatling) and 13th (Sonya Bryson, Mike Bennewitz, Kevin Arnold & Judy Mills, which was no disgrace as there were 16 teams in the Mixed category.

The full results, available on event website https://cotswoldwayrelay.co.uk/ show that although we had no Stage winners from Thornbury, we had several 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Out of all the Teams taking part Rob’s Vets were 3rd and Laura’s Mixed 6th. Besides getting Thornbury’s name up there amongst the winning teams, the event gave members a chance to get out and run together-yet-apart and allowed the competitive runners something to aim for. We’d like to think we can do it as usual next year – until then, thank you all from me, for being so enthusiastic and flexible, and stay safe, stay fit.

Judy Mills
19 August 2020

That’s all for this week. If you have anything to add or any suggestions or announcements please send by e-mail to trc@rensh.idps.co.uk

Let’s try and make the Thursday night run a safe and enjoyable experience and please observe the points above – groups of no more than 6 and social distancing wherever possible.

Arthur Renshaw