DURSLEY Running Club’s weekend started on a good footing with Richard Hensman completing the 26.7 miles of the Black Mountains Roundabout in 5hrs 44:30mins to be the first runner home.

It was a very impressive outing for Hensman as it included an elevation gain of 7,242 feet.

The weekend continued to produce good performances, with Mark Brasier running an impressively-paced marathon at Brighton in 3hrs 13:56mins (347th M).

He was joined on the South Coast by Emma Denton, who ran 3hrs 28:12mins (70th F).

Saturday’s parkruns saw Joe Ball run the fastest 5K of the weekend in 21:08mins to place eighth overall and first in his category at Beckton, with his father Anthony 20th and second in his category.

Lucy Fairall and Ian Roberts ran personal bests at Kingsway Gloucester, with Louise Biddell doing the same at Chipping Sodbury and placing second in her category.

Results: Beckton: Joe Ball, 8th , 21:08, (1st SM18-19); Antony Ball, 20th , 28:06, (2nd VM45-49), Kingsway: Neil Malpass, 35th , 24:26, (5th VM50-54); Lucy Fairall, 59th , 27:09, (4th VW35-39),PB; Chris Ashworth, 61st , 27:26, (2nd VM60-64); Ian Roberts, 79th , 28:46, PB; Shona Darley, 80th , 28:47; Charlotte Palmer, 96th , 30:07.

Chipping Sodbury: Russell Rolls, 56th , 23:45; Garry Strickland, 117th , 26:55; Louise Biddell, 132nd, 27:17, (2nd VW35-39) PB l On Sunday there was a brilliant turnout from Dursley Running Club when 12 members took part in the Angels 10K.

The weather was cold despite the sun. Mark Owen led the club home with a solid 46:48mins.

Despite the hilly course, Louise Beck and Kelly Gabb ran personal bests, and eight members were in the top 10 of their categories, with Dave Saunders first MV65 and Annette Heylings third LV60.

Valuable Gloucester AAA points were gained both individually and as a team.

Results: Mark Owen 52nd 46:48 7th SM; Dave Saunders 56th 47:29 (1st MV65); Tara Truman 66th 48:51 (7th LV40); Kris Rymer 72nd 49:26 (8th SM); Mark Western 91st 53.55 (14th MV45); Damian Lai 101st 56:57 (9th SM) Annette Heylings 106th 57:59 (3rd LV60); Vicci Phillips 115th 59:16 (11th LV40) Kelly Gabb 124th 1:01:32 7th SL; Emma Boxall 134th 1:05:59 10th SL Louise Beck 143rd 1:08:35 (19th LV40); Cara Zoglowek 147th 1:15:09 (20th LV40) l Alice Lewis travelled to France to compete in the Annecy Half Marathon, her second continental lakeside half marathon this year. She finished in 1hr 45:57mins (15th VF2) – and did this in the pouring rain. It was a great result in the conditions.

Another impressive half marathon result was produced by Martin Wright.

Running the White Horse Half near Wantage at the beginning of this month, he completed the course in 1hr 25:07mins, knocking one minute off his previous best.

And this Sunday sees the London Marathon take place which will be the culmination of months of training for thousands of runners, including Dursley Running Club members.

All being well, Neil Parry, Rachael Goatman-Thomas, Neil Malpass, Dave Halford and Graeme Hawkins will all have good runs in their club colours.