ONE event which slipped through last week’s report was the ‘Grizzly’, a 20 mile off road race along the East Devon coastline which took place on 12th March. The race starts at Seaton Esplanade and draws over 2,000 runners to tackle the varied and demanding conditions, encompassing beaches, bogs, farmlands and steep cliff paths.

Dave Beard was back for the second year in a row and only 1 week removed from his 15-mile effort through the Mendips in The Big Cheese.

He was the first Thornbury runner in 3 hrs 18:29 mins in 236th place. Jo Williams was next in 4 hrs 05:15 mins (816th), followed by Kevin Cundy in 4 hrs 09:49 mins (860th).

The half marathon schedule has burst into life and Thornbury runners were competing in 3 at the weekend. The Forest of Dean’s Spring Trails Half Marathon proved a favourite for the club with 7 runners tackling this scenic course.

Richard Jackson was our fastest finisher in 1hr 42:06 mins. Moray Sloan was not far behind in 1hr 43:45 mins, Sonja Bryson next and our first lady in 1 hr 57:54 mins, Karen Carr 2hrs 5 secs, Cathy Watkins in her first half marathon race in 2 hrs 26:48 mins, Suzy Cundy 2 hrs 26:55 mins and Magda Johnson 2 hrs 39:42 mins.

Paul Thomas was the fastest over the 13.1 mile distance this weekend in a great time of 1hr 29:44 mins which was good enough for 297th position overall at Wilmsow Half Marathon.

Romeo Maddalena was racing in Reading Half Marathon and completed the course in the home of Reading FC, the Madejski Stadium, in a time of 2 hrs 56 secs.

The Gloucester 20 mile road race is now in its 31st year and 3 hardy souls took to the streets to test themselves. Emma Barnes had a fine race and was 68th lady in 2hrs 56:48 mins and 1 second ahead of Jim Williams. Chris Foley’s London Marathon preparations are going well as he improved on his time last year in the same race and was 3rd in the MV65 age category in 3 hrs 01:01 mins.

Last but not least, our sole parkrun competitor was Andy Darton who ran around the Chipping Sodbury course in a fairly sedate pace for him in 20:28 mins.