THERE were contrasting fortunes for two of Thornbury’s most experienced long-distance runners at the weekend, as Rob Hopkins and Nick Williams raced in two of the most challenging ultra-marathons in UK.

A year after completing a mammoth 420-mile triathlon in North Wales, Rob Hopkins travelled back to Snowdonia National Park at the weekend to compete in the Mt Snowdon Ultra 50-mile race. The course traversed Snowdon and eight other peaks, with over 5400m of vertical ascent and some very precarious downhill sections in the rain and mist. Rob finished in a very creditable 50th place out of 250 runners in 18 hours 57 minutes.

Meanwhile, Williams was closer to home for the Cotswold Century Way, which follows the whole 102-mile route of the Costwold Way from Chipping Camden to Bath Abbey.

He made serene progress in the first 50 miles and was well ahead of his goal times and within touching distance of the leaders. However, an old knee injury resurfaced and became an increasing distraction. Unfortunately, when it became obvious that he was likely to cause serious injury to his knee by continuing, Nick took the difficult but sensible decision to withdraw after 90 miles and save himself for another day.

Eight Thornbury runners joined the masses in the city centre for Bristol Half Marathon at the weekend. Henry Orna had battled through the rain and wind in August at Severn Bridge Half Marathon, so quickly acclimatised to similar conditions again on Sunday. Henry was the first TRC runner in 289th position in 1 hour 27:42 mins. Martin Coyle was next in 1 hour 37:20, followed by Richard Jackson 1 hour 38:53 mins. First TRC woman was Helen Harrison in 3246th place in 1 hour 55:56 mins. Samantha Prescott was next in 2 hours 29 seconds, Rachel Murphy 2 hours 16:54 mins, Mel Robinson 2 hours 22:58 mins and Anthony Yates 2 hours 25:54 mins.

Sean Underwood was back in London for the Swim Serpentine in Hyde Park. Sean had already finished the London Marathon and Ride London event in 2018 and by completing the 2-mile swim at the weekend in 1 hour 33:53 he was the proud recipient of the London Classics medal.

Elsewhere, 17 club members competed in the club’s Steve Jones Memorial over the 10 mile Olbury Power course.

Rob Watkins used the race as ideal preparation for Yorkshire Marathon next month and was first of the 17 runners in 1 hour 8:11 mins and also achieved the best age adjusted result. The top female runner for the club was Jo Emerson, who crossed the line in 1 hour 15:07 mins and also had the best age adjusted result.

TRC’s parkrun results at the weekend included a new personal best from Kevin Wood at Chipping Sodbury in 21:29 mins. After Kevin was David Palmer 25:44 mins and Christopher Pritchard 26:22 mins. Cathy Watkins dipped under 30 mins in 29:54 mins, Anne Palmer 32:11 mins, Josie Cole 32:23 mins, Pamela Macleod 34:55 mins and Carol Mosses 38:28 mins.

At Chester parkun Ian Shepherd ran 23:54 mins and Nick Langridge ran 21:37 in Stonehouse parkrun. At Thornbury, John Mann finished in 24:46 mins and Rachel Huke finished in 30:25 mins.