DURSLEY stalwarts Margaret Johnson and Kevin Jackson took part at the Greater Manchester Marathon, writes David Durden.

Johnson displayed consummate ability to pace herself, she was delayed around the 18-to-19 mile-mark, but apart from this she ran a very controlled race, finishing an excellent 18th, F50 out of 360 in the category and 326th out of 4194 women.

Johnson said: “I am happy enough with my time, felt ok throughout, lost a couple of minutes in second-half due to issues, but it’s a marathon after all, things happen and a marathon is a long way and should never be under estimated."

Jackson, was running strongly, but due to losing his gels early in the race he ran out of energy at about fifteen miles it was then all about just getting to the finishing, which of course he did.

Results: Margaret Johnson, 03:35:40, 3135th, (18th F50); Kevin Jackson, 04:07:24, 5696th , (181st M55).

Meanwhile, the third race in the Glos AAA road Race series, the Angels 10K held at Ashleworth, just north of Maisemore.

Dave Durden led the team home in 42:29 (gun time). Andy Probert was next in just of three minutes in arrears, with Graham Tudor sprinting for the line to place 52nd.

As ever, Dave Saunders and Alice Lewis did very well placing 1st M70 & first M60.

Results: Dave Durden, 24th,A 42:29; Andy Probert, 44th, 46:12; Graham Tudor, 52nd, 48:12; John Delafield, 62nd, 49:18; Alice Lewis, 64th, 49:39; David Saunders, 71st, 50:53; Hugh Poppy, 73rd , 51:00; Steve Barnes, 101st, 56:48; Annette Heylings, 111th, 01:01:30.

The Relish Events double header also took place at Cattle Country.

Graham Wilkes the sole DRC representative in the 5K finished home in 55th position with a time of 38:54.

Five athletes took part in the 10K. Matt Hazel-Livall led the team home in 44:20, 1st senior male and 3rd overall. He was joined by Richard Hogg, 6th senior male, Clare Troy, 5th Senior Woman plus Hollie Dent and Charlie Taylor.

Results: 5K: Graham Wilkes, 55th (10th M40) 38:54. 10K: Matt Livall, 3rd (1st SenM) 44:20; Richard Hogg, 13th (6th SenM) 47:17; Clare Troy, 67th (5th F40) 01:02:11; Hollie Dent, 108th (26th SenW); Charlie Taylor, 150th (43rd SenW) 01:24:10.

Twenty six Dursley athletes were at parkrun this weekend. Caz Harper Easthope was over the moon with a big personal best at Kingsway, getting herself into the 60% age grading as well. Other PBs were run by Julia Dawson(Kingsway) and Alexandra Kemp (Wotton), whilst there were course bests for Ellen Efford(Chippenham) Jackie Pennington ((Chipping Sodbury) and Janet Matthews at Thornbury. Chris Rymer was fastest on Saturday with 21:26 at Cirencester, Janet Matthews fastest DRC woman. Top of the age gradings was Mouse Clutterbuck running his fastest ever parkrun at Gloucester City as first timer, his 21:20 gave an Age Grading of 72.6%, with Eileen Hieron heading up the DRC women with 67.97%.

Cirencester: Kris Rymer, 7th , 21:26; Damian Lai, 30th , 23:47; Chippenham: Ellen Efford, 160th , 31:38; Chipping Sodbury: Jackie Pennington, 226th , 28:49; Gloucester City: Mouse Clutterbuck, 14th , 21:20; Richard Prior, 54th , 26:37; Steve Barnes, 69th , 27:31; Caz Harper-Easthope, 94th , 26:32; Terry Cother, 102nd, 27:07; David Quarterman, 103rd, 27:10; Paul Dunn, 130th , 28:59; Joseph Dunn, 131st , 28:59; Amanda Hensman, 151st , 30:11; John Spicer, 165th , 31:00; Eileen Hieron, 211th ,36:19; Karen Eadon, 212th , 36:20; Julia Dawson, 222nd , 38:04; Sarah Kiddle, 229th , 38:45; Llanelli, Andrew Oborne, 31st , 22:28; Thornbury: Carl Fivey, 13th , 24:24; Janet Matthews, 26th , 26:00; Wotton, Garry Strickland, 15th , 24:14; Alexandra Kemp, 30th , 27:31; Tracey Strickland, 48th , 31:08; Steve Rugman, 49th , 31:09; Jude Rugman, 80th , 37:58.

Paul Lee took part at the Vale of Glamorgan Coastal Ultra run.

After a cold and windy start from Penarth pier he was pleased to reach the finish line at Ogbourne-by-sea after 33 miles along the Glamorgan coast.

Ray Williams returned to triathlon after 18 months out of competition due to an serious injury that required surgery on his shoulder. Racing with Mel Williams, they completed Ocean Lava Olympic Triathlon at Fuerteventura.
Ray managed to clock 03.03.50, placing 179th out 231 athletes with Mel William finishing in 03:30:53, 208th and winning her age category in the process.