After Storm Ciara had wiped out one weekend, Storm Dennis threatened to curtail Dursley Running Clubs activities for a second week, writes David Durden.

Parkruns were a washout with just four DRC runners finding a venue to run at.

Gloucestershire AAA Cross Country League organisers left it as late as possible before deciding on the third event in their series. Having called of the Malmesbury event before Christmas they were obviously keen to ensure the Cheltenham event at Pittville Park went ahead.

For DRC their first runner was Holly Clark, running in the second event of the day, the U11 girls. After a fast start she worked hard, the course already cut up from the U11 boys, to finish in 17th position over the 2.2km course. DRC had a strong showing of four U15 boys.

Charlie Worsfold arrived in good form having placed 13th and third for Gloucestershire in the SW Schools Cross Country Championships in Bournemouth the previous weekend. He was joined by Jack Bevan, Matt Brooks and Archie Morgan. Worsfold looked strong as he led through lap one of the 4.8km course, Henderson of Cheltenham Harriers tracking his every step. As they started the second lap Worsfold started to edge away and was able to increase his lead to 25 seconds by the time he crossed the line as the winner. Behind him Bevan led Brooks by around 10 to 15 metres through the first lap, with Morgan struggling in road shoes but working hard. Bevan was able to pull away from Brooks on the second lap. His relaxed running style belies his speed, and he finished in 7th place in 21:13. Brooks finished strongly, just 34 second behind Bevan in 11th. Morgan also sprinted home finding a firmer footing on the run in to the finish to place 20th.

The Dursley boys placed an excellent 2nd in the team event just 4 point behind Cheltenham Harriers. The Senior woman were up next, a team of four comprising of Alice Lewis, Erica Fuller, Teresa Walton and Jo Fearns had braved the weather. In fact, the weather had been inconsistent with rain and wind relenting for brief periods before coming back with vengeance. It was cold but dry by the time the woman reached the start line. Lewis lead the Dursley charge followed by Fuller, Walton and Fearns. By now the course was increasingly cut up, extremely slippery with standing water in places. Lewis had another strong run despite the course conditions placing 2nd F60 in a time of 34:46 over, Fuller had a good outing finishing 5th F50. with Walton 8th F60, Fearns swept up for DRC woman, importantly registering points for the team event (results yet to be announced).

Three veterans represented DRC in the Men’s race, Andy Kilby, Peter Chaffer and Dave Durden. Durden led the team out with Chaffer coming alongside him at about an eighth of a mile. This spurred Durden to work a bit harder, but conscious of the heavy conditions and a brisk headwind on sections, he tried to keep his powder dry, eventually pushing harder on lap three extending his lead on Chaffer to just under 2 minutes, finishing the 6 miles in 86th place overall, 5th M55, with Chaffer 8th M55. Kilby a regular at this season league events produced controlled run to place 6th M60+. All were pleased with their work out on a tough course, even though they had the best of the weather.

Results: U11Gs. Holly Clark, 17th, 11:50. U15Bs. Charlie Wosfold, 1st 19:14; Jack Bevan, 7th, 21:13; Matt Brooks, 11th 21:47; Archie Morgan, 20th, 26:47. Senior and Vet. Women. Alice Lewsi, 65th(2nd F60), 34:46; Erica Fuller, 97th (5th F50), 43:29; Teresa Walton, 107th (8th F60), 45:41; Jo Fearns, 119th (14th F45), 52:40.

Senior and Vet. Men XC: Dave Durden 86th(5th M55) 47:39; Pete Chaffer, 100th (8th M55), 49:33; Andy Kilby, 123rd (6th M60+) 55:48

On a wet and windy Castle Coombe Circuit Dan Lygo and Rob Reece ran the aptly name DBMax Chilly 10K. The Duathlon was called of because of the conditions. Mark Sprigings was running as a pacer and struggling to stay on the course with his pacer’s flag acting as a sail. All three DRC runners found it hard going, Lygo coming first for DRC in 40:55 with Reec running a personal best of 47.04. Lygo placed 34th out of 530 runners, and was 3rd in the Super Vet (50-60) category. Sprigings did a fine job pacing in very difficult conditions getting over the line in 44:55 as the 45minute pacer.

The four DRC parkrunners were Rich Prior (Clevedon Salthouse Fields), 27:54 in 132nd position , Chris Rymer (Eastville), 28:12, 343rd, Steve Rugman and Garry Strickland (Middleton Woods), both 30:14, 42nd and 43rd respectively. It was very close on the age gradings front with Prior heading them up for DRC with 52.87%, Rugman 52.59% and Strickland 51.71%.