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3 family generations run Bourton 1 mile

Almost Athlete Art Williams, aged 71, ran the Bourton 1 mile with his daughter and son-in-law Natalie and Phil White and with his grandson Bradley. Despite recurring knee problems, Art had a steady run to complete the course in 8 minutes 44 seconds, just over a minute behind his son-in-law Phil. Natalie was next to cross the line in Bourton high street in 9 minutes 5 seconds, with Bradley running a respectable 9.14 despite an injured toe.

The first Almost Athlete over the line was Anthony Bailey who secured 8th place overall with a personal best time of 4 minutes 44 seconds. Ken Sears was next to finish in another personal best time of 5.48, followed by first-timer at this distance Phil Withers who dipped under 6 minutes in 5.56. Karen Galpin and Dave Elliott ran well to finish in 6.22 and 6.24 respectively.

Anthony Bailey 4.44 (8th overall); Ken Sears 5.48; Phil Withers 5.56; Karen Galpin 6.22; Dave Elliott 6.24; Phil White 7.11; Art Williams 8.44; Natalie White 9.05; Bradley White 9.14

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Anthony Bailey tore around the challenging Devil's Chimney Chase route to cross the line in 2nd place overall in a time of 39 minutes 20 seconds with Dave Horne hot on his heels in 40.32 for 7th place overall in the race. The first club lady to complete the hilly, multi-terrain route was Nikki Weatherley in 45.05, securing the 3rd lady overall prize, with Dale Midwinter close behind her in 45.51. New club member Assynt Macleod made a good first impression with a 46.55 finish. Paul Thomas and Ali Shaikh ran well, each finishing the hilly but scenic 6 miles comfortably in under 48 minutes. Gary Powell, Duncan Mounsor, Paul Meyer, Tim Sluman and Ed Munroe followed consecutively with sub-50 minute finishes.

Anthony Bailey 39:20; David Horne 40:32 Nikki Weatherley 45:05; Dale Midwinter 45:51; Assynt Macleod 46:55; Paul Thomas 47:31; Ali Shaikh 47:38; Gary Powell 47:42; Duncan Mounsor 47:51 Paul Meyer 48:02; Tim Sluman 48:16; Edward Munro 49:56; Mark Stephens 52:20; Allan Green 53:22; Hester Davis 54:56; Ronald Bury 55:11; Richard Holt 55:47; Paul Yarsley 57:26; Kim Boskett 1:00:38; Christine Carter 1:01:32 Nicky Goldsby 1:03:17; Vivien Mortimore 1:04:25; Coralie Pearson 1:04:34; Alison Rocca 1:04:49; Brian Todd 1:04:55; Catherine Cotton 1:08:32; Debbie Bishop 1:11:58; Ray Pearson 1:11:59

Did you compete in this race? We would love to know how you got on and welcome race reports from all runners to assist in our media coverage - email almostathletes@hotmail.com

Cotswold Way Relay

Almost Athletes entered two teams of 10 in the Cotswold Way Relay. The mixed team, named 'Almosts Ultimate' with runners Matt Reid, Mike Wood, Karen Galpin, Nikki Weatherley, Duncan Mounsor, Nikki Perrott, Chris Midgely, David Horne (pictured), Rich Gilbert and Dave Elliott came 9th in their category and 28th overall out of 74 teams. The mens' team found themselves in a difficult category but managed to come 42nd overall with runners Eddie Munroe, Phil Withers, Paul Turner, Steve Adams, Ed Collier, Ed Cane, Mark Willicott, Doug Waymark (pictured), Mark Jones and Dave Davey. Congratulations to all of the runners - every one managed to beat the cut-off time - and thanks to Eddie Munroe for delivering the race t-shirts on his motorbike!

Cheltenham Circular Challenge

Chris Midgely made his mark on the Cheltenham Circular Challenge by clocking an impressive time of 3 hours 38 minutes on his first attempt at this off road marathon course, finishing in 4th position overall. Marek Wojtaszeck had an equally good run and finished in 3 hours 57 minutes. Matt Farrer finished in 4.14, Duncan Mounsor in 4.20, Mark Willicott in 4.35, Dave Elliott in 5.17, Hester Davis 5.47, and an injured Ingrid Harris in 6.26. Ed Collier ran the half marathon distance and was delighted to record the fastest time overall of 1.55.28.

Humph's Hilly Half, Bourton

Russell Brooks was the first Almost Athlete over the line in the Humph's Hilly Half in a time of 1 hour 27 minutes. Dale Midwinter, tackling the testing and undulating course around Bourton on the Water for the first time, finished in 1 hour 34 minutes after persistently shaking off a chasing Ken Sears who came in only seconds behind him to secure the 3rd MV55 title. Phil Withers continued his recent run of good form with a 1 hour 38 minutes finishing time, almost a minute clear of Dave Elliott. Karen Galpin took the title of 1st LV45 in the race and managed to knock 4 minutes off her previous best time on this course to finish in one hour 40 minutes. She was followed in by Steve Paine and Matt Baumber and then by Anne-Marie Willicott and Dave Davey who ran the route together.