Newsletter Signup Button

Race Report: Evesham Half Marathon & Ultra | April 21st 2013

On April 21st, 120 runners from around the country came together in Evesham to take part in Cotswold Running’s Evesham Half Marathon and Ultramarathon.  The two races, based at Jacksons Bar on Waterside, gave participants the opportunity to enjoy the countryside of the Vale and surrounding hills with either a 13.5 mile or 45 mile route.  Following months of rain and treacherous mud, the sunny weather served to brighten spirits and dry out the trails, making for excellent running conditions.

Following a brief remembrance of those affected by the tragic events of the week in Brighton, Boston, and Texas, the runners made their way to the starting line in Hampton.  The ultramarathon runners set off at 8:30 on a route that would take them through Charlton, Cropthorne, Elmley Castle, Beckford, Gretton and on to their halfway point at Winchcombe.  On their way they crossed Bredon Hill, Alderton Hill, and Langley Hill.  Their return to Evesham brought them along the edge of the Cotswold escarpment, via Hailes Abbey, Stanway, Stanton, Broadway Tower, Broadway, Childswickham, and Wickhamford, with plenty more hills to add to the challenge.  With over 4500 feet of total ascent, the runners faced an unrelenting battle against the terrain, as both the uphill and downhill gradients tested their strength and endurance.  GB International 24-hour racer Robbie Britton from Surrey dominated in the second half to complete the gruelling course in an astonishing six hours and forty-seven minutes, nearly 25 minutes ahead of Herefordshire’s Mark Davies and Londoner Mark Denby.  Running her first ultramarathon, Stroud AC’s Hayley Stockwell, of Stonehouse, won the ladies race in 8:47, passing Stourbridge’s Joan Clarke in the final quarter for a 10 minute lead.  London’s Sandra Goldsack finished third, a further 15 minutes behind Stockwell.  Having completed a momentous tour of the area, the 48 ultra runners were full of praise for their beautiful surroundings.

While the ultramarathon runners were taking in every hill they could see between Bredon and Broadway, the Half Marathon participants enjoyed a somewhat faster and flatter experience.  From Elmley Castle, they turned east to Kersoe before heading back to Evesham via the Salt Way and Hampton.  The mix of experienced and novice trail runners quickly made their way around the route, led by Worcester’s Richard Walsh.  Following up on his third place in Cotswold Running’s Naunton 19 in January, Walsh broke free in the final miles to win just 50 seconds ahead of Evesham’s Phil Cashman and ladies’ winner Susanne Enhard of Newbury.  Third man across the line was Gloucester’s James Walters.  Evesham’s Jill Moore finished second woman, leading Penelope Barber of Birmingham.

Considering the magnificent achievements of the runners in both races, race director Kurt Dusterhoff said, “Everyone who ran today was fantastic, from those who were running their first trail race to the experienced international competitors.  It’s wonderful to be able to bring such a great group of runners together.”  Volunteer and local runner Sue Wright helped the ultramarathoners at the final drinks station at Wickhamford.  She reflected, “I was amazed at how many were still smiling after 40 miles’ hard running! It was a pleasure to meet some amazing and inspirational runners.”

Race Listing

Click here for more information on the 2013 Evesham Half Marathon.

More Like This:

Leave a Reply

You can use these HTML tags

<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>