FEBRUARY RACE ROUND UP
February may be the shortest month of the year, but it was absolutely packed with races. While the rest of the world hid from the wind, mud and dark evenings, Bitton runners were out on coastal paths, brutal hills, fast roads and forest trails, racking up PBs, age category wins and some seriously tough miles. Here is your February round up.
1st February
Cardiff Winter Warmer Half Marathon
Bryan Stadden 1:59:13
February started with the Cardiff Winter Warmer Half Marathon, where Bryan headed over to Cardiff and clocked a brilliant sub two hour time of 1:59:13. A great way to kick off the month and set the tone for the winter racing ahead.
7th February
Westonbirt Winter Night 10K
Jo Harris 52:58 3rd FV50
Jo lit up the Westonbirt Winter Night 10K, running 52:58 and taking 3rd FV50 in the dark around the arboretum. A brilliant age category podium under the lights.
8th February
Doynton Hard Half
Charles Hann 2:02:03 1st MV60
Chris Whiteford 2:15:25
Andy King 2:19:26
Calum Thompson 2:21:48
William Cherry 2:35:34
Mike Duggan 2:36:46
Ant Burn 2:37:25
Leah Tuohy 2:49:21
Ben Robinson 3:07:38
Jackie Hann 3:22:31
Doynton Hard Half did exactly what it says on the tin. Hills, mud, water and more hills. Bitton turned out in force and absolutely embraced the suffering. Charles led the team home in 2:02:03, taking a fantastic 1st MV60. There were strong runs all the way through the field, with everyone battling through the tough conditions and earning that medal the hard way. Proper winter racing.
Sidmouth 4 Trigs Fell Race
Bryan Stadden 2:36:18
Over in Devon, Bryan took on the Sidmouth 4 Trigs fell race, a serious off road challenge linking four trig points over wild coastal hills. He finished in 2:36:18. A brilliant effort on a very tough route.
Westonbirt Winter Day 10K
Martha Barker-Boyne 49:48
Suzanne Porter 1:09:21
Back at Westonbirt in daylight, Martha and Suzanne took on the Winter Day 10K. Martha ran a superb sub 50 in 49:48, with Suzanne finishing strongly in 1:09:21. Great running on a chilly winter course.
11th February
Street 5K Series
Andy Mining 22:13
Emma Taylor 23:32 PB
Shaun Scammell 25:09 PB
The Street 5K series gave some sharp midweek racing. Andy led the Bitton trio home in 22:13. Emma had a fantastic run, clocking 23:32 for a PB, and Shaun joined the PB party with 25:09. Great to see the speed work paying off.
12th February
Weston Prom
Joe Stevens 30:53 PB
Matt Spear 33:55
Neil Davies 39:20
Felicity March 43:22
Ben Robinson 47:05 PB
Leah Tuohy 47:05
The next night it was all about the Weston Prom. Joe ran a brilliant 30:53 for a PB and first home for the club. Matt and Neil followed with strong runs in 33:55 and 39:20. Felicity clocked 43:22, then Ben and Leah came in together in 47:05, with Ben bagging himself a PB. A cracking set of results on a breezy seafront.
14th February
Gloucestershire Cross Country
Women 6.5K
Fiona Blackmore 29:52 3rd Series FV50
Hannah Sharp 36:33
Men 9.8K
Pete Clark 49:58
Valentine’s Day was all about mud rather than roses. At the Gloucestershire Cross Country, Fiona had a superb run in 29:52, securing 3rd in the series for FV50 overall. A brilliant achievement across the whole XC season. Hannah also had a strong run in 36:33 over the same testing course. In the men’s race, Pete took on the 9.8K and finished in 49:58, adding to the club’s cross country efforts for the season.
15th February
Bramley 20 Mile
Alfie Brown 2:31:19
Charles Hann 2:39:18
Jackie Hann 3:00:08 PB
At Bramley 20, the classic pre marathon test, Bitton blue was out on the roads. Alfie led the way in a very impressive 2:31:19. Charles followed with a strong 2:39:18. Jackie had a brilliant run, hitting a huge PB with 3:00:08. A great confidence boost for anyone looking towards spring marathons.
22nd February
Bath Two Tunnels 5K
Shaun Scammell 25:58
Shaun was back racing at the Bath Two Tunnels 5K, finishing in 25:58 through the unique traffic free route and tunnels. Another solid outing.
Bath Two Tunnels Return Ticket 10K
Emma Taylor 49:41 PB
Emma continued her superb month by running 49:41 in the 10K and bagging herself a sub 50 PB. Fantastic progress and very well deserved.
Cirencester 10K
Neil Davies 49:48
Neil headed to Cirencester and clocked 49:48 for his 10K, another strong run rounding off a busy month of racing.
Ironwood Challenge 10K
Carlton Hobbs 59:58
At the Ironwood Challenge 10K, Carlton took on a hilly, off road course and dipped under the hour in 59:58. A great result on a testing route.
Naples Half Marathon
Freddie Williams 2:31:02
Freddie took the Bitton vest all the way to Italy for the Naples Half Marathon and completed his first ever half marathon in 2:31:02. A brilliant achievement and a fantastic milestone to tick off.
February gave us hard half marathons, coastal fell races, fast 5Ks, classic 20 milers and a string of PBs, all in the middle of winter.
Huge congratulations to everyone who raced, supported, volunteered or cheered. I apologise in advance If anyone has been missed this month, please shout and they can be included in the next round up. Here is to even more blue and yellow in the spring races ahead.