The Stroud & District Athletic Club's "namesake Yank", Kevin Stroud, turned in a fantastic debut performance at the 100 mile distance last month. Stroud finished 14th out of 140 starters in a time of 23:11:31 at the Arkansas Traveller 100-miler, earning a coveted "shiny brass belt buckle" by completing the distance in under 24 hours.

Starting at 6am on Saturday, October 6th, the course wound through the Ouchita (pronounced wash-a-taw) Mountains on rocky single-track trails in temperatures that exceeded 33C during the day, with numerous sightings of bears and tarantula spiders reported by the runners. "Even with all the animals on the remote trails," Stroud reported, "the night running was the best as the temperature fell, so I was able to run a negative split over the distance."

"It is hard to imagine running for 23 hours continuously," he continued, "but even the winner took over 18 hours, so there's no way to cover 100 miles of mountain trails fast - which is the challenge of the distance."

Below, Stroud is pictured ( http://kestrou.com/images/stroud-at100.jpg ) crossing the finish line in club kit a little after 5am on Sunday, October 7th.

Upcoming races for him include a trail marathon in Indiana in December, the Walt Disney World "Goofy Double" (half marathon on Saturday, full marathon on Sunday) in Florida in January, a trail 50K in Illinois in March, and he's already registered for the next Boston Marathon, in April. So look for more pictures of club kit crossing finish lines "across the pond".

Stroud and District Athletic club has adopted a new club Logo, designed by 17 year old club member Helen Hanstock. The new Logo has been incorporated on all written communications, Website, and on new club Tracksuit in Royal Blue, top as modeled by Helen. 

Helen won a club competition for the under 18 members. A panel including Dan Robinson, the commonwealth Marathon Bronze medalist plus founder and life member Jacky Taylor, selected Helen design from a strong short list

The new logo has received universal support from club members, by presenting a new modern and fresh logo which remains true to the founder idas for the club colours. 

As a reward Helen was presented with a free tracksuit.

Helen Hanstock is an outstanding talent, in both creative design and athletics. Helen came to prominence when she broke the senior ladies high jump record at 15. Helen keen on orienteering has won national junior bronze medals for orienteering, and completed in Europe. 

This year Helen has qualified for the English school combined events final, despite a heavy fall in the hurdle at the Southwest schools. Helen is in great shape going into the largest Athletic event of her life, setting 6 personal bests out of the 7 events of the Hepthlon in the last 3 weeks. 

Helen Personnel Bests 

200m – 29.4

800m – 2.50.3

100mH – 17.4

High Jump 1.61m

Javelin – 24.83m

Shot – 8.29m

Long Jump 4.92m

Stroud and District athletic club have made an excellent start after there reintroduction to league Athletics following a 3 year absence to rebuild. Stroud now the largest Athletic Club in Gloucestershire are showing there strength in depth.  At the halfway stage of the league, Stroud have broken into the top four pushing Bath into 5th position, and are hot on the heals of Gloucester, Bristol and Yate at the top of the table. 

The Avon league has been full of positives for club members both for male and females from 10 to over 40 year olds, but the most positive has been the way the U11 have made the transition from sports hall Athletics to full stadium athletics. The U11 boys and Girls team are in second position in what is turning into a two team race in the unofficial league only 4 points behind leader Yate with 186points and a clear 80 point clear of Bristol, in third. 

Highlights of the July meeting were. 

English Schools 1500m bronze medalist Tom Curr only the day before. Resting his tired legs!! Doing triple jump and winning another Bronze. 

Tom Parnell 2nd in the U11, 600m, in only his second outing, inexperience cost Tom the race but he will have learned a lot from this race. 

Lilly Riseley-Prichard, Continuing the Stroud production line of quality girl long jumpers. Winning the U11 Long Jump. Rosie Armond 4rd place in the U11 Girls, 600m, in her first ever track race. 

Sophie Clifford and Beth Richardson, rolling up late at the U15 Girls Long Jump from another event and with one jump each coming first and third respectively. 

U13 boys Captain Xander Brown scrambled to get a relay team out at the end of a wet day, encouraging High Jumper Alex Jones, and 2 U11 boys, Tom Parnell and Max Gibson to join him, they then surprised all by coming a close second to a very good Bristol sprint Quartet. 

Lee Christmas after a 32 year absence from Track running, showed his class winning the veteran 5000m and keeping Stroud’s 20 year old James Totterdell on his toes until the finish line to come second in the senior men race.Lee enjoyed that so much he ran in the senior men 1500m and finished in the top half of the field. 

English Schools Finals

Stroud and District athletes deliver the medals at the English schools championships held in Birmingham. Stroud had 5 athletes who qualified this year, which was excellent as the generation of middle distance runners who served the club well over the last 7 years are now making good progress in the senior ranks at national level. In the last 7 years the middle distance runners won a silver medal in 2002, a Bronze in 2005, and had four 4th and a 5th position.

This year the Stroud athletes excelled winning 2 Gold medals and a Bronze medal.

Jamie Batten was pleased to have qualified for the championship in the long jump and hoped he could make it into the last 8 for the further 3 jumps, but luck was not with Jamie as he had 2 no jumps.

Stroud had two U15 boys in the 1500m out of the 29 who qualified from the whole country, the youngest U14 Tom Purnell, ran well below par and did not qualify for the final, Tom will be back next year and a medal is well within his capacity. Tom Curr coming back from illness had spent two week wondering if he would be fit for the championship took 3 seconds of his best time to qualify as 4th fastest for the final.

Tom ran a tactically superb race in the final to win the Bronze medal and shave another second of his personal best time. 

Jennie Batten was next in the 200 m, this was a classic encounter with Emma Jackson, both girls UN beaten this year, Emma was favorite as she had run the fastest time this year. Both Girls won there heats and Semi Finals comfortably. Jennie showed her class in the final running a good bent to be a metre up on Emma entering the straight, Emma closed slightly then Jennie changed gear and accelerated away to win by 4 metres and 8 metres ahead of third.            

Late in the afternoon and televised by Sky Ed Wormersley lined up in the year 13 2000m steeplechase. The commentators did not think he was a contender, even though he had run the 2nd fastest time in the country this year and was 4th last year as the youngest runner in the race. The Stroud supports knew better and there was only one runner in the race, as they shouted themselves horse. Ed tailed the favorite  for 3 ½ laps and then kicked for home with 600m to go, and quickly opened a large gap up and continued to add to the leading margin which allowed Ed to celebrate down the home straight and still win by 30m and improving the best time in England this year by 5 seconds

English Schools Qualifiers

Congratulations to the 5 Stroud athletes who have qualified for the English Schools finals to be held this year at the Alexandra Stadium in Birmingham.

Commiseration to Mathew Withey who despite winning the County and coming second in the Southwest schools, unfortunately he did not run a qualification time for the 3000m, after making the finals for the last two years, and coming 4^th in 2005. 

In 2005 and 2006, Stroud supplied 4 athletes to the English School finals, but with a generation of middle distance runners moving into the senior ranks who served the club and County with distinction, it is very encouraging that this year the Stroud athletes, consist of 1 senior, 1 intermediate and 3 juniors.

2007 Qualifying athletes:

Ed Wormesley - Senior - 2000m steeple Chase. Ranked 2nd in England and recently ran a PB to take the Midland title

Jamie Batten – Intermediate – Long jump. Jamie first English schools finals and will be joining his younger sister, what a weekend for the Batten family!

Tom Curr – Junior – 1500m. Tom has lead the UK rankings for the 3000m by over 5 seconds all year. Tom is recovering from Illness and we hope he can be fully fit for the championships. 

Tom Purnell – Junior – 1500m. The Youngest of the Stroud Athletes at 13, Tom will be able to compete at junior boy level next year. Tom is the Midland 800m champion, the southwest Schools 1500m champion, and the day after the southwest schools, won the  Avon League 800m, breaking the 23year old league record and shooting himself into the top 10 in the country this year for 800m, to show his pedigree.  

Jennie Batten – Junior - 200m. Jennie after coming 4^th last year in the 100m final against girls all a year older than her has this year elected to run the 200m only. Jennie has been undefeated for nearly a year, winning the Midland indoor 60m and 200m, and outdoors 100m and 200m, and the double again at the southwest schools. Jennie is the second favorite on time going into the championship, to another girl also undefeated.

Avon League First League meeting

On Sunday morning the club flag pole was firmly secured at the Yate Athletic arena and the club flag run up the pole, to herald a triumphant Stroud return to the Avon league after a gap of 2 years.

Stroud jointly hosted the first league match with Yate and was given a warm welcome by the other teams.

With major events such as the Southwest schools championships and Midland U20/Senior championships taking place, Stroud did exceptionally well to field a team of 40 athletes.

The Stroud U11 children showed great maturity in a very busy environment, and represented Stroud well. 

Stroud’s Jamie Batten was voted the Athlete of the meeting for his long jumping by the League officials. Tom Purnell set a new league record for the U15 boys 800m.

The race of the day was the U17 Men 4x 400m relay. The Stroud teams consisting of a mixed bag of track and field. The race started with long Jumper Jamie Batten setting a blistering pace and leaving the specialist sprinter in his wake.  High Jumper Sam Burns on the second leg and maintained the gap in front, Carl Frapwell following a hard 3000 was next and was closed down over 300m, but refused to surrender the lead. A mix up at the change over allowed Yate to open up a 3 metre lead. Patrick Tarry-Clifford did not panic and kept in touch with the top Yate sprinter and attacked him with 50 metres to go and was agonisingly close to winning at the line.

Under 15 girls

Jennie Batten the midlands sprint double champion, again made it a sprint double by winning the 100m and 200m in style.

Sophie Clifford was very close to making the final of 100m.

Sophie Clifford and Maddison Brown just failed to reach the final, both have next year as Under 15s.

Thea Marshall improving all the time was 4th in the 800m

In a very close long jump competition, with 3 cm separating the top three girls, Beth Richardson was 2nd and Sophie Clifford was 3rd.

Under 15 Boys

A rare defeat for the two Tom's! this was supposed to be a race between the two Stroud boys over 1500m, Tom Purnell the midlands 800m champion and Tom Curr the Midland 3000m champion and the UK fastest over 3000m, but on the day both were below par to come 2nd and 3rd respectively.

In the 800m Stroud had three runners in the final and all produced PB, James Gardner was 6th, Arron Phelps 7th and Jordan Frapwell 9th.

Under 17 Boys

Mathew Withey won the 3000m by over 30 seconds.

Patrick Clifford-Tarry with a rare appearance at 800m was an excellent 3rd.

Jamie Batten won the long Jump in some style by over 20 cm.

Great weekend for Stroud Track and field athletes at major Championships

Stroud juniors, Brothers Tom and Ander Russell, are making a strong transition to the senior ranks.

Tom the older of the Brothers at 20 selected to represent Gloucestershire, following his ranking as No.1 in the South west over 5000m, at the UK intercounties Championship this weekend held at Bedford.

Tom ran strongly to take a Silver medal.  Ander still an under 20, ran in the senior track mile in what was a tactical race consisting of 19 runners, Ander came a Brilliant 10^th in 4.26. 

Rachel Felton finished 4^th in her semi final of the 800m and with only the first two guaranteed a spot in the final had to wait and hope for a fastest qualifier spot for the final.  Rachel judged the pace in the final very well and claimed a bronze medal by a clear margin. 

In the Midland U15 Championships held at Birmingham over 2 days in appalling conditions, the young Stroud Athletes performed very well.

Jennie Baton was doubtful leading up to the championship with a foot injury, but in dreadful conditions she qualified for the final of the 100m, and into a head wind Jennie ran a PB to win the gold medal.  With Jennie foot hurting she declined to participate in the long jump.

Keziah White won her first championship medal in the shot put taking a fantastic silver medal. 

On day two, Jennie Baton nursing her injured foot and suffering from a stomach bug, had to work hard to reach the final of 200m qualifying as fourth fastest. Jennie showed again she is a championship runner to blast around the track to complete the sprint double and receive the mighty sprint trophy. 

Tom Curr having run the fastest time this year over 3000m, was favorite to take the title, but being injured for 2 weeks going into the championship and not running, Tom had it all to do. Tom also had some stiff competition from boys who had beaten him in the England cross country championships. Tom took the lead at the beginning but realized he was not in top shape, and sensibly settled in to the pack and was patient. With 2 laps to go he kicked hard and pulled away from the leaders to win a well desired gold medal. 

Tom Purnell fresh from his English Cross Country victory at U13 level, had it all to do against older boys. Tom qualified in second place in his semi final. Tom was aware that 4 boys had PB 2 second faster than his. The coaches worked hard on the tactics for the final. Tom executed the tactical to the letter in a very mature manner to hit the front with 70m to go and take a remarkable gold medal.

KeziahWhite returned buoyed by her silver in the shot to throw brilliantly to win a Bronze in the hammer.

Flora London Marathon

Click to enlarge picture

Stroud and District athletic club had 17 finishers in this year’s race in gruelling temperatures that took it toll on most of the runners.

Dan Robinson was 1st British runner home in 9th place, 3 ½ minutes ahead of 10th place Andi Jones.

Of the 6 runner attempting to break 3 hours only Simon Barnes was successful with an impressive 2.56. Dave Schubert was close for the second year at 3.03. George Robinson did 3.05 suffering from the heat in the last two miles. Mario McNamara and Peter Stein found the heat too much and finished in 3.06 and 3.11 respectively. Chris Brown injured at 4 miles fell of the pace and finished in 3.25.

Lousie Little return after retiring last year through injury, which stopped her running for 8 months, had an impressive finish in 3.32. Michael Stevenson ran an impressive 3.36. Andy Furley after a heavy fall finished in 3.37. Nick Bell and Karen Bruff finished in 3.41, and 3.42, Richard Hurdle finished in 3.56.Ben Clarke was next home in 4.17.  Terry Hefferman and Fadi Dahdouh had transport problems and arrived late for the start but finished in 4.33 and 4.39, and the final Stroud finisher was Andrew Roberts in his first Marathon in 5.20.     

Dan takes the Silver in a new PB the fastest time this year and last year by a UK Athlete. Full results ...

This weekend Ten Stroud athletes travelled to Reading Half Marathon, boosting 14,500 runners. All three men are in training for the Flora London. 

Dan Robinson recovering from illness had a great result finishing a close 2nd in 1.03.42, only 6 second behind Kenyan Simon Kasimili. Dan set a new PB by 16 seconds and the fastest time this year and in 2006 by a UK athlete. Dan can now sets his sights on taking on the best in the world over his best event the Full Marathon at London next month.

Simon Barnes was 137, his scintillating form continues with a new PB of 1.20.44, shaving another minute of his PB and over 3 Minutes in the last 5 Months. Chris Brown was 253 in 1.24.52 another solid training run following the Glos 20 mile which sets him up well for London. Jo Fifield was 585 in 1.29.45, Jo is coming back from injury, and her time was close to her personal best, Jo can now go to the Stratford Marathon in April full of confidence as she attempts to run a qualification time for the 2008 London Marathon. Sally Brown was 7910 in 2.13.37, which was impressive off six training runs in 18 months. 

Midland Road Relays.

Men’s Club Captain Lee Christmas chasing a 3rd consecutive qualification for the National road relays from the Midland championships following on from 2005 and 6. Has gone for youth and will lead the youngest and strongest road running first team Stroud has ever fielded, with a combination of youth and experience, team to include Dan Robinson, plus 1 Junior National Champion, 2 Junior internationals, and 4 others under 22.

This year for the first time Stroud will be fielding 2 men’s teams and 2 women’s teams. 

Chris Brown with Manager/Coach Chris Frapwell will bring experience to lead the first ever Stroud second team. The second team losing 6 top performer due to injury have called upon the Veterans, including County Champions for over 50 Mike Davis and Over 60 Roger Briers to the team, which now contains 10 veteran ranging from 40 to over 60. The 2nd team is described as a solid team consisting of 8 experienced runners, 3 of which ran in the first team last year, and hopes to finish in the top half of the field.

Stroud are very excited about the ladies first team, to be lead by Ladies Club Captains Jo Fifield and Chrisse Griffiths. This is the first time the club has felt it had a strong enough team to enter the Midlands, and reflects the growth in Ladies runners in the club in recent years. The Club feels the ladies 1st team will surprise many on Saturday and have a good chance of making the Nationals. The Ladies 2nd team is also a powerful unit and it will be interesting to watch their results.

Teams: Men 1st : D.Robinson, G.Robinson, T.Russell, A.Rusell, L.Christmas, E Wormersley, S.Barnes, D.Stanton, J.Totterdell, G.Twinning, J.Hough, S.Duffy.

Men 2nd : G.Withey, D.Schubert, C.Brown, C.Frapwell, C. Bourne, C.Young, C. Wallwork, M. Davis, D.Baker, I Roberts, R.Briers, M.Neal.

Ladies 1st : J.Fifield, S.Hanley, S.Frapwell, V.Batchelor, S.Askew, K.Morton.

Ladies 2nd : S. Brown, C.Griffiths, D.Rankin, L.Stein, A.Cockroft. A.Potts.

A small group of Stroud Runners travelled to Sunderland on Friday to compete on Saturday, and endured a 7.5hour journey up, but a tired and please group had a relaxed 5 hour journey back.

The day started with U15 Tom Curr, attempt to retain for Stroud the national champion cup won last year in fine style by Mathew Withey. Tom came a very good 18th, Tom and was not far behind the leaders. Tom also has another year at this age group. Jordon Frapwell after earning his First County Vest last month, put in a strong run to finish 213.

Sarah Hanley gave a battling performance suffering from a heavy cold that would have stopped lessor Athletes, to finish 52 in the U20 Woman race.

Carl Frapwell improving with every race finished 123 in the U17 Men race.

The junior men race was one of two exciting races Stroud runners were involved in. Tom Russell the Midland and Scottish champion, chased pre race favourite Deighton (who is a 29 minutes 10k roadrunner for 9.5k) around a tough course with strong winds. Deighton with 500m to go had a 60 metre lead, when Tom made a last desperate kick for home, with 200m to go, Deighton was visible shocked by Tom closing him down. Thousands lined the last 200m and none moved until both had crossed then line. Unfortunately Tom efforts were not rewarded finishing second over a very tough course 10k in 32.14, 2 second behind the Deighton.

The Junior Men team ran upto their full potential finishing 5th overall ahead of some of the biggest club in the Country like Tipton, Blackheath and Bristol and West. Ander Russell came through the field to finish 24th in 34.05, Ed Womersley came 54th 35.20, and James Totterdale had a storming run in his biggest race todate moving through the field to finish in 82 in 36.40.

The next race was another corker, with Mark Shaw the UK Challenge champion against Stroud Tom Purnell who was the UK Challenge runner up, out for revenge. The race started as expected with Mark breaking clear from the field and Tom in close attention. Tom attacked down the second from last hill and sprinted up the final hill, to open a 5 metre lead. With 400m to go Tom sensing this was his opportunity went flat out and Shaw was unable to go with Tom, who took the English cross Country title by 13 seconds.

James Gardner had his best race this season finishing 47; Aron Phelps shocked all with a brilliant run to finish 71. Xander Brown paid a heavy price for sprinting of the line and leading the race in the early stages falling back to finish 217,Xander the youngest of the quartet will be back next year to make amends.

Veteran Sally Frapwell showed her recent form with an amazing run to finish 108th in the senior ladies race, in a field of over 450.

At the end of the day veteran Chris Brown got a late opportunity to run in the senior men 12k race, and with borrowed kit came 557 in 51.18 out of over 900 men in an inspiring start as the men jostle for position before the start narrows

11-Feb-07 PERSONAL BEST for Robinson

Dan Robinson ran a personal best to finish fourth in the Alsager five-mile road race.
Robinson, 31, who will take part in the Bourton 10k on Sunday, February 25, clocked 23 minutes 44 seconds, nine seconds quicker than he ran the same course 12 months ago.
Robinson is set for the Reading half or Eastleigh 10k before taking part in the London Marathon in April.

Stroud and District Athletic club are pleased to have been asked by Emily if she could join the sessions run by Chris Frapwell and Gordan Russell. Emily has received Chris Frapwell training plans for the next six weeks designed for our own very talented teenagers who are right at the top of UK middle distance rankings, and our new recruit International Rachel Felton. Emily will train with Stroud up to 4 times a week ahead of the World Cross County Championships. 

I think it is further recognition of the growing Strength and Stature of the club, that Emily has turned to Stroud for assistance, when she could have chosen from the cream of UK coaches and clubs

Emily will decide her future plans after the World Championships

In the last Glos league X-Country at Droitwich, Rachel Felton ran away from the field to win impressively, and secure Stroud team 2nd place on the day and 3rd overall in the league, behind Bath and Cheltenham, and beating Leamington Spa. The ladies team was 2nd twice and 5th twice in the four event series, with 23 teams competing. Other scoring team members were Sally Frapwell in 12th, and Sarah Hanley in 13th. Other Stroud finishers, Jo Fifield 14th, and Christina Griffith 47th .

Sally was the first over 35 lady home and in doing so won the over 35 ladies series medal.

04-Feb-07 The club gives recognition of achievements

Stroud and District Athletic club has recognised athlete that reached representative level last year, with an award of £50 to help with the high cost of travel and accommodation. Chairman Chris Brown said, “we are very proud of the achievements of our top athletes, which are nothing less than a miracle given the lack of facilities we have. The dedication by coaches and athletes is immense to train sometimes 14 times a week, whatever the weather.
The Recipients of the first awards are:

• 100m Sprinter Jenny Batten 13, who was the youngest member of the Gloucestershire track and field squad last year and travelled and stayed in an hotel with the team at Newcastle in an attempt to replicate the Olympic games. Jenny a school year younger than her opponents was hoping to squeeze through the 1st and 2nd rounds, to make the Semi, but Jenny surprised all and made the final to finish in 4th .

• The Russell brothers , Tom and Ander ran for Scotland U20, Tom at Cross County, and Ander at 3000m.

• Ed Wolmesley a year younger than is opponents claimed an English schools bronze in the steeplechase.

• Mathew Withey added the UK U15 cross-country title to his English title. Mathew is also unbeaten at international level.

• Andy Shipton was the first GB man home in the World Triathlon Championships held in France in the 35-39 age category

Chris Brown Chairman of the Stroud Athletic club is delighted to announce that Chris Bourne has accepted the new position “Director of Racing” for the club. Chris Brown said that Chris Bourne is the most experienced race organiser and race director in the county and we feel he will add a great impetus to the whole clubs race series and deliver via the new sub-committee an even better race experience to all that take part. Chris experience as the Stroud Half Marathon Director over recent years, and last year Vice Chairman of the club and knowledge of road racing knowledge backed by a select team will allow us to consider future race development with our existing races and possible future new races.  Chris will have a seat on the club Management committee and Chair a sub –committee. Chris will be able to co-opt all the existing managers of the individual races and any other he feels necessary to ensure the successful delivery of the race series including the Counties largest race the Stroud Half Marathon.

Added to Chris responsibilities will be the organisation and management of the clubs teams for the Welsh Castle and Cotswold way relay races, which Chris has arranged in recent years by himself and hopefully the new team will reduce the work load on Chris. Chris will also investigate new race formats, new innovative race to attract people into the sport, and the possibility of a cross county race to be held within the district.

Great Britain Ladies international Rachel Felton, has joined Stroud and District Athletic Club. Chariman Chris Brown said “I am delighted that Rachel has decided to join our club, and with two of the counties top U20 ladies joining us last year from Gloucester, Sarah Hanley and Adele Potts the Ladies have strength in depth. Rachel has trained with the club, and been coached by Chris Frapwell and Gordan Russell, Rachel has enjoyed helping to train the youth section and wants to take her coaching exams. Rachel will be a real boost to the senior ladies team, and an inspiration to our talented U13 and U15 middle distance girls.”

Rachel Said “ I enjoy training with the friendly and relaxed groups of youths trained by Chris and Gordan. The standard is remarkable for a club like Stroud without any facilities. The lack of a track has delayed my decision to join Stroud. The innovative training used at the club and being constantly challenged by the Teenagers in training session, has convinced me to join a developing club”

Rachel moved to the area in Autumn 2005 taking a position as physiotherapist at Cirencester Hospital, and joined Gloucester Severn Club, before switching to Stroud.

Stroud entered a small team of runners in the County Champs. Coach Chris Frapwell said “he was pleased with all the performances”  

The day started well with Lawrie Cox convincing victory in the boys U11 race,

James Gardener took 2nd in the Boys U13, Aaron Phelps in 7th and Xander brown in 8th all three boys will represent the county. Xander who failed to make the U12 county schools team before Christmas due to injury was ecstatic to claim the last team spot for the U13. The U13 boys were 2nd team behind Gloucester with Cheltenham in 3rd.

U13 Girl Thea Marshall battled to a good 9th place.

Tom Curr made a brave bid to take a second title against older boys. Tom took it out from the start with Westbury’s Robert Galt giving chase. Galt caught Curr to win, but the effort Curr had put in meant that the 3rd place boy was over 1.5 minutes behind him. Jordon Frapwell was 10th.

Carl Frapwell ran strongly to finish 6th, Carl lost out in a sprint to the line with two other boys who would normally be well ahead of Carl.

In the Ladies race Sarah Hanley was 7th and 2nd U20L, Sally Frapwell was 10th and 2nd vet 35L. Jo Fifield was 11th , Adele Potts was 15th.

In the mens race Stroud had a Senior, a U20, and 5 Vets. Seb Duffy took Bronze in the senior race, James Totterdale was 18th and 3rd U20.

Vet 40 runners Alan Pitt was 24th, and Chris Brown 31st. Vet 50 Chris Young 42nd. Vet 55 Geoff Trueman was 38th, and Vet 60 Roger Briers was 39th and 3rd Vet 60 home.  

All runners in the first 8 finishers in each age category will represent Gloucestershire in the final of the UK Challenge in Nottingham in February, televised by BSKYB.

The above Photo is of Xander Brown, holding the Boys U13s team silver medal.

 Stroud took 20 children to compete in the 1st league meeting of the sport hall league held at GL1 in Gloucester. With no U15 available the U13 and U11 competed up an age group and a mixed team of U10/11 competed against the U11.

Although against older children the Stroud team performed very well and there were smiles all-round. The Stroud team were 4th behind Cheltenham A and B, Forest, and Cirencester.

 There were notable performance from U13 Xander Brown taking 3rd in the U15, 4 lap race and Javelin, U13 Sophie Clifford winning the U15 4 lap race and triple jump.

Tom Parnell scorched to a clear victory in the U11 sprint. Max Gibson U11 ran a clever race to finish a close 2nd in the U13 4 lap race. U11 Lawry Cox took 2nd in the U11 4 lap race, and won the long jump.