1998. It seems like only yesterday ! – Stratford upon Avon Athletics Club

A Motley Crew – Sarah Odell’s words not mine – I wouldn’t dare !

L to R: Much missed former member Lisa Dallison, Sarah Odell, Kate Sergent (talking – I know you’re shocked !), Ian Stevens, Clare Weatherhead, Karen Gisbourne, Emma Davis, Rachel Fielden and Rob Gisbourne.

Last Sunday, on a glorious Autumnal morning, a group of 11 of our finest competed in the local Coombe 8 mile or 8k race. It seems like they had lots of fun.

Meanwhile across the Atlantic, we had Andy Cox competing in his 20th Marathon and Mary Reeves, both running the New York Marathon and both running superb times. They seemed to thoroughly enjoy the whole experience.

There is a reminder and appeal for helpers for January’s Shipston IX road race, an important fundraiser for the club.

We have more coverage in this week’s Stratford Herald, this time celebrating the international efforts of 4 of our members – Paula Williams, Phil Brennan, Dave Wilson and Rachel Pearce.

While on the subject of press coverage, there is a photo of a 1998 press release from the club sent to me by Paul Bearman, who was perhaps still in short trousers at the time – okay maybe not. I see that it features several members of the Hawkins family.

Finally, a lovely photo of one the groups of our junior endurance runners who were training on The Welcombe Hills last Sunday in glorious sunshine, preparing for this coming Sunday’s XC fixture at Warley Woods

I’m currently counting the hours to an undoubted highlight of our year, Saturday night’s Annual Awards. Can’t wait.
Hopefully I will see lots of you there.

Good luck to our junior XC team who will be competing at Warley Woods on Sunday.

Take care

David Jones

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Girls just want to have fun.
Kate Sergent and Emma Davis.
See you later alligator
In a while crocodile.

Coombe 8

Report – Sarah Odell

What a motley crew!

SAC at Coombe Abbey. Guess who was talking and not paying attention.

A firm favourite of mine, always excellent organisation by Sphinx running club.

Having run this race a few times it never disappoints. Off road, different terrains and a stream to paddle in. What more could you want ?

This year you had two race options a five mile or the usual eight mile. I had entered the eight mile but I was still struggling with my cold, so after a very light headed parkrun the day before, I asked if I could change to the five mile.

Myself, Becs Parker and John Butler did the five mile and the others choose the eight.

We all started together by the visitors centre. The route takes you around the field and back up towards the visitors centre and over a wooden bridge into the woods, then you run through the woods, jumping fallen tree trunks, dodging roots then crossing through the river, which due to limited rain, was not to deep this year.

At around mile four the eight milers’ do the woods again with a second splash in the river and the five milers’ turn back up towards the hotel and back to the visitors centre.

The five mile race was long and the eight mile was slightly short, as we watched Kate Sergent run up and down afterwards to click on the eight mile.

Results

Five mile
Myself 48.58
Becs Parker 51.09
John Butler 1.11.06

Eight mile
Rob Gisbourne 57.37
Ian Stevens 58.56
Suzie Ross 1.07.04
Clare Weatherhead 1.09.46
Rachel Fielden 1.10.46
Karen Gisborne 1.23.47
Kate Sergent 1.33.50
Emma Davis 1.33.50

Clare’s Comments

Clare Weatherhead

Sphinx Athletics Club- Coombe 8

Sunday was a beautiful sunny autumn morning for 11 SAC members to run either an 8 mile or 8 km race at Coombe Abbey in Coventry.

It is a multi-terrain course with a mixture of wooded trails and undulating farmland, not forgetting the river crossing!

I had previously run this race in December 2019 when the route was slightly different, this time you got your feet wet twice crossing the river.

The conditions were perfect for a sunny Sunday morning run in beautiful surroundings, what’s not to like! Great preparation for the cross-country season.

I finished first in my age category for the 8 mile race, and just quicker than in 2019.

A well organised, friendly local race that I would recommend.

New York, New York, it’s a wonderful town.
Andy Cox having completed his 20th marathon in a time of 3:04.01 to finish in the top 5% 0f the 59000+ competing.

New York Marathon

Report – Andy Cox

This past Sunday, I completed my 20th Marathon and my second TCS New York City in 3 hours 4 Minutes and 1 second. Shy of my target, but 14 minutes quicker than 2023.

This year I was invited to run in the Abbott’s World Age Group Championships, having qualified in Berlin last year. A super proud moment in my marathon career.

From the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge to the cheering crowds in Central Park, every mile captured the energy and spirit of New York. Each borough has its own heartbeat, the music, the signs, the shouts of encouragement from total strangers, all pushing you forward when the legs wanted to quit at 35k.

Months of training culminating in that moment of crossing the finish line, exhausted but elated.

The 3:04 finish was a far distance from my personal best — but we learn each time, in readiness for new challenges.

More than anything, the marathon reminded me why I love running. The shared determination, the community and the power of persistence.

I am deeply grateful to everyone who supports me in my journeys.

Here’s to recovery, reflection.

New York, its rolling hills and bridges you beat me again, so until next time.

Now to rest up and start to plan for the next adventure – Tokyo number 2 in March.

Fairytale of New York.
Mary Reeves – the smile says it all.

Mary in New York

Report – Mary Reeves.

A year ago I had no thoughts of doing the New York marathon, until January when I received an email from Abbott World Marathons Majors inviting me to the 2025 Abbott WMM Age Group World Championships. An invitation that took no time to accept. I think that was following my Brussels marathon time last year.

It was an amazing experience, one of 59,000 runners. Being part of the AGWC, I was in wave one, which meant catching the 5am bus to the start on Staten Island, arriving there 530am, with a 3hr wait in the village, until we were taken to the corral for the start at the Verrazzano bridge – the first of many.

Amazing support along the route with cheering crowds, banners and bands, but I did enjoy the quiet through the one bridge.

That support really kept me going, as although the overall elevation is only 240m, the long slow inclines were extremely hard going. Pre race I had heard so much about the hills, but, others said, New York has no hills.

By 20 miles, my quads were hurting – my goal was then to run to each aid station. I did!

The last mile had a nice descent in Central Park, finishing with an incline for the final 600m and then I was given my 2 medals – marathon and AGWC!

My final time, just sub 4, 3:59:07. Initially I was somewhat disappointed that I did not achieve the time I was aiming for, but the following couple of days, talking to other runners, it was the same for many;. I heard, ‘New York is the toughest of the Majors’, ‘not a PB race’. But after seeing the final results. pleased; 19,556 out of 59,141, age group 159 out of 984.

The following day as runners walked around the city, with their medals, so many people congratulated, runners, families and locals! And we got a free visit to the Top of the Rock!

Now I have 3 stars, 3 more to go!

Shipston IX

Sunday 25th January 2026 is the Shipston IX, a 9 mile road race organised by the club as part of our club’s fundraising activities.

As usual volunteers are required to make this a safe and fun event.

If you can help, please go to the Events page on Spond -Sunday 25th January 2026- Help out with some tasks.

There will also be a cake sale on the day, coordinated by Kate Sergent.

Thanks to those who have already volunteered.

Clare Weatherhead

The Stratford Herald

We have more coverage in this week’s Stratford Herald, this time celebrating the international performances of Paula Williams, Phil Brennan, Dave Wilson and Rachel Pearce.

While on the subject of press coverage, below is a press release from 1998, sent to me by Paul Bearman, who I guess might still have been in short trousers then. The surname Hawkins seems to crop up a few times!

I think it’s actually a fax – ask your parents!

Last Sunday it was a glorious morning for training on the Welcombe Hills for some of our young endurance runners.
This is one of the groups.
L to R: Layla-Rose Sparrow, Imogen Jolly, Saskia Atkins, Nell Wheeler and Florence Andrews.