The 4th Stroud Trails event took place last Sunday on 7th March from Stroud town centre on a beautiful cotswold sunny morning. The event which previously was a full & half marathon, also included a new Quarter marathon distance for 2017. From 9am the 400 plus registered runners from all over the country started on their chosen distance over Rodborough Common, Toadsmoor Woods, using the recently refurbished Cotswold Canal and conquering Selsley Common, with views across to the river Severn & beyond, the Brecon Beacons of Wales. The routes include challenging trail running with total ascent, of nearly 3700ft in the marathon, 1600ft in the half and more than a 1000ft in the Quarter
First runner over the line was the Stroud Trail Half Marathon winner, Lee Stopford of Stroud & District AC in a time of 1:39:50, followed closely by fellow club member, Nicholas Coyle, 1:40:02. Third man in the half was Luke Stewart in 1:44:52. Sophie Chudley of Cirencester AC won the ladies race in 1:54:32, with local Stroud & District AC member, Tegan Hooper, 2nd in 1:57:41 and Lorna Al-Ani of Cocks Moor Running Club, 3rd in 2:04:59.
Meanwhile the Marathon Winner, Douglas Wright from Almost Athletes, and retaining his title, completed the course in 3:15:57. The winning lady Clare Prosser of Wells City Harriers, completed a hatrick of wins at this event, in a time of 3:42:29. Local man, Martin Humphreys of Stroud & District AC was 2nd in the marathon in a time of 3:25:31, followed by Cheltenham Harriers runner, Andy Gore, who crossed the line 3:30:29hr. Second lady was Liz Noakes (Town & County Harriers) in 4:21:06 and 3rd lady was Pascale Maroney in 4:39:40hr
The newly added Stroud Quarter marathon was won in a time of 1:00:14 by Freddie Wilson for the men and in 1:05:03 by Diane Dee of Highworth Running Club.
Local Cotswold Allrunners member Darren Varley, who is training for the 53 mile ultra, Race to the Tower in June also ran the Stroud Trail Quarter, before the Full Marathon, totaling more than 36 miles. He’s raising money for Winstones Wish & the British Heart Foundation and you can donate on his Virgin Money Giving page >>>
Full results available at: Stroud Trail 2017 Results >>>
Photos are currently on the Allrunners Events Facebook >>>
