The Dave McNamee Memorial 10km.

Taking place between Temple Guiting and Guiting Power on the top of the Cotswolds, this was the stage for some exciting running. The event is staged in memory of Dave, who, as a Cheltenham Harrier was a top draw club runner though his legacy is the work he did for athletics in Gloucestershire – some of it ground breaking – some may remember his website was the hub for the running community in Gloucestershire and without it there was no alternative. His work for the cross-country and athletics ‘meets’ in the county was immense. Dave would have appreciated this 10km course and the inter-club battles that are now being staged.

Tewkesbury contested the 2018 battle admirably with Shona Crombie-Hicks managing her first victory in her Tewkesbury vest; she entered the race late after spending a couple of weeks with her family. Although she declared worryingly that she hadn’t ran for 2 weeks, her rivals translated that as fresh legs and ready to perform. Jon Mansfield lead the TRC charge by forming a chase group with Cheltenham Harriers and Bourton Roadrunners holding 5:50 m/m pace and expecting to a pull gap away from Shona. Shudderingly for Jon, he heard rapid panting on his shoulder and then the words “it’s me”. Shona took the pace control and Jon had to pull-up with a loose lace on the 2 mile mark. Mark Gardiner then joined Jon and all they could do was watch Shona power-up the first climb past the famous ‘Hollow Bottom’ Inn in Guiting Power.

The course featured a ‘ford’ and with the unseasonal weather, that proved risky with Shona losing her foot as she slipped on the algae. Nonetheless, she flew up the next climb and timing 31 minutes at 5 miles had a 50 meter gap on Jon and a one minute lead on the 2nd placed female. The last 400 meters was definitive as the course levelled-out and Jon became enrolled in a fast finish with an ‘Almost Athletes’ star and they both consumed Shona before the finish.

Shona won the women’s race with 10th overall and Jon V50 with 8th.

Mark followed and had a relatively good race as he was concerned he may have hamstring trouble.

The Mason family featured in full with Paul improving on his Scenic Six effort. Paul is determined to improve and may consider training with the club in their popular Friday evening sessions.

Karen worked extremely hard over the undulating course and crossed the finish line shattered. Chloe was just 30 seconds ahead of Karen.

Neil Cameron returned to racing after a successful back operation. Although not the best course to test the body as it was punishing, Neil did run well and finished 2nd V70 behind a practically unbeatable winner.

Pat Cameron found the conditions unpleasant; the cold and damp weather had descended and she needed several warm layers on before the start gun. She still produced a creditable run.

Mike Ward would have been victorious in the V80 category had there been one but he was cruelly up against OAPs 10 years younger and for an athlete, that’s a big performance handicap. Mike hasn’t run much recently so, well done on completing such a tough course.

8th Jon Mansfield 40:16 minutes

10th Shona Crombie-Hicks 40:21

16th Mark Gardiner 41:16

37th Paul Mason 46:33

97th Neil Cameron 57:18

133rd Pat Cameron 65:08

135th Karen Mason 70:06

137th Mike Ward 73:27