T is for Tetbury and TVT Triathletes
The month of May 2023 is unique in having three bank holidays, and Saturday the 13th was not actually one of them — sandwiched between the Coronation celebrations (last weekend) and Whitsun school break to come at the end of the month. That meant that the Friday evening drive west down the M4 to the Cotswolds had remarkably free flowing traffic.
This was an Alphabet Challenge ‘away’ trip where we were staying with friends on the night before the Tetbury Goods Shed parkrun. The course is quite iconic following the route of a disused railway line that originally ran from Tetbury to Cirencester. The line opened in 1889, but struggled to be financially viable and was closed following the Beeching report in 1964.
Fast forward 60 years — and the greater environment concerns that we now recognise — and that decision seems unfortunate given the connectivity that could be achieved from the thriving affluent market towns at both ends of the line passing through an intersection at Kemble with the main Great Western railway line.
But anyway, the railway loss is parkrun’s gain and the venue still provides several visual clues to its heritage including a nicely themed play park, railway carriage cafe and historic signs.
Our group of five walked from Helen & Rob’s house — who were hosting us — through a maze of alleyways to the Goods Shed Arts Centre. The weather was overcast but dry, in what turned out to be ideal running conditions. We were greeted by Hi-Viz hero Eileen (and her friendly dog) whose husband Peter was today’s RD. School boy Leo overcame his natural shyness to give the first timers briefing. The rain this week has meant that the alternative ‘out and back’ course was being used, which had the unexpected bonus of eliminating the hilly ascents and descents to be found in the Tetbury area.
Whilst assembling near the railway carriage, I was joined by an old club mate Alex from Thames Valley Triathletes (TVT) who I trained and raced with some years back before job changes moved him away from Reading.
He now lives and works near Bristol, and as I had worked out that Gloucestershire was the farthest west my challenge would take me to, he had agreed to join me today.
And best of all, he had found his old TVT club vest which made him instantly recognisable.
We lined up on the start line with the expectation that we could run together. The route was — as advertised — a straight 2.5km run along the disused railway track, muddy in places, before a turn point to retrace our steps. It was a very gradual incline on the outward leg, meaning gravity returned the favour on the way back. It was narrow in places and important to concentrate on keeping left to avoid the oncoming runners.
In normal situations that’s easy to achieve, but as Alex and I had a lot of catching up to do we were chatting away (whilst at my race pace) which is the running equivalent of rubbing your tummy whilst patting your head. Anyway all collisions were avoided, as single file was definitely necessary until the tail walker came into sight on our return leg.
We rounded the Goods Shed and the finish funnel came into view, with a cheery acknowledgement from a Malaysian spectator who I had chatted to prior to the start. He was on holiday visiting his daughter in the UK and this was his first exposure to Park Run, and so I had answered his questions about my challenge and the PR community. Another one of those lovely moments of human connection.
Alex and I had achieved the objective of running together, crossing the finish line in positions 18/19 in 24 minutes. I had a first in age group as well, with 123 participants in all taking part today.
Rob who was spectating took a great photo of us, and then we waited as next Helen completed the course, followed by Louise and then her sister Sara who had joined us today from her local PR venue at Cirencester.
The photos nicely match up the colours of TVT with the red vest I wear whilst supporting fund raising for British Heart Foundation. I have raised over £800 so far, and it would mean a lot to get this total to four figures before I complete the challenge this summer. If you could donate that would be appreciated.
And they say that every second counts, and today this was true in two different contrasting ways. Today, very nearly, was a female course record. Chelsea (from Bristol and West AC) was in position two in a super speedy 18m 09, just one second outside the best ever female time. She was 15 seconds behind our first position finisher Max, who still qualifies as a junior. Two very talented athletes I’m sure.
And who the one second did count for was our friend Helen, who did her third PR today and got a PB — and you guessed it — one second quicker than she achieved last summer at the flat course around the agricultural college at Cirencester. The same tiny margin, but two different outcomes.
And now it’s time for the roll call of people participating today who names starts with the letter T. The gold star goes to the two runners named Thomas, and shared prize to the one Tim, Toby, Tracey, Trick and Tuesday.
And, of course, a big shout out to the team of volunteers who we know are the engine room of each and every PR event. Today’s hi-viz heroes were Alexandra, Andrew, Bernadette, Diana, Dorian, Eileen, Eleanor, Evelyn, Helen, Jacqui, Jon, Katy, Leo, Lucy, Nicki, Peter, Ross, Ruth, Sally and Sandra — thank you all.
And finally, another connection to the letter T actually happened last weekend. To help celebrate the coronation, our tri club TVT supported Dinton Pastures PR by providing volunteers and pacers for the event. The red, white and blue theme for the day worked wonderfully as it matched both the coronation and TVT club colours. You can read my article here.
The bunting was still up today on the green at Tetbury, which acted as a reminder.
