Cleeve Cloud Cuckoo race - Wednesday 27 May 2026
CLC Striders turned out in force and delivered a midweek masterclass at the annual Cleeve Cloud Cuckoo race on Wednesday evening 27 May 2027. On a very warm night, with temperatures in the high twenties as the race kicked off, there was thankfully a strong breeze up on Cleeve Hill to take the edge off – but conditions remained challenging, much like the 5.5-mile course!
Leading the charge for the club was Joe Willgoss, who put on another phenomenal display to conquer the elements and cross the finish line as the overall race winner in a superb time of 35 minutes and 42 seconds to complete a hat-trick of victories (having also won the race in 2025 and 2023). A rather sleep-deprived new dad Rich Elsworthy yet again showed his class on the trails, securing a podium spot in 3rd place overall in a time of 37:32.
The club’s strength in depth was evident as a wave of Striders packed out the top ten places. Isabel Brinsden claimed 5th place overall and took the honours as the first female across the line in an impressive 38:06 to secure back-to-back wins. Hot on her heels were Iain Porter, who took 6th place overall and claimed 1st place in the MV40 category (in 38:14), Tom Fletcher in 7th (39:19), and Gavin Woods in 8th (39:24).
Oliver Wright-Jones kept the momentum going, securing 12th place in a time of 40:20, closely followed by Arnie Delstanche (16th in 41:07) and Nick Ledwold (18th in 41:25). Josh Davies rounded out a stacked top twenty, crossing the line in 20th place with a time of 41:44.
As the conditions continued to test the field, the Striders’ ladies packed out the mid-field brilliantly. Karlien Heyrman led a strong contingent of Masters category runners, finishing 30th overall in 43:51 (4th lady and 2nd LV35), followed in soon after by Scarlett Bell in 33rd (44:25, 3rd LV35). Liza Bradshaw earned 39th place in 45:56, while Andy Richardson (42nd in 46:40), Alexander Doherty (43rd in 46:43) and debutant Jasper Hill (44th in 46:53) ensured the Striders maintained a relentless presence at the front half of the field.
Keeping things rolling for the Striders, Jon Pearce crossed the line in 45th place with a solid 47:34, while Gavin Jerman registered a 52:37 finish for 59th. Nicola Weager secured 65th place overall in 53:21, Hannah Weager fought hard to finish 80th in 58:03, and Jill Harsent wrapped up an excellent club-wide performance, finishing 87th overall and sealing 2nd place in the LV65 category with a time of 1:00:59.
With two individual race victories, both the men’s and women’s team titles claimed, age category wins and a fantastic turnout, it proved to be a highly successful and memorable evening on the hill for CLC Striders.
Thanks Cheltenham & County Harriers for hosting.
Photo: CLC Striders at the Cleeve Cloud Cuckoo From left to right, back row: Josh Davies, Alex Doherty, Jon Pearce, Gavin Jerman, Jasper Hill, Andy Richardson, Nick Ledold and Hannah Weager From left to right, front row: Gavin Woods, Rich Elsworthy, Joe Willgoss, Isabel Brinsden, Iain Porter, Arnie Delstanche, Oliver Wright-Jones, Scarlet Bell, Karlien Heyrman, Nicola Weaver, Liza Bradshaw, Jill Harsent Prone: Tom Fletcher……