Bognor Park Run – STRUN Race 2. 21st May 16

Bognor Park Run was the setting for race number 2 in Tuff Fitty’s summer run series. Race 1 at Splash Point got off to a flyer with many Tuff’s running, so how would we do coming across to Bognor? Thankfully the rain stopped and being warm it was ideal conditions for running around Hotham Park. Last year we had just six running this event, but this year we were up over 200% with 19 Tuff’s in attendance.

Tuff Fitty descending en masse coincided with the 2nd birthday of this Park Run and as a beach theme many were running in loud Hawaiian shirts, but personally the sight of so many blue Tuff running vests was far more pleasing on the eye. The largest field at Bognor so far had been 269 runners, but with the 2nd anniversary and 19 Tuff’s present, a new record was set of 273 runners.

For some Tuff’s this was another notch on their Park Run belt, but for many more this was their first Park Run event. Whilst participants have to register in advance after that all you need to do is run carrying your bar code which is scanned to get your time at the end. With a new Worthing Park Run scheduled for the 11th June this could be a great way to get some benchmarks through the season.

So how did the Tuff’s do? surely you don’t need to ask…. Fantastically is the answer, even in this large field. Andy Crawford came home in 4th position in 19:00. Andy Ruffer crossed in just 19:15, 5th place overall with Simon Thistlethwaite 6th in a time of 19:33 . . So 4th, 5th & 6th – brilliant. Tom Gray achieved a new PB in 20:51 in 14th position. If that wasn’t enough Simone Scott was the first lady home in 21:59 just ahead of potential Tuff, Chris Whinnett showing great form in 22:02. How about Becky Lintott-Clarke 2nd female home overall in 22:11 for a Tuff Ladies double. It was most encouraging to see Jay McCardle taking his first steps back running after illness. Wendy Frost missed the drink as she was heading off for a TT followed by the evening swim!