Round Hill Romp – STRUN 4 – 6th July
Tuff Fitty’s own Summer Tuff Run Series (STRUN) comprises 7 races where age/gender graded scores count towards our overall Championship with members taking their best three scores to count.
Steyning’s Round Hill Romp was Race Four in the series, and whilst attendance was down from club members it was definitely a case of quality amongst the 579 runners who completed the race. (The above photo was from 2015’s race)
The first three Tuff’s home have now completed three out of the series; namely Andy Ruffer, Dave March and Matt Whittaker. These three join the other Tuff’s who had accumulated three results; 13 in all, but based on their performances here must surely be in the mix come the season finale.
Andy Ruffer was 23rd overall in just 40:48, an impressive time considering the run is straight up the ‘wrong side’ of the South Downs – the very steep north side. Then a stretch along the South Downs Way before a very fast and furious downhill stretch to finish on Steyning playing fields. Dave March crossed the line in 42:44 and considering he had only just returned from his epic Breca event it is surprising his legs didn’t complain more! He did report that his quads were protesting on the downhill section. Matt Whittaker finished in 43:35 but still found time to include a little off course excursion in there. Those who have run the event will be aware of the steep downward descent covered in tree roots sticking out. Matt caught one of these and went flying. Luckily he rolled with it and despite some grazes, brushed himself off to finish just outside the top 50. Simone Scott continued her good form, crossing in 47min with Dom Amey and Andy Heath completing the six.
Marchy summed the course up as one that was basically three miles up and three miles down providing a tough 10k course. In view of this we need to acknowledge the result of Nicole Ewer and Marina Waelti who were out on the course running in their Arunner colours.
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Worried you will miss out on contesting the Strun title? There is still time to join in. All you need to do is enter as a Tuff with Tuff colours and the updated percentage will be calculated for you.
Races 5, 6 and 7 in our STRUN are:-
- Beat The Tide = Wednesday July 20th – 10k 7pm start *
- Highdown Hike = Wednesday August 3rd – 4miles 7:30pm
- Hove Lawn Park Run = Sat August 13th – 5k – 9am
* Race 5; Beat the Tide is staged by our very own, Chris/Danny/Jay at Sussex Trail events, so worthy of our support on its own. This event was oversubscribed last year and with 339 entered already, you wouldn’t want to miss out on this event; don’t leave it late to enter.
