Weekend Round Up 21st 22nd October
The round up this week starts off in Portsmouth: read on:-
GREAT SOUTH RUN
Five club members raced at this year’s Simplyhealth Great South Run – one of the largest 10 mile races. Did you know that the first GSR was staged in Southampton in 1990, but moved to Portsmouth after the first edition. First off, James Oram reported in:-
A number of Tuffs surfaced for the Great South Run after ‘Storm Brian’ had passed; namely Rachel (who shall now be referred to as Richardelina), Tim McGrath and myself. We left at 8am for a 10:15 start, plenty of time right? Nope, when we got into the city there were endless queues and the baggage line required some “C skip negotiation” in order for us to arrive at the start line before the klaxon. The course had a great atmosphere with steel drums, rock bands, acapella singers and even a the Duracell bunny! We even saw the new HUGE HMS Queen Elizabeth which made the Victory look tiny. The wind was a little unforgiving on the last two miles but all in all the course was flat and quick. A great day had by All.
James
Two further Tuff’s were also pounding the streets which started on the Esplanade, through Old Portsmouth and the Naval Dockyard, before weaving out towards Langstone Habour and then the brutal seaward leg back along Southsea seafront. A regular attendee here is Richard Hobbs who competed. Another strong run from Hobbsie crossing in 1:11. Also running was Martin Hawkins who finished in 1:18. Martin ran to raise monies for the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity and his Virgin money giving site is still open for donations if you wish to contribute.
TUFF FITTY ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
A big thank you to everyone who turned up for our Annual General Meeting. The occasion is staged as part of our constitution enabling everyone to see our financial stability and hear a round up of what has happened in the last year. The meeting is important to express a huge debt of gratitude to all of our coaches who have worked so hard on our behalf; thank you from all the members.
Your committee was elected for the coming year and pleasing to see continuity here. If you have any questions or suggestions please do not hesitate to contact one of the following:-
Clive Harvey – Chairman
Anthony Towers– Treasurer
Tom Gray – Secretary & IT
Catharine Western – Committee & Membership
Clive Patterson-Lett Committee, kit & Coaches rep
James Brock – Committee & Media
Nicole Ewer – Committee & Social Secretary
Wendy Frost – Committee & Coaches rep
Keep a watch out for the next newsletter detailing our membership fee for the coming year. Once again we are keen to reward existing members who have contributed to our success, by offering an early settlement renewal fee if you retain your membership before the 31st December.
Also do not forget some club specials which we are staging to provide added benefit of being part of our club:-
Friday 10th November – Tuff Fitty’s Award and Dinner evening
Sunday 19th November – the return of Tuff Fity’s Sussex Sausage Sizzler Sportive
Sunday 10th December – Row, Row Row, Merry Christmas. A festive Duathlon, 2k run, 2k rowing machine, 2k run followed by breakfast – Worthing Rowing Club, festive hats positively encouraged
Saturday 16th December – Breakfast Run – Saturday Runners usually stop for coffee, but this is our visit (after our run) for the ‘as much as you can eat’ breakfast at the Beefeater Crossbush. You do not have to be a Saturday runner to join in the fun
Thank you for everyone’s support this year and we look forward to more Tuff events in 2018
SOUTH DOWNS 100 SPORTIVE
Due to Storm Brian, the organisers of the South Downs 100 Sportive cancelled the longer 100 mile route but continued with the Standard and Short. Paul Atkinson undertook the Standard which was a route of 70 miles. Those who have undertaken this in the past will know it includes 4,146ft of climbing over what the organisers state is the whale-backed mounds of the South Downs
PARK RUN
With predicted gusts of up to 70mph, due to the exposed promenade route, no Worthing Park run this week, Hove Prom and Preston Park also cancelled because of Storm Brian. This didn’t hold back our own Saturday morning runners who continued to do what they do best, despite a torrential downpour at the start and again mid-route in Angmering Park. However some Tuff’s were still Park running, Trevor Harvey raced at Maidenhead, Jay McCardle raced at Bognor in Hotham Park, & Ian & Leigh Moore ran at Horsham – well done to all who braved the conditions.
With the season’s events starting to ebb; here is a photo from the Tuff archives -10 years ago – Windsor Triathlon 2007 – Good to see that all these Tuffs are still going strong
l to r Hobbsie, Jon Fivecakes, Clive H, Ade & Trev
Keep the race reports coming – clive.harvey@tinyworld.co.uk
