Weekend Round Up 21st 22nd August
August is traditionally a quiet month; but not this year. Races continue to be staged as events ‘catch up’ post Covid with Tuff Fitty’s own training sessions particularly well attended. Before the event round up, it is pleasing to receive confirmation from Steve Feest that he has gained automatic qualification for Team GB in the European Sprint Tri Championship in Munich, further increasing the number of Tuffs who will be on GB International duty.
DAVID LLOYD ULTRA
A popular event for Tuff spotting, following on from the September 20 event Tuffs mustered a lot of entrants into the David Lloyd Ultra, organised as usual by our own Jason Rae at Southern Multisports. It’s a tough but great event.
The format was the same as last year, a run from David Lloyd at Brighton Marina, up and along the South Downs Way before dropping down to David Lloyd Durrington. A cleverly designed course where checkpoints were equidistant enabling the event to cover either a 41 or 30 mile ultra or a 42 mile relay where teams of four would run a leg each.
The 41 mile Ultra and relays would start at the marina, so from the outset there was a steep climb up from sea level. In the full Ultra we had three runners, Danny Cunnett, Jon Babbage & James Brock. Danny pushed on at his usual consistently fast pace and covered the whole distance in just 7 hours 39 minutes which brought Danny back at Durrington as second overall – great running.
Most members would have learnt the story of James Brock’s approaching 40th birthday and how his friend Jon Babbage gave him an early birthday present of entry into the 40 mile ultra, except it didn’t leave Jimbo with much time to train. Were runners and hikers aware of this challenge? Err yes, as Jimbo had to run with a big 40th balloon tied to his hydration pack attracting lots of comments. They were both very excited as they tucked into their McDonalds breakfast at the Marina at 6am in readiness for the day ahead, and this enthusiasm continued throughout. Jimbo decided to call it a day have reached 30 miles, but hey, in km that’s over 48 so mission most definitely accomplished, you are an Ultra runner!. Having run with Jimbo all the way, Jon strode on to the finish to complete his 41 miles, two impressive results.
Meanwhile starting at Ditchling Beacon we had three club members running the 30 mile Ultra. Whilst starting on the South Downs Way the first 10 miles covered 1,184ft with the the next 10 1,425 ft so when we are talking ultra’s, this is a tough Ultra. First Tuff home was Aivis Vitols, running well and smiling broadly through every checkpoint. Karly Martin entered with husband Paul in support cheering at every checkpoint and then joining her for the run up the finishing straight. Hats off to Olly Sampson who stopped at his second checkpoint having accomplished 17 miles which across that terrain was a very credible performance.
Meanwhile the Tuff relay teams were in full throttle having climbed from the start at the Marina up and onto the Downs for the opening 11 miles and 1,595ft of ascent. Throughout the day bragging rights were discussed as to which leg was the toughest, but with 4,800ft of climbing the course dealt an equally tough hand to all team members for a serious workout.
Covid precautions taken enabled a mass start this year and the Northern Monkeys got off to an absolute flyer with Alex Webb leading the field. Thanks to Alex who takes up the story:-
“Having enjoyed this race for the first time last year I was keen to get a team together for 2021. Lee, Simon and Pete were keen and so team Northern Monkeys was born (Lee was an honorary northerner for one day only). Simon and I drew the short straws and were up early for the 7am start in Brighton. It was great to see so many Tuffs at the start, including Jimbo complete with birthday balloon! I was leg one and it was a hard climb out of the Marina and up onto South Downs Way (the hill next to Housedean farm was particularly brutal). When I handed over to Simon in first place I knew we had a good chance of taking the win as the other three lads are very strong runners. And so it turned out to be. Lee brought us home in 5hr, 37mins. Great result. Looks like we’ll need to return in 2022 to defend our crown…
Alex
The success didn’t stop there. Clive Patterson-Lett got the Tuff Fitty Super Vets off to a strong start before handing to Steve Custance. Adrian Oliver took the baton and passed to James Hodge who closed the gap for them to finish as third team. In the Tuff Tiff and the Fitty Fatty Fella’s team, Clive Harvey started who handed over to Trevor Harvey with Murray Hodge taking the third leg before Tiff Orton completed their run for 5th team home. There was another Tuff-ish Team as Debra Cauchy-Duval handed over to Matthieu Cauchy-Duval. They had hoped to include Chris Sloggett in the team but a persistent knee problem meant he had to defer meaning two others helped contribute to a strong performance from them as 4th team,
The camaraderie as teams moved along the course were second to none enabling cheers and encouragement to be given to the full ultra runners as well as teams and with fellow Tuffs Paul Martin, and Shelley Babbage amongst the support teams, and Jon Roper popping up around the course on his bike, It was a great atmosphere; despite some torrential downpours during the day. All finishers received a great burger meal at the finish – Thanks Jason, another great event.
Click on the Flickr pic below to open the album and scroll through
SOUTH COAST TRIATHLON
Based on the Martello fields at Seaford there was a choice of Sprint and Olympic based around a compact, spectator friendly Sprint course – with the Olympic distance having to count more laps to complete the longer distance. The Olympic distance men were off first at 9am. Great to see four Tuffs undertake the event.
For the men, first Tuff home was Mike Barrett claiming the club’s fastest bike and run split. Les Pearce was next to cross the line, second in his age band, claiming the quickest Tuff swim split and an incredible transition 2 of just 47 seconds. Mark Dinsdale came fourth in his age band.
The ladies Olympic distance commenced an hour later at 10am and thanks to Janet Shepherd for reporting in, although she plays down coming second in her age group :-
“It was certainly the most bizarre event I’ve taken part in; with a 2 lap swim, a 12 lap bike! and 4 lap run. Although it was good not to have any traffic to contend with and was good dead-turn practice on the bike – I even resorted to taping a lap counter on my handlebars so that I could make sure I completed the correct number. And at least everything was flat, including the sea”.
Janet
There was a further race starting later at 11:45 – a Super Sprint Tri comprising 200m swim, a 10k cycle followed by a 2.5k run. Well done to Elaine Rousseau who entered and would participate in the Tuff sea swim the following afternoon alongside Janet.
UCKFIELD TRIATHLON
Up at Uckfield there was a range of Triathlons through to Duathlons and whilst the event was oversubscribed; it was great to see two of our newer members flying the Tuff Fitty name in the results.
Jo Baldwin had a fabulous result in the Standard distance tri, raced over a 600m swim, 22km bike and 5.25km run course. Jo reports:-
“Uckfield Triathlon was a friendly, chilled out event; perfect for my first triathlon for over two years. I did the standard distance event and having felt under the weather the week leading up to the event my aim was just to get round and finish. After getting held up with a bit of pool traffic on the swim, I was able to put in a good bike leg. My run could have been faster but I was just happy to be able finish. Even better was when the results arrived later that evening showing I’d finished 3rd overall which I was really pleased with but also still room for improvement!
Jo
Sophie Garbo is one of our newest members and she raced across the sprint distance of 400m/16.5km /3.25km. Sophie reports:-
“Uckfield tri was a small, friendly event but there were some experienced competitors. I had a difficult, snake swim and I struggled to control my breathing then, and throughout the race.
I had a good bike apart from my chain slipping leading to an unplanned dismount! Not too much damage or time lost. Lovely countryside for it. The run was fairly good and I was mid table for it. (Overall including for the men). Overall I was 11th out of 18 women. My swimming is by far my weakest element. OK result for my 2nd sprint.
Sophie
PARKRUN
Worthing parkrun saw a great run from Shelley Dodman, having just collected a Tuff vest, as she returned a PB of 22:27. Phil Turner was the next Tuff home notching up an impressive 65th parkrun. Mark Sole was next to cross the line followed by Amanda de Ridder. Chris Sloggett was on the organising team once again.
Hove Prom parkrun saw Dave March push his time down as he gets back his running form returning a great 20:46
At Littlehampton parkrun Alistair Evans ran with Bob Thomas both attending their fourth run since parkrun recommenced.
Up at Horsham parkrun, Ian Moore was on the organising team this week.
