Weekend Round Up 25th 26th September
The packed calendar of races continues unabated with a lot more action below. Our club had deliberately chosen to support the Cancer United race due to the affect cancer has had on several of our members, particularly over the last 18 months. This week’s banner shot
It was therefore very poignant that after so many came together for the event, Joe Pascoe lost his fight to cancer two days later at just 34 years of age. A wider announcement was made to our members on our App and a full tribute is being prepared. However for the first post since on our website, we wish to recognise and give thanks to Joe for being a fantastic (race winning) athlete, friend, and for being a true gentleman in every sense of the word. His positivity and brilliant sense of humour, even throughout his illness, has been, and will remain, a great source of inspiration to us all. Our thoughts are with his wife Tania and daughters Eryn & Felicity. We believe Tuff Fitty to be more than just a club and we are exceptionally proud and honoured that Joe was part of our Tuff family, enriching everyone who knew him. We hold so many good memories of great adventures and races together, enhanced by Joe’s hilarious humour and his willingness to help and support everyone. Thank you Joe.
CANCER UNITED 10K, 5K & Walk
A cause very close to our hearts, and Tuff Fitty’s current nominated charity. As some of our members have been badly affected by Cancer we were on a mission to maximise the turnout. It was a fantastic Tuff gathering, almost 30% of the field across the 10k 5k and 5k kilometre walk.
Quantity doesn’t always equate to quality but it does in this case, with terrific results over this off road trail, and sometimes muddy course. In the 10k there were Tuffs in five of the top ten places. First Tuff home was Mark Walford 3rd overall continuing his rich vein of form in 43:23. Pete Littleboy was 5th in 44:33, Nick Bolding 6th (45:19), Phil Scales close behind in 7th (45:44) & Gavin Sewell 47:22. Lee Bishop, Adrian Oliver & Michael Barrett were 11th, 14th, 16th respectively.
The rest of the Tuff contingent were:- Karen Napleton, Graham Liddell, Joanne Meaney Tiff Orton, Emma Hinton, Spencer Scott, Paul Howie, Jo Baldwin, Jon Roper, Sue Neilson (Canicross) Michael Redgrave, Dom Amey, Clive Harvey, Clare Worgan, Trevor Harvey, Glenn Parisi, & Janet Shepherd. It was good to see Andy Gomm run in Tuff colours who promptly re-joined after the race following a period away. Nicole Ewer (Canicross), Jimbo Brock. Shelley Babbage, Claire Moyle, Sam Babbage, Vicky Cooper, Kate Evans, Sheila Bailey, Susan Douglas (Canicross) & Elaine Rousseau – phew – what a great Tuff shout out.
The Tuffs in the 5k race would ensure they were equally on form with some impressive times of their own. There were four Tuffs in the top ten with Tom Goddard second overall in 23:49, Niki Treacy was 1st female and 3rd overall in 25:07, Steve Feest 4th (28:02) and Sharon Tidmarsh 7th. The rest of the Tuff contingent here were Nick Hartfield, Alistair Evans, Anthony Towers, Nicole & Clive Patterson-Lett (Canicross) and Gary Edge.
The 5k walk also had an abundance of Tuffs with Alistair Evans, who undertook the walk as well as the 5k, Wendy Frost, Claire Luckham Nancy Liddell & Bethan Cooper.
It was a well organised event, with the course laid out by our very own Jason Rae again, Linda Wright and Chris Evans were marshalling and Paul & Karly Martin and Jenny Oliver were there to cheer wearing their Tuff attire. Thanks to James Brock who reported in:-
“Cancer United put on a great race! A nice 10k on our home turf! I ‘encouraged’ Aaron from work to give it a go and subsequently spent the last three weeks training with him”.
“Aaron commented on what a fantastic group of people Tuffs are! Thank you to everyone for making him feel so welcome for his first ever race!”
“Big shout out to the marshals who were brilliant!”
Jimbo
(apologies if anyone has been missed from the 57 Tuffs identified across the morning in the veritable sea of blue and pink Tuff vests.)
To all Tuffs and everyone affected by cancer – this was for you.
Click on the picture below to open the album with shots from the editor and thanks to Michelle Maxim for several more including the Tuff group.
GLATTING FIVE
After the success of the David Lloyd Ultra, it was back to Jason Rae’s Southern Multisports 5 mile series – with this one being the Glatting 5. Starting from Whiteways lodge, the course wound its way up to the top of the Beacon at 666ft before the run back down. Simon Thistlethwaite was on marshalling duty up at the top of the course and Clive Harvey helped on registration. There were just two Tuff runners, Shelley Babbage and Clive Harvey who would also pull on their trainers for the next day’s Cancer United run. It was disappointing to see such a large number of no shows, in line with so many races this year.
The next race in this 5 mile series is the Great Bottom Five. Jason’s events are exceptionally good value – Great medal, bacon roll and well marked race all for £17 with a Cani-cross option, and local so you can turn up, race, fill your face and be home at a reasonable time. The date is 16th October. Whilst this is the same day as the start of the Cross Country league, for those not up for the cross country, this race is highly recommended. Entry here
MERCER SURREY HALF MARATHON
Billed as Surrey’s largest Half marathon, and voted UK’s best road run, participants run around closed roads with bands, great atmosphere and this year amongst the race entrants was our own Richard Hobbs. So how did he do? very well actually – Thanks to Hobbsie for reporting in:-
“The event was centred on Woking, starting and finishing in the leisure centre. It was a good rural route with some undulations and a nice friendly atmosphere with lots of happy marshals.”
“My time was 1:28;14, I came 44th of 923 and 19th in my (ever increasing) age category”
Hobbsie
BARNS GREEN
A long established half marathon where Tuffs can be spotted in the line up – and this year was no exception. 2021 was the 38th staging of the race around closed roads and through Christ’s Hospital. The race has a unique offering of handing out gold, silver and bronze medals spread across the field. This last comment is pertinent because Craig Hunter was in the line up and returned an excellent result crossing the finish line in 1:25:47 14th overall.
Craig reports “I really enjoyed the race, well organised, good parking and a great route. I think the last time I did it was thirty years ago. Time flies 😁”
Craig
Ian Moore was also present and has a great record in the race attending regularly for many years. Ian reports “this year wasn’t my fastest time, but I was happy with my pacing over what is not an easy course.”
Ian
Debbie Boxall was also present and she cajoled a group to enter the 10k from her work. Debbie reports; “Preferring Trail runs, I was not looking forward to donning my trainers for the tarmac, but Barns Green 10k surprised me and I rather enjoyed myself. Great atmosphere and a super course. Would recommend”
Debbie
IRONMAN WEYMOUTH 70.3
The Weymouth middle distance course is well known to many Tuffs’ albeit often with a rough/curtailed swim, so it is pleasing to report Weymouth Bay was calm for a change and well done to Mark Dinsdale who completed the race. Having missed last weeks round up we are pleased to read Mark’s thoughts below:-
“Second attempt at a 70.3 – after the disappointment of the swim being cancelled at the Cotswolds Classic this was my opportunity to complete a Middle Distance Tri.”
“Loved the swim – I was expecting choppy seas and had done the ‘Captains Tuff Fitty Sea swims’ to prepare but, the water was calm and was very happy with my time (42 mins). Really enjoyed the cycle – whilst it was described as rolling hills – it was a lot more challenging than I was expecting and more so than the flatter course of the Cotswolds. But, the route and views were stunning and again happy with my time (3:18). By the time I got to the run the sun was at its peak and it just got hotter and hotter – first 6 miles went as planned but, after that felt I was running on empty – eventually crossed the line at 6:40. As a newbie and a very late comer to Tri (60 -64 age grouper) I have at times struggled. I look at all the great achievements of the Tuff Fitty community and sometimes wonder, at my age, why I am here but, after completing this event I am starting to believe maybe I am a Triathlete – albeit an older one! ”
“What next? – I’ve never swam 2.4 miles – never cycled 112 miles and never ran a marathon. So looks like the full distance is going to be even more of a challenge.”
Mark
TRIATHLON SOUTH EAST SENIOR SERIES
Back in December it was announced, and highlighted on Spond for those interested, that Tuff Fitty were entered into British Triathlon’s South East Senior Series. It didn’t attract any comments on Spond. Such has been the squash of events into a very short period and Covid uncertainty perhaps this wasn’t a surprise. There were five qualifying events where every club member who entered earnt points for the league. The races were:- Eastbourne Standard Distance Tri, Dartford Bridge Sprint Tri, Bewl Sprint Tri, Southwater Relays, National Aquathlon Champs, and concluding this weekend with the Hever Castle Standard Duathlon. The editor can’t find any Tuffs on parade at Hever this weekend. Now the series is concluded, why is mention being made of it when Tuff Fitty weren’t targeting the series? Actually some of the events have been cropping up in our Round Up’s, Eastbourne Standard, Southwater and the National Aquathlon Champs where Tuffs have raced, and whilst largely under the radar, our club have actually done quite well. The South Eastern Facebook page states :-
“Worthing Aquathlon Senior Series Results. Tuff Fitty became the first club of the season to score the maximum 100 points in the overall classification and the mixed classification as they won both the men’s and women’s events. The big score leaves them 4th in the Overall Classification with 1 event to go. Epsom Tri Club still lead the Overall Classification but Brighton have gained ground in second, with Tunbridge Wells sitting 3rd. Epsom continue to lead all classifications except the women’s where Brighton have re-taken the lead Final Race this weekend at Hever!”
If we can do so well without really targeting the scheduled events, what could we achieve with some planning 🙂 I’m not sure all the Tuff teams were identified in the results at Southwater, so we might have been placed higher; so two things. Firstly congratulations; Tuff Fitty have done well in the league earning considerable kudos for attaining the above mention. Secondly, we ask that when anyone enters events, do please put down Tuff Fitty as your club. Some have left the club name blank, but as everyone who enters earns points, it is worth taking the time over this to ensure the Tuff name is mentioned. When the series schedule is released for 2022, we can discuss whether to have a more concerted push; but in the meantime – congratulations; well done everyone who raced particularly in being the first club to earn maximum points. .
GOODWOOD RUNNING PRIX
It was a 9am start for competitors attending one of Run Through Events’ regular runs at Goodwood Motor Racing Circuit. In the 10k Kev Pearson took part alongside wife Laura. Coach Kev continues to practice what he preaches completing the course in 44:15 – 7th in his age category
PARKRUN
There was another terrific result from Emily Moore at Littlehampton parkrun this week. Finishing in 3rd place overall, first female and another new PB of 19:16 shaving 11 seconds off her best from last month – and her 97th parkrun. Thanks to Alistair Evans and Nick Hartfield on the organising team.
Worthing parkrun was back this week and James Togneri impressed with a new PB of 20:27, impressive considering he also ran to the start and back home again. Les Pearce was next home clocking up his 130th parkrun. Elaine Rousseau completed the Tuff trio.
Across at Lancing Green parkrun, it was great to see Dave Priest in action.
The fourth known parkrun destination for Tuffs this week as up at Maidenhead parkrun where Trevor Harvey raced
