Weekend Round Up 23rd 24th October
After the recent frenetic race schedule, the number of races eased this weekend. Club Saturday run, Saturday Swim and Sunday mountain bike rides kept people busy and that still left the following which includes our usual parkrun update covering some scintillating times:-
JOE PASCOE 1986 – 2021
A big thank you to everyone who showed support last Thursday for Joe Pascoe’s funeral. There were Tuffs at the service, others watching on line from the UK and abroad. Several of the on-line views were where people had got together in groups and it was pleasing how some ex-Tuffs who have moved away from Sussex sent some thoughtful messages. Additionally there were several who had their own quiet reflection, or went for a ride or run to pay their respects. All this was a wonderful way to show Tania and Joe’s families just how much our Top Tuff meant to us. A special recognition must go to Tom Goddard and Clive Patterson-Lett who were involved in the service giving two very fitting tributes – well done gentlemen you did Joe and our club proud. It was a very poignant & emotional service particularly as much of it had been written with music and photos selected by Joe himself; but of course as this was Joe, the service also generated several hilarious moments. Tuff Fitty have made a club donation to St Barnabas, but if anyone wishes to donate to one of the nominated charities, the link is here where you will need to select the full name Joseph Pascoe. Thank you for enriching our lives Joe; rest in peace
BEACHY HEAD MARATHON
Due to the appalling wet conditions from last week – just ask those Tuffs who attended track! , some parts of the Beachy head course were waterlogged necessitating changes to the route. This meant runners had to take in the Half Marathon route – twice. This did not lessen the challenge though with over 3,100 ft of ascent to tackle. Jay McCardle was the first Tuff home running round with a group of friends in 5:04. However it was the next trio that caught the attention of spectators and runners alike with their snazzy legwear as the above photo testifies. Particular credit goes to Kate Cooper as this was her first ever marathon having been cajoled into entering by Debra. Running most of the way together, Kate finished in 5:27 with Matthieu & Debra Cauchy Duval crossing together in 5:39. The banner shot this week shows the infamous start where from the gun, runners are straight up the lung busting first hill. Well done to all four Tuffs – strong running out of 1,562 finishers.
SOUTH DOWNS OFF ROAD HALF MARATHON
Stating from Goodwood Racecourse the half marathon route took runners along Levin Down and onto the South Downs Way. From there it was downhill to East Dean with a final ascent back up to Goodwood. Well done to Tiff Orton who was first Tuff home followed by Janet Shepherd with Vicky Cooper close behind. First up is a report from Tiff & then Janet’s thoughts
“Phew, what a toughie!! Perfect conditions, excellently signed, definitely not flat but stunning scenery made all worth it. Staggered start with chip timing so a nice and chilled feeling at the start. Excellent goody bag (thanks to Debbie Boxall for the place, she was unwell), socks, buff and a nice a medal too! Would definitely recommend.”
Tiff
“I was due to run it with a friend, who would undoubtedly have encouraged me to run faster, but she had to drop out at the last minute and, therefore, I took it at a leisurely pace. Not quite such an embarrassingly slow time when you realise that it involved a total ascent of 386m, but the conditions were great – no wind, not hot, not cold and generally pretty good underfoot, apart a rather slippery damp chalky section down to Charlton.
I’d certainly recommend this event as it was well organised and the half marathon route was lovely – from Goodwood Racecourse, over to Charlton, up to the South Downs Way, down to East Dean and then a rather unwelcome sharp ascent back up from there to Goodwood. There were also two alternative routes to choose – 11.2km and 17.5km.
Janet
TUFF FITTY CANICROSS
Most of the time, Tuffs manage to get around race courses on two legs, but we have a report from Nicole Patterson-Lett where some involved ran around on four:-
“Tuff Fitty inaugural Captains Canicross got off to a flying start – Great beach running and socialising from Rosie, Rhiley, Rex, Reggie, Bertie and Blue. Blue looked very professional, and the only ones doing proper ‘canicross’, all the other dogs were running off lead in all directions on the beautiful LA low tide beach. Reggie got so excited he whizzed off in completely the opposite direction of everybody else, including his owner!! Rhiley took on the sheepdog role of herding those up that went astray (usually Rosie!). Bertie amazed us all by often leading the pack and going as fast as his cute little legs would carry him. Great fun had by all – dogs and owners. Coffee’s all round afterwards and great excitement as Nic dropped the box of dog biscuits! Due to demand another event will be planned for Nov and Dec, just got to check low tide times.
Nic
TUFF FITTY SUNDAY CYCLES
The Tuff Sunday bike rides have continued throughout October and a big thank you to our ride leader this week – Jon (Fivecakes) Roper who led the ride up to Southwater including an obligatory cake stop.
This coming weekend – 31st October we revert to road bikes for a ride out taking in Felpham for a stop at the Sausage roll kitchen – start point opposite Littlehampton Wave at The Beach Cafe, ready to ride at 8am,
PARKRUN
Phwoar, we are seeing some great parkrun times currently
Worthing parkrun saw a tremendous tuff turnout with James Togneri getting tantalising close to his sub 20 goal returning home in 20:01 a new pb. Next home was Dave March in 20:18. Ed Lay was next in 22;24 for his 68th parkrun. James Oram was next recording an impressive 23:05 considering he was pushing daughter Annie in her buggy. The Tuff participants continued across the line with Les Pearce next (133rd parkrun), Amanda de Ridder (127th parkrun) & Elaine Rousseau (105th parkrun). Well done to Chris Sloggett on the organising team.
Not to be outdone there were also some good times across at Littlehampton parkrun as demonstrated by Emily Moore finishing in 19:42 – 7th overall and her 101st parkrun – very impressive statistics. Linda Wright so used to the longer distance completed her 31st parkrun. Next home another new Tuff convert to parkrun – Ben Cumberland completed his first parkrun, Alistair Evans completed his 57th run and close behind Bob Thomas completed his 30th race.
Great work from all 13 Tuff out
