Weekend Round Up 23rd 24th April

This week sees a concentration of run events with a marathon, two half marathons, a 10 miler, two 10k’s and plentiful 5k parkruns – as well as a good turnout for the Clubs scheduled Saturday morning trail run. This still left space for one member to complete a triathlon at Sevenoaks. Even with a large number of Tuffs out we still had the overseas Tuff contingent at the Tuff training camp in Majorca. Adrian Oliver has compiled that report separately highlighting a successful camp. Read on for the rest:- :-

WORTHING RUNNING FESTIVAL

New organisers had taken over from the last storm cancelled 2019 race, but there have been good reports about the course, despite being a lapped affair (largely out and back along the seafront to Goring Gap) and a plentiful goody bag. A significant number of Tuffs took part. In the 10k we had Alex Webb first home in 39:29 with strong times from Phil Turner Nikki Gatland and James Brock. Thanks to Alex Webb for reporting in as follows:-

“I entered the race relatively late but figured I’d have a crack at my 10k PB with the marathon training load under my belt.  Conditions were pretty good but there was a stiff breeze from the north east which was the talk at the start line.  Great to loads of Tuff’s representing.  Phil and I lined up at the start of the 10k together and I saw Les, Kate, Paul, Shelley, Jimbo plus a few other Tuff vests tackling the Half.  

I was delighted to finally go sub 40mins (after many attempts) and pick up top 3 in my age category at the same time.  Congrats to Phil who also took his PB as well. 

Alex

Having a local race is always appealing to me as I’m not much of an early riser.. I had entered Worthing Half although a 5k earlier in the week with my sister suggested that was too ambitious.. alas, I set off with Shelley & Sue with the intent of giving it a go but by mile two my calves were not about to turn a blind eye to the bulk they were having to carry!

I decided to do the 10k (finished at 7 miles) with a pace I was happy with considering my lack of training.

The route was ok (ish) but lack of water stations made me think the organisers were a bit irresponsible (perhaps that’s just me)

The atmosphere was brilliant & the Tuff support was on point as always!

Jimbo

The Half Marathon was the larger of the two races with 955 finishers against 565 for the 10k. There were some close Tuff times, with Richard Budd (1:4921) Andy Heath (1:49:28) & Kate Cooper (1:49:56) Sue Neilson was under the two hour mark. Other Tuffs running included good times from the following six :- Les Pearce, Leah Simms, Paul Martin & Karly Martin, Mark Sole and Shelley Babbage completed the known Tuffs on parade. Editors note: it is believed all 14 Tuffs who ran on the seafront have been noted, apologies if you were not spotted and thanks to the Tuff supporters along the route.

BLUEBELL 10 MILE & 10K RUN

Lead mountain biker – our own Jon Roper, returned from checking the course to say on the ridge on the 10 mile route it was very windy, and chilly, but thankfully back at The Fox Pub for the start and finish it was more sheltered and the event was sold out, despite being on the same day as the Worthing event. Not so many many Tuffs on parade this year but some quality times.

In the 10k event Andy Crawford got off to a blistering start as evidenced in this weeks banner shot. This time he felt conditions were too warm for Max to accompany him in the Canicross field, but Andy didn’t let Max down crossing the line 7th overall and 3rd vet in 43 minutes. There was also a cani-cross race and it is great to be able to recognise Sue Simpson, one of our more recent new members (along with Colin) who completed the 10k canicross. In the 10 mile race first Tuff home goes to Graham Liddell in 1 hour 27. There was a good result from Janet Shepherd in her age category with a very strong finish up the hill. Colin Simpson did well, and this is a good opportunity to formally welcome Sue & Colin. There was a significant turnout of Tuffs on the Raw Energy organising team alongside event manager Debbie Boxall, well done for an early alarm call for Andy Ward, Clive Harvey, Jane Custance, Jon Roper, Tiff Orton, & Trevor Harvey

7OAKS TRIATHLON

Sevenoaks Triathlon is the first event in the South East Senior Series calendar. This wasn’t one of the ones Tuff Fitty were to target but a big thanks to Stephen O’Donnell who was present, flew the Tuff flag and as a consequence got us on the league table. Stephen reports in with his thoughts having raced the previous week at Clumber Park as well :-

“The Sevenoaks Oaks tri was a 16 length pool swim 400m seeded by expected swim time. Swim standard was quite variable so i timed previous participants swim times and signed in when 25m swim times got to about 20 sec. Strategy worked well as swim time was about 630 mins with no holdups. T1 was quite slow as you had to walk transition on poolside.

25km cycle was pretty hilly and some of the marshalling was a bit relaxed resulting in me missing a turn. Road surface was a bit variable and was better suited to a road bike despite being a non drafting race. 1 25km loop with a major climb and a KOM prize…. which i didn’t come close to winning lol. T2 was uneventful but 5km run was a trail run and was very hilly. Consisted of complicated figure of 8 partially 2 lap race. A good course well orgsnized in general but due to hills not especially fast. 87 people in my age group and i came in 20 ish or so. Not brilliant but packing a few extra kilos didn’t help.

Stephen

ABP SOUTHAMPTON MARATHON

Runners took part over a wide variety of race distances including a 5k, 10k, & half marathon which saw the highest number of participants of 2,344 finishers. However with 834 finishers, the Marathon was a very competitive affair. The marathon covered two laps around the city, taking in the docks, Itchen Bridge, Weston Shore and St Mary’s Stadium. Within the ranks was Steve Fryer, well done Steve.

ROTARY SHAKESPEARE STRATFORD HALF MARATHON

Taking in Shakespeare country of Stratford-Upon-Avon, along the river and the Warwickshire countryside – Catharine Western took part in this half marathon with her brother. Well done Catharine.  

PARKRUN

Worthing parkrun saw a great result from Nikki Treacy crossing the line as second female overall in 20:32. Maisie Johnston had a good run just failing to improve her PB for the third consecutive week. Next a strong run from Les Pearce on his 153rd PR. Ed Lay was next home on pacing duties this weekend. Elaine Rousseau continues to increase her tally finishing her 121st PR

Littlehampton parkrun saw Kev Pearson as first Tuff home in 22:41. Richard Budd was next home for his 171st parkrun and then Alistair Evans for his 81st PR. Well done to Linda Wright on the organising team this week.

Lancing Green parkrun saw Steve Feest back in action , plus two different parkruns where Tuffs ran as follows:-

Up at Marlow parkrun Trevor Harvey ran around Higginson Park, further increasing a Tuff attendance at another UK parkrun.

Also Tuff representation at Ifield Mill Pond parkrun in Crawley where Sheila Bailey completed her 35th parkrun.