Weekend Round Up 21st 22nd May
Such has been the number of Tuffs out racing that the Round Up has been split into two. The Arundel Triathlon report – with 50 Tuffs descending on Arundel has already been published, leaving even more race action recorded below:-
IRONMAN LANZROTE
Starting in the sea at Puerto del Carmen for the 3.8k swim, competitors then had the tough, hilly bike course before a flat 3 loop run along the Avenida de Las Playas. Andy Monk had a great race finishing in 14 hours 19. Andy explained “it was very hot but the wind helped and I loved the event; I had forgotten how much fun they are”. Unfortunately Grant Smalley was unable to complete the whole course suffering from cramp but after a difficult year he did well to even reach the start line and get as far as he did. Also in Lanzarote two good finishes from ex-Tuffs from last year, Gareth Piggott (12:42) and Adrian Willard.
BOGNOR PROM 10k
As our squad at Arundel would confirm it was warm sunny conditions for the Bognor 10k particular with the mid morning start. This remains a very popular race with almost 1,400 finishers, Our first Tuff home was Tony Morgan in 48:34. Just behind was Rick Budd in 49:07. Charlotte Pryer was next Tuff home and she was pleased to get a new PB; then a great race from Vicky Cooper. Vicky had been sat poolside at Arundel Lido for three hours in the sun before getting someone to take over lane counting as she scooted off to Bognor arriving just in time for the 10:30am start. Al Evans also ran to complete the Tuff Five – well done to all. Thanks to Vicky for reporting in:-
“Had this race in the calendar for the past two years. Wasn’t looking forward to it as a hip injury had halted my running for most of this year. Luckily a couple of weeks before I felt able to take part. With the race starting off at 10:30am on one of the sunniest days this year, I immediately felt it was too warm for running. I started off feeling incredibly slow and was being overtaken by so many people. Gradually I was getting quicker and settled into a good pace which allowed me to finally start overtaking people. Around the 5k mark there was a man with a hose spraying the runners which was needed in that heat. Once back on the seafront I knew I just needed to keep going straight for around 4k, so feeling good I picked up the pace again. Then with around a kilometre to go I decided to give it everything I had and run as fast as I could through the finish. Initially aiming for something close to 70mins I managed to sail through the finish in around 63mins.”
Vicky
ARUNNERS LITTLEHAMPTON BEACH RUN
The green at Littlehampton was the setting for race number 5 in the West Sussex Fun Run League and thanks to Adrian Oliver for reporting in:-
“Being a local club, Tuffs had the privilege of being invited to participate in this West Sussex Fun Run League race organised by ARunners.
Word had it that one of our Tuffs who recently completed the Brighton Marathon was having a birthday on the day of this race. Keen to find out more, Tuffs flocked to enter this well organised ARunners race.
Having completed our traditional Tuff Fitty track warmups (please let us know what they are!), the air was filled with the sounds of the Tuff Fitty choir’s rendition of Happy Birthday.
Following the juniors fast and furious race, it was time for the seniors. Reminiscent of the winter Sussex Cross Country League, the race leaders hurtled off at a furious pace with the winner completing the 5 miles/8 km in staggering 26:41.
The race involved a quick run around the Beach green before running down the ramp in front of the Coast Guard building/Airbnb, down to beyond the breakwater, then East for some 4km keeping the breakwaters on the left and the sea on the right – it also included a bit of limbo dancing through a couple of breakwaters, all the way to East Preston, before reversing, finishing back on the Littlehampton Beach Green.
Our own Mark Walford was the 1st Tuff home in 30:41, followed by our amazing duo of Juliette Reader in 34:46 (9th lady) and Iris Bennett in 34:57 (11th lady). Mike Barrett followed some time later in 35:24, as he got distracted by Birthday Boy Dom Amey (who came in 35:53) recanting his Brighton Marathon exploits. Adrian Oliver completed the run in 37:17, Graham Liddell in 39:18, Richard Budd in 41:00, Clare Worgan flew in 42:45, Nicole Patterson-Lett in 43:20, Tiff Orton and her friend Lucy Bateman in 47:48, and Susan Douglas in 51:10.
Celebrations of this great race were continued in Rustington’s Establo Lounge – details of which have been censored…you should have been there!!
Adrian
PARKRUN
With lots of our squad in race action there weren’t so many ready with their bar codes at parkrun this week but well done to the Tuff Eight of their results :-
At Worthing parkrun Dave March was in action crossing the line in 23:12 and well particular kudos to Elaine Rousseau who completed her 126th PR ahead of racing standard distance at Arundel tri the next morning.
LIttlehampton parkrun saw Emily Moore in action for her 127th parkrun completing in 20:20 as 2nd female overall. Rick Budd did well finishing in 24:25 ahead of his run at Bognor 10k the next day. Nick Hartfield was on the organising team.
Lancing parkrun saw two Colin & Sue Simpson ran, notching up their 182nd and 145th PR’s respectively. Not content with a 5k run they both turned it into a great training session riding from Littlehampton to Lancing and back afterwards.
Maidenhead parkrun saw Trevor Harvey in action for his 45th parkrun.
STRUN
Following the pandemic we are pleased to announce the return of the STRUN. This series is a great way to include all our members who are principally interested in running with every Tuff where we can all race together as a club. The STRUN is for everyone and stands for Summer Tuff Run series. STRUN is a series of 5 running events where Tuffs can enter as few or as many as they like with their best three scores going towards the final league table. Of course our club is a broad church of years experience levels so please note the scoring will be on the World Masters Athletics grading which will take account of age and gender – so there is a level playing field for all Tuffs to enter.
You will notice in the event list below that two parkrun dates are listed. One of the great strength of our club is the camaraderie when Tuffs get together, so specific parkrun dates are stated to gather Tuffs together. It will not be possible to enter a different date and claim your time, quite apart from the fact that weather conditions at each race can vary greatly from week to week.
The five nominated runs are
SAT 4th June Littlehampton parkrun
WED 29th June Beat The Tide (organised by Sussex Trail Events.) Entry link is HERE Please note this run is always oversubscribed and we have been advised there is a cap of 250 places but still plenty of places currently.
SAT 16th July – Glatting Beacon Five (organised by Sussex Multisports) Entry link is HERE
SAT 13th August Worthing parkrun
SUN 28th August Arundel Park 10k Entry Link is HERE
Good luck the Littlehampton parkrun date is fast approaching
