Weekend Round Up 18th 19th November
The damp conditions continued this weekend accompanied by strong winds, but there were still some great running results for those who ventured out whether at Tuffs training sessions or events which include:-
WITTERING BEACH RUN
Most of us will be aware that Pete Littleboy has spent the Autumn relocating to Wales to work and live. This fitted in during September as he could join the Tuff Welsh Weekender, but now with the relocation almost complete Pete’s attendance at the Wittering Beach Run is possibly his last race as a Tuff. Pete has been a huge asset to our club not just for his cheeky banter but also his athleticism helping getting the Tuff name on the podium, both individually and as part of Team Tuff. A Tuff for over ten years we are very sad to see him go, but our loss is very much is Carmarthen Triathlon Clubs gain. Good luck for the future Pete from us all and hopefully we will see you in your new club colours on the race circuit in future.
The event in question was UK Running’s Wittering Beach Run which was a sell out with 500 runners finishing across various race distances. Pete understandably raced the 15K doing rather well and submitted his report below:-
So what could be my last race as a Tuff Fitty I decided to wear my 1st top from all those years ago. This proved to be ill advised as it was biblical weather and any modern fabrics had long since perished for this run. The event, in Chichester West Wittering, was along the beach and it had 15k 10k 5k and dog friendly Cani Cross. I was grateful for the multiple starts times as I was going to be late due to it being sold out and the roads and car park were flooded, This meant I was soaked before I even started and as we set off along the beach it was clear it was a race against the tide which we were not going to win. This resulted in a leg sapping shingle run. The route then took a loop off the beach through the muddy paths and finally onto the road where I could make up some time. I made progress despite the strong headwind and rain. Alas the course then headed back onto shingle and finally sand as we raced to the finish.
As all the distances had different start times you had no idea of your placement which I enjoyed. There was a well deserved finishers medal and goody bag, which is usual with all UK running events. Once I had a shower and dried off I could reflect and bask in the glory of having gone out and raced/trained so many times as a Tuff. So as my time ends as a Tuff I believe ‘once a Ttuff always a Tuff’ remains, and I will see you again soon xx
Pete
HARTFIELD HONEY RUN
Hartfield in East Sussex was the venue for a muddy trail run across tracks and trails, stated to be around a ‘challenging’ course with a choice of half marathon or 10K. Being the birthplace of Winnie the Pooh, finishers received a buff, commemorative honey-twizzler and some honey.
Jay McCardle ran the half marathon in a good time for the conditions, so clearly didn’t stop at the iconic bridge (above) to play Pooh sticks!
GOSPORT HALF MARATHON
Traditionally billed as a fast half marathon course but as a two lap mainly seafront course this year runners had to contend with very strong wind. Often several Tuffs run but this year it was a case of quality as just James Mapley was in attendance. The above picture is a library shot as this year James stated the wind was brutal. Despite this James’s time placed him just short of top 5% finish, a super result since the event was a very competitive fixture in the Hampshire Road Race League.
BRIGHTON 10K
Another seafront course which took a battering from the wind, and rain, was the Brighton 10k. Organised by the same company who stage the Worthing 10k there were over 2,000 finishers. In amongst these was Nina Tully. Whilst battling the wind, Nina stated she was delighted with her time, shaving 8 minutes off her previous 10k time. Kudos to Andy Rossiter who was the organising team.
PARKRUN ROUND UP
Once again rain and wind suppressed numbers at seafront parkruns , but whilst Littlehampton parkrun saw numbers decrease by over 80 there was a great Tuff attendance. Lucy Goldsmith achieved a top ten ladies position, then Steve Bridgeman & Alistair Evans. Sue Simpson & Colin Simpson ran together & Vicky Cooper ensured we had six Tuffs in the results.
Less than half last week’s runners turned out for Worthing parkrun but those who did included Edward Lay and Simon Grundy who this week was on pacing duty.
Bognor parkrun’s numbers was less affected by the rain, although a volunteer was in Hotham Park at 6:30am with a bucket to try and clear the standing water from the paths. Clive Harvey ran this one with Trevor Harvey and Amy Flinders also in attendance.
Well done to all eleven
REQUEST:- If members are willing, it would be appreciated if they can add the Tuff Fitty name to their parkrun profile. This will help find everyone acknowledging all Tuffs in action. It is accepted that we have several who also belong to a running club and the editor acknowledges this and is able to trace such runners regardless of the club name shown.
TUFF FITTY’S AWARDS AND SOCIAL EVENING
Don’t forget Friday 1st December is THE social event of the year and the closing date for tickets is this Tuesday 28th November. Still undecided? The location is the top notch ‘The Venue’ in Chapel Road, Worthing. To match the classy ambience, the food is being supplied by MAK Restaurant. If that isn’t enough to whet your appetite the goody bag is worth attending for alone. The link for tickets is HERE
FROSTY AQUATHLON
Whilst it took longer than we would have liked due to the new Race Pass being implemented by British Triathlon, the entry system is now fully live for the Frosty Aquathlon being held on the 3rd March 2024. This Aquathlon has built a great reputation as a curtain raiser for the 2024 season, and apart from being financially important for our club, it also fulfils our constitution’s aim of ‘promoting multisport’. As usual there will be the Frostbite 400m swim and 5k run as well as the Frosty – 800m swim and 10k run.
As one of our key dates in the Tuff calendar we would like to ask that all members enter the 3rd March in your diaries. We hope that everyone will be able to support the event, either through helping out on the morning or racing the event. There are a wide variety of roles for people to help with, indoors and outdoors so we can find something that everyone would be comfortable with. Don’t forget if you are planning to race, as our own event, there is a Tuff discount code exclusively for our members.
