Weekend Round Up 2nd 3rd March
Much of the weekend focus was on our own Frosty Aquathlon where we had 85 club members racing or helping on the morning. That can’t leave any other race action can it? Oh yes, read on: –
STEYNING STINGER
A popular race with 435 finishers across distances of 30k, half and marathon distances. The half marathon saw three Tuffs participate, Dave March, James Hodge and Tom Goddard. As you will note from the name, the start is from Steyning so this is a real toughie as the only way is up onto the Downs. Despite tricky conditions our trio were all comfortably in the top half of the finishers with Dave and Tom both top ten. Now Marchy has washed away most of the mud, he has reported in, just a week after going well at Brighton Half.
“We couldn’t have asked for better weather for the Steyning Stinger, but after weeks of rain the ground was everything you would expect!
Equal parts sticky and slippy made picking your feet up tiring, and putting your feet down treacherous.
The rolling start (anytime between 8:30 and 9am) was really relaxed and because we started at the end of that window, meant we were chasing everyone else down.
There were very few flat parts of this race, if it felt flat, it was usually uphill. The big hills at Washington and Chanctonbury were both long and steep, and the downhills were so fast that it was almost impossible to maintain control, just a case of keeping up with your legs!
Tom surged ahead of me so he could look fast in the race photos, watch out for that if you’re ever racing with him. He then dropped me up the last big climb and I ended up coming in 40 seconds behind him.
I’ll get him next time.
It was a shame to miss the Frosty, but we got the club name in the top 10 (6th & 7th overall) and I came 3rd in the MV40 category so it was a great day out”.
Marchy
BRACKNELL MASTERS OPEN MEET
From running we move onto swimming where one of our rapid swimmers, Amy Kidd was in action at the Bracknell Leisure Centre for the 28th Masters Open Meet. Amy had a series of superb swims as she explains in her report:-
“On Saturday 2nd March I took part in the annual Bracknell Masters Open Meet; an event I have entered on and off for the last 14 years. This year I entered three races in my new age group (35-39yrs): 200m freestyle, 50m freestyle and 200m backstroke. I was also part of a 4×50 butterfly relay”.
“Despite losing count on the 200m freestyle, and having to slow down to see whether the guy next to me would turn or finish, I finished in a time of 2.27.78.”
“I followed up with 31.59 for 50m freestyle and 2.43.79 for 200m backstroke, both events winning me gold medals. Despite swimming in the 4×50 fly relay, the team was disqualified. After a successful day I am now looking for my next meet to enter”.
Amy
PARKRUN ROUND UP
Congratulations to everyone who ventured out for parkrun in absolutely appalling conditions of driving rain and high winds plus a severe windchill. The standing water meant that Bognor parkrun, was cancelled. Those venues that did proceed saw attendances, perhaps understandably, reduce, but the following Tuffs ventured out.
Littlehampton parkrun saw some who had been on the way to Bognor head towards the seafront, minimising the reduction in numbers and here the first Tuff home was Steve Fryer 7th overall in a very highly commendable 20:24 in light of the conditions. Jon Babbage ran well despite concentrating his efforts on long runs ahead of his forthcoming Ultra finishing in 16th position. Colin Simpson ran up the field finishing with a strong age grading. Clive Harvey was next and then our fifth and sixth Tuffs were brothers Chris & Alistair Evans. Alistair earnt both a participation and volunteer credit ahead of the Frosty.
Maidenhead parkrun saw Trevor Harvey reach the milestone of 25 volunteer roles through getting there early to undertake pre-course reconnaissance and then go round again for a run credit.
Hove Promenade parkrun was the location chosen by Steve Feest as he completed his 70th parkrun.
Well done to all eight
TENPIN BOWLING EVENING
With the Frosty concluded and date pencilled in for 2025, attention turns to the next club special, an evening of Tenpin Bowling being held on Friday 15th March with a 6:30pm start, There is still time to register (teams to be allocated) so you just need to flag your intention to join the fun. You will ned to register promptly on Spond so sufficient lanes can be allocated ( no later than Sunday night). Cost £12.50 which secures you two frames of bowling, plus one drink – what’s not to like. We hope to see you there.
