Weekend Round Up 11th 12th May
Mark, Carey & Clare
TUFF FITTY COACHING TEAM – THREE NEW FOUNDATION COACHES
We are very proud of our team of coaches who work very hard for the benefit of us all. Tuff Fitty are very active with a lot of coached sessions, so we are delighted to report three of our club members have successfully completed their British Triathlon Foundation Coach course.
Our three new coaches as shown above are Mark Walford, Carey Woods and Clare Worgan. Of course most of Tuff Fitty will have already been led in training on the running track or in the pool, by Mark, Carey & Clare as they had passed their various assignments, on-line learning and weekend meet up some months ago. However it was felt best to celebrate and congratulate our new coaches now, as their official certifications have been produced. Congratulations from us all.
With the Triathlon season now underway most training courses lie fallow until the autumn. The coaching pathway can be very rewarding and Tuff Fitty are always open to more of our members beginning their own route into coaching. Our lead coach Barry Davids, would be pleased to discuss what is required as is Clive Harvey as they can explain what is entailed, in confidence if necessary. Alternatively any of our coaches will be able to provide you with the encouragement to make the step. Whilst there is a cost to any such course, Tuff Fitty are willing to cover, with repayment being in the form of time spent coaching back to our club. If anyone is interested in finding out more before the next batch of courses are announced please do feel able to make contact.
BOGNOR 10K
It is clear event attendances are returning to pre-Covid levels with many races being sold out. It was the case at Bognor 10k which coincided with the hottest day of the year.
There was a strong Tuff contingent with James Mapley being our first runner home is 40:23. Mark Walford was also running well to cross the line in 41:35. Katie Young achieved another age group podium when she finished 3rd in her category, very impressive as there were 155 other runners in her category. Clare Worgan continues her strong running and then it was the turn of Alistair Evans, having completed parkrun the morning before. What a triumph from Helen Bull who undertook her first wheelchair race with Will King at her side. Great performances from our Tuff seven.
We are honoured to print a report from Helen Bull on her race; her determination knows no bounds and from us all, congratulations on yet another great achievement.
I’m always looking for new challenges & ways to push myself. I am confident doing events in the water but since being in a wheelchair, my confidence has gone in doing ‘running’ events. Bognor 10km was a perfect opportunity to face into that fear. With Will King by my side, we rocked up on Sunday, the hottest day of the year! I was in awe at how great the spectators were – I hadn’t expected that in Bognor! When the wheeling got tough, that pushed me on. The biggest challenge was the slopey prom, this put massive pressure on my wrists. When running before I was in the chair, I didn’t notice the gradient change. But I made it & finished in a time of 1 hour 14 minutes. I now have a 10km time to beat! Huge thanks to Will for pacing me & putting up with my moaning!
Helen
Angela
SWIMATHON – SUPERCHARGE 30.9
We have already reported on the Tuff swim successes from Swimathon 2024 when the central event was held over the weekend of 26th 28th April. However running across that weekend from 19th April until 3rd May was the Supercharge Swimathon 30.9 Challenge. This is where swimmers undertook all of the different Swimathon distances combined into one challenge. Angela Barber reports she attained the nine different swim distances set by Swimathon across the three week period. Angela swam five 5ks, a 2.5k, two 1.5ks and a 400m swim – impressive.
HEDGEHOPPER 5
Starting from Portslade Community College this was fixture four in the West Sussex Fun Run League. We had two runners representing their respective running clubs. Steve Feest and Kate Cooper ran the approx 5 mile course on undulating chalky paths over the South Downs.
HORSHAM 10K
Whilst Bognor 10k was taking place it was also Horsham 10K where 400 runners started at Horsham Rugby Club. Included within the participants was Colin Simpson who ran well around the two lap course across road and trail. A great run saw Colin finish 2nd in his age category, straight after a strong parkrun the morning before.
PARKRUN ROUND UP
Littlehampton parkrun saw another great run from Nathan Cooper who this time crossed the line in 19:13 which saw him second home overall. Next it was great to see Emma Hinton back on her first parkrun this year. Colin Simpson put in a strong run followed by Bob Rogers with all four well over the 60% age grading with Bob gaining a 74% age grading. . Alistair Evans was also present running ahead of Bognor 10K and earning credits for both the run and volunteering with Chris Evans also on the volunteer team.
Worthing parkrun saw Ed Lay in action, another one with a strong age grading reaching 168 parkruns. It is very gratifying to see Les Pearce notch up his 207th parkrun because injury has kept him out of running action for too long. Sue Pinky rounds off the Tuff trio finishing at Beach House.
Just one parkrun tourist this week as Trevor Harvey ran at Mallards Pike parkrun. This single lap hard packed trail run is situated in the Forest of Dean.
Well done to all ten
TUFF FIITY’S MIDSUMMER AQUATHLON/BARBECUE
With the summer solstice (longest day) on the Thursday, what better than to have our first Tuff Fitty Aquathlon/Barbecue the next day on Friday 21st June. Our club members only Lido event/socials remain very popular and hope everyone will be booking once the event goes live on Spond at the beginning of next week.
We are sticking with the familiar format with the event costing £7.50 for the barbecue and for that you get an aquathlon included. The event is billed this way as several like to come along just for the social/food. The format is meet ready for the evening to start at 7pm. The Aquathlon comprises a 400m swim in the heated lido before pulling on your running shoes for a run over the town bridge and down Mill road. Up past the Black Rabbit before returning back to the Lido completing a 5k. Meanwhile the barbecue will be fired up for the hungry Tuffs. Don’t be deterred if you prefer to just swim, or just run as we will try and put together relay teams. You may also be willing to simply help on the day. If these are your preference, please comment on the Spond Event (when open) so we can try and match swimmers with runners.
