Weekend Round Up 4th 5th May
With 20 club members out in Mallorca for the Tuff training camp (see separate report) it might have been the case that there was less Tuff race action – far from it as this extensive Round Up testifies.
MILTON KEYNES MARATHON
The strong run of marathon results continue this week with an exceptional performance from Richard Hobbs. Hobbsie attended the Milton Keynes Marathon. The race is in the top 10 UK marathons with gold accreditation for race management. The course is deemed Scenic – and fast with the finish back in StadiumMK home of MK Dons for an atmospheric finish. Hobbsie has submitted his account of an epic run. Whilst justifiably proud of his time, Hobbsie neglected to state in his report that he finished in the stadium in just 3:23:15 – an awesome time – congratulations.
‘MK marathon went ‘back to the stadium’ in 2024’.
‘Starting with half marathon, and relay runners the pace at the start was sprightly but I managed to keep to plan. The 2-loop route billed as flat had some kicking slopes under the many underpasses but also a nice trail section around the lakes and woodland A great lap of honour around the football pitch and a stadium finish sealed a great event, with brilliant Marshall’s, and quality medal, and goodies’.
‘I managed a PB and a negative split, it’s rare a marathon goes to plan so one to enjoy and remember…before the next one!’
Hobbsie
l to r Simon, Katie, Rhian, Karl, & Janet
BLUEBELL RUN 10MILE 10K
Another race from the Raw Energy portfolio where the Bluebell run starts from the Fox Pub at Patching, the location for Tuff’s Monday evening run. The event was sold out with 680 finishers.
In the 10 mile race Simon Thistlethwaite was our first runner home in just 1hr 12m placing him 3rd in his age group. Katie Young was also in good form as she crossed the line 1st in her age group – both of these in very competitive age groupings. The good news continued with strong runs from Rhian Standley, Karl Halom and Janet Shepherd. The photo above shows our illustrious 10 milers.
There was a 10 mile Canicross race where Gareth Coombes entered. Gareth produced a storming run crossing the line first overall. Not only was this a win; but it was achieved with a massive 5 minute gap to the second placed cani runner.
Simon, Malcolm, Paul & Kate
As shown above we had four complete the 10K course starting with Simon Grundy. Simon not only came 1st in his age group but 5th overall in just 40:38. There was a strong run from Malcolm Brown, our next runner. Paul Howie and Kate Evans completed our quartet.
As usual there were several Tuffs on the organising team. Event manager Debbie Boxall, Trevor Harvey, Tiff Orton, Andy Rossiter & Jon Roper. This made fifteen Tuffs amongst the Spring Bluebells.
THREE FORTS CHALLENGE
Jon & Danny finishing the marathon
The three forts challenge permits competitors to race over a marathon, half marathon or 5 miles trail run, all starting from Hill Barn Lane in Worthing, The marathon was first off at 9am and the race is known as “The tough one” as not only is it long – 27.2 miles but the course covers c. 3450 ft of climb with stiles and rough tracks underfoot running up to Cissburry Ring and then along to Devils Dyke – We had a Tuff duo who took on the Marathon – Jon Babbage and Danny Cunnett finishing in 4:37 & 4:43 respectively – excellent times over that terrain (as shown above).
James, Paul, Andy & Shelley
In the half marathon we had a Tuff quartet which was the next race off at 9:15, where James Hodge, then Paul Martin, Andy Crawford and Shelley Babbage all finished strongly as shown in the above photos from the finish funnel.
Jimbo & Gaby
Completing Tuff representation at all three of the run distance at the Challenge, James Brock took part in the 5 miles trail run which started at 9:30am and his thoughts on the race follow:-
‘A last minute decision to join a few Tuffs at the three forts challenge. My daughter Gaby has been doing a few runs over the last couple of months so I dragged her out of bed. We entered the 5 mile race. At the start we were joined by Jon & Shelbo, Karly & Paul Martin & the very lovely & very funny James Hodge.
It was a privilege to join my daughter in her first race & despite the moaning ( & occasional choice words) we crossed the finish line!
It was great to see Debbie Gatland at the end too!
Jimbo
Fraser (and Georgia)
NFU MUTUAL WINCHESTER TRIATHLON
Our next report is from the Winchester triathlon where Kings School saw Fraser Kidd line up for a civilised 11:15 race start. Fraser takes up the race detail:-
‘I finally completed a triathlon on Monday (my first official for 3 years)! I must note, I have deferred the entry to the Winchester Sprint Triathlon for 2 years in 2022 and 2023, after completing the event in 2021. I also decided to get myself back into it, that I would reduce the distance by half to the “novice” triathlon where I was “competing” with 72 others with 80% being the first triathlon’.
‘The “race”…… Started with a 200m indoor 25 metre pool swim. I came out the pool in first place after swimming a 3:01 200m, raced through transition onto the bike where both laces came undone before I exited transition! This led to a slight delay but I left transition in first place, waiting to be caught on my weakest discipline, the bike. I was all alone until 9km of the 12km course, being caught on one of the many hills and with me attempting to preserve some energy for the run. I entered the 2nd transition in 2nd place with “what I thought” would be an easy relaxed run. The run itself felt terrible, I struggled to get going on the 2.5km course. I did manage to pick up some speed with 500m to go though to get under the 50 minute mark, finishing overall 3rd in the open category.
It’s taken me three years to get back to this point (with an extra 15kg to carry), though I will move forward from this and keep going onto my next events in Arundel on 19th May and Henley on 2nd June.
Fraser
Karly & Leah
RUN TO THE SEA ULTRA
What an incredible weekend of running this weekend this turned out to be as Leah Simms & Karly Martin entered Run to the Sea Ultra; one of a series where there is a Run to the Sea in October in Bournemouth. Leah has kindly reported in from the Brighton run:-
‘Off the back of London Marathon, Karly Martin persuaded me to join her and some of our friends to enter Run to the Sea Brighton 50k Ultra Marathon.
She said ‘it’s two weeks after and you’ve done the training already. It’s only another 5 miles!’. It was alright for Karly as this was her 3rd ultra but the 1st one for me. Therefore, run distance in unknown territory. We planned to run the flats and walk the hills and just enjoy it.
An early wave start at Christs Hospital for 8am but the sun was shining, so we were very lucky with the weather. Last year they had torrential rain all day. The views and scenery were beautiful so that helped tick off the miles ahead of us.
Starting off on the Downslink from Horsham to Bramber and then picking up the South Downs Way in Upper Beeding. We enjoyed the first flat 10 miles before we headed up on to Monarchs Way. It felt like the up went on forever.
Up and over Devils Dyke, through Pyecombe Golf Course and then stumbling upon some steps! Of course they had steps, I think every trail run finds some steps to add to a route. Then we headed down to Hove Park finishing on Hove Lawns.
A lovely route, with 4 aid stations, clear signage (if you ignore the herd of cows at one gate and trying to navigate a different way to cross the field) and a beautiful medal at the end. Loved it.
Leah
PARKRUN ROUND UP
Before the parkrun Round Up, the editor would like to ask a favour. Where Tuffs have not assigned our club as their first choice, it would be appreciated if this could be added to your profile. Showing Tuff Fitty is not only a great advertisement for our club but it makes collating everyone who have attended a parkrun easier, especially if you are away undertaking parkrun tourism. This can easily be added by going into your parkrun results email that is sent and click on “manage my profile” and select “Groups”. It is understandable, (and accepted) that some members have their running club as first claim – we can usually find you but if possible to add Tuff Fitty as your second claim, again finding your results to give you kudos is far easier – thank you.
At Littlehampton parkrun Steve Fryer was our first runner home as he reached his 99th parkrun. He achieved this in style in a time of 20:27. Steve Bridgeman was next reaching his 40th parkrun. Bob Rogers was also in action and accumulated his 94th parkrun. Alistair Evans reached his 174th run – a great number of parkruns from our quartet and Chris Evans was also on hand with the organising team.
Worthing parkrun is normally a good place for Tuff participation, but this week saw just a solo Tuff – Dave March although it was quality over quantity finishing in 21:16.
Maidenhead parkrun saw Trevor Harvey in action.
Steve Feest undertook some parkrun tourism with his first visit to Preston Park parkrun achieving a strong 74.32% age grading.
Well done to all eight.
