Weekend Round Up 23rd 24th November
Danny Cunnett
COPTHORNE 50K
The Copthorne 50K takes place in Surrey, with differing terrain, including in and around Box Hill. Our illustrious Ultra running duo of Danny Cunnett & Jay McCardle took part. We are pleased to have received a report from Danny which is well worth the read as it paints a great picture of conditions. Perhaps Danny was too modest to mention that there is a cut off time for completion of 9 hours, which of course they didn’t need attaining two great results but in covering the course they had to deal with 6,780ft of ascent. The scenic undulations take this weeks banner shot above.
‘Having DNF’d at the Copthorne 100 at 80 miles last year when my knee gave up I decided to go back this year and do the 50k so I could get a medal from Alan Rumbles the race director, at least once . Only 3 laps for the 50K but one lap of this race is pretty awful. This year I had the devilishly handsome Jay McCardle for company, although he needs some new jokes. The route is twisty, slippery, muddy, rooty, off-camber and every other kind of unpleasant that you can think of. Jay is particularly fond of cow poo alley; it’s important not to fall over on this stretch. Parts of the course are affectionately known as “kamikaze hill”, steep and slippery, covered in leaves, so you can’t see the roots and pot holes, which spits you out at the bottom straight onto a road with your arms windmilling and feet clattering, and “Satans staircase” which is as horrible as it sounds. There are in fact four major stair climbs on the route, I’ve never counted all the steps as its probably best not to know how many there are in total, and those are just the ones that are ascending we won’t mention all the buggers that trash your knees going down. Held in late November the weather is usually pretty grim at this event and this year storm Bert blew in so as not to disappoint’.
‘My new jacket which features a “revolutionary” new waterproof treatment lasted a whole lap before wetting through in the headwind, so had to swap to good old Gore-tex for the final lap. Myself and Jay set off at an easy pace for the first lap, maintained a steady pace on lap two and then my batteries went flat so I am grateful to Jay for sticking with me on the final lap, it definitely helps to have someone to talk to on the way round so you spend less time thinking about how much everything hurts. We both managed to negotiate the stepping stones without falling in the river Mole and finished in 9th and 10th. I took my daughters partner Connor with me for his first trail Ultra and when I finally stumbled across the finish line and into Mickleham village hall he was waiting for us with the winners trophy, well done Connor! I might have made this race sound terrible but I love this event and I will be back next year to have another crack at the 100 miler’.
‘This year only 1 person finished the 100 in just over 31 hours and even more incredibly 1 runner finished the 200 which was staged for the first time. Anyone who finishes any of the distances at this event has achieved something awesome. Even more amazing was Chris who ran the 50K in his Rhino suit. Check out the photos at the Canary trail events website (HERE) if you think I was hallucinating. Big thank you to Alan Rumbles and his team of volunteers who look out for all the competitors, see you next year for some more self flagellation’.
Danny.
BENIDORM 10k
Held on the Saturday with a choice of 10k or half marathon, we had Karly & Paul Martin race the 10k – a course which starts in the centre of Benidorm with the first 5k through the town centre. The final 5k returns along the seafront before heading inland again to the finish line and the all important goody bag. Karly reports:-
‘Paul and I ran together at the Benidorm 10k’
‘I’ve not ran for a while due to chronic plantar fasciitis but I was determined to run the distance and Paul plodded next to me with lots of encouragement 🙂
The race started at 5.30pm and the experience was fantastic with a great atmosphere, plus huge crowds and a good few thousand runners, a full goodie bag, t-shirt and medal for around £25 entry fee, bargain! Would highly recommend if anyone wants a weekend with winter sun 🙂
Karly and Paul
Alistair on his way to e new PB
PARKRUN ROUND UP
Unfortunately Storm Bert led to the cancellation of Littlehampton, Worthing and Lancing Green parkruns. Of those that progressed we can report on the following:-
Bognor Regis Parkrun saw one Tuff undertake the four laps around Hotham Park. Alistair Evans attended here for his 25th time out of his total 203 parkruns and capped his appearance by beating the PB that he set last month. Alistair shaved 10 seconds off his previous best – congratulations
Cranleigh parkrun is a two lap anti clockwise course and Susan Douglas ran here for the second consecutive week.
Maidenhead parkrun was the location for Trevor Harvey to undertake both the first timer briefing and run the two lap around the often muddy nature reserve.
Well done to all three.
FROSTY AQUATHLON
2025 will see Tuff FItty’s 29th staging of the Frosty Aquathlon, an amazing longevity for a popular curtain raiser for the new multisport season. Traditionally held on the first Sunday in March, 2nd March is the date to go in the diaries.
For several weeks now the various permissions and assessments have been undertaken, approved and entries are starting to pick up with competitors signed up for both the Frosty – 800m swim & 10k and the Frostbite – 400m swim and 5k run. The Frosty sub committee is also well established.
The Frosty sits well with Tuff Fitty’s constitution of promoting multisport and your committee would like to ask that all members wherever possible place the 2nd March in their diaries. The event can only prove successful if we have a large number of members willing to help with registration, poolside or out on the run course. We ask that members look at the ‘event’ for the 2nd March on our Spond App and click attend for the volunteers if possible. As roles are assigned we try and pay regard to the wishes of volunteers to place people in a role they are comfortable with. Equally if you wish to race the event, the “event” for the Frosty on Spond will provide a discount code as we welcome the opportunity for Tuffs to take part in either of the two races. Whilst entering individually there are team prizes in both races so it would be fantastic to have a high number delivering the event and enable more to have a tilt at winning the team award(s)
