Weekend Round Up 14th 15th December
BREAKFAST RUN
Saturday Runs usually finish at the local cafe in Arundel and depending on the mileage covered some beverages and ‘light’ breakfast is undertaken. One of the Tuff Christmas traditions is to stage our annual breakfast run. A chance to perhaps cover a bit less mileage and spend more time socialising and having a bigger breakfast.
The location was the Premier Inn at Crossbush, thanks to Trevor Harvey for making the booking for so many hungry Tuffs. As participants are encouraged to wear something festive, the above pre-run photo illustrates how a good number turned up and really entered the spirit with festive attire.
The runners all departed together but at the turn for the 5k route the group split in half, some heading straight back to start on breakfast whilst others felt they should run longer to work up an appetite. The fare on offer is the all you can eat breakfast with unlimited hot drinks and Tuff Fitty did their best keeping the food and drink flowing and restaurant full with Tuff talk well into late morning. The photo gallery is below, thanks Jon Roper for highlighting some of the festive action.
Sarah Jouault
IRONMAN 70.3 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP – NEW ZEALAND
The Ironman World Championships were held in New Zealand for the first time, at Taupo which is situated in the centre of the North Island. The race is centred on Taupo which is on the shore of Lake Taupo, the largest freshwater lake in New Zealand. Perhaps understandably given the location, the lake was the setting for the swim with the bike taking in rural New Zealand starting off with a steady climb and then taking in views of the Aratiatia Rapids and crossing the Waikato river. There were some punchy hills and to finish the 56 miles the final roll into transition came after riders had overcome ‘Heartbreak Hill’. The run was a two lapper lakeside course.
Our representative, having qualified earlier this year was Sarah Jouault who despite the tough course did very well. Congratulations Sarah from us all. Sarah reports:-
The race was very hard, particularly the very hilly bike. The heat was soooo hot on the run. Despite that I finished in a time of 7:54 which achieved 16th place, just 15 seconds off the 15th position.
Sarah
CENTURION WINTER 200
The second year of Centurion running’s Winter 200 mile run. Known for exceptionally challenging events, even the organisers stated the conditions underfoot were poor, especially by December standards. A tough race? yes particularly as the start covered a lot of the difficult terrain to follow including the North Downs Way between Box Hill and Botley Hill. Our two intrepid runners were Danny Cunnett & Jay McCardle.
The event was scheduled to run over two days giving runners the chance to see how far they wanted to run. Danny ran for an incredible 25.30 hour reaching Ditchling Beacon. Jay went further calling a halt after Truleigh Hill finishing at Botolphs, a massive 30.30 hours. Danny & Jay really are our superheroes in how they keep going from ultra to ultra, clocking up such impressive mileage and everyone at Tuff Fitty doff’s their caps to them both.
TRIATHLON ENGLAND SOUTH EAST SENIOR SERIES
For several years Tuff Fitty have been one of twenty six Triathlon England clubs taking part in the South East Senior Series. This comprises a series of races where points are scored by club members which go towards a final league table. It is significant to explain that EVERYONE who completes one of the above races scores points for their club and age grading levels the position further. Readers will note the participating races above.
As Tuff Fitty have their own Club Championship, the series hasn’t been a major focus but some years we have scored some great points where races had meshed with our own race calendar. Last year our members scored points at Eastbourne (standard), Brighton (Sprint) & Southwater. Members looking to race any of the above do please ensure you enter as a member of Tuff Fitty in order that you can earn us some points. Significantly you will note that series points will ONLY score at Southwater for mixed teams. It would be nice to get more organised for Southwater in 2025 as a couple of our teams slipped through the scoring net as it wasn’t clear they were Tuff related. Eastbourne is scheduled again for 2025 as is East Grinstead which is another one where Tuffs historically compete. Any questions, please ask.
PARKRUN ROUND UP 14th DECEMBER
Whilst a strong turnout at Arundel for the breakfast run, we had the following building on their parkrun tallies.
Littlehampton parkrun saw Kevin Pearson as our first runner home finishing 2nd in his competitive age group. There was a great milestone from Alistair Evans who completed his 50th parkrun in a year; what a record having now accrued 205 parkruns. There was also another milestone here as Vicky Cooper completed her 50th parkrun milestone and is eligible to buy the red 50th T-shirt. Well done to Hope Newcomer who was on the volunteer team.
Across at Worthing parkrun Edward Lay was our first finisher. Paul Fielder did well achieving a new PB taking a large 38 seconds off his previous best here. Steve Feest was our third runner and Bob Rogers maintained his superb age grading with a 75.61% score. Les Pearce reached his 222nd parkrun to complete five Tuffs on the prom.
PARKRUN ROUND UP 7th DECEMBER
Storm Darragh had been predicted, leading to six out of the eleven West Sussex parkruns being cancelled, matching a huge swathe of cancellations across the country. However some intrepid Tuffs found some places to get their barcodes scanned:-
The only West Sussex parkrun with a Tuff presence was Cranleigh parkrun. Susan Douglas ran here for the 24th time finishing third in her age grade running two anti-clockwise runs taking in a steep hill twice.
In East Sussex Brighton & Hove parkrun continued and saw the most Tuffs by number. Jon Roper was followed home by Clive Harvey, both gaining PB’s in the blustery conditions since their previous visit . Glenn Parisi eased up on the last lap due to a pain in his calf with Murray Hodge completing the quartet. All four completed and had their barcodes scanned before the rain fell.
Also in East Sussex, Paul Fielder attended Preston Park parkrun – here for his second visit
We had two Tourist Tuffs.
Trevor Harvey attended Woodley parkrun; a three lapper around Woodford Park each lap starting with an uphill segment.
Victoria Dock parkrun was the choice of Wendy Frost, an out and back route around the dock covered three times.
Well done to all eight.
Whilst not racing; particular kudos to our intrepid Saturday morning runners up in Arundel Park, showing good numbers.. They managed to complete their muddy run and get back to the cafe before the rain, although in the blustery conditions a tree did fall ahead of them on the route. Well done to all 9 plus guest.
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
It is time to give a huge thank you to all our members who have renewed their membership for 2025. It is hoped those who have not yet renewed will do so; if anyone has any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
Why it is pertinent to raise the question now is that Tuff Fitty have historically liked to say thank you to all our members who have built our club during the year by offering a £5 discount to existing members who renew before the 31st December. After this time, whilst we would still like to see members renew it is at the standard membership fee of £40. Also into the New Year access to Spond and the various discount codes come under jeopardy. Thank you.
