Round Up 15th – 18th February 2025
The trickle of chilly Tuff capers continues with last weekend seeing Steve Fryer tackle the Southampton Half and your editor, Kate Cooper, spend a 2nd successive Sunday running around in mud, this time as part of the WSFRL. Despite the cancellation of Worthing Parkrun due to a suspected unexploded bomb on the beach(!), Tuffs were represented at Parkruns in a wide range of venues. Finally, thank you to everyone who attended the Mix and Mingle on Tuesday.
Southampton Half – Sunday 16h February 2025
Many thanks to Steve Fryer for sharing his thoughts on the Southampton Half:
It was my first time running the Southampton half marathon organised by Run Through who host the Goodwood Grand Prix races. On a bitterly cold Sunday morning I ran 6 laps that consisted of one hill which got tougher each time, particularly after the third ascent!
I was running with my long-term running buddy Alister, who cursed me the entire way round for encouraging him to enter. Looking back at the stats, we paced each lap evenly: not a bad attempt at pace making!
I would recommend running this race to anyone. There is also a 10k if you fancy a shorter distance. It was well-organised and I would only add a suggestion to arrive early to guarantee a parking space.
WSFLR Tilgate Park – Sunday 16th February 2025
The Tilgate Park ‘Run your heart out’ fun run was the first 2025 fixture of the year as a result of the cancellation of the Hangover 5. There was a strong showing from the clubs in the league, despite the bitter wind, which saw a large number of runners hiding in the K2 Sports Centre until the last moment.
The c.8km run started and ended with a lap of the track and in between looped around Tilgate Park, which was undulating and multi-terrain with some parts on tarmac and some off-road, with the inevitable mud! It was my first time taking part in this fun run and I enjoyed it, despite the fact that my daughter finished ahead of me (probably a good thing for family relationships)!
If you like off-road running with a bit of competition thrown in, then the WSFRL races are great. Some are only open to members of clubs in the league, but others are open to all.
Park Run Round Up – Saturday 15th February 2025
Tuffs took part in Parkruns far and wide last Saturday, with Littlehampton seeing the most Tuffs despite lower numbers than usual: Steve Fryer (warming up for his half the next day!), Adrian Oliver, Clive Doughty and Al Evans all took part. Andy Rossiter completed half the course with his son. Debbie Birch, Hope Newcomer and Chris Evans were all on volunteering duty.
Clive Harvey was back at Bognor doing his usual Parkrun sandwich and Ed Lay made a virtue of a necessity and, with the Worthing Parkrun cancelled, cycled over to Preston Park to take part.
Colin and Sue Simpson ran at the Malling Rec Parkrun in Lewes, while Katie Yates-Hill, Paul Fielder and Trev Harvey all took part wider afield (in Worcestershire, County Durham and Dorset respectively). Well done everyone!
Mix and Mingle, The Brewhouse, Worthing – Tuesday 18th February
Tuesday evening saw around 40 Tuffs getting together at The Brewhouse in Worthing to eat, drink, order kit and chat about how members can get involved in supporting the running of the club in a whole range of capacities.
Clare Worgan, Ladies Captain, said, ‘It was lovely to see so many Tuffs at the Mix and Mingle. It feels like there are plenty of people willing to help out with running the club, which is great news for the future’. Head Coach Barry Davids (left) was clearly happy with the food!
Thank you so much to everyone who attended and we look forward to seeing people helping out with all that we do as a club over 2025 and beyond: remember, many hands make light work!
