Round Up 22nd – 30th March 2025
Running events seem to be very much the order of the day at the moment and the recent dry weather has made for some excellent trail running conditions. As the sun comes out, please start thinking about and planning ahead for the summer months. Well done to all our competitors and thank you so much for writing in!
Summer is coming – Update from our committee
With the Spring equinox having passed on the 20th March and British Summertime starting last weekend, Tuff Fitty can now look forward to lighter, and hopefully warmer evenings ahead.
April sees the Monday run route move back to a start at The Fox Pub above Angmering at 6:30pm -BN13 3UJ – held weekly through until mid-September; all welcome.
With thanks to Mark Sole for leading our winter virtual rides, the return of spring heralds the move outdoors with the return of Tuesday evening cycles. Meet outside Worthing Pier at 6:30pm. Weekly rides, throughout the summer when weather permits.
With Monday trail runs and Tuesday out on the roads, do please ensure you have the appropriate equipment and lighting for these uncoached sessions.
Your committee is pleased to announce that two Friday evening dates have been secured for our very popular Arundel Lido Aquathlon/Barbecue club events. Please note in your diary Friday 23rd May and our Independence Day event on Friday 4th July.
Reminder: have you booked your place at our club championship Sprint race at Arundel Tri – 18th May? 22 Tuffs are already in!
Chichester Harbour Trail Run – Saturday 22nd March 2025
Susan Douglas swapped cold water for the trails (albeit alongside the water) and took the time to report in on her slightly eventful run:
Having done this run before you’d think I’d have known better, but from the comfort of my armchair I got a bit trigger happy and entered Stig and I for the canicross.
We arrived in good time and made friends with some other canine chums. No other Tuffs as far as I could see, but I was surprised to bump into a man from Guildford Hash Harriers (I’ve run with them the last 20 years!) Anyway, it was nice to see a familiar face.
We assembled at the start, the 21k folks setting off first and then 16k. At the briefing we were given strict instructions for keep our dogs under control and not trip up any other runners. To be honest Stig is a bit of a liability, so I was vigilant, but unfortunately not with myself and 2k in, on a stony bit of path, I fell over! I know I’m over 60, but it wasn’t a fall, I tripped OK! Bruised and grazed knees, stung like anything, but I was brave and carried on and eventually the pain eased.
The weather was very pleasant, as was the trail around the harbour: plenty of wading birds, although too far away for me to tell what they were!
We trotted on round, finally reaching a water station around 10k. Stig had a big drink and I just had a small one and I probably should have taken the offer of a bit of banana, but I felt ok. After about 12k I’d had enough of running. We walked a bit, and I summoned the energy to run the last kilometre. At this point Stig had no such failings and could probably gone round again! Oh, to be small and have four legs!
We finished in just over 2 hours, so not a blaze of glory for Tuff Fitty, but at least we didn’t give up!
Balcombe Bull Trail Run – Sunday 23rd March 2025
Many thanks to Clive Harvey for reporting in about Tuff participation at the intriguingly-name Balcombe Bull Run:
At the recent Goodwood cycle, the Balcombe Bull trail run was discussed which led to a car-load of Tuffs attending. Kate Evans was present as a regular at the event and she explained that the course would see Adam Stringer, Clive Harvey, Tiff Orton & Trevor Harvey squelching and flailing about in the mud. Whilst Kate ran with members of her running club, the Tuff squad decided to run together. Post-race, Kate advised the course was 99% drier than the previous year, so the squad weren’t as muddy as anticipated; even the scheduled rain held off.
There was a predominance of ‘undulations’ though as runners were directed across fields, up and down hills with barely a flat section in sight. Even the start/finish line was on a slope. The course information explained stiles and a horse jump were positioned around the course. Runners just had time to look round as Adam ran up to the horse jump and sprang over, even landing upright the other side – impressive!
Then runners had to pass the event title – the Balcombe Bull. He is truly a majestic beast and he sat there viewing his loyal subjects as they ran past cheering and waving, or in the case of the Tuffs, posing for a picture. Then a sweeping downhill before the ascent back to the finish where the medal of a cowbell awaited.
A low-key event held at the local school and, as is often the case, the PTA provided excellent, reasonably priced catering; bacon and sausage baps hitting the spot. On the way out the cake stall was also visited! The Tuffs headed back to the car with cowbells ringing, reflecting on a fun morning; running together had provided lots of banter and laughs across a challenging hilly course.
Kew Half – Sunday 30th March 2025
Next up, Claire Moyle tells us about the picturesque Kew Half last Sunday:
Shelia B and myself took part in the Kew Half on Mother’s Day’s and what a great event it was. In glorious sunshine, a well organised event saw us running through Kew Gardens as the spring trees and flowers were bursting into flower. Great T shirt and sparkly medal at the finish!
Shelia had a cracking race and got a PB and I completed inside my predicted time.
parkrun Round Up
Saturday 22nd March 2025
Saturday 22nd March saw a mix of local parkruns and touring. Juliette Reader was furthest afield, flying round Tamar Lakes parkrun in Cornwall. A Tuff group of Glenn Parisi, Tiff Orton, Jon Roper, Clive and Trevor Harvey went on tour to the Wakehurst parkrun.
Closer to home, Les Pearce, Hazel Sheward and Nina Tully ran at Worthing, Paul Fielder ran at Lancing Green and, as usual, Littlehampton parkrun boasted the highest number of Tuffs: Steve Fryer, Fraser Kidd, Adrian Oliver, Amy Kidd, Al Evans, Bob Rogers, Debbie Birch and Chris Evans all ran, with Hope Newcomer and Debbie Birch on the volunteering team.
Saturday 29th March 2025
It is rare to be sent a parkrun photo, so it was gratifying to receive one this week, especially from the irrepressible – and very modest – Janet Shepherd, who is bouncing back from hip surgery:
Not much of an achievement, but I thought it might be worth explaining the slow Tuff parkrun time today when you look at the results. It’s because I’m not allowed to run after having my hip replaced after accident 7 weeks ago: so I did a fast walk instead. It was such a lovely sunny morning and it felt good to be doing something with some runners again. I’m hopeless with directions and only I can get lost on the LA Park run by missing the end of lap one turnaround cone! However, after adding an extra 200 metres, I was still happy to complete in just over 43 minutes – and it gives me the incentive to do it again to get a PB. Coincidentally, parkrun are just starting to promote parkwalk, so perhaps others with injuries may wish to join me?
Also taking part in Littlehampton were Fraser Kidd, Cameron Coe, Al and Chris Evans and Debbie Birch. As usual, Hope Newcomer volunteered along with Chris Evans, another frequent parkrun volunteer.
Dave March, Stephen Feest, Les Pearce and Sue Pinky all ran in Worthing.
The Harvey brothers, Clive and Trevor, along with Glenn Parisi continued their tour, this time taking part at Guildford parkrun. Paul Fielder and Steve Fryer were further afield at Durham and Killerton respectively. Closer to home, Katie Young and Will King ran at Hogmoor Inclosure parkrun in Hampshire, meanwhile Colin and Sue Simpson ran at Morden in Surrey.
