Weekend Round Up 26th 27th March
British Summertime has arrived and Tuffs were quick off the mark to take advantage as you will read.
GOODWOOD SPRING DUATHLON
The first staging of the Goodwood Duathlon since before lockdown produced good racing conditions with a civilised 10:30am start time after losing an hours sleep with the clocks moving forward; although the circuit was active from 7:30am with Tri-star races beforehand. Entrants had a choice of long or short course. As many Tuffs have been around the Goodwood circuit it is probably easier to set out the distances as, Long course 1 lap run, 10 laps on the bike before a 2 lap run to finish. Short course comprised 1 lap run, 6 laps on the bike before a final 1 lap run. Unfortunately the Tuff contingent was expected to be double but injury and other circumstances left just a trio of Tuffs on track. Andy Crawford and Ben Cumberland raced long, with Catharine Western, short course. Good results and thanks go to Andy for reporting in on his season’s opener:-
“As I was driving around Arundel on Sunday morning looking in various garages, sheds, and back gardens for my TT bike, I encountered Catharine Western pushing her bike along the road. “Just checking it’s still working!” she cried merrily”.
“This might give some indication of our level of preparation. However it was a beautiful day, the course was great and very well attended and organised and it was great to see our own Clive Harvey as Chief Technical Official keeping us all in line and cheering when he could”.
Catharine managed a top 10 ladies finish, I was about middle of the pack in an increasingly competitive field, but altogether it was great to get racing again. Also good to see another Tuff, Ben, and get some cheers from the Portsmouth guys.
Andy
JURASSIC COAST CHALLENGE
Our very own Geordie, Paul Atkinson was back in action returning to the challenge of completing three marathons in three days around rugged coastal terrain. This one started in Charmouth. Click on the above photo for Paul’s pics to scroll through the album. If you are inspired to take part; the organisers say “Run, walk or crawl a marathon a day for 3 days” the next coastal challenge is Devon Coast Path 13th-15th May (Hartland Quay to Porlock Bay) with The Atlantic Coastal Challenge (Padstow to Lands End) in October. Paul will see you at that one, but for now, thanks for reporting in:-
“The JCC is one of 3 races in VoTwo’s Coastal Challenge series, and the first of the year. Usual format. 3 coastal marathons, 3 days of self navigation, marmite sandwiches from Checkpoint 2, keep the sea on your right.
The T-shirt very specifically says 78.6 miles but it’s a lie. Every day is always a surprise on the JCC because you never really know how far it will be, and that’s even if you follow the correct route. It’s surprisingly difficult to keep the sea on your right.
So 3 ultras later I’ve covered 137km (85 miles), climbed 3,600m climb (11,800 ft) and suffered two very burnt calves 🙄.
The JCC is basically a tour of all the top tourist spots in Dorset – Charmouth, Golden Cap, West Bay (Broadchurch off of the tele), Abbotsbury Swannery (no swans), Chesil Beach (hideous to run on, tarmac it), Portland Bill, Portland Prison lol, Weymouth Harbour dodging the drunks, Durdle Door (over-subscribed), Lulworth Cove, Kimmeridge Bay, Durlston lighthouse, Swanage, Old Harry’s Rocks, the naturist beach at Studland Bay (3 confirmed sightings), Poole Harbour and the Sandbanks ferry. Something for everyone!
Great to be back after an eventful 6 months. Already looking forward to a return to the Atlantic Coast Challenge in October – return to the scene of the crime.”
Paul
TUFF FITTY BRING AND BUY SALE
The Tuff ‘Bring and Buy sale is coming together nicely, for the big night on Saturday 9th April, straight after swimming. As previously mentioned Tania Pascoe has very kindly donated some of Joe’s multisport kit for sale. This is being added to with other donated items with the sale proceeds going to three nominated cancer charities selected by Tania. We are extremely grateful to our very own Helen Bull who has sourced with the generosity of her employer – Serco Leisure, some swim accessories. Donating directly to Tuff Fitty for use at our swim sessions are some pull buoys. In addition for sale on Saturday, there are is a sizeable number of goggles, plus some children’s swimwear and a small quantity of drinks bottles. All these are new with sale proceeds going into the charity fund.
Secondly Shelley Babbage will be on hand with stock of Tuff kit, for members to purchase, place an order, or try items for size. Thirdly members are able to bring along any multisport kit they would like to sell themselves where it would be appreciated if successful, sellers were able to make a small donation from proceeds to the charity fund.
We now have another great offer, and reason to attend the sale in that Nina Tully has very kindly sourced a set of Shokz Headphones to be raffled with the proceeds going to St Barnabas. Tickets will ONLY be available on Saturday Evening during the Bring and Buy sale & will be priced at £1. In return for donating the (expensive) headphones it is asked that the winner agrees to be videoed opening their prize and that every ticket holder fills in a short questionnaire. Please follow the link here to fill in the questionnaire as we are asked to complete that in advance and on Saturday bring along a pound (or two) to go into the draw – it could be you!
MONDAY EVENING RUN
British Summertime means there is now sufficient light to move Tuffs Monday evening run back to its summer location of Angmering Park. Monday 28th was the first night of our return and what a debut with numbers quadrupling over the winter seafront route.
Is this for suitable for you? The routes are off-road around Arundel Park with the start location outside The Fox Inn, Patching (postcode BN13 3UJ) so central for our catchment area. The run is a good way to start the new week and traditionally we split into groups, so if you fancy a pacey run out or a more steady canter after a weekend of racing/training, then there will be a group for you. We start from outside the Pub at 6:30pm. Whilst the pub is yet to open on a Monday, once it does periodically we have a few specials where we stop for a wee drinkie after. Come and give it a go, you would be most welcome.
PARKRUN ROUND UP
At Littlehampton parkrun Richard Budd was our first Tuff home in 21:50. Kev Pearson was next, once again on pacing duties. Nick Hartfield attained a new PB as he also finished his 25th parkrun. Sheila Bailey was another runner to get a PB thrashing her previous best over this two lap course. Next home a trio of tuffs as Bob Thomas. Kate Evans & Vicky Cooper all completed withing 3 seconds of each other. Alistair Evans completed his 77th parkrun to see 8 Tuffs cross the line.
Worthing parkrun saw Dave March as first Tuff across the finish line. Ed Lay was second Tuff on his 82nd parkrun. Elaine Rousseau has clocked up 88 Worthing parkruns out of her total of 120 so it was great news to see Elaine attained a new PB breaking her previous PB by 24 seconds – is this connected to Elaine’s recent attendance at Tuff Track night?
At Maidenhead parkrun Trevor Harvey notched up his 41st parkrun.
Lancing Green parkrun saw Sue Pinky in action who has now amassed 118 parkruns’ Good work from all 13 Tuff parkrunners this weekend.
