Weekend Round Up 17th 18th August
RIVER ADUR 5K
There was a strong cold northerly wind across the banks of the River Adur as the race HQ was set up. However by mid morning as Team Tuff arrived the wind abated and there was warm sunshine reflecting off the river. There were seventeen Tuff swimmers who boarded the five coaches to take everyone upstream to swim 5k back to Shoreham.
Allowing for the tide, times were comparable with previous years and our first swimmer home was Andy Tester; 7th overall (and 3rd in his age group in just 61 minutes. James Togneri was next 6th in his competitive senior age category. Adrian Oliver was another Tuff to finish inside the top 50 finishers. Stephen O’Donnell started a procession of Tuffs hauling themselves away from the current and up the slippery landing ramp, Dom Amey was followed up the ramp by Clare Worgan, and then Adam Stringer, Karl Halom, & Mark Dinsdale. Kate Cooper and Sue Neilson ran smiling up the ramp together (see below). Jon Babbage was next and its great to give a shout out to our newest member Sam Mahe who followed Jon up the ramp. Wendy Kane, Paul Martin, Karly Martin and Shelley Babbage all did well to ensure the Tuff squad achieved some good times.
As well as our illustrious 17 swimmers there was plenty of Tuffs on the Raw Energy Team; well done to Andy Rossiter, Clive Harvey, Debbie Boxall, Jane Custance, Jon Roper, Sheila Bailey, & Tiff Orton. It was nice of Hazel Tuppen to come along and support, running down the riverbank with Jimbo Brock, and Leah Simms at the finish line to complete a very successful gathering of twenty seven Tuffs in the sun.
We have two great inspirational reports – first up from Kate Cooper:-
‘If I had to sum up Saturday’s 5km Adur swim in one word, it would be joyful! I arrived with some trepidation, never having taken part in a river swim or having swum 5km. Within minutes of arriving, my nerves were allayed both by similarly anxious Tuffs and more experienced swimmers with words of advice and encouragement’.
‘The organisation was very slick and almost before I knew it, I was in the water next to Sue Neilson. We decided to try to swim the race together and that is what we did, stroke for stroke from the start to the finish. I had expected to have to dig deep to swim 5km, but it was such fun swimming down the river with the tide and so encouraging to see Sue alongside me every time I took a breath, that I was almost disappointed to swim under the final bridge’.
‘In common with lots of Tuffs, I have a habit of pushing myself outside of my comfort zone and I can’t think of a more encouraging, friendlier and generally lovely bunch of people to do it with!’
Kate
Next a report from Wendy Kane :-
Wendy
‘What can I say, a wonderful morning of swimming! It’s such a friendly and well organised event! So great to see Sheila, Clive, Tiff and Jon on the event team with their big smiles and hugs! My 2nd time swimming this event, its a great swim up the Adur with so much support so you always feel safe along the way, with the most Fantastic welcome home when you hit the finish line!
A total MUST on the swimming calendar! Anyone unsure about it I really urge you to have a go next year, can’t recommend it enough!
Wendy
GOODWOOD HILL CLIMB RUN
A Thursday evening run, usually a good place to do some Tuff spotting, but this year just two Tuff petrolheads, Stuart & Clive Harvey were present at this charity run. Starting on the main drive of Goodwood House the route follows the main hill climb that the cars take at the Festival of Speed. However for human power, included is a left turn down to the east gates of the estate first, which simply increases the distance, and amount of ascent. After the continual climb runners emerge at the top of the Downs where the Goodwood Cross Country race takes place.
As has been common for Thursday’s over the last couple of weeks the weather was dreadful with continual drizzle and at the top low cloud meant runners had to check their directions. Once the 5k mark had been reached there was the glorious 2 mile downhill dash back to the finish for the obligatory bling. Unfortunately the dark wet evening rather spoilt the traditional refreshments outside the health club. Stu was delighted to beat his PB by 1 minute which had stood since 2017 and Clive was happy to be quicker than last year by 50 seconds.
PARKRUN ROUND UP
# please note Worthing parkrun is cancelled this Saturday 24th August
We start at Littlehampton parkrun where Simon Grundy was our first runner home in just 19:19. Steve Fryer was next in 20:31 with Stuart Harvey finishing 40 seconds later. Fraser Kidd was another one running well, this week pushing Georgia in her buggy. Colin Simpson accrued another strong age grade on his 271st parkrun. Bob Rogers ran well as first in his age group; Chris Evans achieved his first milestone gaining the motif for his 25th parkrun. Also present on the volunteer team were Debbie Birch and Hope Newcomer for a grand total of 9 tuffs on the Prom. Two of the top eleven age gradings were attained by Simon & Bob – impressive.
Worthing parkrun saw Alex Webb in fine form as he crossed the finish line in just 18:30, a new PB shaving a further 2 seconds off his time. Danny Cunnett was our next runner collecting a high age grading percentage. Les Pearce added to his tally finishing his 213th parkrun. Ed Lay is another one with a strong parkrun record; this week pacing someone. Kate Evans was next and then good to see Elaine Rousseau back on the parkrun trail after her Iron distance adventure.
At Bognor parkrun there was a super 8th place finish for Cameron Coe as he navigated the twisting turns around Hotham Park in just 19:44.
As well as our ‘home runs’ the following Tuffs were on the tourist trail:-
Teignmouth Promenade parkrun in Devon is another promenade course, although held over three laps. This week Ross Court participated running here for the first time.
Barclay parkrun is at Hoddesdon in Hertfordshire. Alistair Evans ran here; three laps around Barclay Park to take his total to 189 parkruns.
The furthest Tuff tourist was Paul Fielder who ran at Darlington South parkrun. The route was another three lapper inside Stoke Park around the lake and the river Skerne.
Well done to all nineteen
WORLD AQUATHLON CHAMPIONSHIPS
Katie Young has submitted a ‘pre-race’ photo ahead of participation at the World Aquathlon Championships in Townsville Australia. In Australia with Will KIng, we wish them good luck
