Round Up 5th – 13th April 2025
What a busy 2 weeks it has been! Spring races are in full flow and there has been Tuff action aplenty. Thank you so much to all our contributors and a huge well done to everyone who has competed over the last 2 weeks.
Swimathon 28th – 30th March 2025 (a late entrant to the round up!)
Swimathon is a fund-raising event held at over 450 pools across the UK, raising money for Cancer Research and Marie Curie. Over 2,000 swimmers took part this year. As is tradition, Tuff Fitty once again had swimmers diving in.
There was an epic performance from Andy Tester who participated at Sea Lanes in Brighton. Andy viewed this as training for his forthcoming swim across Lake Windermere – England’s largest lake. As the distance involved is 17.5km, this is exactly the distance Andy swam on the Friday and has raised over £400 so far for the Swimathon charities.
Other Tuffs spotted undertaking the event included; up at Slough pool, also on Friday, Trevor Harvey completing the 5k. Sunday saw Adam Stringer and Clive Harvey swim the 5k at Littlehampton Wave. Pete Littleboy has been attending Swimathon for more years than he cares to remember, first completing it at the Aquarena in Worthing. In completing the 2.5k distance, Pete reports he achieved his highest fund-raising total to date, particularly pleasing as this occurred during his London Marathon run training.
Spring Run the Seasons – Saturday 5th April
Many thanks to Adrian Oliver for reporting in on the Tuff action at the Spring edition of the Run the Seasons series at Cowdray Park:
Spring was in full swing with a cool, clear, deep blue sunny sky early Saturday morning for the 3rd Run the Seasons at Cowdray Estate. Once again, the Raw Energy Pursuits (REP) team, comprising of a large Tuff contingent (Harvey brothers Clive & Trevor, Jon, Tiff, Andy Rossiter and son, Andy Ward, Grant Smalley, Jane Custance, recent Tuff Debbie Boxall) organised a well-oiled event consisting of 5km, 10km and 10-mile trail runs, all with options for canicross.
As a change from the challenging Spring 2024 run course, which took in the heights of Bexley Hill, the 2025 route followed aspects of the Summer 2024 route across gently undulating trails, woodlands and sandy paths.
As usual, 10km and 10-mile canicross were let loose first to avoid trampling the human runners, with recently rejoined member Amanda de Ridder being the only Tuff representative in the 10km canicross, coming 8th overall, and 1st in her category in a snappy 51:45.
Next up was Simon Thistlethwaite in the 10-mile race, coming 4th overall in 1:15:22, 2nd in his category.
For the 10km, the newest Tuff Timothy Kenny completed in 1:05:58, with ever-smiling Katy Yates-Hill in 1:05:39, and Adrian Oliver in 48:40.
Hazel Tuppen ran the 5km, swapping her trusty dog Blue for a friend on her first trail run, and completed the 5km in 32:48 while Blue enjoyed the company of her friend’s partner.
Watch out for the final Summer Run The Season on Friday, 27th June, with options for 5km, 10km, BBQ and Bar. See you there!
Brighton Marathon – Sunday 6th April 2025
Well done to all the Tuff who took part in Brighton Marathon and 10k on Sunday 6th April in warm and windy conditions. Nathan Cooper, Phil Scales, Stu Harvey, Jay McCardle Josh Roper and Glenn Parisi all completed the marathon. Phil and Stu kindly took the time to report in.
First up, Stu:
Brighton Marathon and marathon number 2 of 3 for me this spring and despite being on the doorstep, it’s a race that had previously passed me by. However, whilst in the thick of a spring marathon training block, it seemed like the right time to get it ticked off.
Perhaps unfairly I wasn’t expecting much from it, given the chance of a windy seafront and the fact I’ve run those streets so many times before but to my pleasant surprise it was probably one of the most enjoyable races I’ve entered, bar the last 10k, which I’ll get on to…
After setting my marathon PB in Barcelona three weeks before I was keen to see if I had any more in the tank. Setting off from Preston Park, the conditions were ideal, the atmosphere amazing and the pace good, perhaps too good. Going through the Old Steine and past the Pavilion it has to be some of the best crowd support I’ve ever experienced, up there with London at times, and it continued all around the course. Sticking your name on your top really does make the difference.
Feeling pretty good until 30k, it’s then that the unrelenting sun made itself known. Having been ideal for the start, under the entirely cloudless sky it was perhaps getting too hot and I paid the price for going off too quickly, hitting the wall at 20 miles. The remaining 10k was a bit of a slog, but considering the heat and the salvage job needed at the end, I was happy to finish in 3:33:03.
I must say a massive thanks for all the Tuff support, especially Jon, Tiff and Gommy who popped up all around the course. On a challenging day temperature wise it made all the difference. Manchester marathon in two weeks, then a bit of a rest!
Next up, Phil:
I’ve been training for this event for a while. Until I did Portsmouth marathon at Christmas, I hadn’t done a marathon for over 10 years. The original plan was Portsmouth marathon Xmas 2024 – target 3hours 45 with trying to break the 3 hour 30 barrier for Brighton.
Training went well for Portsmouth and on race day I ran with Mark Walford and he got me my Brighton 3 hour 30 target. So mission accomplished!
Back into training a few days later. By late January an old injury came back which stopped me running for 3 weeks or so. (Turbo training was my only option).
By then I found a happy medium and was able to complete long runs but unable to do my beloved track speed sessions due to picking up more injuries. This seemed to work (though I did sneak in some track sessions in March).
Race day. Feeling good by now. Sun was out and temperature was – as expected after a load of winter training – unseasonably hot. With a little marathon experience I knew what sort of pace I can handle, but as adrenaline kicked in, it was a little faster than planned. Running through the streets of Brighton – large crowds were gathered for what seemed like miles with local live performances from choirs to bagpipes to DJs.
There was support from multiple Tuff members and family friends (even work colleagues) which always boosts your drive.
As with most marathons the last 6 miles is the hardest. This was no exception. I had to dig deep to maintain my new target pace.
The last 3km was a real test. The headwind was vicious. Unknown to me I had been running in the red zone since mile 19.
Managed to cross the line with a PB of 3 hours 21 minutes. Had some wonderful comments from fellow Tuff members as well as other friends and family members.
Brighton 10k – Sunday 6th April 2025
As well as the marathon, there was also a 10k event. Many thanks to Sue Pinky for sending in a report of her run with fellow Tuff, Nina Tully, which definitely proves that you can never anticipate all eventualities:
Woke up, couldn’t open my eyes. Massive allergic reaction to something and my eyes had pretty much swollen shut. Bloody nightmare! Spent the time I should have been walking Kylo, alternating between hot and cold compresses and took an antihistamine. Thankfully the swelling went down enough to be able to wear my contact lenses, a huge relief as my new glasses are no good for running in! Picked up Nina Tully and a friend, we decided not to do the 4 mile run in and do a gentle 2 mile walk instead, which meant we had more time for supporting the marathon runners after. Dropped bags and before we knew it, we were off. Went out at a comfortable pace, legs felt soooo good, breathing on point. Was surprised to see that I was running 9:30mm at one point so made myself slow down. The plan was 12mm – 15mm, as this was a London training run. Did get the occasional piriformis twinge and leg wanting to collapse under me but this was nothing compared to previous runs. When we got to 4 miles, I went all in with the pace and sped up but not by much. Awesome sprint finish with Nina smiling away and me grimacing which isn’t surprising as I was running at a 6:56mm pace!!! Finished with a 2 minute course PB. Very happy with that considering I was holding myself back ALOT. Once finished we walked a further 5 miles supporting the marathon. Heartbreaking moment when we saw a runner having CPR at roughly mile 22. Really, really hope that he is OK. It was very hot out there. 21 days until London. I’m finally feeling positive. I originally wanted a time of 5:15. Recently it’s been looking like closer to 7:30, now, I reckon I can do 6:30 which will give me a 45 min London PB! Please sponsor me for London if you can. https://2025tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/sue-pinky
South Downs Gravel X – Saturday 12th April 2025
Many thanks to Alex Webb for sending this report on the South Downs Gravel X. It is nice to have some cycling news to inspire us now that spring is here!
As gravel biking gains popularity worldwide, the number of events catering to this exciting sport is also on the rise. While I still enjoy road cycling, I’ve found myself increasingly drawn to off-road adventures since acquiring my gravel bike.
Glorious Gravel organises a number of sportifs across the UK and abroad, each varying in length and difficulty. The South Downs Gravel X starts and finishes at Plumpton racecourse and I opted for the long course, a demanding 75km ride with a daunting 1350m of elevation. I managed to rally a few brave companions: current Chairman Olly Sampson, former Head Coach Andrew Ward, and ex-Tuff Dan Fitzgerald.
The weather was perfect—sunny with a gentle breeze—and the event setup at the start was very well organised. We set off in groups (it’s not a race!) and began climbing within the first few kilometres. Some of the climbs were very tough, but overall the course was fantastic, offering a diverse mix of terrain and stunning views over the Downs, with the exception of a quirky detour through Newhaven! Despite a few punctures along the way, we all completed the course safely and celebrated with a beer at the finish line. All in all, it was a fantastic day in the saddle.
Grand National 10km Trail Run, Findon – Sunday 13th April 2025
The Grand National 10k run is held close to the date of the steeplechase as fund raising for Findon school. A testing course comprising a circuit of Nepcote Green before a continuous climb for 3km. Following a sharp descent a steep climb up the Monarchs Way to reach the summit and South Downs Way. Canicross were first under starter’s orders; Susan Douglas represented Tuff Fitty with Stig. Stig didn’t seem to mind the tough course with 800 foot of ascent as they finished with plenty of energy.
This year a new distance was included, a 5 mile route and Simon Thistlethwaite entered. Not an easy option covering 502 foot of ascent. Simon rode over (and back) covering 30 miles and cantered home first overall with a gap of just under nine minutes to second place.
The larger event, the 10k after the canicross was a pedigree field from the Tuff Fitty stable. Chris Robinson had his usual strong run and was tantalising close to a podium as our first finisher. Whilst there had been some overnight rain, the course was officially billed as ‘good’ and it was great to see Jon Babbage finish back as a Tuff, just 12 seconds off a top ten finish. Adrian Oliver was 13th with James Togneri also back in Tuff colours in 14th. To keep the horsey theme going, all entrants had to provide a racing avatar and our next finisher was Trevor Harvey running as Windsor Warhorse.
The organiser from Raw Energy is trying to encourage the horse theme with Findon’s racing history and three years ago asked runners to enter the spirit and dress up. Clive Harvey turned up in an inflatable horse and felt a right wally. You know the type, the one who turns up to a party thinking it was fancy dress and no one else bothered! However the costume was very well received by the school with much merriment as the jockey struggled with a malfunctioning fan which he found a bit deflating. Asked to horse around again last year, malfunctions were fixed. When asked if Knackers Yards could ride for a third time, Clive was pleased as he was not alone; two others dressed in jockey silks carrying hobby horses competed. Knackers Yard (name justified by the chaffing received) in the wind on the South Downs Way had to be ‘reined in’ to stop him bolting down to Steyning. It was therefore a surprise when Clive was first fancy dress home receiving a trophy as ‘Best in Show’ together with a bike pump as a prize.
As well as eight ‘riders’ there was great Tuff support. Shelley Babbage came along to the start line but having been feeling under the weather decided galloping around wasn’t the best idea so stayed on Nepcote Green supporting. Both Tiff Orton and Jon Roper were on their mountain bikes with Jon also a photographer. A challenging but recommended event.
parkrun Round Up
Saturday 5th April 2025
The prize for taking part in the most distant parkrun has been won hands down by Claire Moyle for the last 2 weeks, who is visiting family in Australia:
Today I ran at Carine Glades which is a really friendly park run with a field of 405 competitors. A flat course of 2 laps around the lake with paths of concrete, sand and forest trail. The sun was already warm at 8am but there was a strong breeze which kept it at a very pleasant temperature. First in my age group which was a pleasant surprise.
In the northern hemisphere, Stephen Feest ran at the somewhat less exotic Reading parkrun, Closer to home Colin and Sue Simpson took part at the Malling Rec parkrun. At Worthing Danny Cunnett, Hazel Sheward and Sue Pinky all participated. As usual, Littlehampton saw the most Tuff representation with Steve Fryer, Fraser Kidd, Kevin Pearson, Emma Hinton, Al Evans and Chis Evans all taking part. Hope Newcomer was on volunteering duty, along with Debbie Birch, who was Run Director. Congratulation to Emma for running her 50th parkrun and to Al for taking part in his 150th parkrun at Littlehampton!
Saturday 12th April 2025
Claire Moyle was running again in Australia and sent this report:
Another super park run with lovely marshals and great scenery and wildlife. The run consisted of a mix of path, grass and sandy trails and was 1 lap around Lake Monger. A perfect morning of sunshine and a cool breeze saw 454 runners complete the course and I managed a slightly faster time than last week and came second in my age group.
Back in the UK, 20 other Tuffs all took part in parkrun, mainly along the south coast. Worthing had the most participation with Danny Cunnett, Ed Lay, Les Pearce, Dave March, Nina Tully and Sue Pinky all running, closely followed by Littlehampton where Steve Fryer, Adrian Oliver, Kevin Pearson, Al Evans and Chris Evans all took part, with Hope Newcomer, Al Evans and Debbie Birch picking up volunteering credits. Glenn Parisi, Clive Harvey and Murray Hodge all chose Lancing Beach Green parkrun. Continuing eastwards, Carey Woods took part in the Brighton and Hove parkrun and Graeme Hadlow put in a speedy performance at Eastbourne. Colin and Sue Simpson were at the Wakehurst parkrun. Further afield, James Mapley zoomed around the course at the Somerdale Pavilion parkrun in Somerset and Paul Fielder took part in the Herrington Country parkrun in Sunderland. Well done to everyone for spreading Tuffness far and wide!
