Spring is in the air for Frome runners

LAST month started in style on Sunday 3rd March with the Chippenham Spring 10 Mile, which starts and finishes in Monkton Park in the heart of Chippenham.  

James Arnall-Culliford (MV40) was the first to finish for Frome Running Club, posting an impressive time of 01:06:53. Next past the post was Alan Brawn (MV50) in 01:18:46, followed by Ben Spicer (MV40) in 01:21:00. The following Sunday, Alex Fisher (MV40) was in action at the Castle Combe Chilly 10K putting in a personal best (PB) performance of 00:41:28.

Just three days later, Alex posted another PB in Street at the last race in the 2023/24 Street 5K series, comfortably breaking the 20-minute mark with a time of 00:19:51. Hot on his heels were David Lee (MV40) in 00:21:11 and Daniel Thomson (MSEN) in 00:21:38. They were followed by Brett Sadler (MV60), whose time of 23:59:00 earned him first in age category.

A busy day for local runners was Sunday 17th March with the return of the Bath Half. As usual, Frome fielded a strong team, with Alex Fisher again leading the field with another speedy PB time of 01:32:00. He was closely followed by Jay Bigford (MV45) in 01:33:07, David Alsford (MV55) in 01:44:37, Daniel Thomson (MSEN) in 1:47:31 and Christopher Steele (MV60) in 02:01:57. 

Next past the post was Clare Dunning (FV35) in 02:04:43, Chris Chivers (MV40) in 02:28:02 and Gemma Scorgie (FV35) in 03:54:04. On the same day over in Devon, three more Frome runners took on the 20-mile Grizzly and its sister race, the 9-mile Cub, both covering gruelling multi-terrain routes with bogs, streams, beaches, and very steep hills. 

Paul Horton (MV55) crossed the finish line of the Grizzly in 03:06:35, bagging second in age category. He was followed by Emma Surridge (FV45) in 03:46:32 and Ian Holmes (MV55) in 03:55:34. Ellie Burford (FV35) completed The Cub in 01:43:38, earning herself second in age category. 

The prize for the furthest traveller of the month goes to Anne Denman, who travelled to New York City to take part in the New York Half Marathon, completing the iconic route in 02:11:19. Rounding out the month was the Hullavington 20, a 20-mile road race following a gently undulating and picturesque course, near Chippenham. Sarah Burns (FV40) was first past the post for FRC in a time of 02:37:15, followed by Jason Burns (MV50) in 03:10:21 and Lynn Brand (FV60) in 03:10:51, whose speedy time earned her first in age category.

Frome Running Club offers both on and off-road training and welcomes new members, whatever their ability. For more details, visit www.fromerunningclub.co.uk.