For the third year in a row, Frome Running Club fielded a large contingent of runners at the Hilly Helmet Challenge on August 14th.
This popular four(ish)-mile multi terrain run is organised every year in Westbury to raise funds for Brain Tumour Support and runners are asked to run in a helmet of choice. Frome runner Andrew Smallbone finished in 00:33:03, followed by Giles Padfield in 00:35:06 and Ian Holmes in 00:35:31. Paul Waterer finished in 00:36:17, closely followed by Sarah Smallbone in 00:39:20, Neil Grist in 00:42:00, Jo Fordham in 00:42:39, Emma Surridge in 00:42:41 and Sara Elliott in 00:42:44. Dave Perrett was next, posting a time of 00:43:26, followed by Anne Porter in 00:46:56, Felicity Young in 00:54:18, Peter Lee in 00:55:50 and Catharine Dowling in 00:58:24.
Over in Tywyn Wales, Frome runner Ellie Burford (FSEN) pitted herself against the local rail service in the Race the Train event on August 17. Chasing the train over a 10K route, Ellie posted a PB time of 00:55:21, arriving just seconds after the train.
August 18 saw the return of Bath 50K ultra relay. A team of Frome’s finest stepped up to the challenge, each runner completing a 10K leg. Overall, the team completed the distance in 04:26:33, earning themselves 18th position overall. Paddy Mead finished the first leg in 00:55:45, followed by Helen James in 00:52:47 (PB). Ali Smith completed his leg in 00:55:06, while Paul Waterer posted a time of 00:47:48 (PB) for his 10K and Neil Grist completed the route in 00:55:07 (PB).
Paddy and Helen were in action again the following Sunday in the Battle of Sedgemoor 10K race. Paddy Mead completed the route around the villages of Drayton, Muchelney and Langport in 00:56:04, followed by Helen in 00:57:43.
On the August Bank Holiday, yet more Fromies took the starting line of the Baltonsborough 5-Mile. Ted Sprules (MV60) posted a time of 00:34:07 while Jo Fordham crossed the line in 00:36:14 as the first lady overall. Harry Ebdon put a fitting end to the month by participating in the Conquest of Avalon ultra marathon on Saturday August 31. He completed the 30-mile route from Castle Cary to Glastonbury in 07:43:39.
The club offers both on and off-road training and welcomes new members, whatever the ability. For more details, visit www.fromerunningclub.co.uk.