As the summer marched on from July to August, there was no let-up in the heatwave for Frome’s club runners.
The new month kicked off with the Mendip Marauder on Saturday 4th August. This popular ultra trail run offers a 50-mile and 30-mile route, starting either in Frome or Wells and finishing in Weston-super-Mare. Alex Francis and Victoria Penman both took on the 30-miler and finished in times of 05:45:48 and 07:49:45 respectively.
The next challenge came in the form of the Salisbury 54321, on Sunday 12th August. This was another race with a choice of distances, and Frome’s Ben Spicer (M35) lined up for the 33K route and completed it in a time of 03:41:41. Ian Holmes (M50) opted for the 50K race and crossed the line in 05:14:15.
The last race in the Heddington 5K 2018 summer series was held the following Tuesday, 14th August. Joseph Donworth (MSEN) stormed home for Frome in a time of 00:16:31, earning himself second position overall. Kat Uphill (FSEN) was not far behind, posting a time of 00:18:56, which secured her first female overall. Gary Eagle (M50) crossed the line 00:18:58 to bag first in category, while Martin Ward (M60) finished second in category with a time of 00:23:21.
Another mid-week highlight came the following day with the return of the second Hilly Helmet Challenge in Westbury. The event is organised to raise funds for Brain Tumour Support and saw a strong turnout from local runners. Pete Larman was the first Frome club runner to cross the line in a time of 00:29:07. Andrew Smallbone was hot on his heels with a time of 00:31:08 followed by Ian Holmes in 00:34:40, Marcus Gaffney in 00:35:27 and Sarah Smallbone in 00:38:24. Richard Riley posted a time of 00:39:24 followed by Emma Surridge in 00:40:33, Jo Fordham in 00:40:45, Sara Elliott in 00:41:45, Lucy Gaffney in 00:42:29, Dave Perrett in 00:42:47 and Anne Porter in 00:43:37.
Frome Running Club offers both on and off-road training and welcomes new members, whatever the ability. For more details, visit www.fromerunning club.co.uk.