December started in a festive fashion on Sunday, 7th December with the Bromham Pudding Run, a fast flat 10k road race in the Wiltshire village of Bromham.
First to finish for Frome was Alex Fisher (MV40) in 00:37:57, followed by Dan Gaisford (MV40) in 00:39:18, Annabel Litchfield (FSEN) in 00:40:44, and Keith Vance (MV50) in 00:43:02. He was followed by Poppy Burton-Morgan (FV40) in 00:43:07 (3rd in age category), David Lee (MV50) in 00:43:44, Sam Baraud (MSEN) in 00:44:29, Ian Holmes (MV50) in 00:46:22, Neal Crowe (MV60) in 00:46:44, Andrew Fowler (MV40) in 00:47:42 and Nadia Miah (FSEN) in 00:48:38.
Next past the post was John Yeo (MV50) in 00:48:53, Ella Kempshall (FSEN) in 00:50:16, Emma Yeo (FV50) in 00:50:19, Joanne Thwaite (FV40) in 00:50:31, Jess Jones-Hutchings (FSEN) in 00:50:43, Clare Dunning (FSEN) in 00:51:21, Emma Surridge (FV50) in 00:53:42, Geraldine Fowler (FV40) in 00:54:29, Emma Evans (FV50) in 00:59:54 and Suzanne Ingle (FV40) in 01:01:51.
Just three days later, Frome was back in action at the Street 5k race. Four Frome club runners took to the starting line with Alex Fisher (MV40) finishing in 00:18:19 (1st in age category), followed by Daniel Thomson (MSEN) in 00:20:47, David Lee (MV50) in 00:20:54 and Brett Sadler (MV70) in 00:23:55 (1st in age category).
Another festive treat was in store with the Westonbirt House Christmas 10k at the stunning Westonbirt House and Gardens on 14th December. Alexander Fisher (MV40) was again the first Frome runner home in a time of 00:37:52, earning him second position overall and second in age category. He was followed by Poppy Burton-Morgan (FV40) whose time of 00:43:06 bagged her second female and first in age category, Keith Vance (MV50) finished next in 00:44:02, followed by Alan Brawn (MV50) in 00:49:18, Ella Kempshall (FSEN) in 00:49:47, Emma Yeo (FV50) in 00:49:50 (3rd in age category), John Yeo (MV50) in 00:49:51, Nicky Thomas (FV50) in 00:50:16, Emma Evans (FV50) in 00:59:38 and Clare Dunning (FSEN) in 00:59:26.
Also on the 14th was the Tri Counties Cross Country Event in Bath, race no. 4 in the Wiltshire Offroad League. Ronan Ferguson (MSEN) in 00:40:24 was first to finish to Frome, followed by Michael Gorman (M35) in 00:42:16, Dan Gaisford (M45) in 00:43:58, David Lee (M45) in 00:48:24, and Sam Baraud (M35) in 00:50:18,
On Sunday 21st December, three hardy club runners lined up for the Baltonsborough Christmas Run, a five-mile road race on undulating country lanes. Jo Fordham (FV50) in 00:37:57 was the first Frome runner home, followed by John Yeo (MV50) in 00:38:39 and Emma Yeo (FV50) in 00:39:40.
Finishing off the year with a classic Twixmas challenge was Ian Holmes (MV50), who took part in Plain Crazy, a 12.5ish mile route across the hilly Warminster countryside. Ian completed the route in 01:46:24.
Frome Running Club offers both on and off-road training and welcomes new members, whatever the ability. For more details, visit www.fromerunningclub.co.uk.
Picture: Frome Running Club at The Westonbirt House Christmas 10K
