March saw the race season really kick off for local runners.
Vicki Trundle got the ball rolling for from Frome Running Club on 3rd March with the Green Man Ultra, a 45-mile race starting and finishing at Ashton Court, Bristol. Vicki completed the challenge in 09:55:00.
Two days later, more Frome runners lined up for the Big Cheese race in Cheddar. Martin Taylor (MV50) was the first Frome club runner to finish the 15-mile, off-road route, posting a time of 02:10:4. He was followed by Lee Stone (MV40) at 02:14:19, Ian Holmes (MV40) at 02:17:10 and Marcus Gaffney (MV40) at 02:46:41.
The following weekend held more challenges in the form of the Larmer Tree Half Marathon, Full Marathon and 20-Mile race. Emma Evans (F40-44) was first across the line in the half marathon with a time of 02:35:42. She was followed by Sara Elliot (F55-59), whose time of 02:49:28 earned her 3rd place in category, and Angela Smith (F55-59) at 03:13:25. Martin Taylor (M55-59) was again the first Frome club runner to finish the Larmer Tree 20 in 03:54:22, earning himself 3rd in category. Jack Harrington (M25-29) was next across the line in 04:34:46, followed by Sam Charlton (F30-34) in 04:42:45 and Emma Flexon (F40-44) in 04:57:24. Finally, two hardy club runners took on the Larmer Tree Full Marathon. Fleur Rush (F45-49) finished in 05:09:30, for fourth place in category, closely followed by Rebecca Webb (F30-34) in 05:09:31, a time that earned her second in category.
Sunday 12th March also saw the return of the perennial favourite, the Bath Half Marathon. Joseph Donworth (SM) was the first Frome club runner to finish with a time of 01:17:19. He was followed by Katherine Uphill (SF) in 01:27:40, Pete Larman (VM45) in 01:29:07, Ted Sprules (VM60) in 01:32:22 and Victoria Penman (VF40) in 01:46:24. Christopher Steele (VM55) crossed the line in 01:49:10, Adrian Mead (VM45) in 01:52:45, Alistair Smith (VM65) in 01:54:30, Lynn Brand (VF55) in 01:54:31 and Ellie Jones (SF) in 01:54:33. David White (SM) completed the course in 01:55:22, followed by Sarah Smallbone (VF50) in 01:55:45, Sarah Perrett (VF35) in 02:00:43, Adella Jackson (VF35) in 02:01:39 and Iain Brownlie (VM45) in 02:09:01.
Over in Weymouth, yet more runners took part in the Weymouth Half Marathon. Frome runner Catharine Dowling (F35-39) finished in 02:04:49. Followed by Anne Porter (F55-59) in 02:12:10, Sally Brooker (F50-54) in 02:13:06, Felicity Young (F50-54) in 02:13:50 and Lynette Grimstead (F45-49) in 02:20:23.
Finally, in Lewes, Graham Farley was flying the flag for Frome at the Moyleman Marathon. He completed the course in 06:02:12.
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.
Above: Frome club runners at the Bath Half.