FROME runners have laced up in Cornwall, Westbury, Salisbury, and Pilton this month.
Two of Frome Running Club’s ultramarathon stalwarts took on the Atlantic Coast Challenge on the 7th, 8th and 9th of October. Starting near Padstow and finishing at Land’s End, the event sees participants complete three marathons in three days. Vicki Trundle (FS) completed the gruelling challenge in a total time of 19:23:01 and Richard Corp (MV) posted a time of 23:13:34.
The accolades kept coming for Frome on Sunday 9 October as over at the White Horse Country Park in Westbury. Frome club runner Jerry Rayner (MSEN) completed the Westbury Lions Club 10K in a time of 00:37:34 to take first position overall. Anthony Sprules (MV60) also finished strong with a time of 00:41:52 to bag 8th position overall.
Over in Salisbury, runners were lining up for the city’s half marathon. This fast, flat course takes participants through the historic city streets and the picturesque cathedral grounds. Chris Stringer (M30-39) was the first Frome club runner to cross the line, posting a time of 01:40:37. Marcus Gaffney (M40-49) followed not long after at 01:45:00, Richard Tewkesbury (M60-69) at 01:54:24 and Lucy Gaffney (F40-49) at 02:00:45.
A strong contingent of Frome Running Club athletes was also out in force for the challenging off-road Mendip Muddle. Joseph Donworth (MSEN) was first to cross the line with a time of 01:33:53, followed by Stephen Ratcliffe (MV40) at 02:06:17 and Martin Taylor (MV50) at 02:09:33. Fleur Rush (FV40) completed the course in a time of 02:11:01 while Adrian Mead (MV40) finished in 02:19:45. Rebecca Webb (FSEN) crossed the line in 02:20:42, followed by Peter Lee (MV70), whose time of 02:38:27 earned him first in category.
Over in Pilton, yet more runners were taking part in the Festival Run 10k passing Glastonbury’s famous Pyramid Stage and Stone Circle as well as the Medieval Pilton Abbey Barn and part of the old Somerset & Dorset Railway line. Peter Larman came in 11th overall and 5th in category with a time of 00:41:20. He was followed by Adrian Marchment at 00:51:33, Dave Perrett at 00:59:36, Emma Flexon at 01:03:46 and Graham Farley at 01:05:39.
October also saw members taking part in a number of major events close to home and further afield.
On Sunday, 2nd October, three intrepid Frome club runners made their way to the Welsh capital to take part in the Cardiff Half Marathon. Nathaniel Collier (MU20) was the first Frome runner to cross the line, posting a time of 01:49:32. He was closely followed by Andrew Barton (M45-49) at 01:54:09. Maxine Barton (F40-44) completed the course in a time of 02:27:02.
Even more club runners made it to the Bournemouth Marathon and Half Marathon. Ellie Jones (FSEN) and Christopher Fleming (M45) took to the starting line for the full marathon and posted times of 04:16:57 and 05:15:28 respectively. John Boulton (M55) was the first club runner to complete the half-marathon course for Frome in a time of 01:59:25. Anne Porter (F55) was hot on his heels, coming just outside the two-hour mark with a time of 02:00:02. Paddy Mead (M40) was next to finish in a time of 02:04:39. He was followed by Catharine Dowling (F35) in 02:06:45 and Sally Brooker (F50) in 02:07:33. Laura Francis (F40) crossed the line in 02:13:39, followed by Jill Cox (F45) at 02:27:16, Lynette Grimstead (F45) at 02:34:24 and Jude O’Connor at 02:35:30.
Yet more club runners were lining for the Cricklade Half Marathon. Joseph Donworth (MSEN) led the Frome pack, crossing the line in 01:17:59 to earn himself fourth position overall and second in category. He was followed by Stuart Clarke (MSEN) at 01:33:34, Dave Perrett (MSEN) at 02:06:57 and Sarah Perrett (FSEN) at 02:13:13.
Rounding off the day, two further Frome athletes took part in the Clarendon Marathon. This challenging yet scenic race is mainly off-road and follows the Clarendon Way to Winchester. Marcus Gaffney (M45-49) completed the course in a time of 04:23:00 and Stephen Ratcliffe (M45-49) posted a time of 05:16:39.
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
