NESTLING on the southern edge of the Mendips, the city of Wells is famous for its Medieval architecture and impressive cathedral.
On Sunday, 28 May the city also hosted the Wells 10K race. 366 runners took the starting line, among them two Frome stalwarts. Joseph Donworth (MSEN) completed the route in 00:37:18, which saw him take 5th position overall and fourth in category. He was followed soon after by Ted Sprules (MV60), whose time of 00:42:32 saw him bag 1st position in category.
Nearly 50 miles away in Dorset, more runners were lining up for the inaugural Dorchester Marathon and Casterbridge half marathon on the same Sunday. The courses took athletes out on closed roads through the historic town of Dorchester and picturesque Dorset villages. Victoria Penman (FV40) was the first Frome Club runner to complete the marathon, posting a time of 04:08:48. She was followed by Marcus Gaffney (MV40) in 04:11:30, Lucy Gaffney (FV40) in 04:31:29 and Adrian Mead (MV40) in 04:51:05. James Arnall-Culliford (MV40) finished the half marathon route 01:30:01, earning himself 5th position overall and 1st in category. He was followed by Richard Tewkesbury (MV60) in 02:11:43. Club runner Lynne Brand went slightly further afield that Sunday to take part in the Edinburgh Marathon. Lynne completed the course in a sub-four-hour time of 03:56:36, notching up a PB for the distance.
The following Thursday, 1 June, Frome runner Martin Taylor (M 50-59) lined up for the Burrington Blaster not far from Weston-Super-Mare. Martin completed the approximately 8-km off-road course in 00:48.04. On Sunday, 4 June, Joseph Donworth (M33) was in action again, this time in Chippenham for the town’s 5-mile race. Joseph put in a sterling performance and went on to win the race overall with an impressive time of 00:28:12. Katherine Uphill (F29) recorded an equally impressive time of 00:31:48 and was the first female to cross the line. Three of the club’s junior athletes took part in the Family Fun Run on the same day. Samuel Evans (M14) crossed the finish line in 00:06:39, followed by Toby Evans (M11) in 00:07:41 and Mary Evans in 00:08:22.
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
