Local runners compete in 50k ultra marathon

July got off to a cracking start for local runners with the Ham & Lyme 50K ultra marathon on Saturday 8th July.

Giles Padfield led the field, completing the route in 05:59:34. He was followed by Victoria Penman and Lynne Brand, who crossed the line together in 06:40:24. Fleur Rush and Becky Webb were the next pair to finish in a joint time of 07:01:56. Marcus Gaffney and Lucy Gaffney finished shortly after in 07:27:02, followed by Dave Perrett and Sarah Perrett in 08:09:35.

The following day, 9th July, saw the third of this year’s four Two Tunnels events in Bath. Katherine Uphill (FSEN) completed the 10K distance in 00:40:41 to earn 2nd female and 2nd in category. Hot on her heels was David White (MSEN), who finished in 00:48:28. Sarah Smallbone (FV50) was next across the line in 00:51:37, to earn 5th in category while Emma Surridge (FV40) finished shortly after in 00:53:45. Sally Brooker (FV50) posted a time of 01:00:15, followed by Bruce Lockyer (MV50) in 01:11:38.

Ali Smith (MV60) took part in the Bath Two Tunnels Half and recorded a time of 01:56:49, which earned him first position in category.

The following Tuesday, 11th July, saw the second in the Heddington 5K series. Stuart Clarke (MSEN) crossed the line in 00:18:56, followed by Kat Uphill, whose time of 00:19:09 earned her 1st female and 1st in category. Peter Reed (MSEN) finished in 00:23:34, followed by Ali Smith (MV60) in 00:24:51.

Sunday 16th July heralded the return of the Frome Half Marathon, 10K and 5K races. Emma Evans (FV35) led the field for Frome in the 5K with a time of 00:26:01, followed by Mary Evans (FJUN) in 00:27:48 and Alan Berry (MV60+) in 00:44:10. Over the 10K distance, David White (MSEN) crossed the line in 00:48:44, followed by Julian Keegan (MV50) in 00:48:58, Sarah Smallbone (MV50) in 00:53:19, Catharine Dowling (FV35) in 00:56:52, Dave Perrett (MV40) in 00:59:09 and Chris Chivers (MSEN) in 01:00:58.

James Arnall-Culliford was the first Frome Club runner to finish the half marathon, posting a time of 01:27:48 to finish 3rd in category. He was followed by Ted Sprules (MV60+) in 01:32:48 and Kat Uphill (FSEN), whose time of 01:39:16 secured her 5th position in category. Stuart Clarke (MV40) was next to finish in 01:39:39, followed by Pete Larman (MV40) in 01:49:26 and Ben Spicer (MSEN) in 01:55:05. Chris Steele (MV50) finished in 01:56:16, followed by Paddy Mead (MV40) in 02:01:46 and Elizabeth Evans in 02:03:53.

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.