Runners at hometown half and summer races

FROME Running Club saw pleasing results this month with athletes taking park in races at the town’s own half marathon, as well as others across Somerset and Dorset.

Emma Surridge reports, “Sunday 17 July was an important date in Frome’s running calendar, with the town hosting the Frome Half Marathon, the Frome 10K, the Frome 5K and the 1k junior races. With the 10K race listed as number 6 in the Wiltshire Road Race League, there were plenty of points up for grabs for local runners.

“Frome athletes didn’t disappoint. A total of 18 members of Frome Running Club lined up for the Frome 10K. Joseph Donworth (MSen) stormed home with a time of 36:40.3, putting him in 11th position overall and 6th in category.

“James Arnall-Culliford (M40) was next to cross the line at 39:27.1, a time that earned him 4th position in category. Hot on his heels was Lee Stone (M40) 39:46.8, who came 6th in category. He was followed by Jerry Rayner (MSEN) at 40:30.1 and Anthony Sprules (M60+), whose outstanding time of 41:15.3 earned him 1st in category.

“Next to cross the line was Stuart Clarke (MSEN) at 41:55.9, followed by Peter Larman (M40) at 43:48.2, Shane Ford (MSEN) at 46:25.6 and Pete Berryman (M50) at 46:54.9.

“Kathryn Clarke (FSEN) was the first Frome club female to cross the line at 47:57.9. She was closely followed by David White (MSEN) at 48:15.6. Julian Keegan (M50) posted a time of 48:41.8, while Ade Marchment (M50) achieved a personal best with 49:10.8.

“Tessa Hibbert (F40) was the next female to cross the line at 55:14.1, followed by Adella Jackson (FSEN) at 56:45.4. Steve Jackson (M40) came in at 58:30.4, Peter Lee (M60+) at 1:00:41.5 and Chris Stringer (MSEN) at 1:00:34.5.

“Frome also fielded a strong contingent of runners for the gruelling half marathon. Keith Robinson (M60+) was the first club runner to finish the 13.1-mile course. His time of 1:32:51.0 bagged him first position in category.

“Jonathan Francis (M40) was next, with a time of 1:33:25.7 earning him 5th in category. William De Bolla (MSEN) recorded a time of 1:41:32.0, followed by Joel Sudworth (M40) at 1:44:15.6, Justin Doherty (M40) at 1:56:34.0 and Nathaniel Collier (MSEN) at 1:57:05.1. Richard Riley (M50) crossed the line in 2:01:04.6, while Rebecca Horsfall (FSEN) posted a time of 2:08:43.5 and Chris Fleming (M40) came home in 2:27:16.2.

“Fiona Sweenie (F40) and Maxine Barton (F40) took part in the 5k race, posting times of 33:11.8 and 37:32.1 respectively.

“The runners’ efforts in the 10K translated into real gains in the league table, with the Frome A team moving up two spaces to position 6 in Division One and the B team also jumping two spots from 5th to 3rd in Division Two.

“On 9th July Emma Flexon ran 50km of the Liberty Trail from Ham Hill Country Park to Lyme Regis, completing the distance in an impressive 08:28:54.

“Meanwhile, back in Wiltshire, the second race in the Heddington 5K series took place on Tuesday 12th July. Five athletes from Frome Running Club lined up to win some points for the club.

“Joseph Donworth (MS) was again the first Frome runner past the post, with an outstanding time of 00:16:34.10, placing him in third position overall and in his age category. Lee Stone (MV) followed shortly after at 00:18:24.60. This impressive time was a personal best for Lee and earned him 14th position overall and 5th in category.

“Hot on his heels was Stuart Clarke (MS) with a time of 00:18:50.75 and Shane Ford (MS) at 00:20:28.90. Kathryn Clarke (FS) took ninth place in her category with a speedy time of 00:22:08.90. Frome Running Club’s A team is currently in 8th position in Division 1 of the Wiltshire Road Race League. The B team is in position 5 of Division 2.”

Frome Running Club offers both on and off-road training and welcomes new members, whatever the ability. For more details, visit fromerunningclub.co.uk.