It was over the hills and far away for an intrepid trio of Running Forever athletes this weekend when Adrian Edwards, Ed Bailey and Andy Burgess tackled the Summit of Snowdonia 50 mile ultra. As the name suggests this trail event involves climbing the third highest mountain in the UK within the 4,400 metres of climb in this tough race. The boys did us proud and with Adrian and Andy finishing the challenge in 23 hours 25 mins, hope there was a Welsh Cake or two at the finish line.
Ray Tutton and Lucy Spring headed off to Hull, currently City of Culture, for their marathon weekend. There was a nice bit of artistic bling as a reward for Ray’s 3.42 marathon and Lucy’s 2.16 half marathon finish. Well done!
The Bristol Half always attracts a lot of Club interest with many members making this their first attempt at the distance. It’s my PW course for the distance and my abiding memory of it is crying as a child explained he wasn’t giving away the millionaire shortbread to runners, he was selling it! Luckily his mum took pity on penniless me (I always carry an emergency tenner now) and gave me a hug and a free slap of the sugar boost which just about got me to the end without the death which I felt was impending. Happily, the Running Forever lot are made of much tougher stuff and the only tears were happy ones on the finish line.
First of our runners home were Emma Kiernan and Andy Staples with 1.25 finishes. Hot on their tail were Michael O’Neil (1.33), Caroline Norris and Sam Wharton (both 1.35). Duncan Gordon crossed the line in 1.44 to earn his medal. There was an outbreak of PBs next with Mark Alway (1.53), Jamie Archibald (1.56), Phil Parsons (2.00) and Craig Moore (2.22) all giving themselves a new target. Bryany Beale had a great first Half with her 2.28 time with Kirsti Nelson not far behind on 2.35. Our final finisher was Victoria Woods who was also making her debut at the distance and was happy to collect her medal in 2.53. Great performances from all of you and it stayed dry!
Sally Tuer took on the Mells Scenic 7 in Frome and completed this hilly trail event in 1.09.
This weekend’s parkrun tourists went to Plym Valley, Killeton, Burnham and Hensridge Airfield. Twenty-five took part in the local Longrun Meadow event, where Sam Stamp, Brian Bandyszewski and Robert Williams recorded new PBs.