You know that coffee I suggested last week, well get a bigger mug this week as I don’t think there were many RFRC athletes who didn’t take part in an event this weekend! Even I did parkrun which is an event rarer than a Running Forever member saying no to cake or cider.
Eighteen crossed the border and fought off dragons to complete the Cardiff Half which is always popular. Hannah Taunton was first member home (in her TAC kit) with a cracking 1.20 PB. Following her over the line were Caroline Norris (1.32) and Sam Wharton (1.35). Duncan Gordon was next with his 1.44 finish and Phil Parsons sprinted for the line in 1.59 for a well-deserved PB. Malcolm Boon, Paul Cooper and Vicky Hanna were next with 2.04, 2.05 and 2.06 respectively.
There wasn’t even enough time for a sneaky Welsh Cake before Cheryl Gerrard, Mark Gerrard, Louise Mills and Lara Bolduc all earned their medals in 2.09! Charlotte Cross was next in 2.13; Helen Moffat in 2.15 then Sam Cross (2.18). Nikki Hill made it home in 2.28, followed by Kirsti Nelson (2.36) and Ali Wasey (2.37). Great turnout and some stonking performances.
Keeping it local, a trio headed for the Burnham Half. Great performances from Kate Drew (1.23 in her TAC guise), Trevor Stowe (1.49) and Sally Tuer (1.56).
Tackling the same distance but in Bournemouth were Andy Staples (1.28) and first time Half Marathoner Darren Purchase who was chuffed with his 2.09 finish.
New member Saz Henderson headed for Salisbury Half and crossed the line in 1.37. It was a 1.36 finish for Mike Threlfall for the same distance in Oxford.
Chris Gunn travelled to Budapest for the marathon and their cheap beer! A scenic run round the city in 4.15 earned Chris a few celebratory pints as well as a medal.
Plymouth 10K attracted a couple of members, Chris Brown was 25th overall with his 37.37 time, fast enough to earn him a table in ‘Spoons for his post race breakfast apparently. Pat Pike also took part and finished in 1.13.
Ian Bawler took on the Votwo Atlantic Challenge which was 3 marathons in 3 days, raising money for MND. Took him 19.58 hours in total and sounds exhausting, no mention of any cream teas but I am sure there must have been as they’re mandatory in Cornwall.
Kathy Thompson also decided on a long option this weekend and was 3rd Female finisher in the Gower Ultra Bach 34 mile race in 7.14.
A trip up to Warwickshire saw Sue Lewis add a bit of swimming and cycling to her running in their Sprint Tri where she finished in 1.16.
This weekend’s parkrun tourists went to Plym Valley, Falkirk, Stratford, Worthing and Gloucester City. Seventeen took part in the local Longrun Meadow event (many others volunteered), where Sallie Durman completed her 100th run and John Allaway recorded a PB.