This report covers the two weeks from 14th to 27th November, during which time the annual club trip took place along with the concluding race of the 2022 Somerset Series.
The Somerset Series 2022 had 16 races this year, including the Humdinger/Hurtle and Herepath events organised by Running Forever. Scoring for the series is based on the gender finishing position of competitors, with the objective being to achieve the lowest average score across at least 7 races. The club has a few members who participate regularly and the considerable efforts of two of the most reliable competitors from the club have been rewarded this year. Sally Tuer had a hugely successful year, winning a number of age group races which resulted in her placing first overall in the 55-64 category, bagging a very good trophy and an overall top 10 ladies finishing position! Ben Timpson also placed well throughout the year, securing himself a top 10 mens finishing position in the process. Well done to all those who entered the series races this year.
The final race of this year’s Somerset Series was the 5.75 mile Brent Knoll race, up and down the iconic hill. We had 4 club entrants this year, Ben Timpson was first back in 44m57s, followed in by Tom Dymott (50m45s), Mark Wilson (54m11s) and Simon Rowland (1h03m37s).
Marathon regular Georgina Brice was in action again at the Save the Rhino run over in Hertfordshire, completing her 118th marathon and ultra marathon in 5h45m. Also racing ‘out of county’ was Chris Gunn at the Trowbridge Half. finishing in 1h58m.
The annual club trip was to Gran Canaria this year, to run the Maspalomas Marathon and 10k and enjoy some very welcome late autumn sunshine, although it was less welcome during the race! We had 12 runners in the marathon and the general agreement was that times were about 30 minutes slower than usual, due to the heat and direct sunshine during almost all of the race. First club finisher of the two lap course was Chris Grieco, who with some very sensible first lap pacing managed to achieve a negative split in his time of 3h46m. Simon Denson (3h55m) and Sam Wharton (4h01m) were next back either side of 4 hours. A magnificent 7 then came in before the 5-hour mark, led by Paul Parmenter (4h27m) and including Mark Wilson (4h32m), Helen Needs (4h36m), Peter Hall (4h41m), Lisa Denson (4h49m), Chris Gunn (4h53m) and Matt Price (4h56m). Completing the line-up were Chris Reah (5h07m) and Cathy Parmenter (5h20m), ensuring a 100% finishing rate for what was a tough race.
Saz Henderson and Irene Lo Bianco very sensibly opted for the 10k event, although running at pace in the heat was no mean feat. Saz finished in a sprightly 51m48s and Irene managed to achieve the impressive achievement of doing her quickest and longest run ever to finish in 1h11m.