May was another busy month for RFRC and the weather wasn’t too bad!!
We had a few 100 milers during the month and Martin Webb kicked them off with a trip along the Thames Path – completed in 23:46:11 to earn his extra-special ‘100 miles – one day’ buckle from Centurion Running.
A few 100 miles away in the Yorkshire Dales, Andy Burgess was completing the 50-mile Pennine Barrier Ultra which included 3000 metres of climbing!!
Choosing not to leave the west country, runners attended two marathons closer to home with the East Devon Round Ultra and the North Dorset Villages Marathon and
just as tough but maybe not quite as far, the Runaway Train 8.5-mile trail race in Shepton Mallet and Shiver Me Timbers down in Devon.
The second weekend of May and a regular set of races, West Country 100, Hilly 50 and Flat 50. We had members in all events and marshals throughout the courses from Taunton to Minehead and around Exmoor. There’s nothing like seeing a familiar face when you are in a low spot and our runners definitely appreciated it!!
Great results as Dean Bennett smashed round the 100-mile course in just over 22 hours to become first male and Emma Rathbone took second female place in the Hilly 50.
Meanwhile in the same weekend, Ali Bisatt was in Shropshire conquering ‘Conquest, War, Death and Famine’ in the Apocolypse 50, Georgina Brice was completing her 172nd marathon in Leeds and another bunch of fab runners were struggling with the heat in the Bristol 10k!!!
Wednesday evening was Yeovilton 5k time again and in the 2nd race of the season, both Sarah Capstick and Nigel Baker came away with a 1st in their respective age categories.
The second half of the month and a fabulous five club members ran the Portcullis 10k with Pam Beattie earning a 1st in her age category.
Ali Bisatt took a last-minute decision to enter the Devon Coast to Coast 112-mile race across Exmoor and Dartmoor only two weeks after his 50-mile Apocalypse effort!!
Another mid-week race followed with the Town Tree Trail 10k. Part of the Somerset Series, this gorgeous little race winds around village footpaths and a hidden ‘nature garden’.
A day later and the final race of the Weston Prom Series proved fruitful for Sarah Capstick and another 1st in her age category which also gave her a top spot for the whole series. Sarah has consistently gained pbs over the last few weeks of the series.
The month ended with a half marathon for three ladies in the Great West Run in Exeter and yet another 100-miler for Peter Hall and Emma Greig in the LDWA Flower of Suffolk.
Phew – what a month!!!
We are a diverse bunch and not all crazy 😊 so if you have a bit of FOMO, please have a look at our website and come along for a session.