It was a step over to the Dark Side for many Running Forever members this weekend. Nothing to do with Star Wars or even triathlon but all to do with the Moonlit Meadow races which had their first running at Longrun Meadow on Saturday night.
Five took the 5K option with Shelley Clothier (36.50) first to navigate the puddles. Hot on her heels was Kirsti Nelson (39.41) with Karen Chapman (45.04), Kate ‘Sprint Finish’ Mackenzie (45.34) and Paula Bisatt (45.36) also collecting medals.
Simon Denson was first RFRC athlete home in the 10K event in a time of 42.34. Another Simon, Rowland this time was our next finisher in 52.00, followed by Carl Moppett (54.16); Phil Parsons (56.16); John Allaway (56.18) and Vicky Hanna (56.28). Jamie Hill was well pleased with his 57.21 time, John Martin wasn’t far behind with his 57.47 finish. Ian Jones crossed the line in exactly 60 minutes, Ali Wasey and Duncan Gordon must have been frightened of the dark as they stuck together for a 66 minute finish. Eliza Brodie came home in 68 minutes, with Morwenna Duncan our final finisher in 71 minutes.
Chris Brown took part in the Run from the Romans night event in Ham and evaded them comfortably with his 55.20 finish in this 5 mile race.
A good contingent headed for the Exmouth Harriers Bicton Blister 10 miler on Sunday, this off roader is always a popular race. First home was Andy Staples in 1.12. Next finisher was Emma Kiernan (1.17), closely followed by Heather Pearce in 1.21. Dave Loader enjoyed his first time on this race and crossed the line in 1.28 with Ron Foord (1.30) and Damon Butler (1.31) chasing him down. Bev Collins finished in 1.32; Rob Murr in 1.41 with Lisa Denson our final finisher in 1.42.
The Magnificent Seven took the M5 to Brent Knoll for the Burnham Harriers trail race, the final race in this year’s Somerset Series. Chris Brown had obviously recovered from being pursued by the Romans the night before as he stormed home in 41.42 to take the JM category win. Ali Bisatt crossed the line in 44.09; Matt Blee completed in 45.52 and Sam Wharton taking 3rd the female finisher title in 46.41. Next home was Brian Bandyszewski in 50.28 with Ben Timpson (50.40) and Sally Tuer (58.22) completing the posse.
This weekend’s other parkrun tourists went to Torbay, Winchester, Tamar Lakes, Burnham, Exmouth and Henstridge Airfield, with a bit of extreme tourist activity from Lindsey Haigh who took in the Geographe Bay parkrun in Western Australia. Twenty took part in the local Longrun Meadow event.