Author: Ola

Not all superheroes wear cloaks, but some of ours do, and quite a few of them chose to team them with trail shoes for the 38 mile Wychavon Way Ultra on Saturday. The superhero attire was in honour of Martin Webb’s birthday; only real superheroes run an ultra before blowing out the candles on their cake!

First hero home was Ali Bisatt who, despite pleading a cold would hamper his performance, flew over the line in 6.07 to take 6th place overall. Next home was the birthday boy who beat the 8 hour mark by one minute; our 3rd hero home being Matt Blee with his 8.14 finish. A quartet of members finished within a couple of minutes of each other Andy Higham and Robin Upton on 8.16 and Keith Thompson and Adrian Edwards in 8.18. Peter Hall made it home in 8.32, just in time for a slice of birthday cake; hotly pursued by Chris Gunn and Alex Hughes (both 8.40). Emma Greig crossed the line in 9.54 with our final hero, Matt Price, landing in 10.47.

Saturday also saw the annual Blackdown Beast challenge some of our members. This is an off road social run organised by Honiton RC which has 16 and 10 mile options offering various stops for tea, cake and beer. There’s also a lot of mud and quite a few hills. Well done to Jamie Hill, Sally Tuer, Ann-Marie Crampton, Dan Talbot, Sarah Henderson, Dowan Kwon who were amongst our members taking part.

Our parkrunning members went to eleven different parkruns this weekend. Twenty nine took on Longrun Meadow where Claire Allison and Yvonne Loat hit their parkrun centuries while Craig Moore, Brian Brown and Paula Bisatt rang the bell for new PBs.

It was back to marathon distance for a trio of runners this weekend, none of this breaking yourself in gently for the Running Forever athletes.

Georgina Brice took on the Gloucester Marathon and was delighted with her 4.52 finish. Heather Pearce achieved a 1.35 PB in the Half whilst Lee Macklin crossed the line in 2.04.

Bev Collins and Andy Burgess headed for the Plym Trail Winter Marathon weekend where Bev was back on the podium with her 4.04 time, taking 2nd female place, and Andy had a great 3.40 finish on Sunday.

Down in sunny Exeter, a trio of members took part in the South West Road Runners First Chance 10K. Andy Staples crossed the line in 39.36, Rob Williams in 55.22; with Pat Pike finishing in 75 minutes.

Our parkrunning members went to Burnham (well done on the PB Ola Timpson), Montacute, Rogiet, Plym Valley, Minehead, Catterick, Killerton and the oddly named Peter Pan. Twenty three took on Longrun Meadow where Kirsti Nelson recorded her 200th run and Craig Moore scored himself a PB on what must have been a very soggy course.

Having got over the excitement of New Year racing, this was a quiet weekend for our members. Only Chris Brown went glory hunting and he succeeded with second place at the Armada Athletics 3K event in Plymouth, finishing in 11:01.

Our parkrunning members went to Ashton Court, Minehead, Winchester, Thornbury, Seaton, Pontypool, Hastings, Burnham, Exmouth and Teignmouth as well as 28 taking on the local course at Longrun Meadow.

However, just because there have been no medals earned it doesn’t mean our fine athletes have been taking things easy. As well as our Wednesday Club night where 11 different paced groups take to the streets, we have a coached session on a Monday night, a Trail Run Tuesday which starts and finishes at a different local hostelry every week and five Sunday run groups taking on different paces and distances.

If you feel like you’d like to be part of this wonderful club please get in touch or pop along to a Wednesday night session and try us out. Sense of humour essential, love of cake and cider a bonus, looking good in red and white … doesn’t everyone?

New Year brought resolutions for the athletes of Running Forever (and maybe the odd headache too) and the first resolution for several of them was to fly off down to Chard for the New Year’s Day Chard Flyer.

Always popular, this local event saw a good crowd take to the lanes. First home in the RFRC colours was James Nicholas in 41.46. New member Tom Brodie finished in 45.02 with Tanya Lewis (45.39) hot on his heels. Gavin Clegg (48.43), Nigel Baker (51.59) and Tanya Herbison (59.18) were RFRCs next finishers. Rob Murr completed in 60 minutes, Robert Williams in 61 with Brian Brown and Pete Stretton fighting out on the finish line with their 64 minute times. Our final finisher was Paul Clowes in 65 minutes. Great start to the year!

Ali Bisatt tackled the Hangover 10K in Weston and finished in 41.01 and assures us he didn’t have a hangover either before, during or after.

Just before Christmas a trio of members headed down to Portsmouth to take on the Waterside Marathon. Sam Wharton took the 3rd female place with her 3.22 storming run. Ray Tutton crossed the line in 3.54 and Brian Bandyszewski in 4.37.

This weekend saw a mass exodus of 44 members to Stoke St Gregory for the annual Stoke Stampede 10K. Chris Brown was first home in the red and white with 38.18 to earn 6th place overall. Our other finishers were Jo Carritt (39.21 and 3rd female); Simon Denson (40.04); Sam Wharton (41.51); Caroline Norris (41.55 and 3rd in category); Heather Pearce (43.03); Scott Weech (44.30); Gavin Clegg (46.14); Sam Stamp (46.19); Mike Parsons (46.18); Paul Clowes (47.19); Dave Bullock (47.32); Lisa Denson (49.25); Duncan Gordon (49.52); Simon Rowland (50.15); Michael Glide (50.29); Mercedes Thorne (52.03); Damon Butler (52.20); Sally Tuer (54.26); Nadine Prouse (52.55); Tanya Herbison (55.16); Vicky Hanna (55.28); Philip Parsons (55.57); Robert Williams (56.05); Carl Moppett (56.02); Richard Councill (56.35); Darren Purchase (56.48); Peta Aspden (57.32); Pete Stretton (57.28); Charlie Sargent (57.49); Brian Brown (58.13); Jules Griffiths-Jones (58.34); Paul Cooper (59.21); Louise Mills (64.02); Helen Phillips (64.27); Marina Tomsett (64.50); Liz Williams (66.00); Sandra Williams (66.01); Gareth Parsons (70.32); Rachel Reid (71.56); Lisa Windsor (72.02); Sarah Reed (77.03) and Sarah Holloway (83.15).

First female finisher was member Hannah Taunton (36.22) wearing her TAC kit.

Our parkrunning members have been far and wide over the festive season, taking the opportunity to visit new runs whilst on holiday and completing New Year’s Day doubles. Congratulations to Tanya Herbison who completed her 100th parkrun.

Sunday saw the 26th running of the Wellington Monument race which attracted a lot of entrants from Running Forever. This Taunton Athletic Club organised event sees runners running up to, round and down from the Wellington Monument making a distance of just over 10K. It provides a good cake table and cider in the goody bag, what’s not to like?

Adam Crichton was our first home in the red and white with his 40.20 time. Next back down was Sam Wharton who took second in her category with her 44.36 finish. Caroline Norris (45.54) and Tanya Lewis (47.02) hit the line next, followed by Gavin Clegg in 48.53. After a bit of a cake break it was Simon Rowland (52.49 and a massive course PB) and Richard Carman (53.09), just pipping Louise Lowry (53.55). Mercedes Thorne finished in 55.04, Sally Tuer (55.53); Richard Mackrory (56.20) before Rob Murr crossed the line in 58.29. Our final finishers were Vicky Hanna (60.26) and Brian Brown (64.57).

Big shout out to Hannah Taunton who was first female finisher in the race with her 39.10 time whilst running for the organising club.

Bev Collins took things a bit further with a marathon distance at the Plym Trail Merry Xmas race. Despite hills aplenty and some atrocious weather, Bev had a 4.19 finish.

This weekend’s parkrun tourists went to Minehead, Winchester, Chelmsford, Exmouth, Gloucester City, Henley Wood and Ashton Court. Fifteen took part in the local Longrun Meadow event.

RFRC go crackers!

An impressive 23 of our members turned up at the pier in Weston-Super-Mare to take on the Weston Christmas Cracker 10k on Sunday. Organised by Weston AC this festive spectacle of speedy santas and sprightly elves was a lot of fun despite the tricky conditions. The race takes place mostly on the beach which was very sploshy and squelchy underfoot and the final half mile saw competitors running straight into a very strong headwind… bits of discarded tinsel everywhere! First across the finish line was Trevor Stow (52:40) followed by Richard Staunton (54:12), Louise Lowry (55:23), Ann-Marie Crampton (56:20), Goff Welchman (57:23), Jamie Hill (1:00:21), Peter Stretton (1:00:55), Craig Moore (1:05:27), Cathie Welchman (1:09:04), Cat Gullick (1:09:10), Bev Collins (1:07:27), Philip Kirkpatrick (1:10:07), Shelley Clothier (1:10:36), Lisa Windsor (1:13:46), Rachel Reid (1:16:32), Sarah Reed (1:16:38), Sarah Holloway (1:18:45),
Pat Pike (1:23:54), Karen Chapman (1:24:30), Kerry Chapman (1:24:30), Paula Bisatt (1:28:12), Kate Mackenzie (1:28:14), Cherry Harris (1:30:41).

In other news Lisa and Simon Denson completed the Midwinternachtrun 10k in Ghent, Belgium. Simon finished in a very respectable 40:10 and Lisa was not far behind finishing in 52:08.

We had parkrunners scattered all over the place this week at Burnham, Henstridge, Minehead, Torbay Velopark, Guildford, Aylesbury and Peter Pan near Hull. Longrun Meadow attracted 24 of our members including Hannah Taunton who was not only first over the line but she also managed to clock the 8th fastest female time in the UK this week!

It was a quiet weekend for Running Forever, this may be due to the fact that many members were attending the club Christmas party at the county ground and would not be in a fit state to race on the Sunday!

However Heather Pearce managed to get around this problem by attending the Endurancelife Dorset coastal ‘half marathon’ on Saturday. This is a tough race on the coast path, starting at Lulworth Cove and Heather did well to complete the 16 miles in a time of 3:21 and then carry on to party!

John Martin travelled to Spain to take part in the Valencia marathon, completing the course in a good time of 3:53:43. The organisers provided bananas and dried apricots on the course, but surprisingly oranges did not seem to be on the menu.

Members travelled far and wide to parkruns, taking part at Glasgow (Pollock), Leicestershire (Conkers), Burnham, Exmouth and Henstridge Airfield; of particular note was Sarah Capstick who was first lady at Clitheroe Castle. Another 24 members stayed local at Longrun Meadow.

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.

Never ones for taking the soft option, Running Forever members took on some unusual challenges this weekend which involved high Welsh mountains and cute jungle animals – we’re like the love children of David Attenborough and Bear Grylls!

On the jungle trail was Louise Lowry who took part in the Lemur Loop Ultra in a lemur costume. Fifty hilly kilometres is enough of a challenge without having to cope with a tail so well done on that one. Nadine Prouse also took part in this race but minus the furry onsie on her 42K distance.

Seven members headed for the Brecon Beacons for the Brecon Ultra and Trail Marathon races. Despite taking in Pen Y Fan and several other high places these tough races were no match for our not so secret seven. First home from the 46 mile ultra route was Matt Blee in 8.16, beating Ali Bisatt by about 40 seconds; Martin Webb was a mere 10 minutes behind them. Jonathan Newby crossed the line in 9.58 with Adrian Edwards just on his tail with a 10.15 finish. Chris Buckman was our final finisher in 12.52. Chris Gunn took the marathon distance option which he completed in 6.19.

Lara Bolduc also headed for Wales but for the seaside and the Conwy Half rather than the hills, completing this popular event in 2.13.

Brian and Chris Brown were in Plymouth for the first running of the Lopwell Loop 12K race. Cracking finish from Chris in 49.24 to take 5th place, leaving him enough time to get a cup of tea and a slice of cake before his dad finished in 90.36.

This weekend’s other parkrun tourists went to Plym Valley, Killerton Conkers, Somerdale and Upton House. Twenty eigh took part in the local Longrun Meadow event with a nice PB for Nic Saint.