Author: Ola

It was a quieter weekend for Running Forever but there were still a few hardy souls out there earning medals. Lucy Spring and Ray Tutton headed north to Bath for the well named Hilly Half. Ray completed the full hilly 13.1 in 2 hours 10 whilst Lucy took part in the 8 mile option and finished in 1.35.

How do Running Forever members celebrate their birthday? Whilst most involve fizzy stuff and cake, Kerry-Anne Chapman took some of her family to Parke parkrun to mark her latest milestone. Both Kerry-Anne and her mum Karen are graduates of our Beginners Running Group, if you want to get involved our next group starts on Wednesday 14th November at 6.30pm from the Belvedere Car Park. It’s free and qualified coaches and run leaders will be with you all the way.

This weekend’s other parkrun tourists went to Plym Valley, Braunstone, Barnstaple, Burnham, Malborough, Teignmouth and Hay Lodge and Exmouth. Twenty two took part in the local Longrun Meadow event.

It’s well known that the good folk of Running Forever love a party and this weekend gave them the perfect excuse to run amok with the cake, cider and celebrations as our Club Chair Peter Hall joined the 100 Marathon Club. From the balmy sunshine of London in 2007 through a further 15 road race, 34 trail marathons and a stonking 49 ultras the final chapter in this tale took him to the slightly damp environs of Bodmin Moor for the Cornish Marathon, and we didn’t let him go alone!

No less than 20 other club members and quite a few supporters joined Peter on the tough course to help him celebrate; including 18 hardy souls who left by mini bus far earlier than should be allowed on a Sunday morning and were subjected to a play list which could only be described as eclectic. I could name and shame the Club members who didn’t know the actions to Baby Shark and the one who was disappointed at the lack of Neil Diamond tunes …

Starting and finishing in the village of Pensilva, this popular race take runners over a lot of Cornish hills, provides some fairly stunning views and past the iconic Jamaica Inn. Our first runner in was Matt Blee who stormed home in 3.35 with Sam Warton hot on his heels a mere 18 seconds later to take the 3rd Female spot. Martin Webb finished in 3.39 to collect his medal and pastie. There was a short break where the hardy spectators could avail themselves of yet another slice of cake to keep out the rain (so much tastier than an umbrella) before Andy Burgess (3.55), Simon Denson (3.57) and John Martin (4.06) were home and not very dry.

As mentioned before, the route passes the Jamaica Inn and our next finisher, Chris Gunn, chose to avail himself of a 16 miles done celebratory pint which gave him wings for the next 10 miles and a 4.15 finish. Bev Collins was next over the line to take 3rd in her category with her 4.18 time. There was much cheering as Marathon Maestro Peter Hall collected his medal in 4.21 with Damon Butler (4.25) on his tail. Could have been a few minutes faster Damon if you’d not stopped to blag some of Chris Gunn’s beer …

Squelching over the line in 4.27 were Andy Higham and John Hunt, followed by Chris Reah in 4.29 and Ian Bawler in 4.30. Sally Tuer and Brian Bandyszewski recorded 4.34 finishes which earned Sally a trophy as 2nd in her category. Dave Marshall was next finisher in 4.35. Sandra Williams (4.50) must have felt like she was being chased down the hill by the Beast of Bodmin but it was only Rob Murr who finished a minute behind her. Lee Macklin was our final finisher in 5.08. Tanya Lewis also made the trip but had to pull up after 17 miles with a hip injury, happily she was still fit enough to party afterwards with many Club members who adjourned to their favourite hostelry for yet more cake and cider.

Amazing achievement Peter, the whole Club is incredibly proud of your achievement as our first member to hit this milestone.

A contingent of members headed for Bideford for their popular 10 miler which was also on Sunday. First over the line in our red and white kit was Scott Weetch in 1.14. Kate Reed (1.21) and Simon Rowland (1.23) were next with Trevor Stow close behind in 1.24. Luke Thorne collected his medal in 1.25, with Helen Needs (1.27) hot on his heels. Goff Welchman was home in 1.29, followed by Carl Moppett (1.34) and our final finisher Cathie Welchman in 1.46.

Club Members Hannah Taunton and Kate Drew (in their TAC kit) took 60 and 62 minutes respectively which earned Hannah 2nd Female finisher and 1st in her category trophies with Kate being 2nd in her category to round off an awesome weekend for our athletes.

This weekend’s parkrun tourists went to Plym Valley, Killerton, Weymouth, Buckingham, Burnham and Exmouth. Twenty six took part in the local Longrun Meadow event.

Saturday saw a trio of runners travel to the Doone Valley for the Exmoor Trail Ultra which is 30.4 miles of steep climbs and challenging terrain. Bev Collins and Andy Higham completed in 7.13 hours with Georgina Brice taking 8.53 on this tough course.

Peter Stretton was in Shepton Mallet for their 10K which he finished in 62 minutes with his granddaughter Kaya taking first female finisher in the junior 2K event. Following in grandad’s footsteps, well done!

It was off to the Black Mountains for a couple of members who took part in the OMM Marathon event. This is a self-navigated, self-provisioning 36 hour challenge where 2 man teams run between checkpoints and rack up many mountain miles with a little bit of camping in between. Ed Bailey and Adrian Edwards were part of different 2 man teams who completed this very challenging event.

Tanya Lewis took 1st place in her category in the Dartington Duathlon with a great 2.49 time for this run/bike/run event which was undulating, scenic and very windy.

The main event for Running Forever this weekend was the Herepath Half which is organised by the Club and runs along this ancient drove route. Most members are involved in organising and marshaling the event but we do let a few escape to take part. Our first member home was Daniel Talbot in 1.40 with Jo Carritt hot on his heels with her 1.43 finish which earned her the first female finisher prize. James Beach and James Nicholas had 1.45 and 1.51 times respectively. Lee Macklin trotted home in 2.16 with our final finisher Val Perigo crossing the line in 2.53 to collect her race souvenir; no medals, it was reusable coffee mugs this year.

This weekend’s parkrun tourists went to Eastleigh, Boston, Minehead, Upton House, Northala Fields, Croxteth Hall, Burnham, Street and Teignmouth. Thirty two took part in the local Longrun Meadow event where Tarun Solaki, Richard Mackrory and Darren Purchase had PB runs.

It has been said that Running Forever athletes enjoy a bit of a stagger, usually from the Kings Arms on a Wednesday night. However, it was a different sort this weekend as the Exmoor Stagger took them off road and up Dunkery Beacon in the quest for cake at Minehead Running Club’s popular event.

First home in Club colours was Dan Talbot taking 2.24 for this 16 mile course. Next was Ali Bisatt who collected his cake selection in 2.28. Following him over the line were Jo Carritt (2.41), Matt Blee (2.46) and Jonathan Newby (2.49). There was still plenty of cake when Heather Pearce finished in 3.04 and for Ian Bawler and Chris Gunn who both took 3.15. Staggering home as our final finisher was Rob Murr in 3.34. Club member Kate Drew (in her TAC kit) had a great 2.16 time and was first lady over the line.

Our regular globetrotting duo of Ray Tutton and Lucy Spring didn’t have quite such a long trip this weekend (nor as sunny) as they travelled to Portsmouth for the Great South Run. Ray finished this 10 miler in 1.16 with Lucy recording a 1.50 finish.

Intrepid ultra runner and Club Chairman Peter Hall took one step closer to his membership of the 100 Marathon club this weekend with his 99th race at the Plym Trail Marathon where he finished in 4.18.

This weekend’s parkrun tourists went to Bushy, Swindon, Winchester, Barnstaple, Dulwich and Teignmouth. Thirty three took part in the local Longrun Meadow event where Brian Bandyszewski completed his 50th run and celebrated a PB. Also setting their own records for the course were Emma Harris and Richard Mackrory.