Category: Weekly Roundup

Better get yourselves a cup of coffee (or a glass of cider) as it’s a long read this week what with it being Taunton 10K weekend.

We’ll start with the shorter distance events and Ali Bisatt who tackled a 100m challenge this weekend. That’s 100 miles! Without a break! Without a bus! The Two Moors Ultra was self-navigated and, the clue’s in the name, involved some pretty tough terrain. Our intrepid runner not only completed the race in 27.07 hours but earned joint first place! Awesome stuff Ali (and your support crew)

A quartet set out for North Devon for the Barnstaple Marathon which, unusually for this foursome, was a flat course with not a hill tall enough to test their quads. First home was Matt Blee in 3.39, Peter Hall (fast heading towards his 100th marathon) trotted home in 4.03; Rob Murr crossed the line in 4.45 with Georgina Brice completing the quartet with her 5.01 time.

Sue Lewis took on the LDWA Chagford Challenge on Sunday and was second female finisher for the 21-mile distance with her 4.55 time.

Off to Wales for the Cowbridge 10K was Louise Mills who managed to moo-ve swiftly for a 60-minute finish which left her udderly delighted. Sorry, promise not to milk this one for any more puns!

And so to the Taunton 10K which had 642 finishers, of which nearly 10% were RFRC members! When you take into account the number of members who marshalled the event or helped out in some other way, over one-third of our Club were involved in some way. Great support for a local event.

The first to wear our Club colours over the line was Dan Talbot and he was followed by 61 others many of whom were doing their first 10K or who recorded personal bests on what was a perfect day for a race. They’re too numerous to talk about individually but, as a Club, we’re incredibly proud of each and every one of them whether you smashed it or overcame your personal challenges to just get round in your red and white with a smile on your face. Many Runners; One Club.

All of our finishers:

Dan Talbot (37.18); Adam Crichton (38.03); Chris Brown (38.56);Rob Simon (40.07); Caroline Norris (41.48); Steve Gooding (42.20); Nick Williams (42.35);John Martin (42.48); Sam Wharton (43.48);Sam Stamp (44.01); Simon Lewis (44.44); Scott Weech (44.49); Brian Brandyszewski (45.17); Dave Loader (45.31); Duncan Gordon (45.43); Adrian Edwards (46.05); Chris Gibbs (46.24); Lee Derrick (47.00); Sarah Capstick (47.30); Roger Simon; (47.32); Steve Cooper (48.07); Simon Rowland (49.52); Pat Date (50.28); Mercedes Thorne (51.18); Michael Glide (52.00); Rachael Mills (52.14; )Sally Tuer (52.20); Phil Parsons (52.37); Tarun Solanki (52.51); Kate Reed (52.48); Robert Williams (53.03); Goff Welchman (53.10); Ian Jones (53.18); Steph Andrews (53.42); Lorna Evans (54.13); Richard Staunton (54.38); Pete Stretton (55.41); Helen Philips (57.00); Emily Vining (57.03); Ed Loat (57.12); Joanne Toogood (58.03); Charlie Smith (58.13); Peta Aspden (58.28); Amy Blowers (58.54); Carl Moppett (59.38); Craig Moore (59.36); Philip Kirkpatrick (59.42); Vicky Hanna (61.44); Ali Wasey (63.21); Cathie Welchman (64.40); Marina Thomsett.(65.51)Eliza Brodie (67.13)Lisa Windsor (67.16)Rachel Reed (69.27)Janet Silk (69.57)Kirsti Nelson (70.12); Pat Pike (70.45); Sandra Williams (71.44); Sarah Reed (72.07); Sarah Holloway (72.58); Tracy Yeo (73.04) & Yvonne Loat (80.58)

Two of the top 3 female finishers are also Club members but were running for TAC yesterday. Well done Hannah Taunton for your course PB and first place with 36.41 and Kate Drew with her 37.58 third place.

This weekend’s parkrun tourists went to Banbury, Brockenhurst, Bournemouth and Rome! Twenty-two took part in the local Longrun Meadow event.

It was over the hills and far away for an intrepid trio of Running Forever athletes this weekend when Adrian Edwards, Ed Bailey and Andy Burgess tackled the Summit of Snowdonia 50 mile ultra. As the name suggests this trail event involves climbing the third highest mountain in the UK within the 4,400 metres of climb in this tough race. The boys did us proud and with Adrian and Andy finishing the challenge in 23 hours 25 mins, hope there was a Welsh Cake or two at the finish line.

Ray Tutton and Lucy Spring headed off to Hull, currently City of Culture, for their marathon weekend. There was a nice bit of artistic bling as a reward for Ray’s 3.42 marathon and Lucy’s 2.16 half marathon finish. Well done!

The Bristol Half always attracts a lot of Club interest with many members making this their first attempt at the distance. It’s my PW course for the distance and my abiding memory of it is crying as a child explained he wasn’t giving away the millionaire shortbread to runners, he was selling it! Luckily his mum took pity on penniless me (I always carry an emergency tenner now) and gave me a hug and a free slap of the sugar boost which just about got me to the end without the death which I felt was impending. Happily, the Running Forever lot are made of much tougher stuff and the only tears were happy ones on the finish line.

First of our runners home were Emma Kiernan and Andy Staples with 1.25 finishes. Hot on their tail were Michael O’Neil (1.33), Caroline Norris and Sam Wharton (both 1.35). Duncan Gordon crossed the line in 1.44 to earn his medal. There was an outbreak of PBs next with Mark Alway (1.53), Jamie Archibald (1.56), Phil Parsons (2.00) and Craig Moore (2.22) all giving themselves a new target. Bryany Beale had a great first Half with her 2.28 time with Kirsti Nelson not far behind on 2.35. Our final finisher was Victoria Woods who was also making her debut at the distance and was happy to collect her medal in 2.53. Great performances from all of you and it stayed dry!

Sally Tuer took on the Mells Scenic 7 in Frome and completed this hilly trail event in 1.09.

This weekend’s parkrun tourists went to Plym Valley, Killeton, Burnham and Hensridge Airfield. Twenty-five took part in the local Longrun Meadow event, where Sam Stamp, Brian Bandyszewski and Robert Williams recorded new PBs.

In the past week Running Forever’s athletes have demonstrated that they are not only good at running, but they can also swim and ride bikes, taking part in races from 5k to 50 miles and orienteering, triathlon and swim events.

On Wednesday seven members participated in the final Yeovilton summer series 5k, showing that their track training sessions with club coach Sandra Williams had paid off. Chris Brown was first to finish in an amazing 17 min 12 sec, followed by Andy Staples (18:16), Steve Gooding (19:47), Nick Williams (20:57), Brian Bandyszewski (21:10), Mercedes Thorne (24:03) and Ann-Marie Crampton (24:08). Hannah Taunton was first lady, running in TAC colours, in 17:31.

At the weekend Lynn Cunningham competed in the Centurion Running’s Chiltern Wonderland 50 mile trail race. Unfortunately, she was ambushed only 1.5 miles from the finish, tripping and gashing her head open. Recover soon Lynn!

Trevor Stow travelled further to take part in the Berlin marathon, finishing in 4 hours 30 min, some distance behind the new world record holder, but a good result nevertheless.

Four members travelled to Swanage for the Purbeck marathon, taking in parts of the coast path, before returning through Corfe Castle and the Purbeck Hills. Alistair Bissat finished in a highly creditable overall 8th pace in 3 hours 48 minutes, followed by Matt Blee (4:17), Ian Bawler (4:50) and Peter Hall (5:19).

Another three took part in the Killerton 10k race around the hilly National Trust estate. Duncan Gordon finished in 1 hour 15 min closely followed by Alison Wasey (1:21) and Kirsty Nelson (1:28).

In the Langport Triathlon Kate Drew picked up the ladies winner trophy in a fantastic 1 hour 13 min. Other club members finishing were Emma Kiernan (1:18), Sarah Capstick (1:26), Chris Gunn (1:30), Sally Tuer (1:38) and Eliza Brodie (2:04).

Gavin Clegg was 5th supervet in the London Euro City league orienteering event, while Sue Lewis completed the 10k River Dart swim in 2 hours 46 min.

40 members completed Longrun Meadow parkrun, while tourists travelled to Killerton, Burnham and Tolka Valley.

This week we are back to being very active with a variety of events to report.

The weekend began with White Star Running’s Crafty Fox event. This Dorset-based event consisted of a full Marathon on Saturday and a Half Marathon on Sunday. First in for the club on Marathon day was Bev Collins with an impressive time of 05:04:19. Bev was 23rd overall, 3rd lady and 1st in her age category. Next in was Ian Bawler 05:09:43, followed by Rob Murr 06:45:44 and then Georgina Brice 07:04:00.

Our only competitor in the Half Marathon was Claire Allison who came in at 03:58:11. There can’t be many races that Claire hasn’t done – we are certainly very proud of all her achievements!

At 1610’s Chard Chaser 10k Simon Rowland was first across the line in 54:39, followed closely by Val Perigo 01:05:19 and Bryany Beale 01:10:11

In a final fling before disappearing off to university our very own Chris Brown WON the Ash Excellent Eight event organised by Yeovil Town Road Running Club. This is a challenging 8-mile multi-terrain race and Chris came home in 53:48. Our next club finisher was Ben Timpson in 01:05:31, followed by Sally Tuer in 01:18:47.

Five runners and one volunteer marshall from the club visited Tamar Lakes parkrun near Bude where they received a very warm welcome. Other parkrun tourists from the club visited Exmouth and Killerton, while 30 club members made it around Longrun Meadow.

Finally, mention must be made of Shelley Clothier who ran the iconic Great North Run in 02:47:49 and Tanya Lewis who completed the Tenby Ironman event after 13:04:44 of swimming, cycling and running!

We are immensely proud of all of our competitors. They range very widely in terms of age, speed and stamina but the one thing they all have in common is determination – lots of it!

A sizeable contingent headed for the exotic delights of Bridgwater on Sunday where Half, 10K and 5K options were on offer. The Half Marathoners were brought home by Andy Staples and his 1.26 finish. Emma Kiernan wasn’t far behind in 1.30 with James Beach clocking up a 1.39. Scott Weetch was next (1.45) followed by Trevor Stow and Lee Derrick with 1.56 and 1.58 respectively. Our final two at this distance were Sally Tuer with 2.05 and Ann-Marie Crampton crossing the line in 2.20.

Seven of our athletes took on the 10K distance with Nick Williams (44.05) and Dave Bullock (45.52) first Running Forever athletes home. Simon Rowland (51.37) and Goff Welchman (54.27) were next to collect their medals. Lucy Spring finished in 1.04, Cathie Welchman in 1.05 and Pat Pike completed the set in 1.15. Tara Sully had a 38.02 finish in the 5K.

On his quest to complete 100 marathons, Peter Hall headed for Dartmoor for the Marathon. Peter usually takes his own weather with him when he heads for the moors, but was pleasantly surprised this weekend and no kayaks were needed for his seven-hour finish.

Gavin Clegg was navigating his way around Bath in the British Orienteering Sprint Championships and finish 5th out of 161 competitors in his age category.

Heather Pearce tackled the Perranporth Surf Tri event in sunny Cornwall. This started with a 1.5K sea swim, adding a 38K bike leg and topping it off with a 7.5K run which Heather finished in 2.39. The only way I’d be doing this was if I was chasing Ross Poldark through the surf and then across the cliffs … now there’s a thought to keep me awake at night.

This weekend’s parkrun tourists went to Torbay, Catterick, Lymington Woodside, Eastville, Cheltenham (a very early start for Kate and Malcolm), Seaton & Burnham. Thirty-nine took part in the local Longrun Meadow event, where Ola Timpson celebrated her 100th parkrun.

Taking the opportunity to visit without paying the toll, six of our runners ran between England and Wales on Sunday during the Severn Bridge Half. The weather was a bit challenging which apparently made the celebratory bacon sandwiches a bit soggy. First home was Sam Wharton in 1.38, Duncan Gordon was next in 1.55 with Carl Moppett just on his tail with his 1.58. Alison Wasey, Eliza Brodie and Kirsti Nelson stuck together for 2.34, 2.36 & 2.37 finishes. Hope you’ve all dried out!

It was off to Dorset for the White Star Running East Farm Frolic weekend for a small but hardy contingent. Bev Collins had a 4.48 marathon on Saturday with a muddy 2.28 half on the Sunday. Rob Murr did the same distances in 5.54 and 3.09. Claire Allison and Yvonne Loat took part in the 10K on Saturday, both recording 1.37 and then both completed one lap of the Frolic on Sunday. Both Rob and Claire were presented with their WSR Black Belt awards for completing 6 for their marathons in one season although apparently someone miscounted and did seven just to make sure!

It was Langport Runners Battle of Sedgemoor 10K on Sunday. This local race always attracts a good field from the Club, ready to take on the scenic run round the villages (and that never ending hill at the start). Chris Brown was in good form again for a 36.55 finish, Andy Staples was next home in 38.42 with Emma Kiernan just behind in 39.30. Brian Bandyszewski completed his Battle in 47.06, followed by Michael Glide (49.41) and Sally Tuer (51.53). Great time of 57.58 from Peter Stretton; Craig Moore finished just on the 60 minute mark and Lisa Windsor collected her medal in 70 minutes.

Sandra Williams completed the North to South Dartmoor 34 mile Ultra.

Louise Mills took time off from the traditional Festival activities to take part in the Greenbelt Run at the Greenbelt Festival.

It was another winning weekend for Hannah Taunton who was part of a winning team at the Cleeve 5K Road Relay as well as winning some of her favourite chocolate as 3rd fastest female.

This weekend’s parkrun tourists went to Eastleigh, Minehead, Yeovil, Bideford and Heartlands. Thirty two took part in the local Longrun Meadow event .

It’s been a slightly quieter week this week for the finely honed athletes of Running Forever Running Club. We can only assume that everyone is saving themselves for next month’s Taunton 10k!
We still have a handful of amazing achievements to report…

Ali Bisatt travelled to Wales to take part in the Beacons 50 ultra. This race, described by the organisers as ‘Fough’ (fun but tough), starts in Brecon on the banks of the River Usk and consists of 52 miles of gruelling terrain, changeable weather conditions and a total ascent of 3300m across the Brecon Beacons and Black mountains. Ali was 2nd overall in an impressive time of 12:36:27.

Two more members also came home with trophies…from Frome Sprint Triathlon. This race involves a 400m pool swim, a 23km bike ride and a 5km run.Tanya Lewis was 2nd lady with a time of 1:21:15 and finished in 35th place overall. Sally Tuer was 193rd overall in a time of 1:48:19 and 1st lady in her age group.

There were 32 RFRC members belting around Longrun Meadow on Saturday morning for the weekly parkrun and several others notching up tourist parkruns at Cardiff, Guildford, Eden Project, Seaton, Parke, Burnham&Highbridge, Tooting Common, Exmouth.

If reading about the exploits of some of our more adventurous members inspires you to want to try a trail race in beautiful Somerset countryside, then take a look at the Herepath Half. Organised by RFRC this half marathon takes place on 28th October and is renowned for its beautiful views, fantastic support and spectacular cakes at the end. Hurry up though, places are going fast!