Whilst a small group of elite athletes ran round in circles for this year’s London Marathon, the Running Forever London entrants took advantage of the beautiful but soggy Somerset countryside to earn their medals virtually. For some it was their first attempt at the distance and, whilst they didn’t have the support of millions on the streets of London, they had the support of their friends family and the Club to get them through.
Sally Tuer and Ann-Marie Crampton ran together for a 4.24 finish. Andrew Phillips clocked 4.44 and first time marathoner Emily Vining hitting the mark in 4.57. For her first time at the distance, Steph Andrews reached her front door in 6.41. Ray Tutton ran his virtual Brighton marathon in 4.03.
The conditions at the weekend weren’t exactly conducive to a long run so the achievements of our trio who headed for the North Coast events were particularly hard earned. Martin Webb took on the 110 mile challenge and beat the weather to get to the finish in a stonking 29.54, fuelled by a few pasties on the way. Robin Upon and Georgina Brice took the “shorter” challenge of 110km which they battled through to finish in 21.35 and 26.16 respectively.
Awesome stuff!

A surprisingly busy weekend for Running Forever members! Early on Friday morning Martin Webb and Ali Bisatt set off on the Paddy Buckley Round. This is a gruelling fell running event covering more than 100km and 47 of North Wales highest peaks. The pair were ably supported by Jonathan Newby, who stepped in to keep Martin company for the last leg after Ali Bisatt sadly had to pull out, finally arriving at the finish on Saturday afternoon.Our largest contingent took part in Race the Tide, a trail event in South Devon with a variety of distance options. Andrew Saunders and Sally Tuer took part in the Half Marathon finishing in 2:14 and 2:57 respectively. Seven members took part in the marathon. Dean Bennett was first of our members home safely in 4:29, followed by Fintan Murray and Mark Wilson finishing together in 5:52, Sam Wharton 5:53, Mercedes Thorne 6h:16 and Peter Hall 6:18. Sadly Rob Murr retired injured at 20 miles but special mention must be made for Mercedes and Mark who chose to make this tough event their first marathon. Finally, it wouldn’t be a normal RFRC weekend if our Georgie didn’t do something spectacular. This weekend Georgina Brice completed her 55th marathon and earned a whopping medal by completing the Hercules Labour 5 marathon in a time of 5:19:06. Well done Georgie!

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Last weekend many Running Forever members travelled the short distance to take part in the Channel Events Exmoor Perambulation, which is based in Simonsbath and accesses some beautiful areas of the National Park. This challenging event offers running and walking options as well as a full 30 mile event or a 15 mile half.
In the 30 mile event, Dean Bennett ran an amazing 5.44 to be second finisher. Andy Burgess clocked a 6.55 with Robin Upton and Andy Higham both crossing the line in 7.10; Dave Marshall finished just behind them in 7.15. John Hunt and Peter Hall completed the event in 8.31 and 8.41 respectively.
Taking the walking option, Ali Bisatt marched to the finish in 9.37, Rob Murr completed his 50th marathon/ultra event in 10.19 with Emma Greig and Sue Lewis both recording 10.41 for the distance.
In the 15 mile event, Mark Wilson and Fintan Murry were both home in 3.36.
On Wednesday night Nick Brazier was delighted to record a 19.34 PB at the Exeter Turn and Burn 5K race.
Chris Adams took part in the Severn Bridge 10K this weekend and completed the event in 56.14 on a lovely sunny day.
A reminder that all Club sessions have restarted but with Covid safe rules. All coached sessions and runs must be pre-booked and are available to members only. New members always welcome please visit the website or message us for details.

Over the last couple of sundays we have successfully piloted a new approach to our group runs and we are now ready to reintroduce more runs on our usual club nights.Club members can now book to participate in a coaching session on Mondays, trail runs on Tuesdays, club night runs on Wednesdays and a variety of sunday runs. All of these runs are dependent on the availability of group leaders and booking is mandatory. We are so happy to be able to start running in small groups again (just look at those faces!) and we thank our members for understanding our cautious approach and being respectful of our guidelines.

This is formal notice to club members of the (virtual) AGM to be held at 7.30pm on 1st May. Details have been sent by email, Thanks!

In the light of the latest government advice to limit non essential social contact, the club is suspending all RFRC group runs until further notice. We are also asking everyone not to advertise any social runs in the club’s facebook groups. This will be disappointing to everyone who enjoys our runs but we are in exceptional times and we must all do everything we can to protect our NHS. Let’s all try and keep fit by ourselves and hopefully we can return all the stronger when this is over.

It was Grizzly Weekend for a large number of Running Forever members. Ready to grin and bear it in this popular but tough 20 miler they set off for Seaton where 3000 feet of ascent and a lot of mud and water was waiting. First member home was Dean Bennett in 2.59, great time considering the conditions. Next was Ali Bisatt (3.25) closely followed by Martin Webb (3.26). Laura Chapman’s 3.34 meant she was our first female finishe. Andy Higham crossed the line in 3.51; Dave Marshall in 4.01; Heather Pearce in 4.06 and Mercedes Thorne in 4.17.

A small knot of runners, Ian Bawler, Damon Butler, Ron Foord, Joanna Gavins, Mark Wilson and Sam Wharton must have been holding hands as they all clocked 4.35. Alex Hughes was over the line in 4.40, Matt Blee in 4.44 with Lee Macklin being cheered home in 5.40. A great turnout from the Club and some cracking results.

In the Cub 10 mile race, Sam Cross, Rachel Mills and Joanne Toogood stuck together for a 2.10 finish with Rachel Nicholls crossing the line in 2.26.

Up in Dorset, it was Larmer weekend. This popular White Star Running event has 4 distance options and Running Forever members were keen to tackle the marathon and 20 mile distances. Bev Collins and Emma Perkins were first home in the Marathon with their 4.54 time, this earned Bev a 2nd in Age Group ranking with Emma 4th in hers. Next home was Brian Bandyszewski in 5.44, with Rob Murr (6.13) and Georgina Brice’s 50th Marathon being completed in 6.41.

Sally Tuer and Ann-Marie Crampton took on the 20 mile race and finished together in 4.20 which was a 3rd age group placing for Sally.

Down in Bideford, a quintet of members braved some rather nasty weather from Half Marathon medals. James Lewes crossed the line in 1.36, Helen Moffat was delighted with her 1.58 and Eleanor Perry made it home in 2.13. Peter Stretton and Eliza Brodie finished in 2.25 and 2.39 respectively.

Covering 33 miles round the edge of Salisbury Plain in the Imber Ultra was the destination for Peter Hall (6.44) and Sandra Moffat (7.18) to collect their souvenir mug.

Michael and Adam Turk took on the Thames Meander Half, finishing in 2.53 and 2.59 respectively.

Congratulations to Abi Perry who completed the Cambridge Half in 2.03.

Making his debut in Club colours, Robert Harris clocked 57.08 in the Channel Events Dark Skies 10K for a 3rd in his age group placing.

With Longrun Meadow still more suitable for kayaks than runners, our parkrun tourists took the chance to visit Minehead, Forest Rec, Burnham, Exmouth, Bolberry Down, Rothay Park and Bedock Reservoir in Singapore.

Running Forever members had another successful weekend collecting medals from around the country and the other side of the world.

Andrew Saunders clocked 1.35 in the Newport Half Marathon, a great PB to start March.

Up in London, a quartet took a 13.1 mile run around some of the city’s most famous landmarks in the Vitality Big Half. Nadine Prouse crossed the line in 1.59.59 in a beautifully timed run. Helen Needs and Ann-Marie Crampton weren’t far behind with 2.02 and 2.05 respectively and Liz Williams clocked a 2.20 finish.

Simon and Lisa Denson seem to make a habit of combining a bit of a run with their holidays and their trip to New Zealand continued this theme with the imaginatively named Christchurch Motorway Half. Finishing in 1.35 and 1.55 respectively we can only hope it was more picturesque than it sounds.

With Longrun Meadow still a victim of the February weather, our parkrun tourists took the chance to visit Newent, Exeter, Burnham, Clevedon, Land’s End and Hagley in New Zealand.

Running Forever members were delighted to be faced with a weekend which wasn’t marked by a named storm and were back on the glory trail.

Georgina Brice clocked up her 49th marathon distance with a 5.17 at the 100 Marathon Club’s AGM event on the Thames Towpath!

Emma Greig was legging it round 27 miles of the New Forest Challenge. This LDWA event provided a cake selection which didn’t disappoint our connoisseur who fuelled up on lemon drizzle and scored a 5.33 time.

Up in Birmingham, Michael Turk was clocking a 2.13 time at the city’s Half Marathon, which was a great PB effort.

Down in Exeter, a hardy trio tackled the Exeter City 10K which provided enough challenges to keep them happy. Chris Adams was first home in 57.18 with Janette Blair (62.55) and Charlie Sargent (64.07) hot on his heels.

Our own group of Corking runners travelled to take part in South Molton Stragglers Castle Hill Corker 10K. This multi terrain event provided plenty of hills and enough mud to keep our crew happy after their enforced fortnight’s rest. George Sherwin hit the line in 59.59, with Ron Foord close behind for a 61.25 finish. Bev Collins earned herself a 1st in age group trophy with her 61.34 with Sally Tuer’s 69.38 scooping a 2nd in age group award. Rob Murr made it home in 69.46 with our final finisher Liz Williams crossing the line in 85.58.

The Weston Prom 5 series continued last Wednesday where Hannah Taunton’s 28.39 earned her first female finisher place and Gill Taunton’s 47.32 was a PB for the distance.

Final word and biggest cheer for to Ali Bisatt who took on the Snowdonia Slate Trail 83 mile event. Despite a lot of the route being seriously flooded and being faced with some seriously challenging weather, Ali got over 70 miles in before calling it a day. Paula went above and beyond any marriage vow I have ever heard by fighting her way through flooded roads to keep Ali supplied with vegan sausage rolls and dry socks. Top supporting Mrs B!

With Longrun Meadow parkrun being off due to ground conditions, our parkrun tourists took the chance to visit Minehead, Northampton, Eastville, Forest Rec, Chipping Sodbury, Yeovil, Burnham, Exmouth and Berkley Green.

The weather took its toll on Running Forever this weekend with the cancellation of our Humdinger and Hurtle races. Many other races fell to the same fate, but some members managed to dodge the worst of it to complete races.

Ali and Paula Bisatt both crossed the line in 61.01 at the Eton Dorney Winter 10K, a great PB run for Paula.

Georgina Brice racked up her 48th at the distance with her 5.25 finish at the Phoenix Running PRDNDT marathon on the Thames tow path on Sunday.

An intrepid and hardy quartet took on the 70km Brecons to Cardiff Ultra during the worst of Storm Ciara on Sunday. In some very challenging conditions Martin Webb made it back to the capital in 7.47, Andy Burgess in 8.38, followed by Adrian Edwards (9.03) and Peter Hall (10.12) without any mishaps.

This week, parkrun tourists visited Southampton, Eden Project, Minehead, Burnham, Heartlands, Berkely Green and Exmouth, where both Gill and Hannah Taunton ran PB times. Twenty four ran at Longrun Meadow.