It was a busy weekend for Running Forever members which saw distances from 10K to marathon tacked by the red and white brigade.

It was a trip to Dorset for eight members for the White Star Running Larmer Races. Our contingent split themselves equally between the hilly marathon and the equally hilly 20 mile option. First home in the marathon for the Club was Andy Burgess in 4.37. Bev Collins’ 4.47 time was enough to earn her second age group place. Brian Bandyszewski finished in 5.35 with Georgina Brice crossing the line in 6.33.

In the 20 mile race, Simon Denson’s 3.11 made him RFRC member home. Emma Perkins and Lisa Rossiter completed the distance in 3.56 with Jules Griffiths-Jones making it home in 4.27.

The original running of the Longleat 10K was postponed due to weather. The snow held off this weekend but there were still enough hills and wind to make this a challenging run. Ed Herbert crossed the lion (I have been waiting 3 weeks to use that) in 48.37. Lucy Spring collected her medal in 60 minutes with Vicki Hanna hot on her heels with a 61 minute time. Sarah Holloway and Lisa Windsor also outran the wildlife to record 69 and 79 minute finishes respectively.

We’ve all heard about what bears do in the woods but what did the fearsome bunch of Running Forever athletes do when then tacked a Grizzly at the weekend? They took on a very challenging course with shingle beaches, cliff path climbs and enough mud for Ron to get his socks just a little bit grubby. Dan Talbot made it back to civilisation in a very creditable 2.54 with Sam Wharton, our first female finisher, following in 3.13. Keith Thompson was next with a 3.40 time with Ron Foord (4.09), Dave Marshall (4.11) and Alex Hughes (4.17) behind him. Lee Macklin beat the Grizzly in 4.26 with our final finisher, Jamie Hill, making it back home in 4.45. Rachel Nicholls completed the Grizzly Cub in 2.29.

There were no bears or lions to be seen in London where we had a quintet tackling the Vitality Big Half. Jo Dodson Hall and Dave Porter both finished in 2.01 but Jo just pipped Dave by 11 seconds to take our first finsher position. Ann-Marie Crampton completed the course, which took in lots of London Landmarks, in 2.04. Charlie Sargent was next in 2.11 with Louise Mills crossing the line in 2.20

Parkrun tourists ventured to Market Harborough, Long Eaton, North Shore, Burnham and Haldon Forest. Twenty six took on Longrun Meadow where Karen Chapman had a PB run.

Running Forever athletes travelled far and wide in their search for medals this weekend, but none further than Helen Phillips and Marina Tomsett who were in Japan for the Tokyo Marathon. Having already completed the London, New York, Chicago, Boston and Berlin races, Helen crossed the line in 4.57 to collect her Marathon Majors medal as well as her Tokyo one. Marina was just a minute behind. An amazing achievement from Helen.

Gerry Hogg was in sunny Benidorm and had a great run, taking 2nd place in his age group with a 1.21 Half time.

Always ones for a challenge, a brave contingent set off to Slay The Dragon, the appropriately named 10K trail event in Hinton St George. First in with the kill was Ron Foord who finished it off in 52.25. Next to get their swords out were Sally Tuer (64 mins) and Steph Andrew (66 mins) with Joanne Toogood and Craig Moore just on their tail with 70 minute and 71 minute finishes respectively. Catriona Gullick was next home in 75 minutes with our final Dragon Slayers of Rachel Reid and Sarah Reed crossing the line in 84 and 89 minutes.

Peter Stretton was in Combe St Nicholas for their 10K which was a bit on the breezy side so well done on a 60.50 finish.

It was off to Bideford for a dozen members on Sunday for the ever popular Bideford Half Marathon. The crew were in good form with Jo Carritt and Sam Wharton taking 3rd and 4th age group spots with their 1.29 and 1.32 times. Next home were James Lewes and Tanya Lewis who both finished in 1.34. Scott Weech was hot on their heels with his 1.37 time, with Sarah Henderson and Chris Gunn both crossing the line in 1.41. Our next athlete home was Chris Reah in 1.44, Simon Roland and Helen Needs both beat the 2 hour mark with their 1.52 and 1.57 respective times. Final finishers for the Club were Paul Clowes (2.16) and Liz Williams (2.35).

Ray Tutton and Lucy Spring took a trip to Dorset for the Wimborne Dental 20 mile race. Both got their teeth into the race and finished in 2.49 and 3.39 respectively despite some very grim weather.

Peter Hall was in Cornwall to celebrate St Pirans Day and National Pasty Week by completing the Cousin Jack Classic 17 mile race, taking in a goodly number of hills and some stunning scenery before collecting his celebratory pasty in 5 hours.

Parkrun tourists ventured to Chipping Sodbury, Fire Service College and Haldon Forest. Twenty one took on Longrun Meadow where we were back to the original course.

It was off to the Babcary 7 for a contingent of Running Forever members. This race is organised by Wells City Harriers and forms part of the Somerset Series. Chris Brown was first member home in 48.03 followed by Jo Carrit whose 50.02 earned her the 3rd female finisher overall and first in her age category. Next home was Tom Brodie in 51.47 closely followed by Sam Wharton in 51.53. Next over the line were Tanya Lewis (53.06) and Lisa Denson (61.26), with Ola Timpson completing in 70.57. Lovely to see some of the new Club vests on parade!

Ali Bisatt took on the Hambeldown Hammer Half which delivered 13.1 miles of ups and downs on Dartmoor. His 1.58 finish made him 2nd in his age category.

Goff and Cathie Welchman took on the Escot Park Resolution Run 10K course with 62 minute and 72 minute finishes respectively, before they were presented with their medals by running legend Jo Pavey. Helen Moffat opted for the 15K option and finished in 1.34.

Parkrun tourists ventured to Basingstoke, Killerton, Peter Pan, Burnham, Glossop, Cirencester, Heartlands and Exmouth where Hannah Taunton recorded the 4th fastest female time in the UK for this week. Thirty took on Longrun Meadow where Karen Chapman and Mark Templeton recorded PBs.

A few of our members got intentionally soggy this weekend by taking part in the Taunton Deane Aquathon. Hannah Taunton took first place in the female long course race with her 53.15 time with Chris Gunn finishing the same course in 1.07. In the short course race Sarah Capstick finished in 35.50 which earned her 2nd place in her age group.

A couple of members travelled to South Molton for the Castle Hill Corker with George Sherwin finishing in 57.52 and Rachel Nicholls crossing the line in 1.24.

Ben Timpson took part in the Street 5K on Wednesday where he finished in 20.00 minutes,

Parkrun tourists ventured far and wide this week with members visiting Newcastle, York, Killerton, Burnham, Wilmslow, Peter Pan and doing a bit of parkwombling round Wimbledon Common. Twenty two took on the slightly altered course at Longrun Meadow.

As it was one of our own races this weekend, more of the Humdinger & Hurtle later, it was a busy Saturday for Running Forever athletes as we sent most of them out to marshal on Sunday!

We had Bev Collins & Damon Butler braving some bracing British weather whilst participating in the Portland Coastal Marathon. Bev completed the marathon in 5.15.41 & Damon finished the half in 2.31.20. From what I hear it was an eventful race, with Damon twisting an ancle, but at least they made it back in one piece!

A few members took part in the Exeter Half Marathon with some great finishing times from Emma Kiernan (1.26.21) Andy Staples (1.26.37) and Heather Pearce (1.41.00).

Meanwhile, Andy Burgess took part in the Brecon to Cardiff Ultra, a 70k race that winds its way from Brecon following the River Taff to Cardiff. A tough challenge in the midst of the stormy weather which battered most of the country this weekend.

Many of the usual suspects were involved in organising and helping out at the Hurdle and Humdinger on Sunday so it was a smaller field of Club runners who took part. First home in the Humdinger was Chris Brown, in 1.39.01, followed by Tom Brodie in 1.39.58, and then Georgina Brice in 2.27.03.

We had 5 entrants in the Hurtle, Hannah Rachel Taunton (in Taunton AC colours) crossing the line in 26.41 (First lady & course record). Next in was Sam Stamp with a time of 41.31, Craig Moore in 45.36, then Rachel Nicholls in 48.54. Next we have Sarah Reed & Rachel Reid with times of 54.05 and 55.36 respectively. Sarah and Rachel were both members of our Beginners Group last year and have made great progress with their running.

There were parkrun tourists in Minehead, Winchester, Humber Bridge and Burnham & Highbridge. We even had an international parkrun by Dave Perry at Hagley, in Christchurch (New Zealand). There were 17 runners on the local course at Longrun Meadow.

Many of the planned events this weekend were cancelled or postponed due to the snow and ice. However, Jonathan Newby managed to beat the weather at the ARC50 ultra down in Cornwall, completing the 50 miles of this self navigated event in 13 hours 20.

A small posse headed for Exmouth on Sunday for the Exmouth Express 5 mile event. A lovely run at the seaside saw Simon Rowland as our first member home in 39.10. Goff Welchman was next with a 42.20 finish, closely followed by Peter Stretton (42.40), Brian Brown (47.30) and Cathie Welchman who crossed the line in 53.04.

As Longrun Meadow parkrun succumbed to the snowy weather, lots of members took the opportunity for a bit of parkrun tourism with visits to Minehead, Killerton, Winchester, Forest of Dean, Bedworth and a mass outing to Exmouth.

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?