News file
Frome runners finish the year in style
Frome Running Club runners put the perfect finish on a busy year of running posting some great results in December 2023.
Things kicked off on 3 December with an annual favourite The Bromham Pudding Run. This fast, flat 10k race takes competitors twice around the village of Bromham. Frome fielded a strong team with Alexander Fisher (MV40) first past the post in 00:41:44. He was closely followed by Keith Vance (MV40) in 00:43:30 and David Lee (MV40) in 00:44:00. Hot on his heels came Andrew Smallbone (MV50), finishing in 00:44:52, followed by Barrie Knight (MV70), whose time of 00:49:38 earned him 2nd in age category, and Christopher Steele in 00:53:04.
The following weekend saw two Frome stalwarts competing in the Westonbirt 10k. Starting at Westonbirt House, this beautiful route takes runners through the different areas of the National Arboretum. Ronan Ferguson (MSEN) crossed the line in 00:40:23, followed by Nicky Thomas (FV50) in 00:54:02.
Wednesday, 13 December was the last of the Street 5K races for the year. This fast, flat five-lap course offers ideal conditions for a PB, something reflected in the club’s results. Alexander Fisher (MV40) notched up another PB with his time of 00:20:03. So too did David Lee (MV40) with 00:20:52 and Daniel Thomson (MSEN) with 00:21:29. Barrie Knight (MV70) put in another stellar performance with a time of 00:23:49, bagging first in age category, closely followed by Brett Sadler (MV60) in 00:24:20.
Jo Fordham (FV45) rounded out the year for the club with the Baltonsborough Race, a five-mile road race on undulating country lanes, starting and finishing at Baltonsborough Village Hall. Finishing in 00:37:39, Jo secured 2nd in age category and was the seventh female overall.
Frome Running Club offers both on and off-road training and welcomes new members, whatever the ability. For more details, visit www.fromerunningclub.co.uk.
Frome runners race on in the cold November rain
November continued to be busy month for Frome running club with a plethora of local races. Undeterred by the storms and rain that characterised much of the month, Frome runners kept on racing, starting with the Bath Skyline Night Race on Saturday 18 November. This 10km trail run is held at night on the hill top Skyline route taking in woodland trails, open meadows and iconic landmarks above the city of Bath. Emma Surridge (FV40-49) took to the starting line for Frome, posting a time of 00:54:50 to bag third in age category and fifth woman overall. The following day, three more brave souls lined up for the Castle Combe Chilly 10k at the famous Castle Combe race circuit. Alexander Fisher (MV40-44) was first to finish for Frome in 00:42:50. Hot on his heels was Ben Spicer (MV40-44) in 00:48:52, followed by Claire Dunning (FSEN) in 01:03:40. Also on Sunday 19th, Paul Horton (MV55) was putting his offroad skills to the test in the Bath Hilly Half, a challenging trail race with 1650 ft of elevation and spectacular views. True to form, Paul finished in a speedy time of 01:53:14.
Another local favourite, the AVR Half Marathon, put the perfect finish on the month. This chip-timed road race follows a certified course starting in Edington and taking in the beautiful villages of Steeple Ashton and Great Hinton. Ronan Ferguson (MSEN) put in a stellar performance, crossing the line in 01:28:58. He was followed by Alexander Fisher (MV40) in 01:34:19, Alan Brawn (MV50) in 01:47:51, Ben Spicer (MV40) in 01:48:04 and Barrie Knight (MV70), whose time of 01:53:23 earned him second in age category.
Frome Running Club offers both on and off-road training and welcomes new members, whatever the ability. For more details, visit www.fromerunningclub.co.uk.
Frome races into autumn
The final Sunday in October proved to be a busy one for Frome Running Club with the fast, flat Langley Burrell Lightning Bolt 10k race on 29 October. Alexander Fisher (MV40) was the first Frome runner to finish in 00:42:13 (PB), followed by Dave Williams (MV60), whose time of 00:43:13 earned him 3rd in age category, and Clare Dunning (FSE) in 00:54:26 (PB). On the same day, over in Dorset, two more Frome runners lined up for The Stickler, a 10.1 mile multi-terrain race covering 1500ft of climbing. Emma Surridge (FV40) crossed the line in 01:33:27 bagging 3rd in age category, followed by Ian Holmes in 01:38:44. Over in Calne, also on the29th, Frome Junior were out in number at the Clock Change Challenge Junior 1.5k race. This was the last race for the 2023 Wiltshire Athletic Association Junior race series and the Frome runners did not disappoint with Alfie Johnston and Isy Hopkinson-Scott both getting podium spots by finishing 3rd overall in the boy’s and girl’s race. Coach Pete Clardy (MV60) completed the 5k race in 00:24:06 earning himself 3rd in age category.
November 5, saw the return the AVR Over The Hills, an approximately 12k multi terrain race starting from Barton Farm Country Park in Bradford on Avon. Paul Horton (MV50) sped round the course in 00:54:12, followed by Ronan Ferguson (MSEN) in 00:55:17, Matt Thacker (MV40) in 01:04:09 and Ben Spicer (MV40) in 01:09:20.
Rounding out this action-packed start to November was the Street 5k race held on Wednesday 5 November. All three Frome runners at the event achieved PB times, with Alexander Fisher (MV40) finishing in 00:20:07, followed by David Lee (MV40) in 00:21:05 and Daniel Thomson in 00:21:53.
Frome Running Club offers both on and off-road training and welcomes new members, whatever the ability. For more details, visit www.fromerunningclub.co.uk.
A flying start to October for Frome
The October running calendar got off to a great start with the Clarendon Marathon and Half Marathon on 1 October. The marathon starts at Laverstock & Ford Sports Club in Salisbury and runs along the Clarendon Way to Winchester, while the half starts at the village of Broughton and follows the second half of the route to Winchester. Emma Surridge (F45-49) completed the marathon in 04:47:42 while Rachel Bala (F40-49) finished the half marathon in 02:36:04. The following weekend, Frome Running Club fielded a strong team of runners for the Westbury Lions 10K, a mixed-terrain race starting and finishing at the White Horse Country Park in Westbury. First to finish Frome was Ronan Ferguson (MSEN) in 00:40:41, followed by Alexander Fisher (MSEN) in 00:43:13, Andrew Smallbone (MVET) in 00:44:08, Peter Clardy (MVET) in 00:52:15 and Nicky Thomas (FVET) in 00:54:03. Next to finish was Alan Brawn (MVET) in 00:56:08, Clare Dunning (FSEN) in 00:56:09, Paul Goodwin (MVET) in 00:58:38 and Tina Searle (FVET) in 01:09:52.
15 October, proved to be another busy racing weekend with two of Frome’s finest lining up for the prestigious Oxford Half Marathon. David Lee (M45-49) crossed the line in 01:49:58, closely followed by Barrie Knight (M70-74), whose time of 01:52:58 earned him second position in category. Over in Portsmouth, more Frome runners took part in the Great South Run. Andrew Smallbone finished the 10-mile route in 01:11:39, followed by Marcus Gaffney in 01:31:30 and Lucy Gaffney in 01:41:03. The same day saw the return of local favourite, the Bath Half Marathon. Once again, Frome fielded a strong contingent of runners. Paul Horton (M55) was the first Fromie to finish in 01:27:06, followed by Alexander Fisher (M40+) in a PB time of 01:34:53. Hot on his heels was Ben Lathbury (M45+) in 01:46:13, Christopher Steele (M60+) in 02:02:50, Victoria Stather (FOPEN) in 01:57:55 and Gemma Scorgie (F35+) in 02:41:52.
Frome Running Club offers both on and off-road training and welcomes new members, whatever the ability. For more details, visit www.fromerunningclub.co.uk
Frome runners roam far and wide in September
September’s running escapades started with a trip to the Isle of Purbeck for The Beast, a challenging 13-ish mile trail run starting and finishing in the shadows of Corfe Castle. Paul Horton (MV50), Ian Holmes (MV50) and Emma Surridge (FV45) took to the starting line for Frome, with Paul crossing the line first in an impressive time of 01:50:02, followed by Ian in 02:14:22 and Emma in 02:23:45. On the same day, Ted Sprules (MV70) and Alan Brawn (MV50) lined up for the Carnival Chase 10K in Warminster, both runners putting in a blistering performance for the club with Ted crossing the line in 00:46:05 and Alan in 00:48:54.
The following Sunday saw more Frome runners on tour with Lynn Brand (FV60) battling the heat in the Richmond Marathon. Despite the challenging conditions, Lynn sped home in a time of 04:32:54, bagging second position in age category. On the same day, two more Frome stalwarts lined up for the 4th race in the Langley Burrell Lightning Bolt 10k series. Paul Horton (MV50) finished in 00:41:27 (2nd in age category), followed by Alexander Fisher (MV40) in 00:44:44. Over in Hampshire, Peter Clardy (MV60) took on the New Forest 5k, finishing in 00:26:49 to secure first in age category.
September 17 saw the return of the Chippenham Half Marathon. Race number 7 in the Wiltshire Road Race league, this was the penultimate opportunity for the club to score enough points to secure a promotion from league two to the top division. And the club fielded a suitably strong team of seven. First past the post was Alexander Fisher (MV40) in 00:1:38:28, followed by Emma Surridge (FV40) in 01:41:25, Sarah Burns (FV40) in 01:48:20 and Alan Brawn (MV50) in 01:53:09. Next to finish was David Lee (MV40) in 01:55:36, Jason Burns (MV50) in 01:56:59, Barrie Knight (MV70) in 01:57:05 and Rachel Bala (FV40) in 02:04:48. On the same day, Paul Horton (MV50) was again hitting the trails in the Doone Run in Exmoor National Park, completing the hilly course in 01:28:12. Rounding out the month was Frome Running Club’s very own Mells Scenic Race. Alan Brawn (MV50) completed the undulating seven-mile trail route in 01:05:19. Over in Wiltshire, Alexander Fisher was flying the flag for Frome at the Devizes 10k, where he posted a speedy time of 00:44:14. And finally, up in Nottingham, Jo Fordham (F50) ran the Robin Hood Half Marathon, completing the 13.1 miles in an impressive 01:47:14, earning herself 4th in age category.
Frome Running Club offers both on and off-road training and welcomes new members, whatever the ability. For more details, visit www.fromerunningclub.co.uk.
Busy August for Frome Running Club
August got off to a great start for Frome Running Club with the Wiltshire 10K Lightning Bolt in the village of Langley Burrell on Sunday, 13 August. This edition of the race also incorporated the Wiltshire 10k Championships and Inter Counties Championships, ensuring a very fast field of athletes. First across the finish line for Frome was Alexander Fisher (MV40) in a PB time of 00:42:56. He was followed by Emma Surridge (FV40) in 00:46:33, David Lee (FV40) in 00:47:06 and Alan Brawn (MV50) in 00:47:05. Hot on their heels was Victoria Stather (FSEN) with a PB time of 00:49:10, followed by Barrie Knight (MV70) in 00:50:15, Christopher Steele (MV60) in 00:52:32, Nicky Thomas (FV50) in 00:54:25 (PB) and Claire Dunning (FSEN) in 00:57:26 (PB). Just two days after this on 15 August, another Frome stalwart, David Alsford (MV50) posted a time of 00:22:10 at the Heddington 5k Series Race 3. Following the points from these two Wiltshire Road Race League races, Frome Running Club remains in second place in Division Two, with two races in hand.
Wednesday, 16 August saw the return of a perennial local favourite, The Hilly Helmet Challenge. As usual, there was a good turnout of Frome RC members all sporting helmets of varying styles as per the rules of this 4-ish mile trail charity race based in Westbury. Ronan Ferguson crossed the line first for Frome in a time of 00:30:32, followed by George Leroy in 00:32:21, Ian Holmes in 00:36:46 and Emma Surridge in 00:37:04. Brett Sadler was next to finish, posting a time of 00:41:42, followed by Jo Fordham in 00:41:50, Georgie Starkie in 00:41:50, Lynn Brand in 00:42:14 and Marcus Gaffney in 00:43:40. Emma Evans posted a time of 00:46:14, followed by Dave Perrett in 00:46:32 and Lucy Gaffney in 00:47:01. Rounding out the month was another speedy road race in the form of the Baltonsborough 5 mile. Ted Sprules (MV70) once again put in a stellar performance, posting a time of 00:34:30, followed by Jo Fordham (FV45) in a speedy time of 00:37:47.
Frome Running Club offers both on and off-road training and welcomes new members, whatever the ability. For more details, visit www.fromerunningclub.co.uk
Here is a link to the new membership form for 23/24: shorturl.at/qsDY7 see you there !
Action-packed July for Frome’s club runners
Temperatures may have dropped in recent weeks but Frome runners continued to turn up the heat with some blazing results at local races in July. Paul Horton started the month off in style with the Ham & Lyme 50K Ultra Marathon on 1st July, completing the challenging route from Ham Hill Country Park in Somerset to Lyme Regis in Dorset in 05:28:52. Another Frome long-distance legend, Vicki Trundle, took on the Hope Trail Running Festival 36 on the weekend of the 7-9th July. In this gruelling endurance run, athletes have 36 hours to complete 100 miles over a five-mile loop. Vicki was the fourth woman to finish in a time of 34:22:47.
On Tuesday, 11 July, Alexander Fisher sped round the Westbury 5K, completing the flat, fast road race in 00:20:36. On 16 July, Lynn Brand (FV60) took to the trails of Monmouthshire for the Wye Valley Tunnel Run. This picturesque run follows the railway line all the way from Sedbury to Tintern and Lynn’s speedy time of 02:07:52 earned her second position in age category.
On the same day over in Hazelbury, Frome’s Junior Club runners took part in the Hazelbury Hurrah 2.5K trail race. Ten Runners took part with six finishing in the top five of their age group. Head coach, Peter Clardy (MV60), joined in the fun, taking part in the six-mile trail race. His time of 00:58:01 earned him second in age category.
Tuesday, 18 July saw the return of the second race in the Heddington 5K series. Three of Frome’s finest took on the very fast and flat course around the quiet country lanes of Heddington. Alexander Fisher (MV40) was the first Frome club runner to finish, posting a time of 00:20:33. Hot on his heels was Ellie Burford (FV35), whose time of 00:23:39 earned her fifth in category, followed by Barrie Knight (MV70), who finished in 00:24:04 to bag second in age category.
Putting the perfect finish on the month, Frome Juniors had another very successful meet in Yeovil on 27 July, pitting themselves against running clubs from Somerset and neighbouring counties. The young athletes competed in distances ranging from 75m to 1500m, and also in throwing events, with everyone achieving a personal best time or throw.
Frome Running Club offers both on and off-road training and welcomes new members, whatever the ability. For more details, visit www.fromerunningclub.co.uk.
Coronations Sports Evening
The Coronations Sports Evening on Wed, May 3rd.
Well done to all the brave January runners
Jingle bell jog
Well done to all who came along to the Jingle Bell Jog. Due to the roads and pavements icing up again, we went for Plan B and found 4 laps round the rugby pitch to be a good alternative. With renewed appetites, we were treated to the Aussie Christmas BBQ Meister (AKA Ben’s) hot dogs and a variety of nibbles. Then followed the London Marathon Draw - congratulations Helen Bakunowicz! Enjoy the training!
