Busy start to May for Frome Running Club

May got off to a busy start for Frome’s club runners. The action started locally on Sunday 6 May with the Trowbridge 5K race. Peter Reed (MV40) stormed home for Frome in 00:21:09, followed by Julie Chilvers (MV40) in 00:24:43, Kayden Chilvers (MJUN) in 25:02 and Paddy Mead (MV40) in 00:26:43. The Marlborough Downs Challenge was also held on the same day, offering runners the choice of a 20- or 33-mile route. A number of Frome athletes took on the 20-mile challenge. Giles Padfield (MV40) lead the pack, finishing in 03:17:59, followed by Sarah Perrett (FV40) in 04:34:30, Sara Elliott (FV50) in 04:34:30 and Dave Perrett (MV40) in 04:54:44. Victoria Penman completed the 33-mile race in 07:28:57. The following day, Bank Holiday Monday, saw the return of the popular Sutton Veny 10K. Alex Francis crossed the line in 00:42:42, winning the trophy for the third male. Ted Sprules finished next in 00:43:38, followed by Pete Larman in 00:45:21 and Andrew Smallbone in 00:45:45. Kat Uphill finished in 00:46.15 as the first female followed by Ian Holmes in 00:46:32and Stuart Clarke in 00:47:10. Jo Fordham finished as the third female in a time of 00:51:29, followed by Marcus Gaffney in 00:51:50, Sarah Smallbone in 00:54:10, Katheryn Clarke in 00:55:30, Lucy Gaffney in 01:00:34, Laura Francis in 01:05:10 and Paddy Mead in 01:09:59.
Saturday 12 May saw more local runners line up for the Immortal Stourhead 10k. Andrew Smallbone (MV50) crossed the line in 00:45:04, finishing second in category, followed by Zoe Daly (FSEN) in 00:50:54, Sarah Smallbone (FV50) in 00:51:41, John Boulton (MV50) in 00:54:44, Laura Ryder (FSEN) in 00:57:10, Sally Brooker (FV50) in 00:58:56 and Felicity Young (FV50) in 01:04:30. On Sunday 13 May, more than 12,000 people took part in the Great Bristol 10K, including Lee Stone, who finished in 00:37:50, followed by Chris Chivers in 00:55:46 and Clare Dunning in 01:03:03. That same weekend, Alex Chesterton (MV50) and Marcus Gaffney (MV40) took on the OX 50-mile off-road race in Dorset, completing the gruelling course in 11:18:50 and 12:45:10 respectively. Laura Francis (FV40) took part in the Ox Light, earning first position in category with a time of 01:01:30. Closer to home, in Radstock, runners celebrated the return of the Jack and Jill 10K(-ish) Challenge. Ian Holmes (MV50) finished first for Frome in 00:52:26, followed by Jo Kirk (FV40) in 00:59:22, who won first in category. She was followed by Samuel Evans (MU1) in 00:59:37, Pete Larman (MV40) in 01:02:46, Lynn Brand (FV50) in 01:03:04, Emma Evans (FV40) in 01:05:42, Tessa Hibbert (FV40) in 01:05:48, Paddy Mead in (MV40) in 01:06:36 and Peter Lee (MV60+) in 01:19:46.


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.