A sizzling start to a cool June for Frome Running Club

Frome runners at the Cheddar Gorge Half
Frome Running Club made a stellar start to a race-packed month on Thursday 6 June with the 3rd race in the AVR 5x5x5 series. This cross-country series comprises five 5K races held between April and September. David White took part in June’s event, posting a time of 00:26:10. The following Sunday, 9 June, saw the return of the Lacock 5K, 10K and half marathon road races through the picturesque lanes of the Wiltshire countryside. In the 5K distance, Peter Clardy (MV60) was the first Frome runner to cross the line, posting a time of 00:22:12. He was followed by Emma Evans (FV40-49) in 00:27:35, Mary Evans (U20) in 00:27:41 and Toby Evans (U20) in 00:27:41. Zoe Daly (F20-39) was the first Fromie to finish the 10K distance in a time of 00:49:38. She was followed by Sarah Smallbone (FV50-59) in 00:50:50, Chapper Boulton (MV60) in 00:54:29, Eleanor Swinhoe (FV40-49) in 00:55:09 and Susi Ross (F20-39) in 01:00:29. Lee Stone (MV40-40) and Andrew Smallbone (MV50-59) were flying the flag for Frome in the half marathon distance. Lee completed the race in 01:27:48, followed by Andrew in 01:38:24. The Chew Valley 10K was also held on the same Sunday and two Frome stalwarts were representing the club, Pete Larman (MV50) finished in 00:42:08 followed by Paul Waterer (MSEN) in 00:54:41. Yet more Frome runners descended on Chippenham on the 9th for the Chippenham 5-Mile Road Race. Joseph Donworth (MSEN) put in a PB performance and came first overall with a time of 00:27:21. Hot on his heels was Anthony Sprules (MV60), who came first in category with a time of 00:34:07. Caroline Rea (FV40) also bagged first in category with her time of 00:36:00. Next to finish for Frome was Jo Fordham (FV40) in 00:36:44, followed by Chris Steele in 00:41:05 and Helen James (FSEN) in 00:46:51. Another hardy Frome runner, Mark Lee, took part in the Race to the Tower on the same weekend. Mark completed the 52.4-mile race at the heart of the idyllic Cotswolds in 10:48:37. The Broad Town 5 Miler, race no. 4 in the Wiltshire Road Race League, was held on 15 June. Paul Waterer took to the starting line for Frome and delivered a PB performance of 00:41:26. The following day saw the return of the Cheddar Gorge 10K and half marathon off-road races. Eleanor Swinhoe (FV40-49) took to the trails for the 10K race, finishing in a time of 01:18:23. In the half marathon, Andrew Smallbone (MV50-59) crossed the line in 02:11:24, followed by Ben Spicer (M20-29) in 02:29:59, Sarah Smallbone (FV50-59) in 02:36:45, Vicki Trundle (FV40-49) in 02:47:13 and Ellie Burford (F20-39) in 02:47:14. On the same weekend over in Reading, Frome runner Peter Reed was taking on the Endure24 challenge, where teams of runners had to complete as many 5-mile laps of a route as possible in 24 hours. Peter and his team of 5 completed 34 laps and came fifth in their 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.