Friends, Romans, runners...

Lucy Heath in Rome

March continued apace for Frome’s club runners, with local athletes putting in stellar performances near and far. Lucy Heath roamed farthest afield to take part in the Run Rome Marathon on 19 March. With a route that would make Mary Beard proud, runners were taken past a cornucopia of historical landmarks, including the Circus Maximus, Castel Sant’Angelo, St. Peter’s Basilica and the Spanish Steps, before finishing at the Roman Forum. Lucy did the club proud, crossing the finish line in 04:27:09. Neil Grist was flying the flag for Frome closer to home on the same day at the Hullavington 20, a picturesque 20-mile road race held near Chippenham. Nearing the end of his gruelling training for the London Marathon, Neil completed the Hullavington route in an impressive 03:15:30. 

The following weekend saw the return of the Bath Skyline series of trail races. Two Frome runners, Emma Surridge and Julie Chilvers, took part in the 10K night race on Saturday 25 March. Emma (FV40-49) completed the muddy course in 00:55:03 to bag first in category, closely followed by Julie (FV40-49) in 00:58:23, who took second position in category. The following day, Ian Holmes continued his offroad odyssey with The Big Cheese in Cheddar. This 15-mile off-road fell race crosses the Mendips Hills, taking in over 2000 feet of climbing. Ian (MV50) completed the challenging course in a speedy 02:29:19. On the same day, three more Frome athletes took on the Langley Burrell Lightning Bolt 10K, a fast road race with massive PB potential. And Frome’s runners didn’t disappoint. Alex Fisher (MV40) led the charge with a time of 00:44:00, followed closely by David Lee (MV40) in 00:44:20. Barrie Knight (MV70) once again took first position in category with his impressive time of 00:48:20.

Over in Calne, Frome Running Club’s Juniors continued to do the club proud in the Calne Clock Change Challenge 1.5 k race on 26 March. A. Johnston (U13) was first to finish, posting a time of 00:06:22. Hot on their heels was T. Allum (U11), who finished in 00:07:26, followed by C. Maye (U11) in 00:07:27, N. Ksiaznicka (U15) in 00:07:52, E. Maye (U13) in 00:07:57 and H. Lamb (U11) in 00:08:36. 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.