Rain doesn't stop play for Frome’s club runners in July

Frome at the Heddington 5K

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.

On 12 July, the third race in the Yeovilton 5K series was held over in Yeovil. Daniel Thomson (MS30) and Brett Sadler (MV60) both put in great performances, posting times of 00:22:38 and 0025:49 respectively.

 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.