Summer fun for Frome Running Club

June was another jam-packed period for Frome Running Club. The month kicked off in style with the Bath Two Tunnels on 2 June, a 10K race that takes runners through the pedestrianised Devonshire and Combe Down Tunnels near Bath. Alexaner Fisher (MV40) completed the route in a speedy 00:41:18, while Anne Denholm (FV60) crossed the line in 01:01:23. Alex was back in action just a few days later along with fellow Fromies Dave Williams (M60-64) and David Lee(MV45-49) at the DB Max Mile, a one-mile race on the smooth, flat surface of Castle Combe race track. Alex posted a time of 00:05:25, closely followed by Dave Williams in 00:05:42 (2nd in age category) and David Lee in 00:05:48 (first in age category).

On Saturday 8 June, Sian Meaney took to the start line of another long distance challenge, this time the South Downs Way 100, a one-hundred mile race taking in the entire South Downs Way National Trail. Sian completed this impressive feat in 27:26:03. The following day, on Sunday 9 June, Paul Horton (MV50) took part in the Cheddar Gorge Half Marathon, earning first place in age category with a time of 01:55:36. On Tuesday 9 June, Frome fielded a strong team at the second race in the Westbury 5k Series. Alexander Fisher (MV40) was again first to finish in 00:19:23, closely followed by Dan Gaisford (MV40) in 00:19:32. Dave Williams (MV60) was also back in action, bagging second in age category with his time of 00:19:58. Next past the post was Keith Vance (MV40) in 00:20:36, followed by David Alsford (MV50) in 00:20:35 and Emma Surridge (FV40), who secured second in age category with 00:20:48. David Lee (MV40) finished in 00:21:18, followed by Claire Bowles (FSEN) in 00:22:00, Ben Spicer (MV40) in 00:22:09 and Victoria Stather (FSEN) in 00:23:54. On Wednesday, 12 June, lone runner Daniel Thomson (MSEN) competed in the Yeovilton 5K series, posting a speedy time of 00:21:37.

The Wiltshire Road Race League continued on Saturday 15 June with the Broad Town 5, race number four in the league. Alexander Fisher (MV40) was first to finish the five-mile road race in 00:32:53, closely followed by Paul Horton (MV60) in 00:33:04 (3rd in age category), Dan Gaisford (MV40) in 00:33:15, David Williams (MV60) in 00:33:57 (2nd in age category) and Emma Surridge (FV40) in 00:35:31 (3rd in age category). Next past the post was David Alsford (MV50) in 00:36:29, followed by David Lee (MV40) in 00:36:41, Ellie Burford (FSEN) in 00:38:17. Kayleigh Philps (FSEN) debuted for Frome, with an impressive time of 00:41:11, followed by Clare Dunning (FSEN) in 00:43:33 and Paul Goodwin (MV70) in 00:47:47. Frome's A team now stands in second position in division one in the league, while the B team is in third place in division two. Another mid-week treat was in store for Frome runner Alan Brawn (MV50), who lined up for the Chippenham Longest 10K on Wednesday 19 June. Alan completed the route in a PB time of 00:46:48.

More Frome runners rounded out the month with another ultramarathon on Saturday 29 June. The Ham & Lyme 50K is a pictursque route starting at Ham Hill Country Park and weaving its way to the sea to finish in Lyme Regis. Emma Surridge (FV40) finished the route in 6:19:03, followed closely by Ian Holmes in 6:19:31.

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.