A month of mud, miles, and magnificent performances
February proved to be a packed and impressive month for Frome Running Club, with members tackling everything from gruelling multi‑terrain fixtures to fast 5Ks and scenic 10Ks.
The month kicked off with the notoriously tough Slaughterford 9 on 1 February. This year’s multi-terrain race of around 9 miles of steeply undulating countryside was also race no. 5 in the Wiltshire Offroad Race League (WORRL). Paul Horton (MV60) crossed the line first for Frome, his time of 01:07:33 earning him first in age category. Next was Poppy Burton-Morgan (FV40), their time of 01:16:17 bagging another first in category prize. They were followed by Sam Baraud (MSEN) in 01:16:26, David Lee (MV50) in 01:18:58, Ben Spicer (MV40) in 01:23:32 and Ian Holmes (MV50) in 01:23:34. Claire Bowles (FSEN) crossed the line in 01:26:57, followed by Andrew Fowler (MV40) in 01:28:15, Chris Dayman-Johns (MV40) in 01:30:09, Ellie Burford (FSEN) in 01:32:06, Clare Dunning (FSEN) in 01:32:13, Lynn Brand (FV60) in 01:36:54, Megan King (FSEN) in 01:37:22 and Geraldine Fowler (FV40) in 01:38:22.
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| Slaughterford 9 |
The next weekend brought another tough off-road challenge with the Lungbuster, a 9-mile off‑road race over challenging terrain and farmland, and race no.6 in the WORRL. Ronan Ferguson (MSEN) raced over the finish line in 01:11:04, closely followed by Poppy Burton-Morgan (FV40) in 01:23:27 (1st in age category), David Lee (MV50) in 01:26:54, Neal Crowe (MV60) in 01:39:32, Joanne Thwaite (FV40) in 01:39:38 and Clare Dunning (FSEN) in 01:39:53.
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| Frome at the Lungbuster |
There was a change of pace a few days later on Wednesday 11 February with the fifth event in the Street 5K series. Four Frome runners took on the fast, flat road route with Alexander Fisher (MV40) finishing in 00:18:20 for first in age category, followed by Daniel Thomson (MSEN) in 00:21:44. Barrie Knight (MV70) finished in 00:24:05 for first in age category, followed by Brett Sadler (MV70) in 00:25:47 who bagged second in age category.
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| Prize winners at Street 5K |
On Sunday 15 February, race 7 in the WORRL was held. The Smartt Smasher 10K, a flat multi‑terrain traffic-free run along a picturesque national cycle network, produced some very fast times. Ronan Ferguson (MSEN) again finished first for Frome in 00:38:29. He was followed by Alexander Fisher (MV40) in 00:40:52, Sam Baraud (MSEN) in 00:44:20 and Poppy Burton-Morgan (FV40), whose time of 00:44:39 bagged them first in age category and 3rd in the female category. Neal Crowe (MV60) finished in 00:46:15 for second in age category, followed by David Lee (MV50) in 00:47:19, Andrew Fowler (MV40) in 00:49:52, Joanne Thwaite (FV40) in 00:52:53Geraldine Fowler (FV40) in 00:54:16, Clare Dunning (FSEN) in 00:55:30, Dan Gaisford (MV40) in 00:56:38 and Catherine Walton (FV40) in 00:58:28.
One of the toughest races in the WORRL league was left to last with the Terminator, a 12.5 mile trail race with several very steep climbs and a sting in the tail. Frome runners rose to the challenge on 22 February. Paul Horton (MV60) earned first in age category with a time of 01:45:35. Paul was followed by Poppy Burton-Morgan (FV40) in 01:52:53, Dan Gaisford (MV40) in 01:55:51, Sam Baraud (MSEN) in 01:57:05, Ian Holmes (MV50) in 02:02:23, David Lee (MV50) in 02:06:49, Ben Spicer (MV40) in 02:07:12, Clare Dunning (FSEN) in 02:20:50 and Lynn Brand (FV60) in 02:28:42 (3rd in age category).
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| The Terminator |
On the same day as the Terminator, more Frome runners travelled to Bath for the Two Tunnels races. Completing a fast and scenic 10K were Alexander Fisher (MV40) in 00:37:48, Lauren Penny (FV40) in 00:48:07 and Ella Kempshall (FSEN) in 00:49:53. Rounding out the month, Ronan Ferguson (MSEN) tackled the Two Tunnels Hilly Half, posting a time of 01:50:52.
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| Captain Alex at the Bath Two Tunnels |
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.