In 1643, in the midst of the Civil War, Roundway Down near Devizes was the setting for an epic battle between the Royalists and the Parliamentarians. On Saturday, 17 November 2018, this impressive hill was again under siege, this time from over 170 determined off-road runners. The Roundway Revenge follows an approximately 8-mile route of hilly terrain, offering participants breath-taking views and a challenging climb up Roundway Hill. Sarah Smallbone (FV50) was first to finish for Frome Running Club. Her speedy time of 01:16:12 earned her first position in category. She was followed by Dave Perrett (MV40) in 01:24:38 and Emma Evans (FV40) in 01:26:23. The following day, more local runners made their way over to the famous Castle Coombe race track for the Castle Coombe Chilly 10K. This flat, fast course provided plenty of opportunity for speedy times, and Frome’s runners didn’t disappoint. Ted Sprules (supervet60) crossed the line in a time of 00:41:00, earning himself first position ...

FRC at the Calne Clock Challenge On Sunday, 21 October, three intrepid Frome Club runners lined up for the White Horse Gallop. This challenging eight-mile trail run takes participants out on a lung-busting climb up the Westbury White Horse, rewarding them with magnificent views across the county and beyond. Andrew Smallbone (MV50) was the first Frome Club runner to finish in a time of 01:02:17. Ian Holmes (MV50) was next to cross the line, posting a time of 01:04:58. He was followed by Sarah Smallbone (FV50), who finished in 01:15:29. The following Sunday saw the return of the Calne Clock Change Challenge, a fast, flat 10K road race marking the day when the clock’s go back for winter. Peter Reed (MV40) completed the distance in 00:46:44. He was closely followed by Helen James (F35), who posted a time of 00:54:14. Frome runners go Over the Hills On 5 November, a large contingent of Frome runners braved the mud and the rain for AVR’s Over the Hills race. Starting and finishin...

Frome Runners at the Clarendon Half Marathon Sunday, October 7 saw a small contingent of the town’s runners line up for the Westbury Lions 10K, a multi-terrain race taking participants out along the lower slopes of the White Horse. Ted Sprules (MVET) was the first to finish for Frome, his time of 00:40:59 earning him 9th position overall and 2nd in category. He was closely followed by Andrew Smallbone (MVET), who posted a time of 00:41:29 to finish 10th overall and 3rd in category. Sarah Smallbone (FVET) finished in 00:49:33 to earn 2nd in category and Nigel Williams crossed the line in 00:57:25.  Salisbury Half Marathon was also held on October 7. This very flat, two lap course takes runners through the streets of Salisbury and has plenty of potential for personal bests. Joseph Donworth (MV30) stormed home for Frome in 01:16:27, finishing 8th overall and 5th in category. Peter Reed (MV40) crossed the line in 01:44:48, followed by Anne Porter (FV60) in 02:02:19, whose time ear...

There was no let-up in pace for Frome Running Club during the last half of September. The next highlight for the town’s runners was the Walcot Whopper, near Bath, on Saturday, 22 September. This undulating, 10K multi-terrain takes runners out from Walcot rugby club through beautiful villages, tracks and wildlife trails and onto the breath-taking Cotswold Way. Emma Evans (FV40) and Helen James (FSEN) both took to the starting line for Frome, with Emma finishing in 01:06:30, closely followed by Helen in 01:08:43. The following day saw the return of Frome Running Club’s very own Mells Scenic 7. This 7-mile undulating course through the Somerset countryside, starts in the Somerset village of Mells and takes runners through the villages of Great Elm and Buckland Dinham before returning to Mells. Jonathon Francis (MV40) was the first Frome Club runner to finish in a time of 00:55:49. He was followed by Ben Spicer (MSEN) in 01:00:20, David White (MSEN) in 01:00:54 and Harry Ebdon (MV50) in ...

September got off to a festive start for Frome Running Club with the Warminster Carnival Chase 10K. Frome fielded a strong contingent of runners for this picturesque run down country lanes, tracks and trails. Peter Larman was the first Frome Club runner to cross the line, finishing fifth overall with an impressive time of 00:39:24. Ted Sprules was hot on his heels, posting a time of 00:41:24 to earn ninth position overall. Peter Reed was next with a time of 00:46:34, followed by Julie Chilvers in 00:49:04, Helen James in 00:55:28 and Martin Ward in 00:57:08. Frome runners at the Chippenham Half  The following Sunday saw the return of the Chippenham Half Marathon. This fast, predominantly flat course takes runners through the centre of Chippenham and out along scenic country lanes. Joseph Donworth (MSEN) finished first for Frome in a time of 01:20:07, earning himself sixth position overall. He was followed by Kat Uphill (FSEN) in 01:32:04, Nick Cooper (MV50-59) in 01:34:37...

Frome runners at the Hullavington 10K When the Somerset & Dorset Railway closed in 1966, the Devonshire and Combe Down tunnels under the city of Bath were sealed up and made inaccessible to the public. In recent years, the tunnels have been renovated and reopened, and are a favourite among walkers, cyclists and also runners. So much so that the Two Tunnel race series has become a firm favourite for local athletes. The latest series of races was held on August 19. These fast, flat routes take runners through both tunnels and into the outskirts of Bath. Sally Brooker (FV50-59) lined up for the 10K distance and posted a time of 00:55:11. She was closely followed by Jan Lake (FV50-59) in 01:00:43. Emma Evans (FV40-49) lined up for the 5K Two Tunnels race and crossed the line in 00:27:20. On the same day, more Frome Club runners made their way to Wiltshire for the Hullavington 10K. Joseph Donworth (MSEN) again led the field for Frome in this undulating, picturesque course, coming in...

As the summer marched on from July to August there was no let-up in the heatwave for Frome’s club runners. The new month kicked off with the Mendip Marauder on Saturday, 4 August. This popular ultra trail run offers a 50-mile and 30-mile route, starting either in Frome or Wells and finishing in Weston-super-Mare. Alex Francis and Victoria Penman both took on the 30-miler and finished in times of 05:45:48 and 07:49:45 respectively. The next challenge came in the form of the Salisbury 54321, on Sunday 12 August. Another race with a choice of distances, Frome’s Ben Spicer (M35) lined up for the 33K route and completed it in a time of 03:41:41. Ian Holmes (M50) opted for the 50K race and crossed the line in 05:14:15. The last race in the Heddington 5K 2018 summer series was held the following Tuesday, 14 August. Joseph Donworth (MSEN) stormed home for Frome in a time of 00:16:31, earning himself second position overall. Kat Uphill (FSEN) was not far behind, posting a time of 00:18:56...