Frome club runners at the Slaughterford 9 The Slaughterford 9 is a multi-terrain race over 9 miles of steeply undulating countryside through the Slaughterford valley in Wiltshire. Pete Larman (MV50) was the first Frome club runner to cross the line, posting a time of 01:16:03. He was followed by Ian Holmes (MV50) in 01:18:08, Lynn Brand (FV45) in 01:26:38 and Victoria Penman (FV45) in 01:30:50. Although snow disrupted races on the first weekend of February, the following Sunday, February 10th, proved to be a busy day for local runners. Over in Melksham, a group of Frome’s finest lined up for the Wiltshire 10, following a gently undulating course through rural Wiltshire and around the historic village of Lacock. Stuart Stenhouse (MSEN) crossed the line first for Frome in 01:14:05. Peter Clardy (MV60) was hot on his heels, finishing in a time of 01:14:59. He was followed by Peter Reed (MV40) in 01:16:52, Ben Spicer (MSEN) in 01:17:03, Lynn Brand (FV50) in 01:22:39, Helen Bakunowi...

The new year got off to a cracking start for Frome with the South West Club & County Cross Country Championships on Sunday 6 January at Yeovil, Aldon Hill. Joseph Donworth (MSEN) was in action again, completing the 9K senior men’s course in 00:34:24. The following Saturday, 12 January, hailed the return of the Bath Skyline 5 and 10K night races. Starting from 6 p.m. in the evening, the two courses take runners out around the hill tops of the Bath skyline, offering a good mix of terrain, open fields, woodland trails and broad stretching views over the countryside and the city of Bath. Emma Evans (FV40-49) completed the 5K route in a time of 00:35:46, earning herself first in category. Julie Chilvers (FV40-49) and Emma Surridge (FV40-49) took on the 10K course. Julie completed the course in 01:02:32, bagging fifth position in category, while Emma crossed the line in 01:04:41. Yet more Frome runners turned up the following day for the Bath Skyline 10K day race. Peter Clardy (MV60) fi...

The Avon Cross-Country Championships for 2018-9 were held as part of the Tri-County Cross-Country event on Sunday 9th December, at Bath University. Joseph Donworth was flying the flag for Frome at the event. He completed the 6.4-mile distance in a time of 00:35:52, earning himself fifth position in the SENVETMen category. Joseph was in action again on Boxing Day, this time in County Limerick, Ireland, as he lined up for the Caherdavin 10K. Pitting himself against 150 other athletes, Joseph crossed the line in third position, posting a time of 00:34:18. On Thursday, 27 December 2018, Frome club runner Harry Ebdon (M50-59) also decided to blow the winter cobwebs away with the Winter Cross Ultra over in Meonstoke, Hampshire. Taking on the challenging 50K route option, Harry completed the distance in 05:34:36, earning himself eighth position in category. Yet more runners were keen to see out the old year on Sunday, 27 December with the Plain Crazy, a challenging 12.5-ish route across the ...

Anyone who happened to be in Frome Town centre on Sunday 16 December was treated to a very Christmassy sight as over 50 members and friends of Frome Running Club made their way through town decked out in seasonal fancy dress. This year, Frome Running Club’s annual Jingle Bell Jog was renamed Dawn’s Jingle Bell Jog in memory of club member Dawn Prior, who recently passed away from cancer. The club opened up this year’s event to non-club members, inviting anyone who had known Dawn to take part in the run and help raise funds for Friends of Frome Hospital, a charity close to Dawn and her partner Ashley’s heart. An impressive 53 people turned out to run the 4.8-mile route through town. Each runner had to estimate the time they believed they would complete the route in, and prizes were awarded for the most accurate estimates. Prizes were also awarded for the best fancy dress. Clare Dunning and Ali Smith made the most accurate predictions about their time and were duly rewarded with ...

The village of Edington in Wiltshire has earned its place in history as the location where King Alfred the Great won a decisive battle over the Danes in the Battle Ethandun in 878 AD. Nowadays, Edington is more well known among local athletes as the starting point of the AVR Half Marathon. Peter Grist (MSEN) was flying the flag for Frome at this year’s race on November 25. His time of 01:18:26 earned him third position in category. Lee Stone (MV40) crossed the line in 01:28:17, followed by Andrew Smallbone (MV50) in 01:36:11 and Jack Harrington (MSEN) in 01:56:32. On the same day, over in Surrey, Alex Chesterton took part in the Gatliff 50K ultra Marathon. He completed the challenging route in an impressive 08:08:57. December got off to a seasonal start Bromham Pudding Run. This perennial favourite among local runners usually sells out in just a matter of hours, with participants lured by the promise of a Christmas pudding and medal for all finishers. This year was no different and...

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...