Frome’s finest club runners were back in action in Dorset at the Ooser Marathon on Sunday, 31 March. Harry Ebdon completed the challenging trail race in 04:49:04 and Victoria Penman crossed the line in 06:08:55. The following Sunday, 7 April, saw Chris Steele (MV58) take to the scenic country roads around Pen Selwood for the Pen Selwood 10k. Chris completed the course in a time of 00:56:48. Sunday 14 April was a busy day for runners both near and far. Over in Dorset, Frome’s club runners lined up for the Marnhull 12K. Peter Grist (MSEN) put in a stellar performance, bagging first place overall with his time of 00:42:58. Hot on his heels was Ted Sprules (MV60), whose time of 00:50:55 earned him 9th position overall and 1st in category. He was followed by Ben Spicer (MSEN), who completed the course in 00:57:38. Down in Brighton, over 18,000 runners descended on the city for the Brighton Marathon. Harry Ebdon (MV50) took to the starting line for Frome, completing the course in a time of ...

The second half of March proved to be kinder to runners than in the previous year. There was certainly no snow in sight for participants in the Larmer Tree Half Marathon on the beautiful Rushmore Estate in Dorset. On Saturday, 9 March, Marcus Gaffney (M45) was the first runner to finish for Frome in a time of 02:17:19. He was followed by Lucy Gaffney (F45) in 02:32:00, Dave Perrett (M40) in 02:47:30 and Clare Dunning (F30) in 02:48:21. The following day saw the return of the Longleat 10K, which had been postponed from February 3 due to snow. Andrew Smallbone (MV50) was the first Frome Club runner to cross the line, posting a time of 00:43:08. Hot on his heels was Ted Sprules, who finished in 00:43:55. He was followed by Stuart Stenhouse (MSEN) in 00:46:35, Harry Ebdon (MV50) in 00:46:42 and Dave Oliver (MSEN) in 00:49:14. Sarah Smallbone(FV50) posted a time of 00:52:36, followed by Richard Turner (MV45) in 00:54:34, David Millard (MV55) in 00:57:07, Martin Ward (MV60) in 01:01:09 and...

On Sunday, 17 February, the grounds of the National Trust’s Lanhydrock House in Cornwall echoed to the sound of nearly 360 runners taking part in the Bodmin Half Marathon. The 13.1-mile route takes participants out from Bodmin College through the grounds of Lanhydrock Park and back again for two challenging, hilly, multi-terrain laps offering stunning views. Harry Ebdon (MV50-54) made his way from Frome to Cornwall for the race, posting a time of 02:01:58. Harry was back in action two weekends later at the Imber Ultra on Sunday, 3 March, 2019. Starting and finishing in Westbury, this approximately 33-mile trail run takes runners up onto Salisbury Plain and along the Imber Range Perimeter Path, through some of the most remote parts of southern England. Andrew Smallbone completed the route in a time of 05:44:05. Harry (MV50) crossed the line not long after in 06:04:28. March 3 also saw the return of the Two Tunnels series of races in Bath. A small contingent of Frome runners braved the...

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 ...