Frome runners at the Cheddar Gorge Half Frome Running Club made a stellar start to a race-packed month on Thursday 6 June with the 3rd race in the AVR 5x5x5 series. This cross-country series comprises five 5K races held between April and September. David White took part in June’s event, posting a time of 00:26:10. The following Sunday, 9 June, saw the return of the Lacock 5K, 10K and half marathon road races through the picturesque lanes of the Wiltshire countryside. In the 5K distance, Peter Clardy (MV60) was the first Frome runner to cross the line, posting a time of 00:22:12. He was followed by Emma Evans (FV40-49) in 00:27:35, Mary Evans (U20) in 00:27:41 and Toby Evans (U20) in 00:27:41. Zoe Daly (F20-39) was the first Fromie to finish the 10K distance in a time of 00:49:38. She was followed by Sarah Smallbone (FV50-59) in 00:50:50, Chapper Boulton (MV60) in 00:54:29, Eleanor Swinhoe (FV40-49) in 00:55:09 and Susi Ross (F20-39) in 01:00:29. Lee Stone (MV40-40) and Andrew Small...

Frome runners at the Shrewton Bustard 10K Local runners looking to bag a personal best time over a 5K distance were in luck in mid-May as the first race in the Heddington 5K series was held on Tuesday 14, May. Two Frome runners turned up to take on this fast, flat course around the quiet country lanes of Heddington. Peter Clardy (MV60) finished in 00:21:12, closely followed by Peter Reed (MV40) in 00:22:45. Frome stalwarts Andrew and Sarah Smallbone were back in action on Saturday, 18 May in the Semington Slog 10K. Andrew (MV50) completed the mixed trail route in 00:42:02, followed by Sarah (FV50) in 00:50:09, both runners secured first position in category with their speedy times. Athletes were treated to a new event in the racing calendar on Saturday, 19 May. The brand new Shrewton Bustard 10K gave runners the chance to sample the delights of running along the edge of Salisbury Plain. It was also race number three in the Wiltshire Road Race League. Frome Running Club fielded a st...

The town of Glastonbury is known for its ancient Medieval sites and mystical myths. However, every year in May, it’s also a highlight in the local running calendar, hosting the Glastonbury 10K race. Christopher Steele (MV55) took to the starting line for Frome, crossing the line in 00:52:37. He was followed by Iain Brownlie (MV45) in 01:00:58. On the same day over in Southampton, Joseph Donworth (MSEN) was on top form for the Southampton Marathon, finishing second overall in a time of 02:43:04. Frome runner Susi Ross (FSEN) participated in the Southampton 10K on the same day, crossing the line in 00:58:58. Sunday 5 May was also the day of the Bristol 10K. Frome stalwart Ali Smith completed the course in 00:55:44, closely followed by Claire Dunning in 00:57:57. There was no let-up for local runners on the Bank Holiday Monday with the return of the Sutton Veny 10K. Pete Larman (Over50s) was the first Frome club runner to cross the line. His time of 00:41:41 earned him first position in ...

The Butcombe 50-mile Ultra is a challenging, self-navigating off-road route that takes runners through the beautiful countryside of the Mendips. This year’s event, which was held on Saturday 27 April, saw long-distance stalwart Victoria Penman back in action. She completed the course in 14:45:50. The following day, April 28, saw the return of the UK’s most popular race, the London Marathon. This year, a record-breaking 42,906 people lined up for the 26.2-mile course through the capital. Among them were four athletes from Frome Running Club. Unlike last year, runners were treated to near-perfect conditions, which our local athletes took full advantage of. Lee Stone (MV40-44) was the first Frome Club runner to cross the finish line on The Mall, posting a time of 03:04:40. He was followed by Lynn Brand (FV55-59) in 03:58:27, Anne Porter (FV60-64) in 04:47:35 and Lorna Mudie (F18-39) in 05:07:02. Also on the 28th, lone Frome runner Keith Robinson travelled slightly further afield to Sc...

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...