August for Frome Running Club kicked off with the Westonbirt House Summer 10K. Based at the beautiful Westonbirt House, the route takes competitors round a two-lap course to finish in front of the beautiful stately home. Paul Waterer (MSEN) and Neil Grist (MV50) were flying the flag for Frome and achieved PB times of 00:48:58 and 00:58:01 respectively. The next challenge on the list for Frome’s intrepid runners came on Sunday, August 11 in the form of the Salisbury 54321 50K ultra marathon. Four Frome stalwarts took to the starting line for the trail ultra over footpaths, bridle ways and quiet country roads in the Salisbury Wessex area. Ian Holmes (M50) finished first for Frome with a time of 05:19:48 that earned him seventh position in category. Ben Spicer (M35) crossed the line in 06:08:39. He was followed by Ellie Burford (FOPEN) and Vicki Trundle (F40), who both finished in 06:40:32, with Vicki bagging ninth position in category. Two more of Frome’s finest were in action over i...

Frome club runners at the Hazelbury Hurrah July got off to a cracking start for Frome runners with the Ham & Lyme 50K race on Saturday, July 6. The challenging route takes in the stunning Liberty Trail from Ham Hill Country Park in Somerset to Lyme Regis in Dorset. This year Sara Elliott and Fiona Norris were flying the flag for Frome at the event . Both Sara and Fiona crossed the line 07:43:56. The following day, Harry Ebdon (M50-59) was in fine form at the Moreton Marathon in Dorset, completing the trail race in 05:35:10. Tuesday 9 July saw the return of the last in the Heddington 5k series of races. Pete Clardy (MV60) lined up for the third race and posted an impressive time of 00:21:24. Runners were offered another weekday treat on Friday 12 July in the form of the Hazelbury Hurrah in Corsham. Four of Frome’s finest lined up for this six-mile, off-road, evening run. Ian Holmes (MV50) was first to finish for the club, posting a time of 00:46:28. Giles Padfield (MV40) was hot...

The summer solstice has been celebrated since prehistory in many cultures. In Chippenham, since at least 2014, midsummer is celebrated by local athletes entering the Chippenham Longest Day 10k race. This year’s event was held at 7.30 p.m. on the Wednesday 19 June, the closest Wednesday to the solstice. Among the 840 runners keen to celebrate the long summer’s evening were four of Frome’s finest. Paul Waterer (MSEN) crossed the line first for Frome in 00:51:28. He was followed by Emma Evans (FV40) in 00:55:27, Alistair Smith (MV60) in 00:55:33 and Anne Porter (FV60), whose time of 00:57:46 earned her 3rd position in category. Just over a week later, on Thursday, 27 June, yet more runners lined up for the Great Chalfied 10k, a road race over a certified accurate 10-kilometre course through the picturesque countryside around Broughton Gifford. Joseph Donworth (MSEN) was on flying form once again and came second overall with a time of 00:35:53. Anne Porter (FV60) crossed the line in 00:59:...

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...