October got off to an impressive start for Frome Running Club with the Atlantic Coast Challenge. The event features three marathons over three days from 4 – 6 October and participants can choose to complete one, two or three days. Sara Elliott (FV55-59) took on the first day of the challenge, completing the marathon in a time of 06:37:44. Fiona Norris (FV55-59) signed up for the entire three days. She completed her first marathon on day one in 06:37:38, the second marathon took 07:01:33 and the third 09:25:34 – resulting in a time of 23:04:45 for the entire 78.6 miles. Over in the Welsh capital on 6 October, a small contingent of Frome runners were busy notching up PBs in the Cardiff Half Marathon. Ellie Burford completed the distance in 01:44:37 (PB), followed shortly after by Paul Waterer in 01:45:54 (PB) and Neil Grist in 01:57:30 (PB). Over in Gloucestershire, yet more hardy Fromies took to the fields and lanes around Marshfield for the Marshfield Mudlark, an 11-kilometre off-road...

As the nights draw in and the temperatures start to drop, autumn can provide ideal conditions for runners (with the occasional storm thrown in for good measure). Frome’s valiant runners have continued to battle on through wind and rain and occasional autumn sunshine. On Saturday, 21 September, Paddy Mead took part in the Ashton Steeple Chase, a 2.5-mile run over field and stile in west Wiltshire. Paddy completed came 4th overall posting a time of 00:21:48. Sunday, 22 September saw the return of Frome Running Club’s very own Mells Scenic 7. Starting and finishing in the historic village of Mells, this seven-ish mile trail race takes runners out over footpaths, bridleways and quiet country lanes in the beautiful East Somerset countryside. Joseph Donworth (MV35) was the runner to finish for Frome Running Club. His speedy time of 00:45:03 earning him third position overall. Hot on his heels was Mark Lee (MV35) who crossed the line in 00:52:38. He was followed by Paul Waterer (MSEN) in 01:0...

September got off to a celebratory start with the Warminster Carnival Chase 10K run on Sunday, 1 September. Anne Porter was flying the flag for Frome in this picturesque race and posted a time of 01:00:07. Another Frome runner, Lynn Brand (FV55), was representing the club in London on Wednesday, 4 September at the Chase the Sun Clapham Common 10K race. Lynn’s speedy time of 00:50:45 earned her first position in category. Local favourite the Chippenham Half Marathon returned on Sunday, 8 September. Keith Robinson (MV60-69) was first across the line for Frome in 01:32:36. He was closely followed by Peter Clardy (MV60-69) in 01:38:59. On the same weekend, Frome runner Paul Waterer made the long journey up to Newcastle upon Tyne for the Great North Run. Joining around 57,000 other runners on the route from Newcastle to South Shields, Paul posted a PB time of 01:51:19. Lynn Brand (FV55) was in action again on the 8th, this time at the Ash Excellent 8 in Somerset. Lynn completed the approxim...

Frome runners at the Hilly Helmet Challenge For the third year in a row, Frome Running Club fielded a large contingent of runners at the Hilly Helmet Challenge on August 14.This popular four(ish)-mile multi terrain run is organised every year in Westbury to raise funds for Brain Tumour Support and runners are asked to run in a helmet of choice. Frome runner Andrew Smallbone crossed the line in 00:33:03, followed by Giles Padfield in 00:35:06 and Ian Holmes in 00:35:31. Paul Waterer finished in 00:36:17, closely followed by Sarah Smallbone in 00:39:20, Neil Grist in 00:42:00, Jo Fordham in 00:42:39, Emma Surridge in 00:42:41 and Sara Elliott in 00:42:44. Dave Perrett was next, posting a time of 00:43:26, followed by Anne Porter in 00:46:56, Felicity Young in 00:54:18, Peter Lee in 00:55:50 and Catharine Dowling in 00:58:24. Over in Tywyn Wales, Frome runner Ellie Burford (FSEN) pitted herself against the local rail service in the Race the Train event on August 17. Chasing the train ...

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:...