Frome runners celebrate after the Roundway Revenge November is usually a time when nature starts to wind down for its long winter hibernation. In terms of facial hair, however, the 11th month of the year is traditionally quite a vibrant time as men across the country commit to growing a moustache to raise funds for men’s health. MoRunning events have been part of the month-long Movember campaign for ten years now and a contingent of Frome runners signed up to the Bristol 10K MoRunning event on Saturday, 10 November. Laura Ryder (FV40) was the first moustachioed Frome Club runner to cross the line in a time of 01:04:33. She was closely followed by Sally Brooker (FV50) in 01:04:34 and Bruce Lockyer (MV50) in 01:10:39. The following Saturday saw more local runners leading a charge up Roundway Hill near Devizes as part of the Roundway Revenge 8-mile trail run. Peter Clardy (MV60) was the first Frome Club runner to cross the line in a time of 01:10:57, which earned him 1st position in c...

Sunday 3 November saw the return of a local favourite: AVR’s Over the Hills race. This 12-kilometer trail run through the beautiful Avon Valley countryside starts and finishes in the historic Tithe Barn, in Bradford on Avon. Peter Larman (MV50) put in a sterling performance for Frome, crossing the line in 01:02:44. He was closely followed by Ian Holmes (MV50) in 01:04:11 and Alistair Smith (MV60) in 01:24:10. Over in Gillingham, local runners had the opportunity to take part in another local favourite over the border in Dorset. This 7.5-mile road race features a number of hills to keep things interesting of participants. Three runners were flying the flag for Frome at the race. First to cross the line for the club was Ben Spicer, who posted a time of 01:00:23. Hot on his heels was Ellie Burford, who finished in 01:01:35. She was closely followed by Christopher Steele in 01:07:05. Club runner Harry Ebdon (MV50) continued his Scottish odyssey, this time competing in the Strathclyde Mar...

Frome runners at the Shepton 10K The White Horse Gallop is a challenging 8-mile trail run along bridle paths up to the top of Westbury Hill. The route takes runners out along the Imber Range path and up to the White Horse. Hardy Frome runner Pete Clardy (MV60) took on the lung-busting challenge on Sunday, 20 October, completing the route in 01:05:30. Paul Waterer was flying the flag for Frome on the same day at the 10-mile Great South Run in Portsmouth. Joining around 20,000 other runners, Paul completed the route in a PB time of 01:17:28. The following Saturday, 26 October saw three more brave Fromies travel down to Sussex for one of the biggest off-road marathons in the UK, the Beachy Head Marathon. Alex Chesterton (MV50) was the first to finish for Frome in a time of 05:45:41. Hot on his heels was Giles Padfield (MV40), who posted a time of 05:46:48. He was followed by Dave Perrett (MV40), who crossed the line in 07:25:50. On Sunday, 27 October, local runners were treated to the...

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 ...