Frome runners kept up the pace in the second half of June with a slew of classic local races including the Broad Town 5, a five-mile road race on country lanes held on Saturday, 17 June. Earmarked race number 4 in the Wiltshire Road Race League, runners participating in the race had the chance to win valuable points for the club. Alexander Fisher (MV40) finished first for Frome posting a time of 00:34:59. Hot on his heels was David Alsford (MV50) in 00:35:14, followed by David Lee (MV40) in 00:36:30 and Jo Fordham (FV50) in 00:37:13 (3rd in category). Peter Clardy (MV60) rounded off Frome’s performance with his speedy time of 00:39:46.   The following Tuesday, 20 June, saw the return of another key League race – the Heddington 5K, a fast, flat course around the quiet country lanes of Heddington. Dave Williams (MV60) finished in a blistering 00:20:58 (4th in category), followed by Alexander Fisher (MV40) in 00:21:01. One day later on the 21st, more Frome club runners ventured over ...

On May 21, Frome runner Alan Brawn ventured up to the jewel of the north, Manchester, to take part in the Manchester Half Marathon. Following a fast, flat route that takes runners past the city’s iconic landmarks, Alan crossed the finish line in an impressive 01:54:10. The same day saw the return of a local classic, the Dilton Dash. A number of Frome’s club runners turned out for this 10k mixed terrain race with Ronan Ferguson storming home in 00:46:46 to bag seventh position overall. He was followed by Emma Surridge in 00:51:56 (2nd female), Julie Chilvers in 00:58:36 and Emma Evans in 01:07:31.  Ted and Paul at the Bratton Hilly On the following Saturday, 27 May, another local favourite, The Bratton Hilly, put the perfect finish on the month. Frome fielded a strong contingent for this challenging 11k multi-terrain course, a fact that was reflected in the team result, with Frome Running Club finishing first in the team rankings. Leading the charge once again was Ronan Ferguson, wh...

Keith Vance at the Belfast Marathon Frome runner Keith Vance put the perfect finish on a busy April with a stellar performance at the Belfast Marathon on Saturday 30 April. Keith sped round the streets of his home city, completing the 26.2 miles in an impressive 03:38:19. The following day, two more Frome stalwarts were flying the flag for Frome in Milton Keynes. Famed for being one of the UK’s newest city and home of the concrete cows, Milton Keynes is also host to one of the country’s fastest, flattest marathons. Paul Horton (MV55) completed the route in a speedy 03:19:35 while Ian Holmes (MV55) flew round in 03:47:58. Closer to home, a small contingent of Frome runners lined up for the Sutton Veny 10k trail race. Ted Sprules was first to finish the challenging route in a time of 00:41:12. Hot on his heels was Andrew Smallbone, who posted a time of 00:45:54, followed by Emma Surridge in 00:48:23 (second woman), Julie Chilvers in 00:53:00 and Sarah Smallbone in 00:55:38 (first vet wom...

Frome at the Corsham 10K The racing season got well and truly underway in April with local runners spoilt for choice in terms of terrain and distance. Things got off to a great start on 2 April with the Devizes half marathon. Flying the flag for Frome Running Club were Alexander Fisher (M40) and Chris Dayman-Johns (MS) who posted times of 01:39:56 and 01:58:53 respectively. Over in Yeovil the following Monday, the Easter Bunny 10K offered runners the perfect opportunity to burn off any Easter overindulgences. Ted Sprules (MV60) was the first Frome runner to crosse the line in 00:42:56, a speedy time that earned him second in category. He was followed by Julie Chilvers (FV45), who raced past the post in 00:51:40. Saturday April 22 offered some real offroad treats for trail enthusiasts. Clare Dunning ventured over to the Pembrokeshire coastline to take part in the Endurance Pembrokeshire Half Marathon, completing the challenging coastal route in 03:10:29. Over in Bath, Dave Perrett and ...

Lucy Heath in Rome March continued apace for Frome’s club runners, with local athletes putting in stellar performances near and far. Lucy Heath roamed farthest afield to take part in the Run Rome Marathon on 19 March. With a route that would make Mary Beard proud, runners were taken past a cornucopia of historical landmarks, including the Circus Maximus, Castel Sant’Angelo, St. Peter’s Basilica and the Spanish Steps, before finishing at the Roman Forum. Lucy did the club proud, crossing the finish line in 04:27:09. Neil Grist was flying the flag for Frome closer to home on the same day at the Hullavington 20, a picturesque 20-mile road race held near Chippenham. Nearing the end of his gruelling training for the London Marathon, Neil completed the Hullavington route in an impressive 03:15:30.  The following weekend saw the return of the Bath Skyline series of trail races. Two Frome runners, Emma Surridge and Julie Chilvers, took part in the 10K night race on Saturday 25 March. Emma ...

The Bowerhill Bomber  The Baltic temperatures visited on the region during the course of February and March didn’t deter Frome’s hardy runners. With a broad selection of races to choose from, Frome’s club runners put in great performances teams in numerous races both close to home and further afield. Rounding out February was the winter edition of the Bowerhill Bomber. This Melksham-based trail race offers 5k and 10K distances covering country lanes, fields and towpaths. In the 10K race, Andrew Smallbone put in a stellar performance, finishing in 00:45:02 to bag fifth positive overall. Hot on his heel was Ellie Burford, who finished in 00:52:19. Sarah Smallbone represented Frome in the 5k distance and was the fourth female to cross the line with an impressive time of 00:27:16. The Terminator, another perennial favourite in the trail-running calendar, also took place on February 26th. Emma Surridge (FV40) was the first Fromie to cross the line in 01:56:27, closely followed by Julie ...

  Frome Running Club February Race Report The ‘Wiltshire 10’ took place on Sunday 12 th February. The race is described as a run over a certified ten mile course, starting from King George V playing fields in Melksham. The circuitous route took runners out round the village of Lacock, before following the River Avon back to Melksham. Frome Running Club was well represented on the day, with some commendable finish times. First home was Paul Horton (MV50) in a time of 1:06:22. He was closely followed by Ronan Ferguson (MSEN) in 1:11:12 and Keith Vance (MV40) 1:11:24. Next was Alexander Fisher (MV40) in 1:17:45 and Alan Brawn (MV50) in 1:23:32 and Barrie Knight (MV60) in 1:23:52. Flying the flag for the ladies was Helen Bakunowicz (FV40) who crossed the line in 1:29:46 and Clare Dunning (FSEN) in 1:44:08. Well done to all!   Alan Brawn, Helen Bakunowicz, Keith Vance, Barrie Knight, Alexander Fisher and Clare Dunning with their medals at the completion of the Wiltshir...