Weekend Round up 28 29th August

It may be bank holiday weekend but still plenty of Tuff action. Apart from scheduled Sea swim, pool swim, running and cycling, over 30 Tuffs were in action as highlighted below:-

ARUNDEL 10K

The Arundel 10k is a long standing feature of Arundel Festival, but with Festival organisers concerned about (Covid) crowds in the Town Square the race had to be moved to Arundel Park. The new start and finish provided plenty of place to park with the start line adjacent to the Hiorne Tower. The course would still prove to be as tough as ever with the climb to the top of the Park and the lone oak tree before a loop and then some relief as runners went down Target Valley. This respite was short lived with the climb back up towards the Tower where many spectators congregated to support. The route then took the usual scenic route over the Castle drawbridge and around the quadrangle before finishing back at the Hiorne Tower.

It was a strong Tuff contingent who amassed in the Park to try and defend the team trophy from 2019; 21 Tuff runners ready on the start line, the second largest contingent. There was the usual strong contingent from Tone Zone who had the most runners with 24.

Mark Walford romped home 7th overall with the above photo showing Mark racing across the castle drawbridge. Simon Thistlethwaite was 14th, Phil Scales 29th and Andy Crawford 40th 4 seconds ahead of Jon Babbage. By now Tuffs were pouring over the line with Dom Amey, followed by Lee Bishop, Adrian Oliver, Paul Martin, Graham Liddell, Kate Cooper, Emma Hinton, Spencer Scott, Clare Worgan and Catharine Western. Amanda de Ridder and Janet Shepherd then Kev Pearson who ran around to give a colleague support. Vicky Cooper, Shelley Babbage & Jenny Oliver completed the squad

So how did we do? The Tuff men were first overall with Chichester Runners second and Tone Zone third. For the ladies Chichester came first with Tuff Fitty second and Tone Zone third. The overall team prize went to the first four home regardless of gender and Chichester just sneaked home to gain first team of four prize by 8 seconds, but this was still an impressive morning’s work from the Tuff squad. Thanks to the Tuff supporters, TIff Orton, Jon Roper, Karly Martin, Becky Lintott-Clarke and Clive Harvey who was on the organising committee. The new course received excellent reviews and Arundel 10k is likely to remain in the Park in future. Click on the flickr album below for some Tuff shots.

POLKERRIS SWIM FESTIVAL

Next up a great race report from Nicole Patterson-Lett who was near St Austell in Cornwall on the beach at Polkerris starting from the sheltered harbour bay:-

“I entered the Polkerris Swim Festival for 2019 as we have friends down there, and after 2 yrs of rescheduling it finally went ahead! It didn’t disappoint, the water was incredibly clear (if a little chilly and quite a few jelly fish!), the beach all sandy (thanks goodness as we had an Australian exit run after each km) and a super friendly (whilst COVID friendly!) atmosphere”.

“There was a 3k, 2k and 1k event and the best value was to just do them all! Unless you had the luxury of 3 wetsuits, there was a lot of standing around between events in a damp wetsuit trying to keep warm despite it being a beautiful day. There were about 120-130 in each event, from really super quick swimmers through to those just having a go at completing the distance.”

” I did best in the 3km – 12th overall and 4th female. Then in the 2km – 16th overall and 7th female, then finally in the 1km – 14th overall and 6th female. It’s funny (strange not ha-ha!!) having a few hrs between events, you think you’re ok ’til you start again and it’s even colder than you remember and everything is not flowing as well as you’d hoped . I gave it everything I had (left) on that last 1km. “

“Anyway challenge completed, and the most important bit – the medals. They were amaaazing, beautifully crafted jewellery by a local artist and environmentally friendly presented in a cardboard case ….. ..and I had the most fantastic support from Clive and Rosie – Clive must have walked at least a marathon up and down the beach front trying to keep an impatient Rosie amused – couldn’t have done it without them.”

Nic

PARKRUN

Starting at Littlehampton parkrun it is great news to report first Tuff home was our newest member Emily Moore, racing as a Tuff as she romped home second female and 9th overall in a new PB of 19:27 a fantastic result. The good news continued as Adrian Oliver was home in 23:28. Claire Moyle shaved 32 seconds off her Littlehampton pb, and she was closely followed by Bob Thomas. Alistair Evans and Jenny Oliver completed the Tuff contingent. Adrian kindly submitted the photos of some of the Tuff runners.

At Worthing parkrun Les Pearce recorded his 128th parkrun, Mark Sole was running for his third consecutive week. Amanda de Ridder and Elaine Rousseau clocked up their 124th and 97th parkruns respectively.

Up at Horsham parkrun, Ian Moore completed his 81st parkrun.

Well done to all 11 Tuff runners.