Weekend Round Up 1st 2nd January 22
Whilst the week between Christmas and New Year is our club’s quiet week with partner venues closed, there has been some terrific individual training amongst Tuffs on Christmas Day and right through to New Year itself – well done to everyone who kept the Christmas excesses at bay.
From Monday 3rd January our full training calendar resumes with our usual favourites; Monday Run, Tuesday Zwift, Wednesday Track, Thursday swim & then the weekends, Run, Swim & Bike sessions. With the Covid situation fast moving, all training will be subject to any prevailing Government guidelines. Tuff Fitty’s aim is to keep sessions active where possible and fully acknowledge & understand that members are likely to adopt difference stances as we all navigate the pandemic. Thank you for your support in helping all our members to stay safe.
In relation to our twice weekly pool swims, the number of attendees still remain subject to British Triathlon restrictions. One important point relating to the Littlehampton Wave is an impending change to car parking charges. From a designated time, to be announced, the plastic disc used to denote free parking will cease and as members enter the centre, they will be required to key in their car registration number. Until the system is activated, the current 2021 disc can be used. Parking charges run from 8am until 6pm, so if this remains unchanged there will be no need to register for Thursday evening swims as this starts later, but swimmers will need to key for the Saturday swim. This could be advantageous for Tuffs who come across to swim only periodically, but it is accepted this will be a disadvantage when it comes to sea swims from The Beach Cafe.
As well as the great training undertaken by individuals, there was still ‘group’ Tuff action including a Christmas Day Run, Holiday Monday run and the following:-
TUFF FITTY NEW YEAR’S DAY RUN
To get the 2022 training off to a flyer, a New Year special was organised of a back to back run around Arundel Park and then into the Lido for a swim.
There was a strong run turnout with some energetic running up the ‘undulations’, despite some late nights to see in the New Year, plus some attendance at earlier parkruns – see below. Runners broke into three different speed groups, with some particularly fast running from a couple to get back who had forgotten to pay in the car park (they were OK!). Thanks also to the cyclists who rode past to wish everyone a happy New Year – a great turnout.
TUFF FITTY NEW YEAR’S DAY SWIM
From the run it was straight into the Lido where a capacity crowd enjoyed the heated Lido as Tuff Fitty had made an exclusive booking. Whilst some eased back into training and the warm water, others followed the sets in place for a good workout. Thanks to everyone for coming along, and contact has already been made to see if some Tuff specials can be booked once the facility re-opens around Easter. Click on the photo album below for a few snaps of the swim
DARKLINK 10K
A new race from Sussex Trail events whose race directors are our own Chris Ette, Danny Cunnett & Jay McCardle. The format, start at the beginning of the Downslink close to the Amsterdam Pub, Oh, and as the start was 6pm it was most definitely a headtorch run. There were 9 intrepid Tuffs who had entered, with others wishing to, but the event proved popular and was oversubscribed. Apologies that we only found five for the team shot above, but it was dark……!
A great route up the Downslink to the Bridge across the Adur on the South Downs Way, with a loop on the opposite bank before retracing steps back to Shoreham. The route was flat with little mud although there were plenty of puddles to either skirt around or plough through – most took the most direct route! Gathering at the start it was freezing as the wind blew across the river from the airport, but once the race was underway it was ideal running conditions, no rain, and the forecast fog would roll in only after everyone had finished.
Jon Babbage was first Tuff home in 48:35 followed by Becky Lintott-Clarke in 52:17. Trevor Harvey, Clive Harvey & Ian Moore were next across the line to receive their medal. What a stonking bit of bling, with the runners and logo on the medal luminous to reflect the nature of the Darklink. Still the good news continued as Linda James received her medal, Shelley Babbage, Kate Evans and Sheila Bailey completing the Tuff nine.
Everyone agreed it was a terrific race, very well marshalled, and a competitive race to round out 2021. It is good to report that Jay, Danny & Chris declared they have another classic for their portfolio for later this year, so best not to delay once released; highly recommended.
BRUTAL – LONGMOOR
Held at Longmoor Camp, a venue many Tuff know from Hellrunner. The Brutal saw runners take on one lap for a 5 mile course or 2 laps for a 10 miles course. The terrain is definitely ‘off road’ with competitors having to tackle ‘The Dunes’ & ‘The Tank Wallow’ plus the renown ‘linear swimming’, basically a deep, very long, full ditch with spectators urging everyone on. In amongst the five milers were Karly Martin, Paul Martin & Jo Meaney, Great work to round out the year.
CLUB TRIATHLON CHAMPIONSHIP
Confirmation of the Tuff Fitty Club Championship races for 2022. Champions will be decided across each distance at the following venues:-
Arundel Triathlon – Sprint Championship – Arundel Lido Sunday 22nd May 2022
Ironbourne Triathlon – 70.3 Championship – Eastbourne Sunday 10th July 2022
Hever Castle Triathlon – Standard Distance Championship – Hever Castle, Edenbridge Sunday 25th September
CHRISTMAS DAY PARKRUN
We start the round up at Bognor parkrun with a special mention to Jason Rae (he founded the Bognor parkrun) who stepped up to be race director to ensure the Christmas day run could take place. Worth it? absolutely, as the total number of runners (232) was the highest field for 8 weeks. Jason appreciates that many people are alone at Christmas and this lovely gesture ensured the event could continue. Included in the field in a very swift time of 19:29 was James Mapley finishing 6th overall for his 10th parkrun.
Across at Littlehampton parkrun Emily Moore completed her 110th parkrun as 1st female home and 9th overall in just 20:20. Steve Fryer was next home in a swift 20:54 (16th overall). Close behind in 18th position Kev Pearson recorded 21:16. Emma Hinton ran home as 3rd female with a new PB of 22:16. Richard Budd was next in 22:59. Nicole Ewer ran for her 12th parkrun and then Claire Moyle crossed for her 15th parkrun.
Worthing parkrun also had a Tuff presence as Les Pearce ran home on his 140th parkrun. Amanda de Ridder was next home on her 133th parkrun. Chris Sloggett continues his recovery clocking up his 139th PR. Kate Evans was next followed by Sheila Bailey
NEW YEAR’S DAY PARKRUN
At Littlehampton parkrun Emily Moore completed the double returning home as the fastest female for the second consecutive week in 20:42. Then not far behind were Kev Pearson in 21:47 & Adrian Oliver in 21:58. This was a new PB for Adrian who would follow this up by heading for the Tuff run/swim session. The good news continued with Richard Budd finishing shortly afterwards in 22:46. Alistair Evans ran but was also on the organising team.
Worthing parkrun saw James Oram as first Tuff home in 22:55 with Paul Martin close behind in 23:07 to get his run in before the club swim. Claire Worgan was another one who undertook parkrun before heading to Arundel for the double and what a result as she claimed a new pb of 23:44 – a great morning’s work. Les Pearce was in action for his 141st parkrun. Ed Lay clocked up his 74th parkrun; Chris Sloggett was also running,
At Bognor parkrun it was a change of role for Jason Rae. Having been race director last week he took park as a runner this week.
It is great to see more parkruns where Tuffs have raced. Firstly Dom Amey took park in the Markeaton Park parkrun which is in Derby. He wasn’t there just to make up the numbers as he flew round in 22:00.
Paul Atkinson took part in the Chester-le-Street parkrun in County Durham. Normally one of our long distance running machines, this was Paul’s second parkrun overall finishing in 23:10
