Round Up 14th – 27th April 2025
Splashpoint 5km – Wednesday 16th April 2025
As the photo above attests, Tuffs were out in force at the Splashpoint 5k and Clive Harvey, Mark Sole and Chris Evans all took the time to report in.
Firstly, Clive:
Tuff Fitty have an excellent record at Worthing Rowing Club’s 5k and targeting this Wednesday evening run has consistently seen Tuffs as the largest contingent present. This year was no exception with Tuff Fitty comprising 36% of the total field. Situated in the middle of the marathon season, some Tuffs decided to keep their powder dry for London just a week and a half later, but it was appreciated that several others of the Brighton/London crew still joined the race. It was amazing to see such a surge of Tuff colours at the start dominating most of the photos. The event was extremely competitive with the winners completing in 17:14 for the men and 18:50 for the ladies.
The first four from each club have their times combined and Jon Cassell (5th overall in 18:32), Alex Webb (18:56), Simon Thistlethwaite & Mark Walford all finished in under 20 minutes. These four also comprised our first four from last year when they retained the men’s title for the second consecutive year. Unfortunately, whilst still on the podium, the team finished 3rd this year. Abi Clark was our first lady home in a swift 20:18, just missing being 3rd lady by 13 seconds. Juliette Reader, Katie Young & Hazel Tuppen all crossed the line within 13 seconds of each other and it was these four who counted as our female team going one better than the men to claim second female team.
The rest of our terrific Tuffs were:- Dave March, Stuart Harvey, Chris Robinson, Steve Fryer, James Togneri, Dany Cunnett, Josh Roper, Jay McCardle, Adrian Oliver, Mark Sole, Clare Worgan, Catherine Bellsham-Revell, Kate Cooper, Sophie Garbo, Olly Sampson, Glenn Parisi, Catherine Gray, Colin Simpson, Wendy Frost, Ness Green, Clive Harvey, Rhian Standley, Katie Goddard, Hazel Sheward, Alistair Evans, Susan Douglas, Vicki Hedger, Christine Griffin, Sue Simpson & Chris Evans. Steve Feest ran for his run club.
Thanks to Murray Hodge & Anthony Towers for the evening’s photography and to our Tuff supporters, Les, Oliver, Verity & Will who were on Tuff cheerleading duty. That was a tremendous Tuff forty-five on a great evening of running with a few PBs and many retiring afterwards to the Rowing Club for a celebratory beer.
Speaking of PBs, Chris Evans wrote in to tell us all about his best time in 6 years, which is a real story of resilience:
I was looking forward to the Splashpoint 5k. In the past I’ve done this in under 31 minutes but that was over 10 years ago.
I started alongside Christine and when she told me she was aiming for 34 minutes I thought great I’ll try and stick with her, as 33:28 (in November 2024) is my best 5K time in the last six years or so, but she was well ahead of me before we got to the pier when I thought I was about last! I managed to catch up with Sue before pulling ahead of her shortly before the turn around point. Sue and I then yoyo’d for most of the return leg, but Sue pulled away around the Lido with Colin coming back to pace her for the last bit. I tried to catch her but didn’t manage it, although I was thoughly rewarded with my best 5K time in six years 33:24. When I told a fellow Tuff at the end, they asked what drugs I was on?
Well to answer that…I’ve had a knee problem for six years which is now a lot better. I had Hormone and Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer Treatment (2020-2022) which left my testosterone level low. My running has been gradually getting better, with improving times at Littlehampton parkrun throughout 2024. 6 months ago, my GP found out that my folate levels were very low so put me on folic acid. Two weeks after starting the course I did my next PR and knocked over a minute from my course record and another 12 seconds off the following week! Folic acid, as well as helping pregnancy, is also involved with oxygen uptake and anyone who has heard me running will know that I’m gasping for air after only a short distance: you can hear me coming a mile off!
Finally, a few words from Men’s Captain, Mark Sole:
Another superb turn out for the Splashpoint 5k, loads of people to catch up with before and then after for the prize ceremony! Well done to everyone and there was some amazing PBs too. The Flickr photos show everyone’s ‘trying hard’ faces, which I love to see! We managed a 2nd and 3rd in the team events, which is brilliant! But we had the highest turnout which is even better. It’s a great friendly event and hopefully we will have 40+ Tuffs running next year.
Maidenhead 10 Miler – Friday 18th April 2025
Thank you to Trevor Harvey for saving his twin brother from writing another race report and for sending in this report of what sounds like a really fun race!
One of the oldest races in the UK, the Maidenhead 10 miler was celebrating its 70th year. Always held on Good Friday, there have been various Tuffs in attendance over the years, but it was just myself & Clive this year for probably a 10th time.
A well organised race, which starts on a business park, and after a couple of laps heads out into the countryside. As always, Baroness Theresa May marshals, (she used to be the local MP), along with many from the organisers – Maidenhead Athletics Club.
A good haul of goodies at the finish line, with mini chocolate eggs, bars of chocolate, fruit & crisps along with a good medal. The race always seems to have great weather conditions, and you can return home smug and ready to pig out on hot cross buns!!!!
Manchester Marathon – Sunday 27th April 2025
The Harveys, as well as being prolific runners, are great at providing race reports, so here is a 3rd Harvey race report, this time from Stu, aptly enough about his 3rd Spring marathon of the year, with an equally apt Oasis theme!!
At the end of last year, I set myself the challenge of running three marathons this spring. The Masterplan – Barcelona, Brighton and Manchester. Some Might Say that completing them seemed like Half The World Away, but last weekend saw me complete the last of that trio, Manchester.
The previous two had probably gone better than I could have expected, setting a PB in Barcelona and salvaging a decent effort despite the heat in Brighton. Therefore, heading into Manchester, I was keen to see if there was any more in the tank and tip below that magic sub 3:30 for the official race time.
Heading up on the Friday of marathon weekend, I was madferit. Staying at the hotel at Emirates Old Trafford, which has fantastic views over the pitch at the home of Lancashire Cricket Club, it provided a great base to explore the city and an easy route to the start come the Sunday Morning Call.
I love Manchester and it was great to have a bit of time soaking up the best it has to offer ahead of the race. The race itself starts at Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium and heads into part of the city centre before heading out towards Sale and Altrincham before returning to the city centre to finish outside Manchester University.
Waking up on race morning, I was feeling Supersonic, but so was the Manchester weather, delivering a completely cloudless sky and warm temperatures. If there were clouds in the sky, they Cast No Shadow. Taking the start it was clear from the off that this was going to be a challenge so learning my lesson from Brighton I tried to keep a steady consistent pace as I knew it was going to warm up so I just had to Roll With It.
Noodling around endless residential roads and despite kind residents bringing out their hose pipes, the echoes of Brighton started to loom large after mile 22 and whilst the spectators tried to make it a Wonderwall rather than just the wall, the crowd energy wasn’t a patch on Brighton.
Keen to keep pushing to ensure I didn’t Look Back In Anger I kept going to cross the finish line in 3:32:58. Whilst not quite a Champagne Supernova, more of a Buxton Natural Spring Water Supernova, or a sub 3:30 for that matter, the atmosphere at the finish line did make you feel like a Rock ‘N’ Roll Star and it wasn’t long before I was enjoying Cigarettes And Alcohol* and a hearty roast back in town.
Taking on three marathons seemed like a crazy idea at the time. However, looking back now, I’m so pleased I attempted it and all three events offered something different, with me completing them in 3:31:33, 3:33:03 and 3:32:58. The energy from the crowd and support on the day never gets old. Couple that with the support from the club and that of friends and family, and it all helped me to achieve something I would have never previously dreamed of. A big thank you to any of you who turned out to support me or sent messages of good luck and encouragement. I really do appreciate it.
Now to embrace the Importance Of Being Idle whilst I see what event is next!
*I don’t smoke, but it would have been rude not to shoehorn another Oasis song title in. I did have several pints, though.
London Marathon – Sunday 27th April 2025
5 Tuff were part of the world record-breaking number of finishers at this year’s London Marathon. As your editor, I really need to add my thoughts, but Pete and Sue have also been kind enough to send in race reports.
I was lucky enough to gain a place for London in the public ballot. The training went well and I especially enjoyed starting my taper in an unorthodox way with a week’s skiing. A few days before the marathon, I got an ill-timed cold, but I kept telling myself to control the controllables. I didn’t panic, trusting my training, but I definitely enjoyed sitting on the grass in the sunshine before my start a bit too much!
London Marathon is incredible! The route was wall to wall noise, at times the volume was indescribable! I had never done a big city race before and I wasn’t ready for the volume of people on the course. After the first few kilometres of running around people, I was expecting the crowds to thin, but they really didn’t and, especially in the later part of the race when so many people were stopping and slowing, this was an issue, as was the volume of rubbish, especially water bottles underfoot, so you had to be vigilant.
For the first half, I was around target pace (I had planned to go a bit slower, but when you have done so much running at one pace, you rather default to that). After that, I gradually slowed (it was so hot!) but managed to keep going (it was a big mental fight) to cross the line in 4.22.22. It was an amazing experience, but I was not one of the 1.1 million people who entered the 2026 ballot!
Next up, Sue, who was accompanied by fellow Tuff Nina Tully as support runner. Readers of Runner’s World might have noticed that Nina was featured in May’s Marathon issue in the ‘26 miles, 26 winners, 26 reasons’ article, a fact that Nina has been modest enough not to mention!
Massive thank you to The Richard Whitehead foundation for arranging our very own Nina Tully to be my support runner for London.
I have severe vertigo and anxiety along with other things that have stopped me from participating in events and even attending training and parkruns.
I’ll book something with every intention of going but then not attend because I’m absolutely petrified of what could happen. Anxiety is tough to deal with: it can be very hard to ignore. When you see me post, giving away a race place, it will be because anxiety has won. I am slowly learning how to deal with it, but it is a slow process.
Through the foundation, disabled runners (yup, I’m classed as disabled) are matched with a support runner, I’m extremely lucky that Nina is registered and I was able to request her as my support. Running with a good friend as my support made for an absolute cracking day. Thank you, Nina, for getting me round.
It was an amazing day and we were only 7 minutes slower than the time I wanted and I am chuffed to bits with that as the heat was brutal.
I think there were points that Nina thought I was broken because she’s never ever known me to be so quiet, I was actually in discomfort due to my sports bra being heavy on my shoulders, I think we got some funny looks when I decided that it needed to come off! Trying to get my arms out and then get it down over my hips was very funny, but it had the desired effect and my shoulders felt better!! Hahaha. The things we do ay!
Brilliant day despite the heat.
Nina, I’ve said this many times and I will keep saying it: THANK YOU.
Finally, birthday boy Pete:
Having won the golden ticket to represent our club at the TCS London Marathon 2025 was a great honour and privilege and having completed many a marathon, I was looking forward to completing not competing but, of course, I wanted to do well particularly as it was my 50th birthday. The expo is open from Wednesday for bib collection, however I decided to attend on the Saturday and stay the weekend, catching the tube and trains which are very busy but also free for competitors on race day. On race day the organisers like you there early, so think about your nutrition and on this occasion it was hot, hot, hot with all the problems that brings. At about mile 6 my calf went, then about mile 12 my knee went and if not for the crowds I would have DNFd. As I compensated by changing my running gait, my left leg cramped up and with people dropping and throwing up in front of me I was at mile 20 and thought 1 foot at a time for 6.2 and then I can watch Liverpool win the league! Crossing the line and collecting my well-earned medal was so satisfying, even though I was hugely disappointed personally, but I cannot praise the crowds and staff highly enough: it’s an epic iconic event and lives up to the hype. However, it’s very, very busy but this means I am now an official Guinness record breaker!
Valencia IronMan 70.3 – Sunday 27th April 2025
Isis Solato competed at the Valencia 70.3. She performed brilliantly and it sounds a great event:
The race was AMAZING! Highly recommend it!!
The city is also a nice city break destination and very pretty.
You swim in the Marina which gives you a nice buoyancy and no waves, although it was hard to navigate with the sun shining (but let’s not complain about that).
It was a nice rolling course on the bike, some hills and technical down hills with some sharp turns, but I felt really good!
The run is through the park which cuts the city in half, very pretty, some shaded areas which helped with the heat and a lap turn right next to the finish line.
The finish line was right by next to the City of Arts and Science which is an amazing spot and vibe to end the race.
Angmering Woods Bluebell Run – Sunday 27th April 2025
Many thanks to Clive Harvey (again) for reporting in on this annual event, which is always a favourite on the Tuff race calendar:
Now in its 21st year, the Bluebell 10 mile/10k proved, once again, a great place to do some Tuff spotting. The Cani-cross runners started together and in the 10 mile race we had a strong run from Tim Kenny. Five minutes later it was the turn of the ten milers without dogs and Mark Dinsdale was our first runner home. Mark was followed by Amanda de Ridder and Rhian Standley. Great running as the sun was already beating down making conditions very warm. Next off the 10k runners and we had a great show of nine runners. First home 10th overall was Gareth Coombes and he was closely followed by Paul Martin in 12th position. Mark Sole took part and Colin Simpson finished as second in his age group. The stream of Tuffs across the finish line saw Callum Kalbfell next and Leah Simms. It what must be a highlight of the morning, our two new Tuff mums Olivia Morey and Jessica Coombes were back flying the Tuff flag, and both with good finish times. Debbie Birch did well to complete the Tuff Thirteen. Great work from everyone when some were clearly struggling in the heat. Numbers were boosted further at the Fox Pub as the team of Raw Energy organisers and marshals included our own Andy Rossiter, Clive Harvey, Glenn Parisi, Grant Smalley, Jane Custance, Jon Roper, Sue Simpson and Tiff Orton. 21 Tuffs in total!
parkrun Round Up
Saturday 19th April 2025
On Easter Saturday, Tuffs were represented at 7 parkruns, mainly along the south coast. Amanda De Ridder visited the Queen Elizabeth parkrun, while Clive and Trevor Harvey and Glenn Parisi all took part at Portsmouth, with Trevor notching up his 150th parkrun! Paul Fielder was the furthest afield running in the Cusworth Hall parkrun in South Yorkshire. Katie Young was also her usual speedy self at Hereford parkrun.
Closer to home, Cameron Coe and Nathan Bilham took part in Bognor. Steve Fryer, Adrian Oliver, Colin and Sue Simpson and Chris Evans were at Littlehampton, with Chris marking his 50th parkrun. At Worthing Al Evans, Les Pearce, Malcolm and Hazel Sheward and Elaine Rousseau all took part, with Stephen Feest a little further along the coast at Lancing Beach Green parkrun.
Saturday 26th April 2025
The parkrun stalwarts were at it again on Saturday 26th April with Steve Fryer, Fraser and Amy Kidd (away from their usual stomping ground of Littlehampton), Paul Fielder, Les Pearce, Hazel and Malcolm Sheward and Glenn Parisi all taking part in Worthing. Amanda De Ridder, Al Evans, Tim Kenny, Debbie Birch, Claire Moyle (back from her travels) and Chris Evans were at Littlehampton, with Debbie Birch also on the volunteering team, along with Hope Newcomer. Graeme Hadlow made short work of Eastbourne parkrun. Colin and Sue Simpson took one of their regular visits to Malling Rec parkrun near Lewes, while Sheila Bailey was up at York parkrun. Well done everyone!
