Round Up 28th April – 11th May 2025
This round up has a real mix of events for you, with running events still to the fore. Well done to everyone who has taken part in an event over the last 2 weeks! There have been some great performances and, more importantly, some fantastic support and camaraderie. Many thanks to those who have taken the time to report in!
Worthing Half and 10km – Sunday 4th May 2025
A small army of Tuffs took part in the annual Worthing Half and 10km on a warm bank holiday Sunday. From my cheering points on Grand Avenue and the prom, I can attest to the volume of smiling Tuffs who streamed past!
With almost 3,200 runners finishing across the 10k and half distances, it is believed we had a sensational 30 Tuffs running (apologies if anyone has been omitted). In the 10k Jon Cassell was our first runner in 39.43, 3rd in his age group (38th overall). Phil Scales was 54th in 40.14 and Dave March 70th in 42:09, followed by Adrian Oliver. Carey Woods, Ness Green and Sophie Garbo were next, then Al Evans, Vicki Hedger and Simon Grundy starting a comeback from injury. Nina Tully, Christine Griffin, Kate Evans & Judith Molka-Danielsen completed our Tuff 14. The Half Marathon results we believe returned 16 Tuffs: Mark Walford finished in a swift 1:28:13 then further rapid times from Steve Fryer, Simon Thistlethwaite, & Fraser Kidd. Dom Amey, Josh Roper and then captains Clare Worgan and Mark Sole. Andy Vincent, Mark Dinsdale, Catharine Gray, Tiff Orton & Rhian Standley joined the finishers. Wendy Frost, Kelly Johnson & Debbie Birch completed our Tuff squad.
Thank you to Rhian and Fraser for sending in reports of the Half. Here are Rhian’s reflections:
First up, an admission: as a Worthing resident, I have always avoided the Worthing Run Fest event. The thought of being spotted on the prom in hot sweaty radish mode by someone I know or worse, work with, has been a potent deterrent for years!
One thing about being a veteran – or even super veteran- in running years, is that you give a lot less effs. And so, I found myself part of the big group of Tuffs that entered the Half this year. I had this event in mind as a training run for Broloppet half marathon in June, so no pressure for times today.
The event village being held in Steyne Gardens meant it was pretty easy to bag drop, have a final nervous pee and meet the rest of the gang near the start. Everything was well laid out and there were no big queues. We sorted ourselves into our respective pens and shivered in our race vests, waiting for the gun…
I was lucky enough to find myself in the same pen as Wendy, Catharine & Tiff, I had great company for much of the route – this made the miles fly by. The weather was near perfect running conditions save for a bit of headwind at times.
City road races often have a fancy dress contingent. I like to keep a mental note of embarrassing things I have been overtaken by (the strangest was probably a pair of fallopian tubes at Cardiff and a bottle opener at Denbies). Very little fancy dress here today, but lots and lots of kids with Power Up signs and jelly babies, which always deserve a grin and a high five. There were plenty of spectators and well-wishers along a surprising amount of the course – including some Tuffs – and this added to the great atmosphere throughout.
The course is a pretty flat out and back along the Prom, but with a couple of trips up Heene Road, Grand Ave and Sea Lane at 4,6 and 8 miles, respectively. These have *just* enough of a sneaky incline to remind you to take a gel! Out and backs can sometimes feel a bit miserable, but today it was uplifting to see other Tuffs wave & fly by in the sunshine.
Once into the return leg and the final miles along Marine Parade, the crowds got denser and louder until you finally turn west at Crabshack corner for the finish line. On cornering, the Tuffs Cheer Squad was VERY present and definitely buoy you up for the final dash. I was pretty happy with my race, having not run this distance for several months. As more Tuffs came in, we gathered in finishers T shirts and medals to cheer on the rest of the team completing the 10K.
Once done, about 20 of us decamped to the Beach House for a burger and a beer (thanks to Clare for arranging this). As results came in, it became clear that the hard work training, the atmosphere, weather and most of all the great company had resulted in a great number of pleased smiles and PBs for team Tuff. I can therefore confidently award this event a “Don’t be Shit” (DBS) rating of 10/10. Recommended.
DBS rating: 10/10
Event Atmosphere & Organisation: 10/10
Cheer Squad rating: 11/10
Next up, Fraser Kidd, whose training, I imagine, had been burger-free:
Worthing Half was my first at this distance for 2-years and came after a 9-week training block which involved cutting over 5% of my body weight to reduce the load!
I don’t think I have been to a half marathon event with a better atmosphere and support on the course. My aim was to keep consistent pacing which didn’t quite happen, and I ran feeling reasonably comfortable until after 10 miles. I struggled through the next mile and managed to find some pace approaching Worthing to finish off in 1:36.50.
I’d certainly consider this local event next year.
Finally, Al Evans shares his thoughts on the 10km event:
Arrived in Steyne Gardens to an amazing buzz of anticipation, laughter and a sea of smiling faces, limbering up and doing their stretches.
Caught up with a group of Tuffs for a photo and discussed various times people were hoping for in the good calm and sunny conditions. I set myself a target to improve on my previous 1:04:54 PB and perhaps I was a bit too optimistic to even think I might smash the hour barrier.
So, to the start and I found myself with Ness and before we knew it, we were off. For the first few kms we stuck together (in truth I was trying to keep up with her but failing). Then I found a steady comfortable pace until I reached Grand Avenue where Kate was cheering on the Tuffs, this was very timely and helped massively to push me on and dig in for a PB.
Now I was back on track time-wise until I reached 8k, where I seemed to slow for no reason. When I realised just how slow it was, I picked up the pace again by the pier and with the final push into the last corner, where I was greeted with a wall of noise from the crowd with Mark Sole’s booming voice drowning out everyone and everything else which gave me one last kick to the finish line in 1:02:54, a new 10k PB by 2 minutes. My first Worthing 10K, great event, great Tuff support and on the list as a must do, maybe next time the 1/2?
Good prep for Bognor 10K in two weeks’ time, the hour barrier is definitely now in sight!
3 Forts Challenge – Sunday 4th May 2025
The Three Forts Challenge is another fixture on Worthing’s running events calendar and it was a shame that it was on the same day as Worthing Half and 10km this year. While most Tuffs decided to race on the flat, Amanda De Ridder chose the Downs and completed the Three Forts Marathon. Hazel Sheward and Sue Pinky completed the 5 mile race, with Sue riding (or should it be running?) to the tail runner rescue, as she reports below:
The legs weren’t happy about today’s run, so when, after the first lap of Manor Rec, I was asked if I’d be tail due to the original person not arriving, I jumped at the chance! I got my hi vis powers after the second lap and Kylo and I slowed down so that the back runners could catch up. We had a lovely, relaxed chat all the way around and the two ladies I was with were particularly happy with my knowledge of the area and where to look out for red kites, even more happy that they were able to see one and surprised by their size! It was lovely to meet Hazel Sheward at the bag drop (thank you for volunteering) and then again before the start and on the course! She was flying back down the hill! It was a much slower race than I’d planned, but my legs are very grateful to have had the walk instead! I also don’t think that my outfit was bright enough! Finally, I was pleased to have been able to pick up my Tuff cap and wear this today, especially as I’ve misplaced my Tuff vest somewhere! It is a lovely route, which will hopefully be back again next year and fingers crossed there isn’t a clash next time!
Isle of Wight Randonnée – Sunday 4th May 2025
While many Tuffs were running around the streets of Worthing, the ever-intrepid Claire Moyle was cycling around the Isle of Wight, where the actual cycling was only part of the adventure. Many thanks to Claire for sending in this account:
I have ridden round the IoW several times but always anti clockwise and with Angmering Cycling Club, so when my regular cycling buddy said, ‘Fancy making a weekend of it?’, I thought, ‘Why not?’
Having never actually ridden the Randonnée, I was quite excited and the weather was perfect. Leaving Saturday morning, looking like pack horses, we cycled to Portsmouth to catch the ferry before cycling to Kite Hill Farm to pitch our tents. The campsite was fairly empty and I had arranged to meet some of the ladies from my Spanish cycling trip earlier in the year, so we all pitched up together. Saturday night was chilly, but we slept well and were able to check in early as Wootton, one of the start points, was minutes from the campsite. Riding clockwise was very enjoyable and I think slightly easier than anti clockwise. The roads were mostly quiet and all the other cyclists were friendly. The route followed the island’s blue island signs which on occasion were hidden by overgrown hedges, but luckily we didn’t miss any. The 5 check points, however, where very well sign-posted and there were some very tasty treats to be had as all were served by locals raising money for an array of charities. It was a very enjoyable ride which I would definitely do again. On Sunday night we headed to the local pub for good food before spending another chilly night in our tents. On Monday we packed up and headed for the ferry home, but only managed to cycle as far as Chichester before the wind and rain beat us and we caught the train the rest of the way. Total mileage for the weekend 122.74 and 5527ft of climbing. Not a bad way to spend a weekend!
The Phoenix 5 Race – Stevenage – Sunday 11th May 2025
Not one to let the chance of a family get-together and a run pass him by, Fraser took part in the Phoenix 5 race and sent in the following report (and great action shot):
This was a 5-mile run hosted by Stevenage Phoenix Running Club. It was a family affair with 2 of my sisters & brother in-law also running. The event also had a free kids’ mile, which my niece and nephew enjoyed.
The race itself had 300+ entries, with the course being on undulating paths which featured plenty of underpasses and a loop of a lake in the beaming sun. I was pleased with a 33:46 and 25th placed finish. I am competing for a 3rd weekend in a row on Sunday, racing at the Bognor 10km.
Mallorca IronMan 70.3 – Sunday 11th May 2025
A select group of Tuff women headed out to Mallorca to tackle the IronMan 70.3 challenge. Verity and Ness have both reported in. First up, Verity:
It seems like a lifetime ago that we decided to enter Mallorca 70.3. Eight of us headed out to Mallorca with four of us entered into the event.
We stayed in Puerto Pollença which in my opinion is the best location on the island, especially for riding. Our villa was just a few hundred meters up from the beach which lent itself well to swimming and running with great access to the 70.3 cycle route and the mountain range in the north of the island.
We arrived on Wednesday lunchtime with the coach transfer getting us to our villa in the late afternoon. We built our bikes and went out to recce the start of the bike course and ride the longest climb up Femenia.
Thursday was a quick 5km run along the prom to stretch the legs before riding to Alcúdia on Friday for registration, race briefing and bike racking. The weather took a turn on the Friday with torrential rain and storms rolling in.
Saturday was race day, it was an early start, booking a taxi to get us back into Alcudia. The support crew had a lie in, as the bike course came past the end of the road we were staying!
There were 3,500 people entered and the swim start took way longer than expected, but it was very controlled with a rolling start where 6 competitors were let through the start gate every 5 seconds so there was no worry about getting charged at the start.
The swim for me was very enjoyable and I was really pleased with my time for what felt like a fairly chilled swim. The transition is massive, about quarter of a mile long. We were racked up near the transition bags which made it very easy to find your bike.
The bike course took us out along the coast rode back to Pollença and then inland from there up the longest climb; Femenia at 7.5km. You are then on a rolling road for around 5 miles before the long descent down Sa Batalla and then out on the predominately flat/downhill second half. I’ve ridden most of the route before, so found I could get my head down and bash through the miles to try and make up time from the first half of the ride.
Back into transition for the long walk back to rack the bike and grab my run stuff and out onto the three loop run course which went through the town and along the beach front and which was really well supported throughout.
The run for me was always going to be interesting, as the longest run I had managed in training was 10 miles as it has taken me nearly two years to recover from tearing my plantar fascia. The first few miles was definitely more walking than running whilst I settled down. By the second lap I had settled into a rhythm and was predominantly running but walking through the aid stations to fuel. The third lap strangely felt like my strongest.
From when I started I didn’t see Ness, Sheila or Lewis until lap two of the run when I crossed paths with Ness and we exchanged a high five!
Overall, it was a great event that I would consider booking again next year and if any other Tuffs would like to do an event abroad, maybe it’s something we look at organising as a group.
Big shout out to Lewis that did almost no training and finished way ahead of all of us (we’ll call that youth) and of course Ness and Sheila who both had cracking races that I am sure they will tell you all about.
Next up, a report from Ness:
Having spent the last 5 months training, Sheila, Verity and I headed over to Mallorca to take part in the Mallorca Ironman 70.3.
We arrived on the Wednesday and myself and Verity took a recce of the climb: it was long and steady and we didn’t quite go to the top, but it was enough to put my mind at rest.
Friday was here before we knew it and we took a gentle cycle from Port Pollenca round the bay to Alcudia to rack our bikes and raid the merch tent… A good few euros later, we had to wait for the rain to pass so we could get the bikes racked before heading back to Port Pollenca.
Saturday morning was here with a 4.30 start and we were all ready to go…
The buzz in Alcudia was out of this world and once we had seeded ourselves for the swim, the party started..
My swim was calm and measured, focusing on my stroke and breathing: 1,2,3 breath, 1,2,3 breath, I went up the outside picking off swimmers as I went… managed to go over one on my way… before I know it, I’m getting out of the water and I have managed to come 3rd in my age group! (Old is all you need to know) I headed to transition to get my bike to ride the 20k to the bottom of the descent. I started the climb slightly slower than the recce but didn’t want to burn out and before I knew it I was at the Repsol garage signifying the top of the 7k climb! This meant it was all downhill from now… lots of switch backs and sweeping bends brought me to the bottom. This led to some rolling hills, some pretty towns and lots of farmland and it wasn’t long before I was riding into the head wind and aiming for Alcudia and the bike transition… the Burger King sign was a good sign to see!
Once off the bike, it was straight out on the run and within the first 3miles, I knew it wasn’t going to be the run I had hoped for: sore toes and sore feet put paid to that, so I decided to Jeff it and enjoy the atmosphere. The spectators where amazing and the buzz kept you motivated. It wasn’t long and I was on the 3rd lap, where Verity managed to pass me at 10miles!
I crossed the line in 7hours 30 where Verity was waiting to give me my medal!
Totally awesome day! I bloody loved it. Bring on the next one!
parkrun Round Up
Saturday 3rd May 2025
16 Tuffs tackled parkrun on Saturday 3rd May, with some of them using it as a leg loosener for events the following day. Unusually, Worthing was the parkrun with the highest Tuff turn out: Stephen Feest, Paul Fielder, Les Pearce, Ed Lay, Al Evans, Hazel Sheward, Sheila Bailey and Sue Pinky all took part. Nathan Bilham and Claire Luckham were at Bognor, while Murray Hodge was at Lancing Beach Green. Amy Kidd, Adrian Oliver, Tim Kenny and Amanda De Ridder were at Littlehampton, where Hope Newcomer, Debbie Birch and Chris Evans were on volunteering duty. James Mapley took a very swift visit to Somerdale Pavilion parkrun in Somerset!
Saturday 10th May 2025
A number of Tuffs were on tour last Saturday, namely Paul Fielder at Silksworth parkrun in Sunderland, Debbie Birch at Peacehaven, Chris Evans at Lymington Woodside in Hampshire, Al Evans at Osterley parkrun in Hounslow. Closer to home, Nathan Bilham, Amanda De Ridder and Tim Kenny all ran at Bognor, while Jay McCardle, Rhian Standley and Murray Hodge were all at Lancing Beach Green. Worthing and Littlehampton tied for the most Tuff runners this week at 4 each: David March, Danny Cunnett, Malcolm and Hazel Sheward at Worthing and Steve Fryer, Adrian Oliver, Colin and Sue Simpson at Littlehampton. A nice bit of symmetry there!
