Round Up 8th – 28th September 2025

Welcome to this edition of the round up!  As usual we have a varied range of events for you to read about as the summer season draws to a close.  Huge thanks and congratulations, as ever, to all our contributors and keep your reports coming over the autumn.

Bournemouth International Sprint Triathlon – Sunday 14^th September 2025

Many thanks to Verity for reporting in on daughter Darcie’s race in Bournemouth:

It had been an interesting week leading up to Bournemouth with the big question ‘will the swim be cancelled?’.  I decided I would keep the weather forecast to myself and not mention the potential storm to Darcie, given the swim is her strongest element and having had the Brighton swim cancelled, I knew it wouldn’t go down very well!!

We didn’t know anyone else racing, so it was a pleasant surprise to bump into Noah before the start and cheer him on.

Darcie started the day as her usual nonchalant, chilled self.  We hurried her to get into her wetsuit and she went off for a pre-race swim warm up.  She was pleased to have done that to acclimatise to the water.

The start was a mass start and Darcie positioned herself well, got her elbows out wide and swam off into the distance.

She came out of the swim strongly: 16^th female and 4^th in her age category.

There is a brutal zigzag climb from the beach up to T1 which the event kindly times separately to your T1 time!!

Out on the bike, Darcie managed to take a wrong turn at the beginning of the bike course and rode an extra few miles.  She stopped and spoke to a marshal who helped get her back on track and she went off again and completed the bike section.

Into T2 she looked strong and the error on the bike didn’t seem to have got in her head too much which was really good to see.

She was out on the run quickly and managed one of her better 5km times of more recent times which left her feeling pretty happy at the end.

Although really annoyed and upset that she went wrong on the bike, she came away with lots of really positive vibes to take with her to Australia for the Sprint Championships!

Well done to Noah and Stephen who both did well in their races!

Congratulations too to fellow Tuff Zeina Clare, who competed in the Aquathlon and was 2^nd in her age category.

Weymouth Ironman 70.3 – Sunday 14^th September 2025

The race on Sunday started a little fresh but very enjoyable, the rolling bike course was both pleasant and a challenge which killed the legs.  I probably went off too hard but that’s half the fun, right?  Getting into transition and onto the run, it took me a good 2 miles to get the legs working well.  The run was 2 laps of the seafront, which started in good conditions, but then the heavens opened.  Luckily, I don’t mind a spot of rain so continued with the consistent approach and kept winding down the miles.  Coming onto the famous red carpet, I soaked up all the support and the cheers from Mark, Sheila, Karl, Dan and Emily.  Well done to Vicki who also took part but pulled out of the run due to injury and to Ness who smashed a 70.3 for a birthday treat.  A great weekend that I would really recommend! 

New Forest Half Marathon – Sunday 14^th September 2025

Thank you to Wendy Frost for sending in this report of the New Forest Half Marathon.  Wendy displayed her trademark grit to get round and to raise the profile of diabetes in sport.  For more on this, check out Wendy’s contribution to the latest edition of Runner’s World.

As many of you know, I jointly lead a sports team for people living and thriving with type 1 diabetes. We meet online with regular face-to-face events and meet-ups.  This weekend saw the first showing of our new kit accompanying our new team’s name.  Our sponsorship changed leading to an exciting new branding.

26 of our team members met for the weekend for fun, food, and games, finishing with the New Forest Half Marathon on Sunday.  I was under-prepared, as I have been concentrating on my studies in recent months and was just aiming to get around uninjured.  My blood glucose values didn’t play ball and unfortunately, I experienced a very high spike in levels around mile 5 which left me feeling nauseous and sluggish.  With some insulin adjustment, I kept going, but it was much tougher than I anticipated.  My studies have now finished, and I am looking forward to getting back to Tuff training and coaching again!

Swim Serpentine – London – Saturday 21^st September 2025

The event is based in Hyde Park in London, and there was a great atmosphere.  Isis was the first in the water and finished with an astounding 58.15, breaching from the water as cool as a cucumber.  Next in was Dan- looking slightly nervous, which wasn’t a complete surprise seeing as he had only learnt to swim in February and this was his first ever swim event.  He smashed the swim with 1.22.35 and even came back with tales of chatting to the kayak support team and having his requests for a lift declined.  I was next in line and feeling a bit hot and bothered whilst waiting to get in.  Thankfully, the water was cool and mostly clear.  I enjoyed the swim much more than I anticipated, although my sighting definitely needs some work (I swam an extra 450m!), finishing in1.24.47.

The London Classic Medal is a beauty and was definitely worth it.  The Serpentine was a fantastic event and I would highly recommend it to all.  Thank you to our spectators and supporters: Gareth, Baby Miles, Owain and Becky.

Hever Triathlon and Multisport Festival – Saturday 27^th and Sunday 28^th September 2025

Hever definitely seems a bit of a Marmite experience!  Thank you to both Dave March and Adrian Oliver for reporting in.  First up, Dave:

I was in for the Sprint Aquathlon on Saturday as a bit of a warm-up and the Olympic Triathlon on Sunday where I was feeling like I might struggle a bit.

Saturday:

I was aware that the swim was predicted to be cold and at 13.8 degrees it didn’t disappoint.  With a smaller field, the Aquathlon and Aquabike races set off at the same time.  It was a very well- mannered 750m swim, but with one goggle lens filled with water, I was surprised when we hit the turn buoy.  I’d gone past 3 huge green inflatables without noticing them!  Visibility under the water was even worse, even with my good eye!  I came out of the water in 4th place, made up one place in transition then lost it again on the run: 2 laps of trail with a big hill on each lap made up the 5k or so for a sprint.  It’s still a tough race!  I was 4th overall and 1st in my age group which would give me confidence going into Sunday. (The winner of the aquathlon was 14!)

I arrived on Sunday, racked my bike alongside Mark Sole, starting in the same wave, and we got ourselves ready to brave the water.  The competition level in this race, being a qualifier was much higher than yesterday, and it meant the swim was absolute carnage.

I found myself in a bit of a royal rumble for the first 400m, I was pulled, grabbled, tangled, shoved and hit on the back of the head several times.  I finally found clear water and settled into a better pace, swimming clear of the melee. 

An undulating bike course followed on narrow lanes with occasional frustrated car drivers.  I was caught by Mark Sole, as expected, with about 4 or 5k to go, Mark looking very strong on the bike this year.  We were together again in T2, but I caught and passed him early in the run. (Maybe we should go head-to-head on an aquabike next year?) 

A different run course to the Aquathlon kept things varied, although it’s another very challenging, cross-country route.  Narrow paths with limited passing opportunities made navigating some parts of the course difficult at times: lots of athletes in different length races trying to occupy the same space. 

I finished the race in 2 hours 44 minutes, feeling really strong, despite the stinger of a hill at the 10k marker, and the extra half a kilometre still to run after that! 

A sprinkling of Tuffs present, who all raced brilliantly, or marshalled fantastically, lots of food options, live music and brands present in the event village made for a fantastic atmosphere.  

We got really lucky with the weather – in these conditions it was a fantastic weekend and I would thoroughly recommend as a great way to close out the multisport season.

Next up, a rather less glowing report from Adrian:

Hever Olympic Triathlon – 11 Reason for NOT doing this Triathlon: 

1. Registration: efficient – but don’t arrive early, otherwise there’s nowhere to leave your bike and nothing to watch (apart from the queue for the 6 WCs…) 
2. Water temperature: Freezing! 
3. Water quality: Did someone turn the lights off during the swim?  As well as not being able to see your hands in front of you, regularly the view underwater was totally black!
4. Swim: let’s get personal – VERY personal…
5. Swim: Character building…
6. Bike: use old tyres – the freshly laid gravel for the 1^st and last 100m of the bike, as well as being torturous to ride on, afterwards you will need to spend quality time with each tyre removing the shards of flint, or the expense of purchasing new tyres 
7. Bike: if you use electronic gears, you are doomed!  The massive speed bumps on the ½km access road cause pretty much anyone with DI2 gears to go into crash mode – so once onto the main road, the 1 ½ km hill left victims grinding. 
8. Bike: character building: how to repair punctures during a race due to the earlier flint.  I have never seen so many people repairing punctures! 
9. Bike: patience: the final 2km of each lap involved narrow roads with gormless Sunday drivers on their way to visit Hever Castle – you could try overtaking them, but would be taking your life into your hands! 
10. Run: randomly, the event organisers would set off half-marathon runners along the same 10.5km run route.  Once stuck behind a back plodder, you remained there. 
11. Post race: forget about finding anyone!  No mobile signal meant you had no means of finding out whether others had finished or trying to contact them to meet up. 

 Apart from the above points, the event was really well-organised, and the scenery during the ride and run was spectacular.  The event village food was great, especially the paella!

 I was fortunate to get moved to the 1st swim wave, which meant fewer cyclists and cars on the road, and I avoided any congestion on the run.  So, I was able to have a race where I was pleased with my results.  The swim, however, was one of the worst I have experienced, with me seriously questioning my life choices. It was only in the last 500m, once I was able to move to the side for clear waters, that I was able to start swimming.

Had it not been a World Triathlon qualifier event, the number of competitors might have been fewer (and less testosterone-infused), making for a more relaxing atmosphere at the event.  However, the 2022 Hever event I did was also plagued with similar issues…  I would be interested in hearing others’ views on the Sprint that was held on Saturday…

So, no I would not recommend the Hever Olympic Triathlon event – unless you get turned on by the above…

Eton Dorney Triathlon – Saturday 27^th September 2025

Thank you, as ever, to Christine Griffin for reporting in and congratulations to her for completing her first standard distance triathlon.

This weekend I completed my first standard distance triathlon at the iconic Eton Dorney Lake – and what an experience it was!

I stayed the night before at the Premier Inn in Slough, which turned out to be a great decision – just 15 minutes from the venue. I arrived a little after 6am to secure parking close to registration (anything to save the legs for later!).  After a much-needed coffee and breakfast, I racked my bike and was pleased to get a great spot right at the end of a line.  Lovely messages of good luck from friends were buzzing on my phone, giving me an extra boost.

The start was scheduled for 8.45am, though we didn’t actually get going until just after 9.  Standing at the briefing, those buoys looked so far away – and with the water at just 14 degrees, the swim felt like a real test!  Once I hit the halfway mark though, confidence built, and I began powering back towards the beautiful boathouse, sun in my eyes and incredible weather all around.

Exiting the water was another story – I felt wobbly, and a cramp in my left ankle forced me to sit down at my bike before setting off.   A big thank you to Clare Worgan for her transition tips, which helped me stay calm and take my time.

The bike course was 8 laps, and what a ride!  Outbound was smooth and fast, but the headwind on the way back was brutal.  My legs certainly knew about it, but all those wattbike sessions in the gym truly paid off.  I was delighted with my bike split, but when I dismounted, my legs weren’t keen to move.

The run was definitely the toughest part.  I set out with more of a shuffle-jog than a run, reminding myself it was “just two parkruns.”  Two laps of “there and back” tested me, but the support from fellow runners really helped me dig deep.  Seeing the finish line brought a surge of emotion, and I pushed as much as I could over the line.

My final time was 3:47:47 – under the 4-hour cut-off!  Even better, I won my age category (though I was the only one in it!). Unfortunately, the podium was already packed away, so no photos to mark the moment.

After gathering my kit and heading home, I felt a huge sense of accomplishment.  My first standard distance triathlon is in the bag – and what an unforgettable day it was!

Swim Brighton – Sunday 28^th September 2025

Thank you once again to Susan Douglas for sending in this report of Swim Brighton: needless to say, she left her wetsuit at home!

I took part in the rescheduled Swim Brighton 5k race last weekend.  Actually there were 3 swims on that day, 5k, 2.5k and 750m, and some hardy souls (Andy Tester) did all of them!

The day was bright and sunny, but with a bit of a breeze which made the sea somewhat lively.

I checked in, spotted Andy for a hug and catch up, then got myself prepared for the swim.  It was a very friendly event, and I enjoyed chatting with my fellow swimmers as we were corralled into a holding pen for the pre-swim briefing.

Off to the start, met by mean waves, giving no easy entry into the sea, which wasn’t the warmest (17c-ish), but bearable.  I was dressed for the occasion in my best bikini, but most, probably more sensibly, were wearing wetsuits.

Anyway, off I went, trudging through the waves, that’s what it felt like, rather than smooth swimming.  The course headed towards the pier and turning left at the swim buoys and in an easterly direction. The sun was dazzling and the buoys not overly visible in the choppy sea, so knowing where I was going was a challenge. Finally, I completed the first lap, so it was off again, now the swim pack had thinned out, there were only 47 entrants, but I teamed up with another lady in skins and we supported each other, although there were still moments when I couldn’t see her or anyone for that matter!  I carried on and up she popped by the next buoy. Sea conditions seemed have improved and the final straight was easier, and I reached the finish, hauled out by two burly chaps and also escorted up the steep bank to receive by finisher sew on patch.

It wasn’t my speediest swim, but fun all the same and I wasn’t last (38/47)!

Barns Green Half Marathon – Sunday 28^th September 2025

Many thanks to Dom Amey for reporting in on the Barns Green Half Marathon:

Barns Green Half Marathon has been on the race calendar for many years and has now grown to include a 10k, a 5k and a kids colour run (not sure if dogs are allowed to enter or if spectators get included in the colouring but the purple whippet I saw afterwards had definitely been involved somehow!). It’s a non-profit race supporting St Catherine’s Hospice and takes place on closed roads in the leafy lanes around Barns Green. 

Wendy, Lee and I met on the start line this year on a warm, late September, Sunday morning.  We were joining nearly 1000 other runners for the half marathon distance and we all had a successful event.  It’s not an easy course, plenty of undulation, but I would definitely recommend it if you are looking for a local half next autumn: I hadn’t been for 10 years before this one, but I think I’ll aim to get back there next year.

parkrun Round Up

Saturday 13^th September

Saturday 20^th September 2025

Paul Fielder continued his northeast participation with a run at Gateshead.  Debbie Birch took a tour to the Queen Elizabeth parkrun, while Nathan Bilham was at the University Parks parkrun in Oxford and Al Evans was running well at the Quakers Walk parkrun in Wiltshire.  Trevor Harvey was in action at his home parkrun of Maidenhead.  It was back to business as usual at Littlehampton, where Fraser Kidd, Steve Fryer, Jon Roobottom, Adrian Oliver, Clive Harvey, Emma Hinton, Colin Simpson and Benita Fryer all took part, with Chris Evans picking up a volunteering credit.  Congratulations to Steve for clocking up his 150^th parkrun and to Clive Harvey for his course PB.  Over in Worthing, Dave March, Les Pearce, Jay McCardle, Stephen Feest, Elaine Rousseau and Nina Tully all ran.

Saturday 27^th September 2025

A red-letter parkrun Saturday!  Fraser Kidd came first at Littlehampton parkrun!  He was followed by Kev Pearson, Oliver Thomas, Clive Harvey, Emma Hinton, Al Evans, Colin Simpson, Benita Fryer and Janet Shepherd, with Tracey Goult and Hope Newcomer picking up volunteering credits.  Over in Worthing, Alex Webb ran strongly on his comeback from injury.  Also running were Danny Cunnett, Ed Lay and Nina Tully.  Debbie Birch was in action again at Queen Elizabeth Country Park, while Amanda De Ridder was on tour at the Keswick parkrun.  Paul Fielder continued his sampling of different parkruns and took part at the Heritage Coastal Path parkrun in County Durham.  Chris Evans attempted to run at Moors Valley.  He was undeterred by a puncture en route, jogging the last few kilometres and sadly missing the start, but finding a very kind couple who dropped him back to his car!