Round Up 1st – 30th April 2026

Such a range of events for you to read about and be tempted by in this round up!  Congratulations to everyone who has worn the Tuff colours this month and I look forward to receiving your May reports, as we move into triathlon season!

New Forest Sportive – 11^th April 2026

First up, Mark Sole on what sounds like a fab (apart from the wind) day out on the bike:

A great event as always in the New Forest!  Sam Mahe and Karl Halom were also riding, although I’d rather stupidly arranged to tag onto the fast Excelsior group at the start.  That ambitious plan lasted around 5 miles… leaving only another 70 miles or so solo into the wilderness.

The scenery around the Forest is always amazing and one of the reasons this sportive is so enjoyable.  The hills are more of a welcome bonus than anything truly horrific, just enough to keep it interesting without completely ruining your legs.

The real challenge for the day was definitely the headwind, which seemed determined to make every open stretch feel twice as long.  Still, it all added to the fun and made the post-ride food even more deserved.

A really well-organised event, good atmosphere throughout, and the finish setup with pizza and beer available afterwards was spot on.  Honestly, what more could you want after a long day on the bike!?

Grand National 10k – Findon – Sunday 19^th April 2026

Next, Clive Harvey reporting in on the less famous Grand National!

Conditions were officially good for this year’s Grand National 10k with several fancied runners from the Tuff Fitty stable.  The Tuff tips proved accurate with three top ten finishers.  Chris Robinson had a great race finishing 3rd overall (and first in his age group).  Just 8 seconds behind was Fraser Kidd, running the race for the first time. (5th overall).  Simon Thistlethwaite just over a minute later claimed 7th position (2nd in age group).  This is a tough course in true steeplechase tradition with 820 feet of ascent along Monarchs Way and up again to Cissbury Ring.  This probably wasn’t the best race for Pete Littleboy to use as taper for London Marathon the following week, but Pete still ran well to finish 12th overall.  Kayleigh Hudson finished 3rdin her age group with Clive Harvey 2nd in his. There was also a Cani race with Susan Douglas along with Stig completing our 10k’ers.  Adam Stringer ran the junior 2km as chaperone for his family to receive chunky medals.  Together with Jon & Tiff Roper who cycled over to cheer and take photos, a successful morning at the races. . . 

Splashpoint 5km – Worthing – Wednesday 22^nd April 2026

Tuff Fitty were out in force at the annual Worthing Rowing Club 5km event.  To my shame, I (your editor, Kate Cooper) actually arrived too late for the photo call: my excuse is that I was trying to avoid getting cold at the start, but actually my Tuff vest was buried under all my winter layers and I spent a long time looking for it!

I am not a big fan of 5k races and was even less so after experiencing a taste of what the wind would be like during my run to the start!  However, running with a load of Tuffs and supporters is always fun, even if the wind is not!  The first half was actually quite enjoyable, as we were blown along by the wind and could breathlessly cheer on the leading Tuffs on their return leg.  After the turn, I tried to find people to hide behind – thanks Dom Amey – until I couldn’t keep up anymore!  The wind was as brutal as feared and I was mighty glad to finish but also pleased with my time.

Well done to all 30 Tuffs who ran and all the others who cheered us on.  Special congratulations to Tom Goddard, our first male Tuff, and to Juliette Reader, our first female Tuff and 4^th female overall!  Tuff Women also placed 2^nd in the women’s team rankings.

Duathlon – Shoreham Airport – Wednesday 22^nd April 2026

Not one, but two great events happening on a school night!  Those Tuffs who weren’t running along Worthing prom were mainly to be found slightly further east at Shoreham Airport.  Many thanks to Chris Griffin for sending in the following report:

The duathlon at Shoreham Airport proved to be a genuine test of endurance, resilience, and determination from start to finish.  Set against an exposed airfield, the conditions added an extra layer of difficulty that shaped the entire race experience.

The opening run covered 4.5km across mowed grass.  While the surface had been cut, it was far from smooth underfoot, making it uneven and technically challenging.  The course itself formed a triangular loop, completed over three laps.  What might have been a straightforward start quickly became demanding due to the relentless wind sweeping across the open space.  Each side of the triangle seemed to offer a different kind of resistance, with the headwinds in particular sapping energy early on.

Transitioning onto the bike brought a shift in rhythm but not in difficulty.  The 20km ride consisted of eight laps around the runway circuit—an unusual and memorable setting.  Riding on the runway itself was a highlight, offering a unique sense of space and perspective.  However, one stretch of the course stood out for all the wrong reasons: a brutal headwind that hit on every lap.  It was a constant battle to maintain momentum, requiring both physical strength and mental focus to push through each time.

Coming off the bike, the pressure intensified.  Time was tight, and the looming cut-off added urgency to the final run.  Despite fatigue and the clock working against it, the decision was made to head out with hope.  That hope was rewarded in a powerful and memorable way, as fellow Tuff Fitty club members joined in for the final stretch.  Their support—running alongside for the last side of the triangle—provided a huge emotional lift and the motivation needed to keep going.

Crossing the finish line just in time to meet the cut-off was a moment of real achievement.  This was not an easy race by any measure.  Between the uneven terrain, relentless wind, and time pressure, it demanded persistence throughout.  In the end, it was not just a physical challenge but a testament to determination and the strength that comes from shared effort and support.

A tough, rewarding, and very memorable event!

Fitty Training Camp- New Forest – Friday 24^th – Sunday 26^th April 2026

Thank you to Catharine Grey for writing this great account of her recent Tuff training camp adventures.

Tuff Fitty Takes on the Forest: The Sandy Balls Training Camp

What happens when you send a group of Tuff Fitty athletes to a place called Sandy Balls?  Exactly what you’d expect: a perfect cocktail of high-intensity training, “prehab” hot tub sessions, and just enough karaoke to worry the local wildlife.

Expertly organized by the ever-keen Mark Walford, the weekend was a masterclass in how to balance a triathlon training block with the essential art of the “Happy Hour.”

The Arrival: “Prehab” & Pints

The tone was set early when Les and Mark Sole arrived first.  Naturally, they squeezed in a cycle ride that—in true Tuff Fitty fashion—concluded at the pub.  Once the rest of the crew (Clare, Mark W, Hazel, Catharine, Graham, Charlotte, and Dom) checked into the luxury cabin, priorities were established.  Before a single mile was run, the group hit the hot tub for some essential “prehab.”

Saturday: The Great 15k Deception

Saturday offered a “choose your own adventure” menu of pain and gains:

• The Sprinters: Les headed off to dominate the Moors Valley Parkrun.
• The Explorer: Mark Sole ventured out for a solo off-road bike session.
• The Trail Crew: Catharine led a run that she promised was “15k and flat.”

Fact Check: It was neither.

Despite the lies about the elevation, the trails provided some epic highlights.  We witnessed the legendary “Tallboy” bomb crater, watched “Dangerous Dom” and “Show-off Charlotte” perform a high-stakes tight-rope walk across a felled tree, and waited patiently while Catharine attempted to befriend every New Forest pony in sight.

Flexibility & “Hydration”

Post-run, Charlotte led a fantastic guided yoga session.  It turns out that while we might be fit, we have the collective flexibility of a bag of dried pasta.

While Clare and Les headed to a nearby pool to prove they were actual triathletes (apparently, soaking in a hot tub with a drink doesn’t count as “zone 2 swimming”), the rest of the group scoped out the resort activities.  We ultimately decided that Llama walking and Mini Land Rover Safaris were far too dangerous, opting instead for the safety of Happy Hour.

The night finished with a spontaneous karaoke session at the cabin. We can only apologize to the neighbours and the local squirrel population.

Sunday: The Final Push

Surprisingly sprightly despite the vocal performances of the night before, the group split again:

• Roadies: The cyclists smashed out a 40km road loop.
• Off-Roaders: Graham, Catharine, and Hazel took to the forest for a scenic cycle filled with historical stops and—you guessed it—more ponies.

The weekend wrapped up with a massive group brunch back at the base.  Not content with the mileage, Les and Mark managed to sneak in two more rides before rewarding themselves with a classic Sunday roast.

The Verdict

Training volume: high (mostly)

Hot tub hours: professional level

Pony friendships: pending

Karaoke quality: questionable

A massive thank you to Mark Walford for organizing such a stellar trip. It was the perfect blend of strenuous training and great company.

Watch out, New Forest—the plans for 2027 are already in motion!

London Marathon – Sunday 26^th April 2026

Thanks so much to Pete Littleboy for sending in this report on his 2026 London Marathon:

I was lucky enough to win a ballot place for the 46^th London Marathon 2026 which turned out to be a record breaker not only in numbers but the 1^st time not 1 but 2 competitors finished in under 2 hours, which puts our mere mortals’ times to shame, however no less important.  The support and coverage is like no other and it all starts with having done the training and then going to the expo to pick up your number and arrange getting to your start wave and place as it will be busy.  The atmosphere is unbelievable so I would tell anyone to try and take it in and enjoy it.  So, to the run, the wall of noise from support is deafening no more so than at few points: Cutty Sark at 10k, Tower Bridge at halfway and Big Ben and the Mall near the finish.  It will help you and, as for my race, I wanted to go sub 4hrs after a few marathon disappointments and so I used the Runna training app for the 1st time and finished in 3:51 (3:50 Strava) so was well happy with that!

LeJog – Land’s End to John O’Groats – 17^th April – 1^st May 2026

Finally, and congratulations and huge kudos to Stephen Evans, for completing LeJog:

I’m excited to say I completed Lejog! 14 days, 1642.62km, 16,431m elevation gain, £1570 in donations raised and one hell of a sore arse (shoulda got bike fit)!

Rather than an exhaustive day to day here are my regional takes on Lejog.

The southwest was marked by stunning coastal views to start with, quickly fading into a lot of limited visibility steep descents and ascents.  A real test of metal and constant fear of ‘can I really get through 14 days of this’…

Thankfully by Gloucestershire the climbing evened out and some flat and fast days restored the confidence!  We sadly had to say goodbye to one of our team in Gloucester after a collision with a tractor rendered him too injured to continue.  I’m glad to say he came away with nothing more than bruises, but the ordeal was no less distressing especially the farmer’s lack of concern and attitude towards the situation.

We did not venture into Wales or the Lakes to keep elevation at bay, instead to contend with the wrist numbingly bumpy canal paths of the midlands.

Certainly, one of my highlights was the rolling hills and stunning scenery of Lancashire and Cumbria setting us up nicely for the utter glory of Scotland.  Crossing the border and realising we’d only just surpassed the halfway mark really brought home the enormity of Scotland considering its small population.  The old A9 cycle way is an amazing treat of buttery smooth tarmac and scenery plucked almost from oil paintings.

Though this still was leading us closer to the most glorious of all.

Joining the road from Invergorden to the Kyle of Tongue Garmin instructs “next turn 50km” and wow 50k that took my breath away repeatedly.  Lochs, sheer mountain peaks, sprawling scrubland and barely any sights of modern life.  At roughly halfway in we were treated to the legendary Crask Inn a lonesome pub that has housed many a Lejogger and provided a rallying point in the wilderness where we met a whole bunch of fellow end to end riders, shared beer and stories then realised we better get cracking to not lose light at the campsite.

The final day, the victory lap, a cruise. Well not quite a day of 1500m elevation gain but never exceeding 100m alt.  All would have been good apart from gear cable fraying mid-way in, curtailing my top speed on descents -bummer!  With a bit of fettling, we got through and the arrival rolled in like a flash.  With tears of relief, sadness at the end of the adventure, longing that my kids could have seen me and gratitude to my parents and friends who’d helped enable this adventure. 

parkrun Round Up

Saturday 4^th April 2026

Easter Saturday saw reduced numbers of Tuff parkrunners, but Tuffs definitely got around.  Katie Yates-Hill was at the most far-flung destination, namely Milan.  Other Tuffs on tour were Colin and Sue Simpson at Battersea, Paul Fielder at Peacehaven and Al Evans at Clair in Haywards Heath.  Closer to home, Oliver Thomas, Steve Bridgeman, Emma Hinton, Adrian Oliver, Dan Barnett were all in action at Littlehampton, Stephen Feest was at Downs Link, Clive Harvey in Bognor and Kayleigh Hudson, Les Pearce and Ed Lay in Worthing.

Saturday 11^th April 2026

Exotic locations continued this week and it was Susan Douglas’ turn to leave our shores and run in Copenhagen.  Many congratulations to Elaine Rousseau for completing her 150^th parkrun at Worthing, where she was joined by Oliver Thomas, Paul Fielder, Les Pearce and Christine Griffin.  There were a host of regulars at Littlehampton: Steve Fryer, Stephen Evans, Emma Hinton, Benita Fryer, Chris Evans, Janet Shepherd and Al Evans.  Fraser Evans ran at Upton House parkrun in Poole, while Colin and Simpson were on tour at East Grinstead and Stephen Feest at Cirencester.

Saturday 18^th April 2026

It was largely business as usual, with Jon Roobottom, Amy Kidd, Emma Hinton, Colin Simpson, Andrew Rossiter and Sue Simpson all taking part at Littlehampton, while Oliver Thomas and Les Pearce ran at Worthing.  Trevor Harvey was in Maidenhead, Paul Fielder at Downs Link and Elaine Rousseau went on tour to Hastings..

Saturday 25^th April2026 9 Tuffs ran at Littlehampton where Fraser Kidd was in scintillating form, running 17.47 and taking 34 seconds off his PB.  Alex Webb ran his first Littlehampton parkrun, in part to promote our Heatwave event.  Also running were Steve Fryer, Emma Hinton, Clive Harvey, Benita Fryer, Janet Shepherd, Chris Evans and Al Evans.  Oliver Thomas, Paul Fielder and Stephen Feest ran in Worthing, while Sue Pinky was at Downs Link.  Les Pearce made the most of his visit to the New Forest and sampled Moors Valley parkrun.  As is their wont, Colin and Sue Simpson went touring, this time to Egham Orbit parkrun.