Wednesday saw the second race of the Summer 5km Series organised by the Yeovil Town Road Running Club, and 147 runners made their way to the startline at Yeovilton. In ideal running conditions, Jon James of Wells City Harriers led from start to finish, winning in 15m25, holding off team mate Peter Grist (15m42), and Team Bath’s Miles Burton finished third in 15m40. Kieran Young of Bristol & West won the Junior Male prize as he finished in 5th place and time of 16m37, whilst Leigh Beard (Phoenix AC) took the Male Veteran 40 title with his time of 17m05. Gordon Seward of Exeter Harriers won his monthly Male Veteran 50 prize as he crossed the line in 17m57, ahead of Clive Harwood of Wells City who finished in 18m15 – which is the fastest 5km in the country in the Male Veteran 60 age group so far this year and tops the Power of 10 website standings.

In the Ladies race, Jenny Moor e of Wells City Harriers made it a successful club night as she won in a time of 19m07, ahead of the battle between Abigail Gibbons of Wells City (20m00) and Wimborne’s Lynn Hutchings (20m13). Aly Sloane of City of Salisbury won the Female Veteran 45 title as she finished in 20m37, whilst Jill Durham (21m09) won the Female Veteran 55 prize for Dorset Doddlers ahead of Female Veteran 35 winner Sally Tovey of Running Forever (21m11). Esme Sheridan won the Junior Female prize as she finished in 22m08.

The organising Yeovil Town Road Running Club were well represented on the night, with the team led home by Jon Rowe, storming to a finish in 18m19, whilst Chris Fendt (19m15) held off the challenge of Sam Harvey (19m42). Jesse Hiles (19m51) enjoyed a race long battle with Rod Appleby (19m59), whilst Rachel Hayton was leading Club lady as she finished in 22m01. There was a four way tussle between Yeovil team mates as Any Windram (22m28) beat James King (22m37) and the sprint between Jack Frost (22m42) and Nigel Moysey (22m42).

Hazel Dodge was another to sprint for home, crossing the line in 24m37, whilst Judith Wilson (25m55) held off Steve Penny (26m20) and Flora Brooke (26m42). Adam Hawkins completed the course in 29m11, and Nicky Adcock carried out her sweeper duties to accompany the last runner home in 33m50.

The next race of the Summer 5km Series takes place on Wednesday 8th June at 7.15pm, and runners of all abilities are invited to take part. Just days later, on Sunday 12th June, the Club are organising the Ninesprings 9km race at Goldenstones, Yeovil, which is a 2 lap multi-terrain race through Yeovil Country Park.

Club news - 9 May 2011

Members of the Yeovil Town Road Running Club have been traveling the world to compete, and at the Prague Marathon, Tim Hawkins took the Yeovil green and white round the course in a time of 2hr37m18 – a new personal best “by the skin of my teeth”, and despite a course that included long cobbled areas and high race day temperatures. Tim described the course as being lovely in places and very lonely in others, but that he would recommend the race if just for the fantastic location of the finish.

Even further afield, Martin and Lin Lascelles travelled to California to take part in the Avenue of Giants Marathon amongst the giant redwoods. Martin had a good run, finishing as 6th placed Master (veteran) runner as he paced wife Lin to a time of 3hr03m18 – which was enough for Lin to win the Ladies race and be crowned Californian State Marathon Champion; as races go, and to quote the Beach Boys, the Lascelles now wish they all could be Californian!

Much closer to home, Jon Rowe showed that the training is paying off as he suffered with the wind throughout the Portland 10km – despite the near gale force conditions, he finished in a superb third place in a time of 38m44.

From the hills of Portland Bill to those of the Quantocks, and the annual running of the Black Death Run at Combe Syndenham. The tough 10 mile course takes racers through a village wiped out in the Plague – and after all those hills, there were one or two who thought that the villagers had a god escape! The course was amended from previous years by taking out the only flat bit (due to tree felling) to make it 10.6 miles of what could conservatively be described as “steeply up with a bit of down and definitely no flat bits”. Richard Boulter showed his mountain goat credentials as he finished in 26th place (out of approx. 300) in a time of 1:29:08. It rained heavily towards the end of the race & the early finishers were rewarded with finishing in the dry whilst the later finishers (which Richard describes as him and 295 others) got a good drenching.Richard was joined on the run by his Yeovil team mates Nigel Moysey, Sam Harvey and his auntie Rose Harvey, whilst Michelle Lane used local knowledge to her best advantage.

The Yeovil Town Road Running Club are looking forward to some exciting times ahead, with nearly 300 members now and a busy racing schedule. As well as sending teams to most local races, the Club will also be organising a number of their own events, starting with the Summer 5km on Wednesday 8th June and followed up by the Ninesprings 9km that takes place on Sunday 12th June.

The Summer 5km Series takes place at RNAS Yeovilton on the second Wednesday of each month and the first race attracted 150 runners from across the South West to a flat course that suits both elite racers and beginner runners alike. Entry for the 5km race (and supporting 1 mile fun run) is on race night only, but details can be found on www.yeoviltownrrc.com

The annual Ninesprings 9km will again start at Goldenstones Leisure Centre for a two lap course around the scenic Yeovil Country Park – whilst this course is not flat, the views are worth the climbs! All proceeds from the race will be donated to St Margaret’s Hospice, and there will be a supporting one lap 4.5km race and children’s 2km fun run. Details and entry forms can be found on the Club’s website www.yeoviltownrrc.com or by telephoning race director Martin Chaffey on 07929 054576.

Club news - 2 May 2011

Members of the Yeovil Town Road Running Club celebrated the Royal Wedding with a themed pub run of 15 miles - and visits to the Crown & Victoria (Tintinhull), Prince of Wales (Ham Hill) and the King's Arms (Montacute) along the way! Hazel Ford did her "Kate" impression by running in full bridal outfit and other members cut a swathe of red, white and blue around the Somerset countryside.

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