Feeling ultra upbeat on the Downs
It’s been a long 6 months for Bognor Regis Tone Zone Runners, club runs and races were put on hold, lots had been training for marathons, half marathons and 10ks before they all got cancelled. In the meantime there’s been small group runs where allowed, virtual weekly 5ks, scavenger hunts, rainbow runs, runner’s bingo, an awards night live streamed and regular updates on the club's Facebook page.
It was an early start on Saturday 12th September, having to be in Brighton for a 6:30am start 20 relay runners and 2 ultra runners from the club; Anne Enes and Gary Pidgeon set off from Brighton embarking on their 41 mile ultra, heading up to the Southdowns Way making the first 10 miles of the race a tough start. Both runners started off well and came through the first checkpoint looking strong, the pair were running separately with Anne just ahead. Despite the temperatures rising throughout the day the pair kept a steady pace throughout, Anne finished with a big smile on her face in 6th overall and 1st female in an outstanding time of 6 hours 43 minutes 6 seconds, well under her 7 hour target. Gary Pidgeon finished shortly after in 7 hours 25 minutes 48 seconds accompanied by two other Tone Zone members who were finishing the relay, a very respectable time after spending the first few months of the year out injured.
In the relay; team ‘Finding Byron a Portaloo’ finished 1st overall in a time of 5 hours 2 minutes 59 seconds. Jack Penfold started the relay for the team and made a gap to the 2nd runner behind before handing over to Byron Kearns who ran well despite not being able to train much recently. Peter Lee ran the tough 3rd leg in a very quick time before handing over to Mark Green who, despite his nerves, ran a storming leg to cross the line first.
The Nifty Fifties, included Duncan Stephenson-Gill, Lee Boniface, Gary Smith and Christo Oosthuizen, finished in 3rd place for Tone Zone. All 4 ran strong legs despite having to change the team just a few weeks beforehand due to injuries. The team finished in 5 hours 24 minutes; a very impressive time on a tough course.
Only in it for the burger! was made up of David and Sharon Rowe and their good friends Kirstee and Allen Porter. Each runner in the team ran very strong legs and finished in a time of 6 hours 17 minutes.
Team Allsorts finished bang on the 7 hour mark. The team was made up of Jackie Williamson, Debs Pacey, Karen Blackman and Lisa Robinson. I’m sure they’ll be back next year to try and run 5 seconds quicker to get under 7 hours.
Donna Strowger, Karen Vilday, Natalie Tribe and Lucy Isitt made up team Happy Feet and finished in 7 hours 24 minutes, despite two of the members Karen and Natalie running the virtual Bognor Marathon the weekend before.
Over in Farnham was Michelle Maxim flying the flag for Tone Zone. Michelle ran the undulating Half Marathon route and finished in 2 hours 43 minutes 34 seconds.
Results
David Lloyd 41 Mile Ultra - 12.09.20
Anne Kari-Enes 6.43.06 Ladies winner
Gary Pidgeon 7.25.48
David Lloyd Ultra Relay - 12.09.20
Winning Team
Team name - Finding Byron a Portaloo
Jack Penfold, Byron Kearns, Peter Lee, Mark Green
5.02.59
Team name - The Nifty Fifties
Duncan Stephenson-Gill, Lee Boniface, Gary Smith, Christo Oosthuizen
5.24.33
Team name - Only in it for the burger!
David Rowe, Sharon Rowe, Kirstee Porter, Allen Porter
6.17.08
Team name - Allsorts
Jackie Williamson, Debbie Pacey, Karen Blackman, Lisa Robinson
7.00.05
Team name - Happy Feet
Donna Strowger, Karen Vilday, Natalie Tribe, Lucy
7.24.50
Farnham Pilgrims Half Marathon - 13.09.20
Michelle Maxim 2.43.34