IT was a busy weekend for Running Forever members which saw distances from 10k to marathon tackled by the red-and-white brigade.

It was a trip to Dorset for eight members for the White Star Running Larmer Races.

The club contingent split themselves equally between the hilly marathon and the equally hilly 20-mile option. First home in the marathon for the Club was Andy Burgess in 4hr 37min.

Bev Collins’ 4.47 time was enough to earn her second age group place.

Brian Bandyszewski finished in 5.35 with Georgina Brice crossing the line in 6.33.

In the 20-mile race, Simon Denson’s 3.11 made him first RFRC member home. Emma Perkins and Lisa Rossiter completed the distance in 3.56 with Jules Griffiths-Jones making it home in 4.27.

In the Longleat 10K, Ed Herbert crossed the lion in 48.37, Lucy Spring collected her medal in 60 minutes with Vicki Hanna hot on her heels with a 61 minute time.

Sarah Holloway and Lisa Windsor also outran the wildlife to record 69 and 79 minute finishes, respectively.

At the Grizzly, in Seaton, members took on shingle beaches, cliff path climbs and mud.

Dan Talbot made it back in a very creditable 2.54 with Sam Wharton, RFRC’s first female finisher, in 3.13.

Keith Thompson was next in 3.40 with Ron Foord (4.09), Dave Marshall (4.11) and Alex Hughes (4.17) behind him.

Lee Macklin beat the Grizzly in 4.26 with the club’s final finisher, Jamie Hill, making it back home in 4.45.

Rachel Nicholls completed the Grizzly Cub in 2.29.

There were no bears or lions to be seen in London, where a quintet tackled the Vitality Big Half.

Jo Dodson Hall and Dave Porter both finished in 2.01 but Jo just pipped Dave by 11 seconds to take the club’s first finisher position. Ann-Marie Crampton completed the course, which took in lots of London Landmarks, in 2.04.

Charlie Sargent was next in 2.11 with Louise Mills crossing the line in 2.20

Parkrun tourists ventured to Market Harborough, Long Eaton, North Shore, Burnham and Haldon Forest. Twenty six took on Longrun Meadow where Karen Chapman had a PB run.

RFRC’s next beginner running group starts on March 20, 6.30pm, in the Belvedere Car Park.

For further details and to book your spot contact Running Forever via the club website.

All sessions are under the mentorship of EA-qualified leaders, absolutely no experience necessary but a sense of achievement and the support of all the club is assured.

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THREE hardy Hydro Harriers took on the challenge of this year’s Grizzly, the gruelling 20-mile south coast race encompassing all terrain and tough, hilly climbs.

Cream of the Hydro crop was Tom Mellor, finishing in a highly impressive chip time of 2h 44m 14s (43rd from 1,593 entrants).

Mark Foss crossed the line in 138rd place just over the three-hour mark (3h 1m 32s) with Leigh Hunt coming home in 3h 17m 11s.

Hydro Harriers’ Rowland Lyons struggled around a treacherous Valentine’s Parkrun (Ilford) in 27-55, last Saturday.