THE last year has seen a truly marathon effort from Claire Allison, who has completed 12 of the 26-milers in that time, writes Richard Browne.

The Taunton-based 46-year-old is a nurse at Musgrove Park Hospital, and a member of Running Forever Running Club.

She admits that she didn’t really set out to complete a dozen races back in March 2017, when she took part in the Larmer Tree Marathon.

Larmer Tree was her first marathon in the 12-month period, and also her last, collecting her medal there in March of this year.

Running has taken Allison around the country and even overseas this year.

She said: “I think Lisbon was the toughest, because it was really, really hot.

“The Bovington event in December was probably the most fun, as we were on the army training ground surrounded by tanks!”

Over the year she has picked up a lot of lessons on how to improve as a runner.

She said: “I’ve learned a lot about fuelling and eating, how to carry things, what to wear.

“I’m always learning; if I make a mistake in one race, I know not to do it in the next one.

“I’ve also learned I have the determination to finish something, even going out running in the snow.

“I’m quite a slow runner, but I get a real sense of achievement from finishing a tough race.”

She is also very grateful for the support she’s received from Running Forever.

“They’ve been excellent, a really good club and very supportive,” she said.

“They do track sessions to help runners improve, and there’s people to talk to for advice.

“I’ve done 22 marathons now, but for new people there’s plenty of support and advice if they’re just starting their marathon journey.”

Allison isn’t planning to end her own journey any time soon, as she takes on White Star Running’s Ox event near Salisbury this weekend.

“I really enjoy running, and I’m still doing about one marathon a month.

“You make good friends with running, and it’s really good for your sense of wellbeing.”

ELSEWHERE in Running Forever there was no Bank Holiday rest, as Saturday saw Chris Gunn, Andy Higham and Sandra Williams take to the Welsh hills for the Brecon Beacons 32-mile ultra.

A sizeable contingent of experienced and first-time marathoners headed off for the North Dorset Villages Marathon on Sunday.

This is a very popular event, as it combines great scenery and a very pleasant finishing area with a hog roast and beer tent.

First home was Bev Collins in 4:02, while first-time marathoner Sally Tuer collected her age group prize for her 4:34 time, with Brian Bandyszewski and Steve Cooper just behind her in 4:46 and 4:48, respectively.

Just sneaking under the five hours on one of the hottest days of the year was Lara Bolduc in 4:58, followed by Rob Murr (5:06), Ann Marie Crampton (5:07), first-timer David Duthie (6:05), Eliza Brodie (6:18) and Ian Jones, another first-timer, in 7:06.

Five made the journey to Glastonbury for the Round the Tor 10k, another race which always seems to attract a very sunny day.

First across the finish mat was Helen Phillips in 58:25, with Val Perigo close behind with her 59:34 time.

Helen Moffat had a wizard of a run for a 62-minute finish, Phil Wilson (with no magical assistance) collected his medal in 72 minutes, with Pat Pike the club’s final runner in 77 minutes. 

This weekend’s parkrun tourists went to Killerton, Long Eaton, Osterley and Lanhydrock. 

Forty-one took on the course at Longrun Meadow, with Cheryl Doherty completing her 100th parkrun.

And it was lovely to see Yvonne Loat back after an enforced lay-off.

MEMBERS of Taunton Running Club and Just Run Taunton enjoyed a run together on Cotlake Hill, out at the foothills of the Blackdown Hills, on Tuesday night. 

Both clubs looking forward to running together once again this Sunday, at the Bristol 10K.

HYDRO Harriers’ Parkrun tourist Andy White was nine seconds outside his personal best at the Burnham-on-Sea event, coming back home in a good time of 20:04. 

Meanwhile, fellow Harrier Rowland Lyons was five seconds under a 24:30 pacing time at Barking.