This year saw the return of George Rawlings and Dave Read to the club and several new members. The introduction of Wednesday night pub runs through the summer added a great deal to the social side of the club. The Somerset Cica Six race series added a bit of friendly rivalry within the club.

January
New years day saw the first event of the year the Axmouth Fun Run. Fred, Sue, Tony Gordon, Jim White and Roy Smart took part.

Luppit Lollop
This event was much harder than previous years and was not helped by the wet and muddy conditions. Tony Gordon and Roy took part.

Winsham Wander Another classic event organised by Roy. I tried my best to keep up by Cycling around the road whilst the runners cut across Country. Highlight was spotting a startled Hare and 2 Deer near Pilsdon Penn.

Stonehenge Stomp
Several club members went up to Amesbury to take part in this events. Conditions were extremely cold, too cold for Tim Cook who thought he had frost bite.

February
Jethro Trip Fred and Sue organised a bus trip to Jethros Club near Okehampton although the evening was a great success, the bus broke down before they had left Yeovil.
Tough Ten Mal still under the influence for the night before managed to drag himself around this event.

March
This month saw the arrival of 2 new members Heather Aston and Dave Leckie who have added a great deal to the club. In the past few years we had not had any new members but Heather and Dave injected a revitalised interest in taking part in existing and new events.

London training was in full flow with Derek regularly running home from Yeovil. Local interest was on Geoff Palmer from Hurle House who had entered. Being like a Giant Willy Thorn he joined us a few times and was keenly followed by readers of the Crewkerne advertiser.

April
Ham Hill Pub Run This was the 1st of the popular Pub runs that was to take place. Fred and Sue organised this Cross Country run around Ham Hill with superb food afterwards.

London
Sue Ridout was picked from the South West Marathon Entrants to be interviewed on both BBC 1 Points West and Radio Bristol on the Friday Before the event.

London Trip I had had to retire injured from the event for the 2nd year but still went up on the trip with Tony Gordon, Jim White, Roy Smart and Derek Boles. This year we stayed at The Clarendon Hotel overlooking the start at Blackheath. Saturday afternoon was spent relaxing strolling across Blackheath and down to the Cutty Sark via Greenwich. By this time Derek was hungry (again) and Chompped his way through a chip sandwich while enjoying a boat trip down the Thames to the Barrier.
In the evening we all decided to have our Pasta meal in a local restaurant called 'ITSO'. After waiting 15 minutes for the table we settled down in the basement and ordered our food and started to drink the free bottle of wine at 7:00. By 7:15 we were told there would be a 20 minute delay so they gave us a 2nd free bottle of wine. By 8:00 words were said to the staff, at 8:10 Dereks' starter arrived. By 9:00 Tony had had enough and stormed out shortly followed by the rest of us.
Marathon day dawned bright and warm. Derek took my advice and had full English breakfast. Roy who started at the 'Green OAP's' left the Hotel just before 9:00 and very casually strolled to his allotted position. I set off to find Derek, Jim and Tony at Greenwich after stopping with them for a few minutes I headed down to the Cutty Sark in time to see the Elite ladies go through. All the club members were spotted. Derek almost came a cropper running backwards into a Bollard whilst posing for the camera.
After seeing Derek I headed via the Greenwich foot tunnel to the Isle of Dogs where I walked back along the course to the 16 mile mark. The lead men runners, Chris Brasher, Fred, Tony, Jim and Derek were spotted. A hot walk/jog of 5 miles back to St James park followed where I found the Jubilant Fred and Sue who had clocked 2:59:22 and 3:26:33. Later we found Tony (3:49:14) and Jim (4:04:02). After some time we came upon the despondent Roy who had suffered with the heat in 4:18 and Derek who finished in 4:19. After about and hour in the Park we all headed back to Blackheath for Showers and the trip home. We finally arrived back home at 11:40 after a welcome Pub meal at Cheaveley.

May
During this month we came across Mr angry of Merriott on a Wednesday night cross country run and Martin Denman received a big compliment. I had planned a cross country run via Hinton hill an back through Merriott when we came across an overgrown path so we all hopped over the fence and proceeded up the adjacent field when Mr Angry appeared complaining that we were trampling his best mowing grass. Martin and several others remonstrated with him and this is when he called him a 'Young Man'

Spring Handicap
This years handicap started at Annes' house at Petherton and proved to be a fast flat route. 1st home was soon to be new member Jean, followed by Martin Denman, Ken Priest and Tracy Atkin.

The Cornish Coastal Challenge Fred and Sue camped down at St Austell for an Early start for the 33 mile Linear event along the Coast path whilst I travelled down in the morning to walk/ jog the 23 mile event . Fred and Sue caught me 5 miles into the event and we stayed together for the next 10 miles. I let them go on at this stage and walked the next 4 miles. The last 4 miles were all on road and rather boring so I ran this part to be surprised to catch Fred and Sue.

Stonehenge walks
Tony, Jim and Tracy Atkin took part.

Bridport 10k
Derek Roy and Martin Cook took part.

Oke Croak
Unfortunately I was sunning myself in Jersey so had to miss this event but had given plenty of advice about the best route .Fred and Sue had walked the moor to find their best route the previous day . Fred tried his own route and ended up coming 5th despite falling over and cutting his knee and afterward paying a visit to the local Hospital. Whilst the rest of the crew (Heather, Dave and Jim) followed Sue who had the compass.

Chagford Two Hills Fresh from her run the previous day Sue won this race.

Gerry Merry Memorial Races Roy and Martin Denman represented us.

June
The Bottle Pub Run
This proved to be a very good evening with a run around Lamberts Castle followed by food and Beers in the Pub.

The Exmouth Experience
A casual word of this event at the Bottle Pub was enough to get 9 of us interested in doing this 13 miles (LWDA) event. This was a great laugh having to follow a written route description which mentioned a Red Post box as a key landmark which had disappeared. Several detours due to getting lost we arrived at the Finish 3 hours later more than ready for the free Pasty and cup of tea.

Tintinhull
A depleted field due to the football match between England and Germany but Anne, Brian Hillard and myself took part.

Bampton 10K
A new event for the club to attend saw a P.B. for Heather and myself and Tony and Jim with good times despite the hills.

July
3 more new members joined this month, Stewart Paull and Aussie duo Michelle and Gavin Philips. Max Pollendine also returned after about 4 years away from the club.

The Charmouth Challenge
This was very popular with 14 members taking part followed by a superb eats at Fred and Sues' tent.

New Forest Flog
Another new event along the lines of the Exmouth Experience but very hot conditions.

Ash Excellent Eight
Several members took part on another very hot day.

August
The search for the Wild Orchid or Heathers Pub Run This Wednesday evening run went well although I gather the Nettles were extremely hot! This was followed by Alfresco eats in the garden of the Kings Head Merriott. Apparently the Land Lady band the club from eating inside. Roy had to make do with Lasagne without bread as this was completely Taboo.

September
Quantock Beast
This was the 4th event in the Cica Six, Martin Denman became the only member to complete enough events to qualify for a prize. But Roy has now Completed 2 with only 2 events to go.

Haselbury 10k Another successful event for Derek. Several of the club Marshalled and witnessed the return of George Rawlings to Competition.

Daves' Norton run The Forth Pub run organised by Dave Leckie followed by eats in the Lord Nelson.

Great North Run
Anne, Mal, Jim White, Heather (alias Martin Cook)and Dave Leckie (alias Tony Gordon) drove up to Newcastle to take part with 30,000 other 'Athletes'. Anne was taking part to raise money for Yeovil Oncology unit. Her friend was the inspiration for this who had unfortunately lost her battle with cancer before the event.
Dave Leckie took centre stage by appearing on the TV coverage of the finish.

October
Snowdon
On a very windy day Mal, Fred, Sue and Heather completed this demanding event. Sue continued her good form by making short work of the conditions in under 3:40.

Chedder 10
With Martin Denman injured Roy completed this 6th Cica Race event but unfortunately due to the method of scoring he failed to beat Martin in the series.

Seven Sisters
Six days after Snowdon Fred and Sue completed this with Roy and Tony Gordon.

Ilminster 10k and Fun Run
Clive, Anne, George, Tim and Martin Cook supported this local event.

November
Cica Six Presentation Martin Denman wins a 'Cica' sports towel and Roy a 'Cica' Duffel bag.

Cornish Marathon
Fred and Sue tick off yet another Marathon on a wet and windy Bodmin Moor.

Winter Pub Run
With the success of the Summer Pub Runs the club met up at 'The Bell in Yeovil for a run for a change. Roy managed to have Bread with his Lasagne but only because he saved it from his Soup starter!

December
Winter Handicap
18 club members took part with handicapping by Fred with Steve and Bev Hole supporting. George Stormed to a deserved victory followed by last years winner Sue Ridout and Roy Smart.

Christmas Dinner This Year we graced Geoff Palmers Hurle House Bistro for a cheap Christmas Meal.

Christmas Pud Mud Run
A large turnout of 12 runners from the club took part with Fred coming 3rd overall and first veteran and Heather being 3rd Lady.

Pre-Christmas Cross Country This took place as usual on the last Sunday before Christmas. Twenty members started of with guest appearance of Bob (Roys dog). Fred was dressed as Santa complete with beard and Sue was a very fetching Fairy. All other members had Tinsel or Santa hats. Dave Read turned up dressed as compo with holely shirt and trousers. After the run there was too many Mince pies, Sausage rolls and Christmas cake to eat.

Pram Race
Martin Denman had been extremely busy designing and building a 'pram' for the annual race up and down Market Street. Apparently he was still finishing the racing machine off on Christmas eve . Race day arrived and the team of Ken, Jim and martin turned up. Unknown to them the splinter group of George Rawlings and Dave Read had also entered who proceeded to beat the official C.R.C team.

The Bottle Run No.2
This was the last Club Run of 1996 held on a Sunday from the Bottle Marshwood on a very cold frostly day. Everyone warmed up afterwards around the log fire with good value food and beer.

Photos from the year can be found here