2006 Alice Holt 10K
The organising club Farnham Runners took first and second team places in both men’s and ladies’ categories at the Alice Holt Forest 10 km. Twice World Snooker Champion Ronnie O’Sullivan, currently the world number three, and junior international cross country runner Danielle Sale, both from Essex were among the record 535 finishers.
Race Director Charles Ashby thanked all the sponsors without whom the race could not go ahead- Bells Potter Solicitors, Kinetika (Farnham Sports Centre), Farnham Town Council, Explore Adventure Holidays and Sweaty Betty. Members of the local fundraising charity the Hedgehogs and The Source, the youth resource centre in Aldershot, as well as many relatives and friends of Farnham Runners provided essential marshals while the Red Cross provided First Aid cover.
Each year this race attracts a wide variety of standards of runner, with experienced club runners battling it out for the individual and team prizes, while others are happy to complete their first 10 km race.
Richard Gowen of Alton Runners was delighted to take the men’s title with an excellent time of 34.22 in the hot conditions on this undulating forest track course. Nick Baker from Denmead Striders ran with him for the first 5 km to cross the line in 34.54. Third finisher was veteran (M40) Ian White of Farnham Triathlon Club in 35.36.
Danielle Sale (38.44) of Orion Harriers had no problems in taking the honours in the ladies race, finishing over 4 minutes ahead of the next lady. After a busy training week she used the race to hone her cross-country running before the European trials in November.
Runner up was Shan Morgan from Aldershot, Farnham and District A.C. in 42.40, with veteran Susanna Harrison from Woking A.C. taking 3rd slot.
Ronnie O’Sullivan made a surprise appearance beating first Farnham Runner, Micheal Rix in a sprint finish to the line to clinch 9th place. Interviewed after the race, “it was easy” he joked.
Farnham Runners results
Triathlete Michael Rix led in the successful Farnham Runners first team taking tenth position, 37:35, just losing out to Ronnie O’Sullivan in the push to the line. Graham Wilton (15th, 38.24) came in next and was 4th in the M40 category. Mark Taylor (39.28, 19th) was closely followed by men’s captain Dan Smith (39.53, 24th).
New member Ian Carley was close to his bid for a sub-40 minute time (40.35) with Steve Kitney (41.26), Steve Murphy (42.42) and Nick Hill (43.35) making up the second team.
The ladies repeated the winning pattern of the men’s teams, this time with three runners counting. Ladies’ captain Jane Georghiou finished 4th lady in 43.51 (1st W45) New members Anna Reay and Samantha Pelham showed their value to the club with excellent runs for 46.30 (8th lady) and 47.41 (9th lady) respectively.
Leading the second team Clair Windiate was only one second off a first team place (47.42, 10th lady) with Gemma Mitchell (48.13, 12th lady) and Angela Epps (49.27, 17th lady) completing the team.
Other Farnham results: Terry Steadman 44.17 (8th M50), Andy Tweed 44.30, Colin Addison 45.13, Richard Baldock 45.42, Simon Brander 46.15, Vince Crowley 47.05, David Armstrong 48.22, Simon Burgess 48.33, Tim Cummins 48.35, Don Melvin 48.39, Colin Goody 49.17, Steve Payne 49.23, Liz Ampairee 50.12, Catherine Pettiman 51.00, Rob Murdoch 51.12, Richard Sheppard 53.03, Richard Adolph 54.08, Rachel White 55.29, Nathalie Garrison 55.37, Debs Collis Smith 56.19, Allan Bird 56.40, Benita Mayhead 58.00, Sally Lawrence 58.32, Paul Blacknell 58.34, Jenny Andrews 58.43, Stuart Edgoose 58.57 (3rd M70), Marina Allen 59.24, Tori Shaw 59.50, Clive Jones 1.00.00, Rachel Crowther 1.01.04, Helen Desmond 1.01.19, Jane Adams 1.05.45, Amber Robertson 1.07.38.