HXCL Farley Mount, Alton Download 10K, HRRL Overton 5 and Bushy Park Time Trial

HXCL – Farley Mount

The Hampshire League cross-country season kicked off in the splendid surroundings of Farley Mount, Winchester on Saturday October 9th. Nine Farnham Runners men competed for the 5 scoring places, while the ladies fielded the minimum number of three.

Graham Wilton was just denied a top 100 place in this very competitive league, picking up tab 102 (26th V40) with a time of 34.54 over the undulating 3-lap 9 km course. Taking things relatively easy after a very successful triathlon season Michael Rix crossed the line after 35 minutes 21 seconds for 113rd position. Charles Ashby almost equalled his 2005 time with 36.23 to place 140th (46th V40) while Bob Brimicombe was only nine places behind (149th, 36.47, 50th V40), training on a schedule of mountain biking and short distance running following an injury. Colin Addison (196th, 38.32) made an impressive debut for the team that finished 7th of 10 in Division Two.

Tim Cummins looked strong as usual in the opening and final stages (242, 41.24), with newcomer Dave Armstrong taking 251st slot (42.09) and helping Farnham’s veterans to take 5th of 18 in Division Two. Don Melvin tried to look as if it was easy (268, 43.22), followed by Howard Inns (292nd 46.47), a third member of the club to experience this league for the first time.

Second lady in the recent Butser Hill fell race, Jane Georghiou finished 40th in 25. 31 over the two lap ladies’ course (13th W35). Jo Edson transferred her cycling fitness to running, with a very useful 76th place of the 133 ladies (27.35, 25th W35) while Gemma Mitchell (92nd, 28.49, 32nd W35) completed the team that came 13th and 6th veterans team of the 25 participating clubs.

Alton Downland 10K

As an introduction to the cross-country season several Farnham Runners braved thunder and lightning to run the Alton Downland 10K, four finding themselves among the prize winners.

At the head of the field Stuart ‘Stouffer’ Morgan finished in fourth place overall and 2nd male veteran in an impressive time of 40:37. Not far behind in12th position and 6th male vet was Steve Murphy in 42:28.

Gabriela Hitchcock led home the Farnham ladies in an excellent 47:11 to take the 1st senior lady position. Gabriela was followed across the line by her husband Nick 47:14 (42nd man) and receiving lots of vocal encouragement was Tim Cummins 47:48 (45th man). Next came a trio of Farnham ladies Jo Edson 49:12, 7th lady who was denied a trophy by the very high standard in her category (5th W45). Lindsay Bamford was 9th lady (2nd W35) in 49:42, and Angela Epps 50:20 10th lady (3rd W35).

HRRL – Overton 5

The first race in the Hampshire Road Race League was the Overton Five where the men gained a sound 6th place in Division One. The only lady representative was Samantha Pelham, who finished 21st in an excellent a time of 36.22 over this taxing course.
Men’s results: Michael Rix 45th 29.15, Charles Ashby 87th 31.09, Dan Smith 102nd 31.49, Steve Murphy 118th 32.24, Colin Addison 149th 34.09, Andy Tweed 162nd 34.36, Steve Payne 220th 37.47.

Bushy Park Time Trial

Michael Anderson gained another 5km club M45 record with a superb time of 17.09 in a recent Bushy Park time trial.