2008 Club Championship

Runners lined up ready for the start of the 2008 Club Championship

The tough Farnham Runners Club Championship this year attracted fifty, equalling the record set last year. The route of approximately 10km circumnavigates the Bourne Woods, then a steep up and down off-road section deposits the runners on another challenging road section before the final stretch across the Bourne Green. Supporters turned out in force to encourage all the finishers and enjoy the post race BBQ and presentations.

First to elicit cheers were the duo of Mark Taylor and Charles Ashby who had been locked in a close but good-humoured battle all the way round. It was only on the last sprint to the line that Ashby conceded to his younger teammate. Without electronic timing a one or two second time differential was hard to judge, but a photo at the finish indicated the latter. Taylor’s excellent time of 37 mins 14 secs won him the senior men’s trophy, while Ashby took the veteran trophy in 37.16. This was the fourth fastest for this veteran category since records began in 1991, all the more remarkable because, along with Dan Smith, he had already been round the course to mark it out and it was marginally longer this year to avoid other activities on the Green. Steve Kitney kept in the picture for this category with an impressive 37.53. Although not in top form new member Matt Nutt (38.21, second senior) held off Ian Carley (38.25) and another valuable newcomer Mike Smith (38.31). Bob Brimicombe (39.21) and Dan Smith (39.59) also clocked sub 40 minutes.

Terry Steadman (42.38) was the worthy winner of the new Vet 60 trophy, a splendid effort placing him ahead of all veterans of 50-59. Runner up in his category was Peter Strange (53.06). A beaming Dave Armstrong led in the V50s (43.27), ahead of Simon Brander (45.37) Rob Murdoch (46.20).

Angela Epps (43.39) is club ladies 2008 champion and claimed the V35 shield, with Frances Britain (44.40) runner up in this section. First senior lady was Gabi Hitchcock (46.10) with a fierce battle behind her from two new members for 2nd and 3rd; Emma Pearson (47.16) just got the better of Lucy White (47.24). There were unfortunately no ladies of 45-54 but Jane Georghiou took the new W55 shield with 44.19.

Other times: Andy Eakins 40.35, Steve Murphy 41.09, Mike Ashworth 41.58, Tim Cummins 42.21, Peter Slump 42.22, Alan Froud 42.27, Paul Beasley 42.35, Matt Burns 42.54, Simon Clyde 43.10, Nick Hitchcock 43.18, Mike Walberton 43.25, Nick Hill 44.19, Matt James 44.41, Steve Payne 46.59, Simon Walker 47.51, Ken Holloway 49.17, Howard Inns 49.41, John Edwards 49.42, Caroline Freeman 52.08, Caroline Wharton 52.09, Simon Clark 52.15, Christopher Cramp 52.44. Rebecca Payne 53.04, Kate Edgar 53.14, Sharon Egan 56.27, Jo Baker 64.01.

Chairman Dan Smith presented the awards and thanked all those who had helped to make the evening so successful, including marshals, timekeepers Elaine Ashby and Nicola Kitney and social secretaries, Jo Staples, Jenny Andrews and Chris Lyne.