HRRL Totton 10K and Taunton Marathon

A number of Farnham Runners took on the challenge of driving through 3 inches of snow in Farnham to achieve a very rewarding set of results at Totton and Taunton.

Totton 10k

The Totton 10km was the eighth race of ten in the Hampshire Road League series. Despite a stiff breeze the first four of Farnham’s men claimed personal best performances to give the A team an excellent 3rd in Division One that moves them up to 5th in the series.

Having taken 20 seconds from his previous best time at the recent Eastleigh 10km, Charles Ashby was delighted to deduct another 20 seconds to record an excellent 36 minutes 39 seconds for 35th place of 403 men (8th veteran). Also training hard for the London marathon, Steve Kitney was never far behind for 9th veteran’s place (36.56, 37th). Andy Eakins, who had made a mid-race surge for the club’s top spot, came in next in 37.05 (40th) followed by Ian Carley in 37.52 (52nd).
Bob Brimicombe (39.14, 70th) started steadily and gradually turned on the gas to surprise Dan Smith meters from the line (39.17, 73rd). Brimicombe completed the veterans’ team that came 2nd. Steve Gillingham clocked under 40 minutes (39.53) with Mike Ashworth not able to close the gap in 40.33. Andy Tweed’s 42.07 helped the B team to 4th. Richard Cieslik (42.17) kept him in sight with Alan Froud in 43.05.

Only two of the club’s ladies made the start, Jane Georghiou pleased to be 12th in 41.49 (1st W55) and Caroline Freeman in 48.22, 50th of the 215 women. Even with an incomplete team these results were good enough to give the team 7th in Division One and maintain a series 5th place.

Taunton Marathon

On the same day hard training paid off for a jubilant Howard Inns who took a massive 27 minutes from his personal marathon best in the Taunton marathon, recording 3.47.08. Lindsay Bamford paced well to reduce her time by over five minutes to 3.49.29 and take a worthy 4th place in the F40 category. Tori Shaw and Clive Jones recorded 1.58.07 and 2.00.34 respectively in the Taunton half marathon.