HXCL Farley Mount, HRRL Solent Half Marathon, Kosice Peace marathon, Woclaw marathon, Nottingham marathon and Clarendon Way marathon

Farnham Runners boosted their league results in a weekend double of cross-country and road races. Farnham Runners have also travelled far and wide to take part in marathons in the past few weeks.

HXCL Farley Mount

Fierce competition among the men to be counted in the scoring team helped them to an excellent second place in Division Two at the start of the season’s Hampshire Cross Country League.

Ian Carley led them all the way round the undulating 9 km course at Farley Mount, near Winchester. In danger of being overtaken near the finish he suddenly stepped on the gas for an impressive sprint, overtaking three others before crossing the line in 34mins 43secs (73rd, 12th veteran). Andy Eakins next was also in the first 100 in this very competitive league (35.37, 97th). Just outside this target Steve Kitney (35.45, 101st, 28th vet), paced well to hold off Michael Rix (35.58, 108th) and Bob Brimicombe (36.07, 112th, 33rd vet).

Mike Smith (36.34, 121) and Charles Ashby (36.48, 127) completed the club’s veteran team that came 3rd in Division Two.

Julian Mann made a strong cross-country debut (37.11, 132) and Mike Ashworth (38.36, 162), Paul Beesley (38.53, 168), Tim Cummins 38.55, 171) Mike Walberton (39.54, 188) Chris Cramp (46.15, 249), Richard Cieslik (46.33, 254) and Peter Strange (51.04, 266) all gave valuable support.

Fewer ladies made the trip but the team came away with good results: 10th overall and 5th in the veterans’ (over 35) section.

Already looking forward to the next cross-country, Angela Epps coped well with the hot conditions over the 6km course to finish a fine 42nd in 25.46 (11th vet). Jane Georghiou kept her in sight (26.19, 47th, 13th vet). Lucie White made a very useful debut in Farnham colours to take 66th slot (27.14), while Caroline Freeman secured the veterans’ result with 32.56 (123rd).

HRRL Solent Half Marathon

Enthusiastic teams also turned out to enjoy the scenic route of the Hampshire Road League Solent Half Marathon the next day, ten having raced the previous day.

More comfortable over the road than grass, Michael Rix paced at sub 4min/km to claim 15th slot of 372 men in an impressive 1.22.57. Again second in the team came Andy Eakins in 1.25.23 (23rd). Bob Brimicombe (1.27.50) and Steve Kitney (1.28.56) were 11th and 16th in the M40 category and completed the team that ranked 2nd in Division One of the Hampshire Road Race League.

This performance was complemented by the B team that placed 3rd in the B division: Mike Walberton 1.32.35, Mike Ashworth 1.35.02, Tim Cummins 1.38.15, Nick Hill 1.38.20. Scott Salmon wonders how he wasted two seconds (1.40.02). Other times: Andy Tweed 1.43.26, Peter Strange 2.01.04, Paul Beesley 2.05.33, Mark Beeson 2.18.17.

Frances Britain was delighted with a new personal best by four minutes (1.37.45) as she led the Farnham ladies in a splendid 8th place (5th W35). Lindsay Bamford (1.45.50) and Caroline Freeman (2.03.29) helped the team to 5th in Division One which means Farnham ladies stay 2nd in the division. Emma Doven (2.12.26) and Jo Baker in her first half marathon (2.12.27) made up a B team, which, though incomplete, placed a creditable 6th.

Various marathons

Gabriella and Nick Hitchcock chose the Kosice Peace Marathon, Slovakia, for their debut at this distance and were rewarded with times of 3.38.48 and 3.45.47 respectively. Gabriella was 21st lady of a field of 56.

Graham Higgins took 12 minutes from his personal best in the Wroclaw Marathon in Poland (3.31.42) with Dave Bower clocking 4.29.

James Ogilvie ran a fast first marathon in Nottingham (3.35.47) while Sarah Jackson enjoyed the Jersey marathon (4.17.02).

Closer to home Hillary Carter led in the club contingent in the New Forest Marathon in 3.50.32 with Paul Beesley in 4.13.23 and Tim Cummins in 4.29.47.

Wet conditions didn’t put off four members from completing the off road Clarendon Way Marathon and Ian Carley was pleased to be 21st home (3.33.07, 9th M40), with Dan Smith 23rd (3.38. 06). Marathon enthusiast Hillary Carter took 4.20.08 followed by Suzanna Ching in 5.00.02 (8th W40).