TRXCL Staunton Country Park, HRRL Salisbury and Fleet Half Marathon

TRXCL Staunton Country Park

Dan Smith and Jane Georghiou with the 2009 Today's Runner Winter league shield

A jubilant Farnham Runners carried off the Today’s Runner Winter League shield for the 2008-9 series after 3 consecutive years as runners up. This entitles them to a place in the National final at Halifax on 19th April.

They battled against eighteen other clubs in the area competition over the season and their men’s team took an outstanding top slot in all five races. This helped the overall team to first place 4 times and second place in the final match, but by then their victory was secure. The ladies were first in one race, second in three, and fifth in the last.

Denmead Striders hosted the final round at Staunton Country Park. The course was relatively flat apart from a steep rise to the finish but was not without its mud despite the recent dry spell.
In the final throes of his preparations for the Paris marathon Michael Rix was half way home before many had finished, having led in the club in 4th position. Ian Carley in 6th was never far behind. A tussle between Charles Ashby (11th), Dan Smith (12th) and Steve Kitney (15th) was won on the line by a determined Ashby. This gave an unbeatable total points score of only 48.

Other men’s placings: Mike Walberton 34th, James Ogilvie 39th, Bob Brimicombe 48th, Tim Cummins 57th, Paul Beesley 66th, Graham Higgins 87th, Steve Payne 88th, Hillary Carter (who cycled there and back from Farnham) 92nd, Chris Cramp 93rd, Howard Inns 97th, Malcolm Fitzsimmons 98th, Richard Cieslik 113rd.

First lady home was Angela Epps in a fine 9th place with Jane Georghiou next (10th). Lindsay Bamford took the third scoring place in 31st with Caroline Freeman 47th, Julie Russ 59th, Diane Cox 65th and Lisa Smith 76th. Caroline now heads the ladies 2009 Grand Prix table, having taken part in 8 of the possible 9 races so far.

HRRL Salisbury 10m

After nine races of the Hampshire Road Race League Farnham Runners men’s and ladies’ teams look safe in the top divisions, the men lying an excellent 4th and the ladies 7th. Both are looking to improve on these positions in the closing three races.

The Salisbury ten-miler was scenic and relatively flat, along the valley of the River Test and some Farnham Runners produced personal bests despite the gusty wind.

Michael Rix, although not on top form on the day still finished in under the hour (59 minutes 36 seconds) (All times given are chip times). Steve Kitney (1.01.30), Julian Mann (1.02.26, PB) and Charles Ashby 1.03.16 made up the A team that placed 4th. More fine performances from Bob Brimicombe (1.04.31), Dan Smith (1.06.22), Mike Walberton (1.06.33, PB) and Steve Gillingham (1.06.46) gave a splendid B team result of first. Scott Salmon crept under 70 minutes for the first time (1.09.47) while Chris Cramp took a chunk off his previous best (1.17.21).
Other men’s times: Andy Tweed 1.14.47, Howard Inns 1.21.31, Richard Sheppard 1.22.27, Steve Payne 1.22.59, Mark Beeson 1.25.06.

Angela Epps led in the ladies with a new personal best of 1.12.13, followed by Lindsay Bamford (1.18.08) and Emma Doven (1.24.20) for 6th place in Division One. Kim Mepsted (1.24.22), Caroline Freeman (1.29.50) and Julie Russ (1.33.48) gave the B result of 7th.

Fleet Half Marathon

Twenty members also ran in the Fleet half marathon, led in by Julian Mann (85th of 2105, 1.23.04) in yet another personal best. Graham Wilton and Ian Carley, both timed at 1.25.59, were reported to be chatting as they tested out their anticipated marathon pace.

Other Farnham times: Mike Walberton 1.28.27 (PB), Steve Gillingham 1.29.47, Michael Smith 1.30.32, Jane Georghiou 1.34.14 (1st W55), Tim Cummins 1.35.01, Paul Beesley 1.39.22, Mike Ashworth 1.43.00, Simon Brander 1.45 13, Steve Payne 1.51.59, Richard Sheppard 1.54.26, Rebecca Martin 1.54.51, Kim Mepsted 1.55.08, Andrew Perrin 1.56.47, Sarah Hall 2.06.30, Ant Duthoit 2.06. 30, Jo Baker 2.19.57, Jenny Andrews 2.23.48.