HRRL Alton 10

Although decidedly chilly for May, almost perfect running conditions helped runners to good times in the tough Alton Ten mile road race, the penultimate event of the 2009-10 Hampshire Road Race League.

Farnham Runners swelled the numbers by 27, entering full A and B men’s and ladies’ teams.

Michael Rix running in 2010 Alton 10

Still bounding along after his successes in the London Marathon and European Triathlon Championships, Michael Rix (photo above) recorded an excellent fifty seven minutes forty four seconds, another personal best despite the hills. He placed 8th of the 506 finishers.

Tim Cimmins running in 2010 Alton 10

Ian Carley ran well to clock 1.01.38 in 30th, also still with the effects of the marathon in his legs, while Julian Mann returned to racing with 1.03.19 (47th). Charles Ashby (1.04.30, 59th) used the race as a timed run before his forthcoming Edinburgh marathon. These four made up a team that came 5th in the race and 4th in Division One of the league. Michael Smith (1.05.53, 67th) led the sixth placed B team of Bob Brimicombe (1.08.50, 105th), Tim Cummins (1,08.54, 109th, pb, photo above) and Nick Hitchcock (1.10.17, 131st, a pb by 4 minutes).

For the ladies Gabi Hitchcock kept up a cracking pace both up and down the hills for a superb personal best by six minutes to head in the Farnham ladies for the first time, clocking 1.12.19 (15th of 153). Jane Georghiou was pleased to beat her last years’ W55 course record with 1.12.58 (19th). Next Emma Whittaker-Axon (1.17.14, 38th) clinched a very useful team placing of 3rd in the race and 3rd in Division One of the league. Not far behind Sue Boxall (1.18.47, 47th) put in a fine performance to head the B team (also 3rd), backed up by Lindsay Bamford (1.19.13, 53rd) and Amanda Allen (1.22.05, 65th).

All the runners pushed themselves for good times and there were more satisfying personal bests and targets reached after rigorous training through the winter.

Men: Nick Hill 1.10.52, Scott Salmon 1.12.20, Paul Beesley 1.13.05, Terry Copeland 1.13.49, Dave Armstrong 1.14.23, Malcolm Fitzsimmons 1.14.58, Simon Brander 1.16.54, Rob Murdoch 1.18.37, Phil Masters 1.22.24, Tim Withers 1.23.19 (pb).

Ladies: Kay Copeland 1.30.35, Emma Drinkwater 1.31.08 (pb), Caroline Freeman 1.33.06.