HRRL Solent Half, Clarendon Way Half Marathon and Relay, HXCL Farley Mount and Amsterdam Marathon

HRRL Solent Half Marathon

Farnham Runners teams placed well in the third Hampshire Road League race, the Solent half marathon. Steve Gillingham was first for the club in a time of 1 hr 29minutes 1second to take 43rd spot of 343 finishers. Mike Walberton (1-31-35), Tim Cummins (1-35-09) and newcomer Sean Smith (1-36-06) completed the A team that came 8th in Division One. Nick Hill (1-38-50), Chris Cramp (1-43-42) Tim Withers (1-56-34) and Stefan Kincewicz (1-58-07) comprised the 11th placed B team.

Promotional hope for the ladies were kept alive by a strong team. Emma Whittaker-Axon ran an impressive personal best of 1-34-29, followed by Amanda Allen (1-47-02) and Katie Payne (1-49-45) to secure second place in Division two. Wendy Carley (1-54-13) and Caroline Freeman (2-09-50) gave a useful team result of 10th of 15 clubs in B Division one.

Clarendon Way Half Marathon

Six members completed the popular Clarendon Way Half Marathon, though with so many running the Pilgrims’ marathon there were no takers for the full distance. Ian Carley in his last race before the Amsterdam marathon ran a splendid 1-27-21 over the wet and slippery off road course for 3rd place overall and top of the M40 category. Emma Whittaker-Axon was second Farnham Runner in, clocking 1-45-48, in an excellent fourth lady and third senior (under 35) position. Chris Cramp recorded 1-55-24, Caroline Freeman 2-27-32, Elaine Ashby 2-55-21 along with Charles Ashby 2-55-21.

Clarendon Way Marathon Relay

An enthusiastic band of Stash Hutton, Julie Russ, Amanda Allen and Tim Withers tackled the marathon as a relay team (“Stashers”), only just missing out on their 4 hour target (4-00-38).

HRRL Farley Mount

Three ladies made up a complete team in the first Hampshire Cross Country League race at Farley Mount near Winchester, placing a creditable 14th (8th veterans) of over 30 teams entered. Jane Georghiou finished 49th (28-13), Sue Boxall 81st (31-06) and Caroline Freeman 96th (34-07).

Amsterdam Marathon

Ian Carley’s training paid off with a splendid result in the Amsterdam Marathon. In perfect weather and starting along with the elite runners he maintained a steady pace, only slowing a little in the last 10km. He crossed the line in 2.46.59 (chip time), 2.47.04 (time from the gun) and was 13th M40 and 128th of a field of 7878. His time is a new club veteran record (M40) by over two minutes.