HRRL Alton 10, Milton Keynes Marathon and other races

Alton 10

Farnham Runners men’s A team boosted their chances of staying in the competitive top division of the Hampshire Road Race League, coming a fine 5th of ten clubs in the penultimate event the Alton Ten miler. This still places them in the relegation zone (9th of 10 teams) but they are tying on points with two other clubs. They need a quality turnout for the last race, the Netley 10km.

Although insufficient for a complete team, the two ladies who supported the club gained 8th in Division One (again of ten teams). However, relegation cannot now be avoided, though a good showing at Netley could avoid bottom place.

Ian Carley, frequent winner of the Alice Holt parkruns, clocked an excellent 1 hour 2 minutes 30seconds for 26th place of 366 finishers on the challenging course. Charles Ashby is getting back to form in 1-05-03, (39th). James Warren and Richard Lovejoy gave their all and showed their potential with 1-06-31 and 1-06-47 respectively (50th and 51st).

A sprightly Mike Ashworth led the B string in 1-08-13 just ahead of Steve Elliot Nicholls in 1-08-17 and Steve Gillingham in 1-08-23. Steve Kitney (1-09-15) was final scorer for this quartet that placed 3rd of 14 in “B” Division One.

Tim Cummins was pleased with his 1-11-38. Nick Hill (1-17-19), Ian George (1-22-16), Stash Hutten-Czapski (1-23-44) gave the “C” string an identical 3rd of 14 in “ B” Division 2. Steve Payne (1-27-21) was very happy to be racing again after a break.

Lucy Enstock made a fine effort just two weeks after running the London Marathon to finish in 1-21-34. Junior Eloise Stradling was a determined debutant at the distance for 1-31-15.

Milton Keynes Marathon

The next day, in very warm sunny conditions and in total contrast to the dire wintry heavy rain and gales of last year’s race, five Farnham Runners completed the Milton Keynes marathon, three of them gaining personal best times. Charlie Hill-Venning improved from last year by 6 minutes for 3-20-05 while his brother John Hill-Venning recorded 3-34-43. Chris Cramp in 3-42-03 adjusted his target to make allowance for the heat but still clocked a PB by 4 minutes. He raised over £350 for Parkinson’s UK. Alistair Wilson took a huge chunk of 9 minutes off his Brighton marathon time just 3 weeks earlier, while Shirley Perrett was pleased to clock 4-37-49.

Other race updates

Bob Peet was another Farnham Runner who completed the Virgin London Marathon (4-07-44), sponsored for over £1,500 for Shooting Star CHASE the children’s hospice near Guildford and bringing the total raised by the club in spring marathons to over £14,000.

A beaming Martin Billett achieved his four-year long quest for a sub 40 minute 10km, at the Dorney Lake 10K. His time of 39-53 placed him top of the M50 category. Ian Carley sportingly paced him round (also 39-53).

Sarah Hill was 2nd lady in the Marwell Zoo 10k in a new club ladies’ record of 37-39 (7th overall of 917 finishers). The previous record of 37-54 was set by Ann Howard and had stood for 22 years (1991).