HRRL Eastleigh 10km, Cranleigh 15 and 21 miles races and Police UK National Cross-Country Championship

Eastleigh 10km

The chill, biting winds continued for the Eastleigh 10km, the tenth of twelve in the series Hampshire Road Race League series. The conditions didn’t prevent over 2000 finishing this very competitive race, renowned for its fast course. Farnham Runners put out full men’s and ladies’ A and B teams and three members were first or second in their age group categories. (Times given are chip times.)

Andrew Ellison is improving with every race and clocked another personal best by almost 40 seconds for a splendid 35 minutes 4 seconds for 59th place and 2nd in the M45 category. This places him 12th on the category UK table for the year so far.

Ian Carley is edging back towards his previous best with a fine 36-10 for 9th in the same category (99th). Next, Mike Anderson topped the M55s with an excellent 37-45 (147th and 13th on his category UK 2013 table). With Charles Ashby completing the A team result in 38-37 (189th) this gave them 9th in Division One (aggregate 9th).

Another three ran inside 40 minutes. Club chairman Steve Kitney led the B team in 38-40, a step ahead of new member Richard Lovejoy in 38-41. Amazingly James Warren, after overcoming injuries last year and with only 5 weeks training ran his debut 10km in 39-27. Another newcomer Laurence Bookham (41-01, PB) was fourth scorer for the B team result of 9th (aggregate 14th). Three contributed to an incomplete C team result of 11th, Tim Cummins 41-49, Dave Armstrong 43.45 and Nick Hitchcock 48-09.

For the ladies Charlotte Hanson battled the conditions in her first 10km race for an impressive 43-47 (63rd lady). Jane Georghiou won her age group in 44-43. Keen Hampshire road league participant, Lucy Enstock was delighted to deduct 2 minutes from her previous best with 46-37. This A team came 8th in Division One (aggregate 10th). Gabi Hitchcock took things steadily for 48-06, still enough to lead the B team that comprised Louise Davies (48-29) and Lucy Pritchard (49-31). This team placed 7th (aggregate 11th).

Other races

On the same chilly day ten members completed in the Cranleigh 15 and 21 miles races.

  • 21 miles: Colin Pirie 3-12-49, Becky Martin 3-16-36, Russel Wheeler 3-16-37, Emma Drinkwater 3-21-02, Shirley Perrett 3-21-04, Jess Page 3-21-27, Tori Shaw 3-21-55, Peter Strange 3-27-20.
  • 15 miles: Mark Beeson 2-42-00, Richard Sheppard 2-48-09.

Sarah Hill recorded another triumph by winning her fourth Police UK National Cross-Country Championship, this year over a 5.2mile course at Birmingham. Her strong and confident run that gave her a minute over her nearest rival.