HRRL Netley 10k and London 2 Brighton Challenge

Netley 10k

With just four members flying the flag for Farnham Runners in the last Hampshire Road Race League race, relegation for the teams was inevitable. Both men and ladies’ teams were up in the top flights of this competitive league but will begin next season in the second of three divisions. Injuries to some of the club’s most keen participants have affected the results this year. The club’s committee are already planning to inspire more interest and participation in the league in the future, a series of twelve very well organised events, all over accurately measured distances with UK Athletics race licences.

Those who ran the final race, the Netley 10km were rewarded for their efforts by satisfying times. Richard Lovejoy, benefiting from training with the club, was delighted with a new personal best of 37 minutes 28 seconds, an improvement by over a minute in just a few weeks. The reliable team player, Chris Cramp, who was still recovering from a marathon less than two weeks before, clocked a solid 45-22, a time he hopes to whittle down over the summer.

Over the series the men’s A team finished ninth of ten teams in Division One, tying on points with the eighth club, so tantalisingly close to avoiding the drop. Their B team will also fall from B Division One to Two.

For the ladies Jane Georghiou, still on the mend after injury, was pleased with 47-10 and first place in her age category. The enthusiastic Eloise Stradling paced well for 52-42 in her debut 10km.

There were some good series individual rankings, which are based on performance in any 7 of the 12 races. Andrew Ellison came an impressive 15th in the men’s section, followed by Chris Cramp in 94th. Jane Georghiou held on for 13th individual lady, with Lucy Enstock a fine 34th.

The ladies’ A will be relegated but the B team have clung on to the “B” Division One.

London 2 Brighton Challenge

Becky Martin and Russell Wheeler took on the 100km “London 2 Brighton Challenge”, both finishing in an amazing time, 14 hours 57 minutes for Russel and 15 hours 21 minutes for Becky. Along with her London Marathon sponsorship Becky has raised over £850 for Parkinson’s UK and Russel was sponsored £720 for Surrey Air Ambulance.