HRRL Netley 10k

The Farnham Runners men’s A team have calculated that they have promotion to the first division of the Hampshire Road League secured by their performance at the tenth event of the twelve race series, the Netley 10km. They came second in division two and remain on top by four points above Andover. The B team placed ninth in B Division one, keeping them tenth on aggregate.

The Farnham Runners ladies A, B and C teams all posted good results. The A stream gained a very useful fourth in the top division, keeping them fifth. The Bs took fifth in B division one and the Cs were sixth in B division two, both teams staying at tenth in the table. Each of their three teams is now just one point below the club above them.

The three lap course was in the Royal Victoria Country Park and Hampshire Constabulary grounds. A sudden heavy downpour after the race gave runners the first use of their traditional Netley memento- a towel!

James Clarke was 17th finisher of 503 and 10th senior in an excellent 37 minutes exactly. Comfortably under 40 minutes came Harvey Wickham in 39:17 as 11th M40. Neil Ambrose (42:05) and Tim Cummins (42:15) battled for the final 2 A team slots.

Steve Bailey (43:36) and Ali Hardaway (44:12) led in the B squad. Damian Probett clocked a new personal best by 2 minutes (44:27), while Douglas Blyth, 7th M70 in 59:47, was chuffed to complete the team score.

The Farnham ladies were led by Louise Granell in a fine 44:31 as 18th lady and 5th in the senior category. First F55 was Linda Tyler in 46:38, with Emma Russ 10th senior lady in 47:12. Kay Copeland headed the B trio in 52:41 (5th F55) followed by Anne Snelson in 54:06 and Tina Harrison in 56:10. For the Cs Helen Bracey gained new PB of 56:25, with Clair Bailey in 58:00 and Jane Probett with a 6 minute PB of 1:01:09. Jacquie Browne provided valuable back-up to the team in 1:07:45.