2005 Club Championship and Comrades Marathon, South Africa

Club Championship

Dan Smith celebrated his birthday with a fine win in the Farnham Runners Club Championship race and he was delighted recipient of the senior men’s trophy. His time of 36.44 is the fastest recorded since 1997. He was challenged all the way round by the first veteran, Graham Wilton, who gained on the uphill sections, only to lose a few meters on each descent. Wilton had an excellent run to finish only five seconds behind Smith in 36.49, the second best time for a veteran in the club records for this course.

Third placed Charles Ashby, who finished in 39.35 (2nd senior), ran most of the way with Steve Murphy (39.55, 2nd Vet) and Nick Hill (40.51, 3rd vet) but pulled away in the latter part of the course.

New member Sebastian Boorgoin made an impressive debut (41.40, 3rd Senior man).

Don Melvin claimed the super veteran male trophy for the second time, while Geoff Cloke was runner up in this category.

Sara Wallace was a clear winner of the ladies senior section, with Sara Fitzgerald taking the veteran ladies shield. Charlotte Self finished second vet lady while Amanda Allen and Katie Payne crossed the line together to place joint third.

Jane Georghiou was awarded the super veteran ladies shield, with Helen Scullard runner up in this category.

Other positions: Bob Brimicombe 4th VM, Andy Tweed 5th VM, Richard Baldock 6th VM, Tim Cummins 4th senior man, Jim Bosworth 7th VM, Simon Brander 8th VM, Robert Bevan 9th VM.

Club chairman Malcolm Fitzsimmons, whose duties had unfortunately precluded him taking part this year, presented the awards and thanked all the other helpers without whom the run could not have taken place. He singled out winner Dan Smith, who had helped with the laying out of the course and organised a drinks station for the first time, as well as the social secretaries Charlie Gray and John Applebee, who had arranged the BBQ.

Comrades Marathon

The chairman also presented John Applebee with the club’s monthly “Smiley” Award for his tremendous achievement in completing the gruelling 56 mile Comrades Marathon in 11.41.39 in aid of Leukaemia Research.