HRRL Hardley Half, Chicago Marathon, Great South, Gold Hill 10km, Clarendon Way Marathon, Alton Downland Challenge and Camberley 10km

HRRL Hardley Half

With 110 members Farnham Runners can be spotted at races both near and far! They put in strong teams for the second of the Hampshire Road League races, the Hardley half marathon, hoping to build on their men’s position of 4th in Division One and ladies second in Division Two in the first round at Overton.

Unexpected hills and, at times a strong head wind, put paid to personal bests for most on this scenic course that gives views of the New Forest and the Solent.

Dan Smith was among those denied a PB but finished an excellent 25th of 356 runners, in a time of 1.22.24. Stuart Morgan was delighted to achieve a new pb of 1.22.55 (27th) while Steve Murphy paced very well, holding back in the early miles to overtake later on and come home inside 1hour 30minutes (1.29.19, 64th). Jim Bosworth completed the team result in 1.33.12 (104th), followed by Andy Tweed (1.36.17) and Tim Cummins who, amazingly, deducted 5 mins from his previous best (1.41.50).

For the ladies Jane Georghiou was pleased with 1.31.22 in the conditions (5th lady, 1st W45). Lindsay Bamford ran strongly as usual (1.44.49) while new member Jayne Parker was very close behind (1.45.13).

Other results: Sara Wallace 1.47.25, Don Melvin 1.47.28, Mathew Mitchell 1.49.49, John Applebee 1.52.57, Stuart Edgoose 1.54. 48, Nathalie Garrison 2.05.55 (PB).

Other races

Mark Taylor completed his second marathon in Chicago in the excellent time of 3.05.35.

Veteran Graham Wilton took another 3 minutes from his ten mile PB with a superb run in the Great South. Spurred on by a sighting of Sonia O’Sullivan he crossed the line just 4 seconds behind her, 76th of 11, 076 finishers in a time of 56.55. Other Great South times: Steve Murphy 1.05.54, Jane Georghiou 1.07.18 (2nd W50, 37th lady), Frances Britain 1.16.40, Nicolette Overy 1.19.47, Sara Wallace 1.20.04, Gemma Mitchell 1.23.19, Mathew Mitchell 1.31.57, John Applebee (wearing a banana suit and collecting for Leukeamia Research) 2.02.29.

Stuart Morgan and Lindsay Bamford were both 5th and third veterans in their sections in the Gold Hill 10km, Dorset (38.57 and 47.38 respectively) with Jim Bosworth in 45.00.

Jim Bosworth completed the gruelling off road Clarendon Way Marathon in 3.50.21, while Mary Bosworth tackled the similar half marathon in 2.25.37.

In the Alton Downland Challenge 10km Steve Murphy was 16th of 196 in 42.02, followed by Tim Cummins (47.53) and enthusiastic new members Amanda Allen (51.26) and Katie Payne (54.04). On the same day Jane Georghiou was 3rd lady in the Camberley 10km (42. 02).