Bramley 10 and 20, Mad March 20 and Brands Hatch Half Marathon
Bramley 20
Two 20 milers featured in the London marathon training for a number of Farnham Runners, both with excellent results. The men put out the strongest trio in the club’s history to pick up the second team slot in the competitive Bramley 20 while another contingent took a splendid fourth place in the first division of the Hampshire Road League race near Christchurch a week later.
Michael Rix sped round at Bramley in 2 hours 4 minutes and 35seconds, which put him 31st in a field of 726. His team-mates, Graham Wilton and Graham Russ were also close to 6.15 pace for the undulating course, Wilton (35th) taking 7th M40 slot with 2.05.23 and Russ (37th) in his first race longer than 10km crossing the line in 2.05.51 (chip times). They were surprised and delighted to be winners of the 2nd team prize.
Mark Taylor (2.16.32) and Dan Smith (2.16.36) ran round together with Charles Ashby following in 2.20.27, none pushing the pace but using the distance as training. A time of 2.29.50 was enough for Jane Georghiou to take the first W50 prize (31st lady of 232).
Bramley 10
Others tackled the one lap Bramley 10 miler. Steve Gillingham came home in 1.07.58. Angela Epps was 29th of 260 ladies with a new personal best of 1.15.55, followed by Suzanna Ching (1.27.41) and Julie Russ (1.30.30).
Mad March 20
Nine brave souls from the club did not let the driving rain deter them from starting the Mad March 20 near Christchurch a week later. The worst sections were a fierce headwind between miles 16-17, then a deep flood for ¼ mile, before more strong winds. Never were the finish medals so justly deserved and all the times were remarkable in the conditions.
Michael Rix almost repeated his splendid time at Bramley with a time of 2 hours 5 minutes and 34 seconds; he was14th of 378 finishers. Dan Smith improved by 2 minutes (2.13.48, 35th) while Charles Ashby maintained his pace (2.20.41, 62nd). Andy Tweed (2.33.58, 115th) completed the successful league team.
Don Melvin 2.39.34, Howard Inns 2.58.41, Steve Payne 3.02.53 and Richard Sheppard 3.07.24 made a second team that was 6th in the B division.
Sam Pelham was the only lady to fly the flag for Farnham and crossed the line in a creditable 3.12.33 in her first 20 miler.
Brands Hatch Half Marathon
Michael Rix and Mark Taylor also had excellent results in the recent Brands Hatch Half marathon, taking 6th and 8th places out of 534 finishers with times of 1.21.15 and 1.24.16 respectively over a testing course.