HRRL Totton 10K and Cranleigh 21
Totton 10K
Farnham Runners put the finishing touch to an impressive season with good results in the Hampshire Road League series to add to their successes in both the Hampshire and Today’s Runner Winter League cross-country series.
The men placed sixth in Division One, one up on last year and a very good result in this highly competitive league, while the ladies clinched promotion to Division One for the first time next season.
The last race was the flat Totton 10km where unseasonably warm weather put paid to personal bests for most. For those running the London marathon it provided a last hard training run.
Graham Wilton came in the top ten percent, 51st of 529 in a time of 36 minutes 29 seconds to be 9th veteran (M40) with Dan Smith not far behind in 37.00 (58th). Smith took 16th position in the individual men’s table running in nine of the ten races (six to count). Charles Ashby (38.11, 80th)) and Colin Addison (41.19, 145th) made up the “A” team that were 6th in Division One on the day.
Steve Gillingham (41.37) lost the battle with Addison for the fourth team slot but Andy Tweed (42.17) pushed all the way to the line to get the better of Mike Ashworth (42.19) who had overtaken him at the last minute. Steve Murphy (43.19) had problems getting to the start on time but completed the “B” team that placed 6th on the day (8th of 21 teams in the series).
Don Melvin was delighted with yet another PB (43.41).
Other mens’ results:
Nick Hill 44.01, Alan Froud 44.37, Nick Hitchcock 44.41, Simon Clyde 46.06, Richard Cieslik 47.15, Simon Burgess 49.19, Howard Inns 50.33.
The women put out a strong team that secured their promotion to division one for next season. Successful triathlete Lindsay Bamford led in the ladies with a fine 47.11 (63rd lady of 280, 21st W35). Gabi Hitchcock (48.20, 77th) and Susan Creasey (49.00, 81st) followed to comprise the team that was an excellent 2nd in Division Two on the day. The Farnham ladies lie second in the division at the end of the series.
Clair Windiate (50.32), Samantha Pelham (51.35) and Caroline Freeman (53.47) took 8th slot in the B team to confirm 11th in the series. Samantha finished 13th lady in the series having completed seven races (six to count).
Cranleigh 21
In the Cranleigh 21 miler Graham Russ was almost as fast as his excellent Bramley 20 time and came third in 2.06.21.Emma Doven 3.20.34, Julie Russ 3.21.02, Susanna Ching 3.22.23, Helen Cathie 3.27.05 all completed the challenge and are looking good for their forthcoming marathons.