HRRL Gosport Half Marathon and TRXCL Pamber Heath

Gosport Half Marathon

Farnham Runners gave a thumbs-up to the new course of the Hampshire Road League Gosport Half Marathon this year, even with its added “water feature” that had to be splashed through twice during the 13.1 miles. During the homeward-bound discussion its dimensions inevitably grew, but there was no argument that it was the size of a small lake, half way up to the knees in depth. Marshals had to warn runners to keep to the middle, marked out with cones, to avoid even deeper sections either side. The value of coldwater baths for recovery is generally accepted but not recommended in the middle of a race.

The start was wider and less congested than last year, there were fewer turns and the final stretch was pleasant, near the sea. It was windy and this impacted on times but nonetheless some achieved new personal bests.

Taking his training very seriously, Ian Carley was pleased to lead them in, his 1 hour 20 minutes 17 seconds only eleven seconds over his PB of last year. He was 47th of 1211 finishers. Julian Mann (1.22.00, 66th), Steve Kitney (1.23.05, 82nd) and Charles Ashby (1.26.02,132nd) made an A team that was 6th in the top division of the Hampshire Road Race League to maintain 6th on aggregate. James Ogilvie (1.27.25), Tim Cummins (1.32.10), Mike Ashworth (1.33.52) and Paul Beesley (1.36.25) made the B team, scoring 4th (aggregate 4th) in B division one.

Other men’s times: Nick Hill 1.38.29, Chris Cramp 1.39.27 (PB by 6 minutes), Mike Walberton 1.48.50, Peter Strange 1.56.30 (PB), Richard Sheppard 2.05.35, Stephen Whatley 2.08.13.

Jane Georghiou placed second in the W50 category, her 1.32.46 giving her 4th slot in W55 UK tables for the year. Emma Doven next was pleased with a new best time of 1.52.07, followed by Caroline Freeman (1.59.11) who gave yet another worthy contribution to the team. This placed them 8th in division one and they lie 9th of ten clubs; there are another seven races of the twelve race series, with only seven to count for the ladies. Wendy Carley (2.05.35), returning to fitness, led an incomplete B team with Helen Cathie (2.08.13). This placed them 13th of 16 (agg 13th).

TRXCL Pamber Heath

In the second round of the Today’s Runner Winter League Farnham Runners came out on top with both men’s and ladies teams first of the nineteen clubs. This puts them top overall with seven more matches to go, the next hosted by Farnham Runners on 13th December. The event was organised by Basingstoke and Midhants A.C. in the ancient deciduous woodland of Pamber Forest.

New member Andrew Ellison powered his way over the muddy, sometimes single track course for an excellent 3rd place, ahead of Michael Rix, just back from the Ironman 70.3 World Championships, in 6th. Now finding enthusiasm for cross-country the speedy Mike Anderson in 8th kept ahead of Ian Carley (10th) and Dan Smith (12th). This fine team was backed up by Simon Loughnane (20th), Steve Kitney (25th), Charles Ashby 28th, Tim Cummins 49th and Paul Beesley 55th.

Sarah Hill’s superb run for 2nd among the ladies helped their team, with Jane Georghiou 9th and Angela Epps 11th. Frances Britain 18th and Lindsay Bamford 30th gave strong support.

Other placings:

  • Men: Dave Armstrong 76, Terry Copeland 78th, Chris Cramp 95, Rob Horton 106, Richard Cieslik 119, Peter Strange 149, Bob Brimicombe 154.
  • Ladies: Diane Cox 60, Caroline Freeman 65, Emma Drinkwater 69 (debut), Julie Russ 72, Elaine Ashby 84.