HRRL Ryde 10K and TRXCL Manor Farm Country Park

HRRL Ryde 10M

The cold winds of the 2008 Hampshire Road League Ryde 10 miles were nothing in comparison to the icy Arctic blasts this year. Most Farnham Runners dressed accordingly and reported enjoying the challenge of the conditions once established in the warm clubhouse after the race.

Team members were surprised to see Michael Rix already clad in shorts and racing flats as he arrived for the ferry, but it did him no harm as he sped round the hilly course in under the hour for 11th place of 435 finishers. He attributed his impressive time of 59 mins 32 seconds to an increased training load as preparation for a spring marathon.

Charles Ashby recovered well from recent injury to record 1.04.03 with Steve Kitney (1.04.17) on his heels (26th and 30th, 7th and 8th M40s respectively). Bob Brimicombe (1.05.23, 39th, 12th M40) was 4th scorer in the “A Team that came 5th in Division One of the Hampshire Road Race League, consolidating an aggregate position of 4th.
In a personal best 1.06.34 Julian Mann led in the B team, followed by Mike Walberton (1.08.44), Scott Salmon (1.11.55) and Andy Tweed (1.13.07).

Other men’s results: Chris Cramp 1.20.20 (a PB by 5 minutes), Richard Sheppard 1.25.39, Peter Strange 1.34.06.
Although the ladies did not field a B team the A team maintained 3rd in the top flight with a 7th position on the day.

Jane Georghiou clocked 1.12.29 for 12th ladies place of 107, (1st W55), followed by Lindsay Bamford (1.18.57, 35th, 16th W35,) and Caroline Freeman (1.30.00, 77th, 32nd W35).

TRXCL Manor Farm Country Park

After a fourth top spot in the Today’s Runner Winter League series Farnham Runners are in an unassailable position, with one result of the total of five races to be discounted in the final tally.

The wintry conditions eased in time to allow safe travel to the Manor Farm Park venue on the banks of the river Hamble. Both men’s and ladies’ teams had strength and depth, with all scorers in the first twenty-two finishers. The men took first place of the 18 clubs, the ladies second to give an overall joint first with hosts Stubbington Green Runners.

Michael Rix repeated his success of the previous week, heading the team in 8th and just managing to hold off 9th placed Ian Carley. Steve Kitney (15th) and Bob Brimicombe (19th) were both in form from training for longer races while Julian Mann (22nd) made the team on his debut in this league. Charles Ashby (23rd) feeling under par was just denied a scoring place this time.

The men’s team was supported ten more members: Mike Walberton 47th, Tim Cummins 58th, James Ogilvie 62nd, Paul Beesley 66th, Andy Tweed 71st, Richard Cieslik 126th, Phil Wallace 131st, Chris Cramp 133rd, Richard Sheppard 134th, Howard Inns 141st.

With Angela Epps struggling with an injury but still managing a fine 10th slot, Jane Georghiou led in the team in 8th. Lindsay Bamford made a huge contribution to the final result in 19th. Other ladies placings: Kim Mepsted 40, Caroline Freeman 45, Julie Russ 52, Diane Cox 53, Lisa Smith 69.