HRRL Stubbington Green 10K
A strong wind at the Stubbington Green 10km was estimated to have affected times by over a minute yet some Farnham Runners still managed personal best times. The local club put out full A and B men and ladies’ teams and maintained or improved on previous aggregate positions in the Hampshire Road Race League. (Results given are chip times.)
With over 1300 finishers competition was fierce. Ian Carley in 43rd place ran an enviable 37 minutes 15 seconds to lead in his team-mates. Charles Ashby also recorded well under 40 minutes with 39-12. Sean Smith showed benefit from his increased training load to clock 40-39, with Steve Murphy (22nd M50) close in 40-53. This A team came 9th in Division one (also 9th on aggregate).
Martin Billett proved to be a strong leader of the B team (41-07, 23rd M50). Returning to fitness were Steve Kitney (43-15) and Tim Cummins (43-19), while Mike Walberton’s 43-53 was the result of him “taking it easy” after an 18 mile London Marathon training jaunt the day before. This 9th placed B team kept them 10th after six events.
Almost making the team, new member Neil Powers was delighted with a new PB of 44-39, while others supporting the club were Terry Copeland (45-34), Chris Cramp (45-58), Tim Withers (48-24, PB), Stefan Klincewicz (49-50) and Richard Sheppard (58-39).
After a cross country the previous day Jane Georghiou was pleased to head her age category and the Farnham ladies in 43-04. Emma Whittaker-Axon racing back to form recorded 44-21, with Suzanne Munton whittling away her best performance time to 49.39. The team result of fourth kept them at the top of division two but only by one point.
The B team raised the overall position by a place to 9th with a creditable 7th on the day. They were Wendy Carley (50-04), Kay Copeland (52-26), Emma Drinkwater (52-31), who just got the better of Emma Doven (52.19) on gun times on which the scores are based.
Three ladies flew the flag for Farnham at the penultimate Hampshire Cross Country League 6km race at Reading with satisfying results. They have crept up to 7th overall and second in the veterans’ section. They were Jane Georghiou (26th, 24-48), Louise James who was still recovering from a mid week race (36th, 25-45) and newcomer Jacqui Lee (53rd, 27-47).
Sarah Hill added a fine win by twenty seconds at the recent Police/RAF/fire service/civil servants cross-country at RAF Halton to her list of achievments.