TRXCL Manor Farm Country Park and 2013 Annual Awards Dinner
TRXCL Manor Farm Country Park
Farnham Runners were back in action after the recent icy spell in the Today’s Runner Winter League race, hosted by Stubbington Green Runners at Manor Farm Country Park. Instead of snow the preceding week it had rained near the coast so the course of approximately 4.8 miles near the Hamble estuary had a good helping of shoe- swallowing mud, yet there were long sections of firm ground on the woodland trails. The “sting in the tail” uphill finish challenged the runners to dig deep for the final push to the line.
The first three Farnham men gained season’s best performances: Ian Carley in a fine 8th, Charles Ashby 26th and Bob Brimicombe 29th. Steve Kitney, getting back in to form took 45th slot while Terry Copeland was delighted to make the scoring team in another season’s best of 74th. Mike Taylor had to settle for 93rd and Phil Masters for 117th while Craig Tate-Grimes continued his improvment to 119th.
For the ladies Jane Georghiou in 13th finished just ahead Gabi Hitchcock, who was not at her best form, in 14th. Christy Roxburgh upped her game to make a very valuable contribution as third scorer in 27th. The enthusiastic Eloise Stradling (40th) won a battle with Kay Copeland (41st) with Nina Muir following in 63rd.
The ladies found it hard to conceal their glee when the results were announced as although both teams’ results count there is friendly rivalry between the men and ladies. They were 4th and the men 6th giving a strong combined tally of 3rd out of twenty teams behind Stubbington Green Runners and Basingstoke and Midhants AC who took joint first. FR lie in 4th place on aggregate but only two points off second so hope to rally the troops for the final race on 3rd March.
Annual Awards Dinner
The previous Saturday over 80 members attended the annual Awards Dinner held at the Frensham Pond Hotel, overcoming concerns about icy roads. Hard work by a sub committee of Becky Martin, Christy Roxburgh, Elaine and Charles Ashby and Steve Kitney ensured the success of the event.
After the dinner chairman Steve Kitney outlined the extensive number of events that the club has organised or taken part in over the last year and announced that the next member to join would be the 200th! He went on to present the numerous awards.
Sarah Hill won the Ladies’ Marathon Trophy for her new club record of 2-55-54 while Ian Carley took the men’s Paul Charlton Memorial Trophy for his time of 2-54-45. The Prince memorial trophy for ladies’ improvement in the Alice Holt 10km race between 2011 and 2012 went to delighted junior member Abigail Ashby for her improvement of 4 minutes 14 seconds. The equivalent award for the men is the Herbie Memorial Trophy. This went for the second year to an unstoppable Peter Strange, who recorded a further improvement of 4 minutes 35 secs!
For the first time there were trophies for three Grand Prix Leagues.
The cross-country awards went to Ladies: Christy Roxburgh, Gabi Hitchcock, Jane Georghiou, Lindsay Bamford, Elaine Ashby, Nina Muir, Abigail Ashby, and Beccy Martin. Men: Charles Ashby, Andrew Ellison, Bob Brimicombe, Mike Anderson, Nick Hitchcock, Charlie Hill-Venning, Steve Kitney and Richard Strode.
There were tee-shirt prizes to the four who had completed all eight Today’s Runner Winter League events this year: Elaine Ashby, Christy Roxburgh, Charles Ashby and Bob Brimicombe.
The trophies for Hampshire Road League participation and performances went to Ladies: Jane Georghiou, Wendy Carley, Gabi Hitchcock, Lindsay Bamford, Tori Shaw and Lucy Enstock. Men: Andrew Ellison, Mike Walberton, Ian Carley, Peter Strange, Martin Billett and Charles Ashby.
The third league recognised participation in local races- Ladies: Elaine Ashby, Christy Roxburgh, Tori Shaw, Jane Georghiou, Lucy Enstock, Abigail Ashby, Lindsay Bamford, Emma Drinkwater, Sally Lawrence, Shirley Perrett. Men: Chris Cramp, Alistair Wilson, Charles Ashby, Mike Ashworth, Mike Walberton, Terry Steadman, Jason East, Peter Strange, Martin Billett, Bob Brimicombe.
The unique Smiley award, crafted by previous chairman Andy Smith, went appropriately to Becky Martin for her constant cheerful smile. She was also presented with flowers for her unstinting work towards the organisation of the Awards Dinner.