2016 Club Championship and other recent races

2016 Club Championship runners setting watches before the start 2016 Club Championship Absolute Beginners group with Peter Strange

The forecast of light rain didn’t dampen the spirits of Farnham Runners at their annual Club Championship.

Sixty members completed the traditional challenging hilly mixed road and off road route of almost 10km while thirteen ran the 5km route. Eight of the “Absolute Beginners” who started training with the club in April chose the 10km.

Expertly organised by race director Craig Tate-Grimes assisted by Cyra Parkes, the race could not have gone ahead without numerous volunteers, who gave up their time and chance of running to help stage the event.

Apart from the overall men’s and ladies’ Champions trophies, the age group shields were also keenly contested with many previous winners taking part.

Richard Lovejoy clinched a comfortable victory overall in an impressive time of 35 minutes 49 seconds. Senior winner in 2013, he deducted almost two minutes from this previous best. Also in the senior category, next Charlie Hill-Venning put in a strong performance for 37:40. Three-time overall winner Ian Carley added 2016 to his tally of five previous M40 wins with an excellent 37:50, as third senior James Clarke came just three seconds back in 37:53.

After minimal training, Andrew Ellison was delighted to achieve a high place with 38:23, second in the M40 category ahead of third M40 Stuart Williamson in 39:11. A jubilant Mike Walberton gave his all for his third M50 win in 40.31, fearing a late surge from Charles Ashby (2nd M50, 41:48). Third and fourth M50s had their own battle (Ali Hardaway 42:02 and Terry Copeland 42:06). Regular age group winner, Terry Steadman took the M60 title in 47:25, with Howard Inns second in 51:57. Robert Drummond was delighted to win the M70 shield in 60:25.

The first five ladies all won their age categories. Sarah Hill dominated the ladies’ race for the seventh time, her 38:04 placing her fifth overall and first F40. Eloise Stradling recorded her fourth consecutive Under 23 win with 44:32. Kayleigh Copeland took the senior title in 46:00, followed by first F55, Jane Georghiou in 46:53 and first F45 Lindsay Bamford in 47:12. The next four all took second in their categories: Senior Vicki Clarke 47:35, F35 Tara Hunt 49:00, F45 Sarah McCulloch 49:03 and F55 Kay Copeland 50:29, while next Emma Dawson was 3rd F35 (51:31) and Anne Snelson 3rd F45 (52:14).

Carol Dare won the 5km race in 29:28, followed by Sally Anne North (30:02) and David Cull (30:22).

Before presenting the 10k trophies, chairman Richard Sheppard thanked all those who made the evening a success, including social secretary Jacquie Browne who organised the very popular hog roast.

Other 10km times and awards

Men

Rob Gilchrist 39:25, Stuart Haig 39:52, Stuart Taylor 40:02, Neil Ambrose 40:40, Tim Cummins 40:44, Matt Dellar 41:33, Richard Strode 42:00, Ian Marshall 42:13, John Phillips 42:30 John Hill-Venning 43:50, Jim Porter 44:01, Steve Bailey 45:12, Chris Cramp 45:20, John Walker 45:44, Martin Billett 45:50, Paul Mackie 46:13, Oliver Drewery 46:48, Darren Carins 47:36, Simon Brander 49:31, Paul Day 50:15, Ian Loader 62:56 (Absolute Beginner), Dan Smith (Sweeper).

Ladies

Becky Martin 52:49, Tina Harrison 52:52, Sue Taylor 52:59, Hannah Sainsbury AB 53:52, Louise Binning AB 54:18, Yvette Gariazzo AB 57:18, Jane Porter AB 1:03:13, Ali Welch AB 1:05:08, Jacquie Browne 1:10:06, Carolyn Wickham AB 1:10:07, Lisa Chadwick AB 1:10:08, Helen Bracey 1:10:09, Susie Chan (Sweeper).

5km

Victoria Gow 33:15, Catherine Warrington 33:22, Nicky Brander 38:54, Tarryn Chalmers 38:55, Georgi Robinson-Welch 41:17, Tracy Holmes 41:18, Jackie Wilkinson 41:19, Danilelle Maunder 41:26, Richard Sheppard 41:26, Elizabeth Leppe-Williams 48:18.

Absolute Beginners

Co-ordinator of the “Absolute Beginners” this year, Peter Strange presented medals to all those who had completed the course, as well as some special awards:-

  • To those who had attended all 20 sessions: Yvette Gariazzo, Hannah Sainsbury and Liz Lepine-Williams.
  • For the fastest time trail: Hannah Sainsbury.
  • For the most improved time trial: Laura Bentley. For the most glamorous: Shereen Atkinson.

Bake-off

The “Bake –off” prizes went to Yvette Gariazzo (senior) while Tom Bailey (aged 6) retained his junior title.

Other recent races

Susie Chan came an awe-inspiring third lady in the incredibly challenging 230km Jungle Ultra in Peru, organised by “Beyond the Ultimate”.

Stuart Haig finished in a splendid time of 3:16:37 in the inaugural trail “Hampshire Hoppit” marathon organised by Basingstoke and Mid Hants A.C., 5th of 182 finishers. Members Geoff (4:49:20) and Kathy Brown (6:29:14) and Hillary Carter (4:53:05) also completed this challenging marathon.

Mike Walberton won the M50 category at the Alresford 10km in 41:27, 20th of 322.