HRRL Lordshill 10K, South Downs relays, Three Peaks Challenge and other races

HRRL Lordshill 10K

The final race of the Hampshire Road Race League, a new event in the calendar, proved popular with Farnham Runners. Twenty members travelled to the Lordshill 10k near Southampton and gave a thumbs up to the course which included an out and back section where they could give each other a cheer as they passed. After the recent heat wave, conditions were much cooler and pleasant for running.

The ladies put out strong teams to keep both their A and B in the A and B top divisions. The ladies As were the third team in the Hampshire Road League top flight and delighted to finish an impressive fifth at the final tally.
The trio consisted of Emma Pearson, improving with every race and getting closer to her potential with a personal best by over a minute for 43 minutes 37 seconds, ninth in her category and 21st lady of 201, Kayleigh Copeland in 44:40, ninth senior lady and Eloise Stradling, tenth senior lady in 44:50.

Without full teams in some previous races, the Bs risked relegation but a strong showing here saved them for B division one next year. They were sixth of fifteen, pulling up the final placing to twelfth. They were led in by Charlotte Hanson, returning to road racing with 45:10. Next Lindsay Bamford ran a steady pace for 47:00, followed by an improving Tara Hunt in a PB 47:53, whose strong finish clinched her B team place just ahead of Jane Georghiou (47:51, chip time, 4th W55). For the C team Jane was backed up by Kay Copeland in 52:03, (8th W55) and Pauline Hamilton in 57:29, PB. This team came sixth of fifteen but could not avoid the Cs going down to B division two next season. In support was Tina Harrison returning after injury in 58:48.

The men were led in by James Clarke, 43rd, in a fine 38:10. Backed up by Neil Ambrose (41:29), Tim Cummins (41:41) and Alistair Hardaway (41:46, 10th M50) but up against the stiff competition in A Division One they could not avoid relegation to the second division this year. They hope for promotion again next season and are heartened by Farnham Runners’ consistently high position among the three A divisions in the league.

Men’s captain John Phillips (42:44) led in the B squad which placed eighth in their table, He was followed by Terry Copeland (42:58), Keith Marshall (43:23, PB) and Chris Cramp (43:32, PB). Craig Tate-Grimes (48:14, PB) and Robert Drummond (1:01:36, 6th M70) ran in support but without enough for a C team. The Bs will go down to B division 2 for next year.

Seven members completed at least seven Hampshire races to appear in the final individual table. They were – Men: James Clarke 22nd, Neil Ambrose 68th, Alistair Hardaway 88th, John Phillips 93rd, Chris Cramp 116th , Ladies: Eloise Stradling 15th, Jane Georghiou 39th.

South Downs relay races

Farnham Runners have also taken part in two relays on the South Downs recently.

Relay of 100miles

The first was a very tough but rewarding day for six Farnham Runners in the Relay of 100miles from Beachy Head to Winchester, the team comprising captain Matt Dellar, Colin Addison, Rob Gilchrist, Michael Haines, Richard Lovejoy and James Warren, with Craig Tate-Grimes performing the essential role as driver of the minibus. Their day began before 5am and finished after 10pm but the team spirit made this a special event for them. They were delighted to improve on their time last year, clocking 11 hours 48 minutes and come tenth of 30 clubs.

South Downs Marathon Relay Race

Four Farnham ladies – Kay Copeland, Clair Bailey, Lindsey Bamford and Linda Tyler – took part in the South Downs Marathon (26.2 mile) Relay Race. In soaring temperatures and following a tough course, involving around 5000 feet of elevation, they completed the 26.2 miles in 4 hours, 2 minutes and 30 seconds, and were the overall third Ladies’ Team.

Three Peaks Challenge

A group of eight Farnham Runners used their fitness from running to complete the Three Peaks Challenge, an endurance hiking and driving event where the participants ascend and descend the highest mountain in Scotland, England and Wales (Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon), in under 24 hours. They were Ian Marshall (organiser), Rob Gilchrist, Ben Roseveare, Mark Maxwell, Tim Farrant, Jeremy Skedge, Neil Ambrose and John Phillips and their total time was 23 hours and 17 minutes. They completed Ben Nevis in 3 hours 53 mins, Scafell Pike in 2 hours 56 mins and Snowdon in 3 hours 58 mins.

Other races

Sarah Hill broke the lady’s course record in the two day 70 mile ultra-marathon following the coastal path on the Isle of Wight.

Sarah Hill also came second lady, eighth overall with 3:37:38, in the off-road Hampshire Hoppit Marathon, on a very hot day, despite inadvertently adding 1.5 miles to the distance. Sean Smith was first M50 in 3:49:52.

Sean Smith finished second Male Solo in a 24hour in the Harwich 24 Hour completing 107 miles in 23hours on a very tough, hilly course.

Will Sweeney, with a PB 3:39:51, was second of 61 finishers in the New Forest Festival of Running 50km.