SXCL Pamber Forest

A sign that winter is approaching is the start of the cross-country season. Farnham Runners travelled to the first round of the Southern Cross Country League, hosted by Basingstoke and Mid-Hants AC at the Site of Special Scientific Interest in Pamber Forest, near Tadley. Despite a fine week beforehand there were still some muddy patches so those without trail shoes now have them on their shopping list.

The course was approximately five miles through woods and fields, relatively flat for this league. Those who started at an easy pace enjoyed overtaking in the latter stages and there was the reward of hot dogs and cakes galore after the race, in the relaxed and friendly atmosphere that makes this league special.

Farnham Runners came third overall of twenty four clubs, third men’s team and fourth ladies.

Consistency is key as men’s and ladies team positions are added and ranked to give the overall tally. Leading them in was a strong Richard Lovejoy in an excellent 3rd place of the 229 male finishers. Next came James Clarke in 10th and Andrew Ellison 20th, with newcomer Tom Page picking up 27th tag on his debut. Charlie Hill-Venning was final scorer in 41st. Not far back, in support were Stuart Haig 43rd, newcomer Matthew Morgan 46th and Richard Strode 53rd.

Kayleigh Copeland forged ahead for the ladies, in 11th slot with Emma Pearson 17th and Eloise Stradling 24th, these three taking the team places ahead of Vicki Clarke 34th, Lindsay Bamford 39th, and Linda Tyler 43rd.

Providing further back-up were:

Men: Neil Ambrose 76, John Phillips 88, Terry Copeland 94, John Hill-Venning 119, Craig Tate-Grimes 159, Terry Steadman 160, Darren Carins 175, Damian Probett 181, Spencer Barfield 222.

Ladies: Jane Georghiou 58, Anne Snelson 60, Sue Taylor 69, Tara Hunt 72, Tori Shaw 78, Kay Copeland 87, Becky Martin 93, Mary Denise Fitzgerald 96, Pauline Hamilton 135, Susan McKenzie 136, Jacquie Ashley-Collins 161, Georgi Welch 165.