HRRL Netley 10k

After a huge turn-out at the Alton Ten the previous week just eleven Farnham Runners made the long journey to the coast for the Netley 10km, the tenth event of twelve in the Hampshire Road League. The three lap route in the Royal Victoria Country Park on the eastern shore of Southampton water is fairly flat but includes a noticeable incline at the start of each lap and its sharp turns also slow times.

Although the men’s A squad sat on top of Division Two, a third place here has seen them drop to third on aggregate, so men’s captain John Phillips is massing his troops for the final two races. There are just three clubs in contention for the two promotional spots, Isle of Wight Road Runners with 17 points, Salisbury A.C. with 19 and Farnham Runners with 20, so it’s all very close.

James Clarke led in the team with an impressive 36 minute 36 seconds as 15th finisher in a field of over 500. Ali Hardaway clocked 41:58 as 4th M50, followed by James Bracey on 42:39 and John Phillips in 44:16, with Tim Cummins in support with 45:19.

Emma Russ led in the Farnham ladies in 45:04, with Linda Tyler gaining a new personal best and top W55 prize in 45:49. Eloise Stradling completed the A team result in 49:17. This gave them sixth place in the top flight and keeps them a safe eighth of ten clubs in the division. Anne Snelson headed the B trio in 50:09, Jane Georghiou came next in 51:57 with Helen Bracey in a new personal best 56:28, for eighth slot in the top B division.