HRRL Salisbury 10 miles and various marathons
HRRL Salisbury 10 miles
With the Eastleigh 10km postponed due to snow, the Salisbury ten miler was the first Hampshire Road League race since the Ryde Ten in February. Eighteen Farnham Runners made the journey but mist and rain obscured the normal views from this scenic route, though some found the light drizzle refreshing.
With the Eastleigh 10km rescheduled for June there are still four league events remaining and Farnham Runners ladies A and B strings look safe to remain in the top divisions while both the men’s As and Bs are hopeful of promotion back to the top flight.
In good form Matt Saker gained an excellent 6th M40 place in 1hour 1 minute 46 seconds, 39th finisher of 774. Matthew Morgan secured the second team slot in a fine 1:03:00. Returning to club racing Rob Gilchrist made a very valuable contribution in 1:04:23. Charles Ashby, after a high mileage week and a long run the day before, tried to keep him in sight to produce a strong 1:05:10 showing for 9th M50. This team placed 2nd in Division Two, keeping 2nd on aggregate but just two points above closest rivals, Isle of Wight Road Runners.
Harvey Wickham improving in every race recorded a personal best 1:05:56.
James Clarke took a steady pace before his marathon just six days away for 1:07:43, followed by Ali Hardaway 1:12:26 and Chris Cramp 1:15:01. This B team came second in B Division One and stay top after eight events, with a much safer margin of seven points above the second club and ten points above the third.
Tim Farrant supported in 1:16:01.
A strong ladies trio of Emma Pearson in a personal best 1:12:27, Emma Russ 1:15:12 and Eloise Stradling 1:16:05 gave the As 7th place on the day and 8th on aggregate but with a very safe 16 points away from a relegation slot.
A 10th place for the Bs was achieved by good performances from Sarah McCulloch, 1:21:15 Anne Snelson, 1:23:16 and Victoria Gow 1:50:18 to keep a safe mid-table position. Not far behind were Jackie Wilkinson 1:50:50 and Susan MacKenzie 1:52:39 who made up an incomplete C team that came a valuable 6th of 15 clubs in B Division Two.
Brighton Marathon
Nine Farnham Runners completed the Brighton marathon this year, as a number of places were allocated to the club. Conditions were ideal, after the very warm conditions of last year.
Ali Hardaway and Harvey Wickham crossed the line together, both very pleased with times of 3:34:22 and 3:34:23 respectively. Ali, with just eight weeks training after a back injury, was well within his realistic target time. It was Harvey’s fifth marathon, but the first since joining Farnham Runners and his 27 minute personal best he attributed partly to advice about speed and training from members of the club.
Next back was Paul Mackie who was delighted with a five minute personal best of 3:37:46. Michael Stevens achieved a creditable 3:44:00 in his first attempt at the distance. Again he thanked members for all the help and advice he had been given. He raised almost £1,300 for the NSPCC through sponsorship.
Mike Taylor in his 26th marathon was next back in 3:54:42, while Keith Marshall heroically fought off an injury but still managed 3:59:05 in his first attempt at the distance.
Long standing member Steve Murphy recorded 4:27:35 while Spencer Barfield gave assistance to someone on the way round to clock 4:31:09. A fine 11th of 27 in the M70 category came Philip Masters in 4:54:30, raising £300 for Get Kids Going.
Other marathons
The previous day, James Clarke chose the Great Welsh Marathon in Llanelli for his second marathon. He enjoyed the course, though it was very windy. He claimed a PB by about a minute with an excellent 3:05:26 and 8th place.
Linda Tyler represented the club in the Paris Marathon recording an impressive time of 3:50:02.
Susie Marsden, with her husband Shaun, has recently completed her fourth Marathon des Sables, billed one of the toughest foot races in the world.