HRRL Alresford 10k
The same weekend that over 40 Farnham Runners took on the challenge of running in the Endure 24, sixteen members chose the penultimate Hampshire Road League event. For the first time this was the Alresford 10km and it got the thumbs up as the scenic route was partly out and back so club members could cheer each other on as they passed. After some heavy showers before the start it stayed dry for the race and conditions were good for running. Surprisingly hilly and finishing on grass around a sports field, Farnham Runners still managed some good times and ten gained top ten age category placings in a field of 458 finishers.
James Clarke had an excellent run to come in as ninth overall and seventh in the senior men’s category with a time of 36:52. Matt Saker was a splendid third in the M50s with 37:56, while Matt Morgan, fifth M40 clocked 38:54. Still comfortably under 40 minutes was David Roy in 39:10 to complete the A team score for second in A division two. They now lie second but have a 12 point lead over the third club and so are definitely guaranteed promotion for next season.
For the B squad were Ali Hardaway in 42:55, delighted to be second M55, followed by Damian Probett just one second shy of his personal best in 44:28. Chris Cramp in 46:10 and Tim Farrant in 46:55 were final scorers for the B team giving them seventh on the day and keeping them mid table on aggregate.
Clive Frostick raced to 54:14 in his first 10km, followed by fifth M65, Mike Dunkley in 61:29 and third M75 Douglas Blyth in 61:59. Although this made an incomplete C team it came a very useful fifth of nineteen club teams in this division and kept the team seventh.
Getting back to racing, Emma Russ led in the Farnham ladies, clocking 48:05 as 24th lady. First in her F65 was Jane Georghiou in 50:33 (winning some beer from a local brewery), with Kay Copeland final A scorer and second F55 in 53:27. This team placed fifth in A division one, raising the team to fourth.
Tina Harrison recorded 58:25 while Jane Probett gained a PB of 58:48. Although an incomplete team it came ninth of 15 clubs in the division keeping them tenth.