HRRL Solent Half Marathon, Berlin Marathon and Bournemouth Marathon Festival

Solent Half Marathon

Fourteen Farnham Runners travelled to the second round of the Hampshire Road League series, the Solent Half marathon. They had to endure running the 13.1 miles in rain throughout and warm and humid conditions but were rewarded with a solid set of results for their A and B teams.

Third in the M50 category was Matt Saker who recorded an impressive 1hour 25 minutes 23 seconds as 34th finisher. Next were Harvey Wickham in 1:32:09 and Neil Ambrose in 1:34:36. Steve Bailey and John Phillips finished in an exciting sprint finish, impossible to tell who had won. They were given the same gun time of 1:35:28 but Steve (with a chip time of 1:35:20) appears first in the results to complete the A’s score to place them a worthy seventh in the competitive top division. They now lie 6th after two of the twelve races.

John Phillips had to be content to lead in the B string, chip time 1:35:23, followed by Ali Hardaway, third M55 in 1:37:22, Tim Farrant in 1:38:26 and Ian Loader in 2:18:11. This gave them twelfth on the day but they lie 7th on aggregate.

After competing in the 5km Alice Holt Forest race the previous day, Louise Granell used this as part of her training for the forthcoming Bournemouth marathon and clocked a fine 1:38:22 as fourth senior lady. Linda Tyler, also running at Bournemouth, was delighted to win her F55 category in 1:41:41, while Anne Snelson was final A scorer in 1:55:25. This team equalled the seventh place of the first event.

The B squad came ninth and now lie eighth. Clair Bailey led them in, with 2:04:32. Tina Harrison crossed the line in 2:05:49, while Jane Probett gained a new personal best of 2:09:47.

Berlin Marathon

Farnham Runner Stephen Tarrant took on the challenge was pleased to finish under the 4 hour target in 3:58:33.

Bournemouth Marathon Festival

Farnham Runners had some excellent results at this event. They all battled against a stiff headwind along the sea front in one direction.

In her first race in club colours after a break, Gabriella Hitchcock was 23rd lady and fourth F40 in a splendid 3:35:06. Not far behind was Louise Granell in 3:35:33, in the top ten of the senior ladies, while Linda Tyler clinched second F55 in 3:55:57.

In the half marathon Sarah Hill was third lady in an enviable 1:23:36 after less training than usual (first F45). Emma Pearson recorded a new personal best of 1:34:33, as 6th lady in this category.