Virtual events are keeping the Runners busy

With running groups restricted to a maximum of two and no races allowed, Farnham Runners’ members, have taken part in a number of virtual races. These involve running a fixed distance over a course chosen and timed by the runner.

England Athletics Virtual Road Relay

Farnham Runners entered a full team of 8 in the competitive England Athletics Virtual Road Relay qualifying round and were pleased to come in the top 100 clubs. Mixed teams of eight (4 x men / 4 x women) were required to complete legs of five miles per runner.

Hamish Maclean in 28:27, James Clarke in 28:29 and Nik Darlington in 29:30 put in very strong performances for the club, while Chris Cramp, who encouraged the team to take part, was final men’s scorer in 36:18. Gabriella Hitchcock led the ladies’ contingent in 33:50, with Becky Starbuck in 38:47, Linda Tyler in 40:54 and Kate Townsend in 43:41.
The team placed 97th. The top 50 teams will go on to a National Round while the final will be a chance to represent England against teams from the other Home Countries.

Virtual Salisbury 10 miles

In late 2021 ten Farnham Runners completed the virtual Salisbury 10 miles, the original event having been scheduled for March 2020. All were rewarded with the finishers’ medal and T shirt as for the normal race and the results were published on the website of the organising club, City of Salisbury A.C.

There was a high entry of 461 and Farnham Runners gained some good age category positions among their ten entries.

James Clarke came fifth overall in an excellent time of 1:00:58 and was second M35. Kayleigh Copeland was fourth senior lady with 1:20:18, Jane Georghiou first F65 in 1:29:43, while Kay Copeland and Linda Tyler were third and fourth F60 with 1:32:09 and 1:34:29 respectively.

Other times: Steve Bailey 1:23:00, 20th M40, David Cartwright-Forbes 1:24:00, 23rd M35, Damian Probett 1:27:13, 12th M55, Becky Starbuck 1:30:45, 15th F35, Clair Bailey 1:36:57 17th F40.

Not Stubbington Green 10km

Finally, 42 members took part in the second of Farnham Runners’ own virtual substitute Hampshire Road League event, the ‘Not’ Stubbington Green 10km, which will give runners points in the club’s Not Grand Prix series.

Many, but not all, chose a fairly flat and fast course. A few gained personal best times. The spread of times showed that the event, which could be completed at any time over nine days, attracted the whole range of the club’s membership both in pace and age, from 34 to over 90 minutes and from age 24 to 77.

2021 Not Stubbington Green 10k - Billy McCulloch and Linda Tyler after their run their virtual race 2021 Not Stubbington Green 10k - Jane Georghiou snapped in full flight by Sue Taylor running her virtual race 2021 Not Stubbington Green 10k - Jane Probett in a Stubbington Green 10km T shirt for the virtual race 2021 Not Stubbington Green 10k - Linda Tyler left and Billy McCulloch after their virtual race

2021 Not Stubbington Green 10k - Damian Probett, in suitable attire after his virtual race

The times of the first 10 men and ladies were:

Men – Hamish Maclean 34:05, Nik Darlington 35:30 (PB) Nick Hitchcock 40:47, Jack Freguson 42.05 (PB), Neil Ambrose 43:40, Charles Ashby 44:28, Chris Cramp 46:35, Damian Probett 46:48, Ali Hardaway 47:03, James Goodwin 47:32, PB.

Ladies – Gabriella Hitchcock 43:18, Kayleigh Copeland 45:42, Linda Tyler 49:23, Sarah McCulloch 49:24, Sue Taylor 49:36 (PB), Catherine Timson 49:55, Lindsay Bamford 50:14, Jane Georghiou 53:22, Kay Copeland 56:35, Kate Townsend 58:50, Clair Bailey 58:52.