Hayling 10 course proves a trial – but races in Greece and Swansea were even more of a challenge
HRRL Hayling 10
After two years of cancellations due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, the Hayling 10 mile race, organised by Havant A.C., returned in November 2022. It was the third race of the Hampshire Road League 12 race series, although it is classified as a Multi-terrain race because 1.5 miles of it is along a disused railway track, the Billy Trail.
With someone describing the rain as “biblical” for the whole journey there, the race perhaps didn’t seem as inviting as when the runners had entered! Everyone was soaked before the start but then thankfully the rain stopped.
Conditions underfoot on Billy Trail were very wet and muddy, and it was impossible to dodge the large puddles, especially as runners were going in both directions along an out and back section.
Even so Farnham Runners clocked some impressive times with three gaining personal bests and Louise Granell and Linda Tyler finishing among the prize-winners.
James Clarke led them all in at a cracking sub hour pace of 58:55, as 17th overall finisher of over 550. Matt Saker was 4th in a very competitive M50 group, recording 1:00:40. James Robinson was close behind in 1:01:12, with Chris Matthews being the final A team scorer in 1:04:57. This team clinched an excellent third place in the top A division.
Nick Grist (1:07:12), Chris Raby (1:09:20, 5th M60), Tony Jones (1:11:11) and men’s captain Justin Clarke (1:11:28, 9th M60) formed the B team that came 6th.
The C team placed 2nd and they were Matthew Wernham (1:11:51, 10th M60), Ivan Chunnett (1:12:28), Richard Denby (1:14:04) and Stephen Dick (1:15:32). Just out of a team place was Terry Copeland in 1:17:39.
First for the Farnham ladies was Louise Granell in 1:13:14, winning the 3rd F35 prize. Then came 2nd F60, Linda Tyler in 1:17:26. Victoria Dick (1:23:02) and Frances Lethbridge in her first 10 miler, (1:29:45) completed the A team score for 7th in the top division.
Colette Grist (1:34:39), Penny Schnabel (1:41:04), Catherine Wernham (1:43:12) and Meg Grocott (1:47:40) made up a very useful B team that was 6th, followed by Nicola O’Connor in 1:51:23 and Julia Tagg in 2:09:00.
After the race four of the ladies were all set for a dip in the sea, but it was just too rough, so they opted for a well-deserved lunch instead!
Snowdonia Eryi Road Marathon
The previous weekend Lindsay Bamford, Victoria Dick, Catherine and Matthew Wernham and Linda Tyler completed the challenging Snowdonia Eryi Road Marathon.
Linda commented:
“This has to be my favourite road marathon so far – epic scenery, gruelling hills, wonderful Welsh hospitality, a brutal descent to finish and weather, lots of weather!!”
Matthew Wernham was a full 20 minutes ahead of his nearest rival in 3:41:49 to win the M65 category. Linda Tyler was 3rd F60 in 4:23:55, with Victoria Dick following in 4:38:39 and Lindsay Bamford and Catherine Wernham in 5:00:05 and 5:45:13.
Other Farnham Runners have also completed the 26.2 mile distance, with some going even further.
Dublin Marathon
Laura Quinn travelled to Dublin and was pleased to overcome an injury to finish in 4:27:24. She plans to be back after more consistent training next year.
Greece – the original marathon
Hannah Skardon was in Greece for the first and original marathon. She describes it:
“The course is uphill from the 10 km mark to the 31 km mark – the toughest uphill climb of any major marathon! It begins in the town of Marathon and finishes in Athens.”
In temperatures of around 22 degrees, very warm for running, she recorded a very commendable time of 3:40:23.
Druids Challenge
Emma Pearson ran the second day of the Druids Challenge ultra, 27.6 miles along the Ridgeway. She reports:
“I ran with two friends who were using it as a training run for a 100 miler, so at lovely relaxed pace.”
She finished in 5:00:58 and was joint 5th lady and 3rd F40.
Centurion Running Grand Slam
Meanwhile Sarah Hill took on the challenge of the Centurion Running Grand Slam, 4 x 50 mile races, even though she has been battling an ankle injury. She writes:
“I found all 4 races were hard work but on Saturday I did my hardest race of my life, Wendover Woods – 5 x 10 mile laps with 10000ft elevation. At mile 30 I almost gave up but the volunteers gave me huge encouragement and somehow I got the last 20 miles done, even though it was in the dark and I am petrified of the dark! So thank you so much Centurion Running for an amazing event.”