Farnham Runners stage successful 2024 Club Championship
There was an excellent turn-out for the Farnham Runners Club Championship 10km race, held on its usual end of June Wednesday evening. Competitors battled for every one of the twelve age group trophies this year.
The day was unexpectedly warm and so the time was delayed by 20 minutes to 7:30. A water station that the runners passed twice was very much appreciated while Carolyn Wickham also brought along a water spray – a “life-saver” in the conditions.
The event was expertly organised by the club’s race director, Craig Tate-Grimes, helped by Chris Gill, Mark Maxwell and Linda Tyler who had put out so many signs and arrows that no-one could possibly get lost. Fortunately by the evening the traditional route of approximately 10km was mostly in the shade.
Joe Collins battled with James Robinson to be the overall winner in 36:53, with James just 8 seconds behind. Both were in the senior men’s category.
Chris Matthews was next in the M40 age group in 40:39, followed by the young U23 Daniel Bailey who showed his potential in 41:04.
Other category winners were Colin Addison, 1st M60 in 43:36, Andy Brown 1st M50 in 46:57, and Terry Steadman 1st M70 in 1:04:18.
Lizzie May, in the senior category was a comfortable winner of the ladies trophy in a splendid time of 42:21.
Next came 2nd senior, Kayleigh Copeland in 44:00, with 3rd senior Phoebe Thomas not far behind in 44:16. Leza Milligan took the F45 trophy in 44:28, with Louise Granell 1st F35 in 49:34, Linda Tyler 1st F55 in 49:53, Anna Buckmaster 1st U23 in 56:11 and Jane Georghiou 1st F65 in 59:09.
Others who completed the challenging course(showing the first three age-category positions) : Men: Nick Grist 2nd M40 42:01, Dominic Fry 2nd U23 44:02, Sam Angell 3rd senior 44:05, Paul Keogh 2nd M60 46:00, Tony Jones 3rd M60 46:32, Steve Bailey 3rd M40 47:12, James Goodwin 2nd M50 47:19, Justin Clarke 4th M60 47:23, Robert Drummond 2nd M70 1:16:46.
Ladies: Emma Dawson 2nd F45 47:15, Emma Pearson (2nd claim member) 47:38, Sue Taylor 3rd F45 50:05, Candy Waller 2nd F55 50:26, Billy McCulloch 3rd F55 51:15, Lindsay Bamford 53:59, Gemma Whitehouse 2nd F35, 57:39, Laylan Pointon-Berkowitz 2nd U23F, 58:57, Kay Copeland 1:00:13, Becky Martin 1:00:35, Gill Iffland 1:02:07 3rd F35, , Meg Grocott 1:02:07, Colette Grist 1:02:36, Sandra Hickey 1:03:16, Debbie Moorcroft 1:04:49, Julia Tagg 2nd F65 1:08:29.
Lina Haines and Tori Shaw took on the essential role of tail runners. Nicola O’Connor co-ordinated the results, while Carolyn Wickham and Pauline Hamilton collected the signs after the race.
Chairman Nicola O’Connor thanked Craig and all the marshals and helpers and congratulated the runners for completing the race in tough conditions, before presenting the championship trophies.
She was also pleased to award second claim member Emma Pearson with the ladies’ marathon trophy which she won in 2022 and 2023, her times in the London marathon under 3:15 both years.
Most stayed on to enjoy a shared picnic and drinks at the clubhouse on the Bourne Green.