HRRL Alton 10, Netley 10k, Alresford 10k, and Lordshill 10k road races, and the Woodland Woggle, Elstead Marathon and other events
Hampshire Road Race League (HRRL)
Final report after Alton 10, Netley 10k, Alresford 10k and Lordshill 10k races
Farnham Runners were delighted when the final team results for both men and ladies in the Hampshire Road Race League were finalised. The men’s A and B teams will go up to the top divisions for next season and the ladies finished mid-table in the top A and B divisions. The men’s and ladies’ team captains, Justin Clarke and Jane Georghiou congratulated all who had taken part in any of the races to support the club.
The men’s A2 team finished 2nd /10 teams with two teams getting promoted. Although Bournemouth A.C. overtook them in the final race by coming top, Farnham were 16 points above the third team.
The B2 team finished top of 13 clubs and so will be presented with a trophy at one of the events next season.
The C team finished 7th/10 clubs.
The ladies A1 finished 6th/10 clubs, while the B1 team placed 5th/10 and the C team are 4th/8 clubs.
Linda Tyler has the incredible achievement of running in all 12 races and will be rewarded with a suitable T shirt from the league. She was first lady back for Farnham in 8 of the races and 2nd in 3, so gave a huge boost to the team.
She will top the Farnham ladies ranking on the much-prized mugs for those who have run at least 7 of the races, in 18th place, followed by Candy Waller 27th, Bridget Naylor 30th, Gemma Whitehouse 40th, Jane Georghiou 41st and Colette Grist 45th/87 in all.
The top Farnham man is Ivan Chunnett 51st, with Tony Jones 54th, Richard Denby 57th, Justin Clarke 71st, Chris Raby 73rd, James Goodwin 77th and Andy Brown 79th, Chris Gill 119th/135.
The final four races were the Alton 10, Netley 10km, Alresford 10km and Lordshill 10km.
Alton 10
Twenty-nine Farnham Runners took part in the annual Alton ten miler. Although the race started at 9:30 conditions were tough as the day was unexpectedly warm and sunny. The hilly and scenic route offered very little shade, so times were slower as a result. For some Farnham Runners it was their first 10 miler while a couple improved on their previous 10 mile best time. Seven were in the top three of their age category.
First back was Joe Collins in a splendid time of 1:03:41, 15th of 369 finishers.
The men’s A team was completed by Jamie Lyons in 1:10:42, Tony Jones in 1:11:46, and Ivan Chunnett in 1:12:09.
Dominic Fry in 1:13:39 led the B team in his first 10 mile race, followed by Richard Denby in 1:15:45, James Goodwin in 1:19:17 and Chris Raby, 2nd M65 in 1:20:22.
The C team comprised Stephen Tarrant in 1:21:58, Matt Gibbons in 1:29:53 both in their first attempt at the distance with Stephen Buckmaster in 1:32:52 and Howard Inns in 1:40:45 as final scorers. Chris Gill clocked 1:46:40 and Andy Brown 1:47:51.
Leza Milligan led in the Farnham ladies in a fine1:20:16 with Emma Dawson (3rd F50) in 1:21:19, Linda Tyler (2nd F60) in 1:23:36 and Candy Waller (2nd F55) in a new PB of 1:23:41.
The B team was made up of Bridget Naylor (3rd F55) in 1:28:01, Billy McCulloch in 1:30:02, Lindsay Bamford in 1:30:41 and Gemma Whitehouse in 1:32:49.
The C team was Meg Grocott in a PB by 10 minutes in 1:32:52. Colette Grist in 1:33:58 less than a week after completing an ultra, Jane Georghiou (1st F70) in 1:35:12 and Kelly Lincoln in 1:35:29.
Penny Schnabel (2nd F65) in 1:48:37, Julia Tagg in 1:48:41 and Pauline Hamilton in 2:14:18 also completed the challenge, Julia and Pauline just three weeks after the London Marathon.
Some met up at a local hostelry for much needed refreshment after the race.
Netley 10km
The following week, nineteen club members shared lifts to the 10th event of 12 in the Hampshire Road League, organised for the first time by Netley Abbey Runners. On a much cooler day, this Netley 10km involved three laps around the Royal Victoria Country Park, with some unexpected sections on a muddy track this year.
Again Joe Collins led in the Farnham contingent, 16th to cross the line in 36:17. Despite the muddy sections others to gain PBs were Ivan Chunnett, Tony Jones and Lizzie Collins. Tony Jones was 3rd M55, Chris Raby 2nd M65, Linda Tyler 2nd F60, Candy Waller 2nd F55, Bridget Naylor 3rd F55, Jane Georghiou 1st F70 and Penny Schnabel 3rd F65.
Alresford 10km
The Alresford 10km was also held on a very warm and sunny morning.
Lizzie May put in a superb performance to place as 6th lady, 3rd senior lady and first Farnham Runner with a time of 40:53 over the undulating course. Chris Raby was next in 44:09, 3nd M60.
Farnham age category prize-winners were Linda Tyler and Jane Georghiou each receiving a hamper of local produce and Candy (2nd F55) Waller being presented with a box of locally made chocolates. All finishers were given a bag of the Alresford watercress and some local biscuits instead of the usual medal.
Lordshill 10km
Lizzie May again led in the Farnham contingent in the final race, the Lordshill 10km near Southampton. She was 15th lady, 10th senior lady and clocked a new PB of 39:40. Sam Angell was next in 40:57 while Dominic Fry’s 41:57 gave him a PB by 3 minutes. Candy Waller, Harry May, Marina Greig and Joe Higgins also gained PBs. Linda Tyler and Jane Georghiou were again first in their categories.
Woodland Wogggle
On the same day as the Alton 10 race, the Woodland Woggle 10km, with stunning views of the bluebell woods of the Hampton Estate and over Puttenham Common was the choice for fourteen Farnham Runners.
Organised by Blackwater Valley Runners it started later but runners were in the shade a lot more than for the Alton 10. Bob Brimicombe was 14th to cross the line, as 2nd M60. Next Farnham Runner was Sarah Franklin, followed by 2nd F70 Chris Jackson.
Elstead Marathon
Two days before the Lordshill 10k, a huge group of Farnham Runners joined the ever-popular Elstead “marathon” organised by Elstead Scouts. This race started in 1912 and has been going almost every year since, its 5.5 miles finishing just after it’s crossing of the River Wey.
Other events
Farnham Runner summer programme has featured a number of popular events for all standards of runner, including:
- a talk by member and Paralympian Rachel Morris
- a run back along the St Swithun’s Way from Alton
- a Hash run
- the Club Championship
At the recent Farnham Carnival a contingency from the club supported and walked alongside Paralympian and guest of honour Rachel Morris, also joined by some young people representing her charity FIT.