Runners impress at Southern Cross Country League season opener

Farnham Runners group before the start of the 2024 SXCL cross country race at Silchester

Although there was no sunshine, there were ideal conditions the next Sunday for the first of the Southern League cross-country series, expertly staged by Basingstoke and Mid Hants AC in the forest near Silchester. It was a new route and though largely on gravel trails it featured a number of hills, while some single track muddy paths and even river crossings added to the challenge.

Farnham Runners made a sound start with an overall position of 8th out of 22 clubs, the men finishing 6th and the ladies 8th. There was a great turn-out of 43 runners from the club.

Joe Collins and Liam McMurray put in splendid performances for 3rd and 5th placings of over 200 men. Next came Daniel Bailey, a very useful 45th, and Sam Angell, 72nd, to complete the team score. Nick Grist was just denied a team place in 73rd. Colin Addison 83rd, newcomer Charlie Walters 87th, Ivan Chunnett 91st and Charles Ashby 96th all made the top 100.

The ladies were led in by Linda Tyler, in 33rd, amazingly just 8 days after a 50-mile ultra-marathon on the Gower Peninsular. Candy Waller in 38th had run a half marathon the day before! Bridget Naylor in 44th and Sarah Franklin in 55th did a great job for the team of four. Lizzie Morgan in her first race in Farnham colours was just behind in 56th.

Also in the top 100 ladies were Gemma Whitehouse 67th, Gill Iffland 73rd, Kay Copeland 83rd, Kelly Lincoln 94, Tori Shaw 95th, Colette Grist 99th and Lizzie Collins 100th.

After the race, the host club provided a very welcome lunch of hot dog, cake and a drink, proceeds from this and the parking fee going to the Silchester Association.

Others to enjoy the race were Men: Harvey Wickham, Stephen Buckmaster, Justin Clarke, Steve Bailey, Mike Carter, James Goodwin, Chris Raby, Chris Gill, Terry Steadman, Jonathan Tyler, Craig Tate-Grimes. Ladies: Sandra Hickey, Jane Georghiou, Penny Schnabel, Laylan Pointon-Berkowitz, Tina Longman, Nicola O’Connor, Jackie Wilkinson, Sue McKenzie, Ros Lankester, Georgi Welch and Carolyn Wickham.