HRRL Totton and Overton, and the Pilgrim full and half marathons
HRRL Totton 10k
Farnham Runners have been racing again with the first of the season’s Hampshire Road Race League, the Totton 10km, a new addition to the league. Conditions were good but the runners found it undulating. First back for the club was Alex Elsey, followed by Sam Angell, Keith Marshall (2nd M60), and Ivan Chunnett for the A team. Dominic Fry and Christopher Allen completed the line-up.
For the A ladies’ team were Gabriella Hitchcock, Linda Tyler (1st F60 with a new club F65 record), Georgina Abrook and Colette Grist, followed by Sandra Hickey and Debbie Moorcroft.
HRRL Overton 5
The next Hampshire Road Race was the following week, the Overton 5, when the sky clouded over to keep temperatures lower. Many of the same runners took part with Alex Elsey again leading them in in his first 5 mile road race. Sam Angell, followed by Keith Marshall and Ivan Chunnett, completed the A team, supported by Charlie Walters not far behind.
The ladies fielded A and B teams. Lindsay Bamford joined the A team, the first three again being Gabriella Hitchcock (3rd F45), Linda Tyler (1st F65 and with a new club F65 record) and Georgie Abrook in her first race at this distance. Kay Copeland (2nd F65) led in the B team followed by new member Angela Lloyd-Jones, Jane Georghiou (1st F70) and Sandra Hickey. Sue MacKenzie and Jackie Wilkinson enjoyed their first 5 mile road race.
Farnham Pilgrim Marathon or Half Marathon
On the same day sixteen Farnham Runners took to the trails in hot sunshine to complete either the local Farnham Pilgrim Marathon or Half Marathon, both renowned for their scenic but challenging, hilly routes.
All put in a great effort and three were rewarded with top three places in the half marathon.
Lizzie May was first lady in the half marathon in 1:36:22 and Joe Collins and Joseph Muntean-Lee crossed the line second and third respectively in a field of 228 finishers with times of 1:26:47 and 1:29:50 respectively. Sally Lawrence came first in age category F60+.
Other Farnham Runners’ participants were Richard Steedman, Billy McCulloch, Rebecca Grant, Robert Peet, and Shirley Perrett.
Nick Grist led the team for the marathon with a great time of 4:08:24, while Roger Morley was only a minute behind in 4:09:16.
Emma Dawson was the first Farnham Runners lady back with a time of 4:41:28, along with Ivan Chunnett in 4:41:30. Gemma Whitehouse clocked 5:21:31, followed by keen ultra-runners Colette Grist and Kate Townsend in 5:45:10/11.
The runners were grateful to Chris Gill, Craig Tate Grimes, Candy Waller, Gill Iffland, Ali Buchanan, Nicola O’Connor, Jonathan Tyler, Douglas Blyth, Lina Haines, Pauline Hamilton and Sarah Franklin who volunteered on the “best water stand” to provide refreshments and give encouragement.
See the Photo Gallery 2025 for further photos from these races.