HRRL Victory 5, Mince Pie Run and a couple of marathons
HRRL Victory 5
Eighteen Farnham Runners travelled to Portsmouth for the 78th Victory 5 mile race, renowned over the years as an opportunity for personal best times over the flat course, though it has been necessary to change the route in recent years.
Heavy rain showers on the way down did not bode well, but the rain mostly abated for the race leaving puddles to negotiate on some of the corners.
Both men and ladies A and B teams are in the top division of the Hampshire Road League this season. After this race the ladies are placed 4th and 5th respectively out of 10 teams, both in 5th position on the day. The men’s A and B teams came 9th on the day and are now in 8th and 10 places in these competitive divisions.
Sam Angell, Ivan Chunnett, Tony Jones and Chris Raby ran well to secure Farnham Runners’ A team places, the first two gaining PBs. Newcomers Jake Yarranton in a PB time and Matt Blair in his first 5 mile race were joined by Chris Allen and Charles Ashby for the B team. Mike Dunkley ran his first 5 miler.
Back to racing Gabriella Hitchcock led the Farnham ladies, with Linda Tyler as first F60 not far back. Candy Waller and Bridget Naylor, both in PB times, finished the A score.
Gemma Whitehouse (PB), Jane Georghiou, Sandra Hickey and Penny Schnabel (PB) ran for the B team with Tina Longman in her first 5 miler in support.
Christmas Mince Pie Run
The club also enjoyed its traditional Mince Pie fancy dress run, organised by social secretary Clair Bailey. After a mince pie and mulled wine in Gostrey Meadow, the runners traced the shape of a reindeer as part of the Great Surrey Reindeer Hunt and the club’s donation, as requested for this year, going to the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice.
Joe Collins and Ivan Chunnett (photo above), suitably attired for the Christmas run, were delighted to win the two club London marathon places for 2025, having completed the necessary number of league races for the club and then having their names drawn out of a hat.
A couple of marathons
Kate Townsend reported from the Big Feat Christmas New Forest Trail Marathon that she and Colette Grist completed:
“We slipped, slid, squelched, waded, squealed, laughed and occasionally ran the 27 miles. I don’t believe I have ever run a muddier, wetter marathon. It was an absolutely fab day!”
Both had completed eight marathons or ultras during 2024.
Kate, who prefers the hilly trials to a flat hard surface, also went on to run the Portsmouth Coastal Marathon with Linda Tyler just before Christmas.