SXCL Bourne Woods, England National Cross-Country Championship, The Grizzly, Kingston Breakfast Run and the Fleet Half Marathon

SXCL Bourne Woods

Farnham Runners group before the start of the 2024-25 SXCL Bourne Green cross-country

The final event of this season’s Southern Cross-Country League, organised by Farnham Runners took place on a gloriously sunny spring day. There was no shortage of hills and still some mud after a relatively dry spell. Almost 400 runners from the 23 participating clubs took part, including 46 from the host club.

Farnham Runners’ race director, Craig Tate-Grimes obtained permission from the Rural Life Centre and set out the route with the help of Chris Gill, Linda Tyler, Colin Addison, Tori Shaw and Louise Granell. A large number of helpers took on many roles on the day. Linda Tyler, helped by Julia Tagg, organised refreshments after the race, while Richard Denby took the photos and James Goodwin and Ivan Chunnett calculated the team results.

The ladies welcomed two young newcomers to the team and came an excellent second of the ladies’ teams, while the men placed sixth, giving a fine overall tally for joint second on the day. This kept the club in sixth place for the series, just one point away from joint third.

First back in Farnham colours was Joe Collins in a splendid 4th place with Liam McMurray not far back in (11th). Colin Addison (63rd) and Ivan Chunnett (64th) ran strongly to complete the scoring team.

First back for the ladies was Emma Pearson (10th) with newcomer Amelie Frewer, who only joined the club earlier in the week, showing great potential (12th). Leza Milligan (14th) and Anna Buckmaster, who made the team for the first time, (15th) gave a very welcome boost to the score.

Farnham Runners finished fifth overall in the Bourne Woods race and sixth in the final Southern Crosss Country League table – just one point away from finishing joint third.

England National Cross-Country Championship

Farnham Runners ladies team before the start of the 2025 England National Cross-Country Championship at Parliament Hill

A group from the club tackled the iconic hilly and muddy course at Parliament Hill in the England National Cross-Country Championship. This year didn’t disappoint in terms of the mud! They enjoyed being part of the prestigious race, which draws the best runners from all over England.

The ladies’ race was 8km (Linda Tyler, Lindsay Bamford, Gemma Whitehouse, Kay Copeland and Jane Georghiou) while Joe Collins’ race was 12km.

The Grizzly

Farnham Runners group before the start of the 2025 Grizzly race in Devon

Fourteen Farnham Runners travelled to Devon for the very popular Grizzly race, some doing the 9 mile version, but most the 20 miles over the notoriously challenging route.

Colette Grist summed it up:

“We all survived! Tough terrain but a stunning course in the sunshine. A great day! A fantastic weekend of running and sea air. Great friends, chatter and laughter. Could not have asked for better weather or views.”

Kingston Breakfast Run 20 miler

Farnham Runners Chris Matthews, Richard Steedman, Matt Saker, Lizzie May and Joe Collins before the start of the 2025 Kingston Breakfast Run 20 miler

Training for the London marathon, five ran the Kingston Breakfast Run 20 miler.

Joe Collins came first M35 in 2:03:49, Chris Matthews was third M45 in 2:06:39, with Matt Saker second M55 in 2:17:07 and Lizzie May second F30 in 2:17:34. Richard Steedman clocked 2:34:35 in his first ever road race of any distance.

Fleet Half Marathon

Farnham Runners group before the start of the 2025 Fleet Half Marathon

Twenty-three Farnham Runners completed the Fleet half marathon. Stuart Taylor was first of them to cross the line in 1:25:08. Keith Marshall was next in 1:33:27 as fourth M65. Linda Tyler, Candy Waller and Gemma Whitehouse all clocked personal best times while Linda Tyler and Jane Georghiou were second in their age categories.

See the Photo Gallery 2025 for further photos from these events