Fleet, Llandudno and Berlin half marathons, Lone Wolf ‘backyard ultra’, Big Feet Winter’s End trail marathon and Easter bunny hunt

Fleet Half Marathon

Fourteen Farnham Runners enjoyed the local Fleet half marathon, with some gaining new personal bests and three among the age category prize-winners.

Chilly before the start it soon warmed up to give ideal running conditions.

Jeffrey O’Connor flew round in 1:19:49 with Sam Angell next in 1:28:50 and Dave Royse in 1:29:20, followed by Martin Broderick in 1:32:59.

Next came Linda Tyler (see photo) who clinched another personal best in a splendid time of 1:35:16 that ranks her third F65 nationally for 2026 so far and is likely to stay very high. She was first F65 at Fleet by 38 mins.

Mark Maxwell, returning from injury was pleased with his time while Andy Papworth (see photo) was amazed to be presented with a prize, his first ever, as second M65.

Gemma Whitehouse clocked a new PB while Kelly Lincoln, Colette Grist and Becky Martin made it round in under 2 hours, Kelly and Colette using the race as the middle of a 20-mile training run for the London marathon. Jane Georghiou was first F70, followed by Kate Townsend.

Llandudno and Berlin half marathons

On the same day Will Pickett was in Wales for the Llandudno half marathon in a PB 1:32:08 and Georgie Abrook wore her Farnham Runners vest at the Berlin half marathon, one of the “Superhalf” series.

Lone Wolf “backyard ultra”

 

The previous week-end three Farnham Runners took part in a “backyard ultra” endurance event, the “Lone Wolf” in Alice Holt Forest. Starting at 11am on the Saturday competitors had to run laps of 4.2 miles, partly on stony paths and partly on muddy single tracks, every hour for as long as they could for a maximum of 24 hours (=100 miles). Such an event is said to “push the boundaries of physical and mental endurance” and is often thought to be “an eating as much as a running competition” as adequate refuelling is essential.

The three had support from other Farnham Runners who came to cheer them on or run some laps with them.

Ivan Chunnett clocked an amazing 75 miles with 18 laps, Chris Raby 66 miles with 16 laps and Joe Muntean-Lee, after minimal training, 50 miles with 11 laps. (See photos above).

Big Feat Winter’s end trail marathon

Colette Grist and Kelly Lincoln ran the Big Feat Winter’s end trail marathon recently over the South Downs. Kate Townsend couldn’t make it on the day so ran it solo the day after and was still able to claim her medal.

East bunny hunt

Farnham Runners enjoyed a Wednesday evening Easter “bunny hunt” social run organised by social secretary Clair Bailey. The winning team (see photo) comprised Georgie Abrook, Jonathan Tyler, Dave Royse and Steve Bailey.