HRRL Solent Half Marathon and The Grizzly

HRRL Solent Half Marathon

Some of the Farnham Runners before the 2026 SXCL Solent half marathon

The undulating Solent half marathon saw seventeen Farnham Runners take on the challenging distance on a dull but dry day. Race organisers had warned of muddy sections at the start and finish, unavoidable after recent rain.

The men fielded three full teams, while the ladies had one complete A1 team.

Alex Elsey led them in with a splendid personal best of 1:23:38 while Matt Saker’s time of 1:25:28 won him the first M55 prize. New member Tim Naylor wasn’t far behind him and showed his potential in a PB 1:25:42 while 4th M60, Tony Jones in 1:30:44 completed the A team score.

Ivan Chunnett, Will Pickett in his first attempt at the distance, 2nd M60 Keith Marshall and Laurence Morgan made up the team for the B2 league.

The third team comprised Jamie Lyons, James Goodwin, Andy Papworth and Stephen Buckmaster, with Craig Tate-Grimes using the race as training for the London marathon.

The ladies’ team was headed by Gabi Hitchcock in a fine time of 1:39:32, followed by Georgie Abrook, another prize-winner as 1st F55 in 1:45:51. Next came Rebecca Holburn in 1:48:59 and Kelly Lincoln in 1:55:14.

The Grizzly

Farnham Runners group posing before setting off on the 2026 Grizzly race

An enthusiastic group of ladies travelled to Devon the same weekend to they take part in the gruelling “Grizzly”, staged by Axe Valley Runners and now in its 38th year.

The race instructions were clear:

“There are two sections of beach (pebbles), totalling well over a mile; two energy-sapping bogs, and the infamous ‘Stairway to Heaven’, Some of the descents are steep and often very slippery.”

Ten of the Farnham ladies finished the 20 miler which has more than 3,000ft of ascent. They ran in groups to support and encourage each other. Sue Taylor, Emma Dawson, Linda Tyler, Bridget Naylor and Gemma Whitehouse ran together, with Colette Grist, Kate Townsend and Jane Allen following and then Julia Tagg and Carolyn Wickham.

Jane Allen raised ÂŁ1,050 in sponsorship for “Animals Asia”, a charity which is working to end the cruel practice of bear bile farming across Asia.

Nicola O’Connor ran a half marathon distance over the challenging terrain. She had to pull out after 13 miles with cramp but was very well looked after by the marshals. Pauline Hamilton completed the 9-mile “Cub” race.

One of them commented:

“A fabulous way to celebrate International Woman’s Day, a weekend of laughter, mud (lots of mud!), tough running, bogs, hills, sea, shingle beaches, team work, great fun and most importantly wonderful friendships.”

See the Photo Gallery 2026 for further photos from these events.