A SUNNY Saturday attracted around 400 competitors of all ages for the Alice Holt Forest races, organised by Farnham Runners, which ranged from 10 kilometres for adults to one kilometres for juniors and which attracts competitors from across East Hampshire and South-West Surrey.

It was the fourth year race director Craig Tate-Grimes had staged the event at the beauty spot off the A325 midway between Bordon and Farnham, with support from Farnham Runners members and supporters.

Alex Henderson-McClane, the Forestry Commission’s active forest coordinator at Alice Holt Forest, said: “We were delighted to host the Farnham 10k race again this year. It fits perfectly with our goal of encouraging more people of all ages and abilities to get active in the forest to improve their health and wellbeing.

“We are introducing various initiatives and events to help people adopt a sporting habit for life. The partnership we have with Farnham Runners is one we hope to grow and nurture for many years.”

The event was sponsored for the fifth year by Andrew Lodge Estate Agents in Farnham and Mr Lodge presented the medals for the five and 10k races, while his daughter took part in the latter.

Pearson Removals in Weybourne sponsored the race numbers, Farnham’s Anytime Fitness gym donated the water bottles, Alton Sports supplied additional prizes, and audio equipment was provided by Matt Dellar of Active Presentation Services Ltd. The Simon Trust, which raising funds to provide a Surrey home for young people with severe autism, manned the car park.

Three of the Farnham Runners club’s original 12 founder members from 1985 returned to lend support. Allan Bird and Anne Prince helped give out the numbers and the medals, while John de Moraes came third in his category in the 10k race.

Club chairman Jacquie Browne, the key announcer, gave full credit to Richard Whittet, whose idea it was to launch the Alice Holt 10k in 1994, after it was no longer possible to stage the Farnham Half-Marathon on roads around the town.

Many members of Farnham Runners and Blackwater Valley Runners were among the prize winners. Blackwater Valley runners Chris Tizzard, Oliver Stevenson and Stephen Low won the coveted men’s team award, and Farnham runners Emma Pearson, Kayleigh Copeland and Lynda Coggins took the ladies’ team trophies.

The scenic forest trail route was new but couldn’t avoid the hills, and this year puddles and mud slowed the pace in places.

Ed Hutchings won the men’s race in 35 minutes 49 seconds, Guildford and Godalming AC runner James Shaire was second in 37.17, and Blackwater Valley Runners’ Chris Tizzard was third in 39.01.

The fastest M40 male was Simon Palmer from Tadworth AC (42.29), Fleet and Crookham AC’s Dominic Lobo came second (42.31), Farnham Runners’ Tim Cummins was third (43.28).

In the M50 category, Stephen Low (39.58) won for the seventh time in a row, fastest M60 runner was Andrew James of Liss RC (45.23), and the fastest M70 runner was Robert Cornwell (52.21).

Helen Cozens, of Fleet and Crookham AC, won the ladies’ section (42.12), with Farnham’s Kayleigh Copeland second senior (48.10), and Bethany Lewis third (49.16).

Fastest F35 was Bernadette Maher, from Wimbledon Windmillers, in 46.01, with Farnham Runners’ Emma Pearson second (47.39) and Wendy Kilner-Smith third (48.40).

Donna Read, of Haslemere Borders, was the first runner home in the F45 category in 46.38, the fastest F55 runner was Farnham’s Kay Copeland (54.59), and the fastest F65 athlete was Jane Georghiou (51.47).

Emma Pearson, of sponsors Pearson Removals, handed out the the five-kilometre prizes for the junior (13-15) and senior (16+) events. The Rushforth family featured strongly, with Alistair and Leah leading both junior sections.

Georgi Welch, manager of Farnham’s Anytime Fitness gym, presented the awards for the junior three-kilometre and one-kilometre races.