Farnham Runners members have been busy taking on races across Surrey and Hampshire.

Although runners had a tricky choice between two local races on the same day, a contingent of Farnham Runners gained some useful Hampshire Road League points for their team in the Alton Ten, organised by Alton Runners.

Two of them were prize-winners in their categories.

The Farnham participants gave the new course at Alton a thumbs up and preferred it to the old route. Some sections were similar, with the same spectacular views over the Hampshire countryside in the second half, and there was no getting away from the hills!

The earlier start time meant many could complete most of their run before the sun came out, when temperatures rose.

James Clarke clinched a new personal best by 30 seconds to finish as second senior man and eighth overall in a splendid time of 58.23. Not far back were James Robinson, tenth senior man and 18th overall, in a new personal best of 1:00.54, and Joe Collins in a personal best 1:02.56. Nick Grist, in 1:08.27, completed the A team that placed an excellent fourth out of ten teams in the top division of the league.

Just two seconds behind Nick on his chip time was Chris Raby, who was third M60 in 1:08.29 – another personal best despite the hilly course. Also in the B team were Tony Jones, fifth M55 in 1:11.19, Matthew Wernham, first M65 in 1:12.04, and Justin Clarke, fifth M60 in 1:13.39. This team was sixth out of nine clubs in the B1 division.

Running for the C team were Ivan Chunnett, battling injury in 1:16.18, Richard Denby in 1:18.22, James Goodwin in 1:18.45, a personal best by one second, and, making a welcome return to racing, Steve Murphy in 1:32.55. Andrew Brown, recovering from a cold, clocked a time of 1:36.22. The team of four was fourth out of eight in the C table.

Leading in the ladies was Louise Granell, third senior lady in 1:13.52. Next was first F60, Linda Tyler, in 1:19.25, with Bella Weetch following in 1:20.45. Jane Georghiou, second F70, was surprised to be the final A team scorer in 1:29.52. The team placed fifth of ten clubs in the A1 division.

The B team comprised Lindsay Bamford in 1:32.54, Laura Quinn in 1:34.02, newcomer Karen Storey, third F60, in her first ever road race in 1:55.03, and Vicky Goodluck and Nicola O’Connor crossing the line together in 2:03.48 and 2:03.49. This team came fifth of ten clubs in the B1 division.

On the same day, the Woodland Woggle with stunning views through the Bluebell Woods of the Hampton Estate and over Puttenham Common, organised by Blackwater Valley Runners, was the choice for many. Bob Brimicombe was the first Farnham Runner back in the ten kilometre race in 12th place and first in the M60 category, with Chris Gill next to finish. Catherine Crawford was tenth overall and the sixth lady in the six kilometre race, with Chris Jackson 13th and the first M70.

The next week, a small select group made the journey to the coast to be part of 600 runners of all standards in the tenth event of 12 in the Hampshire Road League, organised by Southampton Athletics Club.

The Netley ten kilometre race has been going for around 45 years and involves three laps around the Royal Victoria Country Park, a very pleasant route. On a  sunny day, the runners appreciated that much of the course was in the shade.

Chris Raby just pipped Tony Jones for the first Farnham Runners slot, and he was second M60 in 41.51, with Tony finishing in 41.59. Tom Lee, on his debut, recorded 44.38, while Richard Denby was jubilant to find out he was ahead on his chip time of 44.34, though one second back over the line. The team came ninth in the A1 division.

Linda Tyler pushed hard to the line for second F60 in 47.15, with Jane Georghiou second F70 in 53.03.

On the same day as the Netley race, Farnham Runners organised another popular training camp with Shane Benzie, the renowned running technique coach and movement specialist.

Weekly training with Farnham Runners continues, with speed sessions at the Aldershot athletics track on Monday evenings and in Farnham Park on Tuesday evenings, as well as Wednesday evening and Sunday runs. The Get Me Started course for those new to running is over halfway through.

Anyone wishing to join Farnham Runners should visit the club's website.

Jane Georghiou