While some were dreaming of a white Christmas, Yvonne Grayson decided to guarantee she would see some of the white stuff by setting off to Greenland and the chance to complete a half marathon within the Arctic Circle.

A six-hour road trip took Yvonne to the ice caps on the day before the race, for the chance to test out walk-running on the ice caps using crampons and for her first view of the course – and to see for the first time the reality of just how tough the course was going to be.

After an overnight stay in very basic accommodation, the next morning saw all runners head off to the ice caps for the start line.

The first 5k was run on the ice caps, and the rest of the course was on undulating tracks, with lots of ice and snow on a typical Arctic tundra.

Sadly for Yvonne, she had started to feel unwell the day before the race, but with sheer guts and determination she made it to the start line.

The first 5km on the ice caps was gruelling work but Yvonne still managed to complete it in an impressive time of 45 minutes. Unfortunately she started feeling worse and the realisation she was not going to be able to complete the course saw her reluctantly withdraw from the race.

However, Yvonne had completed the most difficult 5km run of any club member in 2022 – and while running on the Arctic ice caps saw some of the most spectacular scenery.

On Saturday, November 12, the much-anticipated fourth and final Centurion 50-mile race took place – and, indeed, for one Haslemere Border athlete this was his ultimate challenge to grab that prestigious Grand Slam gong having already run the previous three races!

Tom Bampton together with his fellow club runner Philomel Bennett – and his adoring wife who had come to support, cheer and nurture him throughout the gruelling race – was ready for the off at 9.30am to begin his quest.

The race itself took place entirely within the wonderful Wendover Woods and consisted of five ten-mile loops of undulating ground, ascending and descending along some of the steepest climbs surrounding the forest.

Each section within the loop had also been given a special name such as ‘Root Canal’, ‘Railing in the Years’ and ‘Nettle Hell’ to name but a few, as well as some cheeky stiles thrown in for good measure, including one just before the final mile home when those legs were really tired!

Given the time of year there was also the added challenge of daylight, and this meant running in the dark adorned with head torches, with reflective pink and white ribbons laid out along the route to help guide runners through the race while they juggled the technicalities of where to put their feet.

Both Tom and Philomel persevered through their gruelling loops and were greeted each time by a familiar face, as fellow HBAC athlete Karen Sinclair had volunteered to be part of the Centurion support crew – and, of course, Mrs Bampton was also eagerly cheering at the end of each loop!

After five laps and 10,000ft of elevation, Philomel was cheered in all the way to the finish line by Louise Bampton, completing her race in 11:21.30.

All three ladies now eagerly awaited for the ‘man of the moment’ to arrive who came in three hours later, finishing his race in an incredible time of 14:33.27 given it was only six weeks since his previous race.

Tom not only achieved the inaugural challenge he had set himself, but he is also the first Haslemere Border athlete to complete the Centurion 50-mile Grand Slam – and who’s to say he might just consider the Centurion 100-mile Slam next!

Staying with ‘night’ theme, a little further towards home, fellow HBAC athlete Nigel Byrnes was also lining up for his 14km race as he was participating in the Mavericks Exposure Lights Dark race at Amberley Museum.

The event had three options and each race started and finished at the museum, taking runners on to the South Downs Way through some of the gentle villages, forestry trails and rolling hills, guided by their reliable torches lighting up the way, before coming back to the finish.

Nigel ran a solid race, finishing in 1hr 56min.

On Saturday, November 19, another of the ever-popular Maverick Exposure Light Dark races took place, offering runners a range of distances from long (22km), middle (11km) and short (6km) this time in and around the leafy hills of the Surrey countryside.

The race began at Tillingbourne Junior School, and for one Haslemere Border runner, Rosie Dyke, her choice was the 11km race.

The runners set off at 5pm and the route passed through some of Surrey’s prettiest trails and forests, including a challenging 250ft climb up Pitch Hill overlooking some stunning views of Hurtwood.

At the end of the race, runners were also rewarded with pizza and beer and for Rosie there was the added bonus of collecting a second lady prize for her impressive run, finishing in a time of 1:02.07.

A little further away in Philadelphia, Andrew Steele had been busy training for his first marathon – and taking part in the Rocky Run, was all part of the training plan.

The Rocky Run finishes in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the steps made famous in the film Rocky, with Sylvester Stallone running to the top.

Andrew opted to channel his inner Rocky Bilbao and take on the Italian Stallion challenge, whereby all runners complete the 5km and the ten-mile race.

Following an overnight storm and blackouts, the temperatures and humidity were just perfect on race day, and Andrew completed the Italian Stallion challenge with a 5km time of 26.42 and the ten miles in 1:34.00.

Two weeks later and in the same city, Andrew’s months of training culminated in the ACCR Philadelphia Marathon, which is considered one of the top ten in the country in light of its fast pace, tremendous atmosphere and beautiful route.

It includes passing through some historical architectural buildings, including the Franklin Institute, Cathedral Basilica of St Peter and Paul and Fairmount Park, before heading once again to those steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Unlike the Rocky Run, the weather was not ideal, with bitterly-cold conditions and the wind gusting up to 30mph. This did not hold Andy back and while he found it a challenge, he was spurred on by the amazing atmosphere and noise from the thousands of spectators who lined the route and clapped him in, completing his race in 4:41.09.

Gosport was the setting for five HBAC runners as they took to the streets to take part in the town’s annual half-marathon, hosted by Gosport Road Runners.

The two-lap course starting at Stokes Bay is known for being a fast and friendly race, always well supported and this time with the added support of Sam Walker and Charlotte King to cheer the team on.

First home for HBAC was Jon Fairs in a time of 1:17.32, finishing fourth in his age category, followed by Will Butcher in 1:23.29.

Dudley Walker continued his excellent form with a finish time of 1:50.36 while Steve King clocked 1:54.48 and Paul Croad 1:58.32.

Ann Varnes and Philomel Bennett