Dean Kelway and Sebastian Linke took part in the Spring Series Ultra X 50km which started and finished in Haslemere. 

The race began at the home of the Haslemere Border AC training ground at Woolmer Hill, and then took the runners through a stunning, extremely hilly route.

It went along the Green Sand Hills, Serpent Trails within the South Down National Park, encompassing a total elevation of 1,088 metres – not to mention the mud, lots and lots of mud! 

Staying upright was indeed a challenge but for both men this did not seem to faze their performance as they both finished strongly.

Dean completed his race in 5.21:53 – eighth in his age category – and Seb finished in 6.17:03.

There’s just time for them to  dry off their trainers and plan their next race!

Two of Haslemere Border’s ‘fast boys’ took on the famous Adidas Manchester Marathon.

Will Butcher, who was running his first marathon, took part with James Turner. 

Manchester Marathon is the fourth largest in Europe, and the UK’s flattest so a chance to grab a PB is always a possibility. 

Will and James had trained extremely hard, ploughing round loops of Longmoor ranges and Kings Wood Firs, and grabbing opportunities wherever possible to keep the legs ticking over.

All that hard work paid off on the day. James finished in an amazing time of 2.50:04 – a 8.5min PB – and Will came home in 2.56:46, a phenomenal debut for a marathon.  

A team of 14 HBAC runners set off for the London Marathon, with a further four opting to take part in the virtual event, having not been successful in the ballot. 

In London the growing crowds of spectators included some hardy HBAC members ready to cheer on the runners. 

Following the success at Brighton, Paris and Manchester marathons, expectations were high – and the HBAC team did not disappoint.  

First home for the men was Luke Brocks in a time of 2.44:10, and hot on his heels was Dave Jarrett (2.45:01), ahead of Daniel Allaway who had been hoping for a sub-three hour time but surpassed his expectations by knocking an incredible 6min 30sec off his previous PB and finished in an amazing time of 2.50:51.

Alistair Rose finished in 2.53:54, Tom Millins in 2.57:15, Jon Fairs in 3.23:59, Chris White in 3.45:55 and Luke Shearing in 3.58:02.

Despite suffering cramp with ten miles to go, David Mais finished in a time of 4.24:45 and at the same time raised money for Whizz-Kidz.  

Katy Ward was once again first to finish for the ladies in an excellent time of 3.03:19.

Tania Corrigan, running her second marathon – but first London marathon – suffered with cramp for the last three miles but still finished in 3.32:11 and a PB.

They were followed home by Katie Simmonds (3.38:35), Susan Payne (3.40:29) and Catriona Wiles, who had run her first London marathon only six months earlier and had vowed never again at the end of the race.

When she crossed the finish line along The Mall she had taken an incredible eight minutes off her previous time to finish in 4.39:47. 

While those fortunate enough to gain a place in London were pounding the streets around the capital, Janet Govan, Gemma Reeder, Sarah Barnett and Ann Varnes were taking part in the virtual London Marathon.

Sarah and Ann had both run marathons before, but for Gemma and Janet this was their first marathon – and both had trained hard for the event.  

Janet and Gemma started in Liphook and with Ann and Sarah starting in Haslemere, the runners eventually met up at Longmoor, to complete a number of laps. 

Not to be outdone by the crowds of supporters lining the streets of London, the virtual runners had their own support crew, with Philomel Bennett, Gemma’s husband Phil and Gemma’s father cycling around Longmoor to encourage them all. 

Steve King, Peter Varnes, Karen Sinclair, Ersillia Harris, Jenni Raynor and Lorraine Herring also ran alongside the team at various stages.

A special mention for Lorraine Herring, who had set out to run one lap of Longmoor (10k) but when she realised  some were struggling towards the end, continued on running until everyone had finished – and in doing so completed a half-marathon herself. 

And finally, a mention for the incredible food and drinks station team of Tina Farminer and Hesta Gilham, who had set up the most amazing food station with every possible drink and food you could require and clapped, cheered and inspired the runners.

The food station was so good it was tempting to stay and enjoy the array of food and forget about the running. 

However, being athletes, the ‘team of four’ continued until each had completed the 26.2 miles.  

Gemma completed her first marathon in an impressive time of 4.45:19 and a very determined Janet Govan – who had been unable to run for five weeks leading up to the marathon because of an injury – finished in 5.49:23.

Sarah Barnett, who had been persuaded to take part in the virtual and had not really trained for it, finished in 5.46:55. 

Sarah really must listen to the advice given by the amazing club coaches on the importance of training for events!  

Ann Varnes managed to not only complete the 26.2 miles but also brought traffic to a standstill when suffering with cramp in the final stages.

But with the medical support crew of Lorraine Herring and Sarah Barnett on hand, she still managed to complete the marathon in a time of 5.30:05 and a new marathon PB.  

Ann Varnes and Philomel Bennett