After six challenging races, club members at Alton Runners are celebrating the end of the Southern Cross Country League (SCCL) season after finishing fourth in the league.
The last race on Sunday, March 5 saw a strong turnout from club members at the Holywell Estate.
Alton took second place overall at the event – moving them two places up the league table.
Abbie Hook, cross country co-ordinator for the club, said: “Alton Runners have had an amazing result in this season’s SCCL.
“Out of 23 clubs we finished fourth in the league, and I’ve been reliably informed this is our best result ever.
“Across the season, we had a total of 71 Alton runners compete in the league.
“Of those, eight people completed all six races of the season and the important thing is that everyone who attended a race had fun.
“The great thing about the SCCL is that it’s free to runners – all you have to do is turn up in a club shirt.”
Holywell Estate on the South Downs is a new venue to the SCCL, and runners had lots of positive feedback on the course.
Jim Armitage, Alton Runners chairman, said: “The hills were fairly mild – I managed to run up all of them. It was a great course, with lots of open fields and woodlands.”
Ian and Diane Urquhart make the cross country events a joint effort, with the couple running all six races.
Diane said: “I was pleased to have completed all six this season, as I missed out on them all last year because of injury.
“I enjoyed them all for different reasons.
“You can’t beat a cross country run, it’s so exhilarating – even in the mud!”
Ian added: “Each venue had something different to offer – some were very muddy and wet, others cold and dry but with lots of hills, fields and woodland paths.”
Mark Sippings, who joined the club last year, said: “This season’s race was the first time I had run a cross-country race for more than 30 years.
“It was significantly harder than running on the road, and I was surprised by the quality of the other club runners of all age groups.
“However, I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed the runs and being part of an excellent team.”
Club member Darren Pratt agreed. He said: “Each cross country race had its own unique feel about it but I have to say the support at Holywell and our own was absolutely brilliant.
“Every race I finished I felt would be the last, but you forget the bad things and remember the banter between new friends and old – and go back for more punishment!”
Club members will now focus on the last few road races of the season.
Anyone who would like more information on Alton Runners should visit the website at www.altonrunners.co.uk
Report: Joanne Scawn
Pictures: Douglas Maclean