Haslemere Border Athletics Club (HBAC) members have been keeping busy taking on a variety of challenging races.
Peter Surma and Sammy French headed to London to take part in the Big Half Marathon.
The course started at Tower Bridge before winding its way through London and reaching the Cutty Sark and the finish line at Greenwich.
Peter and Sammy had to endure hot and humid conditions – not ideal for runners and made worse when the final water station had run out of water, although cups of crushed ice did help.
Sammy was first home, finishing in a time of 2:04.15.
Peter crossed the finish line in a personal best time of 2:22.53, taking off ten minutes from his race in 2022.
The club’s annual Bowl Head Green handicap race took place.
Starting at the Punch Bowl, the 8.5-mile route takes runners out and around Bowlhead Green, with a gruelling three-mile hill climb to return to the finish line at the Punchbowl.
A strategically-placed water station manned by Dave Bateman and Lorraine Herring provided everyone with drinks and the essential jelly babies before the start of the three-mile hill climb.
With supporters waiting at the finish line to cheer the runners in, the first runner to appear in the distance was Andrew Gregory.
He managed to hold off Julian Reading to win the race and receive the Bowl Head Green handicap trophy.
Afterwards an array of food and drinks awaited all supporters and runners, and the prestigious trophy was awarded to Andrew.
Runners were greeted to some roaring temperatures as they gathered at the start line for the ever-popular and rather lovely Farnham Pilgrim marathon and half marathon.
The race starts and finishes at the Sands in Farnham, and is a multi-terrain route following the Pilgrim’s Way on to the North Downs – passing through a number of churches, road crossings and waterways.
Runners are treated to some of the prettiest countryside and viewpoints in Surrey, which included the spectacular St Martha’s Church at the halfway point with views that stretched for miles.
The only challenge was getting there, and that involved a lot of climbing – with the silky sand not making it very easy!
Two HBAC runners took on the challenge. For one athlete, this was her first marathon – and what a place to start!
Louise Bampton, who overcame a number of injuries and setbacks in her training plan, was supported by her husband Tom.
They both set off in the blistering heat for her epic voyage.
Louise paced herself well, and fuelled accordingly to complete her race in a time of 6:08.15 – having been pipped to the post by Tom in 6:01.06.
Tom had found it gruelling but had finished his second marathon in as many days.
Also out on the course was Helen Barran, who had opted for the half marathon. In true style she took it all in her stride, finishing in 1:47.26 and taking the second female place.
Susie Adams and Philomel Bennett were set to take part last year, but because of an impromptu injury, this was postponed.
The race was set in the picturesque surroundings of the Peak District National Park, near Edale.
It is a looped route that circumnavigates the Kinder Scout National Nature Reserve before scaling the famous Great Ridge and ascending most of Mam Tor towards the finish back at the race headquarters.
The route takes in Nether Booth, Ashop Moor and the River Ashop along the way.
The 31-mile course encompassed 1,961 metres of elevation. Susie and Philomel had trained well and both share a passion for hills.
After organising their necessary kit, fuel and the mandatory kit check on Saturday night, they were ready for the off on Sunday morning.
Both ladies excelled themselves, and tackled each challenge with precision and oodles of enthusiasm.
Susie was the first V50 female finisher and Philomel was the second V50 female finisher in times of 7:02.38 and 7:03.43 respectively – taking eighth and ninth in the ladies’ overall race, which was a tremendous achievement.
Closer to home, the South of England Athletic Association Championships Road Relays were held at Rushmoor Arena.
Club member Lawrie Baker had organised an elite group of six members to make up the team, with each team member running a 6km leg.
Some incredible split times saw the group complete 36km in a time of 2:08.10, finishing 76th out of 107 teams. Individual times were Dave Jarrett 20.24, James Turner 21.28, Jon Fairs 21.50, Daniel Allaway 21.53, Luke Brocks 21.45 and Duncan Selmes 20.48.
Lawrie Baker took up the challenge to compete in the annual Butser Hill challenge, a timed fell run on the highest point of the South Downs National Park.
The five-mile course, which is run on grass and chalk trails and includes three steep ascents and descents of the 888ft hill, is a truly challenging course.
Lawrie finished in a time of 43.46, and was ninth in his age category and 33rd overall.
Club coach Annalisa Alexander has been busy at weekends leading the club’s popular Get Up and Run programme on Saturday mornings at the Punch Bowl.
The Get Up and Run group programme has seen 20 people sign up for the course and Annalisa has guided them along their journey, gradually increasing the distance they run each week.
The gentle sessions are always followed by one of Annalisa’s freshly-baked goodies.
Whether these are considered a reward, bribery or just help focus the mind when the going gets tough, they are certainly well earned.
Ann Varnes and Philomel Bennett