A GLOOMY weather forecast failed to deter Farnham Runners competing in their annual club championship.
Sixty members, including eight graduates from ‘absolute beginners’, took on the hilly road and off-road 10km route. Thirteen more ran the 5km route.
Apart from the overall men’s and ladies’ trophies, the age-group shields were also keenly contested, with many previous winners taking part.
Richard Lovejoy clinched a comfortable overall victory in an impressive time of 35mins 49secs. Senior winner in 2013, he deducted almost two minutes from his previous best.
Also in the senior category, Charlie Hill-Venning ran strongly for 37-40. Three-time overall victor Ian Carley added to his tally of five M40 wins with 37-50. Third-placed senior James Clarke was just behind in 37-53.
After minimal training, Andrew Ellison recorded 38-23 for second in the M40 category, ahead of Stuart Williamson in 39-11.
Mike Walberton achieved his third M50 win with 40-31, holding off a late surge from Charles Ashby (41-48). Ali Hardaway (42-02) won the battle for third from Terry Copeland (42-06).
Terry Steadman took the M60 title in 47-25, with Howard Inns (51-57) second, while Robert Drummond claimed the M70 shield in 60-25.
The top five ladies all won their age categories. Sarah Hill won the ladies’ race for the seventh time, her time of 38-04 placing her fifth overall and first F40.
Eloise Stradling secured her fourth consecutive U23 win with 44-32. Kayleigh Copeland (46-00) took the senior title, followed by F55 winner Jane Georghiou (46-53) and first F45 Lindsay Bamford (47-12).
The next four were all second in their categories: senior Vicki Clarke 47-35, F35 Tara Hunt 49-00, F45 Sarah McCulloch 49-03, F55 Kay Copeland 50-29. Emma Dawson (51-31) was third F35 and Anne Snelson (52-14) third F45.
Carol Dare won the 5km race in 29-28, followed by Sally Anne North (30-02) and David Cull (30-22).
Other 10km times: men – Rob Gilchrist 39-25, Stuart Haig 39-52, Stuart Taylor 40-02, Neil Ambrose 40-40, Tim Cummins 40-44, Matt Dellar 41-33, Richard Strode 42-00, Ian Marshall 42-13, John Phillips 42-30 John Hill-Venning 43-50, Jim Porter 44-01, Steve Bailey 45-12, Chris Cramp 45-20, John Walker 45-44, Martin Billett 45-50, Paul Mackie 46-13, Oliver Drewery 46-48, Darren Carins 47-36, Simon Brander 49-31, Paul Day 50-15, Ian Loader 62-56; ladies – Becky Martin 52-49, Tina Harrison 52-52, Sue Taylor 52-59, Hannah Sainsbury 53-52, Louise Binning 54-18, Yvette Gariazzo 57-18, Jane Porter 1-03-13, Ali Welch 1-05-08, Jacquie Browne 1-10-06, Carolyn Wickham 1-10-07, Lisa Chadwick 1-10-08, Helen Bracey 1-10-09.
Other 5km times: Victoria Gow 33-15, Catherine Warrington 33-22, Nicky Brander 38-54, Tarryn Chalmers 38-55, Georgi Robinson-Welch 41-17, Tracy Holmes 41-18, Jackie Wilkinson 41-19, Danilelle Maunder 41-26, Richard Sheppard 41-26, Elizabeth Leppe-Williams 48-18.
Expertly organised by race director Craig Tate-Grimes, assisted by Cyra Parkes, the race could not have gone ahead without the numerous volunteers who helped stage the event.
Entries are now open for the Alice Holt races on Saturday, September 17 (see www.farnham-runners.org.uk)