It has been another busy time for Haslemere Border Athletes – kicking off with the ‘Keep Attacking’ off-road event.

It saw three keen members ready to ‘get down and dirty’ – and extremely wet – on a 4.5k run/stomp through Martinique Square in Bordon. 

The race is a family-friendly event offering several distances, during which participants tackle a number of obstacles, all the while trying to stay upright and, apparently, great fun... if you don’t mind being up to your neck in smelly bog water, that is!

Marco Di Caprio, who was first home, completed his race in 51.20, followed by Tim Wishaw in 53.07 and, with a third lady place overall, Sian Dixon finished in an impressive 58.24. 

After collecting their prestigious medal, all that was left was to ensure they had remembered to take a set of dry clothes!

There was a chilly start to Sunday, February 26 but with sunny skies looming to warm up athletes just in time for the start of the Wokingham half marathon, a flat, fast-paced road race on closed roads starting and finishing at Cantley Park. 

There was also the added bonus of a massage for those tired legs at the end. 

The race is an ideal opportunity for participants to grab a PB, set a benchmark for perhaps their first half marathon or to gauge where they are in their training with the build-up to a spring marathon. 

Six of Haslemere Border’s ‘fast boys’ took to the road with some outstanding results.

First home was Dave Jarrett in 1:13.17, followed by Jon Fairs (1:16.46), Luke Brocks (1:16.48), head coach Daniel Allaway (1:19.52), Will Butcher (1:20.29) and, last but by no means least, Alistair Rose in 1:20.35.

It is fair to say all six are well under way with their marathon plan and set to see some fabulous results.

A little closer to home, a trio of HBAC runners headed off to Horndean, near the Queen Elizabeth Country Park, to tackle the Big Mud 16 and marathon races, which started and finished on Butser Hill. 

The route took runners through the South Downs National Park, with the added element of 518ft of climbing, countless stiles and the introduction of a rope climb to pull the tired legs up the hill. 

Runners were also treated to climbing Butser Hill twice, once on the way up (at the start of the race) and then on the way back – but there was the added bonus of a sprint down to the finish, if you still had the energy.

Dean Kelway, fresh back from injury, entered the 16-mile race at the last minute, and flew round in a superb time of 2:28.31, finishing eighth overall. 

Philomel Bennett and Rosie Dyke both opted for the marathon. Philomel completed her race in a fantastic time of 4:37.36, finishing 30th overall and fourth lady. 

Rosie, who had been nurturing her poorly family all week and who had not participated in a marathon since 2018, finished her first trail marathon in an amazing time of 4:54.24, 46th overall and fifth lady.

Next up for Rosie is the Serpent Trail 50k. 

Elsewhere, the penultimate race in the Southern Cross Country League was taking place at Alice Holt.

The course, known for being challenging, took runners through woodland trails, gravel pathways and tracks, with runners having to cross a stream and finally everyone’s favourite – a gruelling hill climb to the finish. What’s not to love? 

After the club’s success at Chawton House, the team were keen to continue their strong team performance.

First home for the men was Marco Di Caprio (61st), followed by Rob Webb (82nd), Alex Mitchell (85th), Tim Wishaw (89th), Duds Walker, Rich Robinson, Stephen Sutton, Richard Spandley, Nigel Byrnes, Steve King, Peter Varnes and Dave Bateman.  

For the ladies, Laurel Bray finished strongly, overtaking others with ease on the hill finish, finishing in eighth position and first lady home for HBAC. She was followed by Tania Corrigan (13th), Sarah Owen (17th), Rachael Selmes (69th), Sam Walker, Gemma Reeder, Janet ‘two sugars’ Govan, Karen Sinclair, Ann Varnes, Ersilla Harris, Lorraine Herring and Suzy O’Rourke. 

This was Gemma Reeder’s first cross country race, having been persuaded to give the XC trails a go – and she loved it.

A bonus for the team were the welcome faces of a number of club members around the course who had volunteered to be marshals, so a big shout out to Tina Fairminer, Steve Loveday and Dave Card. 

Also to Rena Tribe, who helped with refreshments before and after the race, and then stayed until mid-afternoon to help with the clearing up. Their support made a big difference and, as always, without the volunteers, the race would not have taken place.

With another strong performance the ladies’ team finished in fourth place on the day, with the men in 15th. 

Ann Varnes and Philomel Bennett