EIGHTEEN Farnham Runners enjoyed good conditions for the Gosport Half Marathon – the third event of this season’s Hampshire Road Race League.

Organised by Gosport Road Runners on a mild, but breezy day, the route included two three-mile sections along the promenade where runners were spurred on by spectators and a samba band.

Farnham men’s A are in contention for promotion and although slipping to third in Division Two after a third place on the day, are up for the challenge. “It’s so much more exciting than battling to avoid relegation,” said men’s captain John Phillips, “but we have to be strong over nine of twelve races and have a long way to go.”

The men’s B rise to second in their division after clinching fourth place on the day. If the club can maintain strength in depth, both teams could win promotion.

James Clarke led the Farnham pack with an impressive personal best 1hr 19mins 55secs for 57th place out of a massive 2,000 entrants.

Andrew Ellison did his best to catch Clarke in the last mile and was close behind in 1-20-04 for fourth in the M45 category.

Rob Gilchrist, a consistently strong performer, recorded 1-21- 42 and the final A team scoring spot went to newcomer Tom Page in 1-29-13.

Neil Ambrose was just ten seconds back (1-29-23) after the final sprint and took 1min 41 off his personal best to lead in the B squad. The other B scorers were newcomer Harvey Wickham (PB 1-31-07), Jason East (1-31-44) and Mikey Taylor (1-32-49).

Keith Marshall clocked 1-33-34 for fifth in the M60 category. This time ranks him second in the club records for this age group.

Ali Hardaway (1-47-39), Ian Loader (2-09-31) and Peter Strange (2-29-58, 7th M70) comprised the C team which came tenth in B Division Two.

The Farnham ladies struggled to keep their Division One status last season and hope to make it less of a battle this time.

The A team came seventh out of ten clubs on the day and lie seventh on aggregate, while the B team are mid-table.

Steaming ahead in the club’s Grand Prix for ladies, Eloise Stradling recorded 1-37-01. Easing back into racing, Charlotte Hanson managed 1-40-40, followed by Lindsay Bamford in 1-42-42.

Linda Tyler led the B string and took second W55 prize for her time of 1-43-00. Rebecca Martin (1-51-04) and Catherine Dutt (2-13-34) made valuable contributions, the latter running her first half marathon.

• Jane Georghiou, meanwhile, was running for her England age-group side in the British and Irish Masters International Cross Country in Londonderry. This was her eighth England selection and she gained tenth place in the F65 group, returning with a team bronze medal.