FARNHAM Runners began 2018 with two races organised by Stubbington Green Runners within a week of each other.

Conditions were excellent for the 33rd Stubbington Green 10km – the sixth round of the Hampshire Road Race League. Farnham’s squad of 25 hotly contested the team places, consolidating the club’s positions as the league moved into the second half of the season.

Two of their runners picked up prizes and 11 recorded new personal best times.

The course, which starts in the heart of Stubbington village, is renowned for being fast and flat, giving runners sea-front views at Lee-on Solent.

James Clarke was close to his PB with an excellent 35mins 27secs for 28th out of 1,657 finishers, including a record 956 runners from Hampshire League clubs.

Andrew Ellison claimed second prize in his new M50 category with a fine 36-19. Matt Saker impressed with 36-59 for sixth M45, while Harvey Wickham was the final A team scorer in 39-15.

The men, setting their sights on promotion, finished third on the day and lie second in Division Two on aggregate.

The second string came sixth in B Division Two, but hold a comfortable lead after six rounds. Colin Addison led the squad in 41-11, followed by Mike Walberton (41-30), Steve Bailey (PB 42-24) and Keith Marshall (42-56, 6th M60). In support were Stuart Laurie (PB 48-31) and Peter Strange (1-10-25).

The ladies A team (Div I) were led by in-form Eloise Stradling who clocked a personal best 42-46 for 37th place (11th seniors). Next came Kayleigh Copeland in 44-03, while Emma Russ achieved 44-10 after a marathon-training stint the day before.

The team came a strong sixth out of ten and are a safe eighth on aggregate.

Lindsay Bamford headed the B trio with her usual strong finish for 46-58, overtaking Jane Georghiou (47-30), individual winner of the W65 category. Clair Bailey completed the scoring with 54-17, a PB by almost four minutes, keeping the team mid-table in B Division One.

Just two seconds back on her gun time, but faster on chip, was Mary Denise Fitzgerald in 53-32, followed by Tina Harrison (55-36) and Helen Bracey (57-29). This C team came a useful seventh in B Division Two.

Other PB times: Emilie Amos 1-02-26, Alison Yearsley 1-02-55, Jackie Wilkinson 1-03-27, Susan MacKenzie 1-03-39, Christine Chapman, Jacquie Browne both 1-08-25.

The weather was less kind for the following week’s Southern Cross-Country League meeting at Manor Farm Country Park and the course was muddy and full of puddles, with a sting-in-the-tail steep climb to the finish.

Andrew Ellison was first home for Farnham Runners in 19th. Then came James Bracey in 43rd, James Clarke 70th, Stuart Haig 73rd and Steve Bailey 98th. This team came 10th.

In support were Terry Steadman in 130th, Chris Cramp 134th, Damian Probett 150th, Craig Tate-Grimes 188th, Jonathan Salomon 205th and Richard Sheppard 222nd.

Eloise Stradling again impressed for the ladies with eighth slot. After another long training run the day before, Emma Russ managed 21st, while Lindsay Bamford put in her trademark storming finish for 35th. The ladies team finished seventh.

Linda Tyler came 39th, Jane Georghiou 45th, Helen Bracey 88th, Mary Denise Fitzgerald 89th, Kay Copeland 91st, Clair Bailey 92nd, Julia Tagg 135th and Jacquie Browne 141st.

The combined men’s and ladies’ scores gave Farnham eighth place out of the 24 clubs, putting them seventh overall with one round to go, at Hindhead on February 25

Eighteen Farnham Runners had to combat snow in the Farnborough Half Marathon. Rob Gilchrist was first Farnham Runner back in 1-25-28. Harvey Wickham (1-27-22 and Emma Pearson (1-35-43, 24th lady) both clocked PB times, while Mike Anderson (1-33-36) was 2nd M60.

Other times: Jason East 1-28-49,Thomas Bache 1-28-51, Stuart Williamson and Neil Ambrose 1-35-47, Hallam Foster 1-38-31, Rob Routh 1-38-40, Lucy Hogg 1-42-37, Chris Jackson 1-45-45, Oliver Drewery 1-45-54, Kevin Laurie 1-48-45, Kate Townsend 1-53-10, Shirley Perrett 2-09-18, Ian Loader 2-09-51, Jane Porter 2-13-38.

• Farnham Runners are supporting Time to Talk Day, an England Athletics initiative to improve mental wellbeing through running. On January 31, the club will be encouraging people to run and chat as part of the regular Wednesday night social run (7pm at the Bourne Green clubhouse. For more information, email Helen Bracey on [email protected]