FARNHAM Runners ladies came away from the Eastleigh 10km with fifth team place in the top flight of the Hampshire Road Race League.

They still rank seventh out of the ten clubs in the division, but look to have enough points for safety, with three matches to go.

The Eastleigh race is renowned for its flat course and potential for personal best times, although runners this time faced a strong breeze in the latter stages.

First back for Farnham was James Clarke with a superb PB 35mins 19secs. Neil Ambrose (40-23), John Phillips (41-53) and Terry Copeland (43-31) completed the team that came tenth in Division One.

Craig Tate-Grimes sliced three minutes off his previous best with 46-55, paced by Ian Carley (46-57). Douglas Blyth (63-36) returned to racing.

Farnham’s three ladies were led in by Emma Whittaker-Axon in a swift 43-10, followed by Eloise Stradling (44-43) and Kay Copeland (50-08), the latter for ninth in her category.

On the same day, 36 Farnham Runners opted to run the Fleet Half Marathon. Rob Gilchrist recorded a personal best 1-17-02 to take fourth place in the M40 category.

Seven other members ducked under 90 minutes, with Mike Anderson coming third M60 in 1-29-02. It was his first race at this distance for ten years and his time took a huge chunk off the Farnham Runners M60 half marathon club record.

Linda Tyler was on the podium as winner of her category with a PB 1-40-12, while Chris Jackson is now second on the club M60 record table with 1-42-34. Phil Masters came eighth M65 in his first half marathon (1-55-05).

Again on the same day, eight members completed the Reading Half Marathon, with Sarah Hill coming second in the F40 section.

Jane Porter, Ali Welch, Carolyn Wickham and Lisa Chadwick, members of the ‘Absolute Beginners Class of 2016’ were all chuffed to finish the distance for the first time.

A new Absolute Beginners course begins on April 12 (see www.farnham-runners .org.uk for details).