THE Victory Five-Mile Race was the third Hampshire Road Race League meeting in three weeks and yet Farnham Runners had a strong turn-out of 20 members to tackle this highly-competitive event.

The Victory ‘5’ has been organised by City of Portsmouth AC since 1946. Due to work on the sea defences, a new course from Lakeside North Harbour was used.

Despite some twists and turns, an off-road section, and windy weather, the Farnham squad recorded some impressive times.

James Clarke posted another excellent personal best of 28mins 13secs to finish 35th out of 720.

Andrew Ellison, like Clarke, was running his third league race in three weeks and came fourth in the M45 category (28-58).

Newcomer Matt Saker (29-45) took seventh in the M45 section, while Mike Anderson (31-50) eased back into racing with third in the M60s. This A team finished third in Division Two, but still lead on aggregate after five matches.

And this result was repeated by the B squad in B Division Two. They were led in by Harvey Wickham who recorded a PB 31-53.

Tim Cummins came home in 33-23 and Keith Marshall was hot on his heels with a PB 33-27 (8th M60). The final B scorer was John Phillips in 34-15.

Chris Cramp (34-57), Ali Hardaway (35-01), Kevin Laurie (37-10) and Stuart Laurie (37-53) comprised the C team who came 11th (8th on aggregate).

Farnham’s A and B ladies’ teams, competing in the top divisions, ran creditably against tough opposition.

The A team finished eighth out of ten, slipping to eighth on aggregate, while the Bs were 13th (11th on aggregate).

Emma Russ led the way with a fine time of 36-19, while Linda Tyler, who had run a gruelling eight-mile race the day before and was fighting off a cold, still managed 37-17 (3rd F55) in her first five-miler.

Five seconds back at the finish, but one second quicker on chip time, was F65 winner Jane Georghiou. Her time of 37-16 puts her second on the UK W65 five-mile table for 2017.

Heading the B trio was Anne Snelson in a personal best 38-25 (4th F50), followed by Rebecca Martin (41-44) and Tina Harrison (43-58).

Peter Strange (49-00, 10th M70) and Christine Chapman (56-08) supplied good back-up to the Farnham teams.

• James Clarke, Andrew Ellison, Harvey Wickham, Keith Marshall, Ali Hardaway, Linda Tyler, Rebecca Martin and Peter Strange all ran the three Hampshire League races in three weeks – Gosport Half, Hayling 10 and Victory 5.