TWENTY-FIVE Farnham Runners took on the five-mile, relatively flat course in Pamber Forest, Basingstoke as the Southern League Cross Country series got underway.
The men’s team came a fine third and the ladies finished seventh out of 23 southern-based running clubs.
Richard Lovejoy (3rd), Ian Carley (13th), Andrew Ellison (31th), Charlie Hill-Venning (34th) and Stuart Haig (44th) comprised the men’s team. The previous week, Stuart Haig had finished fourth in the 38-mile Downslink Ultra.
The in-form Lindsay Bamford headed the Farnham ladies’ contingent with 27th place. Fiona Carle (45th) and Kay Copeland (72nd) were the other scorers, the latter having won her age category in the Alton Downsland 10k the previous week.
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Other Farnham finishers: Charles Ashby, Matt Dellar, John Hill-Vennings, Tim Cummins, Nick Hitchcock, Terry Copeland, Toby Loomis, Steve Bailey, Craig tate-Grimes, Jeff Loomis, Richard Sheppard, Tori Shaw, Wendy Carley, Claire Bailey, Cyra Parkes, Ruth Bowers, Jacquie Browne. Peter Strange provided great support after his recent operation.
Spread far and wide, Farnham Runners also had a ten-strong team at the Solent Half Marathon. James Clarke led the men’s team with a time of 1hr 23mins 55secs. Michael Haines (1-24-46) picked up second in the M50 category, while Neil Ambrose (1-33-38) achieved a new personal best, just ahead of John Phillips who took the fourth scoring spot.
Ever-improving Eloise Stradling (1-37-48) was first Farnham lady, with Tara Hunt (1-51-17) and Mary Fitzgerald (1-56-26) completing the team.
Three Farnham members took part in the Basingstoke Half Marathon and Sarah Hill won her age category and came second overall. Newcomer Linda Tyler finished fourth in her age group.
Susie Chan in illustrious company
Susie Chan of Farnham Runners joins the likes of Graham Thorpe, Jonny Wilkinson and Rachel Morris when she was named Farnham’s Senior Sports Personalty of the Year (reported in last week’s Farnham Herald). The John O’Groats to Land’s End Frogle Team, led by Cyra Parkes, was voted Best Sports Team of the Year for their relay running adventure which raised £6000 for Phyliss Tuckwell and the Alzheimer Society.