AFTER an extremely chilly ferry crossing, 14 members of Farnham Runners competed in the annual Ryde Ten-Mile Race on the Isle of Wight.

The meeting was part of the Hampshire Road Race League and the challenging route included a new section around St Helens Duver and up through Nodes Point Holiday Park. Despite the number of hills, two Farnham entrants achieved personal best times.

Eight men took part and James Clarke was first back in an excellent 19th (13th senior) out of 459 finishers, recording 1hr 01min 47secs.

Andrew Ellison clocked 1-03-04 for second in his new age category and Harvey Wickham showed his value to the team with 1-08-45. Michael Stephens was the final scorer with a PB 1-12-31. The A team were fourth on the day and, second overall, are challenging for promotion with five events to go.

Stephen Murphy (1-18-24) fended off a late surge from men’s road captain John Phillips (1-18-54). Kevin Laurie raced to a new PB (1-19-58), followed by Stuart Laurie (1-23-46) and this B team came a useful fourth in B Division Two and remain top on aggregate.

Six Farnham ladies competed and Eloise Stradling was comfortably fastest for the club in a fine 1-14-37, finishing sixth senior lady.

Linda Tyler (1-22-24) and Anne Snelson (1-22-54) were both third in their age categories, helping the A team to sixth on the day, keeping them a safe eighth out of ten clubs in the top flight.

Tina Harrison (1-46-06) and two debutants, Jackie Wilkinson (1-48-21 and Chris Chapman (2-04-31), made valuable contributions as the B string came eighth on the day, putting them tenth out of 15 clubs in B Division One.

Six Farnham members tackled the Bramley 20-miler as part of their marathon training. Times: Harvey Wickham 2-33-07, Lindsay Bamford 2-56-08, Linda Tyler 2-58-11, Keith Marshall 3-02-30, Stuart Laurie 3-03-14, Kevin Laurie 3-03-15, Bob Brimicombe 1-10-10 (10-mile race).