FARNHAM Runners travelled to Overton for the fourth and penultimate round of the Hampshire League cross- country series on Saturday and obtained some excellent results.
The men were delighted with a season's best fourth place out of the 10 teams in division two. They move up to sixth overall and look much more secure in this division.
Farnham's veteran team fared even better, gaining second place in division two to lie sixth out of 19 teams after four matches. Andy Green is sixth in the individual veteran scores.
The ladies team finished 10th out of 15 in this competitive league (fourth out of eight in the veterans) and their aggregate position is now eighth.
Pre-race apprehension about the state of the course proved unfounded because the surface had softened in the sun, unlike the frozen and rutted assembly area. The few deep puddles with broken ice posed little problem to experienced runners.
First to set out were the ladies on a 5.1km route of one small and one large lap.
Jane Georghiou led the way with a fine 25th, gaining on uphill sections but overtaken by four sprinting finishers on the last downhill.
Jo Edson made an impressive debut to take 51st place in her first attempt at this short distance, having completed the Dublin City Marathon in the autumn.
Nicolette Overy underlined her return to fitness with a fine run for 68th place, while Maxine Millichip (83rd) provided valuable back-up for the team.
The men tackled a three-lap 9km route and the Farnham ladies paid back in kind for the vociferous support given during their race.
Any lack of form due to recent illness was not apparent as Andy Green headed the team in 62nd position.
Steve Parker made a surprise move into the leading pack in the early stages and despite being unable to hold position, ran a season's best of 80th.
Vince Crowley made a late decision to include the race in his London Marathon training and strode comfortably to 109th.
The enthusiasm of new men's captain Charles Ashby propelled him to a personal best 118th, while Terry Steadman never let his efforts falter as he completed the scoring team in 127th.
Nigel Twort, winner of the club's recent handicap race, came 151st and had plenty left in the tank.. Dan Smith (167th) made a welcome return to the racing scene and Richard Baldock (196th) gained experience in pacing after a fast start.