THE more than 800 runners who entered this year’s Farnham Pilgrim Marathon have been singing its praises.

The bright but cool weather made for ideal running conditions, which contributed to the enjoyment of a popular event.

Dozens of runners have posted comments on social media which reflect their appreciation. Some of them are:

“A superbly organised and run event. Genuinely enjoyable. Thanks to the organisers and also all the marshals for taking time out of their day to help run the event.”

“Many thanks to the marshals – absolutely amazing. Brilliantly stocked water and food stations. Event organisation as top notch as ever. An amazing day.”

“Fantastic day: thank you. A special note of gratitude to all the marshals and people who put the signposting out. Exemplary organisation.”

“My first time. Very impressed by the organisation, cheery marshals, well stocked food stations, and what an amazing course…now to recover!”

“Thank you everyone involved – a great race as usual. This was my eighth year and I’m sure I will be back next year too. Even the live music kept going and going – brilliant!”

The hundreds of marshals who help to man the event have also posted comments including:

“Great day marshalling – lovely to have such courteous and appreciative runners.”

The self-dubbed ‘Tyre Lady’, who was one of the star attractions this year, said: “Excellent event, wonderful event village, amazing hydration points, superb volunteers.”

The organisers, Farnham Weyside Rotary Club, are grateful to the many hundreds of volunteers who contributed to a marvellous day.

Appreciation is also due to the sponsors who have helped to make the event such a success, including the Farnham Herald, Specsavers, Taylor Wimpey, Farnham Town Council, Crest Nicholson, Baker Law Solicitors, Castles Estate Agents, Alton Sports and Fyffes bananas.

To enter next year’s Pilgrim Marathon, or to find out more about it, see the website www.farnhampilgrim.org.uk and have a look at the Facebook page.

For more information about Farnham Weyside Rotary Club, see the website, www.farnhamweyside.org.uk.

The winners in each category were:

Marathon (men)

1 Joe Morwood (Aldershot, Farnham and District AC) 2.48 hours

2 Rob Harkness (Aldershot, Farnham and District AC) 3.11

3 James O’Shea (Serpentine RC) 3.14

Marathon (women)

1 Sarah Hill (Farnham Runners) 3.16

2 Alice Hector (EVO Tri Club) 3.20

3 Dawn Godwin (Windle Valley Runners) 3.28

Men 30 – 39: 1 James O’Shea (Serpentine RC) 3.14

Women 30 – 39: 1 Alice Hector (EVO Tri Club) 3.20

Men 40 – 49: 1 Rob Harkness (Aldershot, Farnham and District AC) 3.11

Women 40 – 49: 1 Sarah Hill (Farnham Runners) 3.16

Men 50 – 59: 1 Gavin Rennie (Reading Road Runners) 3.39

Women 50 – 59: 1 Anna Louis 3.52

Men 60-plus: 1 Nicholas Holmes (Fleet and Crookham AC) 3.52

Women 60-plus: 1 Margaret Hodges (Rhayader AC) 5.54

Half marathon (men)

1 Stephen Fabes (Victoria Park Harriers and Tower Hamlets AC) 1.22

2 Christopher Tizzard (Aldershot, Farnham and District AC) 1.27

3 Matthew Huntley (Aldershot, Farnham and District AC) 1.28

Half marathon (women):

1 Helen Barran (Haslemere and Border AC) 1.37

2 Lesley Barnett 1.41.24secs

3 Jo Payne (Woking AC) 1.41.35secs

Men 30 – 39: 1 Stephen Fabes (Victoria Park Harriers and Tower Hamlets AC) 1.22

Women 30 – 39: 1 Lesley Barnett 1.41.24secs

Men 40 – 49: 1 Marc Soane (Basingstoke and Mid Hants AC) 1.28

Women 40 – 49: 1 Helen Barran (Haslemere and Border AC) 1.37

Men 50 – 59: 1 Colin Addison (Farnham Runners) 1.39

Women 50 – 59: 1 Jo Longmuir (Camberley and District AC) 1.42

Men 60-plus: 1 Stephen Low (Blackwater Valley Runners) 1.33

Women 60-plus: 1 Olive O’Dowd-Booth 2.03

The team prizes were awarded to:

Marathon – Haslemere Border AC

Half Marathon – Fleet and Church Crookham AC.