THE SUDDEN onset of a heatwave came as a shock to the runners in the Overton 5 mile race, expertly organised by Overton Harriers.

After weeks of mainly cloudy weather, the sun came out at lunchtime and the hilly course, along scenic lanes around the village, offered little shade.

Runners were already very warm by the time they had walked to the start with temperatures in the mid-20s.

The start was chip timed so those who wanted to avoid a mass start could do so.

They had to dig deep to the tackle the hills but all Farnham Runners finished the course in good time.

After a successful 2018-19 season, both their men’s and ladies’ A and B teams stayed in their respective top divisions.

With last season abandoned because of Covid-19, they started this season with these high standards to maintain.

In fact, the club gained one of the best-ever set of Hampshire Road League scores.

The men’s A squad came third, the ladies’ As second, while the men’s Bs were fourth and the ladies’ Bs first, all the top divisions.

The men were led in by Nik Darlington in 28min 27sec, an impressive sixth overall and fourth senior man in this competitive series.

Not far back was James Clarke in 29:26, 12th finisher and eighth senior.

Next came newcomer Ivan Chunnett in 35:20 and third M60, and Keith Marshall finished in 35:22.

For the first year, ladies’ teams needed four, not three, runners. For the A team Kayleigh Copeland in 35:31 (tenth lady and fourth senior lady) battled to stay ahead of Louise Granell in 35:48 (13th lady and fourth F35).

Lindsay Bamford clocked 39:35 and Linda Tyler 39:36, just one second back on chip times.

Terry Copeland put in a strong performance for the B team in 35:48 (fourth M60). Next came James Goodwin in 39:52, Andy Clegg (41:37 and second M70) and Terry Steadman (42:20).

Leading in a close-packed ladies’ B team was Jane Georghiou (second F65 in 44:38), followed by Gill Iffland (45:09), Kay Copeland (fifth F60 in 45:14) and Laura Quinn (47:33).

Like nearly all the clubs in the league, Farnham Runners had only incomplete C teams in this race.

The runners who took part were Craig Tate-Grimes (44:12), Carol Dare (51:18), Penny Schnabel (51:52) and Douglas Blyth (second M75 in 56:20).

Farnham Runners are now looking forward to taking part in the rest of Hampshire Road Race League races, as well as the Southern League cross countries that are due to begin next month.

Their course for beginners is now under way, while a number are now tapering before taking part in the London Marathon.