HASLEMERE Border Athletic Club runners had a hectic weekend, starting with the Bowlhead Green Loop Handicap Challenge, organised by club members on Friday.

The event used an eight-mile circular route, starting and finishing at the Devil’s Punchbowl. All entrants had to run the loop prior to the race and submit their times for handicaps and staggered start times. The aim was to create a competitive race, with the faster runners attempting to chase down the earlier starters.

All the runners completed the course around ten minutes of each other, with Patsy Davis taking the coveted winner’s crown.

Sunday saw a diverse choice of races for the teams. The more serious runners entered the Pilgrims Marathon and Half Marathon. Starting in Farnham, the races followed a challenging, but rewarding route around the Surrey Hills.

Two Border members completed the full marathon, Donna Read recording an excellent 3hrs 53mins 23secs for third in age group, while Robert Webb came home in 4-41-05.

Leading the Haslemere team in the half marathon was Chris Shipley in 1-35-08, followed by Dean Kellaway (1-48-19), Paul Fleming (1-59-08), Tom Bampton (2-00-51). Lisa Blayden was first Border lady in 2-06-14. Then came Ruth Blanco (2-12-47) and Karen Sinclair (2-39-55).

Elsewhere in the Surrey Hills, athletes took part in a rather different event – the Surrey Bacchus Marathon and Half Marathon, with five wine-tasting stations on a route that took in the Pilgrims Way (the paths did not cross), North Downs, National Trust countryside and the stunning Denbies Wine Estate.

It was very hilly in places, but the wine stations, fantastic views and long downhill finish were ample compensation.

The runners included BBC Breakfast Show hosts Chris Evans and Vassos Alexander and entrants were encouraged to wear fancy-dress for this very merry event.