FARNHAM Runners achieved encouraging team results in the Hayling ‘10’, the fourth event of the Hampshire Road Race League.

Organised by Havant AC, the ten-mile event used a route that included part of the disused ‘Hayling Billy’ railway line and a section along the sea front. Conditions were chilly for the 9.30am start, but brilliant sunshine gave rise to spectacular coastal views for those with time to look.

A strong Farnham ladies A team came fifth out of ten on the day to consolidate seventh overall in the top division. The B string came a fine second in the B top division, rising to seventh out of 15 on aggregate, while the C team’s top place in B division two advanced them to tenth overall.

The men finished first in B division two and head the table after four events. The B squad are top of B division two after coming second on the day. The C team came seventh out of 17, keeping them in the top half of B division two.

In addition, the 27 Farnham entrants returned with three age-group prizes, 12 top-ten positions and 11 personal best times.

Uncatchable in the club’s Grand Prix table, James Clarke was just 20 seconds off his personal best, placing 19th out of 582 finishers in 59mins 28secs.

Andrew Ellison (1-01-33) claimed third prize in the competitive M45 category, with Rob Gilchrist (1-01-56, 5th M40) close on his tail. In his first 10-mile race, newcomer Matt Saker impressed with 1-02-34 (4th M40).

Harvey Wickham (1-06-26) took nearly two minutes off his PB to lead in the B team, backed up by Neil Ambrose (PB 1-07-16), Ali Hardaway (1-10-00, 5th M60) and Keith Marshall (PB 1-11-04). Marshall set a new club M60 record for 10 miles, slicing almost five minutes off Chris Jackson’s time in 2016.

Tim Cummins (1-11-23) headed the C team, followed by John Phillips (1-12-18), Chris Cramp (1-15-47), Steve Murphy (1-17-32), Stuart Laurie (PB 1-21-05), Mike Taylor (1-22-56) and Peter Strange (1-48-33, 6th M70).

Emma Pearson continued to improve with 29th in the ladies’ race with a personal best 1-12-33 (6th F40).

Emma Russ was close to her PB with 1-12-56 (9th senior lady) and Eloise Stradling was the final A team scorer in 1-13-26 (10th senior).

Linda Tyler set a relentless pace with 1-17- 24 for first W55 prize. Lindsay Bamford made good ground in the last mile for 1-17-48 (6th F50), while Jane Georghiou won the F60 race in 1-18-31. This was a new age-group club record and puts Jane sixth on the UK F65 ten-mile table for 2017 (her club record and UK ranking now count for the 65s).

Anne Snelson, on debut for Farnham, was first for the C team with 1-19-55 (10th F50), backed up by Kate Townsend (PB 1-23-12) and Rebecca Martin (PB 1-25-39. Other times: Emma Campbell 1-28-12, Alison Yearsley 1-51-26, Jacquie Browne 1-51-26.