Haslemere Border Athletics Club (HBAC) members have been busy competing in races across the south.

On Saturday, May 13 there was long-awaited sunshine after what had been a very damp week – and for one Haslemere Border athlete that was very welcome as he was heading down to Wiltshire for the Marlborough Downs Challenge.

This was not the first visit for ultra-runner Dean Kellaway – as he so enjoys the event this was race number five.

The race gives those taking part the option of two distances – either a 33-mile race or a 20-mile race. Dean opted for the 20 miles.

Runners were treated to a glorious route along the Marlborough Downs with its undulating hills and beautiful landscape adorned in yellow rapeseed. The route featured the Wansdyke Path, Tan Hill Way and White Horse Trail with views across the Vale of Pewsey Woods, West Woods and Gopher Wood – taking in the scent of its wild garlic – before heading up towards Overton and Fyfield Downs back to the finish at Marlborough Leisure Centre.

Each participant received a handmade mug from the White Horse Pottery, together with a choice of tea or coffee and endless goodies for their efforts. Dean, who had trained hard, ran a superb race and gained a personal best by finishing his race in 2:49.12. No doubt he has already booked his place for 2024!

On Sunday, May 14 the rather lovely Woodland Woggle took place awash with its stunning bluebells.

The race is a 10km trail race through the beautiful Hampton Estate and Puttenham Common, with some undulating hills and narrow paths in and out of the woods. As runners arrived they were greeted with the smell of bacon wafting in the courtyard just in case they had missed that all important start to the day – breakfast. Not to mention the endless variety of homemade cakes all lined up on the table ready for the finish.

Haslemere Borders had a team of eight runners at the start line. First to complete the race was Philomel Bennett in 48.59, followed by Andy Wise in 58.56, Sam Walker in 1:04 and Tina Laing in 1:10.

Helen Gowlett – who was competing in her first event – finished in 1:13. Caroline Lawlor and Anne-Marie Greenway finished on the line together in 1:18, with Leonie Beattie-Meijer hot on their heels in 1:22. Well done to all.

For those club runners who fancied a trip to the seaside on such a glorious day, the location was Bognor, for the annual Bognor Prom 10km.

The popular race starts in Aldwick and then heads out along the promenade and the streets towards Felpham. It then returns along the sea front to the finish in West Park. The route is known to be flat and good for high speeds.

Some super-fast times were achieved, with all club runners finishing in sub one-hour times. First home for HBAC was Luke Brocks in a time of 35.50. Another excellent run from Charlotte Finden saw her finish in 49.11 and secure a well-deserved personal best. Tom Bampton finished in 49.28, and was followed by Sammy French in 53.06 and Louise Bampton in 59.22.

Peter Surma ventured to Bracknell to take part in the Lexicon Bracknell half marathon. The route starting at Bond Street in the centre of Bracknell. It consists of one lap on a mixture of footpaths, cycleways and closed roads around Bracknell before finishing at Union Street and the Lexicon Centre. Peter finished in a time of 2:20.14 and was rewarded for his efforts with a medal and a refreshing drink.

A number of HBAC members had captured the coronation spirit by signing up for a series of Virtual Coronation Races, ranging from 5km to marathon distances.

Cheryl Stafford-Jones, Suzy O’Rourke, Janet Govan, Lorraine Herring, Sarah Barnett and Ann Varnes all entered the 10km event. First to complete the virtual event were Suzy and Cheryl, who opted to combine the event with their regular Saturday parkrun and completed two laps of the Hogmoor parkrun course. Well done ladies – the Windsor Women’s 10km will seem a breeze in September.

Janet, Lorraine and Ann had decided on a route around Haslemere incorporating a number of ‘royal’ locations, including the Prince of Wales at Hammer Vale, Kings Road, the green Penfold post box with King Charles topper and a number of coronation posters, flags and bunting around the town. On completing the 10km, glasses were raised to celebrate with a glass or two of bubbly and three cheers for King Charles III.

On Saturday, May 20 – amid blue sky and the early appearance of the sun – HBAC runner Rodger Morley was at the start line for the North Downs Way Centurion 50-mile trail race.

It is the second race in the grand slam series and certainly puts all those taking part through their paces!

The race begins at Farnham, on the western side of the North Downs Way, and takes runners through some of Surrey’s most picturesque, if not extremely challenging, parts of the countryside – with a full elevation of climbing at 5,600ft!

At the early stage of the route runners are taken through Puttenham Common on the outskirts of Guildford on to Ranmore Common.

They then begin the first of many climbs – reaching the ultimate height that is Box Hill – before descending down the other side to get their breath back. Runners are then faced with another climb back up the other side of Colley Hill.

The route continues along the national trails through Merstham to Oxted before finally reaching the end at Knockholt Pound on the outskirts of Greater London.

Rodger not only powered his way up and down the hills and the mixed terrain underfoot, but as the miles increased so did the temperatures – the sun blazed down on the open landscape on what turned out to be one of the hottest spring days of the year. Rodger ran a superb race to finish the full 50 miles in a time of 9:44.28. Congratulations Rodger.

The end of May saw club coach Issy Peters take part in the Kempton Park Running Festival and opting for the marathon distance. The marathon course consisted of eight laps on a flat tarmac surface. It is ideal for spectators to support and encourage runners, and Issy’s husband was there to cheer her on.

With no shade on the course and high temperatures conditions were tiring for all runners, but this didn’t stop Issy as she finished in a time of 4:01.49. She was fifth lady overall and first in her age group. Well done Issy.

Ann Varnes and Philomel Bennett