IT has been another busy spell for Haslemere Borders athletes as they competed in a number of races across the country.

However, their tremendous efforts were surpassed by the latest Couch to 5K group in their Graduation Park Run at Staunton on November 17. The group’s first park run was a culmination of 10 weeks of weekly timed runs starting from a point of running for one minute and walking for 90 seconds. They gradually built up until they were comfortable running for 40 minutes and with the confidence to run their first 5k.

The group of 11 runners were cheered on and supported by family and friends, together with other Haslemere Border Athletics Club members there to take part in the park run and support the new runners. Head coach Daniel Allaway said he was “immensely proud” of everyone’s achievement and hopes that this is just the start of their journey.

Elsewhere, four intrepid athletes took to the hills of Carmarthan to take part in the Brechfa Trail Half Marathon, as part of the tough runner series. As a warm up to the 11am start of the half-marathon, they all opted to run the Llyn Llech Owain Park Run, over a mere 5k.

First home in the park run was Andy Wareham 23 minutes 10 seconds, followed by Lisa Blayden (25.24), Clair Green (25.45) and Rupert Hollom (26.42). The half-marathon was set in the spectacular location of Brechfa Forest, with the breathtaking views awaiting Andy, Clair, Rupert and Lisa as they took on the challenging route and the many hills, totalling an elevation gain of 600m. First home for the group was Lisa Blayden in a fantastic time of two hours 16 minutes 27 seconds for fourth place in her age category. Andy Wareham finished in 2.21.50, Clair Green in 2.28.26, and Rupert Hollom in 2.29.12.

Karen Sinclair chose to take part in the Winter is Coming Run at Runneymede Pleasure Gardens. The run is a seven-hour time challenge event, where you can run as far as you want in the time. All participants are encouraged to run the distance they are comfortable with, as long as it is more than 5k. Karen ran 26-and-a-half kilometres in a time of 3.00.52.

Club runner Andrew Steele chose to take on the Cancer Research Tough 10k at Box Hill. Set in the picturesque surroundings of the Surrey Hills, the 10k route is a real challenge with some serious hill climbs before reaching the summit of Box Hill. Unfortunately for Andrew, the narrow tracks and volume of runners meant that some inclines had to be walked. Despite this, he completed the course in 1.09.02.

Tom Bampton represented the club in the Gosport Half-Marathon. Now in its 33rd year, the race is run mainly on cycle paths and pavements, with the final stretch along the Esplanade. The race attracted more than 1670 runners, on a day which saw near-perfect running conditions. Tom completed the course in 1.42.25 to finish in 210th place for his age category.