HRRL changes
THE Hampshire Road Race League campaign still isn't over, but already next season's calendar has already been finalised.
The Stubbington 10km on Sunday, January 14th, is part of the ten-race calendar, and it will also figures as a Hampshire 10km Championship race.
This was decided at the annual meeting of the Hampshire Road Race League is Eastleigh, when representatives from 16 clubs voted for their choice of events next season.
Traditionally, the programme has been made up of five races of five miles or 10kms, and five races of ten miles plus.
One suggestion put forward at the annual meeting was that there should be a free vote so that the programme could be made up of simply the most popular races - in theory ten 10kms or ten 10-milers, half marathons and 20-milers. This proposal was thrown out.
It was also discussed whether to continue to make the Brading 10km race mandatory. In the past, the Isle of Wight race, which always falls at the end of the season, was a compulsory event for clubs because it was felt important to support racing on the island. It was agreed at the meeting not to make the Brading 10km race mandatory, and in the end, the June finale failed to make the 10 counting races next season.
Instead, the Ryde 10 miler on January 28th will take its place and provide the lone Island race.
The final race of the season will be the Totton 10km on April 15th. There was some speculation that the Totton 10km may not be held at organisers Totton Running Club were looking to stage the race off road because of the threat of police charges. In the event, the Damocles' Sword of police charges has gone away, and the popular Totton race stays.
Also still on the programme, although God knows why because the entry is so limited and hard to get into, is the Mad March 20 on March 4th. Stubbington voted for the Bramley 20 believing that this was a far better option as a race, well organised and easier to enter.
Besides the Brading 10km, also gone from the programme is the Alton 10, and the Lordshill 10 - Victory 5, Ryde 10 and the Gosport Half taking their places.
The season itself kicks off as usual with the two-lap Overton 5 on September 2nd. Runners will also face the prospect of three league races in three weeks in late November and early December with the Gosport Half, Hayling 10 and the newly-introduced Victory 5 following in successive weeks.
Oh well, at least that provides three useful excuses to avoid the Christmas shopping!
Race schedule:
Saturday, September 2nd: Overton 5.
Sunday, October 15th: Hardley a Half.
Sunday, November 19th: Gosport Half Marathon.
Sunday, November 26th: Hayling 10.
Sunday, December 3rd: Victory 5.
Sunday, January 14th: Stubbington 10km.
Sunday, January 28th: Ryde 10m.
Sunday, March 4th: Mad March 20.
Sunday, March 25th: Eastleigh 10km.
Sunday, April 15th: Totton 10km.