Todays Runner, Farnham
Despite a number of club members having to give the latest Todays Runner event a miss through illness there was still a good number of Green Vests who turned out at The Bourne Woods near Farnham. The race was hosted by Farnham Runners and 18 men and 5 ladies competed for the club over a course whose sandy tracks and challenging hills seemed to sap the strength from most runner's legs. Strong packing at the front end in both the men's and ladies' sections paid off as both teams came second in their categories behind Farnham Runners and Basingstoke respectively but with Farnham ladies only coming 5th and Basingstoke's men coming 4th our combined four points was enough to see us win the event overall.
Andy Simpson always performs well in these events and this time was no exception as he led the men home with a third place. There followed a race to the line between Mike White and Chris Hall with Mike just edging Chris out while these two were closely followed by Dave Jeffery giving us four runners in the first 15. The scoring places were completed by Alistair Ewing making his first appearance in this year's series.
Georgie Gair returned having missed out at Pamber Forest and was the first of the ladies home in fourth place, closely followed by Susie MacGregor whose sixth place improved on her previous finish by one place. A fine run by Sally McGrath saw her improve by ten places on her run at QE Park to clinch the final scoring place for the ladies who were also supported by Rachael Openshaw on her first run and Ann Blake.
Results
Men: 3rd Andy Simpson, 9th Mike White, 10th Chris Hall, 13th Dave Jeffery, 26th Alistair Ewing, 29th Mike Harper, 51st Nick Crane, 63rd Mike Bell, 69th Phil May, 75th Jon Leigh, 87th Simon Carson-Jones, 101st Nick Kimber, 120th Andy Lee, 123rd Mike Clarke, 130th Paul Hailwood, 160th John Vose, 173rd Andy Tomlinson, 181st Chris Gallagher
Ladies: 4th Georgie Gair, 6th Susie MacGregor, 16th Sally McGrath, 52nd Rachael Openshaw, 81st Ann Blake
Click here for photos.
Race 4 is being held at Lord Wandsworth College on Sunday 3rd January at 11.00m and will be a good opportunity to run off the New Year hangover.The College can be reached from J5 of the M3. Take the A287 then B3349 via North Wanborough and Odiham. Go past the RAF Station and turn left at the bottom of the hill, through Long Sutton village. The College gates are just beyond the Four Horse Shoes pub. From Alton take the B3349 to Hook then turn right just past South Wanborough. Go through Long Sutton village as above. Car parking is within the College grounds and will be signposted from the gates.
Toilets will be available close to the car park and start but there are no changing facilities. Refreshments will be served in the Sutton Sports Hall at a cost of £1 and we have been asked to ensure that muddy shoes are not worn in the hall after the race. As an incentive to encourage car sharing the organisers have advised that all drivers with three or more persons in their vehicle will be issued with a voucher for free food.