Stubbington Green Runners & AC

Despite 32 Stubbies running this popular and fast race, we had our poorest team result of the season. This was partly due to injuries and Marathon training and something going on at Wembley, but also to the Winchester's and Soton R.C's best runners liking for this fast course.

Whilst Andy was our first runner home, as he often is, in most races he would be well inside the top ten in HRRL, here the impressive quality pushed him down to 18th in HRRL. Next in was Chairman Chris Hall, who declined this Wembley trip as he is off there shortly when the opposition is Tottenham, rather than Carlisle!

The A team finished 5th in Div 1, thanks to Mike White and Dave Jeffery both running under 6 min miles. Mike gets consistently high placings in the V50 category, and I'd say his Brighton Marathon training is looking good. Dave has been making steady improvements all season, so great to see him dip under 37 mins.

After 5 successive wins the B team were pushed down to 3rd, although I'm pleased to say we have already done enough to win the B league. Tony's Marathon training must be going well as he set off around 5.30 min miles! He came in with me and Kev, who has now got some consistent training in, and this is showing with some real improvements to his times. Young Lewis also started quick, and this coupled with new shoes, saw him drop back a little, but 38 mins was good enough to complete the B team, and I doubt very many other teenagers were ahead of him.

The only other Stubby to run sub 40 mins was Adrian, a really encouraging first HRRL race for him. Great to see both Phil Martin and John Blake improving with almost every race, watch out Mike Bell! Lots of other excellent runs from our men, Paul and Alan having another good dual and well under 50 mins, also must mention Robert who has run every HRRL and is making huge improvements, and Chris who dipped under the hour. I always think that 40, 50, 60 and even 70 mins are great barriers to break through, and then it's a case of chipping away to take 5 mins off and maybe eventually 10?

The ladies are now clinging onto 3rd place in Div 1 by their fingertips from Fareham. With Susie and Tina unable to run here, we were led home by another great run from Gill. A sub 45 min chip time, gave Gill her best HRRL % of the season, and moved her up to 19th in the League. With her 7 races now complete, she not only gets her name on the mug at the end of the season, but with two more races possible, the chance to move up further by dropping her lowest %'s.

Lucy and Margie completed the A team, both running sub 50 mins. Lucy just warming up for her afternoon cross country! Good to see some new names amongst the ladies in the HRRL as well. Naomi led the B team home with a great run, just squeezing under 50 mins on the chip time. She had good support from Jas, Victoria and Sandra. What a shame that Sharon had to drop out halfway with a hamstring problem, partly as it would have been her 5th race and with two still to go she would have got a nice keepsake of the HRRL mug, but more importantly with the London Marathon only a month away, we hope that it isn't too serious and wish Sharon lots of luck there.

With lots of new members running here, it is a good time to remind everyone that Club vests must be worn. Not wearing one will lead to disqualification, possibly individually but definitely from team results. We have an April break from HRRL, with Marathons taking over, but we are back in May with the last two crucial races.

Please make every effort to run at Alton and Netley, enter now as they will fill up very quickly. Report by Mike Harper.

Click here for photos.

74th	Andy Simpson	34.26
111th	Chris Hall	36.04
126th	Mike White	36.43
131st	Dave Jeffery	36.55
138th	Mike Harper	37.11
140th	Tony Smith	37.15
143rd	Kev Wheeler	37.17
174th	Lewis Banner	38.02
225th	Adrian Charlton	39.43
297th	Mike Bell	41.38
326th	Phil Martin	42.20
339th	John Blake	42.35
349th	Richard Thomas	42.46
365th	Phil May	43.08
425th	Richard Snell	44.16
436th	Dan Harley	44.23
483rd	Gill Rose	45.11
504th	David Abrams	45.43
644th	Lucy May	48.25
684th	Paul Southon	49.09
690th	Alan White	49.15
695th	Margie Pritchard	49.19
740th	Aitken Hunter	50.06
766th	Naomi Crane	50.35
786th	Chris Smith	50.59
868th	John Vose	52.31
915th	Jas Smith	53.34
1015th	Martyn Banner	55.12
1102nd	Robert Spencer	57.05
1173rd	Victoria Townsend	58.57
1182nd	Sandra Abrams	59.16
1200th	Chris Gallagher	59.29
	1536 finishers	Gun time