Monthly archives: February 2014

For those training for a spring marathon, the Bramley 20 mile is a key event in the calendar. Three Romsey ladies made the journey North of Basingstoke for the two lap event. Runners follow a gently undulating route through the lanes of north Hampshire, facing a couple of longer inclines, which always seem worse second time around.

For Rio Brookes-Gibbs it was her first 20 miler. Rio wasn’t even sure that she could run the 20 miles and was pleasantly surprised to finish in a time of 2:56:23, giving her a real confidence boost for the London Marathon in April. Shantha Dickinson was pleased too, sticking to her marathon training plan and finishing in 2:33:24. Finally, seasoned runner Tam Ryan finished in a personal best of 2:27:19. Three happy ladies.

In the shorter Bramley ten mile, Wayne Windebank and Becky Tovey had cracking runs both managing massive personal bests.

Windebank finished in 1:08:49 and Tovey in a time of 1:16:34. The unexpected dry and sunny conditions with a slight wind were just perfect for running and rewarded those turning out on Sunday with pleasing results.

Sunday 2nd February saw Tam Ryan and Rio Brookes-Gibbs competing together in the Blackmore Vale Half Marathon, in nearby Dorset. This has a reputation as a tough course as it has relentless hills and is known for being exposed; both make it tough. The last mile is up a steep ‘killer’ hill up towards the end, literally finishing runners off. Brookes-Gibbs realised a personal best was no where near possible but finished strongly in 1:55:30. Ryan did get a PB and was very pleased with her performance on this tough course. Finishing in a time of 1:34:07, as 7th overall and 2nd in age category.

On Sunday 9th February the Chichester 10k saw the Romsey men in action. The duo of Paul Burnage and Christopher Stocks completed this popular road race. Many participants go all out in hope for a personal best, as the route is flat with some nice downhills in places; one nearing the finish.
Over 1,600 runners finished event, “the rain managed to stay away, there were no floods, leaving only a strong wind to battle through,” said Burnage afterwards. Paul finished in 43:38, positioned 336rd with Christopher Stocks finishing in 409th position in a time of 44:51.