Monthly archives: March 2014

The duo of Anna Duignan and Wendy Couper took part in the Endurance Life event at Birling Gap in Sussex located at the extremities of the South Downs National Park.

Couper said, ‘it is a stunning venue starting at finishing at Birling Gap, which was severely damaged during the recent storms. The route offered views of the Seven Sisters and included a very windy climb up Beachy Head.  We did the 10km which actually measured 7.7 miles.  The conditions were fortunately dry and we somehow managed to escape a hail storm.’

Anna completed the course, rated as strenuous, in 1:42 and Wendy in 1:50.

This event is one of a series of 10 coastal trails organised throughout the winter. They are all off road and are rated 1-5, 5 being extreme and 1 easy.  All the events come highly recommended by participants, offering runners dramatic scenery, views of the coast and lashings of sea air.

Eastleigh 10k report will follow next week.

The Exbury 10k became the ‘Exbury 5’ for this year’s participants. This picturesque New Forest event, starting and finishing in Exbury Gardens, was cut short this year owing to the disappearance in part of the foreshore path. The path, along Lepe Beach, had suffered some erosion in recent heavy rains forcing race organisers to change the route. This part of the course is not a favourite with runners, with its energy sapping shingle and on-shore breezes, so I don’t expect the runners really objected!

Romsey Runners had two men in the top ten, finishing 3^rd and 7^th respectively. The ladies were equally pleased with their times.

RRR finishers:

• Toby Burrows, 30:10, 3rd overall
• Neil Jennings, 31:06, 7th overall
• Duncan Walling, 34:07
• Penny Jennings, 38:08
• Naomi Farrington, 49:38

Tam Ryan and daughter Rio completed their last long run before the London Marathon. Both ladies were among the 465 finishers of the Cranleigh 21. Organised by the fabulously named, ‘Cranleigh Tortoise and Hare Runners’, the Cranleigh 21 draws a number of spring marathon runners from all around the South East. Many use it as an indication of performance and to gain valuable experience for their big day. The route is a series of pleasant long loops along the quite lanes of the Surrey countryside. There are a couple of long gradual inclines on route and a sharp sting just before the finish to test those tired legs.

Tam had a good run, managing yet another personal best. Finishing in 2:33:18 as 7th Lady, 2nd in age category.

Rio had a tougher run though, getting cramp in her calf at the 12 mile mark and finishing in 3:18:41.

The John Austin Half Marathon is organised by volunteers in memory of John Austin, headed by his wife Irene Austin. 100% of the money raised by the event goes to support the work done by the Oakhaven Hospice Trust, in nearby Lymington. The course is a scenic off road, traffic free route running through the beautiful New Forest.

Last Sunday saw the 4th John Austin Half Marathon. The race was run on a new route this year due to flooding caused by recent poor weather. The new course was greeted enthusiastically by runners with a record number of entrants taking part; there were 531 finishers. Romsey Runner, Nick Berryman finished in a time of 1:34:13.

Further North, over the border in Wiltshire, the Salisbury 10, organised by the City of Salisbury Athletics & Running Clubs, also took place. This is known as a friendly race, suitable for all abilities. The route follows the banks of the River Avon North of Salisbury through the gently undulating Woodford Valley with fine views of the cathedral spire on the return leg.

This Sunday’s race was run in unseasonably warm and sun-drenched conditions providing Tam Ryan personal best for the 10 mile distance. Tam finished in 1:10:49 and fellow Romsey lady, Alison Soloman finished in 1.35.23. There were a total of 694 finishers.

Romsey lady Tam Ryan completed ‘The Terminator’ on Sunday 23^rd February.  The aptly named event includes a number of tough hills and plenty of mud. This year’s course had been extended to make it 12 miles in length and those planning it found a hill for that final mile. Tam finished in 1:47:57 as 5th Lady overall, 3rd in her age category and 77th out of 439 finishers.

Alice Lane and Robert Gold ran the Winchester 10k in times of 52:16 and 1:00:38 respectively. The race looked like it may be in jeopardy because of recent groundwater flooding in Winchester, however it went ahead.

And slightly further afield, Wayne Windebank took part in Reading half marathon, finishing in a time of 1:35:42. The Mizuno Reading Half Marathon not only takes in the highlights of the city centre of Reading but also still passes through the beautiful grounds of the University campus. The race culminates at the Madejski Stadium to the cheers of thousands, providing a great atmosphere.

After the final race of the 2013/14 CC6 series Romsey Runners fared well. The ladies finished in 4^th place, the men in 6^th and, in the team competition, the club was placed 5^th overall. Well done to those taking part.

The men’s competition ended up being a close run thing with Neil Jennings just pipping Christopher Brown by one point! They finished 15th and 16th respectively. Congratulations to Neil who improved his performance by 29 places over the series, and to Christopher who improved by 18 places.

In the ladies’ competition, congratulations goes to Tam Ryan for finishing first for Romsey ladies in 4th place overall, closely followed by Lynda Brown in 7th place overall, not far behind her was Becky Tovey finishing in 9^th place and Jo Weguelin was in 13th.