Monthly archives: April 2015

Marie Duignan completed the Boston Marathon. Marie who had been living in Boston until recently finished the course in a time of 3:28:18, gaining her an automatic place for next year. ‘Considering all interruptions to my training with the moving from America back to the UK, and then Romsey to London, I was really pleased with this time. Not my best, but certainly not my worst!’

Taking part in the 35^th London Marathon last Sunday were 3 Romsey Runners: Toby Burrows, Neil Payne and Tam Ryan. The near perfect conditions favoured all runners, and Romsey preformed well. First home for the club was Tam Ryan in 3:12:52, she was followed by Toby Burrows in 3:27:41 and Neil Payne finished in 4:30:24.

Much closer to home there was an impressive turn out by RRRs at the first ever Southampton 10k/Half Marathon.  This debut event was billed as having something for all. Runners started in Hoglands Park in the city centre, the route

remained flat with the notable exception of its crossing of the Itchen Bridge, where participants were provided with views of the entire city and glimpses of the Isle of Wight.

Mark Stileman was 4th home and 1st in age category in the 10k in a time of 38:51.6.

RRR Results from the Southampton Half Marathon:

• Ian RALPH 1:25:19.5
• Neil JENNINGS 1:25:35.9
• James BATTLE 1:25:43.7
• Steve GEARY 1:31:43.6
• Jonathan WILLIAMS 1:33:41.3
• Stephen REED 1:33:46.6
• Paul BURNAGE 1:34:48.5
• Lee HARRIS 1:35:22.6
• Christopher BROWN 1:36:01.6
• Hannah SHUTT 1:37:40.9
• Joanna WEGUELIN 1:42:30.8
• Andrew ARCHIBALD 1:43:00.0
• Penny JENNINGS 1:46:15.0
• Alice LANE 1:56:21.5
• Jacqueline BAILEY 2:09:26.1
• Julie SHANKER 2:18:19.5
• Linda WEBB 2:18:02.3

There was a big turn out for the Houghton trail events this year, with the added attraction of no mud, dry conditions and sunny to boot! This low key local event caters for walkers, runners and cyclists and offers a gentle undulating series of routes around the village of Houghton. There is something for everyone, with varying distances for all participants. The proceeds raised from the event are donated to the Houghton All Saints Church. This year a record 357 people participated. The tea and supply of cakes was very welcomed at the finish by all those taking part.

RRR finishers:

• 

  Neil Jennings 43:41 Winner of the 11k trail race

• Mark Adams 51:50
• Tony Peelo 56:23
• Penny Jennings 59:37
• Marion Kelly 1:09:11
• Greg Roulston 1:17:56
• Ruth Page 1:20:06
• Wendy Couper 1:23:25
• Steve Edwards cycled the 32k in 1:37:01, finishing 16^th.
• Alice Lane and Beth Downhall did the shorter 5k distance. Beth finishing in 13^th place in 44 mins.

And finally, the best of luck to RRRs Tam Ryan and Neil Payne who are competing in the Virgin London Marathon, this coming Sunday.

One of the series of Endurance Life Events, took place on Saturday 11th April, this time in lovely Exmoor. It is billed as the toughest course in the series and is definitely a grueling test of endurance for even the very hardest trail and fell runners. This didn’t put off a hardy group of RRR who ventured to Devon and enjoyed the pleasing scenery offered by this challenging trail event. The Romsey contingent did well and were rewarded for their efforts. Results were as follows:

In the 10K distance, Lynda Brown finished in 1:14:26 and was placed 3rd in the FV40 category whilst Wendy Couper finished in 2nd place in the FV60 category in a time of 1:49:49. In the Half Marathon, Di Cross finished in 2:45:11.

The ladies were cheered on by two former RRRs: Carol Brunner – who now lives in the Heddon Valley – and Angie Stuckey.