Monthly archives: May 2017

Romsey Road Runners supported the recent Romsey Relay Marathon, a charity event held each spring on the Broadlands Estate, to raise both funds and awareness for local charities. This community event, organized by the Rotary club of Romsey, was originally inspired as part of the Olympic legacy. The relay nature of this marathon gives an opportunity for anyone to take part, as part of a team who collectively run 26 miles and

385 yards. Romsey road runner fielded two teams and a brilliant effort was put in by all 20 runners: Sue Sleath, Alex Prinsep, Jimmy Hunt, Daniel Lurcock, Jo McKenzie, Dave Gardner, Caron Gaisford, Colin Waters, Becca Lurcock, Wayne Windebank, Ken West, Trevor Bond, Karen Pethick, Bridget Wells, Nikki Skeats, Deborah Rees, David Nixon, Elizabeth Prinsep, Alice Lane, Anna Duignan. The teams really appreciated the encouragement from all the other runners and reserves who turned up in support, eagerly cheering the teams on. One of the teams finished a fantastic 3rd place overall in a time of 2:48:24 and other team in 3:47:07 and 56th position.

Also on Saturday 13th May, Tamatha Ryan completed the North Downs Way, a 52-mile feat of endurance running. The ultra run started in Farnham, continuing on the Downs Way national trail passing through Guildford and Reigate hill and finishing in Knockholt pound, Greater London. Tamatha finished in 10 hours 18 minutes and described the route as varied but picturesque with many challenging sections, especially the 274 steps up at Box hill!

Finally, Mark Stileman continued his recent run of impressive performances completing the Lymington Lifeboat 10K in a very respectable time of 37.49, finishing 16th overall out of 1,060 Runners! His good form continued the following weekend at the Netley 10K (38:36) and his wife Sue Stileman, a new Romsey Road Runner, had a fantastic run taking more than a minute off her previous time 10K finishing in 51:04. Mark Suddaby who ran the course for the first time also came in in a great time of 41:45 minutes.

Last weekend saw the talented and experienced runner Sue Sleath take on the Marlborough Downs Challenge. This race is a beautiful yet challenging event, which is mostly off-road along tracks and footpaths with plenty of climbs – over 3000 feet. Sue completed the 20 mile run coming in 4th overall and 2nd in her age category in an amazing time of 2 hours 43 minutes. Sue said “the conditions were lovely, warm, but not too hot and very dry underfoot making it hard work running into the wind on the climbs”.

Also this weekend, Romsey’s Ken West entered the Alton 10 mile, this race encompasses a circuit of undulating countryside and picturesque Hampshire village lanes. Ken finished in a fab time of 1:33:51.

The previous weekend was the turn of the annual Harewood forest 10k and 5k runs. These runs are set in the heart of Hampshire’s second largest ancient woodland and a lively group of Romsey road runners completed the races in some great times and positions. In the 10K, James Battle 40:40 (second place), Mark Stileman 41:10 (fourth place), Julia Abab 1:00:13, Bridget Wells 1:04:26, Anna Duignan 1:05:40, Bob Gold 1:05:57, Derek Kelly 1:07:02, Nikki Skeats 1:08:01, Wendy Couper 1:25:32, and in the 5K, Alice Lane 40:51.

Finally Mark Stileman also recently took on the undulating but very scenic West Wight 3 Hills multi terrain challenge. This run consists of a single lap of 8 miles and takes in Golden Hill Fort, Freshwater, Headon Warren, Alum Bay, Highdown, Tennyson Down and finishes at Freshwater. Mark crossed the line in 54 minutes 26 seconds coming in a very respectable 8th place.