Daniel

8 RRRs took part in the New Forest (formerly Minstead) Stinger organised by local club, Totton Runners. The Stinger offers a variety, views and mixed terrain.

Runners have a choice of distances, 5 or 10 miles which consist of a mix of trails, gravel tracks and paths in a looped course through undulating open forest. Runners are afforded in places, long views of open heath land with dense forest in the background.  This is a tough route, as the name suggests, challenging runners with several steep ‘stinger’ inclines.

The weather was perfect on the day and with firm and dry ground underfoot, conditions were good.

RRR results

5 Miles:

Anna Duignan 3^rd in age category in a time of 51:41

Wendy Couper 6^th in age category in a time of 63:48

10 Miles:

Mark Stileman 1:06:08 – 6^th overall

Mark Adams 1:13:44

Jim Wright 1:14:54

Daniel Lurcock 1:18:38

Lynda Brown 1:20:43

Penny Jennings 1:32:36

Last weekend was just perfect for running and enjoying the outdoors; many RRRs did just that.

The Clarendon Marathon, stretching from Salisbury to Winchester, using as the name suggests, the off road Clarendon Way to transverse across from Wiltshire to Hampshire. Runners were afforded some stunning long views as they negotiate the undulating route. The half way point is Broughton in Test Valley, Where the half marathon starts. There is also the option of a marathon relay.

Marathon results:
Mark Adams 3:32:18
Sue Sleath 3:42:38
Both Mark and Sue took a wrong turn at Broughton and had to cover an extra
0.4 of a mile.

Half Marathon results:
Mike Roberts  1.48.50
Becca Lurcock  2.05.19
Penny Jennings 2.05.41
Hannah Richardson 2.12.15
Lindsey Friedman 2.20.27
Marion Kelly    2.31.28

On the South Coast participating in the Bournemouth Runfest 10km were:

Trevor Band, finishing in 51:18 – 6th in his age group and Elaine Band,  finishing in 1:10:36 and 7th in her age group.

At the longer marathon distance were Dave and Sue Gardener, who finished in 4:24:16 and 4:51:07 respectively.

And finally, Anna Duignan ran the Great Scottish Run half marathon on Sunday in Glasgow. Anna got a massive PB with a finish time of 1:59:51, breaking the magical 2 hour mark. Anna came 2nd in her age (F65-69) and 1095th female out of 3520. Her family were very proud.

Missing the 30th Birthday celebrations, but representing their club at the New Forest Half Marathon on the same day were RRRs Anna Duignan and Keith Whitaker. Anna had a good run, finishing quicker than on previous occasions in a little over 2 hours – in a chip time of 2:06:15. Keith finished in 1:43:05.

Also at the New Forest, Mark Stileman, finished the full marathon distance in just over 3 hours and this was despite starting 15 minutes late due to traffic congestion reroute, he ran well and finished in a placing of 3rd Male V40 and 11th overall in a time of 3:09:51.

FIVE RIVERS, FOUR HILLS…..

On a gloriously hot Sunday (9th August), several Romsey Road Runners crossed over into Wiltshire for Salisbury’s 5-4-3-2-1 – that’s 5 rivers, 4 hills, 3 country estates, 2 castles and, of course, 1 cathedral.

Certainly one of the most scenic races on the local calendar, the trail event – with distances ranging from 50k down to 10k, and open to walkers as well as runners – starts opposite the city’s fire station and then heads off around Wessex, taking in English Heritage sites as well as private land not normally open to the public.

Nick Day definitely checked off all the landmarks listed, finishing the Ultra – his first run over this distance – in 6:16:14. Mike Roberts ran the marathon (42k) in 4:40:57 with Di Cross following him in 5:09:08.

Three runners completed the half marathon (21k), with Anna Duignan winning the FV65 category. Mark Adams was the third M40 in 1:41:31 with Paul Burnage next home in 1:57:46.

“One of my favourite events of the year,” said Di, “though I looked like a bright pink panda by the time I’d finished – less chatting and admiring the scenery, more sunblock next time!!

Romsey put out two teams at the Mile of Miles event on 15th July. Some 37 teams competed and RRR put in a very creditable performance. The event was won by Eastleigh RC in a time of 52:44. Top 5:

• Eastleigh – 52:44
• SAC – 52:58
• Lordshill – 53:10
• Stubbington – 53:52
• Hardley – 55:44

Romsey Rippers – our mens team finished in 58:44 while the ladies – the Romsey Rockets – finished in 72:45.

Rippers

1 NEIL JENNINGS 5:18
2 CHRISTOPHER BROWNE 5:53
3 JAMES BATTLE 5:14
4 STEVE GEARY 5:45
5 MARK ADAMS 5:50
6 JOE PELLING 6:12
7 JOHN QUAYLE 6:05
8 NICK DAY 6:33
9 MARK STILEMAN 5:28
10 DAVE GARDINER 6:26
Total 58:44

Rockets

1 BECKY TOVEY 6:10
2 TAM RYAN 6:29
3 LYNDA BROWN 6:17
4 BECKA LUCOCK 6:44
5 SUZANNE GARDINER 7:07
6 JULIE SHANKER 8:27
7 VICKY PELLING 8:48
8 PENNY JENNINGS 6:58
9 NAOMI FARRINGTON 8:21
10 ALICE LANE 7:24
Total 72:45

Four of the Romsey contingent took part in the annual New Forest 10 mile race on Sunday and three members were rewarded with personal bests for their efforts.

The race is popular as it combines a series of off-road route paths and tracks within a forest setting. The start and finish are at New Park just north of Brockenhurst. This mid-summer event has suffered in the past from extremes of weather, ranging from dizzy high temperatures to heavy rain and flooding. This year proved no exception and a light drizzle and cooling temperatures prompted the organisers to opt for space blankets at the end!

Neil Jennings 1:00:37  PB
Stuart Cripps 1:17:25  PB
Penny Jennings 1:23:13
Rebekah Lurcock 1:25:22 PB

Romsey Road Runners, entered a ladies team in the South Downs Relay on Saturday, 20th June. The route starts in the grounds of Slindon College just outside Chichester and uses the Monarch Way and the South Downs Way. Runners then follow the National Trail west towards the Queen Elizabeth Country Park for the finish. The Romsey team consisted of Tamatha Ryan, running the 1st leg, passing the baton on to Jo Weguelin. The third leg was run by Becky Tovey and Lynda Brown, the 4^th member, brought the team across the finish line.

The ladies team completed the course in 3:35:12, placing them in 6th position in the female standings and 30th overall; with 112 teams finishing.

Three Romsey Road Runners travelled to Royal Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire on 31st May to take part in a sprint triathlon.

The triathlon consisted of a 400m pool swim, 20km bike ride and a final 5k run. ‘Conditions were wet and windy making the event a little more interesting,’ reported Derek Kelly.

The fastest time from the Romsey contingent came from Derek Kelly – who won his age category. Derek had a combined time of 1:30:35, (9:25 swim, 47:09 bike, 30:17 run).

Alice Lane followed in second place, finishing 10th in age category. Alice’s total time was 1:34:11 (9:09 swim, 52:39 bike, 28:39 run) and third was Julia Abab. Julia, finished 4th her in category, in a time of 1:46:28 (12:55 swim, 1:00:58 bike, 28:17 run). Julia’s time included an unscheduled pit stop to replace her chain, adding an additional 7 minutes to her time.