Daniel

The Lymington Lifeboat 10k took place last weekend. Organised to support the work of the RNLI; this scenic off road 10km takes runners on a single lap of the nearby quiet lanes and coastal path, offering views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight and bracing sea breezes.

RRR finishers

• Jo Weguelin 47:19
• Andrew Archibald 47:31
• Ann-Marie Skill 55:59

Also, well done to Mike Roberts who ran a swift 1:12:30 to complete the Alton 10 mile last Sunday. Starting at finishing at Treloars College the race follows an undulating route through the picturesque Hampshire countryside and villages to finish back at the college a few metres from the start.

Elsewhere, Steve Reed, who completed the notoriously hard-core Swashbucklers Middle Distance Duathlon, comprising a 5k run followed by an 80k bike and a 22k run to finish. Steve managed to complete the first 5k run in 19 minutes, followed by 2 hours 29 min for the 80k bike ride and a 2 hours for the final run of 22k. Steve topped his age-group rankings and came in 5th overall!!

A dozen intrepid Romsey Road Runners headed west to Pembrokeshire for the penultimate leg of the Endurance Life Coastal Trail Series 2014/15 over the spring bank holiday – the club’s annual weekend away.

The races – ranging from 10k to a 35 mile ultra – began on the slipway in the pretty village of Little Haven. What started as a dull but overcast day soon deteriorated into driving rain and high winds, making the narrow coastal paths tricky to negotiate and obscuring some of the glorious views out over Marloes Sands and the stunning coastline towards St Brides. The headwind facing runners at the disused Second World War airfield, RAF Dale, was especially challenging – though runners agreed it would have been an even greater challenge trying to land a plane in those ferocious gusts.  Even the local kite festival was cancelled!

First off at 8.30am was Toby Burrows in the Ultra. Having run the London Marathon the previous weekend, he finished the 35-mile route in an impressive 6:00:29, 11th man home overall. Becky Tovey and Di Cross set out half an hour later on the 28-mile marathon course. Becky just missed the medals, finishing 5th in the women’s race in 4:50:41, with Di – running her sixth race in the series – finishing an hour later in 5:51:46, 2nd in age category. Lindsey Friedman and Naomi Farrington started 90 minutes later in the half marathon, running together to finish in 3:42:42 and 3:42:46 respectively.

The club was well represented in the 10k, with five runners tackling the linear route from Marloes back to Little Haven. Brenda Topliss was first of the Romsey contingent home in 1:35:06, 1st in the FV60 category, followed by Anna Duignan in 1:36:32 (2nd in Category), Ruth Page in 1:43:53 (3rd in category), Wendy Couper in 1:46:49 and David 
Page 1:57:20 (3rd MV60).

It took some time for the Romsey Road Runners to thaw out and dry off afterwards but all enjoyed the trip to Wales. In common with the other events in this series, the races were well organised and friendly, taking in some glorious stretches of British coastline. Highly recommended for lovers of the great outdoors – and a challenge.

Also, on the same weekend, a 5 RRRs took part in the Harewood Forest 10k at Wherwell. Including Anna Duignan and Wendy Couper, fresh back from Pembrokeshire.

This annual cross country race has a challenging course with several climbs and takes place in the heart of Hampshire’s second largest woodland. First home for Romsey was Alice Lane in 58:02 followed by Julia Abab 1:00:05, Anna Duigan 1:04:41, Derek Kelly 1:05:27 and Wendy Couper 1:17:16.

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.

The rain was very light but the wind was really hard work at the Exbury
5 on Sunday for all participants. The distance shortened to 5 miles for the 2^nd year because of damage to the beach path caused last winter is still not repaired.  Despite the blustery conditions, RRR Neil Jennings achieved a personal best and delivered on his objective to get below 30 minutes for the 5 mile course, in 29:38. Penny Jennings finished in 39:19 and Alice Lane was not too far behind in 42:27. The fun run was enjoyed by and Chloe and Bethany who completed the 1.5km run within the grounds of Exbury.

In Surrey, fellow RRR ladies Becky Tovey and Tam Ryan completed in the Cranleigh 15/21 miles respectively. Many were using this as their last long run before a spring marathon. The wind and rain made this event tougher this year as runners completed  either 2 or 3 laps of undulating Surrey countryside. Nevertheless, Tam finished in 2:35:52 and Becky in 1:59:19.

Kicking the New Year off were Romsey runners, Tam Ryan and Paul Burnage who took part in the popular annual Stubbington 10km road race. Weather conditions were near perfect and both runners put in a sterling performance; Tam Ryan gained a personal best with a time of 42:35 and fellow runner Paul Burnage was hot on Tam’s heels finishing in 43:38.

The Romsey 5 was held on 25th January at Broadlands Estate. The following RRRs took part (these are “gun” times rather than chip times):

• Ian Ralph 31:33
• Tony King 31:38
• John Quayle 35:12
• Becky Tovey 37:45
• Jane Carter 38:45
• Brenda Topliss 39:41
• Peter Smith 40:27
• Alison Solomon 41:43
• Deborah Rees 46:34
• Julie Shanker 46:53

Festive Marathon for Romsey Road Runners

Nine Romsey Road Runners decided to burn off a few calories before the Christmas indulgences by tackling the Portsmouth Coastal Waterside Marathon on 21st December. The event started along the promenade in Portsmouth and headed along the coast to Hayling Island – the half way point – before heading back to finish at the Pyramid Centre, race HQ.

The 26.2 mile trail event included muddy, grassy stretches, gravel tracks, the promenade and a stretch along the beach. After a dull, mild start, the wind picked up and provided an additional challenge for the final miles. However, the drink stations provided Jaffa Cakes, jellybeans and mulled wine to ease the pain.

Alongside the Father Christmases, snowmen and even a large present, Wendy George was the first Romsey runner home in 4:04:46, followed by Stewart Liesenham in 4:08:05. They were followed by Di Cross in 4:23:16 and Jade Rolfe, who ran to accompany a friend, in 4:25:59. Brenda Topliss followed them in 4:31:26, finishing third in her age category. Jo Weguelin (4:35:58), Becky Tovey (4:41:34) and Alice Lane (4:42:35) came in next, all running their first marathons.  Alice and Becky were raising money for the charity that supports quadruple amputee Alex Lewis, who lives locally. They were followed by Lisa Ware in 4:57:09.

Festive Spirits

Fuelled mainly by Christmas cakes and mince pies, Romsey Road Runners kept active during the festive season – and that’s not just the partying.

Lots of mud and a few hills greeted the dozen or so club members who made it to Whiteparish for the Christmas Eve run. A bit of a tradition now, the group ran up to the folly on Pepperbox Hill – now a National Trust site – round it, then back down to Whiteparish for refreshments. A cold but bright morning, the seven-mile route offered impressive views across Salisbury Plains and beyond, with the spire of the cathedral clearly visible.

Then, on New Year’s Day, almost 20 runners (and three dogs) sobered up in time for the annual outing from the Bear & Ragged Staff at Stoneymarsh. Despite a gloomy forecast, the rain held off and the club enjoyed a social seven-mile route out to Kimbridge and Mottisfont, along the Test Way before crossing the A3057 at Brook and heading back past St Mary’s Church in Michelmersh to the pub for lunch.

If your New Year’s Resolution was to get fitter, why not come along to one of our club nights? We’d love to see you.