Eleven Farnham Runners enjoyed a trip to the Isle of Wight to take part in the Ryde Ten, organised by Ryde Harriers.

Joe Collins doesn't hang around
Joe Collins doesn't hang around (Farnham Runners)

Joe Collins flew round in an impressive time of 1:02.04, giving a boost to the club’s men’s A team in the Hampshire Road Race League as they came top of the A2 division on the day to maintain their lead after seven of the 12 events. Joe came 12th overall out of 497 finishers. Nick Grist in 1:09.15, Richard Denby in 1:10.58 and Tony Jones in 1:11.52 completed the A team score. An incomplete B team of Ivan Chunnett (1:11.52), Justin Clarke (1:14.10) and Chris Raby (1:21.23) placed sixth on the day, but Farnham Runners stayed top of the B2 table.

Colette Grist smiling to the end
Colette Grist smiling to the end (Farnham Runners)

Farnham’s four ladies placed sixth in the A1 division. Linda Tyler finished in 1:23.29, followed by Bridget Naylor in 1:25.51, Colette Grist in 1:32.19 and Debbie Moorcroft in 1:44.45.

Farnham Runners before the Bourne Woods cross-country
Farnham Runners before the Bourne Woods cross-country (Farnham Runners)

Two weeks later was the final round of the Southern Cross-Country League at Bourne Woods. Farnham Runners’ race director Craig Tate-Grimes obtained permission from the Rural Life Centre and set a challenging course.

Craig Tate-Grimes gives the final instructions
Craig Tate-Grimes gives the final instructions (Farnham Runners)

The series was very competitive with Farnham Runners lying in joint-fourth place before the last round. Despite the best efforts of the runners they had to settle for fifth place in the series out of the 23 clubs in the league.

Last runner marshals Nicola O'Connor and Penny Schnabel
Last runner marshals Nicola O'Connor and Penny Schnabel (Farnham Runners)

The ladies team came fifth and the men sixth on the day. The four scoring ladies were Lizzie May in eighth, Leza Milligan in 13th, Emma Pearson in 23rd and Louise Granell in 29th. For the men Joe Collins came fourth, Liam McMurray 11th, Toby Loomis 17th and Bob Brimicombe 76th.

Bourne Woods cross-country helpers Candy Waller, Carolyn Wickham, Julia Tagg and Shirley Perrett
Bourne Woods cross-country helpers Candy Waller, Carolyn Wickham, Julia Tagg and Shirley Perrett (Farnham Runners)