Romsey Advertiser's Articles

There is no stopping Romsey Road Runners as they enter the autumn season of races. No less than 20 members turned out to compete in the Great Clarendon Marathon on Sunday, with 18 runners in the half marathon and 2 taking on the full distance. The crisp autumn air was accompanied by a warm sunshine, the first year of good weather for this race for some time making the off-road paths much less treacherous than in previous years.

Clive Hearn and Ali Longworth set off from Salisbury for the full marathon to Winchester, Hearn competing in his second full marathon in as many weeks with his sights set on a third in Leicester next Sunday, whilst the half marathoners started an hour and 45 minutes later from the village of Broughton. Longworth, who has competed in a host of long distance races in recent weeks, was soon up amongst the half marathon runners with just 7 miles to go for all the competitors. The gruelling course certainly took its toll, with several competitors tripping on exposed tree roots or taking a tumble as they attacked yet another hill, but the support from other club members, marshals and the public alike was very encouraging.

Jimmy Hunt put in a sterling performance completing the half marathon in 1 hour 30, finishing 7th in the senior men’s category. Chris Brown also ran a confident race, finishing in 1 hour 40. Tamatha Ryan and Jane Carter were the first ladies home for the club within a minute of each other in 1:48 and 1:49 respectively and finishing 3rd and 4th F40. Matt Hurst, David Wells, Steve Davies, Penny Jennings and Paul Cutbill all came in under the 2 hour mark and a further 9 Romsey runners came streaming in – all finishing within an hour of Hunt’s arrival at the finish. Longworth and Hearn finished in amongst the half marathon runners, in 3 hours 50 and 3:52 respectively, each earning a well-deserved rest afterwards!

Janet Eager also competed recently at the Great Langdale Half Marathon in Cumbria. Another challenging route this time on road, Eager ran an excellent race finishing in 1 hour 48 minutes placing her 1st F50.