Romsey Advertiser's Articles

It was a small contingent of Romsey Road Runners who competed in races last weekend. Braving the icey winds and hail showers, six runners took part in the Downton half marathon and three at the Hayling 10 mile. The conditions in Downton looked to be brightening as the race briefing took place, but just as the mass of runners headed out towards the start line the heavens opened, leaving them drenched before getting underway. A few miles in and the clouds cleared once again, but not for long as another barrage of rain and cold winds blew in for the remainder of the race. A tough but scenic course that takes in Hale Hill, Castle Hill and Godshill in the New Forest was well organised and supported, making the steep inclines and ankle-deep puddles a challenge to be beaten. Jimmy Hunt and Amanda Hull put in excellent performances, with Hunt finishing 9th senior male in a personal best time of 1:25:04, and Hull achieving 4th senior female in 1:35:01. Janet Burnage, running her 6th half marathon of the year, also had a great race finishing 5th in her age group in 1:45:53. Getting her marathon training underway, Heidi Williams had a steady run finishing in 1:55:16, with Hannah White and Hazel Smith pleased to finish in 2:02:30 and 2:20:07 respectively.

The Hayling 10 event made its return this year with a new course incorporating a mixture of road and trail terrain. Again the 500 competitors had to endure weather more akin to sailing conditions, but despite this Romsey’s runners achieved great success. Lynne Whitaker and Jane Carter finished in 2nd and 3rd places in their respective age categories in times of 1:09:56 and 1:15:30, whilst Ned Awty had a good run finishing in 1:36:17.

Lynne Whitaker also realised an ambition recently when she was invited to join the England V50 team representing England in the British and Irish Masters Cross Country International. Whitaker had been selected as a reserve for the team in 2008 and set herself the goal of making the team in 2009, with increased quality training seeing her times over 5miles, 10km and 10 miles improve, and finally seeing her join the team of four for the November event. Driving winds and rain greeted the meeting at Perry Park, Birmingham, with the ladies race the first of the day, consisting of 3 muddy laps around the park to complete a total distance of 6km. It was a case of mind over matter to get to the end, with Whitaker finishing 8th V50 in 27:30, the last of the England team to finish but ahead of all the Welsh, Scottish and most of the Northern Irish runners, and earning the England team silver medals.