Monthly archives: September 2017

Romsey Road Runners have been hard at it!

Tamatha Ryan ran the Chiltern wonderland 50mile ultra race on the 16th September. A circular route starting in Goring on the popular Thames tow-path, taking in the beautiful Chiltern Hills and picturesque villages made famous by British film and TV. This event is the 3rd of 4 in the 50mile grand slam that Tamatha has now completed finishing this in a time of 9hours 41mins and 6th lady overall. During the weekend Abi Cooke took part in several races on the Isle of Wight. These included: Race 1  St.Boniface Fell 3.8k, Abi finished in 25.20mins Race 2 The Ventnor Horseshoe 12km completed in 1hr 18mins; Race 3 The Wroxall Round 21km which Abi finished in 1hr 58mins gaining her a 16min personal best.

Also that Sunday was the more local Hursley 10km always a popular race for Romsey Road Runners and an especially muddy one this year. Mark Stileman didn’t disappoint finishing in the top ten in a time of 41mins and first in age, Sue Sleath followed in 46.25mins (2nd in age), Ian Winkworth 51.33, Paul Whitaker 51.59, Alice Lane 56.23, Julie Shanker 56.43, Sue Stileman 57.57 and Maria Hartley-Oinn 1 hour.

With races plentiful Mark Winkworth got a great personal best in the Andover food bank 10km finishing in 45.30 and James Battle flew round the Littledown 5mile race in 28.49.

Sunday 24th Sept was host to two popular half marathons and Romsey were keen to take part. The Solent half twists through the New Forest, around Exbury and along the Solent shore at Lepe. Dan Lurcock was first home in a fantastic time of 1.35 followed by Sue Sleath in 1.37 (1st in age). Abi Cooke gained another personal best in 1.41, James Instoe 1.51 and Brenda Topliss 2.10.

Alice Lane chose the Winchester Half marathon to mark her “Big Birthday” and a large group helped her celebrate. Ian Winkworth finished in 1.44 followed by Becky Tovey in 1.47, Mark Winkworth in 1.51, then Richard Cross 1.51, Julie Shanker (PB) 1.55, Fran Hough 1.59, Birthday Girl Alice 2.07 and Anna Duignan 2.18. Meanwhile, Mark Stileman and his wife Sue took part in the Highclere 10km, Sue crossed the line in 52.54 and Mark put in another great performance finishing in 37.29, 7th overall and first in age.

Romsey Road Runners have had a busy summer far and wide.  At the end of August Ken West completed the Quebec half marathon in a time of 1hr 58mins while Sue Stileman achieved a personal best by 13 minutes in the Portishead half marathon with a time of 2hrs 2mins. The first weekend in September saw four of our runners brave the elements and complete the race called “The Beast”, a very challenging 12 mile off road route centered around Corfe castle in Dorset with beautiful coastal views, aptly re-named each year to reflect the features of the course; This year’s course entitled “24 Again”. Mark Stileman was first home for Romsey in 1hr 35mins; Sue Sleath was next in 1hr 52mins closely followed by Jim Wright in 1hr 53mins. Sue Stileman toughed it out with an injury finishing in 2hrs 44mins.

Elsewhere, our new member Abby Cooke made her debut for Romsey in one of the Hampshire road league races The Overton 5mile finishing in 37mins 7secs. Whilst it was a big day on Sunday 10th September with the New Forest Marathon team offering an array of distances to challenge competing runners. With a mix of road & trail Sue Sleath, Julie Shanker and Alice Lane completed the marathon distance finishing in some great times Sue in 3hrs 44mins placing her 2nd in her age category, Julie in 4hrs 47mins, and Alice in 4hrs 49mins. In the popular half marathon a stellar performance from James Battle saw him finish in 1hr 20mins earning him a personal best and a place of 11th overall out of 1905 finishers! Keith Morris also accomplishhed a PB completing the half marathon in 1hr 52mins. Finally, Alex Prinsep completed the 10km distance finishing in 41mins 43secs and 16th overall out of 1291 finishers. Other impressive runs were recorded by Richard Cross achieving 51mins 54secs, Elizabeth Prinsep in 54mins 04secs, Anna Duignan 1hr 04mins and Jennifer Willis in 1hr 11mins.

Becky Tovey had been fortunate enough to gain a place in the Great North Run through the ballot entry, and although the journey was long and the sheer volume of runners made the race slightly challenging, the atmosphere was electric. Becky had an enjoyable solid run, realising an ambition, and finishing in 1hr 38mins. Other races last weekend included the friendly Stockbridge 10km which Jo Mckenzie completed in 50mins 31secs, positioning her a commendable 7th lady overall. Also back in Dorset was another of the highly entertaining white star events called “the Bad Cow weekend” offering runners various distances. Peter & Maria Hartley-Oinn completed the half marathon in 2hrs 5mins and 2hrs 24mins respectively.