Eighteen Farnham Runners travelled to the New Forest on a gloriously sunny autumnal day for a ten-mile race – the third in the Hampshire Road Race League series.

The race was a popular choice for many runners and entries soon sold out.

It hadn’t been in the series since 2017, when it was staged in July.

Although the route included some forest tracks, some Farnham Runners still recorded personal best times for the distance.

Ten of the 18 gained top 20 age category positions.

First back was Joe Collins in an impressive 19th place of 822 finishers with a time of 1:00.25.

Next came Chris Raby, who finished in a time of 1:10.05 and was the third M60 finisher. Nick Grist was hot on his heels in 1:10.17.

Men’s captain Justin Clarke completed the A team score in 1:11.50 and was the sixth M60 finisher.

Tony Jones led the B team home in 1:12.24 and was the seventh M60 finisher.

Charles Ashby finished in 1:14.21 and James Goodwin finished in 1:16.18 to complete the B team.

Chris Gill and Howard Inns had more time to enjoy the route, clocking times of 1:39.54 and 1:39.57 respectively.

Candy Waller was delighted to take three minutes from her previous best in 1:19.39 and to lead in the Farnham Runners’ ladies.

Bridget Naylor finished in a time of 1:27.03, Lindsay Bamford finished in 1:28.59 and Gemma Whitehouse finished in 1:34.33 to complete a strong A team.

Lizzie Collins took part in her first ten-mile race and finished in 1:39.51.

Becky Martin finished in 1:39.55, Penny Schnabel finished in 1:40.59 – and was the seventh F65 finisher – and Julia Tagg finished in in 1:46.42.

The men's A1 team are seventh out of ten clubs in their league. The men's B1 team are also seventh out of ten clubs in their league.

The ladies' A1 team are fifth out of ten clubs in their league. The ladies' B1 team are third out of ten clubs in their league.

By Jane Georghiou