Eight Farnham Runners ran the Solent half marathon, which was the second event of the 2024-25 Hampshire Road Race League (HRRL) season.

Conditions were good as the temperature was ideal and there was no rain.

The ladies put in an impressive performance to place second of ten clubs in the top table of the league. At the first race, the Overton five-mile race, the A team lay fifth, but they have now moved up to second place.

The four men finished sixth, pulling the team up from eighth overall to sixth in the very competitive men’s A1 division.

Leading the Farnham ladies was Emma Dawson, who finished 19th lady overall in a fine time of 1:40.13. She was delighted to record a new personal best by three minutes and to be presented with the first F50 prize – a voucher which she was able to spend on the day.

The next Farnham lady was Linda Tyler, who was racing after returning from holiday late the night before. She clocked 1:41.02 and was the second F60 lady, just one second behind the first F60. Returning to running after concentrating on strength training, Louise Granell recorded 1:48.36. Candy Waller finished in a time of 1:49.16.

Chris Raby headed the men’s team and finished second M65 in a time of 1:33.05. Ivan Chunnett finished in 1:34.21, Justin Clarke was fourth M60 in a time of 1:36.01 and James Goodwin finished in 1:49.16.

Recently, a group of Farnham Runners were given the opportunity to work with running technique coach and movement expert Shane Benzie at a coaching and movement workshop at the Bourne Green Sports Club.

Shane has travelled the world to work with and study a wide range of athletes and indigenous people in different environments, as well as Tom Daley and the Team GB 24-hour running squad.

Shane demonstrated how to incorporate natural movement techniques into running with the help of video analysis. By the end of the morning, everyone’s running style had improved.

By Jane Georghiou & Linda Tyler