After the December build up to Christmas, Christmas itself, and New Year, we were all looking forward to the Stubbington 10K on Sunday 10th January 2010. Then came the snow and ice, and so no race. We’d have to wait a few more weeks before we can run another Hampshire Road Race League fixture.

Personally, I wasn’t disappointed. The weekend before I was out on my mountain bike with some friends, cycling around part of the course, when we saw some speed cyclists coming the other way. One said that we should be careful when taking the “S” bend and narrow bridge over the water near to The Haven Nature Reserve, just before the beach huts. He had come off on the ice. When we got there, I noticed it was a bit tricky. I thought that there may be a few runners during the race slipping up and getting injured.

On Sunday 24th January 2010 we had runners in two races. For the road racers there was the Romsey 5 Mile Race. The race starts on an industrial estate next to the railway line in Romsey, does a loop around the local housing estate, and finishes back at the start. I have done this race quite a few times, including twice when I had been putting in good times, only to pull up with the old, now infamous calf injury.

I decided to give the Romsey race a rest, and instead head off to Rogate Common near Liss, for one of the cross country runs, part of the Cross Country Championship. I know the area quite well, as I've worked out there in the past. On one occasion, I was assisting a colleague with a survey for a new mobile telephone mast. The course is situated right in amongst the trees, and really is very beautiful. However, a bit traitorous in parts. At the beginning, one of the race organisers gave a short introduction to the course with a health and safety warning about slippery surfaces and hidden tree roots. Unfortunately, a few runners ended up with various injuries ranging from twisted ankles, cuts and bruises from slipping over and falling into sharp bushes. I’m pleased to say that the vast majority of runners completed the course successfully, including all from Fareham Crusaders. Afterwards, we walked back our cars, and tucked into the cakes and tea, that we brought along for the after race picnic.

Our runners at the Rogate Common Cross Country were Pete Barber, Keith Woolven, Jim Musslewhite, Ken Edwards, and myself for the men, with Helen Chalk the only lady, who was accompanied by her dog Poppy.

At Romsey, our runners taking part in the Romsey 5 Mile race were Roger Thomasson, David Fleet for the men, and our only lady was Liz Farquharson.

After the disappointment of the Stubbington 10K being cancelled, the Hampshire Road Race League continued on Sunday 7th February 2010, with the Ryde 10 Mile Race, the first fixture of 2010. Those of you who ran this race last year will remember how bitterly cold it was. This year was much warmer. Like last year, the route was the same with the now famous steep Puckpool Hill at 8 miles. Despite the 10 mile race we still had enough left in the tank to leg it down Ryde Pier to catch the Catamaran back to Portsmouth Harbour. If we had missed it, then we would have had to wait another hour for the next crossing.

John Ellard, Mike Dally, Jonathan Ellis, Phil Chamberlain, Pete Barber, Keith Woolven, Ken Edwards, Steve Ruane, Jim Musslewhite, and myself, were running for the men. Whilst Helen Chalk, Kirsty Spittles, Melanie Stock, and Debbie Taylor, represented the ladies. Thank you Jason, Melanie’s husband for coming along to support us.

Meanwhile over in Chichester, eight Crusaders took part in the Chichester Priory 10K. Roger Thomasson, Matthew Fleet, and Paul Farquharson, representing the men, with Emma Burton, Liz Farquharson, Avis Cowling, Sally Townsend, and Emma Moulton for the ladies.

Also up at Longleat, Mick and Liz MacEnri ran the 10K there, where they met our good friend Kate (Katerine Walters) of Chippenham Harriers, Debbie Taylor’ssister, who came to Benidorm with us last Novemeber last year.

I heard a rumour that we had some ladies running in the Manor Farm Cross Country meeting. But, I’m not sure who, so it may be just that, a rumour.

Sunday 14th February 2010, Valentines Day, was the date of the Hampshire Road Race League’s longest race, the Bramley 20 Mile. The course is two laps of a 10 mile circular route, which started and finished at the village of Bramley, just north of Basingstoke. The organisers put on a 10 mile race for those that didn’t want to run the 20 miles. There is no way that I can run 20 miles, so I went along with Karen Jenkins, who was suffering from a foot injury, to support our runners and take some pictures. We were both very impressed with the efforts put in by everyone, some of whom treated the race as a training run for this year’s London Marathon on Sunday 25 th April.

Our men who took part were Jonathan Ellis, Pete Barber, Phil Chamberlain, Lee Gardener, Keith Woolven, and Ken Edwards. Our ladies were Helen Chalk, Kirsty Spittles, and Debbie Taylor. Tracey Lancaster also took part, but due to an illness in the preceding week, decided to be sensible and run the first 10 miles, but not the last 10.

The next Hampshire Road Race League race is the Salisbury 10 Mile on Sunday 7th March 2010. The next and last Cross Country Race of the season is at Staunton Country Park a week later on Sunday 14th March 2010.

I look forward to seeing you at future races, or at the club nights on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Speak to you soon.

Martin