Alton Runners Shine in Busy October Weekend

Last weekend marked one of the busiest running weekends of the 24/25 season, with Alton Runners club members representing the club at various events.

Dual Event Heroes: Solent Half Marathon and Run to the Sea

A special mention goes to the three Alton Runners who showcased extraordinary endurance by completing both the Solent Half Marathon and the Run to the Sea in the same weekend – that’s more than 44-miles each!

Rachel Walsh, Christian Coles, and Philip Scrase demonstrated remarkable stamina and determination. On Saturday, 5th October, they tackled the 50km Run to the Sea, starting at Moors Valley Country Park and ending at Hengistbury Head, Bournemouth. Rachel Walsh led the charge, finishing as the first female and 9^th overall, setting a high bar for the rest of the team.

The very next day, Sunday, 6^th October, they took on the Solent Half Marathon, part of the Hampshire Road Race League (HRRL). Despite the drizzly weather, the beautiful, undulating course through the New Forest provided a scenic backdrop for their efforts. Their dual participation in these challenging events is a testament to their dedication and athletic prowess, making them true heroes of the weekend.

Rachel Walsh, upon reflecting on the weekend, said “It was a super weekend with two beautiful races. I feel very lucky to be part of such a wonderful Club and think I maybe deserve a day or two rest now!”.
 

Other Notable Performances

Solent Half Marathon: Among the 333 runners, Steve Drysdale led the Alton Runners, finishing an impressive 22^nd overall. Samara Kelleher-Jacobs was the first Alton woman to cross the finish line, securing 188^th place. And notably, Christian Coles was 2^nd back for Alton with a course PB being despite running 50km the day before!

The event was not only a test of endurance but also a chance to enjoy the serene landscape, with some runners even spotting water buffalo grazing in the meadows. We are eagerly awaiting the final results to see how the Alton Runners teams scored overall. The next HRRL race is the New Forest 10-Mile on 27^th October, with 32 Alton Runners already signed up to represent the club.
 

Run to the Sea - Bournemouth: Seven Alton Runners took part in this 50km point-to-point course, which started at Moors Valley Country Park and ended at Hengistbury Head, Bournemouth. The route followed the Castleman Trailway for part of the way and continued along the stunning seafront into Bournemouth. Alton Runners celebrated a number of excellent performances, with expectations of a few club records falling for the 50km distance.
 

Basingstoke Phillips Law Half Marathon & 10k Run: Closer to home, and also on Sunday, 6^th October, the Basingstoke Half Marathon & 10k Run took place. Gary Caswell represented Alton Runners in the Half Marathon distance, while Hugh Bethell took on the 10k, finishing 2^nd in the over 70’s category. Both runners demonstrated great spirit, adding to the club’s proud achievements over the weekend.

Crete Half Marathon: Congratulations to Louise Long for completing the Crete Half Marathon, starting from the town of Arkalochori in Heraklion, in warm conditions on Sunday.

parkrun’s 20th Anniversary: And if that wasn’t enough, parkrun celebrated its 20^th anniversary. 32 Alton Runners joined in the celebrations by participating in various events on Saturday morning. Our members were spread across several locations, including Trelissick, Southsea, Bracknell, Winchester, Alice Holt, Brockenhurst, Tamar Lakes, Hogmoor Inclosure, and Seven Fields - a fantastic way to mark this milestone.

Congratulations to all Alton Runners who participated in these events!

Article by Lydia Andrews
13/10/2024