FARNHAM Runners men put out strong A and B teams for the final Hampshire Road Race League meeting of the season, the Lordshill 10km, with a chance of promotion back to the top flight.

But men’s captain John Phillips was resigned to the fact that the A team had too much to do. “Two opposing teams in the second division have been exceptionally strong, Salisbury and Isle of Wight,” he said. “If you look at our score based on the total of our runners’ positions, we would have placed eighth in the top division.”

Farnham finished third in A Division 2, but there are three A divisions, so in effect, 13th out of 31 clubs.

The B squad were successful, however, their final points tally giving them the second promotion spot in the B division 2. The C team remain mid-table in B division 2.

Farnham Runners ladies, meanwhile, retained top-flight status for both their A and B teams, with the C side finishing below halfway. “We could do with more runners next year, whatever their standard,” said ladies’ captain Jane Georghiou. “This could be helped by the race schedule for 2018-19, with the local Fleet Half-Marathon and the Alresford 10km being among the 12 chosen events.”

After a long trip to Lordshill, the Farnham travellers were rewarded with a pleasant traffic-free course, including an out-and-back section where they could cheer each other on. By the 9.30am start, however, it was very warm for running, especially with a long ascent after the 7km mark.

James Clarke again headed the Farnham pack, recording a fine 36mins 33secs for 28th place. Newcomers Matt Saker (37-11) and Matthew Morgan (38-18) proved a great assets to the team, while Harvey Wickham (39-53) ducked under 40 minutes, despite the heat. The A team finished third on the day.

Ali Hardaway (41-13), pacer Neil Ambrose (43-58), John Phillips (44-02) and Keith Marshall (44-09, 5th M60) achieved fourth place for the B side, keeping them second on aggregate.

An incomplete C team of Chris Cramp (44-42), Tim Farrant (49-10) and Robert Drummond (64-09, 7th M70) came ninth, hanging on to ninth (mid-table) on aggregate.

Emma Pearson, despite the high temperatures, ran a creditable 44-14, followed by Eloise Stradling in 47-37 and Jane Georghiou in 51-00 (3rd F65). This trio came eighth and hold the same place on aggregate, safe from relegation by 13 points. Anne Snelson (54-12) and Nicola O’Connor (63-36), in her first league race, formed an incomplete B side. The team are safe in B division 1.