Long-distance Dean leads way as Borders athletes clock up miles

The latest lockdown hasn’t stopped Haslemere Border AC runners from doing what they love most – running.
Dean KellawayDean Kellaway
Dean Kellaway

They set themselves individual challenges as evidenced by Dean Kellaway. He first set out to do the Chiltern Wonderland 50 which is no mean feat, taking in some serious elevation along the scenic Chiltern Hills.

He completed his run in 9:25:40 and was 51st overall and 18th in his age group. But not content with 50 miles, Kellaway had his sights on the bigger prize and also entered the Autumn 100, a continuous trail race based in the twinned villages of Goring and Streatley on the River Thames.

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The course takes runners out and back on a series of four different 25-mile routes around some of the prettiest countryside along the Ridgeway and Thames Path National Trails.

Another challenge for the runners, both mentally and physically, was the dark, for up to 13 hours, but Kellaway mastered the art and completed his race in an amazing time of 22.52, several minutes under his own personal goal of 23.00

Closer to home, a number of HBAC runners participated in the ever-delightful Woodland Woggle in the Hampton Estate.

In the 10k race, first home for the men was Paul Croad (13th) in 49:27, fourth in his age category, with Dave Card completing his race in 1.15.07, sixth in his age group.

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In the ladies’ 10k first over the line was Helen Crainey 1.19.22, followed by Caroline Lawlor 1.33.04, Sarah Caudrey 1.33.05 and Leone Meijer 1.33.03. In the 6k, Sarah Card finished in 55.53 with HABC’s youngest competitor Georgia Card completing her race in 55.52.

This year as a number of race fixtures have been cancelled, race organisers have offered athletes the chance to run their own virtual race to perhaps gain a PB, receive a medal and to continue to support charitable causes.

With this in mind, a group of HBAC runners took themselves down to the seaside for a virtual Great South Run. Steve King, Andy Wise, Andrew Steele, Caroline Snape, Lorraine Herring, Helen Crainey, Sarah Barnett, Ann Varnes, Pete Varnes and Dave Bateman all participated in their own event, albeit without so many people.

Other virtual events have seen club coach Sarah Barnet complete the ‘Manchester marathon’ around Hampshire and Sussex and Karen Sinclair join the Centurion Running One community’s 50k in a week challenge.

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On Saturday evening, she realised she had 24 hours in which to complete a further 35k. With true centurion determination, she completed the challenge, with a lesson learned not to leave it to the last minute!

A lot of innovative ideas have been shared among club members, with group challenges (often individuals surpassing their normal weekly mileage), and socially distanced runs.

Last weekend a group of runners came together for a ‘Grab A Buddy and Run Relay’. The initial idea was that of Philomel Bennett, with an out and back route plan from Haslemere to Liphook plotted by Chris Lee.

The mileage covered overall was just under 100 miles, with each runner taking in a distance of five to eight miles and the coveted prize was a tube of Smarties.

It just goes to show that despite what goes on around them, Haslemere Border AC runners still have the incentive to challenge themselves, put on their running shoes and have fun.

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