The latest Hampshire Road Race League (HRRL) 2019-2020 tables have been released following the second fixture at Solent Half Marathon held on 22 September 2019.
Despite a ‘relatively’ low turn-out of CoSARC runners (34 runners – compared to recent turn-out numbers upward of 60), the 15 Ladies and 19 Men were sufficient to maintain the splendid start to the season following the first fixture at Overton 5 mile back on the 1 September 2019.
Ladies A team did enough to ensure they remain in the top two of the top division. The Ladies A team constitute the first three CoSARC finishers, Sam Hibdige, Anna Patrickson, Kara Rogers. It is shaping up to be a good season for the Ladies A team following their promotion into the top division.
Men's A team comprising of the first four finishers to cross the line; Rob Drag, Matt Sherfield, James Mills, Peter Callanan were in no mood to relinquish their top spot in the top division, doing just enough to hold nearest challengers Denmead Striders at bay. The Men’s A team are making a barnstorming start their second season in the top division having consolidated their place in mid-table last season following promotion.
Ladies B team comprising of Mel Murphy, Linda Robson, Rachel Bala, put in a strong showing to maintain their position in second place in the top league and will look to finish higher than their 3rd place finish last season. Meanwhile Ladies C comprising of Jane Whiteley, Jackie Hassan, Helen Carlton, strengthened their grip on top spot in the second division and look well placed to mount a promotion charge to the top league, following the same success of the Ladies B last season. Rounding off a splendid showing, Ladies D moved up from third to second behind their C team counterparts. The Ladies D Team, comprising of Rebecca Lockwood, Lisa Milner, Jacqueline Chlebowski look to be enjoying their debut season and whilst it is early days, they appear to have put in some solid ground work for perhaps an assault on instant promotion.
Jonathan Croom, Mike White, Richard Larcombe, Craig Weatherburn ensured the Men's B team held on to top spot in the top division following their splendid showing at Overton. They will be looking to improve upon their 4th place finish last season. Men's C team comprising of Marc Hankins, Jonathan Kershaw, Andy Budgell, Craig Murphy put in a solid showing to ensure the team remained in the top four of the first division. A great start to the year following promotion last season. At the time of writing, the Men's D team constituting Derek Wood, Kevin O'Leary, Lindsay Kirk, Barry Vincent are incorrectly placed 11th in the top division*. Men’s D are in their debut season and their true place is top of the league in the in second division – a fantastic start and an excellent grounding to mount a serious promotion challenge.
*this has been raised with the HRRL and the outcome / updated tables are awaited.
Full results and tables for the HRRL can be found at the link below.
By Craig Weatherburn