Ladies fly HRRL flag for CoSARC as Ben excels in first full season

Alresford 10km on 19 June 2022 saw the HRRL (Hampshire Road Race League) 2021/22 season draw to a close, bringing down the curtain on what has been a long journey back to league racing following the pandemic.

The HRRL is made up of thirty-one clubs across Hampshire and surrounding areas, all competing in a three-tiered divisional system, with a further two-tiered ‘B division’ system providing a greater breadth of competition for clubs and their runners.

In what was their first year since gaining promotion to the top division, CoSARC’s Ladies A team* rounded off a fantastic season finishing clear second, behind a very strong Winchester team. This is a momentous achievement, and the Ladies will be looking to go one better when the starting gun goes off on the 2022/23 season at Overton 5 mile on 4 September 2022.

Perhaps with memories of narrowly missing out on first place in the season before the pandemic, CoSARC’s Ladies B Team* came roaring across the timing mat to win the B Division League Title, holding off a strong challenge from Lordshill Ladies B.

Matching their achievement in B Division 2, Ladies C team clinched the division title, gaining promotion and joining Ladies B in the top B division next season. Ladies D team finished fourth in the second division and will hope to gain promotion and join their counterparts in the top B division next season.

Following a strong start and topping the league table at Christmas, Men’s A Team finished a credible third in the top division in only their second season in the top flight. With sound performances from new and old members alike, they will be looking to mount a fresh challenge for top honours in the coming 2022/23 season.

CoSARC’s Men’s B Team gained a credible runners-up spot in the top division with Men’s C Team consolidating seventh place following promotion last season. Men’s D Team finished runners up in the second division and can celebrate promotion, joining their counterparts in the top division next season.

Upcoming star Ben Saunby narrowly missed out on winning the individual league, finishing an agonising 0.1 points behind the eventual winner. This is an exceptional achievement in a league

that counts every club runner who completed 7 or more of the league races. With experience and a full race season under his belt, he will look to re-group and mount a fresh assault on top spot next season. Also of note are club stalwarts Rob Drag and Richard Davidson who finished 17th and 18th respectively with veteran Peter Callanan making it to 20th place.

Charlotte Ingram rounded off a strong breakthrough season in 9th place with Sam Noyce finishing a resounding 13th. Club Age Grade champion favourite, Sarah Brewster, completed CoSARC’s top 20.

*The ‘A’ Team constitutes the first four CoSARC Ladies to cross the line in each race, with B Team constituting the next four, C Team the next four etc. and is gender segregated. More details on scoring and how the lead works can be found at the THIS LINK

Craig Weatherburn 19 July 2022