The final event of this season’s Southern Cross Country League took place at Bourne Woods on a gloriously sunny spring day.

There was no shortage of hills and still some mud after a relatively dry spell.

Almost 400 runners from the 23 participating clubs took part, including 46 from host club Farnham Runners.

Farnham Runners’ race director Craig Tate-Grimes obtained permission from the Rural Life Centre and set out the route with the help of Chris Gill, Linda Tyler, Colin Addison, Tori Shaw and Louise Granell.

A large number of helpers took on many roles on the day.

Linda Tyler, helped by Julia Tagg, organised refreshments after the race, while Richard Denby took the photos and James Goodwin and Ivan Chunnett calculated the team results.

The ladies welcomed two young newcomers to the team and came an excellent second of the ladies’ teams on the day, while the men placed sixth, giving a fine overall tally of joint-second on the day.

First back in Farnham colours was Joe Collins in a splendid fourth place with Liam McMurray not far back in 11th place.

Colin Addison, who finished in 63rd place, and Ivan Chunnett, who finished in 64th place, ran strongly to complete the men’s scoring team.

First back for the ladies was Emma Pearson in tenth place, with newcomer Amelie Frewer – who only joined the club earlier that week – showing promising potential to finish in 12th place.

Leza Milligan, who finished in 14th place, and Anna Buckmaster, who finished in 15th place and made the ladies’ scoring team for the first time, gave a very welcome boost to the score.

Farnham Runners finished fifth overall in the Bourne Woods race and sixth in the final Southern Cross Country League table – just one point away from finishing joint-third.

By Jane Georghiou