Rotary of Cranleigh run success

The event is now an established part of the annual racing calendar, and it has proved to be a tremendous success.

The races in 2010 and 2011 both raised more than £1,600 for Rotary charities, and the 2013 event was even more successful, raising around £1,800.

This time last year the runners had to cope with the worst conditions in the history of the race; extremely wet and muddy.

This year it was the other extreme, with temperatures around 30 degrees C, and, as a result, times recorded were on average 1 or 2 minutes slower than normal.

207 runners took part in the 10k race with Geraint Watkins of Forrest Harriers leading from start to finish and completing the course in 36 minutes 50 seconds, 40 seconds ahead of Ben Web, with Tom Frost of Liss Runners in third place. Local long distance runner Chris Finill, of Harrow AC, who was recovering from injury, finished fifth.

The first lady to finish was Teresa Baverstock of Portsmouth Joggers, with a time of 48 minutes 7 seconds, followed by Anne Connell and Liz Hutchinson of Mel’s Milers.

For the second year in succession, the winner of the Junior 3k race was Connor Dearden, in a time of 11 minutes 42 seconds.

The course was entirely off road, with runners starting and finishing on the Downs Link and following a track which crossed two farms and part of Baynards Park.

The race organiser, Rotarian Brian Vine, thanked farmer Mark Tilley for allowing the competitors to run through his premises.

A full list of results can be found at: www.cranleighrunners.com

Pictured here is Geraint Watkins, the eventual winner, leads the field at the start of Cranleigh Rotary’s 10k race.