BASINGSTOKE and Mid Hants recorded their best-ever results at the South Downs Way Relay, with the ladies and veterans teams both winning the endurance event.

The race follows the South Downs Way from Beachy Head near Eastbourne to Chilcomb, near Winchester, a distance of 97 miles along very hilly terrain.

The race is split into 18 legs of varying length and teams are made up of six runners, with each completing three sections. In addition to fitness and endurance, logistical planning is also key to ensure that runners are delivered to the handover in time.

Basingstoke and Mid Hants entered four teams, two in the senior men category, a veterans team (40+) and a ladies’ team.

The veterans, comprising Chris Burghes, Chris Furness, Russell Burton, John Bigg, Steve Jeffrey and Mat Shaylor, finished in 11hr 12min 05sec, beating nearest rivals Stubbington Green by more than three minutes.

The ladies’ team of Charlotte Earl, Krissy Lloyd, Angela Goodwin, Sian Kirk, Katie Carter and captain Rebecca Jakeman recorded an even more impressive victory, finishing more than 30 minutes ahead of their nearest rivals in 12:57:30.

Basingstoke’s men’s teams also had a good day. The A team finished 14th in their race, clocking 12:54:09, while the B string were sixth in their event in 13:03:12.

43 members of the Down Grange club are preparing to travel to the south of France to compete in the Mont Blanc Marathon weekend, with several taking part in the main event, a gruelling mountain marathon that includes 2,500m of vertical climbing.