Four brave the elements at Ryde (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Andover AC bravehearts tested to the full on the island

11:04am Wednesday 6th February 2013 in Andover

FOUR brave souls from Andover AC made up the men’s A team for the trip across the water to Ryde for a windy and hilly 10m race.

Despite the conditions there was some excellent racing, with Mark Curtis claiming 17th overall in a cracking time of 1:01:07, a time that should see him duck well under the hour on a flat course. Despite working a night shift and having very little sleep Matt Lane produced a fine run to finish in 54th place with 1:07:11, for once beating his son Solomon, who was making his debut at the distance, so was under orders not to race it.

That may change for the next race at Salisbury, as Solomon finished in 129th place in 1:15:05 with Jade Rolfe just behind him in 1:15:49 in 133rd and only a minute outside his PB, so again with a flat course these times will tumble.

Despite only having enough men to make an A team the team did come home in fourth place in Division 2, which should be enough to prevent any fears of relegation come the end of the season.

The next Hampshire Road Race League meeting is on February 17 at Bramley for the 20 mile race, followed by Salisbury 10m on March 10.