A Stag-geringly Good Run at the New Forest 10
Alton Runners put in a fantastic performance at the wonderfully scenic New Forest 10-Mile Race on Sunday, 26th October. Hosted by New Forest Runners in Brockenhurst, this race is a key fixture in the Hampshire Road Race League (HRRL).
Despite the cool but sunny weather, 706 runners took part, and Alton Runners was thrilled to have a massive turnout of 33 runners proudly wearing the distinctive yellow club vest. This was the largest turnout from any club on the day—a brilliant effort made even better by the army of friends and family cheering them on. The single, clockwise lap started and finished at New Park, treating runners to a route that was predominantly on tarmac and forest trails. Everyone crossing the finish line was awarded a lovely horse brass medal, this year fittingly depicting a stag beetle, a species that thrives in the New Forest.
The club had some exceptional individual results. Alex Hall was the first Alton male to finish, coming in an impressive 44th overall. Rachel Walsh had a superb run, finishing as the first Alton female and the 2nd female overall. Her outstanding performance bagged her a trophy and a prize. Debbie Rhodes also picked up a trophy for finishing first in her age category, and Stephanie Erskine secured a solid 3rd place in hers. Club founder, Hugh Bethell, continues to be an inspiration, running very well and showing he would have easily won the Male V80 category if one had been available. Other noteworthy runs came from Katie Bonham who ran on her birthday, Lydia Andrews who achieved a 10-mile Personal Best (PB), and Terry Bond who represented the club for the very first time and also secured a PB.
Alton Runners Chairperson, Jim Armitage, summed up the day perfectly: “It was a lovely sunny day, but a little cool so I was glad of my long-sleeved shirt which I wore underneath my Alton Runners vest. The course was fabulous. Although it was in the Hampshire Road Race League, most of the course was on forest trails, none of which were too muddy. The organisation was brilliant, and I enjoyed a bacon roll in the sunshine before heading home. I was pleased for Rachel and Debbie for being in the prize winners but was a little disappointed that there was no over 80s medal which would surely have been won by our very own Hugh Bethell.”
While the official league results are yet to be updated following the New Forest 10, the club is looking forward to building on its strong start to the season. After two fixtures, the Men’s A Team is sitting comfortably in 2nd place in the A1 League, while the Men’s B Team is leading the way at the top of League B3. The Women’s A Team is placed 7th, and the Women’s B Team is also performing brilliantly at the top of the B2 League.
The next fixture in the HRRL is the Gosport Half Marathon on Sunday, 16th November which is celebrating its 40th anniversary. 17 Alton Runners are already signed up to represent the club and town.
Before that, the cross-country season kicks off. The 2025/26 Southern Cross Country League begins on Sunday, 2nd November, with a challenging 8.4km circuit through ancient woodland and heath at Benyons Enclosure, seven miles north of Basingstoke, hosted by Basingstoke and Mid Hants Athletic Club.