Drenched and Determined at Victory 5 2025
On Sunday, 7th December 2025, 31 dedicated Alton Runners faced heavy rain and biting wind at the Victory 5 mile road race. Held at Lakeside North Harbour in Cosham, Portsmouth, the non-stop downpour and puddles turned the traditionally fast and flat course into a thoroughly soggy challenge. The event was hosted by the City of Portsmouth Athletics Club.
The Victory 5 served as the fifth fixture in the 2025/26 Hampshire Road Race League (HRRL) season. Although the current route—which largely meanders around the carparks and roads of the Lakeside complex—is not known for its scenery, its flat profile makes it a prime target for personal bests (PBs). In total, 702 runners turned up, eager to clock a fast time.
Despite the awful weather, the Alton Runners team performed brilliantly – a fantastic 16 Alton Runners achieved new 5-mile personal bests (PBs) on the day, proving that Alton Runners are unstoppable, come rain or shine! PBs were achieved by Rich Webley, Steve Drysdale, Christian Coles, Rachel Walsh, Benny Roddis, James Kidwell, Samara Kelleher-Jacobs, Jack Shepherd, Jonathan Roles, Patrick Tuite, Maria Roddis, Lola Powell, Lydia Andrews, Katie Bonham, Kirsten Drysdale and Emma Coles.
First across the line for the club was Rich Webley, celebrating his fantastic new PB. The club’s first female finisher was Rachel Walsh, who not only achieved a PB but also secured a top 10 finish in the female standings. The importance of the team atmosphere was clear, as commented by James Kidwell: "Great team effort. Alton Runners team spirit on display. Great to see so many team PBs."
The event was also marked by two returns to racing. Jenni Forbes and Jenny French both returned to the Alton yellow vest at the Victory 5. For Jenni Forbes, it was her first race back after her second baby, and for Jenny French, her first race since January 2022. Jenni Forbes reflected on her experience: "My first race back after baby #2, and whilst splashing around a car park in the freezing rain isn’t my top choice for some rare ‘me time’, the warm welcome-back hugs and chats reminded me why I love joining the yellow vests on a Sunday morning. The team spirit helped motivate me to the 5-mile finish line." Jenny French added that she was "Really happy to be back part of the running team." An extra special shout-out goes to Hugh Bethell, who delivered a brilliant performance to secure a decisive win in his VM80 category.
This year's event marks the final time the Victory 5 will be held on the current Lakeside course. From 2026, the race is set to move to a brand-new, even faster and more scenic route. This new course will start along the picturesque promenade, pass around the Mountbatten Centre, and finish back at Lakeside, promising even better PB opportunities in the future. Overall, the race was won by Lachlan Wellington from City of Portsmouth AC, who ran an impressive sub-24-minute gun time. Every finisher was awarded a medal for their efforts.
Well done to all 31 Alton Runners who took part in this memorable, wet, and successful day. The racing season continues with the next fixtures: Sunday, 21st December, sees the muddy Southern Cross Country League fixture at Lord Wandsworth College (a 5-mile cross-country run). Following this, the next HRRL fixture is the Ryde 10 Mile on the Isle of Wight in February 2026, with 15 eager Alton Runners already signed up to travel across the Solent.