MORE?than 140 hardy souls took part in the 34th renewal of the Downland Challenge, with runners tackling 10k and 5k trails.

This was also the third year of the 500m and 1k mini challenges, which attracted 23 children.

The day was overcast and wet underfoot as Alton mayor Dean Phillips got the races under way at Anstey Park.

The runners took a left-hand turn out of the park along London Road and through Holybourne where the 5k race splits from the 10k race.

The shorter race took another left turn up New Lane track, which was nice and muddy from the recent rain. They then took another left turn along What Vere Lane, which was another muddy path, but luckily after that the runners were able to get on to more solid ground by running along Brockham Hill Lane toward Holybourne. They then turned right into Howards Lane and right again on to a footpath that took them along the back of Treloar’s College and back into Anstey Park for the finish.

Meanwhile, the 10k runners carried on through Holybourne and turned up Cuckoo’s Corner and through Bonham’s Farm. After the farm there was a short track before joining the Swithun’s Way to Upper Froyle. When the runners reached West End Farm they were able to take on water before turning back along a track up to Holybourne Down, which was a bit of a slog up the hill, but at the top they knew they had a downhill section to help them recover. After that they carried on along New Lane back to Holybourne and then back to Anstey Park where they had to go around the perimeter to the finish line near the rugby clubhouse.

The overall winner of the 10k race, in a faster time than last year, was Oliver Caudwell in 38 minutes 33 seconds. Second man home was Neil Martin in 41.23, who was also second last year, and third was Alton Runners’ Carlos Garcia in 42.18.

Caudwell also won the senior men’s category, while Neil Martin won the over-40 men’s title.

The women’s 10k race was won by defending champion Fay Cripps in a slightly slower time than last year of 45.28. Second woman home was Sarah Anslow and third was Alton Runner Vanessa Lowe in 49.36.

Cripps also won the over-35 ladies’ category, Sarah Anslow also won the senior ladies race, and Vanessa Lowe won the over-45 ladies’ category.

Race results (top three in each category):

Senior Ladies: 1 Sarah Anslow (47.13), 2 Nichola Gordon-Jones (50.11), 3 Kayleigh Copeland (50.22).

Veteran 35+ Ladies: 1 Fay Cripps (45.28), 2 Nicola Fitzpatrick (56.01), 3 Nicola Thornycroft (57.54).

Veteran 45+ Ladies: 1 Vanessa Lowe (49.36), 2 Jeni Lovatt (51.33), 3 Diane Byrne (52.16).

Veteran 55+ Ladies: 1 Linda Tyler (51.36), 2 Kay Copeland (57.14).

Senior Men: 1 Oliver Caudwell (38.33), 2 Carlos Garcia (42.18), 3 Trevor Elkins (43.21).

Veteran 40+ Men: 1 Neil Martin (41.23), 2 Marlon Driver (42.23), Andrew Rickards (44.20).

Veteran 50+ Men: 1 Colin Addison (45.28), 2 Paul Thompson (49.09).

Veteran 60+ Men: 1 Phil Guest (44.14).

The winner of the 5k race was Thomas Le Marchant, from Rowledge Primary School, near Farnham, in a time of 21.30. He was followed home by Jamie King (21.42) and Marco Addison (22.00).

The first girl home was Anna Buckmaster, from Eggars School, in a time of 23.29, followed by Clair Bailey (27.29) and Amanda McCallum (27.55).

Last year’s winner Alice Guest (30.04), from Amery Hill School, won the girls’ 10-12 category and was followed by Annie Dobbin (43.52).

Thomas Le Marchant (21.30) won the boys’ 10-12 category, followed by runner-up Jamie King (21.42) and Marco Addison (22.00) in third.

Anna Buckmaster (23.29) won the girls’ 13-15 category and Tom Arbury (41.50) from Amery Hill School won the boys’ 13-15 category.

The School Team Trophy was won by Amery Hill.

Results of the 500m race (for children aged 4-6, first three home):

Boys: 1 Jack Simkins (St Lawrence Primary School), 2 Tom Abbott (Alton Infant School), 3 William Horton (Holy Trinity Primary School, West End). Girls: 1 Evie Smith (Medstead Primary School), 2 Phoebe Pingree (St Andrews Endowed), 3 Vera Wu (St Andrews Endowed).

Results of the 1k race (for children aged 7-9, first three home):

Boys: 1 Tom Horton (Holy Trinity Primary School, West End), 2 Finlay Taylor (Binstead Primary School), 3 Milo Driver (Bentley Primary School). Girls: 1 Julia Smykala (St Andrews Endowed), 2 Emma Guest (Medstead Primary School), 3 Abi Warnes (Binstead Primary School).