IT’S been a busy month for Alton Runners, with members competing in six varied marathon and ultra-marathon events.

Two particularly adventurous members, Diane Byrne and Diego Maldonado, travelled to South America to take part in the Galapagos Islands Marathon and both came away winners.

The course started at 574 metres above sea level on the highest part of the paved road which crosses the island and ends at a small beach in the main town.

The race is run on asphalt, cement, inlaid blocks and dirt roads and passes places where giant tortoises and sea lions can be spotted.

On the island where Charles Darwin developed his evolutionary theories, Diane Byrne was the overall winner and first-placed woman. Runner-up and first-placed man was Diego Maldonado, also flying the flag for Alton Runners on the far side of the world.

Clubmate Claire McCleod travelled to Germany to take part in her first marathon. Nearly 23,000 runners and walkers from 58 countries competed in the 30th anniversary Munich Marathon, an amazing international experience. Claire was delighted to complete the race in 4hrs 47mins 43secs.

Also competing abroad for Alton Runners was Joachim Valera who entered the Lisbon Marathon in Portugal. He completed the spectacular course, taking in the coastal town of Cascais, the beautiful gardens of Oeiras, and the heart of old Lisbon, in 4hrs 48mins 09secs.

Somewhat nearer to home, Jim Armitage took part in the Chester Marathon and was well pleased with a time of 3hrs 36mins 22secs.

Sarah Thomas and Emma Scott tackled the hilly Clarendon Marathon, starting from the outskirts of Salisbury and running mostly off-road to Winchester. The Alton pair finished together in 4-26-43.

Not to be outdone by the marathon runners, Philip Scrase and David Hayles visited Goring in Oxfordshire for Centurion Running’s 100-mile trail race.

The format, with its four out-and-back spurs, returning to Goring every 25 miles, generated amazing camaraderie on the course, enabling the support team (Richard Scrase) to stay in touch with the runners at various stages. Scrase was hampered by a leg injury late in the race, but he and Hayles completed the ultra-marathon together in 26hrs 08mins 33secs.