The Test Way Relay

2013

Foreword
Hi folks
The Test Way Relay is a personal highlight of the Hampshire running calendar. It calls to mind the steeple chases of times past when runners raced between church spires across fields, through rivers and over walls. The organisation is pleasingly chaotic. There are no marshals, no route markers, no water stations, no spectators, no first aid and no guarantee that a team mate will be waiting to take over when you reach the end of your leg. And yet despite the unorthodox approach many Hampshire running clubs take the event very seriously. It was first conceived in 1986. Im not sure by whom, but suffice to say somebody decided it would be fun to race along the 44 mile distance between Inkpen and Totton by dividing the route into an 8 stage relay. The race hasnt changed a lot over the last 28 years (although Im told it has been run in reverse at least once), but sadly it appears that many of the past results and records have been lost. This discovery prompted me to collect all of the race history that we still have (currently scattered across various club websites) and present it as part of a complete Guide to the Test Way Relay. The following pages are the result of my efforts and include; a guide to each leg (complete with map), the fastest runners for each stage between 2000 and 2012, the runners and stage times for the top placed teams in 2012 and; an overview of the top placed teams for 2000 to 2011.

This is very much a work in progress, so if you have any queries, comments, amusing anecdotes or any of those missing results, please do let me know and I will aim to include them in the 2014 edition.

In the meantime, I wish you the best of luck in this years race. Dont get lost!

Richard Alderson
Totton Running Club

The start line at Combe Gibbet

Course Guide

Leg 1 - Inkpen to Linkenholt

Course Description
Leg 1 (also the shortest) sees the teams get off to a flying start, with a greater part of the first stage being downhill. After a short ascent past the ghoulish sight of the 17th century gibbet, runners will find themselves hurtling downhill for almost 5km. The descent continues through Combe Wood until the path reaches the bottom of Cleve Hill Down. Here lies the sections greatest challenge as participants now have to climb 150 feet (the height of Southamptons city centre clock tower) to the top of the Down. Once the submit has been conquered, there is a more gentle descent through Linkenholt towards the change over point.

Fact File
Distance: Start Elevation: Finish Elevation: Mens Course Record Runner: Club: Time: Year: Ladies Course Record Runner: Club: Time: Year: 7.1km 860ft 573ft Nigel Gemill Southampton City 00:25:04 1996 Lucy Elliot Winchester 00:28:07 2007

Combe Gibbet looms ominously over the start line, yet the original gibbet (erected in 1676) was used only once. This dubious honour is held by George Broomham and Dorothy Newman. The two were engaged in an illicit affair and were discovered on the downs by Broomhams wife and son. The two lovers promptly murdered their would be accusers by beating them repeatedly with a wooden stave. Unfortunately there was a third witness, the local village idiot, Mad Thomas. He managed to convey what he had seen to the authorities which was enough to see Broomham and Newman hanged. Their bodies were subsequently hung from the gibbet as a deterrent to other wrong doers.

Leg 1 Fastest Runners 2000 - 2012

Leg 1
Start

Finish

Leg 2 Linkenholt to Stoke Hill

Course Description
Leg 2 is essentially a case of down and then back up again, so runners are advised to save their enthusiasm for the back half of the route. As with many other stages, it starts promisingly enough with a fast descent towards the village of Hurstbourne Tarrant nestled in the bottom of the River Swift valley. On the other side of village lurks the unwelcome sight of Wallop Hill Down. A climb of 160ft in less than 300m, this is the steepest ascent of the entire race (there are at least a few steps for part of the climb!). Once youve reached the summit (where runners will be at a higher point than at the start of the leg), a far more gentle approach to the finish awaits.

Fact File
Distance: Start Elevation: Finish Elevation: Mens Course Record Runner: Club: Time: Year: Ladies Course Record Runner: Club: Time: Year: 8.8km 573ft 542ft Andy Morgan Lee Southampton RC 00:29:17 2007 Lucy Elliot Winchester 00:33:54 2005

Around 1km after the start, runners will cross the intriguingly titled Grims Ditch. This is the name given to a collection of iron age earth works which can be found at a number of locations on the chalk downs in southern England. Their exact purpose is unknown, but the name is derived from the Saxon God of War, Grimr, perhaps better known by his Norse title, Odin (as played by Anthony Hopkins in the 2011 film Thor). This implies a military function, but the earthworks are too shallow for defence and are not in obvious strategic locations. In any event, they were built before the Saxons arrived and may simply indicate the boundary between different iron age territories.

Leg 2 Fastest Runners 2000 - 2012

Leg 2
Start

Finish

Leg 3 Stoke Hill to Middleton Farm

Course Description
Leg 3 is the 2nd longest stage being more or less 10km in length. Runners should not expect to reap a 10K PB by traversing this section of the race. The first mile, although a 260ft descent, is across rough fields and over stiles. The route then cuts through St. Mary Bourne before a long 130ft climb over the downs. From there, it is relatively straightforward. The second half of the route sticks to fairly well defined tracks and is largely downhill as you head towards the finish. However, the last mile through the eastern fringe of Harewood Forest is punctuated by two short sharp climbs before a well earned changeover at Middleton Farm.

Fact File
Distance: Start Elevation: Finish Elevation: Mens Course Record Runner: Club: Time: Year: Ladies Course Record Runner: Club: Time: Year: 10.0km 542ft 279ft Paul Phillips Southampton City 00:32:53 1997 Karen Hazlitt Winchester 00:39:14 2005

During the stage, runners will cross a somewhat unspectacular looking rural lane called Harroway. Its worth a quick glance east and west however, as this is purported to be the oldest road in Britain. Dating from the neolithic period, it runs from Farnham in Hampshire through to the villages of Halstock and Corscombe in Dorset. The name may be derived from a number of sources including; herewag a military road, har meaning ancient or heargway meaning road to a shrine (possibly Stonehenge). Many sections of the route are just simple tracks, but parts have evolved into modern day roads illustrating how much of todays infrastructure was designed thousands of years ago.

Leg 3 Fastest Runners 2000 - 2012

Leg 3
Start

Finish

Leg 4 Middleton Farm to Wherwell

Course Description
Leg 4 is the 3rd shortest stage though it still poses a few challenges, not least following the route itself. This section crosses and follows a number of roads as it passes through the village of Middleton so sharp eyes are needed to spot the way markers indicating when the route leaves the road. Care should be taken on the road bridge which crosses the A303 just outside Middleton as there is no footway. On the other side of the bridge, runners begin to skirt the southern fringe of Harewood Forest and will discover a fairly steady climb to the highest point of the stage (311ft) in Upping Copse. This is followed by a sharp descent to the change over.

Fact File
Distance: Start Elevation: Finish Elevation: Mens Course Record Runner: Club: Time: Year: Ladies Course Record Runner: Club: Time: Year: 7.8km 279ft 216ft Paul Buckley Southampton RC 00:27:10 2003 Lorna Russell Winchester 00:31:35 2007

Since 2000, the fastest completion of the 8 stage course by a mens team was by Southampton Running Club in 2003 in 4 hours, 19 minutes and 9 seconds. The team comprised; Steve Axon, Ian Crawford, Pete Davis, Paul Buckley, Iain Robertson, Andy Morgan Lee (pictured), Edmund Tee & David Currie. The ladies record was achieved by Winchester in 2005 who completed the course in 4 hours, 52 minutes and 18 seconds. Their team comprised; Georgia Benson, Lucy Elliott, Karen Hazlitt, Sara Reid, Katherine Jones, Emma Patel, Michaela McCallum and Kath Bailey. They set 6 Leg records in the process.

Leg 4 Fastest Runners 2000 - 2012

Start

Leg 4

Finish

Leg 5 Wherwell to Stockbridge

Course Description
Leg 5 is the 2nd shortest stage and probably the easiest in terms of ascents. The route is largely a gentle descent towards Stockbridge, albeit with an 80ft high speed bump encountered 2km from the start outside the village of Chilbolton. After that it really couldnt be easier as the Test Way runs along a fairly well defined south west path flanked by the river and the A3057. The route is still fairly rugged in places, so runners are unlikely to achieve their fastest pace. Half a mile outside Stockbridge, the path merges with the road, so runners will need to take care as they approach the finish, particularly when crossing the High Street at a busy roundabout.

Fact File
Distance: Start Elevation: Finish Elevation: Mens Course Record Runner: Club: Time: Year: Ladies Course Record Runner: Club: Time: Year: 7.5km 216ft 116ft Edmund Tee Southampton RC 00:26:34 1998 India Lee Winchester 00:30:26 2007

Stockbridge is an attractive though fairly unremarkable market town. It was however, briefly the residence of late 19th Century celebrity Lillie Langtry. Pretty and charismatic, she was the subject of much media and public interest, particularly when she had an affair with the Prince of Wales and future monarch Edward VII. During their 3 year affair, they had many private retreats, one of which was in Stockbridge. The building is still standing and is currently occupied by Stokes Restaurant. Lillie was an expensive mistress and he once complained to her, "I've spent enough on you to build a battleship", whereupon she tartly replied, "And you've spent enough in me to float one".

Leg 5 Fastest Runners 2000 - 2012

Leg 5

Start

Finish

Leg 6 Stockbridge to Mottisfont

Course Description
Leg 6 is the only stage that finishes at pretty much the same height at which it starts. However, dont be fooled into thinking this is in any way the flat section of the race; the leg (also the 3rd longest) is characterised by a number of short sharp dips and climbs. Indeed, the stage reaches its lowest point (70ft) less than a km from the finish, leaving runners with one final climb before the change over point. Aside from these ups & downs, it is a relatively straightforward route with long sections of uninterrupted running. Unlike the other stages, it actually does run parallel to the Test, affording an occasional view of the river itself.
You may notice that all of the Ladies Course Records are held by Winchester runners & THREE of those were set by Lucy Elliott. Her last Test Way appearance was 2009, but she is still running well and came 3rd in the Eastleigh 10K this year.

Fact File
Distance: Start Elevation: Finish Elevation: Mens Course Record Runner: Club: Time: Year: Ladies Course Record Runner: Club: Time: Year: 9.1km 116ft 116ft Andy Morgan Lee Southampton RC 00:28:56 2002 Lucy Elliott Winchester 00:32:23 2006

3.5km into Leg 6, runners will reach the point where the Test Way crosses the Clarendon Way. The path runs between Salisbury and Winchester for 24 miles over what might be described as undulating terrain and is of course used for the Clarendon Way marathon. The race this year takes place on Sunday 6th October. www.clarendon-marathon.co.uk

Leg 6 Fastest Runners 2000 - 2012

Leg 6
Start

Finish

Leg 7 Mottisfont to Romsey

Course Description
Leg 7 times are noticeably slower than Leg 6, despite the two stages being of equal distance. The principal reason is the high number of stiles & gates found along the route. The exact figure varies (depending on whether gates are open), but its usually between 25 & 30. This equates to some form of obstruction roughly every 350 metres making it difficult to maintain a decent pace on this section. The other key challenge is Squabb Wood, which even after a very dry spell is like trekking through the Borneo jungle. The path here can be very muddy with low hanging branches, raised roots and the odd fallen tree blocking the way. Needless to say, take care!

Fact File
Distance: Start Elevation: Finish Elevation: Mens Course Record Runner: Club: Time: Year: Ladies Course Record Runner: Club: Time: Year: 9.1km 116ft 41ft Tim Johnson Southampton RR 00:30:16 1990 Debbie Coslett Winchester 00:37:00 2006

The beginning of this stage passes behind Mottisfont Abbey, which has existed in some form or other since 1201. The name derives from moot (or meeting point) and font (or spring one exists within the grounds and still produces water). The abbey served as a stopping off point for people travelling between Salisbury and Winchester with monks providing food & shelter. Travellers could also take a peak at the abbeys holy relic, said to be the forefinger of John the Baptist. The prosperous priory was ravaged by the Black Death in the mid 14th Century and never fully recovered. During the dissolution of monasteries, it was gifted by Henry VIII to Sir William Sandys who converted it into a country home.

Leg 7 Fastest Runners 2000 - 2012

Start

Leg 7

Finish

Leg 8 Romsey to Totton

Course Description
The final leg maybe the longest but it is also the flattest. Theres no slogging up hills for runners of this stage, just flat out running. The middle part of the route is probably the easiest in the entire race, with 4km of relatively flat farm track and road. Of course, it wouldnt be the Test Way without the odd obstacle or two. A narrow section of the path about 3km after the start is often overgrown with waist high nettles of the stinging variety. Care is also recommended on the boardwalk across the Lower Test Marshes near the finish. It can be very slippery in wet weather and a few boards are currently missing. Oh and a high tide may result in wet shoes!

Fact File
Distance: Start Elevation: Finish Elevation: Mens Course Record Runner: Club: Time: Year: Ladies Course Record Runner: Club: Time: Year: 11.3km 43ft 26ft Tony Allen Stubbington 00:37:56 2003 Kath Bailey Winchester 00:46:43 2005

The board walk encountered on the final section of the Test Way relay crosses the Lower Test nature reserve. Of course race participants are unlikely to stop and get the binoculars out, but any bird lovers will find it worth their while to return for a less hectic visit. Several species of wildfowl can be found here, including Wigeon and Teal while the Little Egret is a common sight in the summer. Ospreys are also regular visitors and can be seen perched on the dead trees eating their catch. If youre particularly lucky (and sharp eyed) you may well spot a Kingfisher darting across the landscape. Just to prove its possible, the picture shown was taken at the reserve!

Leg 8 Fastest Runners 2000 - 2012

Leg 8
Start

Finish

Results History

Results 2012
Mens Teams
1st Southampton
1 Steve Underwood 2 Dave Blackman 3 Matt Missen 4 Jez Curtis 5 Matt Hibberd 6 Matt Revier 7 Tom Johnson 8 Matt Bennett Total Time 00:29:02 00:36:16 00:36:40 00:27:32 00:27:15 00:33:35 00:38:54 00:42:43 04:31:57

Ladies Teams
1st Stubbington
Donna Mitchell Susan McGregor Lucy May Rachel Openshaw Gill Rose Hannah Littlecott 00:32:45 00:40:25 00:50:31 00:47:29 00:36:28 00:43:54

Mixed Teams
1st Winchester
Jo Jeffries Madeline Vosser Steve Goodwin Simon Hazlitt India Lee Sandra Bowers 00:33:00 00:46:00 00:47:16 00:36:14 00:33:33 00:40:33

Sally McGrath
Tanya Brady Total Time

00:46:11
00:49:08 05:46:51

Martin West
Paul Brittenden Total Time

00:42:02
00:49:44 05:28:22

2nd Overton
1 Lee Tolhurst 2 Robin Oakley 3 Sean Holmes 4 Neil Glendon 5 Martin Grounsell 6 Richard Clifford 7 Neil Martin 8 James Knight 00:27:35 00:36:03 00:36:42 00:31:10 00:30:30 00:35:56 00:37:12 00:42:42

2nd Winchester
Sue True India Lee Karen Hazlitt Jennifer McLachlan Jackie Ducker Emily Stoodley Tori Green1 Kath Bailey Total Time 00:33:30 00:37:52 00:44:27 00:36:21 00:42:22 00:41:35 01:13:08 00:48:47 05:58:02

2nd Overton
Lucy Pearson Kerri Barton Stuart Searle Liz Sandall-Ball Monique V. Neuton Janice Jones Mike Bliss Piers Puntan Total Time 00:38:42 00:44:30 00:43:58 00:41:10 00:41:10 00:37:02 00:38:43 00:51:35 05:36:50

Total Time

04:37:50

3rd Stubbington
1 Phil Martin 2 Mark Eaton 3 James Sawyer 4 Ray Gunner 5 Andy Stockwell 00:32:03 00:35:46 00:38:17 00:33:14 00:33:02 00:36:42 00:40:53 00:47:46 05:58:02

3rd Romsey
Heidi Godfrey Hannah White Tam Ryan 00:37:30 00:50:40 00:48:33

3rd Lordshill
Megan Draper Diane Mattingley Laure V.D. Broeck 00:36:47 00:46:21 00:49:22

Lynda Brown
Annie Tomlinson Amanda Hull Amanda Hull2 Wendy George Total Time

00:39:17
00:37:54 00:36:53 00:59:13 01:07:00 06:17:00

Ellie Coulthard
Lawrence Chen David Johnson Stuart Smith Total Time

00:37:30
00:35:02 00:47:44 00:51:46 05:47:30

6 Dave Jeffrey
7 Graham Bell 8 Lewis Banner Total Time

Rodolpho Gonzalez 00:37:02

1 - Competitor took an incorrect route and incurred a 15 minute time penalty 2 - Competitor ran two legs and incurred a 15 minute time penalty

Past Results 2007 2011

Mens Teams
1st Overton 04:46:34

Ladies Teams
1st Stubbington 05:37:24 2nd Winchester 05:39:42 3rd Eastleigh 05:53:39 1st Winchester 05:28:33 2nd Hardley 06:22:35 3rd Southampton AC 06:31:32 1st Winchester 05:35:04 2nd Eastleigh 06:05:41 3rd Stubbington 06:13:10 1st Winchester 05:28:16 2nd Pompey Joggers 06:20:38 3rd Southampton RC 06:25:33 1st Winchester 05:22:00 2nd Southampton RC 05:44:41 3rd Hardley 06:11:43

Mixed Teams
1st Totton 05:00:01 2nd Overton 05:53:00 3rd Romsey 05:54:09 1st Totton 05:24:22 2nd Stubbington 05:36:20 3rd Eastleigh 05:37:36 1st Totton 05:33:41 2nd Team Soton 05:38:50 3rd Winchester 05:39:15 1st Team Soton 05:19:40 2nd Southampton RC 05:26:42 3rd Totton 05:36:51 1st Team Soton 05:22:01 2nd Winchester 05:25:20 3rd Stubbington 05:41:20

2011 2010* 2009* 2008* 2007*

2nd Southampton AC 04:46:49 3rd Stubbington 04:47:19 1st Southampton AC 04:45:11 2nd Winchester 04:52:04 3rd Overton 04:54:04 1st Southampton RC 04:41:04 2nd Winchester 05:00:27 3rd Stubbington 05:00:37 1st Stubbington 04:44:16 2nd Southampton RC 04:46:49 3rd Winchester 04:55:24 1st Southampton RC 04:38:38 2nd Stubbington 04:48:01 3rd Pompey Joggers 05:17:17

*Between 2006 and 2010, the race was extended to Eling. Race times for these years were therefore affected.

Past Results 2002 2006

Mens Teams
1st Stubbington 04:36:52

Ladies Teams
1st Winchester 05:22:42 2nd Southampton RC 06:04:59 3rd Pompey Joggers 06:22:25 1st Winchester 04:52:18 2nd Southampton RC 05:24:44 3rd Team Soton 05:42:48 1st Southampton RC 05:21:13 2nd Hardley 05:42:59 3rd Winchester 05:52:35 1st Southampton RC 05:34:22 2nd Hardley 05:38:24 3rd Pompey Joggers 05:37:05 1st Southampton RC 05:34:22 2nd Hardley 05:38:24 3rd Eastleigh 05:37:05

Mixed Teams
1st Winchester 05:06:49 2nd Team Soton 05:19:20 3rd Hardley 05:22:55 1st Totton 05:25:23 2nd Southampton RC 05:26:03 3rd Romsey 05:44:30 1st Totton 05:26:41 2nd Lordshill 05:29:29 3rd Team Soton 05:36:18 1st Winchester 04:56:08 2nd Team Soton 05:11:17 3rd Totton 05:29:52 1st Havant 05:04:17 2nd Winchester 05:06:03 3rd Lordshill 05:13:30

2006* 2005 2004 2003 2002

2nd Southampton RC 04:38:44 3rd Winchester 04:49:40 1st Southampton RC 04:21:15 2nd Stubbington 04:33:54 3rd Winchester 04:46:37 1st Southampton RC 04:31:12 2nd Stubbington 04:36:50 3rd Winchester 04:37:39 1st Southampton RC 04:19:09 2nd Winchester 04:24:11 3rd Stubbington 04:24:38 1st Southampton RC 04:19:57 2nd Stubbington 04:22:05 3rd Winchester 04:23:46

*Between 2006 and 2010, the race was extended to Eling. Race times for these years were therefore affected.

Past Results 2000 2001

Mens Teams
1st Southampton RC 04:32:32

Ladies Teams
1st Hardley 06:03:08 2nd Stubbington 06:12:15 3rd Victory 06:40:48 1st Stubbington 05:49:50 2nd Pompey Joggers 05:52:38 3rd Hardley 05:55:45

Mixed Teams
1st Totton 05:33:25 2nd Southampton RC 06:17:20 3rd Lordshill 06:34:23 1st Havant 05:13:50 2nd Totton 05:54:30 3rd Team Solent 06:07:54

2001 2000

2nd Winchester 04:47:13 3rd Hardley 04:49:38 1st Team Solent 04:45:05 2nd Stubbington 04:53:28 3rd Southampton RC 04:53:35

Medal Table 2008 2012

One of the reasons for putting this guide together was to provide a context for the annual race results. Were the winners regular champions or had an underdog pulled off a triumphant victory? Ive therefore devised a rolling 5 year medal table (shown right). It will be updated every year (i.e. next year will be 2009 2013) ensuring that no club is basking in past glories of bygone eras. Winchester are currently leading courtesy of 3 straight victories in the ladies race and a win in the mixed team event. Stubbington are close behind having made sure to win the ladies race when Winchester were having an off year, while their men were victorious in 2008.

Running Club Winchester Stubbington Totton 4 3 3 4 1 0 2 4 1

Southampton AC
Overton Southampton RC Team Southampton Eastleigh Hardley Portsmouth Joggers Romsey Lordshill

2
1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

1
3 2 1 1 1 1 0 0

1
1 1 0 2 0 0 2 1

Totton are 3rd thanks to a collection of victories in the mixed team event.