Recent Press Reports
Updated ! Articles amended 15/05/2012 Updated !
New ! ADAMSONS SKODA DEAL HALF MARATHON New !
The Adamsons Skoda Deal Half Marathon finally went ahead at Fowlmead Country Park on Sunday, having been postponed from February 13 due to the course being covered in snow, writes Alan Newman.
Gareth Robb of Paddock Wood found the wait worthwhile as he strode to victory by 17 seconds in 1hr16min46sec from first M40 master, Jim Addison (1:17:01, Beckenham) and Clayton Barrett (1:18:25, Larkfield). This was Robb’s first win in a Kent Grand Prix road race and it was achieved in a competitive field of 250 runners.
Local men in good form included Craig Chapman (1:24:48, Tunbridge Wells); M40 Martin Taylor (1:25:40) and Steven Groom (1:26:33) of Larkfield AC; M50 David Abery (1:29:07, Istead and Ifield); Ross Woods (1:29:54, Tunbridge Wells) and Peter Buckingham (1:30:55, Paddock Wood). The outstanding M60 winner was Trevor Edgely (11:29:53, Invicta) but there was an excellent run from Maidstone Harrier Dave Thornby (1:32:19) for second place in that category.
The Paddock Wood connection with the winner’s podium was maintained as W45 Tina Oldershaw crossed the line in tenth overall to take the women’s title in 1hr24min5sec ahead of W45 Sharon Hawkins (1:29:07, Maidstone Harriers) and W35 Caroline Terburgh (1:31:26, Larkfield). Leading women included Claire Day (1:32:01, Paddock Wood); Sarah Anne Mooney (1:34:27, Larkfield) and W45 Jeanette White (1:35:10, Tunbridge Wells) who finished fourth to sixth respectively.
Updated ! SEVENOAKS SEVEN Upodated !
The Sevenoaks Seven was held in glorious sunshine on Sunday with the main trophies going to Paul Hayman (41min18sec) of Serpentine Running Club and W40 Maria Heslop (46.02, Paddock Wood), writes Alan Newman.
Hayman was harried by six-time previous winner Darrell Smith (M40 42.53, Tonbridge) and David Lee (42.59, Sevenoaks).
Also in the top twenty were locals Andrew Mead (M40 45.24, Sevenoaks); James Stickells (45.29, Larkfield): M40s Martin Whittington (46.47, Dartford Road Runners) and Chris Desmond (46.58, Sevenoaks); Graham Cook (47:00, Tunbridge Wells) and M45 Adrian Moody (47.47, Medway and Maidstone).
Maria Heslop stepped up from runners-up position for the past two years to win by over two and a half minutes from W35 Teresa Galliard de Laubenque (48.44, Dulwich) and W45 Sarah Ratcliffe (54.09, Orpington). Local women under the hour included Tunbridge Wells W45s Ana-Maria Green (58.50) and Jacqueline Morton (59.10); Caroline Burley (W45 59.19, Swanley) and Julie Atkins (W45 59.26, Dartford Road Runners).
Updated ! BAILEY’S NISSAN WHITSTABLE 10K Updated !
Grant Twist (Havering Mayesbrook) won the Bailey’s Nissan Whitstable 10k in sublime conditions on May Bank Holiday Monday, writes Alan Newman.
The Canterbury Christ Church student missed the 2004 course record set by Mike Coleman of Medway and Maidstone by 23 seconds as he posted a personal best 32min11sec. His only other outing over this distance was a second place in the Wingham 10k (33.07) last year.
Twist stayed well clear of Olly Laws (32.52) of Newham and Essex Beagles, who has run this distance on the track in 29min12.99sec in 2004.
Third home was Medway and Maidstone’s Adrian Lowther (33.37), who is in a busy racing spell as he seeks a return to his best form.
World Masters Mountain running champion of 2009 and 2010, Milos Smrcka (M55, 33.53), travelled from the Czech Republic to win the M50 prize in a truly exceptional time for fourth overall, ahead of Carl Jones (34.30, Ashford and District) and new M50 Theo Bately (34.59, Deal Tri).
Good performances under 40 minutes from local runners included Daniel Pyne (36.09, Dartford Harriers); Simon Parrin (38.31, Istead and Ifield); M45 Bob Fursey (38.32, Medway and Maidstone); Daniel Walsh (39.50, Istead and Ifield) and M45 Adrian Moody (39.52, Medway and Maidstone).
The women’s course record (32.54) was set by Charlotte Dale of Invicta East Kent in 2005 when she won the race outright. This year’s women’s winner was Tina Oldershaw (W40, 37.23) of Paddock Wood, the 2008 champion.
Liz Weeks (38.35, Invicta) and Nicola Groom (39.26, Larkfield) completed the podium ahead of W45 winner, Sharon Hawkins (39.41, Maidstone Harriers) and unattached athlete Lisa Crow (39.53).
Local women in good form included Sarah Ann Mooney (42.40, Larkfield); Lisa Reid (45.42, Dartford Harriers); W55 prize winner Sue James (45.47, Paddock Wood); W50 Sarah Shewell (46.12, Sevenoaks) and Jessica Dando (46.22, Dartford Harriers).
KENT MASTERS LEAGUE
Paddock Wood AC made a good start to their campaign in the Kent Masters League with fourth place for the women in Division 1 and a win for the men in Division 2 at Sutcliffe Park on Friday night.
Paddock Wood finished fourth in the Div 1 women’s match with just three athletes competing. Sue James (W60) made her debut at the triple jump a winning one (5.32), following second places in the 400m (82.9) and 3000m (13.11.6). Amanda Hanford (W45) made her first appearance on the track at 400m (90.2) and 3000m (14.19.6) and Jan Duffin (W65) was fourth in the W50 hammer (13.50).
Paddock Wood won the men’s Div 2 contest with individual victories for Andrew Day in the M35 400m (59.6) and pole vault (1.40); Gareth Robb (9.44.0) and M55 Malcolm Martin in the M35 3000m (10.24.5) and 2000m walk (12.12.8) and versatile Mark Woods in the M50 400m (59.5), pole vault (1.80) and triple jump (8.76).
Men Div 1: 1 Blackheath and Bromley 61, 2 Ashford 57, 3 Cambridge Harriers 53, 4 Medway and Maidstone 53, 5 Dartford A 50, 6 Bexley 45
Men Div 2: 1 Paddock Wood 72, 2 Bromley 67, 3 Istead and Ifield 45, 4 Invicta 31, 5 Dartford B 21, 6 Sevenoaks 8
Women Div 1: 1 Cambridge Harriers 69, 2 Dartford 69, 3 Blackheath and Bromley A 57, 4 Paddock Wood 22, 5 Bexley 21, 6 Istead and Ifield 15
Women Div 2: 1 Medway and Maidstone 35, 2 Blackheath and Bromley B 32, 3 Bromley 31, 4 Invicta 18
GOUDHURST 10K
The torrential rain and windy conditions did not stop 250 runners enjoying the second annual Goudhurst 10k on tracks and trails on Sunday morning. The race was won by unattached athlete Daniel Sims in 33min55sec from Scott Richardson (36.05, Tunbridge Wells Harriers) and junior Kent Meier (36.43).
Local runners under 40 minutes included Joe Cumberland (38.23, Istead and Ifield Harriers), Lee Cooper (39.01, Sevenoaks) and Wilfredo Chillitupo (Istead, 40.00). Andy Fletcher (40.42, Paddock Wood) was the leading M50 master to finish.
Natasha Swan (W35 42.32, Seaford Striders) won the women’s category and Vicky Talbot-Rosner (W50 45.52, Invicta East Kent) was the first over-45 master in fourth place. Penny Roberts (W60 60.29, Paddock Wood) was the higher age group winner.
VIRGIN LONDON MARATHON
The 32nd Virgin London Marathon broke new ground as the capital hosted the latest event in the million dollar prize money World Marathon Majors series. Following the race, hailed as the best yet by many observers, race director David Bedford stepped down and Hugh Brasher will take over from 2013.
There were a record number of 36,705 finishers as Wilson Kipsang and Mary Keitany completed a Kenyan double in the elite races and British stars David Weir and Shelly Woods raced to victory in the wheelchair events.
Kipsang (2hr4min44sec) missed the course record by four seconds with a gutsy, attacking run while Keitany (2hr18min37sec) smashed the African record to become the third fastest woman of all time as she retained her title.
Leading Britons were Lee Merrien (2:13:41) and Claire Hallissey (2:27:44). Merrien missed the automatic Olympic qualifying standard of 2:12 but was well inside the B standard (2:16). Hallissey was easily inside the selection criteria (2:31) and joins Paula Radcliffe and Mara Yamauchi in the team.
There were 29 new entries in the Guinness Book of Records as the fun side of the event was demonstrated. Seven fancy dress records were achieved in less than three hours but there was never any chance that David Lawrenson was going to duck under that barrier - or the finish gantry - with his 26 foot tall Blackpool Tower outfit.
Kent runners were again well placed with a number of outstanding personal bests. The double Kent cross champion, John Gilbert (2:19:07) of Kent AC was the fastest in 26th position, with club colleagues Richard Munn (2:36:45), Stuart Beaney (2:39:41) and Len Reilly (M50, 2:42:56) also impressing.
Dean Lacy (2:25:07) of Cambridge Harriers was 40th overall with a stunning breakthrough to slice six minutes off his previous best time. His club mate, Ben Shearer (2:29:40) was only 11 places behind, nearly three minutes faster than before.
Paddock Wood’s team was headed by their annual half marathon race director James Ridger (2:54:58) on his debut, followed by Colin Tricker (2:59:42). Maria Heslop (W40, 3:09:37) finished strongly to hold off the personal best of Harry Abrahim (M45, 3:10:08), competing in his third marathon in as many weeks.
Also prominent were Peter Buckingham (M40, 3:13:22), Stephen Wilson (M45, 3:21:11), Geoff Hurrell (M45, 3:33:38), Caroline Richards (W50, 3:35:44), Fiona Buckingham (W40, 3:44:12), Carol Emery (W50, 3:47:03) and Rob Playfoot (3:53:49). Emma Hollands (4:02:30), Kirsty Jones (4:15:36), Sue Chivers (4:32:20) and Julian Seal (4:45:39) completed the club entry as 75 members and friends ran the 22 mile water station.
Medway and Maidstone AC had seven finishers led by Raivis Zakis (2:30:42), who was 60th overall. Tom Collins 2:41:55) and David Henderson (2:43:56) were closely matched rivals and the club entry was completed by Bernadette Harrop (W35, 3:23:37), Eckhardt Kuhn (3:30:34), Steve Julier (M40, 3:47:18) and Sarah Kenyon (W40, 3:52:06).
Dartford’s finest were Robert White (M40, 2:42:00), Jack O’Sullivan (M45, 2:57:57), Hazel Vuvi (2:58:33) and Gary Bryant (M40, 3:28:50) from Dartford Road Runners and Andrew Pickett (3:01:55) and Daniel Pyne (3:09:04) from Dartford Harriers.
Maidstone Harriers had ten athletes home inside four hours led by James Dutton (M40, 3:13:16). Ian Forrest (3:20:38), Mike Murdoch (M40, 3:25:23), Penny Holden (3:27:11) and Adam Palferman (M40, 3:27: 35) were also under three and a half hours. Martyn Earl (3:33:58), Julie Stoppani (W45, 3:49:48), Michael Westwood (M55, 3:50:04), Kay Banfield (W45, 3:52:45) and Liz Cooper (3:57:24) completed the top ten for the Harriers and there was an outstanding M70 masters performance by David Northcroft (4:14:06).
Larkfield AC had seven athletes home in less than three and a half hours. Martin Taylor (M40, 2:52:48) led the way followed by Steve Throssell (3:03:46), Steve Groom (3:12:37), Caroline Terburgh (W35, 3:15:01), Sarah Anne Mooney (3:19:53), Abi Johnson (W40, 3:27:30) and Kim Howes (W45, 3:29:47).
Des O’Donnell (M50, 2:48:40) put in a top quality masters performance for Tunbridge Wells Harriers. He was supported by Matthew Clark (M40, 3:03:25), James Absolom (M40, 3:04:17), Alice Heather-Hayes (W35, 3:08:54) and Edward Peltor (M40, 3:21:44).
Tonbridge AC had fast times from Jonathan Undy (2:44:18) and Simon Fraser (2:53:23) followed by good for age performances from Mick Barlow (M45, 3:12:01), John Harley (M60, 3:20:17) and Andrew Wood (M45, 3:21:04). Julian Rendall (2:36:47) from Tonbridge was representing Thames Hare and Hounds.
Full results are at www.virginlondonmarathon.com
DARENT VALLEY 10K
Ramsey Kechacha from Halling was a relatively unknown name at the front of a Kent road race when he took the Darent Valley 10k top prize in a personal best time of 34min25sec.
Kechacha represents the Royal Navy and he is the 2012 Inter-Services junior cross country champion. His one previous road race victory came in the End of 2010 10k at Harrietsham where he set his previous best of 35min01sec, no mean feat for an athlete who started out as a 60m sprinter.
There was no requirement for the winner to deploy his 51.5sec 400m speed on Sunday as he was 27 seconds clear of Ben Fairhall (34.52, Victoria Park Harriers). Jason Cherriman (35.22, Orpington Road Runners) finished third in pursuit of team and individual points in the Kent Road Race Grand Prix.
Prominent local athletes included Clayton Barrett (35.25, Larkfield), David Lee (35.53, Sevenoaks) and Mark Penny (36.00, Cambridge Harriers), who filled the next three places.
Twenty-five men finished under 40 minutes, despite the hills and off-road section through Lullingstone Park and Castle farm. Masters winners were M40 Jim Addison (36.19, Beckenham), M50 Clem Dixon (40.23, Cambridge Harriers) and M60 Robert Leach (41.45, New Eltham).
Also below 40 minutes were the first two women, W40 masters Tina Oldershaw (38.28, Paddock Wood) and Sharon Elder (39.38) from Aldershot. Natasha Dawkins (41.42, Larkfield) completed the women’s rostrum ahead of the first W45 Sharon Hawkins (42.18, Maidstone Harriers).
Leading local women included Rachel McGuinness (44.36, Swanley) and W35 Abi Johnson (45.25, Larkfield). Sue James (47.40, Paddock Wood) was the W55 master’s winner, as 33 ladies ducked under the 50 minute barrier.
The race features an unusual team competition for ten-to-score and the shield was claimed by Larkfield AC after a dominant display.
NATIONAL ROAD RELAY CHAMPIONSHIPS
There were three Kent men’s teams close together in the National Road Relay Championships at Birmingham on Saturday. Tipton Harriers took the title in the men’s 12-stage race from more than 60 finishing teams.
Tonbridge AC made the top third with 19th position (4hr27min35sec) ahead of both Blackheath and Bromley Harriers (22nd, 4:29:34) and Kent AC (23rd, 4:29:38).
In the women’s six stage relay, Tonbridge AC was up to eleventh place after halfway but failed to finish a complete team. The five competitors were Lucy Reid (18.36), Deirdre McDermot (17.26), Grace Nicholls (17.21), Lowri Richards (20.09) and Jessica Owen (20.37).
FOLKESTONE 10MLS (KENT CHAMPIONSHIPS)
Dean Lacy (Cambridge Harriers) and Tina Oldershaw (Paddock Wood AC) are both Kent champions in contrasting styles after the Folkestone 10 miles race on Sunday morning, writes Alan Newman.
Lacy led from gun to tape for a commanding outright victory. Oldershaw set off in determined fashion after winning her home club’s half marathon five days earlier but was caught in the closing stages by local favourite Rona Loubser, fresh from altitude training in Kenya in preparation for the Virgin London Marathon.
Lacy headed a record field of almost 600 athletes to take the £100 top prize in 51min04sec. His margin was over half a mile from Antony Jackson (Sittingbourne Striders, 53.53). Sam Rigby (Folkestone, 56.24) was a popular third in the open race for the host club.
With Jackson and Rigby not entered for the county championships, the Kent silver medallist was Clayton Barrett (Larkfield, 57.02), who led his new club to team success on his debut after transferring from Medway and Maidstone AC.
The Kent bronze went to Carl Jones (Ashford and District, 57.24), one of 16 males to dip under the hour in perfect conditions on the seafront course.
The Kent age group champions in the men’s race were M40 Steven Nimmo (Orpington Road Runners, 57.33), M50 Kevin Williams (Ashford, 60.43) and M60 Trevor Edgely (Invicta, 66.00), the fifth best M60 time in Britain this year.
Barrett was supported by Ashley Howes (58.12) and Simon Hesketh (M40, 58.34) in the victorious Larkfield team. The remaining Kent team medals went to Cambridge Harriers and Orpington Road Runners.
The women’s race was a classic battle between the fast starting Oldershaw and the fast finishing Loubser from South Africa. Oldershaw led comfortably at halfway but Loubser was closing fast at eight miles and swept into the lead in the final mile for victory by 68 seconds.
Loubser (Folkestone Running Club) won the Canterbury 10 miles in January in 59min16sec and was under the hour again (59.56) on this occasion. She will be keen to improve her best of 2hrs52mins in London later this month.
Oldershaw (W40, 61.04) added to her impressive tally of Kent titles with gold in this race as Loubser was a late entry. Annabelle Stearns (Gravesend Road Runners, 63.39) and Clare Reeves (Bexley, 64.08) were closely matched for the silver and bronze, separated by Maria Heslop (Paddock Wood, 64.01), who was not entered for the Kent championships.
Masters category gold medallists were W35 Oldershaw, W45 Sharon Hawkins (Maidstone Harriers, 67.17) and W55 Sue James (Paddock Wood, 76.14).
Oldershaw and James are both ranked second in their respective age groups in UK this year and Hawkins is ninth in the W45 list after this race.
Paddock Wood took the Kent and open team prizes with Maria Heslop, Clare Day (68.17) and Fiona Buckingham (W40, 72.33) in good form behind Tina Oldershaw. Canterbury Harriers and Maidstone Harriers were the team runners-up.
WORLD SCHOOLS CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
Kent athletes Bobby and Alex Clay, Charlie Joslin-Allen and George Duggan enjoyed outstanding success in the World Schools Cross Country in Malta.
The prodigiously talented Bobby Clay of Invicta East Kent AC is unbeaten in all of her races this year and is the current National under-17 and English Schools cross country champion.
This end of season success was a narrow victory by three seconds over Hatun Tuna-Emina of Turkey and Yaxin Guan of China. Clay’s older sister Alex was just a few seconds adrift in fourth place to help England to a magnificent team victory over Australia, Spain and a total of ten nations.
Kent champion, Charlie Joslin-Allen of Tonbridge led England to fourth place behind Australia, New Zealand and Spain in the under-17 boys’ title race. He finished fifth overall behind the Australian world champion, Jacob Birtwhistle. National under-15 champion and Tonbridge team mate George Duggan gained useful experience of international competition in 27th position.
BROOKS PADDOCK WOOD HALF MARATHON
Personal best times were consigned to history as 1,915 runners completed the 23rd Brooks Paddock Wood Half Marathon in perfect weather conditions on Sunday morning, writes Alan Newman.
Race winner, Will MacKay (Bedford and County), was rewarded for positive running with a lifetime best of 1hr9min4sec. MacKay seemed content to accompany Thomas Fewster (Tonbridge) and Tom Collins (Medway and Maidstone) at the front but a series of second half surges sealed his victory.
Collins (1.9.55) was the last to be dropped after eight miles, running within 10 seconds of his personal best to finish second. Collins had finished fourth in the Hastings half marathon the previous weekend. Andy Rayner (1.10.44) of Blackheath and Bromley Harriers was third.
Leading local athletes included the early pace-maker Fewster (1.11.18), who finished close behind the first M40 master Andrew Weir (Thames Hare and Hounds, 1.10.56) in fifth place.
Also prominent were Gareth Robb (1.14.02) and Race Director, James Ridger (1.15.22) of Paddock Wood; Nick Leech (Tunbridge Wells, 1.15.41); Colin Tricker (Paddock Wood, 1.17.21); M40 Martin Taylor (Larkfield, 1.18.52); Guy Jenner (Tunbridge Wells, 1.19.38) and M40 Jack O’Sullivan (Dartford Road Runners, 1.20.07).
Impressive masters’ times were posted by M50 John Foss (1.19.36) and M60 Ian Kitching (1.18.28) of South London Harriers and leading M70 Pat Dobbs (Thurrock Harriers, 1.36.08).
Tina Oldershaw delighted the host club by recording her fourth women’s race victory in 1hr20min23sec. The W40 master’s international was being hunted down by Mel Frazier (Gravesend Road Runners, 1.20.31) but the finish line in Eldon Way arrived just in the nick of time.
Jane Fanning (Serpentine, 1.21.35) completed a quality rostrum as eighteen women ran under 90 minutes. Top local athletes included W35 Claire Gaskill (Gravesend, 1.24.50); Janine Brown (Ashford, 1.24.58); W50 Barbara Wenman (Canterbury Harriers, 1.28.56); W35 Caroline Terburgh (Larkfield, 1.29.22) and W45 Sharon Hawkins (Maidstone Harriers, 1.31.15). Claire Steward (W60 Dulwich Runners, 1.36.28) was the leading over-55 master.
The full results are available at www.paddockwoodac.co.uk
KENT ROAD RACE GRAND PRIX
The annual Folkestone 10 mile race from The Green, Cinque Ports Avenue, Hythe is the third event in the Kent Road Race Grand Prix 2012. The race also incorporates the Kent Championships over 10 miles.
The race starts at 11am on Good Friday and the outstanding records are 48min45sec by Mike Gratton in 1985 and 53.21 by Charlotte Dale in 2005.
The Kent Grand Prix continues with the Darent Valley 10k on April 15; Deal Half Marathon on May 13; Larkfield 10k on May 20; Harvel 5 on June 2; Dartford Half Marathon on July 22; Margate Marathon on September 2 and Maidstone half Marathon on October 14.
LES WITTON DARTFORD 10 MILES
The postponed Les Witton Dartford 10 mile road race was won on Sunday morning by Metropolitan policeman, Peter Tucker of Blackheath and Bromley Harriers in 57min52sec. Only four men beat the hour and Tucker’s pace was closely investigated by unattached athlete Simon Roost (58.15), Mark Penny (58.36) of Cambridge Harriers and Stephen Dipre (M45, 59.23) of New Eltham Joggers.
Tina Oldershaw (W40, 63.16) of Paddock Wood was an excellent seventh overall to head the women’s race from club mate Claire Day (67.35), who improved her previous best by three minutes, and Kate Mills (W40, 67.55) of Springfield Striders.
BRITISH MASTERS CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
Tonbridge M50 athlete Graeme Saker became a British age group cross country champion on a course laid out by his father at Bath University. Saker senior, an impressively active septuagenarian, is an athletics coach at Bath University and he was responsible for the venue for the British Masters races.
Saker junior stormed to victory in the over-50 category by 37 seconds to add this title to his 2011 M45 10k road race gold and his time (28.10) was good enough for thirteenth overall in the 8k race for athletes aged 35 to 64 years.
Among the master athletes passed by Saker was the 2008 M35 champion, Huw Evans of Les Croupiers AC. Evans is a former Tonbridge team mate of Saker and a multiple Kent league champion. Evans (28.33) was 9th M40, suffering from a cold on this occasion.
Keith Ewing (29.50) of Blackheath and Bromley Harriers was 7th M50, Mike Mann (33.40) of Dulwich Runners was 9th M60 and Alan Newman (33.55) of Paddock Wood was 26th M55. Russ Williams (25.12) of Cambridge Harriers was 18th in the M65 division over the shorter 6k distance.
In the women’s 6k race there was a hard fought bronze for W60 Ros Tabor (24.35) of Dulwich Runners. Sue James of Paddock Wood, who beat Tabor in an epic battle for the 2007 W55 gold at Mansfield, was fifth W60 (25.50).
BRITISH MASTERS INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
Multiple medal winners at the British Masters Indoor Championships at Lee Valley Arena included Medway and Maidstone’s W65 Pat Oakes, who took gold in the high jump (1.09), long jump (2.97) and triple jump (6.59).
Malcolm Martin (Paddock Wood) from Maidstone won his first national age-group gold in the M55 3000m (10.35.32) and his wife, Angela, was second in the W45 3000m Walk (21.24.91).
Maidstone-based sprinter Tom Phillips (Blackheath and Bromley) won both M55 “B” finals in the 60m (8.26) and 200m (27.33) and M50 Mark Woods (Paddock Wood) was also in good form with bronze over 200m (25.8).
KENT FITNESS LEAGUE CROSS COUNTRY RELAY
The end of season Kent Fitness League cross country relay attracted almost 40 teams to compete at Nurstead Court, Meopham on Sunday morning.
Canterbury Harriers were the official winners from Paddock Wood and New Eltham Joggers. Host club Gravesend Road Runners were fourth ahead of Medway and Maidstone and Sittingbourne Striders.
Each team must consist of one female and four males to score. Sevenoaks AC could not field the requisite female or sufficient men, so ran an all male squad that crossed the line in first place. Rob Carr (17.56), Mark Howarth (15.03), David Lee (13.54), Howarth (15.39) and Lee (14.09) achieved the fastest team time but were excluded from the prizes.
Barbara Wenman (17.29), Rick Austen (15.31), Tony McParland (14.46), Simon Jones (14.53) and Peter Holben (14.31) were 29 seconds behind to take the victory for Canterbury Harriers.
Maidstone Harriers were also short staffed and ran Swiss mountain racer Stephan Wenk twice in their third placed squad. Kay Banfield (19.03), Wenk (13.02), Adam Palfreman (16.51), Mike Murdoch (16.07) and Wenk (13.07) were also disqualified from the team prizes. However, Wenk set the fastest time overall and his second effort was also faster than any other competitor.
Paddock Wood started with Sue James (19.05) followed by Rob Rowland (15.52), Lukas Bates (15.21), Jonathan Riordan (14.45) and Gareth Robb (14.30) for team silver.
New Eltham Joggers completed the top three through Jenny Neal (18.52), Michael Clark (16.38), Bryan Maillardet (14.26), Ian Miller (16.28) and Chris Wyles.
Host club Gravesend Road Runners were fourth with Mel Frazier (15.45) setting the fastest women’s time on the first leg. Medway and Maidstone AC featured league champion Clayton Barrett (13.43) on leg two, with the day’s second fastest time.
LYDD HALF MARATHON
With more than 560 finishers in its fifth year of running the Lydd half marathon is becoming a significant event on the Kent athletics calendar.
The winner on the flat, fast course was Phil Anthony (Invicta East Kent AC) in 1hr6min45sec, a personal best by 75 seconds. Mark Wilkins (Invicta, 1.14.25) and Antony Jackson (Sittingbourne Striders, 1.14.35) completed the podium.
Tina Oldershaw (W40, 1.21.43) of Paddock Wood took the women’s trophy from Hazel Vuvi (W35, 1.24.58) and Ann Fuller (W45, 1.28.25) of Dartford Road Runners.
SEVENOAKS ROTARY 10K
Thomas Fewster of Tonbridge AC defeated a field of 650 runners to take the Sevenoaks Rotary 10k title in Knole Park in 35min5sec on a busy Sunday morning for Kent athletes.
Fewster was followed by under-17 Christopher Olley (36.46) of Tonbridge and first M40 master, Richard Tomlinson (36.57) of Medway and Maidstone AC.
Beckenham won the team race from Sevenoaks Triathletes and Tunbridge Wells Harriers.
Kent cross country league champion, Deirdre McDermot (38.47), of Tonbridge was an outstanding women’s winner in sixth overall. Maria Heslop (W40, 40.22) of Paddock Wood was an impressive master’s winner in second place and Melanie Burdett (W35, 44.31) was third for the winning team, Beckenham Running Club.
THANET 20 MILES – KENT CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Thanet 20 miles race made a welcome return to the Kent Championships calendar with 411 finishers at Ramsgate seafront on Sunday morning, writes Alan Newman.
The heavy rain lifted and in unexpectedly good conditions Ben Shearer (Cambridge Harriers) won in 1hr53min46sec by less than a minute from Tom Collins (1.54.41) of Medway and Maidstone AC. Shearer will be hoping to trim his best of 2hr32min in the Virgin London Marathon next month.
Third overall and first M40 master was Paul Hasler (1.58.58) of team winners Paddock Wood AC. Hasler’s excellent time ensured an elite podium of sub-two hour athletes.
Gareth Robb (2.02.33) was fourth and James Ridger (2.06.50), with his 20 mile debut, ensured team success for Paddock Wood and gold medals in the Kent championships. Colin Tricker (2.08.56) provided the support for PWAC.
Michael Williams (2.03.24) of Dulwich Runners and Mark Wilkins (2.03.52) completed the top six finishers, followed by M40 rivals Gavin Kitchingham (2.04.30) of Orpington and Allen Jones (2.04.59) of Medway and Maidstone.
The higher age group winners were Clem Dixon (M50, 2.13.38) of Cambridge Harriers and Trevor Edgley (M60, 2.20.26) of Invicta East Kent.
Mel Frazier (2.12.11), of team winners Gravesend Road Runners, was the dominant force in the women’s race. Frazier was followed by W35 master Jill Cliff (2.14.27) of Deal Tri and Alexie Shaw (2.15.47) of Dulwich Runners.
Janine Brown (2.19.15) of Ashford AC claimed Kent bronze in fourth overall as Gravesend’s Claire Gaskill (2.19.49) and Annabelle Stearns (2.21.11) secured team gold and the minor medals in the W35 masters category.
Solid performances were posted by both higher age group winners, Barbara Wenman (W45, 2.27.59) of Canterbury Harriers and Miriam Dorrity (W55, 2.49.11) of Paddock Wood.
Team Results
Men: 1 Paddock Wood 16, 2 Cambridge Harriers 43, 3 Medway and Maidstone 52.
Women: 1 Gravesend Road Runners 13, 2 Canterbury Harriers 37, 3 Larkfield AC 41.
GREENWICH MERIDIAN 10K
The Greenwich Meridian 10k in London provided an alternative event to the Thanet 20 mile race for several top Kent athletes on Sunday.
Tadele Geremew of Ethiopia set a hot pace from gun to tape to win in 30min52sec from Jermaine Mays (32.29) of Kent AC and Peter Tucker (34.00) of Blackheath and Bromley Harriers.
Kent Fitness League champion, Clayton Barrett (35.03), of Medway and Maidstone, ran well in exalted company for sixth place overall. Top age group results were achieved by M40 Simon Loach (36.12) and M50 David Child (36.26) of Kent AC.
Justina Heslop (34.36) of Clapham Chasers dominated the women’s race. Runners-up were Elaine Murty (37.02) of Blackheath and Bromley Harriers and Deborah Nichol (38.28) of Dulwich Runners. Ola Balme (W45, 40.58) of Dulwich was the leading master athlete in fifth overall.
ENGLISH NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
Kent athletes took three titles at the English National Cross Country Championships at Parliament Hill Fields, London on Saturday. Tonbridge AC also claimed four sets of team medals but none glistened of gold, which is a rare event such is the high level of expectation whenever young athletes from that club toe the line these days.
George Duggan was already the Kent and South of England champion and he stepped up in class to take the National under-15 boys’ gold by a comfortable margin of nine seconds in a superlative display. Tonbridge were bronze medal team winners with Tim Faes (86th), Chris Cohen (95th) and John Coates (115th).
Bobby Clay (Invicta East Kent) has an even better card than Duggan this winter as she is the under-15 girls’ champion of Kent, Kent Schools, South of England and now the English National title holder. Clay led Invicta to tenth team place.
Sabrina Sinha (Cambridge Harriers) was only fifth in under-13 girls’ Southern cross-country but the Kent and Kent Schools champion became the third Kent athlete to lift a National trophy at Parliament Hill.
Charlie Joslin-Allen (4th) narrowly missed an individual medal in the under-17 men’s race but led his Tonbridge team to silver medals, supported by Laurie Probert (12th), Max Nicholls (16th) and Sean Molloy (29th).
Alex Clay (Invicta East Kent) was a second away from glory in the under-17 women’s race. Rebecca Straw (Cannock and Stafford) snatched the title on the finish line.
Team silver was the reward for Tonbridge AC in the under-20 men’s race through Robbie Farnham-Rose (23rd), Andrew Combs (26th), Luca Russo (43rd) and Tom Cox (44th).
Grace Nicholls (8th) led Tonbridge under-20 women to team bronze supported by Lucy Reid (32nd) and Megan Brickell (53rd), ahead of Invicta East Kent.
Kent League champion, Dean Lacy (15th, Cambridge Harriers), was the top Kent athlete in the senior men’s race, finishing ahead of Andy Rayner (18th, Blackheath and Bromley) and Kent champion John Gilbert (23rd, Kent AC).
Elaine Murty (26th, Blackheath and Bromley) was the best Kent runner in the senior women’s race. Claire Elms (51st, Dulwich Runners) put in a notable W45 masters performance as 650 athletes completed the race.
LIFESTYLE RENAULT TUNBRIDGE WELLS HALF MARATHON
The Lifestyle Renault Tunbridge Wells half marathon race director had to dig out the cheque book to meet the cost of not one but two £1,000 course record bonuses on Sunday morning.
The previous record of 1hr5min33sec, held by Barry Royden (Medway and Maidstone AC), had stood for 13 years until Ethiopian athlete, Yared Hagos (Bradford Airedale) crossed the finish line in 1hr4min15sec. Hagos finished eighth in the BUPA Great North Run half marathon last year in 1hr3min31sec and boasts a cracking 47min51sec best for 10 miles.
Less than nine minutes later Helen Decker (Ipswich Jaffa), who won this race in 2010 and was second last year, took the women’s record to 1hr12min41sec for a highly profitable new personal best. The previous record holder was GB marathon international Liz Yelling with her 2011 victory in 1hr13min56sec.
There were some fine performances from local runners among the 2,107 finishers on this scenic, undulating route around Bidborough, Penshurst, Fordcombe, Langton Green and Southborough.
Julian Rendall (1.12.21) and Daniel Bradley (1.12.26) of Tonbridge AC were fifth and sixth respectively with a personal best time for Bradley. These were the final male athletes not caught by the women’s race winner, Decker, who finished seventh overall. Matthew Britton (1.18.25) of Ashford AC ran a personal best ahead of Simon Fraser (1.19.09) of Tonbridge, Colin Tricker (1.9.53) of Paddock Wood AC and junior athlete Alex King (1.20.24) of Tonbridge AC and Judd School.
There was a return to form for previous winner, Tina Oldershaw (W40, 1.21.56) of Paddock Wood, who was runner-up to the exceptional Decker. Oldershaw was the winner in 2004, 2008 and 2009 but ran 61 seconds faster than her latest victory this time.
Jane Fanning (W35, 1.23.19) of Serpentine Running Club took third place from Paddock Wood’s other outstanding W40 Maria Heslop (1.24.13) and with Claire Day (1.33.23) in her best form Paddock Wood took the team prize.
Alice Heather-Hayes (W35, 1.25.18) of Tunbridge Wells Harriers was fifth and local runners who impressed included Kim Howes (W45, 1.32.37) and Caroline Terburgh (W35, 1.33.20) of Larkfield AC; Tara Taylor (W45, 1.33.47) and Sarah Bailey (W35, 1.34.40) of Tunbridge Wells Harriers; Sarah Anne Mooney (1.35.33) of Larkfield; Lucy Tomlinson (W40, 1.35.55) of Maidstone Harriers and Fiona Buckingham (W40, 1.36.01) of Paddock Wood.
KENT FITNESS CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE FINAL
Paddock Wood AC are the 2011-12 Kent Fitness Cross Country League champions after a gruelling seven race series ended at Blean Woods, Canterbury on Sunday, writes Alan Newman.
Defending champions, Larkfield AC, had their moments of glory before the turn of the year at Knole Park, Sevenoaks and Oxleas Woods, Eltham but Paddock Wood won four combined team races at Swanley Park; Avery Hill Park, New Eltham; Nurstead Court, Meopham and here at the series decider to regain the title from the determined holders.
The other team to shine in a season dominated by the West Kent rivals were Gravesend Road Runners, with overall victory at Minnis Bay, Margate and six consecutive race wins for their outstanding women’s team.
Another big field of 375 finished at Blean Woods, with guest athlete Allan Lee (Sevenoaks) first past the post in 29min5sec for the undulating five miles. Lee was closely followed by the new league champion, Clayton Barrett (Medway and Maidstone), six seconds in arrears but eighteen seconds clear of Paul Hasler (M40, Paddock Wood), who got his team off to an excellent start.
Nathan Chapman (Larkfield) was close behind and the top ten places were filled by Chris Wyles (New Eltham), Colin Tricker (Paddock Wood), Ashley Howes (Larkfield), David Lee (Sevenoaks), James Ridger and Gareth Robb (Paddock Wood) and Simon Hesketh (M40, Larkfield). With 60 seconds covering the leading group it was already looking tight in the team race.
David Abery (Gravesend) was the leading M50 master on the day and overall and Phil Wallace (Medway and Maidstone) was again top of the M60 class.
The women’s race saw an outstanding run by Jill Cliff (W40, Deal Triathletes) who finished in the top 20 overall to take the race win by seven seconds in 32min8sec from the individual league champion Mel Frazier (Gravesend).
Annabelle Stearns (W40, Gravesend), Nicola Groom (Larkfield), Claire Gaskill (W35, Gravesend) and Joyce Shamedje (W35, Canterbury Harriers) filled the top six places. The leading higher age group athletes were league age group champions W45 Ann Fuller (Dartford Road Runners), W50 Barbara Wenman (Canterbury Harriers) and W55 Miriam Dorrity and W60 Sue James, both of Paddock Wood.
With ten athletes to score in the combined team, including required master age groups, the league trophy goes to the club with the best balance overall. This season Paddock Wood were the well deserved champions. Larkfield were spirited runners-up and Dartford Road Runners edged Gravesend Road Runners on a tie-break for third place.
The Kent Fitness League season will end with the traditional cross country relay for teams of five runners held at Nurstead Court, Meopham on Sunday, March 11, followed by the annual presentation of awards.
Final Overall Results
Men’s Teams: 1 Paddock Wood AC 106, 2 Larkfield AC 104, 3 Dartford Road Runners 93, 4 Gravesend Road Runners 93, 5 Canterbury Harriers 83, 6 New Eltham Joggers 74, 7 Istead and Ifield Harriers 73, 8 Medway and Maidstone 63, 9 Sittingbourne Striders 63, 10 Sevenoaks AC 59.
Women’s Teams: 1 Gravesend Road Runners 108, 2 Dartford Road Runners 97, 3 Paddock Wood AC 96, 4 Larkfield AC 90, 5 Canterbury Harriers 83.
Individual Men: 1 Clayton Barrett (Medway and Maidstone) 99.84%, 2 Gareth Robb (Paddock Wood) 99.32%, 3 James Ridger (Paddock Wood) 98.65%.
M40: Gavin Kitchingham (Bromley Vets) 96.73%. M45: Tony Durey (Dartford Harriers) 89.02%. M50: David Abery (Gravesend Road Runners) 90.53%. M55: Malcolm Martin (Paddock Wood) 91.96%. M60: Phil Wallace (Medway and Maidstone) 75.22%. M65: John Kemp (New Eltham Joggers) 37.18%. M70: John Rains (Medway and Maidstone) 16.18%. Most Improved: Adam Palfreman (Maidstone Harriers).
Individual Women: 1 Mel Frazier (Gravesend) 99.81%, 2 Nicola Groom (Larkfield) 98.28%, 3 Laura Burton (Paddock Wood) 95.60%. W35: Claire Gaskill (Gravesend) 97.94%. W40: Annabelle Stearns (Gravesend) 99.09%. W45: Ann Fuller (Dartford RR) 94.11%. W50: Barbara Wenman (Canterbury Harriers) 90.42%. W55: Miriam Dorrity (Paddock Wood) 69.33%. W60: Sue James (Paddock Wood) 76.63%. Most Improved: Kay Banfield (Maidstone Harriers).
SOUTH OF ENGLAND MASTERS INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
Kent athletes over 35 years were on top of the podium in the inaugural South of England Masters Championships at Lee Valley Indoor Arena on Sunday, writes Alan Newman.
Pat Oakes of Medway and Maidstone entered the W65 category last year and took the triple jump (6.71), long jump (2.93) and high jump (1.06) titles. Maria Newton (M&M) vaulted 2.30 metres for W45 silver.
The exceptional Imeta Barauskiene (Bexley) won the W45 long jump (4.53), triple jump (9.96) and high jump (1.48). Steve Timmins (Blackheath and Bromley) took the M35 shot with 13.82 metres.
Joe Appiah (Kent AC) won the M40 60m (7.47) and 60m hurdles (8.38) and Barry Ferguson took the M70 60m (9.74) and 60m hurdles (11.05).
Clare Elms (Dulwich) enjoyed W45 middle-distance double success over 800m (2.29.95) and 1500m (4.48.74), matched by her W60 club mate Ros Tabor (2.57.98 and 5.50.28).
Cara Oliver (Dartford Harriers) was a winner in the W35 800m (2.32.02) and Michael Mann (Dulwich) took the M60 800m (2.31.84).
Arthur Kimber (Dartford Harriers) was another double champion in the M75 400m (86.71) and 800m (3.13.67).
Daniel Hassett (B&B) was the fastest M35 400m runner (56.38) and there was a further title for Doug Lucas (Cambridge Harriers) in the M60 200m (27.31).
Medway and Maidstone athletes who missed medals included W55 Fiona Argent in the 60m (10.98) and 200m (36.33) and M35 Scott Craddock in the 60m (7.59)
KENT MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE FINAL
Tom Collins (Medway and Maidstone) appeared determined to repeat his first Kent Men’s cross country league race win achieved a year ago at Swanley, when he dashed into an early lead at the equivalent event on Saturday, writes Alan Newman.
The final action of the 2011-12 winter campaign attracted 138 athletes to this twisting and technical circuit around the grounds of Parkwood School. Collins’ lead was short lived, however, as the 2010 Kent champion Dean Lacy of Cambridge Harriers used his experience to carve out a winning lead on the snow covered course.
Host club Dartford Harriers did well to provide a safe but challenging venue for the deciding fixture and defending champions, Tonbridge AC, took full advantage to secure the Kent Messenger Cup for the fourth successive season.
As Lacy maintained a rare 100% record to win the individual trophy it was the junior international Robbie Farnham-Rose (Tonbridge AC) who led the chase, 13 seconds in arrears. Collins held his form in third place on the day and overall in the league.
Behind the top three there was a sea of white vests of Tonbridge athletes, headed by Ben Cole whose fourth place earned him second overall award. Cole was followed by under-20 Tom Cox, Dan Bradley, Julian Rendall and U20s Ryan Driscoll and Luca Russo. Ben Tyler (Medway and Maidstone) completed the top ten as his team battled in vain to regain the league title.
James Hogg (19th) and Andrejs Safars (24th) filled the scoring team places for M&M and Alex Gibbons (11th) made a useful start for Blackheath and Bromley Harriers but with four in the top six and a dozen inside thirty-one places, Tonbridge were home and dry at both four and twelve to score.
Richard Tomlinson salvaged some pride for M&M AC by winning the M40 masters’ league trophy from Jonathan Armstrong (Bexley AC) and Gavin Kitchingham (Orpington Roadrunners). The best of the higher age groups overall were M50 Malcolm Martin (Paddock Wood) and M60 Graham Eke (Folkestone Running Club).
In the separate league for M70 men, held over shorter distances with the women’s races, there was a clean sweep for Tunbridge Wells Harriers’ Eric Schofield, John Johnson and Bryon Taylor.
Kent Messenger Cup: 1 Tonbridge 61, 2 Medway and Maidstone 60, 3 Invicta East Kent 54, 4 Blackheath and Bromley Harriers 53, 5 Tunbridge Wells Harriers 37, 6 Dartford Harriers 34.
Duodec Cup: 1 Tonbridge 19, 2 Medway and Maidstone 15, 3 Blackheath and Bromley Harriers 11, 4 Tunbridge Wells Harriers 8, 5 Dartford Roadrunners 5, 6 Beckenham Running Club 3. Individuals: 1 Dean Lacy (Camb H) 4, 2 Ben Cole (Ton) 17, 3 Tom Collins (M&M) 20. M40 Richard Tomlinson (M&M). M50 Malcolm Martin (PW). M60 Graham Eke (Folk). M70 Eric Schofield (TWH).
KENT WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE FINAL
Grace Nicholls (Tonbridge AC) swept aside all challengers, as she had done in the opening race at nearby New Barn Park in October, to win the final Kent Women’s cross country league race at Parkwood School, Swanley.
The 20-year-old Kent senior champion finished 19 seconds clear of the industrious Elaine Murty (Blackheath and Bromley Harriers), who finished just ahead of defending league champion Deirdre McDermott (Tonbridge), whose own fortunes slipped away when she fell on a tricky turn in the woods.
In a thrilling encounter the top three teams were separated by three points in this final race. Medway and Maidstone won with Helena Penfold fifth, Jenny Harnett seventh and Bernie Harrop in eleventh place.
Tonbridge were one point behind and had W45 Pippa Blackstone (20th) to thank for ensuring overall success in the battle for the league title.
Blackheath and Bromley were third on the day with W35 Jane Bradshaw (8th) and W45 Rosie Ferguson (16th) in support of Murty for second place overall with Medway and Maidstone’s strong finish to the season resulting in third.
McDermott easily retained her hold on the Cliff Temple Memorial Trophy for the fourth time from 2008 champion, Penfold and the masters’ league winner, Bradshaw, who claimed the Ron Hale Trophy.
Cara Oliver (Dartford Harriers) and Pru Clements (Tunbridge Wells Harriers) were the W35 runners-up award winners. The best W45 was Ferguson and the leading W55 was Sue James (Paddock Wood), as fourteen masters were placed in the top twenty overall.
Kent Women’s League Trophy: 1 Tonbridge 50, 2 Blackheath and Bromley Harriers 47, 3 Medway and Maidstone 39, 4 Tunbridge Wells Harriers 37, 5 Dartford Harriers 33, 6 Bexley 30.
Individuals: 1 Deirdre McDermott (Ton) 7, 2 Helena Penfold (M&M) 17, 3 Jane Bradshaw (W35, B&B) 37. W45 Rosie Ferguson (B&B). W55 Sue James (PW).
DEAL HALF MARATHON
Heavy snow fall forced the last minute cancellation of the Adamsons Skoda Deal Half Marathon on Sunday morning. Jill Cliff of the Deal Triathletes’ organising committee said, “We are very disappointed and sorry to have to make this late decision but the safety and wellbeing of all our runners and marshals whilst on the course are paramount. We will be re-scheduling very soon, once we get over the disappointment and will be contacting everyone over the next couple of weeks”.
SIDCUP 10 MILES
Just over 300 hardy athletes braved snow and ice to contest the Sidcup 10 miles road race on Sunday morning, with victory going to Paul Martelletti of Victoria Park Harriers, writes Alan Newman.
New Zealander Martelletti, who ran under 2hr17min in the Berlin Marathon, was close to his best with 50min27sec on this usually fast, three lap course.
Colin Norris (Blackheath and Bromley Harriers) was more than half a mile behind in a respectable 53min58sec, to lead the chasing group. Clayton Barrett (Medway and Maidstone, 56.48) was close to his previous best in fifth place and James Ridger (Paddock Wood, 57.35) improved by 30 seconds in eighth place.
Robert White (Dartford Roadrunners, 58.10) was the first M40 master and David Beaver (Dulwich Runners, 58.56) claimed the M50 award in twelfth place overall.
Rosalind Kieran (Herne Hill Harriers, 59.02) took the women’s race on her debut from Janine Brown (Ashford AC, 64.27) and W35 Hazel Vuvi (Dartford Roadrunners, 65.24), who enjoyed taking a minute off her previous best.
Bernadette Harrop (Medway and Maidstone, 69.13) ran well for sixth place less than 24 hours after a successful outing in the Kent Women’s cross country league and Claire Day (Paddock Wood, 69.44) was another local athlete celebrating a big breakthrough with a 68 seconds improvement in seventh place.
Full results are at www.kentac.org.uk
LONDON INDOOR GAMES
The London Indoor Games at Lee Valley Arena gave several Medway and Maidstone athletes the chance to shine at the weekend, writes Alan Newman.
Mark Cryer set personal bests in the under-20 men’s 60m hurdles (8.60) and pole vault (3.20) and competed well in the high jump (1.70) and shot (10.89).
Sprinters Annie Waghorn (27.10) and Nicola Keegan (27.96) both achieved season’s bests in the under 20 women’s 200m. Waghorn also high jumped 1.45 metres for a season’s best. Sophie Woolterton ran well in the 60m (8.71).
Alex Wharfe was in personal best form in the senior men’s pole vault (3.65) and recorded 9.14sec in the 60m hurdles. Thomas Howlett’s high jump (1.90) was a personal best and he also set season’s bests in the long jump (5.95) and pole vault (3.20).
James Alcock was seventh in the senior men’s long jump (6.22) and Cameron Corbishley (under-17) walked 3000m in 13min51.53sec in a mixed age race.
Mark Woods (Paddock Wood) dashed to fourth place in the UK M50 indoor rankings for 2012 in the 60m (8.07) in this event.
BARRETTS CANTERBURY 10 MILES
Andy Rayner (Blackheath and Bromley Harriers) defeated a field of 900 runners to take victory in the Barretts Canterbury 10 mile race on Sunday, writes Alan Newman. Rayner completed the undulating course from Chaucer Technical College in 53min31sec, winning by nearly 400 metres from unattached athletes Robert Latala (54.49) and Alex Riches (55.16).
The race opened the scoring in the 2012 Kent Grand Prix series, with points awarded to the leading Kent finishers in all categories. Defending champions, Jason Cherriman (Orpington Road Runners) and Maria Heslop (Paddock Wood AC), were absent so they will have to make their mark later in the year.
Local runners under 60 minutes included Anthony Jackson (Sittingbourne Striders, 55.55); Robbie Higgins (Dartford Road Runners, 56.22); Steve Throssell (Larkfield, 59.43); M50 Des O’Donnell (Tunbridge Wells Harriers, 59.53) and M40 Simon Hesketh (Larkfield, 59.55).
The top masters were M40 Gavin Kitchingham (Orpington, 58.38); M50 Theo Bately (Deal Tri, 59.31) and M60 Dave Thornby (Maidstone Harriers, 67.01).
The winning lady also dipped well under the hour. Rona Loubser (Folkestone Running Club) set a superb personal best of 59min16sec to head a strong women’s race. Tina Oldershaw (Paddock Wood, 61.19) was over two minutes in arrears but still a clear winner of the W35 masters category. Alice Heather-Hayes (Tunbridge Wells Harriers, 62.26) completed the podium places.
Prominent among local runners were the closely matched Sarah Anne Mooney (Larkfield, 67.03) and W45 winner Sharon Hawkins (Maidstone Harriers, 67.04), followed by W45 masters Tara Taylor (Tunbridge Wells, 68.52); Bernadette Harrop (Medway and Maidstone, 69.14); Jeanette White (Tunbridge Wells, 69.20) and Kim Howes (Larkfield, 69.35).
Full results are available at www.iekchiptiming.com/results
KENT FITNESS CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE - NURSTEAD COURT
The Kent Fitness Cross Country League will go down to the wire following the penultimate race held at Nurstead Court, Meopham on Sunday, writes Alan Newman. Paddock Wood bounced back from a heavy defeat in the previous match to win narrowly from trophy holders Larkfield AC and seize the initiative going into the final race next month at Rough Common, Blean.
Marathon specialist, Paul Hasler (Paddock Wood), used his strength on the hills to edge six seconds clear of Clayton Barrett (Medway and Maidstone). Barrett was able to celebrate the league title in second place as he has done enough to secure his second individual trophy.
Barrett’s nearest challenger, Gareth Robb (Paddock Wood), was fifth in this race as he was pipped to the finish line by Chris Wyles of New Eltham Joggers. Richard Tomlinson (M40, Medway and Maidstone) was the first master home in an excellent third overall.
Larkfield had Nathan Chapman (7th) and Steve Throssell (9th) to the fore and Paddock Wood saw Colin Tricker (10th) at the sharp end but it was the return of Paddock Wood’s top M50 Malcolm Martin (31st) following illness that was the decisive factor. David Abery (29th) of Gravesend Road Runners was the leading M50 master but Martin had already sewn up this division. Phil Wallace (52nd) of Medway and Maidstone was again the leading M60 master and only needs to finish the final race to retain his category trophy.
The women’s race resulted in a fourth victory of the season for Gravesend’s Mel Frazier from her winning team mates, W40 Annabelle Stearns and W35 Claire Gaskill. Nicola Groom (Larkfield) was fourth to keep her individual hopes alive. Laura Burton (5th) was Paddock Wood’s vital first counter.
The leading higher age group finishers were W45 Anne Fuller (10th) of Dartford Road Runners and W60 Sue James (36th) of Paddock Wood.
With the combined team score based on six of the seven races, Larkfield are still the mathematical leaders but 2010 champions Paddock Wood can take the trophy back with a good performance in the final match.
League Standings (after 6 races)
1 Larkfield AC 103 points, 2 Paddock Wood AC 98, 3 Dartford RR 93, 4 Gravesend RR 91, 5 Canterbury Harriers 77, 6 New Eltham Joggers 74, 7 Istead and Ifield Harriers 72, 8 Sevenoaks AC 58, 9 Sittingbourne Striders 56, 10 Medway and Maidstone AC 53
KENT SCHOOLS CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS (20:20 VISION)
Competitors in the Kent Schools Cross Country Championships at the Kent College, Canterbury on Sunday will be inspired by the events in the London Olympic Stadium this summer but a few might have their eyes on the 2020 Games if they have the necessary talent and aspiration to compete, writes Alan Newman.
There were over 500 finishers in eight races and Tunbridge Wells District took five team medals to become the most successful area. Tunbridge Wells’ gold medals came in the Year 7 and Senior Girls races. Tonbridge and Sevenoaks, Bromley and Bexley were the other Districts to net more than one team gold.
Boys Races
Tom Kendrick (Tonbridge and Sevenoaks) added the Year 7 Kent Schools title to the Kent under-13 gold he claimed one week earlier at Wilmington. He was ahead of James Puxty and Leo Rossouw of Tunbridge Wells. Kendrick led his team to success over Medway and Tunbridge Wells.
Stuart Brown maintained the gold standard for the Tonbridge and Sevenoaks squad in the Junior Boys race. He finished comfortably ahead of Alasdair Kinloch (Thanet) and Toby Ralph (Tonbridge and Sevenoaks) and doubled his rewards with team gold in front of Bexley and Bromley.
The Inter Boys race was a triumph for Sean Molloy (Swale) after a sprint to the line with double Kent under-15 champion George Duggan (Maidstone) and Max Nicholls (Ashford and Weald). Duggan had won the Junior Boys race last year. Bexley won the team race from Maidstone and Canterbury and St. Augustines.
Charlie Joslin-Allen (Tunbridge Wells) was in command of a small Senior Boys field to win by 11 seconds from Kent under-20 champion, Keiran Reilly (South East Kent) and Luke Dawson (Thanet), who was also third in the Inter Boys race in 2010. Tunbridge Wells was the only complete team.
Girls Races
Megan Warner secured Maidstone District’s sole individual gold in the Year 7 Girls race. Holly Page (Bexley) and Eleanor Cohen (Tunbridge Wells) took the minor medals. Tunbridge Wells claimed the team gold from Bromley and Canterbury and St. Augustines.
Kent under-13 champion, Sabrina Sinha (Bromley) was three seconds clear of Anna Weston (Canterbury and St. Augustines) in an exciting finish to the Junior Girls race. Georgia Taylor collected the bronze to assist Bromley to team gold from Tunbridge Wells and Canterbury and St. Augustines.
The 2010 Junior Girls race winner and twice Kent under-15 champion, Bobby Clay beat her older sister Alex Clay by 14 seconds to claim the Inter Girls title for South East Kent. Last year’s silver medallist, Kate Curran (Bromley) picked up the bronze to lead her team to first place ahead of Tunbridge Wells and Canterbury and St. Augustines.
Rebecca Weston (Canterbury and St. Augustines) enjoyed the biggest winning margin of 57 seconds in the smallest field of the day to take the Senior Girls title from Elizabeth Hume (Thanet) and Amber Reid (Bromley). Tunbridge Wells were unopposed in the team race.
Full results are available at www.ksaa.org.uk
KENT FITNESS CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE MINNIS BAY
The second of three successive weekend races in the Kent Fitness cross country league saw a first team win of the season for Gravesend Road Runners at Minnis Bay, Margate on Sunday, writes Alan Newman.
Larkfield AC return to the top of the table at the expense of West Kent rivals Paddock Wood, who had a bad day at the seaside after finding themselves six points in arrears with two events remaining.
The race winner was M40 Mark Whittaker (Deal Triathletes) by 22 seconds from league champion elect, Clayton Barrett (Medway and Maidstone AC). Noel Sutton (M40, Thanet Road Runners) finished third overall from a field of 328 finishers.
On a good day for running at this normally notoriously muddy venue the older runners excelled. New Eltham’s Chris Wyles and Brian Maillardet were next to finish ahead of M40 Robert White (Dartford Road Runners). Alan Jones (M40, Medway and Maidstone) was the fourth master athlete in eighth overall.
David Abery (16th) was the first M50 running for Gravesend and Phil Wallace moved through the pack to lead the M60 division for Medway and Maidstone.
Ashley Howes (10th) and Paul Mason (11th) made a promising start for Larkfield but Kris Bearryman (12th) led Gravesend Road Runners to victory on the day from Larkfield AC and Canterbury Harriers.
Gravesend owes much of their success to their excellent women’s team and although Jill Cliff (W40, Deal Triathletes) put in a rare appearance to take the individual prize, the next three positions went to Gravesend Road Runners’ W40 Annabelle Stearns, Mel Frazier and W35 Claire Gaskill.
Ann Fuller (W45, Dartford Road Runners) and Sue James (W60, Paddock Wood) were the higher age category winners.
Nicola Groom was fifth for Larkfield AC and W35 Marnie Ellison got Dartford Road Runners off to flying start in sixth place as Dartford Road Runners and Larkfield followed Gravesend home in the women’s team race.
The deciding races in the series take place at Nurstead Court, Meopham on Sunday and at Blean Woods, Rough Common, Canterbury on February 19
KENT CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS, WILMINGTON SCHOOL
Three champions retained their trophies at the Kent Cross Country Championships at Wilmington Grammar School on Saturday, writes Alan Newman.
Kent AC took an historic team victory in the men’s race won by the holder, John Gilbert and Tonbridge AC dominated the women’s team race as Grace Nicholls cruised to the title.
Tonbridge AC claimed five of the eight team trophies in the young athlete’s races but Invicta East Kent are emerging as the dominant force in the female categories. Kieran Reilly of Invicta prevented Tonbridge from repeating the clean sweep of all the male young athletes’ team and individual gold medals that they have achieved in the last two editions of these championships.
Senior Men
Fortune favours the brave in cross country and it was a courageous early move to the front by title holder, John Gilbert (Kent AC) that proved decisive.
After a swift start by eventual non-finisher Sam Coombs (Dartford Harriers) the race settled down to a battle for the gold between Gilbert and the 2010 champion, Dean Lacy (Cambridge Harriers). Andy Rayner (Blackheath and Bromley) resisted all challenges to secure the bronze.
Gilbert was not to be denied a second title and he forged ahead to build a cushion of 41 seconds after almost 12k of this fast but challenging circuit.
He had the added joy of leading Kent AC to their second ever team victory since the club was founded in 1898 – the last success coming in 2005. Kent AC added the 12-to-score award to their trophy cabinet for good measure.
Ben Cole (Tonbridge AC) enjoyed his finest form in these championships to finish fourth ahead of James Connor and Ben Hope of Kent AC. Peter Tucker (Blackheath and Bromley Harriers), Daniel Bradley (Tonbridge), Chris Greenwood (Kent AC) and Jack Tyler (Medway and Maidstone) completed the top ten. There were 187 finishers and Kent AC was chased home by Tonbridge AC and cup holders Medway and Maidstone in both team categories.
Senior Women
Grace Nicholls (Tonbridge AC) swept all challengers aside to win her first Kent senior title, despite still being classed as an under-20 for competition. The Bath University student, coached by Peter Brenchley, was tracked by the trophy holder, Clare Elms (Dulwich Runners) but the masters international withdrew from the contest at the halfway stage with a foot injury.
Nicholls looked serene as she held a margin of 36 seconds over Kent League champion, Deirdre McDermot (Tonbridge) to the finish line. Shavaun Henry (Blackheath and Bromley Harriers), who was sixth last year, was closing fast for the bronze medal.
Maria Heslop (W40, Paddock Wood) improved throughout the race to finish fourth ahead of Sarah Watson (Kent AC) and a trio of Gravesend Road Runners led by Mel Frazier. There were 85 finishers.
onbridge took the team honours at three and six-to-score. In the main event the runners-up were Gravesend Road Runners and Kent AC. Kent improved to silver ahead of Folkestone Running Club in the larger team category.
Young Athletes - Male
Tom Kendrick improved two places from last year to lead his Tonbridge team to victory in the under-13 boys’ race. Jamie Goodge (Tonbridge) and Josh Davidson (Blackheath and Bromley) collected the minor medals. Scott Rowatt (4th) headed the Medway and Maidstone challenge. Tonbridge was chased home in the team race by Blackheath and Bromley and Medway and Maidstone.
George Duggan (Tonbridge) retained his under-15 trophy after winning at under-13 level in 2010. Jack Goss and Tim Forsyth of Ashford AC were the other medal winners. Tonbridge added another team trophy ahead of Bexley AC and Invicta East Kent.
Last year’s bronze medallist, Charlie Joslin-Allen led a whitewash of the medals for Tonbridge in the under-17s race. Max Nicholls and Corey De’ath ensured an unbeatable team score to head off the challenge of Bexley AC and Judd School.
Kieran Reilly beat Invicta East Kent team mate Jason Prickett and defending champion, Tom Cox (Tonbridge) to the under 20 men’s title in one of the closer races. Ten seconds was the margin of victory but it was even tighter in the team event, where one point separated champions Tonbridge AC from Invicta East Kent with Blackheath and Bromley third.
Young Athletes - Female
Sabrina Sinha-Coe kept the individual gold in Cambridge Harriers’ hands following the success of Megan Marchant in last year’s under-13 girls’ race. Georgina Taylor (Blackheath and Bromley) improved one place from 2011 for silver ahead of team mate Naomi Kingston. Megan Warner (Medway and Maidstone) was fourth and collected a team bronze behind Blackheath and Bromley and Tonbridge AC.
Bobby Clay (Invicta East Kent) enjoyed the largest winning margin of the day as she retained her under-15 crown by 52 seconds from club colleague Anna Weston and Sian Driscoll (Tonbridge). Invicta were the club champions from Blackheath and Bromley and Tonbridge AC.
Alex Clay (Invicta) was equally dominant with a 51 seconds victory in the under-17 women’s race ahead of Sophie Parks (Cambridge Harriers) and Kate Curran (Blackheath and Bromley). Tonbridge AC took team gold headed by fourth placed Saffron Salih. Blackheath and Bromley and Dartford Harriers collected the remaining medals.
Emily Hosker-Thornhill and Rebecca Weston led Invicta East Kent AC to team gold in the under-20 championships. Rebecca Farrell (Bexley) was the bronze medal winner as only one club finished a full team.
Full results are available at www.kcaa.org.uk
BUPA GREAT EDINBURGH CROSS COUNTRY
Former Kent under-17 cross country champion, Robbie Farnham-Rose (Tonbridge AC) was on international duty on Saturday, writes Alan Newman.
Farnham-Rose represented Great Britain in the European Championships in 2010 and was selected for the GB team in the BUPA Great Edinburgh Cross Country in Holyrood Park, finishing 17th in the junior men’s 6k race.
Anthony Whiteman, previously of GEC Avionics AC and from Maidstone, ran in the international 3k race won by World 1500m champion, Asbel Kiprop of Kenya (9.20). Whiteman was 15th overall (10.08). The 40-year-old is training hard with the intention of setting a new World Masters mile record, possibly becoming the first M40 athlete to dip under four minutes for the event. The races at Edinburgh were televised live by BBC.
KENT FITNESS CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE AVERY HILL PARK
Clayton Barrett of Medway and Maidstone AC secured his second win of the current campaign in the Kent Fitness cross country league at Avery Hill Park, New Eltham on Monday, writes Alan Newman. The 2009/10 league individual champion is well placed to add another title to his portfolio that also includes three runners-up awards.
The team race is hotting up after Paddock Wood deployed their strongest squad this winter to defeat Dartford Road Runners and previous league leaders, Larkfield AC, to edge ahead in the table with three races remaining.
Sunshine greeted the 412 athletes at Avery Hill Park and a close race ensued between Barrett and Gareth Robb, Paul Hasler and James Ridger of Paddock Wood. A great final effort by Barrett saw him safely home by four seconds from a determined Robb, who has his own designs on the trophy this year.
Hasler was the first M40 master ahead of the 2009 league champion, Ridger and the early leader Andrew Green (M40, Dartford Road Runners), who won the race at Swanley in November. Nathan Chapman (6th) and Steve Throssell (10th) were Larkfield’s leading scorers.
Paddock Wood owe much of their success this season to their outstanding M50 Malcolm Martin, who is already favourite for this age group award after an undefeated run of four races, culminating in a best position of 14th overall.
Phil Wallace (82nd) of Medway and Maidstone is almost as dominant in the M60 rankings but he still needs to finish the last three races to retain his title.
Gravesend Road Runners provided the first three women finishers in the league leader Mel Frazier, W40 Annabelle Stearns and W35 Claire Gaskill. They were followed at a respectful distance by Natasha Dawson of Larkfield and Emma Harraden and W35 Jenny Harnett of Medway and Maidstone.
The leading age group performances were achieved by W45 Anne Fuller (7th) of Dartford Road Runners and W60 Sue James (23rd) of Paddock Wood. The deciding fixtures are at Minnis Bay this Sunday followed by Nurstead Court, Meopham on January 15 and Rough Common, Blean on February 19.
League Standings
1st Paddock Wood AC 70 points, 2nd Larkfield AC 69, 3rd Dartford RR 62, 4th Gravesend RR 58, 5th Istead and Ifield Harriers 53
VELOCITY EVENTS END OF 2011 RUN, STAPLEHURST
The end of the year was celebrated by 75 athletes in the Staplehurst 13.8k road race organized by Velocity Events on Sunday, December 27. Sam Humphrey, of Victoria Park Harriers, proved the strongest to go a minute clear to win in 46min54sec. Mark Wilkins (Invicta, 47.57) and Tom Heslop (Victoria Park, 48.25) completed the podium.
Local runners included age group winners M50 David Abery (Istead and Ifield, 53.32) and M60 Trevor Edgley (Invicta, 58.37). Also in good form were M40 Wayne Hemingway (Larkfield, 61.03), M50 Duncan Riordan (Paddock Wood, 61.24) and M60 Martyn Rouse (Invicta, 61.29).
There was some fine running in the women’s race from Lucy Reid (Tonbridge, 56.45), who was ninth overall and Sarah Anne Mooney (Larkfield, 57.53), who was only four places behind. Jennifer Antowiak (Sheffield, 56.29) was third. Jenny Brown (Ashford, 61.35) was the W45 category winner and fourth in the women’s race. Barbara Ockendon (Istead and Ifield, 74.34) claimed the W55 prize. Prominent Kent athletes included W35 Claire Worrell (Maidstone Harriers, 73.11) and W45 Melanie King (Paddock Wood, 73.34).
ATHLETICS REVIEW 2011
Athletics writer Alan Newman takes a look back at 2011 and these are his personal highlights on both a national and local basis in this pre-Olympic year.
January
Mo Farah started with intent by winning the Great Edinburgh Cross Country in Holyrood Park. Helen Clitheroe gave hope for mature athletes by running the fastest 3000m in the world (8.52.31) in the Aviva International in Glasgow.
There were ten new winners of Kent Cross Country titles at Wilmington Grammar School, including senior gold medallists John Gilbert of Kent AC and 47-year-old Clare Elms of Dulwich Runners. Medway and Maidstone regained the men’s team trophy and Blackheath and Bromley Harriers were the new senior women’s trophy holders.
Sophie Ayre of Medway and Maidstone AC gained a South of England indoor championships title in the under 17 women’s long jump (4.95) at Lee Valley Stadium.
Over a thousand entries were received for the Barretts Canterbury 10 mile road race, with Mike Coleman of Medway and Maidstone taking the spoils of victory in 52min44sec.
February
Rising star, Steph Twell of Aldershot, demonstrated just how hard cross country running can be when she broke her ankle on a muddy descent in Belgium. Steve Vernon and Louise Damen were the senior winners in an exceptionally tough English National cross country at Alton Towers.
Mike Coleman (31.31) and Helena Penfold (37.57) of Medway and Maidstone were the winners of the Ashford and District 10k from a record field of 759 finishers at Sandyacres. Tonbridge AC claimed five team and four individual trophies in the Kent Young Athletes cross country league at the final match of the 2010-11 winter season at Swanley.
March
Mo Farah and 37-year-old Helen Clitheroe struck gold over 3000m in the European Indoor Championships in the Palais Omnisport in Paris.
Barry Royden (M40, 34.05) of Medway and Maidstone won the Kent 10k championships in the Greenwich Meridian race. Maria Heslop (W40, 38.23) of Paddock Wood was the Kent senior and W35 champion.
There were five new records set at the Kent Indoor athletics championships at Lee Valley High Performance Centre, including Francesca Baylis of Medway and Maidstone in the under 20 women’s high jump (1.65).
Tom Collins of Medway and Maidstone won the final Kent Men’s cross country league race of the season at Swanley but Huw Evans of Tonbridge AC was the individual champion and Tonbridge AC took the team awards. Deirdre McDermott of Tonbridge AC secured the Kent Women’s league title.
April
April was dominated by the saga of the lottery process for Olympic tickets. High prices and a lack of any seating plans or guarantees prevented many true athletics enthusiasts from applying and many more were disappointed.
Emmanuel Mutai set a London Marathon course record of 2hr4min4sec. John Gilbert of Kent AC was the fourth British male to finish (2.19.28).
May
Olympic hopeful, Jack Green from Snodland, won the British Universities 400m hurdles title in a World Championships qualifying 49.55 seconds. Sophie Hitchon broke the British hammer record at the same event with 69.43m and Tiffany Porter set new figures of 12.77sec for 100m hurdles in Hengelo.
Medway and Maidstone athletes won 42 medals at the Kent County Track and Field Championships at Ashford. The best performance was achieved by Cameron Corbishley in the under 15 boys’ 3000m walk with a championship record of 14min16.8sec. The Doug Hopkins coached athlete was selected to represent England in the Inter-Nations 3k walk in Ireland.
Kent men finished second behind Yorkshire in the Achilles Trophy competition and the women were fourth in the National Inter-Counties Championships at Bedford. This gave Kent second overall in the battle for the Gemini Trophy.
June
Mo Farah broke the European 10,000m record to win the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene in 26min46.57sec. Nathan Woodward and Jack Green took the top two medals in a thrilling 400m hurdles at the European U23 Trials.
Grace Nichols of Tonbridge AC achieved the rare feat of an outright victory in a Kent road race by winning the Hamstreet 10k in 38min21sec. There were 220 red faced athletes behind the 2010 English Schools 3000m and cross country champion, who is coached by Peter Brenchley from Maidstone.
Andre Wright of Medway and Maidstone blew away the opposition at a windy Julie Rose Stadium to win his first South of England senior 100m title. Wright breezed through his heat (10.84) and semi-final (11.15) before unleashing a powerful 10.90sec against a four metres-per-second gale to win by 0.04sec.
July
Holly Bleasdale set a new UK pole vault record of 4.70m in Mannheim, Chris Tomlinson broke the UK long jump record with 8.35m in Paris and Lawrence Okoye took the UK discus record out to 67.63m. In a brilliant month for British athletics, Mo Farah won the 5000m in Monaco in a record 12min53.11sec.
Jack Green won a superbly judged European under-23 Championships gold as his chief rival, Nathan Woodward, stumbled in the 400m hurdles.
Julian Rendall of Tonbridge AC celebrated his first international vest by finishing second for Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the IAU World Trail Championships in Connemara, Ireland.
Steve Fennell of Tonbridge AC became the new English 800m champion (1.49.87) and Andrew Combs of Tonbridge AC was second in the 5000m (14.29.19) at Bedford.
Sean Molloy of Tonbridge AC, representing England Schools, won the Aviva Schools International 800m in 1min56.2sec at Cardiff.
Medway and Maidstone’s team won their final National Junior Athletics match of the season at Canterbury on Sunday but did not quite manage to head the Medway Division league table for 2011.
Maria Heslop of Paddock Wood AC enhanced her reputation as Kent’s leading road runner with victory in the women’s race in 1hr25min9sec in the Dartford Half Marathon, which incorporated the Kent Championships.
August
The World Championships were screened by Channel 4 amid complaints about presentation and advert breaks. Mo Farah’s narrow defeat at 10,000m and Jess Ennis’s silver in the Heptathlon still made for compelling viewing.
Joe Clark of Medway and Maidstone AC became the 2011 South of England high jump champion in the under 15 boys’ age group with a best of 1.79m to defeat Dominic Snee of Invicta East Kent in a tie break at Ashford.
Cameron Corbishley of Medway and Maidstone brought a national title to Kent when he won the under 15 boys’ 3000m walk at the England Athletics Championships at Bedford in 13min45.05sec.
Medway and Maidstone AC finished fifth in the National Junior Athletics League promotion match at Hendon on Sunday and will therefore resume their campaign in the Medway Division for 2012.
September
Mo Farah bounced back to win the World Championships 5000m in Daegu and Dai Greene won an unexpected gold in the 400m hurdles, the first Briton to win this global title.
Joseph Thurgood was Medway and Maidstone’s leading athlete at the Kent under-13 championships with gold in the high jump at Erith. Thurgood cleared 1.50m and had a superior card to Jackson Moffatt of Tonbridge AC.
October
Mo Farah was named the European male athlete of the year and double European Junior Championships gold medal sprinter, Jodie Williams, was voted female rising star.
Kent had three national champions in the British Masters 10k road race championships in Exmouth. Graeme Saker of Tonbridge AC won the M50 gold in 33min50sec. Sally Musson (40.54) of Tonbridge AC ran away from the W55 field and Sue James (47.23) of Paddock Wood took the W60 title.
There were national titles for Maidstone’s Sharon Hawkins and Trevor Edgely of Invicta East Kent at the GB Masters marathon championships at Abingdon. Hawkins (3.11.36) won W45 gold and Edgely (3.08.41) took the M60 victory.
Tina Oldershaw (W40, 1.21.44) of Paddock Wood took her tally of victories in the Maidstone Half Marathon to five, having previously won this race in 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010.
November
London defeated Doha to secure the rights to stage the World Championships in 2017 in the Olympic Stadium. Paula Radcliffe’s world marathon record of 2hr15min25sec was restored by the IAAF after a row over male pace makers.
Tonbridge AC gained medals of every hue in the English Young Athletes’ cross country relays at Mansfield, including a national title for the under-17 men’s team.
Readers of Athletics Weekly voted Medway and Maidstone’s Barry Royden the fourth greatest male distance runner of the past 25 years. Royden has remained loyal to his local club throughout his illustrious career.
Jason Cherriman of Orpington Runners and Maria Heslop of Paddock Wood were the 2011 Kent Grand Prix champions after a series of races from 5mls to the marathon. The team winners were the Tunbridge Wells Harriers men and Maidstone Harriers women.
December
Marathon runners Paula Radcliffe, Mara Yamauchi and Scott Overall were the first London Olympics team members to be selected to focus minds on 2012.
Over 200 athletes competed in eight categories in the final races to decide the Kent Young Athletes cross country league trophies. The host club, Blackheath and Bromley Harriers, claimed two female team awards but it was one-way traffic for Tonbridge AC in the male categories.
Kent representative teams won the under-13 girls and under-20 women’s age groups and were second in the under-17 men’s race in the South of England Inter-Counties Cross Country at Croydon.
Tom Collins of Medway and Maidstone took his seventh consecutive victory in the 19th Ditton Turkey Run held from a new venue at East Malling to bring the year to a close.
DITTON TURKEY RUN
Tom Collins of Medway and Maidstone took his seventh consecutive victory in the 19th Ditton Turkey Run on Sunday morning, writes Alan Newman.
Collins ran the 7 miles multi-terrain course around the paths and woodlands of Ditton, East Malling and Barming in 36 minutes 51 seconds to win the race by two and a half minutes from his team mate, Richard Tomlinson (M40, 39.19) and Brian Maillardet (40.04) of New Eltham.
Larkfield AC provided the next three finishers in Nathan Chapman (40.16), Martin Taylor (M40, 40.24) and Ashley Howes (40.53) to cement their victory.
Malcolm Martin (41.15) of Paddock Wood was an impressive M50 winner in seventh overall and the first M60 master was David Thornby (45.36) of the host club, Maidstone Harriers.
Nicola Groom (44.26) of Larkfield AC retained her women’s trophy for the third year in succession, having also won this race in 2006. Bridget Ostrehan (W35, 47.11) of Larkfield was second and Hannah Roberts (47.21) of Petts Wood completed the podium.
Paula Stockton (48.38) of Larkfield was the W45 category winner and Pat Halstead (50.37) of Swanley and District AC improved by three minutes from last year to take the W55 trophy from Sue James (53.30) of Paddock Wood.
The club winners were Larkfield AC with Stephen Groom (42.26) and Nicola Groom completing the team. The casual team winners were HMP Maidstone, led by James Gibson (43.29) in a useful 19th out of 350 finishers.
This traditional event has found a new home at the East Malling Research Centre and the revised course proved popular although it is longer than the previous 6.5 mile version.
The full results are available at www.maidstoneharriers.co.uk
KENT MASTERS CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS, T. WELLS
The annual cross country championships for Kent men and women masters took place at Rose Hill School, Tunbridge Wells on a cold but sunny Saturday afternoon, writes Alan Newman. There were winners from different clubs in all of the men’s races and Blackheath and Bromley Harriers were the dominant force in the team events, with three sets of gold medals.
Andy Green of Dartford Road Runners took his first Kent title on the country in the M40 race. Silver went to the Northern Ireland international and defending champion, Stephen McGrory of Kent AC and bronze was the reward for Carl Ferri of Beckenham Road Runners.
Prominent locals included Richard Tomlinson (6th) and 2009 champion, Barry Royden (8th), of Medway and Maidstone AC. Kent AC took the team title from the holders Dartford Road Runners and Medway and Maidstone.
Graeme Saker of Tonbridge AC easily won the M50 title at his first attempt. The former M40 champion actually ran 13 seconds faster than the M40 champion over the same 9k distance. David Child of Kent AC and former winner, Alan Camp of Blackheath and Bromley, collected the minor medals.
Host club, Tunbridge Wells Harriers had Des O’Donnell (6th) and Ed Bates (7th) in the mix. Blackheath and Bromley won team gold from Tunbridge Wells Harriers and Cambridge Harriers.
The M60 title was retained by Paul Ross-Davies, who led Blackheath and Bromley to the team title, supported by Graham Coates in second place. There was a fight for the bronze as Phil Wallace of Medway and Maidstone shook off a cold to overhaul Chris Marshall of Bromley Vets and Trevor Edgely of Invicta. Sevenoaks were team silver winners ahead of Cambridge Harriers and Medway and Maidstone.
The inaugural M70 champion is Michael Conway of Invicta from Ron Smith of Sittingbourne and John Johnson of Sevenoaks.
Clare Elms of Dulwich was peerless in the W35 championships, with a minute in hand over Jane Bradshaw of Blackheath and Bromley and Cara Oliver of Dartford Harriers. Pru Clements and Sarah Bailey were next to finish to help Tunbridge Wells to second team behind Blackheath and ahead of Dulwich and Medway and Maidstone.
The W45 title was retained by Sharon Hawkins of Invicta East Kent. Tara Taylor and Jeannette White got Tunbridge Wells Harriers off to a promising start with the minor medals but the team winners were Swanley and District from Kent AC and Blackheath and Bromley Harriers.
Lesley Hall of Ashford AC took the W55 title from defending champion, Sue James of Paddock Wood and Pat Halstead of Dartford Harriers.
The full results are at www.kcaa.org.uk
ALAN GREEN MEMORIAL THANET 10 MILES
Sittingbourne Striders’ Anthony Jackson strode to victory over 314 finishers in the Alan Green Memorial Thanet 10 mile road race at Margate on Sunday, writes Alan Newman.
Jackson was never headed and won by nearly four minutes in 54min43sec from Carl Jones (58.34) of Ashford and District and David Hollidge (60.37), who runs unattached.
Leading males included Nathan Chapman (61.24) of Larkfield; Noel Lander (65.23) and Neil Hacon (M40, 66.10) of Sittingbourne Striders; Adrian Perkins (66.32) and Stephen Turpie (66.41) of Maidstone Harriers and Peter Buckingham (M40, 66.50) of Paddock Wood. David Northcroft (M70, 85.01) of Maidstone Harriers was among the age category winners.
Paddock Wood’s Tina Oldershaw (W40, 62.46), was equally dominant in the women’s race with a four minute cushion over unattached W35 Sarah Gruber (66.49), who was fourth in the Maidstone Half Marathon in October.
Sarah Mooney (67.02) of Larkfield was third and there were good results for age group winners Sharon Hawkins (W45, 68.14) of Maidstone Harriers and W55 Miriam Dorrity (80.14) of Paddock Wood.
APHRODITE HALF MARATHON AND 5K, CYPRUS
Club coach, Alan Newman and Sue James joined a group of British Masters for the Aphrodite Half Marathon and 5k in Paphos, Cyprus on 27th November. The attraction of daily sunshine and temperatures well in excess of 20C just outweighed competing at a hilly Oxleas Woods in the Kent Fitness League.
Flights with easyJet and car hire through www.economycarrentals.com kept costs down and our good friend in Cyprus, David Wright, took care of hotel arrangements in the very comfortable Atlantica Bay Hotel, Limassol, which has been refurbished and now boasts an indoor heated pool and Spa area.
Kent results from the main races in Paphos were an M65 age group win for Glyn Jenkins (Thanet RR) in 1:39:35; a W55 class win for Sue Martin-Clarke (Dartford RR) in 1:46:52 and an M50 fifth place for husband Andrew Clarke (DRR) in 1:38:49 in the Aphrodite Half Marathon. There were 191 finishers in the half marathon and the winner, Andrey Leyman of Russia, set a course record of 1:05:15. The first woman was Anna Gavriuk of Russia in 1:21:44.
Alan (19:15) and Sue (23:05) ran the supporting 5k race in pleasing times. There were 75 finishers in the 5k and the winners were Dongmo Christophe of Cameroon in 18:51 and Neofyta Hadjioannou of Cyprus in 21:25.
The rest of the week was spent training steadily in the hills behind the hotel and on the beautiful boardwalk and coastal path. On the penultimate day of the holiday, Alan organised a predictor handicap over approximately 3 miles of the beach path. The plan was for the runners to nominate a time that then set their personal handicap. There were prizes donated by Sportsresort for the first to cross the finish line, nearest to the target time and best overall.
There were just nine runners with an average age of 70 years. Former UK M75 10 mile record holder (74:08) Derek Howarth (M80) was first past the post but the best prediction and overall winner was Arthur Walsham (M80), who won the inaugural British Masters M40 cross country title in Birmingham exactly 40 years ago. Arthur won the World Masters marathon title and ran under 30 minutes for 10k and under 2:25:00 for the marathon as an M40.
Click here for results of the 2011 predictor handicap
The 6th Limassol Marathon and training week
The next trip to Cyprus for Alan and Sue is planned for March 2012 to help David Wright of Sportsresort with the arrangements for the sixth Limassol Marathon and training week. Alan will be offering endurance coaching and the guest athlete is marathon legend, Ron Hill. For details go to the official race website www.limassolmarathon.com and www.sportsresort.net
Results of the predictor handicap are below along with some details of the March 2012 trip including a sample of the training sessions. If you would like to “Run along the waves” as the Limassol Marathon website says you only have to ask Alan for details at training. There is also a half marathon, 10k and 5k at Limassol and the Paphos Marathon, Half Marathon and 10k takes place the previous Sunday so there is an opportunity to stay for 10 days and race on both weekends.
Updated ! Click here for details of the March 2012 trip to Cyprus Updated !
Updated ! Click here for a sample of the 2012 Cyprus training sessions Updated !
New
! Click here for a copy of the 2012 Limassol Marathon / 1/2 Marathon / 10km entry form New !Alan Newman
BARRY ROYDEN FEATURE
Readers of Athletics Weekly magazine have voted Medway and Maidstone’s Barry Royden the fourth greatest male distance runner of the past 25 years, writes Alan Newman.
Royden is only headed by Ian Hudspith of Morpeth, Martin Roscoe of Leeds City and Dave Norman of Altrincham in a list of the top 100 club servants, as selected by the respected athletics journal’s readership. Consistency, loyalty and longevity were recognised alongside accomplishments.
Royden remained loyal to his local club throughout his career and previously wore the Medway AC vest with pride before the amalgamation that produced the current club name.
The European cross country championships of 1994 were held at Alnick in Northumberland and Royden enjoyed his best international performance to finish 14th and second scorer for Great Britain. His domestic achievements include English National cross country silver behind Dominic Bannister in 1998 and Justin Pugsley in 1999 and he was also the Southern champion.
Royden’s first Kent cross country title came in 1991 and he was unbeaten for eight years. He was also peerless on the roads in Kent for seven years and compiled one of the longest ever winning streaks in a single event when he took the Hempstead Valley half marathon trophy for 16 successive years.
Turning to masters’ competition as a 40-year-old in 2006 saw Royden finally nail a national title in the British Masters cross country of 2008. Despite the inevitable injuries and some slowing with age he still had enough power to claim the Kent 10k title at Greenwich in March this year and he remains a regular member of Medway and Maidstone’s successful senior teams.
His impressive times on the road include 2hr18min54sec for the Rotterdam Marathon in 2000 and 62min25sec for the Great North Run half marathon in 1994. Royden was no slouch on the track with bests of 3min45sec for 1500m, 13min54sec for 5000m and 28min47sec for 10,000m.
Covering over 100 miles a week and training twice a day may no longer be the norm for the Medway ace but Royden remains a popular figure on the Kent scene and on his day he is still one of the hardest men to beat.
Dave Taylor of Blackheath and Bromley Harriers ranked eighth in the same poll, Mike Skinner of Blackheath was 34th, Graeme Saker of Tonbridge AC was 56th and James Connor of Kent AC was 85th.
KENT ROAD RACE GRAND PRIX FINAL RESULTS
Jason Cherriman and Maria Heslop are the 2011 Kent Grand Prix champions after a tough series of eleven races from 5mls to the marathon, writes Alan Newman. The team winners this year are Tunbridge Wells Harriers men and Maidstone Harriers women.
Jason Cherriman headed his Orpington Road Runners team mate Gavin Kitchingham (M40) in seven events and won overall by 16 points. The improving Tim Erskine of Maidstone Harriers was third ahead of Ashley Howes (Larkfield), Terry Everest and Des O’Donnell (M50) of Tunbridge Wells Harriers. There were 547 scorers in the men’s division.
The top masters were M40s Kitchingham, James McNama (Maidstone Harriers) and Robert White (Dartford Road Runners). Leading M50s were O’Donnell, Steve Suttle (Thanet Road Runners) and John Tolhurst (Paddock Wood). Bill Wright of Thanet Road Runners was the M60 champion from James Williams (Plumstead) and Rob Wiles (Larkfield).
Maria Heslop (W40) of Paddock Wood only dropped a single point to head 255 women to the title. There were podium finishes for Sarah Anne Mooney (Larkfield) and W45 Sharon Hawkins of Maidstone Harriers. Penny Holden (Maidstone Harriers), Pauline Dalton (W45) of Sevenoaks and Fiona Buckingham (W40) of Paddock Wood completed the top six.
Heslop led the W35 masters category from Caroline Terburgh of Larkfield and Buckingham. Hawkins was the top W45 ahead of Dalton and Julie Stoppani (Maidstone Harriers). The W55 champion was Miriam Dorrity from Paddock Wood team mate Alison White and Sally Musson of Tonbridge AC.
Team Result - Men: 1 Tunbridge Wells Harriers 4449 points, 2 Maidstone Harriers 4161, 3 Orpington Road Runners 3693, 4 Paddock Wood 2928, 5 Larkfield AC 2917, 6 Dartford Road Runners 2404
Team Result - Women: 1 Maidstone Harriers 1538, 2 Paddock Wood 1386, 3 Larkfield AC 1322, 4 Tunbridge Wells Harriers 829, 5 Dulwich Runners 602, 6 Kent AC 496
BROOKS BRIGHTON 10K
Perfect weather conditions produced some fast times in the Brooks Brighton 10k won by Ben Whitby of Windsor in 29min52sec on Sunday, writes Alan Newman. Dan Bradley of Tonbridge AC was fifteenth overall in 32min46sec and Chris Greenwood of Kent AC was two places behind in 32min47sec.
Kent athletes near the front of the massive field of 2,680 finishers included M50 Des O’Donnell of Tunbridge Wells Harriers in a cracking 36min16sec.
Clare Elms (W45, 37.21) of Dulwich Runners and Maria Heslop (W40, 37.23) of Paddock Wood were closely matched and finished third and fourth in the women’s race.
ASHFORD TRI CLUB 666 TRAIL CHALLENGE
Daniel Sims retained his title in the Ashford Tri Club 6.66 miles trail challenge in Challock Wood on Sunday morning in 44min12sec, writes Alan Newman.
The unattached winner was one and a half minutes faster than last year and he was clear of the 150-strong field by that margin. Leading local runners were Mark Howarth (5th, 48.02) of Sevenoaks AC and Joe Cumberland (6th, 48.19) of Istead and Ifield Harriers.
Tanya Lambert (54.58) of took the women’s race by 10 seconds from Barbara Wenman (W50, 55.08) of Canterbury Harriers.
KENT FITNESS CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE
There was a record field of 474 finishers in the second Kent Fitness cross country league race at a sunny New Barn Park, Swanley on Sunday, with Paddock Wood continuing to challenge league title holders Larkfield AC for team honours this season.
Larkfield won the first match at Sevenoaks and Paddock Wood reversed the order at Swanley. There is now a tie between the clubs going into the third race at Oxleas Woods on Sunday, November 27.
Unusually there were three top class guests at the sharp end on Sunday. Cambridge Harriers’ new recruit, Eric MacTaggart, finished 30 seconds clear of Chris Holmes of Tonbridge AC and Peter Tucker of Dartford Harriers.
The league race was won by Andrew Green (M40) of Dartford Road Runners, who last took the top step of the podium eight years ago at Sevenoaks. Two former league champions, James Ridger of Paddock Wood AC and Clayton Barrett of Medway and Maidstone, were next in line some 30 seconds behind the inspired Green.
Gavin Kitchingham (M40) of Bromley Veterans was the second master athlete in fourth place followed by the race winner from Sevenoaks, Gareth Robb of Paddock Wood, David Lee of Sevenoaks and defending league champion, Gareth Evans of Larkfield.
In the classiest league race for years the leading older athletes were M50 Malcolm Martin of Paddock Wood in an impressive 22nd overall and M60 Phil Wallace (102nd) of Medway and Maidstone.
Mel Frazier edged Gravesend team mate Annabelle Stearns (W40) by two seconds to secure her maiden victory in the women’s race. Larkfield’s Nicola Groom, winner of the previous league race, was third this time ahead of Beth Armstrong of Plumstead Runners and Claire Gaskill (W35), who secured the women’s team victory for Gravesend.
The fast masters were W45 Ann Fuller (7th) of Dartford Road Runners and W55 Sue James (24th) of Paddock Wood.
Laura Burton (6th) made a vital contribution for Paddock Wood to clinch a combined team victory from Larkfield, Dartford Road Runners, Gravesend and Istead and Ifield Harriers.
The remaining fixtures are at Oxleas Woods, Eltham on November 27; Avery Hill Park, new Eltham on January 2; Minnis Bay, Birchington on January 8; Nurstead Court, Meopham on January 15 and Blean Woods, Canterbury on February 19. Full results are at http://kfl.canterburyharriers.org
DEAL 5 MILER
Dan Bradley of Tonbridge AC and Maria Heslop of Paddock Wood were the individual winners of the Deal 5 miler from a field of 375 runners on Sunday morning.
Bradley was first past the post in the shadow of Deal Castle in a new personal best time of 26min32sec. The 24-year-old coached by Mark Hookway won his first significant open road race by 42 seconds from Kieran Reilly (27.14) of Invicta East Kent. Jason Cherriman (27.20) of Orpington Runners was third.
Top six plaudits went to Tim Erskine (28.05) of Maidstone Harriers, James Ridger (28.10) of Paddock Wood and Alex Newson (28.16) of Invicta.
Local athletes completed the top ten, chasing points in the Kent Grand Prix. Mark Penny (28.21) of Kent Police, Ashley Howes (28.27) of Larkfield AC and Chris Wolton (28.28) and Terry Everest (29.05) of Tunbridge Wells Harriers were among 22 men who dipped under 30 minutes on this flat, fast course.
Leading masters were M40 Gavin Kitchingham (29.07) of Orpington, M50 Kevin Williams (29.20) of Ashford and M60 Peter Watts (34.55) of Swanley.
Maria Heslop (W40, 30.10) also trimmed her previous best to win by 51 seconds from Helena Penfold (31.01) of Medway and Maidstone. Alice Heather-Hayes (W35, 31.22) of Tunbridge Wells completed the podium.
Nicola Groom (31.56) of Larkfield AC, Sharon Hawkins (W45, 32.44) of Maidstone Harriers and Pru Clements (W35, 32.57) filled the top six places.
Penny Holden (33.15) of Maidstone Harriers, Sarah Mooney (33.15) of Larkfield, Suzy Yates (33.17) of Orpington and Pauline Dalton (W45, 33.48) of Sevenoaks were the next four finishers.
With five top masters in the leading positions the W55 category winner was Lesley Hall (35.03) of Ashford AC.
KENT WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE, SOMERHILL SCHOOL
Deirdre McDermott of Tonbridge AC took a giant step towards defending the Kent Women’s League Cliff Temple Memorial individual trophy by sweeping to victory in the second league race at Tonbridge on Saturday.
McDermott was put under early pressure by under-20 junior athlete, Emily Hosker-Thornhill of Invicta East Kent, but Paddock Wood’s impressive W40 master, Tina Oldershaw finished strongly for second place. The margin of victory was 43 seconds and Oldershaw was a further 26 seconds clear of Hosker-Thornhill at the finish.
Helena Penfold of Medway and Maidstone and W35’s Alice Heather-Hayes of Tunbridge Wells Harriers and Annabelle Stearns of Gravesend Road Runners ensured six different club vests featured at the front of the race.
Tonbridge made home advantage count to take the team race, with Catherine Symons (15th) and Helen Wilson (16th) supporting the winner. Blackheath and Bromley Harriers and Medway and Maidstone were the next teams.
With three master athletes finishing in the top six, the older category winners were W45 Pippa Blackstone (35th) of Tonbridge AC and W55 Sue James (47th) of Paddock Wood AC.
The remaining Kent women’s league races are at Danson Park, Bexleyheath on November 12 and Parkwood School, Swanley on February 11.
KENT FITNESS CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE, KNOLE PARK
The Kent Fitness Cross Country League burst out of the starting blocks with the energy to match the autumnal splendour of Knole Park in the sunshine.
This league, which excludes elite athletes, has been running for around 25 years and features seven races over the winter, with 18 clubs and up to 400 runners competing in each event.
First past the winning post on Sunday morning was Jamie Bryant, a 17-year-old from Tonbridge who has already tasted national success in English Schools and English National cross country championships this year.
With Tonbridge AC not registered for this league, the official victor was Gareth Robb of Paddock Wood, who finished 34 seconds in arrears after a fine tussle with the first M40 master, Noel Sutton of Thanet Road Runners.
Alex Newson, another precocious teenager of 18 years representing Invicta East Kent, was third scorer ahead of 2009 league champion, James Ridger of Paddock Wood.
With Ashley Howes of Larkfield AC and David Lee of hosts, Sevenoaks AC completing the top six it was obvious the titanic battle between Larkfield and Paddock Wood, who have exchanged the overall team trophy between them for the past four winters, would be continued this season.
It was Larkfield who made the perfect start in defence of their league title. The holders held off a strong challenge from 2010 champions, Paddock Wood AC, with Istead and Ifield Harriers finishing third.
League rules require ten athletes to score in a mixed team. Larkfield placed five runners in the top 20 to take the match despite Paddock Wood’s great start and the return to form of the top M50 master, Malcolm Martin (30th).
The ladies’ race was also headed by a guest runner – the 2010 champion Tina Oldershaw of Paddock Wood, who fully justified her elite athlete status.
Nicola Groom of Larkfield was 89 seconds behind the race winner to take the league race from W35 Claire Gaskill of Gravesend Road Runners and Penny Holden of Maidstone Harriers. Paddock Wood won the women’s team race with Laura Burton (4th), Clare Day (10th) and W40 Fiona Buckingham (14th).
Leading masters were W50 Barbara Wenman of Canterbury Harriers (7th) and W55 Miriam Dorrity (34th) of Paddock Wood.
The next Kent Fitness League race is at Swanley Park on Sunday, November 13. The full results are available at http://kfl.canterburyharriers.org
KENT MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE, SWANLEY PARK
A minute silence to mark the passing of former Kent AA president Ian Smith, who died recently aged 78 and who spent over half his life as a top official, preceded the start of the senior men’s race at the opening Kent cross country league match on Saturday, writes Alan Newman.
Following a spontaneous round of applause for the founder of the Kent league the race was underway on firm ground in Swanley Park. The early pace was shared between two former Kent champions, Mike Coleman of Medway and Maidstone and Dean Lacy of Cambridge Harriers.
Lacy proved the stronger athlete on this occasion as he powered away from Coleman for victory by 26 seconds. Jason Prickett of Invicta East Kent was the leading junior, finishing third in a field of 182 runners.
The field included Commonwealth and World Trail Running Championship representative and international ultra runner, Julian Rendall (12th) of Tonbridge and M&M’s latest signing, Marcus Cram (29th), the son of the former world 1500m, mile and 2000m record holder and leading athletics commentator, Steve Cram.
The remaining Kent Men’s league fixtures are at Somerhill School, Tonbridge on October 29; Sparrows Den, West Wickham on December 3 and Parkwood School, Swanley on February 11.
KENT WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE, SWANLEY PARK
Grace Nicholls of Tonbridge AC displayed tactical prowess beyond her 19 years to inflict a rare defeat on defending champion, Deirdre McDermott of Tonbridge AC, in the opening Kent Women’s cross country league race at Swanley on Saturday.
Nicholls and McDermott were separated by a second by the timekeepers at the finish and such was their pace that another junior athlete, Emily Hosker-Thornhill of Invicta East Kent, was almost a minute in arrears in third place.
Former champion, Helena Penfold of Medway and Maidstone, was a close fourth ahead of Bexley’s Beth Armstrong and Clare Reeves. With Helen Wilson finishing eighth for Tonbridge AC the West Kent club took an early lead in the league table from Bexley AC and Folkestone Running Club.
Leading masters were W35 Jane Bradshaw (10th) and W45 Rosie Ferguson 32nd) of Blackheath and Bromley Harriers and the W60 British 10k champion, Sue James (W55, 50th) of Paddock Wood AC. The remaining Kent women’s and M70 league races are at Somerhill School, Tonbridge on October 29; Danson Park, Bexleyheath on November 12 and Parkwood School, Swanley on February 11.
MAIDSTONE HALF MARATHON
Stephen Wenk of the host club Maidstone Harriers was an impressive winner of the Maidstone Half Marathon on Sunday morning, writes Alan Newman.
The 2004 World Duathlon champion and Swiss international mountain runner had no trouble coping with the slopes onto the Pilgrims Way on this visually stunning but physically demanding course.
The winning time was 69min42sec, a new personal best for the osteopathy student, who spent the evening before the race playing the violin in concert with the Maidstone Symphony Orchestra at Maidstone Leisure Centre.
Tom Collins (71.27) of Medway and Maidstone AC used the experience of his previous victories in 2008 and 2009 to restrict the margin to 1min45sec, after being nearly a minute down at the highest point of the course at Thurnham.
Antony Pinol (74.14) of Medway and Maidstone was a surprise late entrant and used his track speed to deny Anthony Jackson (74.15) of Sittingbourne Striders a place on the rostrum after holding a clear third for most of the race.
Gareth Davies (75.29) of the League of Prague 100 club, who was second in 2005, 2006 and 2009, was the first M40 master athlete in fifth overall. James Repper (75.47) of Chiltern Harriers took 40sec off his best time to complete the leader board in sixth place.
The higher age group winners were Steve Russell (M50, 1.26.59) and Peter Worsley (M60, 1.38.30). Maidstone Harriers won the team prize with Wenk, Ian Forrest (87.23) and Richard Ellison (1.32.37). Sittingbourne Striders and Larkfield AC were the club runners-up.
Tina Oldershaw (W40, 1.21.44) of Paddock Wood took her tally of victories to five, having previously won this race in 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010. The win was in doubt until the tough climb through Hollingbourne where Oldershaw passed her team mate, Maria Heslop (W40, 1.22.22), who had led from the gun.
Third place went to the fast finishing Clare Mullenger (1.29.34) of Wimbledon Windmilers, with a personal best time that took her past Sarah Gruber (W35, 1.29.53) and Nicola Groom (1.30.18) of Larkfield AC in the later stages.
Christine Costiff (1.31.21) of South London Harriers was the first W45 in sixth place, ahead of local runners Laura Burton (1.32.25) of Paddock Wood; Penny Holden (1.32.54) of Maidstone Harriers; Kim Howes (W45, 1.33.44) and Abi Johnson (W35, 1.36.08) of Larkfield AC and Clare Day (1.38.24) of Paddock Wood.
Paddock Wood AC won the team event from Maidstone Harriers and New Eltham Joggers. The full results are at www.maidstoneharriers.co.uk
BRITISH MASTERS MARATHON CHAMPIONSHIPS
There were national titles for Maidstone’s Sharon Hawkins and Trevor Edgely of Invicta East Kent at the Masters marathon championships at Abingdon on Sunday. Hawkins (3.11.36) won gold at W45 level and Edgely (3.08.41) took the M60 victory.
Performances of note included Keith Dowson (M40, 2.47.45) of Sevenoaks AC; Gavin Kitchingham (M40, 2.52.31) of Orpington Road Runners; Cath Stibbs (W35, 3.07.19) of Kent AC; Harry Abrahim (M40, 3.13.24) of Paddock Wood AC and Vicky Talbot-Rosner (W45, 3.28.29) of Invicta East Kent AC.
CHAS RYMAN MEMORIAL SITTINGBOURNE 10MLS
Medals were on offer at the Chas Ryman memorial Sittingbourne 10 mile race on Sunday as the event hosted the Kent Championships and Grand Prix, writes Alan Newman.
Peter Tucker of Blackheath and Bromley Harriers and Anthony Jackson of host club Sittingbourne Striders were the only athletes among 271 finishers to breach the 60 minute barrier on the hottest October day on record.
As the mercury nudged 30 Celsius it was Tucker who found the necessary reserves of strength to edge ahead for victory by four seconds in 56min30sec from the gallant Jackson (56.34).
Sharon Hawkins (W45, 1.07.59) of Maidstone Harriers strode out to a well deserved victory in the women’s race from Alice Heather-Hayes (W35, 1.08.47) of Tunbridge Wells Harriers and Sarah Anne Mooney (1.09.50) of Larkfield AC.
Heather-Hayes took the W35 gold and Hawkins was the leading W45 master. The W55 winner was the consistent Miriam Dorrity (1.26.04) of Paddock Wood.
Mooney led Larkfield to team success after a tie on points with Maidstone Harriers. Tunbridge Wells Harriers was third women’s team.
DULWICH PARK CHARITY 10K
There was a touch of class in the Dulwich Park Charity 10k won by Kenyan athlete Simon Arusei in 31min11sec on Sunday morning, writes Alan Newman. Arusei may have run this distance nearly three minutes faster but he still had more than four minutes to spare over runner-up and first woman, Una English (W40, 35.18) of Ireland, who set her personal best 34min56sec in this race in 2007.
Arusei was followed by Mark Penny (35.51) of Cambridge Harriers and Martin Giles (35.59) of Sutton Runners in the men’s race.
English was chased home by Shona McIntosh (37.09) of Hunters Bog Trotters and Maria Heslop (W40, 37.12) of Paddock Wood in a quality women’s race. McIntosh boasts a 2hr47min marathon best and Heslop did extremely well to hold the Glasgow University athlete to three seconds.
NATIONAL MASTERS 10K
Kent has three national champions following the British Masters 10k road race championships in Exmouth on Sunday, writes Alan Newman.
Graeme Saker of Tonbridge AC is the M50 gold medallist after brilliantly judged run on a baking hot day to finish fifth overall in 33min50sec.
Sally Musson (40.54) of Tonbridge AC ran away from the W55 field to win by over four minutes. Sue James (47.23) of Paddock Wood took the W60 gold by six seconds after a tactical battle in a close race.
Notable individual performances included Diane Osborn (6th W40, 44.21) and Liz Farnden (7th W45, 53.17) of Tonbridge AC; Alison White (6th W55, 50.07) and Alan Newman (12th M55, 40.44) of Paddock Wood and Richard Pitcairn-Knowles (3rd M75, 1.11.02) of Sevenoaks AC.
TONBRIDGE HALF MARATHON
There were over 800 finishers in the first Tonbridge half marathon held on Sunday morning with Thomas Fewster of Great Western Runners and Tina Oldershaw of Paddock Wood claiming the main prizes, writes Alan Newman.
Fewster, who won the Weald St George’s 10k earlier this month, took 1hr15min48sec for the undulating course from Brook Street through Leigh village and return. The podium was completed by local runners David Ives (1.18.25) of Sevenoaks and Jonathan Undy (1.20.02) of Tonbridge AC.
Oldershaw (W40) continues to compete at a consistently high level at a range of distances. On this occasion she was fourth overall in 1hr21min55sec, with her closest rival being her W40 team mate, Maria Heslop (1.23.17). Carol Emery (1.47.13) completed the winning Paddock Wood women’s team.
Local runners in prominent positions included Keith Dowson (M40, 1.23.25) of Sevenoaks; Simon Fraser (1.24.36) of Tonbridge; Josef Zidek (1.25.45) of Medway and Maidstone Simon Parrin (1.28.11) of Istead and Ifield Harriers and Mike Murdoch (M40, 1.31.17) of Maidstone Harriers. Guy Gracey (1.38.31) of Tunbridge Wells Harriers was the leading M50 master and the M60 prize went to Ken Fancett (1.32.27) of Beckenham.
Maxine McKinnon (W50, 1.25.16) from Spain was a quality W45 winner in third place in the women’s section. Local women at the sharp end included the W55 winner Sally Musson (1.31.22) of Tonbridge; Sarah Anne Mooney (1.31.27) of Larkfield; Pru Clements (W35, 1.33.56) of Tunbridge Wells Harriers and Caroline Terburgh (W35, 1.36.58) of Larkfield.
WHITSTABLE 5K
Alan Newman (M55) from Maidstone won the Whitstable 5k on Saturday morning on the promenade and Tankerton Slopes. The Paddock Wood AC coach took the lead at the halfway point and finished in 19min59sec.
Kevin Marman (M50, 20.15) and Paul Dee (20.32) were the runners-up but both were eclipsed by the new women’s course record set by Jennifer Benson (20.09) of Canterbury Harriers.
Previous winner, Sue James (W60, 23.05) of Paddock Wood was second in the women’s race and Anna Fisk (23.37) was third.
The Whitstable 5k is part of the international Parkrun series of Saturday morning events and full details are available at www.parkrun.com
KENT MASTERS & UNDER 13 T&F CHAMPIONSHIPS
Records fell in the Kent Masters championships at Erith Stadium at the weekend, particularly in the recently introduced M35 category, writes Alan Newman. Peter Davey of Ashford AC accounted for five new marks in the 100m (12.10), 200m (25.41), 400m (55.17), high jump (1.60) and long jump (5.72).
Nearly as prolific was Steve Timmins of Blackheath and Bromley Harriers with new best performances in the shot (13.55), discus (38.63) and javelin (40.82).
Stuart Earl of Medway and Maidstone won the M40 high jump (1.40), long jump (5.07) and shot (9.24) and was second in the javelin (36.63). Marco Ronchetti of M&M took silver in the M40 100m (12.61).
Mark Woods of Paddock Wood was a multiple champion in the M50 100m (12.80), 200m (26.36) and 400m (59.49). Gary Capon of Dartford Harriers set a new record to take the M50 high jump (1.55).
Steve Hesketh of Medway and Maidstone was busy in the M60 category with victory in the pole vault (2.00) and silvers from the 800m (2.41.09), shot (8.79), discus (25.04), hammer (22.35) and javelin (24.74). Mike Duffin of Paddock Wood showed he can still compete as well as coach much younger athletes to take the M70 javelin title (26.01).
Tina Oldershaw of Paddock Wood made a rare appearance on the track to claim the W40 1500m (5.04.35) and her team mate Kate Maryon enjoyed success in the javelin (20.32), plus three silvers from the 100m (14.84), high jump (1.15) and long jump (3.80).
Pat Oakes packed four gold medals in her kit bag after wins in the W60 100m (18.47), long jump (2.94) and triple jump (7.00), plus a new record in the high jump (1.15).
Kirsty Oldershaw of Paddock Wood made a debut appearance in the Championships winning the silver medal in the Under 13 Girls Discus recording an excellent 19.88m
TUNBRIDGE WELLS 10K
Mike Page from Crowborough won the Hospice in the Weald Tunbridge Wells 10k from 500 runners on a hilly course from Lower Cricket Ground in a second over 35 minutes, writes Alan Newman.
Ben Cockburn (36.26) of Blackheath and Bromley Harriers was second ahead of Tunbridge Wells Harriers’ Terry Everest (36.54), Guy Jenner (37.20) and Craig Chapman (37.43). The host club also had the women’s winner, Alice Heather-Hayes (41.01) in an impressive line-up. Dave Hadaway (38.54) of Tunbridge Wells and junior athlete Lukas Bates (39.48) of Paddock Wood featured in the top ten finishers.
Catherine Tarry (46.21) of Tunbridge Wells, Nicola Thompson (48.07) of Sevenoaks and Shirley Exall (48.59) were among the leading local runners in the women’s race.
ROUND NORFOLK RELAY
Paddock Wood AC finished second in the club team category in the Round Norfolk Relay at the weekend, writes Alan Newman. Former Commonwealth and European marathon champion, Ron Hill, started the race and presented the prizes at Lynnsport after a continuous 17-stage race.
There were 60 teams entered in the 25th anniversary of this event and Paddock Wood’s squad finished behind regular winners Norfolk Road Runners, who clocked 20hrs41min29sec.
Paddock Wood (22.25.26) averaged 6min53sec pace for each of the 195 miles of the course. The longest stages were run by Paul Hasler (20.06mls, 1.57.53), Colin Tricker (19.67mls, 2.06.59) and Gareth Robb (16.81mls, 1.49.13), who all had sensational runs to set the team up.
The team was completed by a variety of stages from 5.49 miles to 14.6 miles by Peter and Fiona Buckingham; Laura Burton; Maria Heslop; Steve Roberts; James Ridger; Jonathan Riordan; Richard Bidois; Andrew and Claire Day; Mike Walter; Alan Newman; Sue James and Rob Rowland.
ERIDGE PARK TRAIL CHALLENGE
Julian Rendall of Tonbridge AC and Tina Oldershaw of Paddock Wood both retained their individual winners trophies in the hugely popular Eridge Park Trail Challenge over 10mls of muddy paths in historic woodland and a deer park, writes Alan Newman.
Rendall was first from 400 finishers in 1hr5min10sec and Oldershaw’s winning time of 1hr15min28sec was also a minute slower than her 2010 performance.
This race, promoted by Tunbridge Wells Harriers, was voted first in the UK in Runners World magazine’s UK top 50 races in 2009 and picked up the most improved award in 2010.
Rendall also won in 2005 in a course record (61.10), since trimmed to 59.51 by Nick Barrable of Tonbridge AC. Oldershaw added to her five victories in 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008 and 2010 as the best women’s time was retained by Hayley Yelling (1.10.56), who won the European Cross Country title in 2004.
Notable results by local runners included top ten finishes by Mascalls School teacher Will Levett (4th, 1.09.03); Steve Fennell (5th, 1.09.24) of Tonbridge AC; Chris Wolton (6th, 1.09.59) of hosts Tunbridge Wells Harriers and Gareth Robb (9th, 1.11.27) of Paddock Wood.
Leading women included Alexie Shaw (2nd, 1.17.07) and Rona Loubser (3rd, 1.19.03) of Folkestone Running Club. Local ladies competing with distinction include Mel Frazier (1.20.52) of Gravesend; Heather Fitzmaurice (W35, 1.25.13) of Sevenoaks; Laura Burton (1.28.26) of Paddock Wood; Ann Fuller (W45, 1.29.08) of Dartford Road Runners and Pauline Dalton (W45, 1.29.10) of Sevenoaks.
Tonbridge AC won the men’s team race from Tunbridge Wells and Dulwich Runners. Dulwich took the women’s team prize from Dartford Road Runners and Kent AC.
MID KENT FIVE MILER, STAPLEHURST
The fourth Mid Kent 5 miler attracted 200 runners to Staplehurst Cricket and Tennis Club on Sunday with Barnsley Harrier David Thompson leading the field in 26min46sec, writes Alan Newman.
Thompson was put under pressure by Stuart Beaney (27.05) of Kent AC until the closing stages. Paddock Wood runners Paul Hasler (27.18) and Gareth Robb (27.26) squabbled over the final podium place.
The top dozen athletes broke 30 minutes, with David Abery (M50, 30.10) and Simon Parrin (30.23) of Istead and Ifield and James McNama (M40, 30.24) of Maidstone Harriers finishing just outside that threshold.
There were further impressive times recorded by Tonbridge junior Neil Woodfine (31.06); Andrew Fletcher (M50, 31.08) and Andrew Day (31.35) of Paddock Wood and Jay Browne (31.44) of Dartford Road Runners.
Kim Lo (32.06) of Haywards Heath Harriers was a minute clear of Sarah Anne Mooney (33.08) of Larkfield AC and Claire Day (33.39) of Paddock Wood in the women’s race.
Day had to battle for the bronze position with Caroline Terburgh (W35, 33.41) of Larkfield. Kim Howes (W45, 34.02) was not far away in sixth followed by Abi Johnson (W35, 34.40) of Larkfield and Sarah Shepheard (35.33) of Paddock Wood in a strong showing by the West Kent rival clubs.
WHITSTABLE 5K PARK RUN
Sue James of Paddock Wood AC won the Whitstable Parkrun 5k women’s category in a new W60 course best of 22min40sec. Her coach and partner, Alan Newman was fifth overall (20.02) as Rick Austin won the race (19.02).
KENT MASTERS LEAGUE
The final match in the 2011 Kent Masters League was held at Norman Park, Bromley with Medway and Maidstone ending the season in second place in men’s division two and fifth in women’s division one, writes Alan Newman.
Blackheath and Bromley Harriers are the men’s first division champions with Paddock Wood finishing fifth. Mark Woods was the only winner on the night for the West Kent club in the M50 100m (12.7).
Paddock Wood will swop places with M&M for 2012 after winning division two. Gill Tree (14.9) took the W35 100m; Miriam Dorrity won the W50 long jump (2.60); Mary Brown (2.88) won the W60 long jump and Sue James (3.13.6) the W60 800m. James, Tree, Shirley Exall and Fiona Buckingham combined for success in the Medley Relay (5.33.6).
DARTFORD HALF MARATHON
The 35th Dartford Half Marathon included the 2011 Kent Championships and Grand Prix with the overall winner, Dean Lacy of Cambridge Harriers, taking the title from a record 693 finishers, writes Alan Newman.
Lacy took 1hr11min33sec to complete the undulating course from Central Park Athletics track, through the lanes around South Darenth, to retain his overall trophy from last year.
The Kent silver and bronze medal winners were the unattached Ben Louch (1.13.40) and Peter Tucker (1.18.48) of Blackheath and Bromley Harriers. Tunbridge Wells Harriers won the Kent men’s team gold from Dartford Road Runners.
Maria Heslop of Paddock Wood enhanced her growing reputation as Kent’s leading road runner with victory in the women’s race in 1hr25min9sec. Clare Reeves (1.27.15) of Bexley and Sarah Anne Mooney (1.30.30) of Larkfield picked up the minor medals.
Heslop doubled her golden tally with success in the W35 master category. Sharon Hawkins (W45, 1.32.05) of Maidstone Harriers and Sally Musson (W55, 1.32.25) of Tonbridge were the other age group winners. Larkfield won the team prize from Paddock Wood to improve their position in the Grand Prix standings.
RYE SUMMER CLASSIC 10K
There were some good results by Kent athletes in the Rye Summer 10k on Friday, July 14, won by Tim Elsey of Herne Hill Harriers in 32min44sec, writes Alan Newman.
Matthew Britton (34.35) was fourth, Antony Forsyth (35.15) sixth and Tim Forsyth (35.45) ninth representing Ashford AC.
Further results under 40 minutes included James Stickells (39.22) of Larkfield AC; Wesley Williams (M50, 39.25) of Istead and Ifield; Lukas Bates (39.55) and Jonathan Riordan (40.00) of Paddock Wood AC.
Chloe Forsyth (42.12) of Ashford AC won the women’s category from Juliette Sukoco (W35, 43.34) of Hailsham Harriers and Abi Johnson (W35, 43.44) of Larkfield AC. Kate Molloy (45.46) of Larkfield AC was sixth.
HARBOUR WALLBANGER
Lee McMeekin of Medway and Maidstone AC took the replica ships wheel trophy on offer in the revival of the Harbour Wallbanger 7k beach race at Broadstairs on Sunday.
McMeekin shared the lead with unattached athlete Nathan Preteseille and Robin Butler of Ashford and District AC against the wind from Viking Bay to the turn at Ramsgate harbour wall before cutting loose for victory by 39 seconds in 28min2sec.
Preteseille (28.41) clung on for second ahead of M40 master, Butler (28.49). Alan Newman (32.31) of Paddock Wood was the first M50 master in 10th place overall.
Clare Mullenger (32.20) of the winning Wimbledon Windmilers team was first in the women’s race from W60 master Sue James (35.25) and the unattached W35 Melanie Cole (38.36).
MOUNT EPHRAIM 10k
Laura Burton won the women’s race in the Baileys Nissan Mount Ephraim
10k in 41min37sec to lead Paddock Wood to second place behind L’Union of France, writes Alan Newman.
Burton was supported by Avril Mitchell and Margaret Poole in the successful Paddock Wood team. The women’s podium was completed by Sharon Hawkins (W45, 42.28) of Maidstone Harriers and Marie Vallas (42.44) of Efrsa Reims, France.
The overall winner was Damian Coleman (unattached, 35.42) from Daniel Pyne (38.17) of Dartford Harriers and Olivier Chemin (38.28) of Reims.
WORLD TRAIL RUNNING CHAMPIONSHIPS, IRELAND
Julian Rendall of Tonbridge AC celebrated his first full international vest by finishing second scorer for Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the IAU World Trail Championships that took place in Connemara, Ireland on Sunday, writes Alan Newman.
The race was held on a very demanding, boggy and mountainous course of 70 kilometres. Rendall finished strongly in 16th place from 131 starters. His time was 7hr16min50sec and the overall winner was Erik Clavery of France (6:39:07). Great Britain placed fourth team in the World Championships from an entry of over 20 nations.
Rendall gained his GB selection by finishing fourth in the trial race over 53 miles in April along the West Highland Way from Milngavie near Glasgow.
He won the Gloucester 50k in January in 3hr7min22sec and was fifth in the England Trail Championships over 32 miles in the Forest of Dean in May.
WEALD OF KENT 10 MILES
Phil Anthony of Invicta East Kent set a scorching pace to win the Weald of Kent 10 mile race in 52min56sec on the hottest day of the year so far, writes Alan Newman.
Anthony’s record on the respected Power of 10 athletics website shows fifteen podium positions in races in Kent since 2005. He was the winner of the Dover half marathon, Beckenham 10k and Fowlmead 5 in 2008 and earlier this year he won the Deal half marathon before taking this race title at Biddenden.
The winning margin was a whopping four and a half minutes over Jim Addison (57.32) of Beckenham RC and Stuart Beaney (57.52) of Kent AC.
Fast masters were David Child (M50, 59.30) of Kent AC and David Thornby (M60, 69.52) of Maidstone Harriers.
Local runners in form included Daniel Pyne (63.14) of Dartford Harriers; Andy Fletcher (M50, 64.49) of Paddock Wood; Tim Erskine (66.13) of Maidstone Harriers; Andrew Day (66.37) and Harry Abrahim (M40, 70.22) of Paddock Wood and Darren French (71.00) of Maidstone Harriers.
Maria Heslop (W40) of Paddock Wood ran a blistering 61min44sec to win the women’s race by over three minutes from Clare Reeves (65.07) of Bexley AC and Sarah Anne Mooney (68.11) of Larkfield AC.
Local athletes at the sharp end were Kim Howes (W45, 71.52) of Larkfield AC; Meg Hughes (W35, 72.20) of Maidstone Harriers; Caroline Terburgh (W35, 73.10) of Larkfield AC; Claire Day (73.38) of Paddock Wood; Nicola Pitcher (W45, 79.32) of Maidstone Harriers; W55 winner, Miriam Dorrity (82.05) and Shirley Exall (W35, 82.42), both of Paddock Wood.
STAPLEHURST CARNIVAL 10K
There were 120 runners in the Staplehurst Carnival 10k on Sunday morning with a sprint finish entertaining the crowd, writes Alan Newman.
Jamie Darling (34.41) of Blackheath and Bromley Harriers held off Chris Valdus (34.42) of Ashford and District by one second, with Matthew Britton (35.02) of Ashford AC completing the podium.
Local runners in the top thirty were Mick Barlow (37.38) of Tonbridge AC; Peter Buckingham (39.42), John Tolhurst (41.47) and Fiona Buckingham (43.38) of Paddock Wood AC.
WORLD TRAIL RUNNING CHAMPIONSHIPS
Julian Rendall of Tonbridge AC has been selected to compete for Great Britain and Northern Ireland for the first time in the World Trail Running Championships in Connemara, Ireland on Saturday, July 9, writes Alan Newman.
The trial for the Championships was held in April at the Highland Fling, a 53 mile race along the West Highland Way from Milngavie near Glasgow. The race covers some tough terrain with sections run along the shores of Loch Lomond. Rendall started steadily and worked through the field to place fourth overall in 7hr45min33sec to clinch his selection for GB.
Rendall is in great shape for the ultra-distance events having won the Gloucester 50k in January in 3hr7min22sec and finished fifth in the England Trail Championships over 32 miles in the Forest of Dean in 3hr27min in May.
BRITISH MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIPS
Alexander Stadium, Birmingham was the venue for the British Masters Track and Field Championships at the weekend, with over 700 entries from athletes aged 35 to over 90 years, writes Alan Newman.
Huw Evans of Tonbridge AC took the M35 1500m (4.13.66) and 5000m (15.51) gold medals in style to add to the BMAF title at 10,000m already bagged this year. The Welsh Masters International will be missed when he leaves Tonbridge School to return to Wales later this year. Gareth Robb of Paddock Wood was fifth in the M35 1500m final (4.39.31).
Mark Woods of Paddock Wood was seventh in the M50 200m (25.81) and 400m (58.51) finals. Tom Phillips from Maidstone suffered a spectacular fall at the finish line in the M55 100m but was awarded fourth place (13.14) before withdrawing from his remaining events. Alan Newman of Paddock Wood was sixth in both the M55 1500m (5.28.94) and 5000m (19.59.9).
Bernadette Harrop of Medway and Maidstone was seventh in the W35 1500m final (5.28.67) and Gill Tree of Paddock Wood was fifth in the W45 200m (31.04) and 400m (68.34).
Sue James of Paddock Wood was second in the W60 400m (81.56), third in the 800m (3.03.35) and fourth over 1500m (6.17.26).
BECKENHAM 10K
Maria Heslop of Paddock Wood trimmed her personal best by a second to win the Beckenham 10k and
Kent Grand Prix race in 36min54sec on Sunday, writes Alan Newman.
Maria Heslop (W40) was over two minutes clear of Andrea Pickup (W40, 39.03) of Dulwich Runners with Rachel Bentley (39.14) from Clapham completing the podium.
There were 256 finishers. Full results at www.beckenhamrunning.co.uk
BLUEWATER 10K
A massive field of 1903 runners completed the Gatorade Bluewater 10k on Sunday morning,
with victory going to 2004 Athens Olympics steeplechaser Tewodros Shiferaw of Ethiopia in 29min13sec, writes Alan Newman.
Kenyan athletes Edwin Kipyego (29.54) and Isaac Kimutai (29.56) also broke 30 minutes.
The leading British runner, Ben Louch (32.55) of Dartford Road Runners, was fourth overall and ahead of the top three women,
Edina Kwambai (33.39) from Kenya, Tamirat Getenesh (34.44) from Ethiopia and Natalie Harvey (35.17) of South London Harriers.
The full results are at www.bluewater10k.com
HARVEL 5
Lee McMeekin of Medway and Maidstone AC confirmed his return to form with a comfortable victory in the Harvel 5 in 28min03sec on Saturday,
writes Alan Newman.
McMeekin was 45 seconds clear of Anthony Forsyth (28.48) of Ashford AC with Stephen Throssell (29.13) of Larkfield AC on the comeback trail in third.
Tina Oldershaw (W40, 30.27) of Paddock Wood dominated the women’s race from Nicola Groom (30.50) of Larkfield AC
and Claire Gaskill (32.22) of Gravesend. Sally Musson (W55, 33.06) of Tonbridge AC was fifth overall with the outstanding masters’ performance.
There were 534 finishers. The full results are at www.harvelh3.org
WHITSTABLE 10K
Chris Carre achieved a winning hat trick in the Whitstable 10k on May Bank Holiday Monday in a personal best 32min37sec, writes Alan Newman. Carre, who runs unattached, added to his previous wins in 2009 and 2010 by striding away from 613 finishers for a classic gun to tape victory.
Theo Bately (M40, 34.44) of Deal Triathletes and Mark Penny (34.55) of Kent Police AC were the closest opposition on a very windy day on the sea front.
Michaela Hill (W35, 39.55) of Kent Police won a much closer women’s race by five seconds from Sarah Anne Mooney (40.00) of Larkfield AC, who improved her own previous best by five seconds. Hazel Vuvi (W35, 40.27) of Dartford Road Runners was third.
Leading local women included Cara Oliver (W35, 42.03) of Dartford Harriers; Lisa Corder (W45, 43.00) of Dartford Road Runners; Ellan Iaquaniello (W35, 44.11) of Larkfield AC; Sarah Kenyon (W35, 44.55) of Medway and Maidstone AC and the W55 prize winner, Sue James (45.53) of Paddock Wood AC.
Host club Canterbury Harriers won the men’s team prize and Dartford Harriers were women’s team champions. Full results are at www.whitstable10k.org.uk
LARKFIELD 10K
Tom Collins of Medway and Maidstone AC won overall by eleven seconds and Maria Heslop of Paddock Wood AC broke the course record by one second in a thrilling Larkfield 10k on Sunday morning, writes Alan Newman.
Collins, winner of this race in 2008 and last year in an outright course record of 33min19sec, was a popular victor in 33.55 from Ben Louch (34.06) of Dartford Road Runners. Clayton Barrett (34.48) of Medway and Maidstone completed the podium.
Maria Heslop’s personal best (36.55) in seventh place overall erased Tina Oldershaw’s 2010 course record and moved the Paddock Wood athlete to seventh in the current W40 UK rankings.
Locals in the top ten included first W45 master Pauline Dalton (42.38) of Sevenoaks and Sarah Shepherd (45.54) of Paddock Wood.
Sue James (47.00) of Maidstone won the W55 masters’ award representing Paddock Wood, who were second in the team race behind Guines of France. The team from Pas-de-Calais had four athletes in the top ten places.
Full results are at www.larkfieldac.co.uk and there were 339 finishers.
SEVENOAKS SEVEN
The 18th annual Sevenoaks 7 mile race, sponsored by Bat & Ball Sports, was held on Sunday in perfect conditions with 260 runners lined up for the start in historic Knole Park, writes Alan Newman.
James Trapmore from Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers led most of the way to win in an impressive 38min36sec from Kent cross country league stalwart, Huw Evans (39.07) from Tonbridge AC and Tom Fewster (39.25) of Great Western Runners.
The women’s race was won in a new course record of 41min31sec by Abby Settle from Tonbridge AC who placed fifth overall, ahead of the experienced W40 masters Maria Heslop (43.06) and Tina Oldershaw (44.26) of Paddock Wood AC.
EUROPEAN MASTERS ROAD RACE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Alison White of Paddock Wood AC won team gold with the GB W55 team in the European Masters 10k and half marathon races held in Thionville, France at the weekend and added team silver in the W55 3x2k cross country relay.
Sue James of Paddock Wood was 8th W60 in the 10k and ran first leg for the 4th placed GB W50 team in the relay. Alan Newman of Paddock Wood ran for GB M55 ‘B’ team, finishing fifth in the men’s 3x4k cross country relay.
FOLKESTONE 10MLS ROAD RACE
Andy Rayner of Blackheath and Bromley Harriers and Maria Heslop of Paddock Wood AC were the winners from 500 starters at the 28th Folkestone 10 mile road race on Good Friday morning, writes Alan Newman.
With the mercury nudging 25C there was little likelihood of any course records this year, despite the absence of any significant sea breeze. Rayner (53.50) broke away from Marcos Bujia (54.47) from Comesana Sporting Club in Vigo, Spain and Sam Rigby (56.17) of the hosts, Folkestone Running Club. Clayton Barrett (56.34) of Medway and Maidstone finished strongly for fourth ahead of Paul Hasler (56.58) of Paddock Wood and Ashley Howes (57.58) of Larkfield.
Maria Heslop (W40, 60.52) led the women’s race throughout for a comfortable victory in an excellent twelfth overall. Her time was three minutes faster than last year and a new personal best. Danielle Stewart (62.41) of Coventry Godiva and Kent cross country league champion, Deirdre McDermot (63.34) of Tonbridge AC completed the podium.
Full results are at www.folkestonerunningclub.co.uk
KENT MASTERS LEAGUE
The opening match in the Kent Masters League was held at Central Park, Dartford and resulted in wins for Dartford Harriers and Paddock Wood in the women’s divisions and Blackheath and Bromley Harriers and Bexley AC in the men’s categories, writes Alan Newman.
Paddock Wood look set for an immediate return to the top flight after winning division two comfortably. Gill Tree (31.4) and Kate Maryon (31.5) won the W35 200m races and later combined with W60 Sue James and W50 Julie Woods to win the 4x200m. Maryon added a win in the W35 high jump (1.20).
James won the 1500m (6.41.6) in her age group and was second in the W50 200m (37.4). Woods won the W50 javelin (10.92) and was second in the W50 shot (6.32). Jan Duffin added maximum points from the W60 shot (4.36).
As Blackheath and Bromley Harriers ran away with the top division men’s match Paddock Wood finished fifth. Gareth Robb (4.30.7) ran well for 2nd in the M35 1500m to allow Paul Hasler (4.34.2) to cruise to victory in the B race. Mark Woods (25.8) won the M50 200m and was 2nd in the M50 shot (9.07).
Full results are at www.thepowerof10.info
NEWS IN BRIEF
Medway and Maidstone AC won the men’s team awards at the Brooks Paddock Wood half marathon two weeks ago. The team of Tom Collins (2nd), Adrian Lowther (5th), Ian Reid (20th) and Lee McMeekin (57th) combined to defeat Dulwich Runners and the host club, Paddock Wood. The women’s team winners were Dulwich Runners from Larkfield AC and Dulwich B team.
Dartford Road Runners will again be promoting their popular evening series of races in historic Joydens Wood, off Summerhouse Drive. The races are held on the last Wednesday of May, June and July. The Joydens Wood series is run over three different courses, each of which is 5km and has a limit of 150 runners. The races are held on trails within the woods on a challenging course and all races start at 7.15pm. Details are at www.dartfordroadrunners.co.uk
The leading team in the Kent Grand Prix after five races is Maidstone Harriers in both men’s and women’s categories. In the men’s table the chasing clubs are Tunbridge Wells Harriers, Paddock Wood, Orpington Road Runners and Larkfield AC. In the women’s team category the opposition is provided by Paddock Wood, Larkfield, Kent AC and Dulwich Road Runners. The individual leaders are Stephen Turpie of Maidstone Harriers and Sarah Anne Mooney of Larkfield AC. The Kent Grand Prix combines results from ten events at distances ranging from five miles to the full marathon.
VIRGIN LONDON MARATHON
Mary Keitany and Emmanuel Mutai of Kenya were the winners of the 2011 Virgin London Marathon on Sunday, writes Alan Newman.
Keitany bravely broke away from the elite women’s field with ten miles to run to record 2hr19min19sec, the fourth fastest women’s marathon time ever. Mutai, who was second last year, left his effort much later but was equally dominant as he sped to a new mens’s course record of 2hr4min39sec, the fifth fastest time in history.
There were 34,656 finishers in the main race with several eye catching results from Kent athletes. Pride of place goes to Kent cross country champion, John Gilbert (2.19.28) of Kent AC, who was fourth Briton to finish in 21st overall. Gilbert hacked a massive eight minutes of his previous best set in this race last year to finish fairly close to leading GB athletes Lee Merrien (2.14.27), Andrew Lemoncello (2.15.24) and Dave Webb (2.17.41).
Dean Lacy (2.31.05) of Cambridge Harriers finally overcame a determined Adrian Lowther (2.31.34) of Medway and Maidstone AC, who took over three minutes off his personal best set in 2009 thanks to his 100mls a week regime.
Ben Reynolds (2.31.50) of Tonbridge AC was second in the M45 age group, ahead of Andrew Green (M40, 2.37.32) of Dartford Road Runners, Anthony Jackson (2.37.50) of Sittingbourne Striders and Tom Collins (2.37.58) of Medway and Maidstone, who was making his marathon debut.
In the women’s main race the best Kent results were achieved by Rona Loubser (2.52.28) of Folkestone Running Club and Clare Elms (2.55.11) of Dulwich Runners. Loubser was the 14th senior woman in a personal best and Elms made a superb marathon debut to go second on the UK W45 rankings.
Annabelle Stearns (W40, 3.00.51) of Gravesend Road Runners and Tina Oldershaw (W40, 3.01.19) of Paddock Wood AC narrowly missed the three hours benchmark. Sally Musson (3.04.13) of Tonbridge AC was a clear winner of the W55 category to head the UK age group rankings. Nicola Groom (3.07.14) of Larkfield AC ran well to improve her best by over three minutes.
Also in good form were Jill Cliff (W40, 3.14.18) of Deal Tri Club and Sarah Mooney (3.17.14) of Larkfield AC, who both used the perfect conditions to improve their times, with Mooney taking over eight minutes off her best set in the 2010 New York event.
Full results at www.virginlondonmarathon.com
LES WITTON DARTFORD 10
The Les Witton Dartford 10 mile road race was held on Sunday, having been postponed from January 23 due to a road closure. The race was part of the Kent Grand Prix series so there was added significance to the results.
The winners in contrasting fashion were Andrew Rayner and Elaine Murty of Blackheath and Bromley Harriers. Rayner won by a second from Tom Payn from Winchester and District AC. Murty had a comfortable margin of over two minutes in the women’s race.
Leading local runners included Ashley Howes (59.29) of Larkfield AC, Daniel Pyne (61.43) of Dartford Harriers, Stephen Turpie (62.57) of Maidstone Harriers, Peter Buckingham (M40, 65.27) of Paddock Wood and Malcolm Parsons (M40, 65.37) of Swanley and District AC.
Women’s winner, Murty (64.34) is the Kent 800m and 1500m champion and was making her debut at ten miles. Unattached athlete, Nadia Wilkinson (66.54) was second ahead of Sarah Mooney (68.29) of Larkfield AC. Meg Hughes (W35, 71.28) and Penny Holden (74.11) of Maidstone Harriers and Fiona Buckingham (W35, 74.25) of Paddock Wood were all prominent in the field of over 500 finishers. Full results are at www.dartfordroadrunners.co.uk
BROOKS PADDOCK WOOD HALF MARATHON
There were almost 2,000 finishers in the 22nd Brooks Paddock Wood Half Marathon on Sunday, with John Hutchins of Basingstoke and Mid Hants AC the overall winner, writes Alan Newman. The massive field made a colourful sight as the runners left the sanctuary of the start area in Eldon Way at 10am. The course is flat and fast through the hop fields and fruit orchards around Paddock Wood, Claygate and Laddingford.
Hutchins had a police escort from Peter Tucker of Metropolitan Police and further pressure from Tom Collins of Medway and Maidstone until the ten mile marker had been passed. Hutchins then cut loose to win by 44 seconds in 1hr9min1sec from Collins (1.09.45), who just held Tucker (1.09.47) at bay.
The race winner boasts a best marathon of 2.21.51, achieved when finishing seventh in last year’s Florence event. On that basis the eagerly awaited marathon debut of Tom Collins could be quite spectacular as he has trimmed his half marathon best by over two minutes this year.
The top six leader board was filled by Ben Shearer (1.10.17) of Cambridge Harriers, Adrian Lowther (1.11.54) of Medway and Maidstone and Chris Minns (1.12.36) from Beckenham.
Impressive times were recorded by Paul Hasler (1.14.57) of the host club Paddock Wood, Anthony Jackson (1.15.07) of Sittingbourne Striders and Ian Reid (M40, 1.16.35) of Medway and Maidstone.
Masters awards went to M40 Frank Fulcher (1.15.24) of Handy Cross Runners, M50 John Foss (1.18.22) of South London Harriers, M60 Mike Mann (1.26.51) of Dulwich Runners and M70 Pat Dobbs (1.37.13) of Thurrock Harriers.
Clare Elms of Dulwich Runners continued her rich vein of form to win the women’s race in 1.19.23 for a personal best and the 2011 leading W45 mark in Britain. Elms was chased home by Paddock Wood’s W40 masters Maria Heslop (1.19.57) and Tina Oldershaw (1.20.29). Heslop improved her previous best by more than two minutes to edge out the 2010 winner.
Top six performances were achieved by Jane Fanning (W35, 1.24.05) of Serpentine Running Club, Helen Taranowski (W35, 1.24.15) of West Four Harriers and Alexie Shaw (1.25.10) of Dulwich Runners. Also prominent was Nicola Groom (1.25.31) of Larkfield, with an encouraging personal best by over two minutes prior to the London Marathon.
The age group trophies went to W45 Sharon Hawkins (1.31.42) of Maidstone Harriers and W55 Ros Tabor of Dulwich Runners. Dulwich Runners won both the men’s and women’s team awards.
The overall course records of 1.06.28 (men) and 1.15.22 (women) survived for another year. Over 2,400 entries had been received in advance and full results are available at www.paddockwoodac.co.uk
The half marathon featured a competition for wheelchair athletes won by Mark Telford (55.06) of Rapha Condor and Nikki Emerson (71.24) of the British Wheelchair Racing Association.
While the runners were out in the countryside around 400 competitors took part in the Joe Cartwright fun run over 2k. The winners were Paddock Wood junior athlete Rob Leat (7.49) and the diminutive Georgi Maddison-Brown (8.47) from Brenchley. Both runners were out paced by the sole wheelchair entrant, Sheik Muhudin (6.31).
EUROPEAN MASTERS INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
Nearly 400 master athletes from the UK travelled to compete in the 8th European Veterans Indoor Athletics Championships in Ghent, Belgium last week, writes Alan Newman.
There were indoor competitions for men and women aged 35 to 95 plus outdoor throws, road walking and cross country races on the programme.
Kent athletes who returned with medals included Les Percival of Paddock Wood with gold in the M55 4x200m relay and Sue James of Paddock Wood with silver in the W60 5k cross country team race.
Percival was sixth in the M55 200m final and James was fourth in the W60 400m, sixth in the 800m and 1500m finals and also ran in the fourth placed W60 4x200m relay team.
Medway and Maidstone’s Pat Oakes was sixth in the W60 triple jump and eighth in the high jump. Her club mate Fiona Argent was fifth in the W55 pentathlon.
Ken Daniel of Blackheath and Bromley Harriers missed the bronze by five tenths in the M60 800m final, finishing a close fourth.
Barry Ferguson of Cambridge Harriers took silver in the M65 60m hurdles and ran for the GB M65 4x200m relay quartet that finished fourth.
LYDD HALF MARATHON
Mike Coleman of Medway and Maidstone and Tina Oldershaw of Paddock Wood were the individual winners of the fourth Lydd Half Marathon on Sunday morning, writes Alan Newman.
Coleman, who won a ten mile race in Battersea Park by five minutes the previous weekend, was in fine form again as he left the 456 strong field trailing at Lydd in 1hr7min39sec.
Lee McMeekin (1.16.52) of M&M finished fourth and other local men in prominent positions included Allen Jones (M40, 1.19.53) of M&M; Paul Mason (M40, 1.23.58) of Larkfield; Andrew Day (1.24.43) of Paddock Wood; Rob Rowland (1.27.05) of Paddock Wood; Stephen Reeves (M40, 1.28.03) of Larkfield and Harry Abrahim (M45, 1.30.01) of Paddock Wood.
Tina Oldershaw (W40, 1.20.42) finished eleventh overall and was followed by Sarah-Anne Mooney (1.28.41) of Larkfield; Penny Abbott (W40, 1.30.41) from Fleet; Claire Day (1.34.15) of Paddock Wood; Faye Roberts (1.35.35) of Canterbury harriers and Sarah Harmes (W35, 1.37.29) of Thanet Road Runners.
BRITISH MASTERS CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
Eleven members of Kent clubs contested the British Masters cross country championships in Perry Park, Birmingham on Saturday hoping to impress the selectors for the home countries international, writes Alan Newman.
After the women’s 6k race Ros Tabor (3rd W60) of Dulwich Runners, Sue James (5th W60) of Paddock Wood and Helen Wheeler (6th W40) of Folkestone RC could be wearing the England vest next winter.
There were 185 finishers in the men’s 8k race where Michael Mann (10th M60) of Dulwich, Alan Newman (28th M55) of Paddock Wood, Tim Sutton (32nd M40) of Invicta and Andy Murray (37th M55) of Dulwich were in action.
SEVENOAKS ROTARY 10K, KNOLE PARK
Over 500 runners took part in the Sevenoaks Rotary 10k on Sunday in Knole Park, Sevenoaks to raise funds for Kent Air Ambulance, Paula Carr Diabetes Trust and Rotary Charities, writes Alan Newman.
First past the post was Duncan Marsden (M40, 34.56) representing Bow Valley Harriers, closely followed by Alex Gibbins (34.59) of Blackheath and Bromley Harriers and Paul Hayman (34.59) of Serpentine Running Club.
Richard Tomlinson (M40, 38.10) of Medway and Maidstone was seventh and Leon Goodwin (38.47) of Dartford Harriers ninth. Sevenoaks AC had Andrew Mead (M40, 39.33) and David Lee (39.45) home in less than 40 minutes.
Also achieving that benchmark was the women’s race winner, Maria Heslop (W40, 39.53) of Paddock Wood. She was well clear of Melanie Burdett (W35, 43.14) from Beckenham and Natasha Swan (W35, 44.22) of Seaford Striders.
LIFESTYLE RENAULT TUNBRIDGE WELLS HALF MARATHON
There were 1969 finishers including an Olympian and Commonwealth bronze medal winner in the 2011 Lifestyle Renault Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon on Sunday, writes Alan Newman.
The race was won in personal best time by Andy Greenleaf of Winchester but all eyes were on the seventh placed athlete Liz Yelling, who has represented Great Britain with distinction on the road, track and country for a dozen years and who hopes to make her third Olympics in the marathon at London 2012.
The 2006 Commonwealth marathon bronze medallist, Yelling (W35, 1.13.56), who was wearing the appropriate race bib number one, cruised to victory in the women’s race by 95 seconds from defending champion Helen Decker (1.15.31) of Ipswich Jaffa.
Local men in form on the undulating course around Bidborough, Penshurst, Fordcombe and Langton Green included Andrew Green (M40, 1.15.48) of Dartford Road Runners, David Ives (1.16.20) of Sevenoaks, Will Mitham (1.17.02) of Tonbridge, Chris Wolton (1.19.55) of Tunbridge Wells and Steve Chalklen (1.20.01) of Paddock Wood.
In the women’s race the remarkably consistent W40 Tina Oldershaw, who won this race in 2000, 2003, 2004, 2008 and 2009, finished fourth (1.22.22) behind the new course record set by Yelling. Local women in prominent positions included Maria Heslop (W40, 1.26.02) of Paddock Wood.
BRITISH MASTERS INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
Athletes of a certain age were in action in the British Masters Indoor Championships at Lee Valley Stadium at the weekend, writes Alan Newman.
Mark Woods of Paddock Wood won the M50 B 200m final (26.27) but missed a medal as he was fifth on combined times.
Tom Phillips of Blackheath and Bromley was third in his M55 60m heat (8.29) but pulled a calf muscle warming up for his 200m race, where Les Percival of Paddock Wood was eighth (27.60). Alan Newman of Paddock Wood was fourth in the 3000m (11.21.49) and eighth in the 1500m (5.23.80) in this age group.
In the women’s events, Gill Tree of Paddock Wood was seventh in the W45 60m (9.47) and sixth over 200m (31.81). Sue James of Paddock Wood had a busy weekend in her new category with wins in the W60 200m (36.93) and 400m (83.98), plus a bronze in the 800m (3.13.37) and fourth place over 1500m (6.31.98).
MARATHON SEASON
Athletes with aspirations for a spring marathon will be in serious training for either the Virgin London Marathon on Sunday, April 17 or the new kid on the block, the Brighton Marathon on the previous Sunday, writes Alan Newman.
Of course, a few hardy souls will be running both events. How else would they gain entry to the 100 Marathon Club for people who simply cannot get enough runners high?
Runners in Kent are spoilt for choice when it comes to finding a good quality half marathon to ensure their preparations are on course for the big day.
It is already too late to enter the Lifestyle Renault Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon on February 27, voted Britain’s most improved event by Runner’s World in 2009. The race limit of 2,600 has been reached in advance, just as it was in 2009 and 2010 and there will be no entries on the day.
The race headquarters is the Wells Sports Centre, St John’s Road and the race starts at 10am. This year the race has been chosen as one of the Kent Grand Prix series for qualified athletes.
The title holders are Ben Moreau (1.09.11) of Aldershot, Farnham and District AC and Helen Decker (1.18.37) of Ipswich Jaffa. Course records are held by Barry Royden (1.05.33, 1999) of Medway and Maidstone AC and Andrea Green (1.15.36) of Dartford Harriers. Race details are available at www.tunbridgewellsharriers.org.uk
The Lydd Half Marathon on March 13 provides a very different challenge to the undulations at Tunbridge Wells. The race will take place in and around the town of Lydd in the Romney Marsh area of South Kent so the course is flat and fast. The 2011 race will be held on a new route that will avoid the busy town centre. There were 355 finishers last year.
This will be the fourth Lydd Half Marathon and the winners last year were Mike Coleman (1.08.14) of Medway and Maidstone and Sarah Mooney (1.29.46) of Larkfield AC. Race details are available at www.lyddhalf.co.uk
The daddy of all the half marathons in Kent takes place on March 27 when the 22nd Brooks Paddock Wood Half Marathon sets off from Elgar Way at 10am. This is Kent’s largest half marathon and is run on a fast course through the hop fields and orchards that surround Paddock Wood.
The event regularly features in Runner’s World top ranked races and boasts chip timing and a rapid results system, ample parking, supervised baggage store, massage facilities and refreshments.
The 2010 winners were Will Levett (1.09.59) of Tonbridge AC and Tina Oldershaw (1.20.03) of the host club and there were almost 2,000 finishers. The men’s course record is 1.06.28 set in 1998 and the women’s best is 1.15.22 from 2002.
Race details are available at www.paddockwoodhalf.co.uk
BARRETTS CANTERBURY 10
Over a thousand entries were received for the Barretts Canterbury 10 mile road race held on a cold, sunny Sunday morning at Chaucer Technology School with Mike Coleman of Medway and Maidstone taking the spoils of victory, writes Alan Newman.
Coleman last won this popular race in 2007 when he was equally dominant. This time his margin of victory was almost two minutes over Jeff Pyrah (54.41) of Guildford and Godalming as he breasted the tape in 52min44sec.
The top 10 men broke the hour including Chris Valdus (57.38) of Ashford and District, Ashley Howes (59.01) of Larkfield AC and Tim Erskine (59.29) of Maidstone Harriers.
Just outside that standard was Lee McMeekin (60.14) of Medway and Maidstone and other local runners included Andrew Walpole (60.22, Tonbridge), Jonathan Bond (60.46, Maidstone Harriers), Simon Parrin (61.28, Istead and Ifield), Daniel Pyne (61.34 Dartford Harriers) and James Ridger (62.11) and Mickael Hegesippe (62.12) of Paddock Wood.
The winning men’s team was Ashford and District from Maidstone Harriers, Invicta East Kent, Larkfield, Paddock Wood and Tunbridge Wells Harriers.
Host club Invicta East Kent celebrated when their top female athlete, Liz Weeks (64.21) won from the unattached Fran Parkes (66.20) and Hazel Vuvi (W35, 66.34) of Dartford Road Runners.
Sarah Anne Mooney (66.39) of Larkfield, Jill Cliff (W35, 66.55) and Laura Burton (67.21) of Paddock Wood completed the top six.
Dartford Road Runners were the team winners from Canterbury Harriers, Maidstone Harriers, Larkfield, Paddock Wood and Bexley AC.
Full results are available at www.sportssystems.co.uk
KENT SCHOOLS CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
Maidstone Schools are celebrating after their athletes won three races at the Kent Schools Cross Country Championships at Swanley Park on Saturday, writes Alan Newman.
Kent under 17’s champion, Beth Armstrong of Bexley was a comfortable winner of the senior girls’ race from Danielle Critchley (Bromley) and Kelsey Howard (Tunbridge Wells). Sarah Shepherd (Maidstone) was fourth and Lucy Nicholson of Medway was sixth, as no team finished intact.
Full results are available at www.ksaa.org.uk
KENT CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS, WILMINGTON SCHOOL
New year, a new venue and ten new champions. That was the summary of the all action Kent Cross Country Championships at Wilmington Grammar School on Saturday, writes Alan Newman.
Around 500 of Kent’s finest endurance runners gathered to compete for trophies and medals in excellent conditions on a deceptively testing new course after four years in residence at the Kent County Showground, Detling.
Sophie Wilkinson (Tonbridge) took the under 20’s title from Michelle Fewster and Danielle Critchley, both of Blackheath and Bromley Harriers as no teams finished intact. Sarah Shepheard (Paddock Wood), Stephanie Hearn (M&M) and Chloe Forsyth (Istead and Ifield) were the only remaining finishers.
Full results are available at www.kcaa.org.uk
KENT MASTERS CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
Tunbridge Wells Harriers provided a tough course featuring the hilly woodland behind Rose Hill School for the Kent Masters Cross Country Championships at Tunbridge Wells on Saturday, writes Alan Newman.
Six races were held and there were victories for Steve McGrory (M40) of Kent AC; Nick Kinsey (M50), Paul Ross-Davies (M60) and Jennie Butler (W35) of Blackheath and Bromley Harriers; Sharon Hawkins (W45) of Invicta East Kent and Sue James (W55) of Paddock Wood AC.
Jennie Butler led Blackheath and Bromley to more team success in the W35 race, although Maria Heslop of Paddock Wood shared the lead until the later stages. Andrea Pickup of Dulwich was the bronze medallist. Paddock Wood and Greenwich Tritons collected the remaining team medals.
Sue James of Paddock Wood steered her club to glory in the new W55 title race. Helen Godsell (Blackheath and Bromley) and Miriam Dorrity of Paddock Wood completed the podium. Canterbury Harriers were the team runners-up.
Over 200 athletes competed and the complete results can be viewed at www.kcaa.org.uk
KENT ROAD RACE GRAND PRIX – FINAL RESULTS
The Kent Road Race Grand Prix was concluded after nine of the ten scheduled races, due to the cancellation of the Thanet 10mls earlier this month, writes Alan Newman.
The 2010 Grand Prix started with the Dartford 10mls race in January and ended early with the Maidstone Half Marathon in October. The series included 10k races at Bluewater, Mount Ephraim and Dulwich; half marathons at Paddock Wood and Canterbury and the Thanet 20mls and Thanet marathon.
Tunbridge Wells Harriers and Maidstone Harriers retain their respective trophies from last year. Tunbridge Wells enjoyed a healthy margin over Maidstone Harriers and Paddock Wood in the men’s competition, while Maidstone Harriers held off the late challenge of Paddock Wood in the women’s table, with Larkfield AC third.
Individual results are based on competitors’ best six races. There were 469 men and 219 women competing this year. The men’s champion is David Ives of Sevenoaks AC, who last won this title in 2008. Paul Barton (Maidstone Harriers) and Mickael Hegesippe (Paddock Wood) were the best opposition. Last year's third placer, Nick Leech (Tunbridge Wells), was in a potential winning position but needed the cancelled race to complete his season.
Tina Oldershaw (Paddock Wood) has won the women’s competition every year since 2007. This year she scored maximum points from her best six races – a feat she also achieved in 2008. Sharon Hawkins (Invicta) and Kim Howes (Larkfield) did their best to prevent a runaway victory by the champion.
Oldershaw also claimed the W35 prize with another maximum. Hawkins, from Maidstone, took the W45 title for the second consecutive year and Ros Tabor (Dulwich) won the W55 class for the first time.
Trophies will be presented at the Canterbury 10 miles on Sunday, January 30 at the first race in the 2011 Grand Prix.
MASTERS INTERNATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY, DUBLIN
Several Kent athletes added value to their respective nation’s efforts in the British and Irish Masters International cross country at Dublin on Saturday, writes Alan Newman.
Kent cross country league champion, Huw Evans of Tonbridge AC, was the individual bronze medal winner in the M35 race and leading scorer for the Wales team that finished third behind Ireland and England.
Tina Oldershaw of Paddock Wood represented England in the W40 race and was second scorer for her team in fifth place overall. England won from Ireland and Wales in this category.
Claire Elms of Dulwich Road Runners finished second behind Melissa Whyte of Scotland in the W45 race as England took another victory over Ireland and Scotland. Sharon Hawkins of Maidstone Harriers was England’s fourth scorer.
Ros Tabor of Dulwich Road Runners was another silver medal winner in the W60 race as Angela Copson won to set up an England clean sweep. Ireland and Scotland completed the top three teams.
KENT FITNESS LEAGUE, SWANLEY PARK
Larkfield AC extended their lead at the second Kent Fitness League race to three points after a good team effort at Swanley Park on Sunday – the 5 mile event held in heavy rain and slippery ground conditions, writes Rob Bright.
The first lady over the line was another former champion – Elaine Murty making a guest appearance. However, the first point scorer was Maria Heslop of Paddock Wood AC making her first appearance in the league. After a closely fought contest, Heslop came home the winner by 25 seconds from Annabelle Stearns (Gravesend RR), with the winner of the first race, Nicola Groom (Larkfield) in third place.
Larkfield were comfortable winners in the combined team race on the day ahead of Dartford Roadrunners and Canterbury Harriers. The next race is at Fowlead Park, near Deal on 28th November.
DEAL 5 MILES
Paddock Wood women athletes enjoyed a successful trip to the seaside for the Deal 5 miler on Sunday, writes Alan Newman.
Tina Oldershaw won the race in 29min56sec, missing her own course record by 18 seconds despite wet and windy condition and a mistake near the finish.
Oldershaw finished a minute ahead of Helena Penfold (30.54) of Medway and Maidstone with host club favourite Jo Malpass (W35, 32.49) third for Deal Tri.
Paddock Wood won the team prize with Oldershaw backed up by winner of the junior trophy, Sarah Shepherd (34.21) and top W55, Sue James (37.08).
Chris Holmes of Invicta East Kent was the men’s race winner in 27min02sec with a minute to spare from Mike Mansfield (28.09) of Leigh on Sea and 2007 winner John Creane (28.13) of South Kent. Clayton Barrett (28.33) of Medway and Maidstone was fifth behind Mark Penny (28.19) of Cambridge Harriers.
The leading masters were M40 Anthony McParland (29.47) of Canterbury Harriers and M50 Kevin Williams (29.51) of Ashford and District.
Prominent in the M50 category were Cain Bradley (32.14) of Tonbridge, Alan Newman (32.28) of Paddock Wood and Mike Hawkins (33.51) of Velocity Multisport.
KENT FITNESS LEAGUE, BLEAN WOODS – 24 October 2010
Around 350 runners turned out for the opening race in the Kent Fitness League at Canterbury on Sunday. They were treated to mild autumnal temperatures and a cloudless sky as they negotiated a 5 ¼ mile circuit of slippery woodland tracks and the result provided an early team success for Larkfield AC, writes Rob Bright.
Reigning champions Paddock Wood AC were well below strength on Sunday in the men’s event with (unusually) no finishers in the top 30 and only Laura Burton (5th) finishing amongst the top 10 ladies.
In the combined team race, Larkfield AC were clear winners ahead of Canterbury Harriers and Dartford Roadrunners. Of the other local teams, Maidstone Harriers finished 8th, Medway and Maidstone 10th and Paddock Wood AC 12th.
KENT WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE
Deirdre McDermott of Tonbridge AC has one hand on the individual trophy already after a second successive victory in the Kent Women’s cross country league at Somerhill School, Tonbridge on Saturday, writes Alan Newman.
British Masters W45 international, Clare Elms of Beckenham Running Club made a great race of it and the margin was a mere 12 seconds at the line. Junior athlete, Lucy Reid of Tonbridge was third, just five seconds ahead of Paddock Wood’s W40 master, Tina Oldershaw.
WILMINGTON 10K
The 20th annual Wilmington 10k on Sunday saw a close finish between 2008 champion, Peter Tucker (Blackheath and Bromley) and Ben Louch (Dartford Road Runners) ahead of over 400 athletes, writes Alan Newman.
Tina Oldershaw (W40, 37.22) of Paddock Wood celebrated her selection for the England Masters cross country team by retaining her title with a fine win over fellow masters international, Clare Elms (W45, 37.51) of Dulwich.
Jane Fanning (W35, 38.08) of Serpentine Running Club completed the podium positions as master athletes dominated the women’s race.
KENT ROAD RACE GRAND PRIX STANDINGS
After nine of the scheduled ten races have been completed the leading teams in the Kent Road Race Grand Prix are Tunbridge Wells Harriers (men) and Maidstone Harriers (women), writes Alan Newman.
Tunbridge Wells lead Maidstone Harriers, Paddock Wood, Thanet Road Runners, Larkfield and Dulwich Road Runners in the men’s table, with only the Thanet 10 miles race on December 5 remaining.
Maidstone Harriers have regained the initiative from Paddock Wood in the women’s category with Larkfield, Dulwich Road Runners, Tunbridge Wells Harriers and Canterbury Harriers next in line.
The individual leaders are David Ives of Sevenoaks from Paul Barton (Maidstone Harriers) and Mickael Hegesippe (Paddock Wood). The leading masters are M40 Barton, M50 Steve Smythe (Dulwich) and M60 John Denyer (Sevenoaks).
Tina Oldershaw of Paddock Wood heads the women’s list followed by Sharon Hawkins and Penny Holden of Maidstone Harriers. Masters in pole position are W35 Oldershaw, W45 Hawkins and W55 Ros Tabor (Dulwich).
KENT FITNESS LEAGUE, BLEAN WOODS – 24 October 2010
Around 350 runners turned out for the opening race in the Kent Fitness League at Canterbury on Sunday. They were treated to mild autumnal temperatures and a cloudless sky as they negotiated a 5 ¼ mile circuit of slippery woodland tracks and the result provided an early team success for Larkfield AC, writes Rob Bright.
Reigning champions Paddock Wood AC were well below strength on Sunday in the men’s event with (unusually) no finishers in the top 30 and only Laura Burton (5th) finishing amongst the top 10 ladies.
In the combined team race, Larkfield AC were clear winners ahead of Canterbury Harriers and Dartford Roadrunners. Of the other local teams, Maidstone Harriers finished 8th, Medway and Maidstone 10th and Paddock Wood AC 12th.
KENT WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE
Deirdre McDermott of Tonbridge AC has one hand on the individual trophy already after a second successive victory in the Kent Women’s cross country league at Somerhill School, Tonbridge on Saturday, writes Alan Newman.
British Masters W45 international, Clare Elms of Beckenham Running Club made a great race of it and the margin was a mere 12 seconds at the line. Junior athlete, Lucy Reid of Tonbridge was third, just five seconds ahead of Paddock Wood’s W40 master, Tina Oldershaw.
MAIDSTONE HALF MARATHON
Late entrant, Stephen Wenk dashed Tom Collins’ hopes of a third consecutive victory from over 800 finishers in the Maidstone Half Marathon on Sunday morning, writes Alan Newman.
Ashford and District took the team prize from Medway and Maidstone and hosts Maidstone Harriers. Blackheath and Bromley were next from Larkfield AC, Tunbridge Wells Harriers and Paddock Wood.
Tina Oldershaw (W40, 1.21.24) of Paddock Wood did manage to retain her trophy, having also won this race in 2006 and 2007. The nearest challenger was her own team mate, Maria Heslop (W40, 1.22.19) and the bronze medal position was claimed by Liz Weeks (1.26.19) of Invicta East Kent.
Nicola Groom (1.27.45) of Larkfield AC was fourth ahead of the leading W45 master, Sharon Hawkins (1.30.51) of Maidstone Harriers. Miriam Dorrity (1.46.51) of Paddock Wood bagged the W55 award.
Larkfield AC won the team event from Maidstone Harriers, Paddock Wood and Tunbridge Wells Harriers.
This was the ninth race in the 2010 Kent Grand Prix and the final positions will be decided at the Thanet 10 miles in December.
CHAS RYMAN SITTINGBOURNE 10 MILES
The Chas Ryman Sittingbourne 10 mile road race on Sunday morning was won by Nathan Chapman of Larkfield AC, although the 60 minute barrier was not breached this year, writes Alan Newman.
Chapman (1.00.10) was ten seconds over that standard with Steve Chalklen (1.00.53) of Paddock Wood and Clayton Barrett (1.02.17) of Medway and Maidstone completing the podium.
ROUND NORFOLK RELAY
Paddock Wood AC finished third in the club category in the Round Norfolk Relay at the weekend, with two stage records en route, writes Alan Newman. The course mirrors the county boundary over a distance of 194 miles. PWAC recorded 21hrs57min49sec to finish third behind Norfolk Road Runners and Cambridge and Coleridge AC. Laura Burton set a new women’s record of 1hr17min42sec for the 10.81 mile stage from Cley to Cromer and Paul Hasler (2.00.11) was also in record form on the 10.81 mile night leg from Great Yarmouth to Bungay. Steve Chalklen (2.05.00) was first senior on the 19.67 mile run from Scole to Thetford and Jonathan Riordan (47.26) was the first junior on the 7.52 mile leg from Lessingham to Horsey. There were also category wins for Andrew Day (8.8mls, 57.28), Fiona Buckingham (7.2mls, 53.26) and Sarah Shepherd (5.49mls, 39.49) in the closing stages as the relay returned to the start at Lynsport, Kings Lynn. KENT MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIPS, ERITH
Mark Woods, Les Percival and Kate Maryon of Paddock Wood were double gold medallists at the Kent Masters Championships at Erith Stadium at the weekend, writes Alan Newman. Woods won the M40 200m (25.71) and 400m (58.86), M50 campaigner Percival took the 100m (13.22) and 200m (26.67) and Maryon won the W35 100m (14.67) and long jump (3.87) titles.
GREAT FOREST 10K, BEDGEBURY
The Great Forest 10k in the National Pinetum, Bedgebury on Saturday was won by Ben Louch of Dartford Road Runners in 39 minutes 22 seconds, writes Alan Newman. Louch, who won the Ashford 10k and the Myra Garrett 10k in Bexley earlier this year, finished 40 seconds clear of Bob Dewolf (40.22).
Alisa Yingling (47.00) was first home in the women’s race followed by Emma Cotton (47.32) and Nicky Vernon (48.28). The event helped to raise funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care and members of Paddock Wood AC acted as marshals and recorders. To find out how you can help please visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/kent
ERIDGE PARK 10 MILE TRAIL CHALLENGE
British international ultra runner, Julian Rendall of Tonbridge AC won the Eridge Park Trail Challenge in 1hr4min3sec on Sunday morning, writes Alan Newman. The Kent 20 mile champion had no trouble with this hilly, multi-terrain course in the picturesque estate of the Marquess of Abergavenny. Tina Oldershaw (W40, 1.14.29) of Paddock Wood AC won the women’s race from Lucie Custance (1.17.40) of Clapham Chasers and Holly Wilkinson (1.18.32) of Serpentine RC. Maria Heslop (W40, 1.20.08) was fourth to help Paddock Wood AC to second place in the women’s team race behind Clapham Chasers. Elizabeth Haines (1.24.36) was eighth to help Tunbridge Wells Harriers to finish third team.
KENT COASTAL MARATHON CHAMPIONSHIPS
The longest race in the Kent Championships calendar drew 250 endurance athletes to Palm Bay, Cliftonville for the Kent Coastal Marathon on Sunday morning, writes Alan Newman. Anthony Jackson of Sittingbourne Striders was a convincing winner in 2hr48min32sec from the M50 champion, Ray Pearce (2.56.27) of Istead and Ifield and Jason Cherriman (3.00.26) of Orpington.
Leading local athletes included M40 silver medallist Paul Barton (3.07.36) and M50 bronze winner Graham Clarkson (3.08.27) of Maidstone Harriers, Simon Parrin (3.09.42) of Istead and Ifield and Paddock Wood’s Mickael Hegesippe (3.11.59) and Peter Buckingham (M40, 3.17.17).
The 2010 women’s champion is Sarah Maguire (W35, 3.17.55) of Canterbury Harriers by three seconds from the fast finishing Claire Gaskill (3.17.58) of Gravesend Road Runners and Penny Holden (3.27.57) of Maidstone Harriers.
The age group winners were W35 Maguire, W45 Julie Stoppani (3.43.14) of Maidstone Harriers and a delighted W55 Miriam Dorrity (3.53.03) who sliced 17 minutes off her previous best. Maidstone Harriers are the team champions.
Prominent local athletes included W35 silver medallist Abi Johnson (3.43.15) of Larkfield AC, W35 bronze winner Sharon Barnett (3.48.00) of Maidstone Harriers, W35 Sarah Brenton (3.57.44) of Maidstone Harriers, W45 silver medal winner Caroline Richards (4.06.19) and W35 Fiona Buckingham (4.16.15) of Paddock Wood.
Alan Newman