Verity Dunbar The threat of Storm Dennis did not deter the hardy souls of Ashford and District over the weekend.
The weekend started at Betteshanger and the SVN Heroes and Villains Challenge. Ever the master of understatement in conditions he described as being ‘nasty’, Rik Holden completed the marathon distance in 3:42:30 and a heroic third place. Lucy Johnstone and Becky Hodgson ran the half marathon distance in 2:43:30 and 3:17:00. The only villains on the day being the wet and windy weather.
Headcorn half marathon saw an impressive turnout of 19 runners from the club. First home for A&D was Julius Samson in 13th overall and 3rd V50 in a time of 1:26:48. Next home was Paul Moses, 17th overall and 4th V50 in 1:30:02. Scotty Lynch was hot on Pauls heels in 18th and 5th V50 in a time of 1:30:28. With Linda-Jean Delport finishing 3rd lady and 2nd V45 in 1:39:23, this gave A&D the team prize. Mark Harrison showing tremendous form completed his first half marathon in 1:34:21 and 26th place. Richard Baker 33rd, 1:38:21, John Beale 35th, 1:39:04, Chris Francis 39th 1:40:10 and Adrian Beresford in 40th, 1:40:42 surfed their way round the waterlogged course to give Ashford 9 runners in the top 40 finishers.
Don Dewer, 85th in 1:49:48, was closely followed in by Ian Grundy taking the V60 prize with a time of 1:51:53.
Sandi Mortimer was next home and was 18th lady finisher in 1:53:12. Alison Waters ran a personal best time of 1:53:52, placing her 22nd lady. Ed Rodger would not be deterred by a splash of rain finished 113th and 1:53:03. Simon Jackson targeted a sub two hour time and his determination was rewarded with a personal best time of 1:58:13 and 138th place. Ailis Goddard suffered with stomach cramps from early in the race but fought through to a time of 2:01:26 and 38th lady. Helen Weeden finished in 2:05:58, 46th lady, and Sarah Homewood returning from injury was 78th lady in a time of 2:21:57.
Lucy Johnstone heroically completed her second half marathon on a treacherous weekend in a time of 2:42:21 and 89th lady.
In her first half marathon for quite a while,the Tunbridge Wells half saw Lesley Taylor take the ladies V55 prize with an impressive time of 1:41:43. Andrew Noble finished in an excellent time of 1:27:58. Rhian Shrimplin posted a superb time of 1:55:05 over a challenging course and unpleasant conditions.
A successful weekend for A&D was capped with Chris Costiff taking the 1st lady prize at the Tenterden 5 mile.
