Alex Francis destroys personal best!
Oh they do like to be beside the seaside!
Written by Paul Crisp
This week’s athletic undertaking was split into two camps: those that ran the Folkestone 10k and those that didn’t, but all of that was preceded by something equally as epic – the A&D Awards Night! The night was a celebration of all things the running club offers: outstanding athletic performances, a nostalgic look back over the prior year’s events, like-minded people supporting each other’s running struggles and triumphs, friendship and fun. Put on by the club committee and hosted by the lady and men’s captains, the night was a huge success. Thanks go to all involved.
And so to the matter of running…
All the fives
Ashford Parkrun was surprisingly well-attended in light of the ‘calorie and hydration loading’ undertaken with gusto the night before but served more as a roll call of survivors than a demonstration of 5k prowess, with many keeping their powder dry for Folkestone.
The 5k distance was once again ‘on tour’ with Emma Jenkins and Will Whittington giving the Cyclopark Parkrun a go, both with course PB’s of 36:35 and 27:28 respectively.
The Harvel 5 was the setting for the 5 mile distance covered in 54:31 by Sarah Taylor.
Half Marathons
At the longer end of the week’s race distances Holly Forest travelled to Samphire Hoe for the Flamingo SVN Half Marathon which she completed in 3 hours and 17 minutes. Steve Hickman visited Kempton Park for his 13.1 miles where the race starts and finishes outside the large main stand covering two ‘horrible’ laps of a flat course which Steve did in 2:20:07.
Folkestone 10k
The sea was blue and a sea of blue could be seen at this evidently ‘must do’ race with A&D making themselves known en masse. As if returning to the scene of the crime, many will have had good memories of the recent East Kent relays held in Folkestone where the only criminality was stealing seconds and places from our local rivals.
The profile of the course was set up for success for those that could hold their nerve, rely on their recent training, and run their hearts out from start to finish…and run their hearts out they did!
Daniel Head, returning from illness and injury, braved what he knew wouldn’t be his fastest run with all that missed training but must surely have been pleased with a gutsy 41:37.
In a similar predicament Stuart Nunn ran a 46:15 as he builds back to full fitness. Completing the injury-returning trio, Richard Boakes posted a 41:47. Way to tough it out.
In a similar predicament Stuart Nunn ran a 46:15 as he builds back to full fitness. Completing the injury-returning trio, Richard Boakes posted a 41:47. Way to tough it out.
Three more that enjoyed their race despite no shiny PBs to show for their efforts were Sandi Mortimer (53:54), Adrian Beresford (43:06) and Paul Moses. Paul, serving as master to his apprentice (Alex Francis) has track record for quality running and despite no PB, still ran a 30-year best of 38:18 giving him a well-deserved first place in his age category and blowing many a younger runner out of the water.
And then there came the PBs…
Aiden Gorham, winner of the club men’s cross country shield, improved by 42 seconds for a staggering 34:18. Steve Hodges bit another minute and 45 off of his previous best with a finishing time of 41:22…well deserved having given so much support to fellow club members over the year, recognised by being voted club member of the year by his peers. Allen Edwards enjoyed the flat course to claim his 45:06 whist Ann Fidge ran a 57:45 for an age category best. The ever-reliable Peter Buckley was rewarded for his efforts with a 53:20.
Brothers Kieran and Jack Hodges both smashed their previous times with 38:05 and 37:17 respectively. Not to be outdone, the ladies duo of Kelli Sullivan (51:09) and Jaclyn Kay (49:00) put in stellar PB performances with Jaclyn giving herself a lot to do for her next PB having taken 3:04 off her previous record!
Last to pull into Recordsville station was Alex Francis having caught a lift on the Moses Express. The pair pushed each other to mutual success with the young apprentice chalking up an equally brilliant 38:18.
What a weekend! What a great bunch of people! What a club!
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