The extremely high winds did not deter the athletes of Ashford and District Road Running Club from racing a total of over 400 miles this weekend.

Becky Hodgson provided a tremendous start to the weekend running over 50 miles in the Samphire Challenge Endurance Run.

The club were well represented at the Big Half in London. First finisher for the club was Tracey Calnan with a personal best of 1:41:20, followed by Don Dewar with a time of 1:49:05, Ingvild Drake finished in 1:51:12, Shane Snowwolf Harris ran a time of 1:52:29, Aurelie Claudel Morris only 3 months after surgery ran an impressive 2:00:32, Shelly Gwilt Blake completed the course in 2:44:30.

The Lydd 20 mile and half marathon races felt the full force of the high winds on Sunday morning. Conditions were extremely difficult with fallen trees an added challenge. Andrew Noble led the runners home finishing 34th in 2:19:47, Paul Ridley 46th (2:22:12) and Scott Lynch 49th (2:22:49), all reaping the benefit from an intense marathon training programme. Rob Barton, getting stronger with every run, finished in 2:35:53. Carl Ireland continues his recent good form with 2:39:46.

Chris Costiff took first place in the ladies V55 category with a time of 2:38:31. Filiz Salah Running alongside Sophie Edmonds ran 3:26:43 and 3:26:45 respectively. Sarah Taylor completed the course in 3:50:27.

First finisher for the club in the half marathon was Jon Wells in 1:30:00. Keith Hayes, despite the dreadful conditions achieved a personal best time of 1:34:48, 28th overall and 7th in the V40 competition. Laura Segust also ran a strong race to finish with a time of 1:58:21.

Mike Davis ran the Liverpool half marathon finishing in second place in his age category with a time of 1:45:08. Further strengthening an already impressive run Britain ranking.

The club were well represented at Ashford Park Run on Saturday morning. Jon Pearce, Dan Green and Tomasz Latala all finished in the top ten. Mark Attenborough, Mark Harrison, Ian Grundy and Carl Ireland, warming up for the Lydd race, also took part. Nicola Moffat made her park run debut with a time of 23:47 and was 4th lady finisher. Other club runners included William Whittington, Terry Sellen, Rod Kessack, Lisa Jones Keith Lynn, Elodie Paviot, Lucy Johnstone, Rachel Jenkins, Verity Dunbar, also making her park run debut with 30:51, Emma Jenkins with a personal best time of 31:18, Sarah Taylor, Lesley Moody, Deborah Payne, and Julie Foster showing continued improvement.

By Paul Moses

Undeterred by high winds and pelting rain, Sunday saw club members take on challenging off-road races in Kent and West Sussex.

Bedgebury Forest 5 and 10 Mile – Sunday 3^rd March 2019

On Sunday, three club members competed on the undulating course of forest paths and trail. Christine Costiff finished the 10-mile race in 1:16:13, making her 1^st Vet and 3^rd lady home; Ingvild Drake completed the course in 1:28:07. In the 5-mile race, Paul Ridley was 3^rd male and 4^th overall, with a time of 33:48.

Steyning Stinger Marathon – Sunday 3^rd March 2019

Two A&D runners completed the Steyning Stinger marathon on Sunday. The muddy course took runners across the South Downs and featured several steep inclines. Eddie Rodger finished in 5:01:21, followed by Steve Hickman in 5:13:43.

Cambridge Half Marathon – Sunday 3^rd March 2019

Back on road, Shaun Snowwolf-Harris completed the Cambridge half marathon in 1:59:03.

Riddlesdown Parkrun – Saturday 2^nd March 2019

Christine Costiff was 14^th overall and 1^st lady across the finish line of the Riddlesdown Parkrun on Saturday, with a time of 22:20.

Ashford Parkrun – Saturday 2^nd March 2019

Saturday saw 20 A&D runners descend on Victoria Park for the weekly 5K. Trevor Kay was 4^th overall in 18:20, followed by Dan Green (19:16) in 9^th place, Keith Haynes (20:47) in 15^th and Richard Baker (21:03) in 19^th. Scotty Lynch was next home for the club in 21:53, with Carl Ireland (22:50), Filiz Salih (23:15), Stu Nunn (23:23) and Don Dewar (23:24) soon after. Sandi Mortimer achieved a PB time of 23:35, crossing the finish line alongside Terry Sellen (23:35). Rod Kessack completed the course in 25:11, followed by Keith Lynn (25:44), John Fidge (26:46) and Ann Fidge (30:15). Emma Jenkins crossed the finish line in a PB time of 31:20, followed by Susan Sutton (35:04), Becky Hodgson (36:33), Julie Foster (38:02) and Sukai N’Dure (38:41).

SVN Marathon Day Marathon – Tuesday 26^th February 2019

Marking 26.2 of the calendar year, Tuesday saw Mark Attenborough complete the 6^th SVN Marathon Day event between Deal and Kingsdown. Attenborough finished the 5-lap course in 3:29:26.

By Verity Dunbar

Saucony National Cross Country Championships –

Andrew Noble represented A&D at the National Cross Country Championships at Harewood House, Yorkshire. A fitting finale to the club’s XC season, Noble finished the 12K course in 50:07, placing him 1055^th out of 2006 runners.

Lenham Winter Cross Marathon – Sunday 24^th February 2019

The sun shone on A&D runners facing the unrelenting hills and steps of the Lenham Winter Cross Marathon on Sunday. Rik Holden completed the course in in 4:55:13; Steve Hickman finished in 6:46:47.

Brighton Half Marathon – Sunday 24^th February 2019

Gill O’Connor endured Sunday’s unseasonably warm weather on the East Sussex Coast, finishing the Brighton half marathon in 1:43:17.

Great Run Local: Kingsnorth, Ashford – Sunday 24^th February 2019

Will Whittington (24:57) and Emma Jenkins (32:15) completed the 5K around Kingsnorth on Sunday.

SVN Moonlight Challenge – Saturday 23^rd February 2019

Two A&D runners took on the SVN challenge around Reculver on Saturday. A mixture of trail, grass, concrete and tarmac, the event started in late-afternoon sunshine and finished in misty darkness. Helen Weeden marked her 48^th marathon to date, covering an ultra distance of 31.25 miles in 7:05:12. Eddie Rodger covered 26.2 miles in 4:40:19.

Hastings Parkrun – Saturday 23^rd February 2019

Christine Costiff faced windy conditions during the 5K along Hastings seafront on Saturday, finishing in 21:24.

Birkenhead Parkrun- Saturday 23^rd February 2019

Further north, two club members completed Birkenhead Parkrun. John Fidge finished in 27:18, followed by Ann Fidge in 30:44.

Ashford Parkrun – Saturday 23^rd February 2019

Chris Boyce was 2^nd overall with a time of 19:18. Scotty Lynch was 13^th overall in 21:04, followed by Mark Harrison (21:13) in 16^th place and John Beale in 18^th with a PB time of 21:35. Ian Grundy (23:00) was next home for the club, closely followed by Don Dewar (23:18), Terry Sellen (23:33), Will Whittington (23:51) and Stu Nunn (23:56). Rod Kessack crossed the finish line in 25:12, with Keith Lynn (25:28) close behind. Lisa Bracken was next in 27:31, followed by Shaun Snowwolf-Harris (27:42), Lucy Johnstone (28:52), Emma Jenkins (32:10), Lesley Moody (33:56), Susan Sutton (34:23), Becky Hodgson (34:59) and Julie Foster (39:56).

By Verity Dunbar

Headcorn Half Marathon – Sunday 17^th February 2019

Sunday saw 16 A&D runners take on the 3^rd Headcorn Half Marathon. Andrew Noble was 13^th overall and 2^nd in his age category, with a time of 1:24:24. Scotty Lynch (1:27:33) was 5^th in his age category, with team mate Paul Ridley (1:27:52) close behind; the pair finished in 18^th and 19^th place, respectively. Rob Barton (1:31:59) finished in a PB time, followed by Chris Boyce (1:33:45), Robin Butler (1:36:32) and Adrian Beresford (1:40:55). John Beale (1:43:13), Neil Woodham (1:45:00), James Phillips (1:45:01), Sandi Mortimer (1:48:02) and Filiz Salih (1:49:31) all achieved PB times.  Aaron Homewood was next home for the club in 1:51:21, followed by Keith Lynn (2:02:32), Ailis Goddard (2:06:30) and Sue Reader (2:16:34).

Victoria Park 10 Mile – Sunday 17^th February 2019

Four A&D runners travelled to East London for the Victoria Park 10 Mile race on Sunday. Trevor Kay was 5^th overall in 59:09. Anthony Brown crossed the finish line in 1:17:53, followed by Jaclyn Kay (1:28:14) and Rhian Shrimplin (1:41:20).

Dymchurch 10K – Sunday 17^th February 2019

A&D claimed the Team Award at Sunday’s Dymchurch 10K. Shaun Snowwolf-Harris and Laura Segust were first home for the club in 51:14, a PB time for Segust. Lisa Jones also achieved a PB of 55:22, followed by Lucy Johnstone in 58:42.

Tenterden 5 Mile – Sunday 17^th February 2019

Christine Costiff completed the course in 35:52, making her 1^st in her age category and 5^th lady home. The undulating course took runners along the Weald’s country lanes.

Jersey Parkrun- Saturday 16^th February 2019

Carl Ireland started the weekend with a new PB of 21:05, making him 1^st in his VM55 age category and 23^rd overall. The course consisted of two laps of tarmac path, followed by an out-and-back section of gravelly trail featuring a hairpin turn.

Lullingstone Parkrun- Saturday 16^th February 2019

Three A&D runners took on the notoriously tough 5K around Lullingstone Country Park on Saturday. Will Whittington completed the course in 29:03, followed by Trevor Sparkes (29:58) and Emma Jenkins (41:34).

Ashford Parkrun – Saturday 16^th February 2019

Club members took to Ashford’s Victoria Park on Saturday morning for the weekly 5K. Chris Boyce was 5^th overall with a time of 19:07. Scotty Lynch (22:20) was next home for the club, followed by Ian Grundy (23:08), Terry Sellen (23:10), Don Dewar (24:17) and Shaun Snowwolf-Harris (24:50). Lisa Jones achieved a PB time of 25:06, followed by Shelley Hathaway-Batt (28:23), Rachel Jenkins (31:00), Becky Hodgson (34:22), Julie Foster (40:20) and Rod Kessack (55:37).

SVN Martello Marathon – Friday 15^th February 2019

Two A&D members completed the coastal marathon between Folkestone and Hythe on Saturday. Rik Holden finished in 3:38:40, whilst Steve Hickman crossed the finish line in 4:24:35.

A&D runners were undeterred by biting cold this week, with club members competing in events across the county and beyond.

Winter Tanners 20 – Sunday 20^th January 2019

On Sunday Christine Costiff faced 20 miles of hills and mud in the 41^st Winter Tanner in Surrey. The off-road course was self-guided, with runners following directions between two checkpoints. Costiff crossed the finish line in 4:00:05.

Stowe Winter Trail #1 – Sunday 20^th January 2019

Shaun Snowwolf-Harris travelled to Buckingham for the 12K race within the picturesque Stowe Gardens. Snowwolf-Harris completed the course in 1:08:12.

SVN Ranscombe Winter Challenge – Saturday 19^th January 2019

Two club members took part in the SVN challenge event around Ranscombe Farm Nature Reserve (near Rochester) on Saturday. The hilly course was made all the more challenging by bitterly cold conditions on the day. Helen Weeden completed 13.1 miles, whilst Eddie Rodger (5:05:04) covered 26.2 miles.

Riddlesdown Parkrun – Saturday 19^th January 2019

Gill O’Connor (23:30) and Christine Costiff (23:31) were 5^th and 6^th ladies across the finish line of the Riddlesdown Parkrun on Saturday. The pair claimed 31^st and 32^nd place, respectively.

Margate Parkrun- Saturday 19^th January 2019

Will Whittington (24:17), Trevor Sparkes (26:38) and Emma Jenkins (35:09) faced icy winds on the Kent coast on Saturday for Margate’s Parkrun.

Ashford Parkrun – Saturday 19^th January 2019

Twenty-four A&D members turned out for Ashford’s Parkrun on Saturday. Dan Green was 2^nd overall and 1^st Vet, with a time of 18:17. Jon Wells was 6^th overall in 18:46, closely followed by Tomasz Latala (19:05) in 8^th place. Paul Moses (20:30) and Keith Haynes (20:32) finished in 13^th and 14^th place, respectively. Mark Attenborough (21:08) and Darren Fagg (22:22) were next home for the club, followed by Ricky Hickman (22:54), Dean Bracken (23:10), Stu Nunn (23:47), Sandi Mortimer (23:53) and Terry Sellen (24:42). Keith Lynn (25:15), Mark Cleworth (25:17), Rod Kessack (25:41), John Fidge (25:45) all crossed the finish line in quick succession, followed by Ann Fidge (29:23), Lucy Johnstone (29:37) and Rachel Jenkins (30:48). Lesley Moody completed the course in 32:31, Susan Sutton in 33:20, Becky Hodgson in 34:46 and Debbie Payne in 38:46.

By Verity Dunbar

West Wight XC -Sunday 13th January 2019

Steve Hickman completed the 5-mile cross-country race at the Isle of Wight’s Freshwater Bay on Sunday. Hickman finished the course, including a slight diversion, in 48:27.

Ashford Parkrun – Saturday 12^th January 2019

Twenty-four A&D runners took on the weekly 5K around Victoria Park. Trevor Kay claimed 2^nd place with a time of 17:45, followed by Paul Ridley in 9^th place with a time of 19:52. Jon Wells (19:54) was 11^thoverall, closely followed by Paul Moses in 20:00 and Becks Macey in 20:01 (making her 1^st female). Keith Haynes (20:17), Mark Attenborough (20:58), Scotty Lynch (21:23), Richard Baker (22:00), Adrian Beresford (22:33) and Dean Bracken (22:58) were next over the finish line. Shaun Snowwolf-Harris completed the course in 24:21, followed by Sandi Mortimer (24:41), Keith Lynn (25:03) and Mark Cleworth (26:27). Trevor Sparkes finished in 32:10, followed by Emma Jenkins (32:12), Lesley Moody (32:15), Lisa Jones (33:30), Shelly Blake (33:43) and Becky Hodgson (35:16). Heather Tutt was next in 39:15, followed by Julie Foster (44:00) and Rod Kessack (49:07).

Hull Parkrun – Saturday 12^th January 2019

Marking his 202^nd Parkrun, Terry Sellen completed the 5K course around Hull’s East Park. Sellen’s time of 23:38 placed him 5^th in the VM55-59 age category.

Houghton Hall Parkrun – Saturday 12^th January 2019

Two club members travelled to Bedfordshire for the Houghton Hall Parkrun on Saturday. John Fidge completed the woodland course 26:14; Ann Fidge was 1^st in the VW65 category with a time of 30:34.

By Verity Dunbar

Steve Hickman completed the Portsmouth Coastal Waterside Marathon in 4:32:51. The course took runners around Portsmouth’s Langstone Harbour and featured a variety of terrains.

Christmas Pudding Dash – Saturday 22^nd December 2018

Dressed in suitably festive attire, two club members enjoyed the 13^th Christmas Pudding Dash on Saturday. The muddy five-mile course covered hills around the East Sussex village of Pett. Christine Costiff was 1^st in her age category with a time of 40:05; Gill O’Connor was 2^nd in the category, with a time of 40:20.

Ashford Parkrun -Saturday 22^nd December 2018

Many A&D runners turned out for Saturday’s Parkrun, a particular accomplishment for those who enjoyed the club’s Christmas night out the previous evening. Jon Wells was first home for the club in 18:18, making him 4^thoverall. Andrew Noble (19:10) was 5^th overall, followed by Paul Moses (20:06), Keith Haynes (20:15) and Mark Attenborough (21:15). Rob Carpenter (23:04) and Darren Fagg (23.05) then crossed the finish line in quick succession. Don Dewar was next in 25:20, followed by Chloe Green (25:48) and Shaun Snowwolf-Harris (27:10). Rod Kessack and Marina Danckwardt both completed the course in 27:23, followed by Lucy Johnstone (30:21), Sarah Taylor (34:10), Becky Hodgson (35:57), Emma Jenkins (38:20) and Sukai N’Dure (38:22).

By Verity Dunbar