Masterly performances at first cross country of the season.

The cross country season kicked off at Swanley with a strong representation from Ashford and District.

Michael Davies provided the inspiration with first place in the V70 race. Michael dominated the race and was over 1 minute ahead of the next runner home.

The ladies team was led home by Becks Macey in 19th place and 3rd V35 lady, Chris Costiff finished 55th and 1st V55 lady, Tracey Calnan ran strongly to finish in 59th. This gave the ladies team 9th place in the 3 to score league. Jill Crofton-Martin came in 85th followed by Gill O’Connor  battling with back problems finished 97th and 3rd in the V55 category. Gill was followed home by Aurelie Morris 98th, Massah Cooper 99th and Claire Green 100th. With Karine Puech in 120th, Jacklyn Kay 125th and Lucy Johnstone 144th gave a very solid 8th place in the 6 to score league. A tremendous result with determined performances from a host of cross-country newcomers and experienced runners giving solid foundations to build on for the rest of the season.

Trevor Kay, returning to form, was the first finisher for A&D in the men’s race, in 71st place. A superb 80th place for Lawrence Teeling was an impressive introduction to the league and cross country running. With Jon Pearce in 83rd, Dan Green 101st, Andrew Noble 105th and 8th V50, and Scott Lynch 112th and 11th V50 the foundations were laid for 12th place in the 4 to score league. With Paul Moses 142nd, Tom Preece 151st, James Booth 157th, Keith Haynes 163rd, Paul Ridley 168th, Mark Harrison 175th, Mark Attenborough 177th, Adrian Moody 186th and Ricky Hickman 272nd, a gutsy team  performance was rewarded with 6th place in the 12 to score league.

A&D were well represented at the inaugural Tempel Ewell 10k. This multi-terrain and challenging course starting in the picturesque Kearney Abbey and suited the Ashford runners. Becks Macey followed up her cross country run with a fantastic 1st lady in a time of 47:00.  She was joined on the podium by Essen Larsen in 3rd place in a time of 50:57. Karine Peuch dug deep complementing her run on Saturday and was placed 26th lady with 57:30.

Maintaining his run of excellent results Laurence Teeling finished in 5th place in 41:20. Darren Flagg also had a great run finishing 49th with 50:18.

Phillip Bridges, putting together a string of first class races finished in 57th with a time of 51:12.

Another of the cross-country team, Paul Ridley, competed in the hilly Maidstone half marathon and completed the source with a very creditable 1:38:03.Keith Lynn took part in the Royal Parks half marathon.

On a busy weekend for the clubs half marathon runners, Lucy Johnstone travelled on from the cross country on Saturday to run the Oxford half marathon on Sunday finishing with a time of 2:18:36. Lucy was joined in Oxford by Sarah Taylor 2:29:53, and Hugh Scarlin in 2:07:16 giving him a personal best time by a margin of 9 minutes.

Woodchurch 5 & 10 Mile – Sunday 22^nd September 2019

The A&D squad took home a trio of age category prizes at the Woodchurch 5 & 10 Mile race on Sunday. The circular course was undulating, with those running 10 miles completing two laps.

In the 5 mile race, Paul Moses was 3^rd overall and 1^st Male V50 with a time of 33min 15sec. Keith Haynes was 5^th overall and 1^st Male V40 in 33.48.  Sarah Taylor was next home for the club in 58.39, followed by Julie Foster in 1.11.44.

The 10 mile race saw Mark Attenborough finish 7^th overall and 1^st Male V50, with a time of 1.13.00. Finishing second in this age category, Adrian Moody then crossed the finish line in 1.14.27.  Keith Lynn was next in 1.37.28, followed by Trevor Sparkes in 1.45.57 (PB) and Hugh Scarlin in 1.46.51.

Shorne Woods 5 Mile – Sunday 22^nd September 2019

Three A&D runners travelled to Shorne Woods Country Park, near Gravesend, for Sunday’s 5 Mile race. Run on a mixture of track and trails, the route included a testing incline. Jon Wells was 4^th overall and second in his age category, with a time of 34.44. Paul Ridley finished in 36.47, making him 9^th overall. Lucy Johnstone was next home for the club in 58.27.

Rutland Half Marathon – Sunday 22^nd September 2019

The weekend marked a return to racing for Gill O’Connor, who took on the Rutland Half Marathon with sister Christine Costiff. The undulating course ran along the banks of Rutland Water Reservoir, East Midlands. Costiff was fourth overall and 1^st Female V55, with a time of 1.45.10; O’Connor finished second in this category, with a time of 1.53.58.

Badlesmere 10K – Sunday 1^st September 2019

Five runners represented A&D at the inaugural Badlesmere 10K on Sunday. Winding along sections of trail, open field and country lanes, the route featured six challenging climbs. The club’s Men’s Captain, Scotty Lynch, attested to the fact that the final 3K presented a particular test of runners’ stamina.  Showing their strength, two A&D runners finished within the top 10. Placing 5^th overall and cinching the 1^st V50 Male prize, Lynch was first of the club to cross the finish line in 42min 14sec. Paul Moses was hot on his heels, placing 8^th overall with a time of 43.44.  Adrian Moody was next in 46.08, followed by Anthony Brown in 51.46 and Rhian Shrimplin in 53.47.

Andover Trail Marathon – Sunday 1^st September 2019

In north Hampshire, Sunday saw seasoned marathon runner Steve Hickman take on the “thigh burning climbs” of the Andover Trail Marathon, finishing in 4.58.18.

Eridge Park 10 Trail Challenge – Sunday 1^st September 2019

Closer to home, Lucy Johnstone competed in the Eridge Park 10 Trail Challenge, near Tunbridge Wells. Running through bogs, woodland trails and fields, the hilly course ensured runners encountered a substantial amount of mud on their way round. Johnstone finished in 2.17.31.

SVN Black Hugin Challenge – 31^st August 2019

Marking her fourth half-marathon in August, Becky Hodgson covered 13.1 miles in Friday’s SVN Black Hugin Challenge. Runners completed 3-mile laps around Pegwell Bay Country Park, a circuit that included the area’s famous Viking ship, The Hugin. Hodgson completed the half marathon in 3.10.00.

Canterbury Half Marathon – Monday 26^th August 2019

Bank holiday Monday saw 450 runners assemble at the start line of the Canterbury Half Marathon, with four formidable A&D runners amongst them. The hilly route took runners along country lanes surrounding the city, with challenging inclines in the final miles. Despite fierce heat on the day almost reaching 30’C, A&D’s runners met the demands of the course, with two finishing within the first 40 runners and Christine Costiff winning her age category.

Keith Haynes was first home for the club in 1hr 44min 10sec, placing 34^th overall and 12^th Male V40.  Suffering under the intense sun at the 12-mile mark, Laurence Teeling got back up on his feet to finish in 1.45.34, 35^th overall. Christine Costiff was 1^st Female V55 with a time of 1.57.22. Helen Weeden was next home for the club in 2.30.04.

SVN Cyclopark Summer Series – 21^st August 2019 and Monday 26^th August 2019

Midweek, two club runners took part in the SVN Cyclopark Challenge in Gravesend. Part of a 10-day Challenge Series, the event saw competitors run three-mile loops of undulating trails and tracks around the Cyclopark. Becky Hodgson covered half-marathon distance in 3.17.47. Lucy Johnstone achieved a PB time over Ultra distance (29.5 miles), finishing 7^th overall and 3^rd Lady in 6.44.34. Hodgson returned for the 10^th event in the series on Bank Holiday Monday, completing her second half marathon in 3.32.00.

Ashford Parkrun – Saturday 25^th August 2019

Marking the start of a hot bank holiday weekend of running, A&D was well-represented at the weekly 5K around Victoria Park. James Booth was first home for the club and 14^th overall in 21.09. Crossing the finish line just seconds later, Dan Green (21.12) and Mark Attenborough (21.15) placed 16^th and 17^th overall. Darren Fagg (22.48) and Stu Nunn (22.57) also completed the course in quick succession, followed by Paul Moses in 24.01, Don Dewar in 24.08, Rob Carpenter in 24.11 and Rod Kessack in 24.27. John Fidge crossed the finish line in 26.54, with Trevor Kay (27.53) and Ann Fidge (29.33) next home for the club. Hugh Scarlin and Sarah Taylor both finished in 33.30, followed by Lucy Johnstone (39.15) and Becky Hodgson (39.56).

Mount Ephraim 10K – Sunday 18^th August 2019

Sunday saw A&D runners take on the notorious hills of the Mount Ephraim 10K, with two club members winning age category prizes. Starting and finishing within the grounds of Mount Ephraim Gardens, near Faversham, the circular course then took runners along surrounding country lanes, with tough inclines and picturesque scenery.

In his debut run for the club, Laurence Teeling was the first of the A&D contingent to cross the finish line in 39min 01sec. Jonny Wells then won the V40 prize with a time of 40.50. Taking two minutes off his previous best time on the course, Keith Haynes finished in 42.25. Winning the V55 prize, Adrian Moody completed the course in 45.27. Carl Ireland finished third in his age category, with a time of 48.00. Philip Bridges (49.51) and Adrian Beresford (49.57) then crossed the finish line in quick succession, followed by Karine Reid in 55.27 and Ailis Goddard in 57.50. Lucy Johnstone was next home for the club in 1.05.05.

Ashford Parkrun – Saturday 17^th August 2019

This week’s 5K around Victoria Park was momentous for three A&D runners: Keith Haynes (24.04), John Fidge (26.42) and Ann Fidge (29.42) each ran their 100^th Parkruns.

Dan Green was third overall with a time of 19.09, followed by Scotty Lynch in 19.54. James Booth finished in 24.36, followed by Sandi Mortimer in 25.02, Will Whittington in 25.39 and Terry Sellen in 25.48. Julie Foster was next home for the club in 43.44. Tail-walker Emma Jenkins then crossed the finish line in 1.07.22.

Great Run Local – Sunday 18^th August 2019

Will Whittington (26.02), Emma Jenkins (36.58) and Becky Hodgson took part in the Great Run Local 5K around Kingsnorth on Sunday.

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Distance was the focus for A&D runners this weekend, with races ranging from half marathon, marathon and Ultra distances up to 100km. With severe weather warnings in place, the events were a true test of runners’ mettle.

Stour Valley Path 100 Ultra– Saturday 10^th August 2019

A&D duo Jon Pearce and Edward Rodger kicked off the weekend’s races on Saturday, embarking on the Stour Valley Path 100 Ultra. The 100km trail course followed the Stour Valley Path through Suffolk and Essex. After setting off at 7am from Newmarket, Suffolk, the pair negotiated stiles, rail and road crossings throughout the squalls.

Despite the high winds, both showed immense perseverance in running the full course. Pearce was first over the finish line at Manningtree, Essex, with a time of 13h 22min 41sec. Returning to SVP100 to cover the full distance within the strict event cut-off time, Edward Rodger put in a determined effort to finish in 15.05.16.

Twilight Chase – Saturday 10^th August 2019

As the pair were nearing the end of their 100km Ultra, closer to home five A&D runners began the Twilight Chase at Rye. Starting late-afternoon, competitors ran 4.4-mile laps through the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, covering a range of distances. The coastal course, coupled with headwinds in excess of 40mph, made the event all the more challenging.

Running half marathon distances, Lucy Johnstone (2.43.50) and Becky Hodgson (2.47.34) crossed the finish line after three laps. Christine Costiff completed four laps, totalling 17.6 miles, with a time of 2.35.44. Steve Hickman covered marathon distance in 5.12.39. Marking her Ultra debut, Sarah Homewood ran a total of 30.8 miles in 6.14.17, placing third overall.

Brett Owler Summer Marathon – Sunday 11^th August 2019

As the high winds subsided, two club runners completed the Brett Owler Summer Marathon on Sunday. The two-lap course started and finished at the Julie Rose Stadium and featured hilly sections in surrounding villages and Wye Nature Reserve.  Marathon man Rik Holden finished in second place overall and first in his age category, with a time of 3.36.05. Cooper Massah then completed the course in 4.45.20.

The EDF Energy Lydd 10K – Sunday 4^th August 2019

Five A&D runners competed in Sunday’s Lydd 10K, where the fast and flat course held promise of an exciting race. Despite humid conditions on the day threatening to slow the Club’s contingent, each showed strong form. Janusz Latala was first home for the club and 5^th overall in 35min 59sec. Chris Boyce then completed the course in 46.53. Winning 3^rd Female and finishing 1^st in her age category, Essen Larsen was next in 47.40. Philip Bridges crossed the finish line just seconds later in 47.46, followed by Don Dewar in 50.43.

Vanguard Way Marathon – Sunday 4^th August 2019

Christine Costiff headed to Croydon for the Vanguard Way Marathon on Sunday. Starting from Croydon’s Lloyd Park, runners navigated their way along a section of the scenic Way. The out-and-back route featured several of the steep inclines and descents characteristic of the North Downs. Despite taking a nasty fall at the 17-mile mark, Costiff finished in a remarkable time of 4hr 34min 20sec, making her 1^st Female V55 and 4^th lady.

Dunoon 10K – Saturday 3^rd August 2019

In Argyll, Verity Dunbar completed the Dunoon 10k in 58min 16sec. The out-and-back route took runners along the banks of the River Clyde.

Invicta East Kent Athletics Club (IEKAC) Night of 5000m – Thursday 18^th July 2019

Thursday evening saw two A&D runners compete in the IEKAC ‘Night of 5000m’ event, held in Canterbury. In the sub-20-minute heat, Andrew Noble finished 10^th overall, with a time of 18min 37sec. In a track race debut just weeks after his first trail race, Keith Haynes finished second overall in the sub-25-minute heat, with a PB time of 20.07

Gusborne 5K and 10K – Sunday 21^st July 2019

A&D runners were treated to sophisticated refreshments during the Gusborne 5K and 10K races on Sunday. The event offered runners a scenic route around the Gusborne Vineyard estate, with wine-tasting opportunities along the course.

In the 5K event, Emma Konstantinou was first home for the club with a time of 31min 50sec. Rachel Jenkins (43.59) and Sarah Taylor in (44.01) then crossed the finish line in quick succession. Debbie Payne was next home for the club in 45.50. In the 10K race, Philip Bridges was first home for the club and fifth in his age category, with a time of 50min 30sec.  Steve Hickman then finished 1hr 00min 50sec, followed by Karine Reid in 1.07.51, Helen Weeden in 1.17.41, Sue Reader in 1.17.44 and Filiz Salih in 1.30.40.

Phoenix Space Race Gold – Sunday 21^st July 2019

In Walton-on-Thames, Becky Hodgson took on the Phoenix Space Race Gold on Sunday. Running on busy tow paths, competitors completed laps of a three-mile, out-and-back loop alongside the River Thames. Hodgson covered 13.1 miles in 2hr 51min 34sec.

BBC Women’s Couch to 5K – Sunday 21^st July 2019

Ann Fidge travelled to Stratford for the BBC Women’s Couch to 5K race on Sunday, an event to celebrate women’s health and fitness as part of the Muller Anniversary Games.  Starting and finishing in the Olympic Stadium, the course took runners around Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Fidge finished third in her age category in a PB time of 28min 03sec.