Verity Dunbar Doing the double with an SVN weekend at Ranscombe Farm, Rik Holden once again
impressed with back to back marathons. Cruising round the 7 lap trail course and tackling the 3400ft elevation each day, he ran the Ranscombe Challenge on the Saturday in 4.21.34, and then followed it up on the Sunday for the Teddy Bears Picnic challenge, on the same undulating route, and finished in 4.33.08. Fellow team mate, Linda-Jean Delport, joined him on day 2 and ran the marathon distance in 4.28.31.
Keeping to the trail and hilly off road theme, a group of stalwart A&D members descended on the North Downs 30k. First home for the club, in an awe inspiring 2.24.17, was Andrew Noble. Paul Ridley followed close behind in a remarkable 2.25.52. Mark Attenborough swooped in next with a 2.44.11 finish and was closely followed by training buddy, Richard Baker, in 2.45.31. Hugh Scarlin had an amazing run and knocked 1.45.00 off his previous time and finished in 2.46.55. Tracey Calnan showed a strong performance and came home first for the A&D ladies in 3.02.43. Paul Brasington dashed across the line next in 3.05.44, with Alice Cook following a minute later in a fabulous 3.06.46 . Lucy Johnstone (3.50.47) and Sarah Taylor (3.59.40) both claimed PB’s and were next in completing an impressive line up of performances.
The East Sussex village of Robertsbridge saw racing duo Gill O’Connor and Christine Costiff storm round the hilly and muddy course. O’Connor flew round the 5k loop in 25.31, finishing first in age. Costiff who completed the 10k route in a fantastic 48.02, also claimed a first in age finish.
The Sandwich 10k saw a strong line up of A&D blues race round the historic town. 
Claiming a top 10 finish and racing across the line in 36.59 was Trevor Kay. Close behind and only seconds off a PB, Scott Lynch ran 37.46 and scooped a first in age finish. Next across the line, and proving that the best things come in threes, Paul Moses ran an impressive 39.10. Men’s captain, Adrian Beresford, showed an amazing comeback from his recent injury and flew round in 43.59, and was followed by strong performances from Simon Jackson (51.36) and John Fidge (53,47). First home for the ladies, Ann Fidge ran a spectacular 57.41, which also earned her 2nd in age. Sandra Gooding showed excellent form and finished in 1.03.13, with Emma Jenkins completing the line up in 1.16.19.
Another amazing week of formidable running over a full range distances showed some awe inspiring running. Well done to an amazing team!
