Distance running was the main focus for club members this week, and while many are piling on the pre-marathon miles, a few hardy souls turned their training miles into races.

Linda-Jean Delport took on the SVN Zodiac Challenge at Gravesend Cyclopark on Friday 27th August, completing the 8 laps needed to achieve the Marathon distance in 4 hours 17 minutes 41 seconds, and earning herself the Aquarius medal as a reward. Rik Holden and Alison Waters chose Sunday’s Gemini-themed day at the same event; marathon man Holden completing the 26.2 miles in 3 hours 44 and 30 seconds, and Waters completing 16.4 miles over 5 laps in 2:23:40.

The Bank Holiday Monday Canterbury Half Marathon provided plenty of challenging hills for A&D’s athletes to overcome. Keith Haynes was first home for the club in an excellent time of 1:35:59 to finish in 27th place overall and second in his age category. Christine Costiff was close behind in 1:41:24, finishing in a fantastic 6th place for the ladies and 1st in her age category. Peter Buckley ran a new personal best for the distance in 2:12:22 and Trevor Sparkes completed the run in 2:15:03 – also a new personal best for a half marathon.

Keith Haynes also took part in Ashford parkrun on Saturday 28th, finishing 2nd in his age category in a time of 20:50.