The last fortnight has been and eventful one for the runners of A&D RRC –
5/6th Feb
Dorney lake can be a great course for a PB, if the wind stays away. Unfortunately, this was not the case as Aiden Gorham put his recent good form to the test at the Dorney Half. Despite this he came a creditable 7th place overall and achieved a PB of 1.18.56, a fast time regardless and sign of great things to come for Aiden.
Meanwhile at the Heroes and Villains trail marathon, resident Marathon machine Rik Holden notched another one, in an impressive time of 3:33:36.
Over at Ashford parkrun Emma Jenkins completed the course in 36.48 while Team Steve Hodges went out with PB intentions and came away with personal bests for Jack (18.44) Steve (20.31) and Kieran narrowly missing out (19.38) on his return from injury. Last Saturday was also the annual edition of the club’s 10-K Marshall’s race. In challenging conditions, those volunteering got stuck in and produced some solid performances.
12/13th Feb
Back to parkrun again and this time the Hodges upped their game and came away with a PB each. Jack getting under 19 minutes again with 18.41 and Kieran making big gains with an 18 second improvement to 19.20. Will Whittington also completed the course in 27.08
KENT LEAGUE XC ROUND 4 – NORMAN PARK, BROMLEY.
Later, it was the turn of the A&D Cross Country teams to put all their hard-won fitness over season to the test in the final league fixture at Norman Park. The weather was ideal, the course flat and plenty still to play for, with club trophies and placings in the final standings still to be decided.
The senior women went first, with Alice Cook coming through late on, as the first A&D runner home in 34.52, closely followed by Alison Waters in 35.07 who also won the club XC shield for the season. Next over the line was Christine Costiff in 36.10, a great run and first in her age category, followed by the trio of Tracey Calnan (37.43), Sophie Edmonds (37.44) and Ailis Goddard (37.55), then came Gill O’Connor (39.17), Jaclyn Kay (41.18) and Lucy Ellen Johnstone (47.50). This resulted in 5th place overall in the 6 to score on the day but an outstanding 3rd for the whole season, quite an achievement. This was a well-deserved and fitting end to a season that has been full of commitment, quality running and great team spirit.
Next it was the senior men’s turn to tackle the 8 KM course. Aiden Gorham started strongly and never took his foot off the gas for a fast time of 27.48 and 29th place. This gave him 14th position in the overall standings and a worthy winner of the club XC shield. Next was James Booth in 30.57 closely pursued by Paul Crisp (31.00, closer than I thought!) and Julius Samson (31.06). Scotty Lynch followed in 31.39. Alex Francis ran well in 32.20, and an outstanding run from Michael Stanley in 32.28 just edging Paul Moses, no slouch in 32.32. Next came Chris Cris Francis and Mark Harrison both under the 33-minute mark. The sea of blue continued with a seemingly never-ending stream of A&D runners. Andrew Noble (33.07), Robin Butler and Daniel Head just a second apart (34.10 and 34.11), Adrian Beresford (34.19), Adrian Moody (34.39), Mark Attenborough (35.33) Richard Baker (36.51), Neil Woodham (37.58), and Chris Field (41.39) – A fantastic turn out to another solid season. 7th on the day and 7th overall (out of 22) in the 4 to score and 5th overall in the 12 to score.
Sunday brought about more running success as Keith Lynn and Matt Hardwick took on the Headcorn Half Marathon. The undulating course and testing conditions did not prove too much for the duo, Keith going sub 2 hours with 1.59.48 and Matt putting a great time down in 1.43.03, a PB of 5 minutes despite the wind.
Emma Jenkins flew the flag over at the London Winter Run. Emma finished the 10K in 1.15.40
Trev Sparkes also managed PB when he ran our very own club A&D 10K. An improvement by over 4 minutes with 52.22 – The event itself was a resounding success with many of the entrants commenting on the friendly and efficient marshalling.
James Booth.
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