Hastings Half-Marathon – Sunday 18th March 2018
Despite the wintry weather forcing organisers to cancel races up and down the country, many in the south-east went ahead as planned, including the Hastings Half-Marathon.
With a sharp, stinging easterly wind , the notorious climbs around the coastal course proved to be more a challenge this year, but Ashford & District RRC performed well with some impressive times with all club members managing to finish in sub 2 hours.
Robert Latala stormed home in 1hr:13m:13s finishing a highly respectable 5th place overall and Scott Lynch battled the cold to finish in 1hr:33m:13s (189th). Christine Costiff was A&D’s 1st lady home and also 1st in category in 1hr:38m:52s (339th), with Hazel Turner, returning from injury, finishing in 1hr:45m:11s (558th).
Aaron Homewood crossed the line just behind in 1hr:46m:57s (624th) with Ingvild Drake and Ricky Hickman hot on his heels in 1hr:47m:11s and 1hr:47m:19s respectively. James Philips was next up in a personal best of 1hr:51m:13s,Rhian Shrimplin finished in 1hr:51m:57s (833rd), Edward Rodger in 1hr:52m:14s (868th), Dave Hunt 1hr:54m:36s (956th) and Mark Cleworth 1hr:55m:47s (1013th)
Canterbury Riverside 10k– Sunday 18th March 2018
Similarly, the easterly wind made the Canterbury Riverside 10k troublesome, running the 1st 5k into the wind. The runners had to contend with snow covered grass, icy patches and large muddy puddles throughout the course which runs alongside the River Stour.
Paul Moses came home 1st for the club and 1st in category in a time of 40m:26s (10th) with Adrian Moody in 43m:32s (28th). Neil Woodham finished in a personal best time of 45m:49s (38th), Mark Carlton in 49m:58s (67th) and Sophie Edmonds in a personal best of 50m:23s (72nd).
Windsor & Eton 20 miler – Saturday 17th March 2018
Gill O’Connor completed the Windsor & Eton 20 mile race which took place at Dorney Lake Rowing Centre at Eton College. The exposed, looped course gave no protection from the relentless wind and snow but O’Connor battled through to finish in 2hrs:42m:15s.
Ashford Park Run – Saturday 17th March 2018
Ashford & District RRC dominated the top of the leader board at the latest parkrun on Saturday. Jon Pearce finished 1st in 17m:33s with Dan Green 2nd in 18m:57s. Jon Wells finished 5th in 19m:42s with Dean Bracken completing his 100th park run in 20m:19s (6th). Paul Moses crossed the line in 20m:55s (8th) and Chris Boyce in 21m:12s (9th).
Mark Attenborough was next up in 21m:35s (11th), Neil Woodham and Carl Ireland finished in a dead heat in 21m:49s (14th), Stuart Nunn in 23m:43s (27th), James Chapman 23m:50s (29th), Will Whittington 25m:31s (51st), John Fidge 26m:36s (63rd), Simon Jackson 27m:28s (77th), Terry Sellen and Keith Lynn in 27m:43s (78th) and 27m:44s (79th) respectively, Filiz Salih 27m:57s (82nd), Chloe and Claire Green both in 30m:40s (116th), Becky Hodgson 33m:12s (140th), Jeremy Chambers 37m:26s (163rd) and Shelly Blake 38m:42s (166th).
Meanwhile Andrew Noble travelled to the Rosliston parkrun completing the 5k course in 19m:49s and finishing 3rd overall.
By Mark Carlton
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