Written by Caroline Curtis
Highlights from this week:
- Olivia Young wins Deal Castle children’s race
- Stephen Male secures 8th fastest V50 time in the UK of 2019 at Deal Castle 5 Miler
- New 5 mile personal bests (PBs) for Trudi Curd, Stuart Erskine, Liam Cumber and Ian Merrick
- New parkrun PB for Diane Parsons at Folkestone.
Deal Castle 5 mile race
The popular Deal Castle 5 miler took place on Sunday 3 November.
The fast course along the seafront and promenade is an ideal opportunity for runners to test their fitness ready for the winter season. It is also a favourite for those who want to chase times as well as new runners who like the flat course, the friendly atmosphere and the well run event by our friends over at Deal Tri.
In the children’s event Olivia Young won the race. Although just 4 seconds ahead of her rival, Olivia looked strong when she finished exciting Folkestone Running Club for her future, as Olivia’s talent shone through today.
In the adult event Folkestone, did not disappoint. Finishing in 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 12th place and securing the men’s team prize (4 to score) and in a tough tight battle was:
- Stephen Male – 28:02
- Dan Voller – 28:11
- Ian McGilloway – 28:15
- Nick Steele – 29:26.
Dan was first Senior male, Ian first V40 and Stephen first V50 (meaning Stephen is the 8th fastest V50 in the UK this year)
Rest of the field
Stuart Erskine was next home, running a PB of 31:08.
Liam Cumber, who continues to run from strength-to-strength, also ran a PB in 33:11, with new member Ian Merrick hot on his tail and now ‘one-to-watch,’ ran 33:18.
Jamie Whitham was next in, and the first under 21 male, in 33:29.
Darren Wild ran a great 33:48, and Rob Collier 34:43.
Next was Chris Woolgar 35:24 with Emily Chambers, first Folkestone lady and first under 21 female in a time of 35:30.
Andy Hadlow returning from injury ran 35:51.
Rich Fowles ran 36:30, Kirsty Wilson 37:18, Andy Smith 38:31, and Tony Scott 38:43.
Great to see out on the course was Alan Fletcher in 39:29 and Gail Turbutt 40:21.
Barry Hogben, and again great to see running, finished in 40:25 and John O’Hara 41:37.
New member Ivana Collier ran 44:04 with Trudi Curd who ran a fine performance securing a PBof 44:56.
Lisa York crossed the line next in 52:15 as she prepares for her first marathon and keen to get those miles in her legs, with Kayleigh Cumber in 56:30 as she too ticks off those runs looking strong in the process.
Folkestone parkrun
As always, Folkestone parkrun took place on Saturday.
Joe Bruce, one of our junior athletes who posts some great times at parkrun, was first home for Folkestone this week in 20:31.
Deborah Jeffery came in as first lady in 23:03, and Diane Parsons ran a PB of 24:47 despite the tough weather conditions.
Our other runners were:
- Joe Bruce – 20:31
- Ian Merrick – 21:23
- Rob Huish – 21:35
- Rob Collier – 21:49
- Deborah Jeffery – 23:03 (1st lady)
- Vicky Scott – 24:20
- Catherine O’Connor – 24:44
- Diane Parsons- 24:47 (PB)
- Richard Fowles – 25:22
- Catriona Watts – 25:42
- Tony Scott – 25:43
- Jody Stoakes – 25:45,
- Darren Crew – 25:47
- Rich Dyer – 26:30
- Trudi Curd – 27:21
- Luke Fowles – 28:05
- Julie Gibbs – 29:07
- Nicola James – 38:07
- Paul James – 38:08.
Parkrun challenge cup
In the Parkrun challenge B cup, Diane Parsons, who ran her PB, has set a tough challenge of 102.2 for her opponent Tom Leaver.
Trudi Curd, running her 100th parkrun and planning to run the Deal 5 miler the next day, set a target of 99.2 for her rival; either Gary Brazier or Nick Steele. Nail biting stuff as the final looms.
