Well done to everyone who took part in Saturday’s Kent Vets XC championships. The men’s Vet 50 race was first in the programme with Kris Klidzia in fine form finishing in 7th place on the 8k course. Kris was followed by Paul Bartlett in 37th place in his first outing as a Vet50. Torben Jessen completed the trio of Folkestone runners finishing in 53rd place.
Folkestone women were the next to race, this time on a 5k course and fielded a strong team in the Vet 45 category. Ivana Collier led the team home in 14th place, followed by Karla Larnder in 21st place, Catherine O’Connor finished in 28th, Marie Brazier 39th and Kate Clipstone in 42nd place. The womens team finished in 6th place out of 9 teams in a very strong competition.
Last to race was Rob Collier in the 8k Vet 40 event, this was Rob’s first Vets Championships and he finished well in 33rd place.
The next event for the club will be the main Kent Champs on 8th January 2022 but I’m proud to say that there will be some Folkestone representation next week at the Southern Intercounties championships. Our very own Noah Paterson will be running for Kent and I’m sure that you will join me in wishing him the best of luck!
The festive season’s runs started in earnest this weekend with many of our runners out in club colours, lights and festive costumes. On Saturday evening, in the stunning surroundings of Dover castle, the Christmas at the Castle 5k was run with head torches, costumes and lots of layers to protect from the cold, cold wind. Vicky Scott 24:56 was the first back for the club followed by Louisa Eede 25:45, Tony Scott 27:19, Hayley Turrell 30:51, Diane Parsons 31:22, Liam Cumber 31:45, Lisa Smith 36:30, Kate Lancefield 36:32, Hayley Kluczynski 52:34 and Kayleigh Cumber 52:34.
The following day was the second of the Pilgrims Hospice Santa Runs in Folkestone. Maria Fox Felicetti ran the 3km course along with the children of Stella Maris, while Collette Florence, Ron Bell and Karla Larnder ran the 5km race, all in full Santa costumes.
In Thanet, Maria Brazier 1:29:06 and Gary Brazier 1:30:32 ran the Alan Green Memorial 10 Mile Run.
And finally… what an amazing way to finish the year! In the magnificent surroundings of the Surry countryside the Hurtwood 50 Ultra-marathon follows the Greensand Way into the forested Surrey Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Linnaea Stockall (6hrs 00mins) and Phil Maul (7hrs 12mins) both ran this ultra-marathon (the first ultra-marathon for both runners) and managed to run and finish the race with smiles on their faces.
In this weeks Parkruns 3Kirsty WILSON ran the Knowsley parkrun in 23:46.
In the Folkestone parkrun congratulations to Henry AXON who was the first runner back in 18:09.
He was followed by Jonathan ARANA-MORTON 20:00, David GILLETT 20:27, Ian MERRICK 21:48, Hayley NEWMAN 22:47, Stuart ERSKINE 23:32, Richard FOWLES 24:12, Paul HANNAY 24:32, Dominic WOOLFORD 25:45, Deirdre COOMBS 26:11, Hazel GREEN 27:29, Richard DYER 28:09, Rebekah NEWTON 29:16, Debbie DUNHAM 29:18, Simon BURVILL 29:21 and David WALBROOK 39:04.