This Saturday saw the start of the Cross Country season. Team Manager Tina Eke has written the following report:
The opening race of the season was held at Foots Cray Meadows. Sidcup. It was the first time since the 2016/2017 season that the venue hosted both the Men’s and Women’s fixtures.
On a mostly dry and sunny day the club had a fantastic turn out with a total of 26 club runners completing the undulating but still challenging terrain.
First to race in the Vet 70 event was Grahame Eke celebrating 15 years continuous competing in the league and finished in 16th place in his age group on the 5k course.
Folkestone women were next to race with thirteen club members racing on the 8k course. Nikki Goodwin led the team home finishing in 26th place overall and in 7th place in her masters age group. Next to finish was Rebecca Powney, in her first league event in a great 55th place. Catherine O’Connor finished closely behind in 69th place and in 26th place for her age group. Caroline Curtis followed in 87th place overall and in 8th place in her first outing in her new age group. Zoe Neale finished in 107th place and 43rd in her age group, Jane Wren 113th (12th), Eleanor Weekes 115th, Kate Clipstone 121st (15th), Marie Brazier 126th (50th), Jenny Quinn 132nd (33rd), Amy Owen 142nd, Lisa Smith 147th (37th) and Trudi Curd struggling with a twisted ankle still managed to finish in 151st and 23rd in her age group.
The womens team of three are currently in 11th place out of 19 teams and the team of six is in 9th place out of 11 teams.
Henry Axon continued his strong performance from last season’s league by finishing in 27th place in the Senior Mens 8k race. Henry was followed by another fine run from Andy Wright in 75th place and 23rd in his age group. Event debutant Trevor DeVooght finished well in 93rd place. Tristan Bruce was next to finish in 114th (11th) closely followed by Nick Steele in 117th and Phil Hoyland in 119th (39th). Elliot Chapman-Jones another newcomer to the event also had a great run finishing in 140th place. Philip Heathfield finished in 215th (75th), Dave Weekes 221st (48th), James Stroud 231st, Liam Cumber 283rd and Alan Randall 288th (27th)
The mens team of four are currently in 8th place out of 19 teams and in 9th place out of 11 teams in the 12 to score competition.
Well done to everyone and looking forward to another great turn out in two weeks at Tonbridge!
Sunday saw several big races where FRAC runners took part. In Portsmouth at the Great South Run Darren Crew and Jody Stoakes both ran personal best times of 1:05:05 and 1:17:55 respectively. Deborah Jeffery also ran in a time of 1:13:19. In Essex Nick Bryant ran a Pb time by 17 minutes at the Chelmsford marathon achieving 3:09:31. Further afield at the Yorkshire marathon John O’Hara also achieved a PB time by 16 minutes – his first sub 4 hour race in 3:52:33. Well done to everyone, fantastic results!
This week’s parkrun results are as follows:
Folkestone: Prakash GURUNG 00:17:40 Ian MERRICK 00:18:43 Andrew FLETCHER 00:19:12 Anthony LEYTON-THOMAS 00:22:01 Rob HILL 00:22:57 Linnaea STOCKALL 00:23:14 Jason O’CALLAGHAN 00:23:15 Anthony SCOTT 00:24:07 Phil HAINES 00:24:35 David BOTTING 00:24:57 Richard PICKERING 00:26:02 Christopher WOOLGAR 00:26:09 Kirsty WILSON 00:26:12 Stuart ERSKINE 00:26:14 Joe FINNIGAN 00:27:04 Rebekah NEWTON 00:27:17 Deirdre COOMBS 00:27:25 Kirsty GARDINER 00:27:30 Neil ADAMS 00:27:47 Jason HERRIDGE 00:29:10 Simon BURVILL 00:29:40 Jacob BURVILL 00:31:05 Kate LANCEFIELD 00:34:09 Julie GIBBS 00:34:16 Paul HANNAY 00:38:50
Lloyd parkrun Croydon: Kevin WHITBY 00:26:03
Ashford: Torben JESSEN 00:19:32
Dartford Heath: Henry AXON 00:22:43 Amy OWEN 00:31:30
Bedgebury Pinetum: Vicky SCOTT 00:23:28
Dover Waterfront: Stuart WEST 00:22:18 Kayleigh CUMBER 00:41:49