We’re already halfway through the 2023-24 Kent cross country season! The weather has certainly played its part, and not just for the league. Races across the country have trudged through the deluge. Folkestone’s runners are put to the test and brave the elements to prove their mettle. Let’s see how they did.
Marathon Eryri (Snowdonia)
David Tyler blazed through the Welsh marathon in a pleasingly symmetrical 2:47:47, placing 10th overall and besting his previous course finish time by 11 minutes. Top effort, David!
Ashford & District Halloween 10 Mile
Halloween isn’t just about dressing up in colourful, weather-inappropriate kit and running around town. There’s also seasonal road racing! And FRAC showed up for the fun in the Ashford 10 Mile. Henry Axon charged into 2nd overall in 58:19, followed by Torben Jessen at 8th overall (and 1st Vet 60 Male!) in 1:06:24. Anthony Leyton was 29th over the line in 1:19:19, and Sarah Nunn made 58th overall (8th W40-49) in 1:27:31. I hope there were treats for all of you!
Last Friday of the Month 5k in Hyde Park
Darren Crew reports in from Hyde Park to declare a pair of PBs! Darren ran in a personal best of 19:28, joined by Jody Stoakes who PBd in 22:00 flat.
Langdale Half Marathon
Tony Scott reports in from Langdale Half where he posted 2:08:38 to secure 211th overall. Looking strong, Tony!
Bedgebury 10k
Anna Thomsen and Josh Pine made it a family affair at the Bedgebury 10k. Here’s Anna’s report from the field:
Anna Thomsen in a time of 51:22 and 3rd lady, 16th overall and Josh pine in a time of 41:09 came 4th overall. Baby Sebastian was top supporter for his parents today!
Kent Cross Country League – Somerhill School, Tonbridge
Saturday in Tonbridge – what can we say? It was the best of times. It was the worst of times (though mainly the best!). I’ll turn it over to FRAC XC organiser extraordinair Tina Eke from here.
Another fantastic turn out yesterday in the Kent Cross Country League for Folkestone Running and Athletics Club with 27 club runners competing in typical cross country conditions.
The rain over the last week had produced pretty muddy conditions over the challenging but scenic course.
First to race were the Clayton twins, Emma and Jennifer taking part in their first race in the Under 17 womens event having moved up an age group from last season.
Emma had a great start finishing in the top 20 in 15th place. Sister Jennifer also had a strong race finishing in 27th place despite running most of the race with a stitch.
Joining them in the combined age groups event over the 5k course was Grahame Eke finishing in 15th place in the Vet 70 mens age group. Grahame was followed in by Margaret Whitham in 6th place in her Vet 65 age group.
Next to race was newcomer Luca McDonagh competing in the Under 17 mens event and running well over the difficult terrain in 38th place.
Folkestone women fielded a team of nine runners with Nikki Goodwin leading them home in 18th place overall and 4th in the Vet 35 age group. Catherine O’Connor was next to finish in 65th place and 22nd Vet 45. Caroline Curtis followed in 80th place and 6th Vet 55. Diane Parsons completed the course in 105th place and was 44th Vet 45. In a close contest Diane was followed immediately by event debutant Eleanor Mel on 106th and 23rd Vet 35. Zoe Neale finished in 116th place and 49th Vet 45 then Eleanor Weekes in 118th, Trudi Curd in 135th and 15th Vet 55 and Lisa Smith 141st and 33rd Vet 35.
The team finished in 10th place out of 17 clubs in the team of 3 competition and in 8th place out of 9 teams in the team of 6 runners.
Thirteen club runners raced in the Senior Mens race. The club’s largest team for some time.
Tom Bean made his club debut in the event finishing well in 41st place. Tom was followed by Henry Axon running strongly in 48th place. Stephen Male completed his first race of the season in a fine 55th place and 2nd Vet 50. Another of the club’s Vet 50 runners, Krzysztof Klidzia came in 78th and 5th in his age group. Tristan Bruce finished in 106th and 10th Vet 50 in a closely contested race with Andrew Wright 107th and 27th Vet 40. Both Tristan and Andrew were given the same time. Trevor DeVooght completed in 151st place, Nick Steele 169th, Dave Weekes 207th and 42nd Vet 50, Darren Philip in his first race 214th and 43rd Vet 50, Simon Coffey 238thand 62nd Vet 40, Liam Cumber 275th and Alan Randall 279th and 23rd Vet 60.
The mens team of 4 finished in 8th place out of 17 teams and the team of 12 in 9th place out of 9 teams.
Well done to everyone, a brilliant turn out and a credit to the club!
parkrun
Folkestone parkrun
Folkestone parkrun was truly one for the diehards. It chucked it down from start to finish no matter who you were, so kudos to every runner who said “Sod the brolly!” and went for it!
Prakash Gurung 18:09 (1st finisher!), Ian Merrick 18:41, Rob Collier 19:31, Thomas Aspinall 21:51, Anthony Leyton-Thomas 21:59, Kirsty Wilson 22:51, Ian Vousen 23:03, Vicky Scott 23:58, Jason O’Callaghan 24:05, Phil Haines 24:36, Stuart Erskine 25:02, Darren Crew 25:11, Rob Hill 25:11, Daving Botting 25:20, Jennifer Twiggy Quinn 25:49 (Happy birthday!), Paul Hannay 26:13, Aldous Hosking 27:04, Neil Adams 27:11 (Happy birthday!), Kevin Whitby 27:21, Jody Stoakes 27:28, Jamie Fox 28:20 (1st timer!), Jason Crockford 28:37, Deirdre Coombs 28:53, Jason Herridge 28:57, Rebekah Newton 29:07, Roy Atkins 30:45, Kate Lancefield 34:25
Bushy parkrun
Richard Fowles 30:00, Debbie Dunham 30:02
Canterbury parkrun
Linnaea Stockall 24:44, Phil Maull 25:49, Sylwia Tokarska 27:40, Rachel Smith 29:10
Pegwell Bay parkrun
Will Jarvis 21:47
Brooklands parkrun
Jonathan Drinkwater 30:42, Catherine-Anne Curtis 44:50
Kingdom parkrun
Tom Bean 26:07, Henry Axon 26:07, Amy Owen 33:37
Rothay Park parkrun
Anthony Scott 25:52
Thames Path parkrun
Jacob Henwood 24:55
Dover Waterfront parkrun
Stuart West 22:34, Deborah Jeffery 22:49, Karla Larnder 24:40, Kayleigh Cumber 42:20