It’s usually the time for pumpkin spiced lattes and warm cosy days inside…but someone forgot to tell our runners as they’ve been out in the wind and rain smashing some fabulous running efforts!
The autumn leaves may be falling but the last two weeks have swept up a fresh crop of great times and distances.
Here’s a hamper of what we’ve got:
Cross Country Foots Cray Meadows, Sidcup
From last week’s start of the muddy Kent Cross Country League, we’ve got the report on our junior racers who took part.
Poppy Duncan was our only youth female to take part in what was her first competitive race for the club!
It was a tough race and the girls set off at a fast pace but Poppy settled into the event and held a strong sprint finish making up a few places and coming in 28th out of 47 with a time of 14:46 in the 3k.
Jacob Gillet also took part in the Under 13 Boys with at time of 12:06.
Massive well done to Poppy and Jacob! Good luck in the future races!
Great Eastern Run Half Marathon
Though a week late, it’s definitely worth a mention that Andrew Noble PB’d his half marathon time by 1 minute 33 seconds at Peterborough on Sunday 13 October.
His time was a staggering 1:22:43 – a week after running the Chester Matathon!
Great work Andrew!
Manchester Half Marathon
On Sunday 13 October, Karla Larnder had a go at 13.1 miles in Manchester for its busy half marathon event.
It was the first time she took on this very popular race and came out really enjoying it.
Not quite a PB but Karla was really pleased with her time of 1.45.57 (and so she should be!).
It well organised, slightly congested but a mostly flat course…which we love the sound of!
She was really chuffed she did it. Well done Karla!
The Howletts Gorilla 5K
In the jungle, the mighty jungle. Folkestone Running & Athletics Club members roared!
Quite a few of our runners took part in this unique race at Howletts Wild Animal Park in support of The Aspinall Foundation in their vital conservation efforts.
Junior runner Guy and Vets Sue, Helen, Maria and Karla joined the animal fun in this 5k run on Sunday 20 October.
Despite some sharp turns and a couple of hills they caught glimpses of monkeys and elephants in this zootopia way to spend a weekend.
Guy Slingsby came in first for the club with a smashing time of 20:15, coming 5th overall.
Up next was Karla Larnder who was 2nd in her age category and 6th female with a time of 24:48.
Maria Felicetti finished in 32.03 after managing to dodge the busy crowds.
Sue Elkins and Helen Merrick came in 37:13 and 38:56 respectively. It was Helen’s first EVER race representing FR&AC and she did wonderfully.
Great work to all of our cheetah-like runners!
Maidstone Half Marathon
20 Sunday October
There’s no rest for the wicked and that statement has never been truer for Greg Dixon who took on another race this week.
With a time of 1:47:36, he’s come out again with a splendid result in what was a hilly race!
Langdale Half Marathon
Anthony Scott fancied a run on Saturday 19 October so decided on a half marathon would keep him occupied!
With a 1883ft elevation gain, you could say it was…undulating.
He said it was one of the most gorgeous runs, with stunning scenery. “When the rain clouds cleared and the sun emerged, it truly was amazing!”
“Loved every minute of it, which is lucky because it took a lot.” – said Tony after his grand effort course completion of 2:14:43.
Bilbao Night Marathon
Saturday 19 October
It’s been the season of half marathons as Harry Wall also took part in one this week.
A BIG and unique event with over 15,000 runners that starts just as the sun is setting before running all around the Spanish city.
It’s a great place too, so is highly recommended by Harry; “cheap flights” he says plus an option to do a 10k or a full marathon!
“My mate and I took it really lightly due to having a few too many beers…”
Who says you can’t enjoy the nightlife! With a time of 2:11:20, we might join you next time Harry!
Cani Trail Half Marathon
Saturday 19 October
Sylwia Tokarska took to the hills with 658m (2158ft) ascent over the lovely South Wales countryside.
We’re still awaiting the official results, but according to her watch, Sylwia says she finished in 2:34:39 which is her course PB by 20 minutes!
Fantastic work to you – and Poppy too!
The Abingdon Marathon
Rounding out this week on Sunday 19 October with the full 26.2 miles is Nikki Goodwin and John O’Hara.
Both took on one of the oldest marathons in the UK (established in 1982) which sits just on the River Thames in Oxfordshire.
Nikki hit her personal best marathon time with 03:24:47, coming 10th in her age category.
John also had a great showing with 04:25:29.
You both win the furthest distance prize for this week! AMAZING!
parkrun times this week!
Saturday morning community runs did not disappoint this week:
Folkestone parkrun
Simon RAMSAY, 18:04 (1st male and 1st place)
Nicholas BRYANT, 18:53 (3rd male)
Dan MCCARTHY, 19:09
Elliot CHAPMAN-JONES, 19:20
Ian MERRICK, 19:24
Manda GURUNG, 20:23 (1st female)
David WEEKES, 20:52
Thomas ASPINALL, 21:08
Darren PHILIP, 21:16
Vicky SCOTT, 21:36 (2nd female)
Jason KING, 22:17
Simon COFFEY, 22:49
Ian VOUSDEN, 22:59
Rob HILL, 23:03
Louisa EEDE , 23:05 (3rd female)
Philip HEATHFIELD, 23:17
Paul BARTLETT, 23:20
Miles GAWTHORP, 24:46
Catherine O’CONNOR, 24:58
Amy OWEN, 25:14
Stuart ERSKINE, 25:20
Philip MAULL, 25:21
Jason HERRIDGE, 25:42
Jason O’CALLAGHAN, 25:44
David BOTTING, 26:04
Brian AUSTIN, 26:34
Deirdre COOMBS, 28:22
Rebekah NEWTON, 28:58
Neil ADAMS, 29:14
Kate LANCEFIELD, 29:34
Maria FELICETTI, 29:58
Clive ALLON, 29:58
Kevin WHITBY, 29:59
Tomas LANE, 30:08
Simon BURVILL, 30:40
Amie HOWARD, 30:57
Julie GIBBS, 32:03
Malcolm GIBBS, 32:04
Jason CROCKFORD, 32:27
Helen MERRICK, 38:15
Henry AXON, 53:33
Norwich parkrun
Torben JESSEN, 24:28
Canterbury parkrun
Greg DIXON, 25:03
Nonsuch parkrun
Nikki GOODWIN, 26:14
Brockenhurst parkrun
Jon EATON, 19:20
Great Lines parkrun, Medway
Julia HENWOOD, 34:22
Catford parkrun
Deborah JEFFERY, 21:57 (3rd female)
Dover Waterfront parkrun
David TYLER, 19:10
Darren CREW, 21:57
Jody STOAKES, 23:30
Stuart WEST, 28:53
Caroline CURTIS, 40:25
Brent PARKER, 40:25
