Who can believe it’s already February!?
It’s been a slow start for any nice weather as our club members have been out tackling wet and windy terrains during their training sessions.
With marathon plans well underway, parkrun tallies already clocking in six for the the new year – it’s time to start seeing some amazing race results flood into this cold and chilly start to 2025:
Calas de Bolnuevo Cross Trail
Escaping the dull weather of England, Caroline Curtis and Brent Parker took to the sunny skies of Spain and participated in a cross trail run along the ‘Calas de Bolnuevo’.
It is a much sought after event with the local Spaniards, however, after 6 years of trying both of them were finally were able to get in!
Caroline entered the 16k with Brent taking on the 11k and although they finished at the back of the their respective races, they still enjoyed themselves immensely.
The dreaded flu and antibiotics had taken its toll on two but thankfully they were rewarded by their efforts with Spain’s best kept secret of its *technically* challenging terrain but wonderful sea views from high across the hills.
The enchanting landscape of ancient sandstone surrounding the course got them both through and saw them smiling by the end.
SEAA Indoor Under 20 / Seniors Championships
Our club has running representatives from all types of skills and abilities, with the far end of extraordinary athletic ability being one of them.
A stellar example of this is Tommy Owler’s recent showing at the South East of England Indoor Athletics Championships where he brought home a well-earned bronze medal in the 200m event.
He had the difficult first lane to run in, which has notoriously tight bends, in the heats and semis, but fought his way through to the finals.
There, Tommy had a storming finish to narrowly miss out on second place by what was only one one-hundredth of a second behind the silver medalist. Tommy achieved 21.73!
Tommy who is 20 and been a member of Folkestone Running & Athletics Club since he was 13, is still an under 23 and has been invited to run the 400m at the British Senior indoor athletics championships in Birmingham on 22-23 February.
Tommy is training hard, in great shape and aiming to get PB’s and go higher on the senior men’s 400m ranking list, where he is currently 6th.
We can’t wait to see what you accomplish next!
Dymchurch 10k
On Sunday 9th of February, the seaside paradise of Dymchurch hosted runners from all over for a race along the seafront.
The flat course heads inland before finishing along the Dymchurch coastal promenade and is great for all abilities, whether after a great time or just to enjoy the atmosphere.
We’re happy to say many of our members came home with both!
Despite the weather (which invited slushy, wet sand onto the route), six of our FR&AC reps brought home some fantastic efforts.
Full results from our runners Nas Haroun, Simon Coffey, Karla Lardner, Deborah Doughty, Darren Philip and Clive Allon can be found here.
The Final Kent Cross Country League
Saturday 8th February 2025 saw the last of the Cross Country events with the final one taking place at Norman Park in Bromley.
It was for the Senior and Veteran runners with the womens race starting at 12pm and the men’s at 1pm, both distances set at 8k.
It was a muddy day out there which was expected by our entrants who had all taken part in previous outings but still brought their best to this last hurrah.
The full results can be viewed here.
A happy 50th Birthday to Ron Bell!
It may not be a typical race result but it’s a worthy accomplishment all the same!
Club members let their hair down to celebrate a surprise get-together for Ron’a fiftieth over the weekend and he was just as chuffed as when he finished his last ultra.
Congratulations Ron! Here’s to the next 50!
parkrun results from this week:
Bromley parkrun
Kate EVANS, 24:09
Canterbury parkrun
Rachel SMITH, 34:44
Folkestone parkrun
Guy SLINGSBY, 18:04, 1st Place and 1st Male
Nicholas BRYAN, 18:30, 2nd Place and 2ndMale
Deborah JEFFERY, 19:25, 1st Female
Derek MATCHAM, 19:50
Andrew FLETCHER, 19:52
Tristan BRUCE, 19:55
Thomas ASPINALL, 19:59
Ian MERRICK, 20:34
James SPRINGETT, 20:52
Stephen DEEMING, 20:58
Darren PHILIP, 21:03
Rob COLLIER, 21:15
Ian VOUSDEN, 21:21
Darren CREW, 21:44
Vicky SCOTT, 21:50
Greg DIXON, 22:13
Finlay TAYLOR, 22:21
Miles GAWTHORP, 22:29
Phil HAINES, 23:07
Louisa EEDE , 23:17
Andrew NOBLE, 24:33
Torben JESSEN, 24:34
Ron BELL, 24:56
David BOTTING, 25:00
Sarah NUNN, 25:08
John O’HARA, 26:55
Brian AUSTIN, 27:13
Anthony SCOTT, 27:42
Diane PARSONS, 27:46
Jane WREN, 28:08
Amie HOWARD, 28:19
Richard FOWLES, 28:43
Paul TAYLOR, 28:49
Sonia MARKWELL, 29:27
Chris ADDISON, 30:35
Clive ALLON, 30:35
Andrew TREMAIN, 30:41
Jason O’CALLAGHAN, 31:48
Roy ATKINS, 31:55
Lisa SMITH, 33:44
Kate LANCEFIELD, 33:47
Lauren HART, 34:38
Helen MERRICK, 35:54
Lesley CLANCY, 40:32
Dartford Heath parkrun
Caroline CURTIS, 27:45
Cyclopark parkrun
Henry AXON, 26:36
Amy OWEN, 26:38
Queen’s parkrun, Glasgow
Pamela ALLON, 28:13
Dover Waterfront parkrun
Dave BOWERMAN, 21:19
Karla LARNDER, 22:47, 2nd Female
Martin SALMON, 23:31
Check out the full results here.