It’s an international edition of this week’s Folkestone Running & Athletics Club Race Report.
Our club members have not only been flying miles away from home, but have been flying high in some fantastic marathon-length distances while exploring some worldly sights.
With just under a couple weeks away from the BIG city UK marathons, it’s lovely to see more people hitting their PB’s and going the full 26.2 miles.
Paris Marathon 2025
Now one of the biggest marathons in the world, this race offers views of Paris including seeing the Champs Elysées, the Bois de Vincennes and Boulogne with some beautiful backdrops across the entire city.
Three members of FR&AC took on this extraordinaire distance with each of them hitting a personal best effort!
First up was Ben McGhee in a fabulous time of 2:56:08 followed by Carrie Thomas at 3:48:16 and then Beth Fernaux in 4:17:23.
After the race and on her commute back on Eurostar, Carrie wrote up the below while still being tired and in a state of shock:
“I took half an hour off my PB set in London in 2023. I’m so delighted and had trained for 3 hours 50, so to get under this is just pure joy.
“The course was nuts! All open and the spectators were like squirrels, scampering in front of you from all directions!
“This is my first marathon overseas and I was so proud to be representing Folkestone Running & Athletics Club.”
Ibiza Marathon 2025
Boarding a flight across to the Mediterranean Sea and to the sunny island of Ibiza sees our barefoot runner, Darren Philip take on this marathon.
With some beautiful sights but significant elevation gain, Darren got across the line in 4:33:27.
He said after it was an amazing route and the support was unbelievable – what more can you ask for!
Newport Marathon & Half Marathon 2025
A gang of well-known FR&AC faces hopped on a train to depart for Wales for not only the lovely Welsh cuisine but also to take part in the Newport Marathon Festival.
Three of our ladies took on the full marathon while two of the boys fancied the half.
Some big efforts were achieved this weekend with Vicky Scott hitting a well-deserved personal best time of 3:36:44.
Marie Brazier after a great training block came home in 3:55:03, also a PB.
Twiggy, or as she’s also known Jenny Heathfield, finished in at 4:17:30.
In the half marathon race, Darren Crew showed up with a fantastic time of 1:29:45 while Gary Brazier (his longest run since last year!) completed the course in 2:07:54.
Da iawn (well done) everyone!
Cani Trail UK RAID – 2 day challenge in South Wales
Also reporting from Wales, Sylwia Tokarska and her labrador Poppy took part in RAID which is organised by CaniTrail UK.
It’s a two day race with the first being a 30km effort at a 3130ft (1050m) ascent finishing with some overnight wild camping.
Day two was just as challenging at 22km with a 1750ft (630m) ascent.
The pair finished day one at 4:05:55 and then the second in 3:01:24, crossing the finish line 5th overall and the 3rd woman.
Sylwia had to say: “Day one was very warm and humid, the route was reduced by 10km and start delayed to later afternoon to accommodate the unusual for Wales weather conditions.
“At night the temperatures dropped to single digits. The second day treated us to ambient weather conditions with great visibility across stunning South Wales hills.”
Brilliant performances from our trail running superstars!
Kent Spring Marathon & Half Marathon 2025
Returning back to Kent sees Nasradine Haroun, Adam Ward, Matt Harris and Jordan Bray all take on their very first marathons across the scenic countryside and undulating lanes outside Ashford.
Nasradine came an outstanding 1st place with a time of 2:58:51. He was 7 minutes clear of the second place runner!
Adam finished in 4:38:29 with Matt not far behind in 4:58:36 and Jordan rounding out the effort at 5:01:28.
After the race, Adam had to say: “It felt very hot, barely any wind, and some hills to boot. Absolutely grueling race, but happy I finished. Got myself a nice shiny medal for my troubles.”
“Weighed myself before and after to see how much water weight I lost: ~5kg! I had to tighten my watch, shorts, and hydration vest about half way through!”
Matt added that this was his “first marathon, and maybe my last”
We’ll see about that boys, great work!
Meanwhile, in the half marathon Martin Salmon and Jason O’Callaghan ran solid efforts in 1:45:13 and 1:55:27 respectively.
Good job lads!
Canterbury Riverside 10k
Making our way back home, Guy Slingsby alongside Karla Lardner and Harry Wall took part in the Canterbury Riverside 10k in Chartham.
Guy’s mum Julie reported back that Guy won his age category, with 37:56, position 8.
“It was Guy’s first 10k run as he is now old enough to compete. A birthday treat for him today!”
Guy said: “It was a tough course with a mixed terrain but I really enjoyed it.”
Some brilliant efforts by the other two with Harry storming in at 39:19 and Karla at 47:47.
London Landmarks Half Marathon
A late report from last week’s London Landmark Half Marathon which saw Nasradine Haroun came 11th overall – and 1st in his age category with a time of 1.12.48.
Louisa’s Sun Run
Finishing up in Lanzarote, Spain at a charity event organised by the Ministry of Fitness & Sun Run, Louisa Eede took on this 5k effort coming in at 2nd lady and 6th overall.
Now go back to the pool Louisa!
This week’s parkruns:
Ashford parkrun
Anna THOMSEN, 00:27:53
Joshua PINE, 00:27:53
Canterbury parkrun
James BARNEY, 00:20:33
Martin SALMON, 00:23:55
Whitstable parkrun
Greg DIXON, 00:22:59
Medina I.O.W. parkrun
Nicholas BRYANT, 00:18:58 (2nd place and 2ndmale finisher)
Great Lines parkrun, Medway
Kate EVANS, 00:25:08
Keswick parkrun
Anthony SCOTT, 00:24:58
Folkestone parkrun
Prakash GURUNG, 00:17:33 (1st place and 1stmale finisher)
George RIGBY, 00:18:39 (3rd place and 3rdmale finisher)
Krzysztof KLIDZIA, 00:18:57
Ian MERRICK, 00:18:59
Elliot CHAPMAN-JONES, 00:19:02
Thierry BAL, 00:19:12
Tristan BRUCE, 00:19:26
Derek MATCHAM, 00:19:58
Ben HANCOX, 00:20:07
Rob COLLIER, 00:20:18
Ian VOUSDEN, 00:22:04
Stuart ERSKINE, 00:22:10
Andrew GARDINER, 00:22:18
Hazel MILLARD, 00:22:43
Tim WARREN, 00:23:05
Simon COFFEY, 00:23:07
James SPRINGETT, 00:23:25
Phil HAINES, 00:23:32
Karl LETCHFORD, 00:23:54
Andrew NOBLE, 00:23:59
Catherine O’CONNOR, 00:24:29
Thomas ASPINALL, 00:24:29
Jason KING, 00:24:57
Rob HILL, 00:25:44
Kevin WHITBY, 00:27:04
Anh-Van WHITBY, 00:27:12
John O’HARA, 00:27:13
Deirdre COOMBS, 00:27:24
Neil ADAMS, 00:28:02
Alan RANDALL, 00:28:47
Anna HEGARTY, 00:29:01
Julie GIBBS, 00:30:27
Martin MURRAY, 00:31:02
Paul HANNAY, 00:31:02
Aldous HOSKING, 00:31:45
Hugo SLINGSBY, 00:32:33
Julia HENWOOD, 00:32:48
Jacob HENWOOD, 00:32:49
Malcolm GIBBS, 00:34:12
Kate LANCEFIELD, 00:34:27
Guy SLINGSBY, 00:34:51
Caron INDER, 00:40:47
Helen MERRICK, 00:41:52
Hastings parkrun
Lisa SMITH, 00:28:15
Sittingbourne parkrun
Karla LARNDER, 00:22:52 (2nd female finisher)
Uckfield parkrun
Nikki GOODWIN, 00:23:02 (1st female finisher)
Linnaea STOCKALL, 00:32:48
Yarborough Leisure Centre parkrun
Caroline CURTIS, 00:23:52
Brent PARKER, 00:38:50
Dover Waterfront parkrun
Deborah JEFFERY, 00:19:29 (1st female finisher)
Kirsty WILSON, 00:20:25 (2nd female finisher)
Thomas MURRAY, 00:20:50
Jonathan DRINKWATER, 00:28:09
Sonia MARKWELL, 00:29:04
Deborah PARMENTER, 00:29:04
Jane WREN, 00:29:04
Andrew TREMAIN, 00:29:53
Catherine-Anne CURTIS, 00:34:41