If last week’s double marathon weekend wasn’t enough, there were two more opportunities which saw our runners take on the iconic 26.2 mile distance.
With some trail running and track sessions in the mix as well – this was another fantastic week of exercise from Folkestone Running & Athletics Club.
Prague Marathon 2025
Returning to the marathon circuit once again and after an incredible training block, Ivana Collier struck out on Sunday the 4th of May for a challenging run around the capital city of the Czech Republic.
Prague Marathon is in its 30th year and rewards participants with views across the vibrant and historic city which is often remarked as the “heart of Europe”.
Ivana went out strong and continued that extraordinary pace the entire distance coming out with a fantastic time of 3:23:33, which is a massive PB of 16 minutes!
Extraordinary effort Ivana, well done!
Milton Keynes Marathon 2025
Closer to home, Buckinghamshire sees its most popular weekend of running with the bank holiday marathon event being a particular highlight.
Milton Keynes proves to be a competitive race as it is a mostly flat and fast course and one which our Deborah Jeffery was eager to take on.
Coming 4th in her age category and 20th female overall, Deborah finished the event in an outstanding 3:20:33.
What a brilliant showing!
Weavers’ Way 50K
Back on the trials this weekend, Phil Maull and Linnaea Stockall traveled up to Norfolk on Saturday the 3rd of May during the sunny Spring spell and fancied a little jog around the countryside.
Here’s Mr Maull’s report from their 50k outing:
“It’s a beautiful course that wends its way through country trails from Stalham and passes along a disused railway path on its way to the town of North Walsham and then onto Aylsham.
“We then ran via Blickling Hall and Felbrigg Hall via some quiet village roads. There was a good mix of trail and road with gravel paths, fields, woodland, villages, country roads, lakes, village greens, farms, wildlife, birds of prey, stately homes, and finally we arrived at the iconic Cromer Pier.
“Linnaea was 18th home with a new 50K PB of 5:14:20, a fantastic achievement.
“I knew that I had a hip problem that could affect my race, and it did, so I was happy to make it back in 47th with 6:37:25. Although I ached, it was a really beautiful course!”
Job well done you two!
3000m Ashford open session
Kicking off the start of May, Guy Slingsby entered an open session run by Ashford Athletics Club, running 3000m in the under 17s.
Guy’s mum Julie had the report from the evening and how the nighttime track session went for our club junior:
“It was a learning experience as that’s a long distance for Guy on the track as opposed to road running.
“Guy also needed to clock a time under 10 minutes to be entered into the Kent Schools championships next month.
“He did himself proud, finishing 2nd place with a very nice 09:55.
“Guy said it was very hot and the track bends were challenging – but he was very happy with his performance.”
Great running as always Guy!
Parkruns for the week
The FR&AC parkrun cup continues with Mark MacFarlane facing off against Miles Gorfy, Sonia May Markwell verses Kate Evans, Julie Gibbs taking on Jon Wilson and Rosie Smissen running with David Botting.
Congratulations to Mark, Jon and Rosie and special mention to Sonia with our first PB of the competition – all through to round two!
Miles, Julie, Dave and Kate now head into round one of the B cup.
Here are the rest of the main parkrun results:
Ashford parkrun
Dave BOWERMAN, 2215
Diane PARSONS, 2702
Canterbury parkrun
James BARNEY, 2015 (2nd finisher and 2ndmale)
Folkestone parkrun
Guy SLINGSBY, 17:42 (1st finisher and 1st male)
Prakash GURUNG, 17:46 (2nd finisher and 2ndmale)
Kevin NEWMAN, 18:31
Simon RAMSAY, 18:58
Trevor DEVOOGHT, 19:08
Andrew NOBLE, 19:13
Thierry BAL, 19:17
Derek MATCHAM, 19:46
Torben JESSEN, 20:15
Thomas MURRAY, 20:32
Ian MERRICK, 20:52
Darren PHILIP, 21:32
Dan MCCARTHY, 21:40
David WEEKES, 22:10
Hazel MILLARD, 22:18
Simon COFFEY, 22:30
Tim WARREN, 22:30
Thomas ASPINALL, 22:38
Ben HANCOX, 22:58
Kirsty WILSON, 23:00
Ian VOUSDEN, 23:01
Miles GAWTHORP, 23:07
Anthony LEYTON-THOMAS, 23:15
Phil HAINES, 23:16
Jonathan ARANA-MORTON, 23:21
Kate EVANS, 24:01
Mark MACFARLANE, 24:28
Karl LETCHFORD, 24:34
Jacob HENWOOD, 25:28
David BOTTING, 25:33
Brian AUSTIN, 26:07
Anthony SCOTT, 26:12
Sonia MARKWELL, 26:18
Jane WREN, 26:28
John O’HARA, 26:41
Rosie SMISSEN, 26:51
Deborah PARMENTER, 27:07
Alan RANDALL, 27:36
Jason HERRIDGE, 27:50
Roy ATKINS, 28:25
Simon BURVILL, 28:30
Richard FOWLES, 28:39
Clive ALLON, 29:18
Anna HEGARTY, 29:24
Rebekah NEWTON, 30:07
Jacob BUCK, 30:29
Julie GIBBS, 30:56
Andrew TREMAIN, 30:58
Kayleigh RIDGWELL, 31:07
Marie BRAZIER, 31:32
Gary BRAZIER, 31:33
Amie HOWARD, 31:42
Rachel SMITH, 31:48
Malcolm GIBBS, 32:29
Caron INDER, 35:24
Lauren HART, 36:04
Helen MERRICK, 42:51
Trudi CURD, 47:07
Debbie FOWLES, 47:55
Roisin BUNT, 53:43
Sittingbourne parkrun
Martin SALMON, 24:29
Walmer and Deal Seafront parkrun
Tom BEAN, 16:58 (1st finisher and 1st male)
Henry AXON, 19:17
Amy AXON, 24:50
Hilary COLLINS, 30:08
Brooklands parkrun
Jonathan DRINKWATER, 27:16
Catherine-Anne CURTIS, 34:19
Bethlem Royal Hospital parkrun
Krzysztof KLIDZIA, 19:22
Dover Waterfront parkrun
Morgan WEST, 17:24 (1st finisher and 1st male)
Luke HICKS, 23:15
Jamie FOX, 25:13
Andrew HADLOW, 25:17
Layla DMONTE, 25:19