Monday 13th – Sunday 20th October
We are in for a trip around Europe in this week’s race report with our members flying miles to bring back some well-earned bling.
Pack your bags, don’t forget your passport and let’s set our sights on what amazing things they have all been up to:
Yorkshire Marathon 2025
Kicking off this week is our Folkestone Running & Athletics Club coach Catherine O’Connor taking on the Yorkshire Marathon.
Around the scenic city of York, this stellar 26.2 miler brings a tough challenge but not one the seasoned O’Connor would shy away from.
With a cheer squad there with her on the day and all FRAC members rooting her on from home, Catherine crossed the line with a stunning new PB.
With a time of 3:24:11, coming 1st in her age category and also qualifying for the England Masters in 2026 – she really did Folkestone proud.
Joining her on the day was John O’Hara who also took on the distance and finished in a great time of 4:04:59.
Not only did they support, but Pamela Moore and Clive Allon both ran the Yorkshire 10 Mile road race and both came in at 01:24.
Cheeky Clive out sprinted Pam at the finish! Poor form 😉
Brilliant effort to you all!
Amsterdam Marathon 2025
before taking on this year’s Amsterdam Marathon
Next up, a host of runners headed across to the Netherlands for not only a flat, fast experience but also the 50th anniversary of the Amsterdam Marathon.
A stunning showing for our first runner home Simon Ramsay who finished just under the sub-3 hour mark in a time of 2:56:22.
Greg Dixon running yet another this year had this to say about his time in Dam:
“Went really well despite lack of actual fuelling. Seems they dont do porridge over there! The course was terrific and flat, just cold at the start (being an hour ahead of the UK didn’t help). Fabulous run in 3:38:03. Loved it.”
Following up behind was Diane Parsons in 4:03:16 which is a great new PB for her.
Nicole Dodd was there too and had this to say on her new 4:01:14 personal best:
“Bit gutted to just miss out on a sub-4. Some of the paths were so narrow and crowded (and covered in banana & wet sponges) making it difficult to maintain pace.
“My highlight was randomly bumping into Aldous Hosking at around 12 miles, we had a FRAC high five! Amazing race, the atmosphere finishing in the Olympic stadium was electric.”
Speaking of Aldous Hosking he finished up at 4:42:52 just before his running buddy Anthony Scott who was pipped at the post at 4:44:19. Tony’s achilles went at about 30km and had to hobble the rest of the way.
Brilliant performances from all six of you!
Rome Half Marathon 2025
Now over to Italy where we see Helen Webb taking on a half marathon attempt in Rome.
It wasn’t a PB day for her but what a historic and beautiful city to run around anyway!
At 1 hour 57 minutes, this was all about taking in the sights of the city and enjoying the scenery and sunshine.
“It was an amazing course, through the streets of Rome and finishing at the Coliseum” Helen remarked on the day.
Abingdon Marathon 2025
Back to the UK now and for another marathon which sees Deborah Jeffery running the England Masters.
A stunning time of 03:12:01 and achieving 3rd V55 bronze place. It was a wet and windy marathon but Deborah was proud to run for her country – so she should be!
Maidstone Half Marathon 2025
Sarah Nunn tackled the undulating hills of Maidstone for a half marathon which saw her finish in a PB time of 1:53:56.
Starting and finishing at Mote Park, the race takes on the town’s roads and through some pretty villages.
That’s a pretty good showing for you too Sarah!
Ljubljana Marathon 2025
What does Nikki Goodwin love just as much as visiting beautiful countries around the globe? It’s running marathons!
The largest running event in Slovenia which has been around since 1996, Nikki has added another stamp to her marathon passport.
Not only did she get around this lovely city, she also did it in 3:26:39!
Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge 2025
Now for something a little different.
Adam Ward went further than some of those marathon-length distances and took on the Jurassic Coast 54km Ultra Challenge.
Putting in the training for this race across a world heritage coastline in Dorset, this was the opportunity for some dinosaur-sized views.
In a finish time of 6:45:02 and a nice middle of the pack finish at 232/447, here’s what he had to say:
“Honestly not sure where to begin with this. It was a grind from the start, with everyone setting off so quickly, I was immediately unsure if I was in the right place.
“I skipped the first aid station, as I was well stocked with everything. By 11km I was starting to feel the climbs. Then the poles came out for the first major incline, 150m of e+ over 3.2km.
“It felt neverending, and typically – there was a photographer right at the top.”
Kent Cross Country League Round 2
Returning for the second round of the Kent Cross Country League, this time at Somerhill – our entrants were ready for another muddy run!
Here are the results:
SENIOR / VET WOMEN
- Kate Evans, 42:35
- Rosie Smissen, 43:47
- Hilary Collins, 45:13
- Maria Felicetti, 53:42
- Rachel Thompson, 54:44
SENIOR / VET MEN
- Nick Steele, 31:33
- Krzysztof Klidzia, 31:51
- Jacob Henwood, 33:12
- Andrew Wright, 34:26
- David Weekes, 36:29
- Andrew John Smith, 51:06
U13 BOYS
- Jacob Gillett, 10:51
- Samuel Deeming, 12:36
U15 GIRLS
- Poppy Duncan, 17:23
U17/U20 MEN
- Oscar Roach, 18:43
- Guy Slingsby, 19:06
V70 MEN / V65 WOMEN
- David Smyth, 26:16
parkrun results
Another week of great runs, with the latest parkrun results being found here.