Spring is on its way and with it, the early signs of sunnier days to come. Cooler running wear brought out of storage, racing season soon to fill the air and the marathon training few coming into bloom.
Before the season really hits its stride though, a weekend of late-winter half marathons beckoned our runners this March – and they heeded the call!
Check out what we’ve been up to in this week’s latest race report, written up by one of the runner’s themselves (Thomas Aspinall! *wave*):
Paddock Wood Half Marathon 2026
A foggy and crisp Sunday morning greeted our runners making their way through North Kent for an idyllic countryside half marathon at Paddock Wood.
The popular event sees 3000 participations take to the idyllic lanes, hop gardens and orchards surrounding the town in Tumbridge Wells.
It’s known to our members as a “great race for a PB” but did it deliver? Oh, you can bet it did!
Some fabulous efforts from everyone who came out on the day, some in the midst of full marathon training, others aiming for best efforts – while many just wanted to enjoy the moment.
We’ve got a ton of great runs to go through, so let’s get to it!
First home for the club was Daniel Radcliffe at 1:12:31 while behind him was Nick Steele who claimed an extraordinary new PB in 1:18:37.
We saw a collection of great runs from our crew of endurance runners which included Simon Ramsay at 1:19:24, Paul Bartlett in a strong new PB of 1:20:57 and Krzysztof Klidzia 1st in his Vet 60 Men age category with a time of 1:22:15.
Anna Thomsen, first lady back for the club and in a fab new personal best, finished in 1:26:05 – what a great run she had!
Just behind her was Torben Jessen with 1:27:00 (3rd in his age category), then James Owen who fought for his fresh new PB with 1:28:32 and shaved over 3 minutes off his previous time. He was then followed by Jason Ramsey who crossed the line at 1:30:10.
Thomas Aspinall (writer of this report) though going for PB couldn’t quite get the extra ‘oomph’ he needed on the day. A very respectable finish time of 1:32:49 with his/my thoughts on the race being: “Let’s go for another”.
Club coach Catherine O’Connor showed us how it’s done by reaching her much-sought after HM PB (looking effortlessly we might add) with a new time of 1:33:59, coming 2nd in her age category (out of 94 V40 Women)!
After her was a new PB for Miles Gorfy (a fair few years after his last!) in 01:33:39.
Running together the entire way, Louisa Eede (in 1:38:47) and Phil Haines (1:38:49) both carried eachother to the end and were rewarded with brand-new PBs.
Phil took a break from his usual Sunday duties of tending his flock to join in on a club weekend run. We’re sure he didn’t mind that he did as he came home with 7 minutes knocked off his previous outing.
Julie Anne and Nicole Dodd both did the girls proud on International Women’s Day with some stunning new PB’s! Nicole Dodd brought home another impressive showing with 1:38:58 and Julie with her first sub-two hour finish with a time of 1:57:10.
Ian Vousdan put down a great effort at 1:47:11, with Jenny ‘Twiggy’ Heathfield rocking up not far behind at 1:53:34. Jason King (1:58:02), Julie Apps (1:57:10) and Deborah Fowles (2:11:29) all rounded the day up nicely with their respective amazing times.
Lisbon Half Marathon 2026
We take a short flight over to the much sunnier climates in Portugal as we follow Ron Bell who traveled to take on the Lisbon Half Marathon.
During the same weekend where the quickest half marathon time ever was run – was it our Ron? Not quite, but he did put down an extraordinary effort all the same!
It was his second of the mighty ‘Super Half’s’ which meant he gave it his best on what was a very warm day. With good support and encouragement, he did it in 1:57:31.
Well done Ron!
parkruns for the week:
While we all love our parkrun close to home, Beth Goodchild took it one step further and not only took on her local parkrun – but all the surrounding ones too!
That’s all 26 Kent events under her belt with the picturesque, friendly and muddy Dartford Heath the last to log.
What a brilliant adventure Beth, now onto East Sussex, Surrey, Greater London and Essex!
In other news it was another great week of parkruns, with the latest parkrun results ready to find here.