This special edition of our Race Report focuses on our biggest race of the year, the Folkestone 10 – in its 42nd iteration!
It’s the trademark event for our club with all our members invited to support its success.
All volunteer-run, the 10 couldn’t take place without the dedication, teamwork and positive spirit of everyone involved.
A thank you firstly must go to all who helped out this year and celebrated every runner who joined us on the day.
Mention must also be given to Folkestone Rotary Club who worked with us in managing the course.
Here’s just a selection of some of our hardworking gang:
Participants on the day expected to enjoy a fast, flat course on a mainly traffic-free seafront promenade from Hythe to Folkestone and back again.
What they didn’t quite bargain for however…was the wind!
We tried our best to keep it at bay, but hey – who said running was meant to be easy?
Thankfully, it didn’t stop some extraordinary efforts out on display, with first-timers, experienced athletes and those deep in marathon training taking on the 10.
Looking for some pictures from the day? View them all here!
Full results can be found online at folkestone10mile.co.uk but some notable shout outs must be made.
Battling against that coastal wind, it’s our first male and female finishers, Marshall Smith and Helen Winsor with times of 55:02 and 1:02:14 respectively.
Brilliant showing from them both on what was a difficult day to achieve a personal best (though they did keep their streak as they both came first year!).
Behind them we welcomed more than 700 runners on the day with each putting down times to be proud of.
Here are the top prize winners in the age, gender and team categories:
Top 3 Male Finishers:
- Marshall Smith
- Dillon Hobbs
- Will Trease
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Age category winners:
Senior: Mason Willis
MV40: Barry Stephenson
MV45: Johnnie Arnould
MV50: Justin Lane
MV55: Andrew Green
MV60: Keith Dowson
MV65: Stephen Austin
MV70: Mike Hayley
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Top 3 Female Finishers:
- Helen Winsor
- Nichola Evans
- Melody Kane
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Age category winners:
Senior: Emily Hale
FV40: Katherine James
FV45: Gemma Carter Collins
FV50: Ali Farrall
FV55: Penny Pilbeam
FV60: Rose Baker
FV65: Tina Barton
FV70: Ann Fidge
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First female team: Tonbridge AC – Helen Windsor, Nichola Evans, Jess Lovell
First male team: Tonbridge AC – Mason Willis, Daniel Bradley, Jay Smith
Well done everyone for their brilliant showing.
There was also a Junior Fun Run on The Green which was open to school year 4 (and below) in the 500m distance and a 1500m run open to school year 5 (up to age 16).
Well done to our junior runners and those who may take on the Folkestone 10 proper in the future.
Each year for our Folkestone 10 we have a lucky dip draw where select members of our club get to hang up their hi vis vests and put on their white, red and blue shirts.
This year saw David Hitching, Jake Harvey, Ron Bell and Belinda Hitching represent Folkestone on the day.
Here are their results:
- David Hitching: 1:12:49
- Jake Harvey: 1:24:56
- Ron Bell 1:26:00
- Belinda Hitching 1:34:21
Well done you four, you did us proud!
Thank you to our sponsors this year which included Hythe Garden Landscapes, Holiday Extras, EverMore Dog Rescue and Zintouch.
We also give appreciation to all the businesses, food vendors and friends & family supporters that filled our new event village in Hythe.
Race Director, Martin Murray had this to say
“Another successful year, thanks so so much to all you wonderful volunteers, the race would not run without your support. Sorry about the weather, but there were many smiling faces at the end!”
A couple of our volunteers got out early on the day to clear a massive load of shingle which had encroached onto the running course.
Without your efforts we may not have been able to continue with the day, can you imagine the disappointment!?
Despite the weather, this year was was well supported throughout the course with neighbours and visitors cheering everyone on.
It’s a pleasure to arrange each year, with every event bringing new faces to our town on the coast.
Folkestone Running & Athletics Club Chair, Margaret Whitham added:
“The 42nd Folkestone 10 was a great success. Thanks to everybody’s contribution. A special mention of course to the amazing Committee who give up so much of their time leading up to, during and after the event to make it a success. I hope you all enjoy the rest of Easter.”
With this year’s success it does mean we’re already getting things planned ahead for another big 10 next year.
We hope to see you again in 2027!
