Entries 2000
Finishers 1792
Fastest 1hr 09mins 11secs
Slowest 3hr 08mins 38secs
The course in the Race Instructions is described as one of the most testing and picturesque on the racing calendar. The one lap circuit through some of Kent’s finest countryside includes a few notable hills which will "interrupt conversations", these including Smarts Hill at about six miles and the longer and steeper Spring Hill at seven miles. Personally they did more than "interrupt conversations" but rather brought on the need for a sniff of oxygen.
The weather forecast for the weekend had been for strong winds, heavy rains and very low temperatures and for once the forecasters proved correct. Travelling down to the event in torrential rain it was tempting to do a u turn but not to be deterred I pressed on to the event Headquarters. Fortunately the organisers had hired the Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre, however as the start time drew nearer there was a great reluctance on the part of the competitors to leave the warmth of the Centre and emerge into the rain and make their way to the start despite requests from the organiser. Ponchos were given out to many of the runners to combat the weather.
Nevertheless the event, started by Dame Kelly Holmes, did get away on time. Some parts of the course resembled a cross country event with flood waters above the ankles and it was not helped by a minority of motorists taking delight in driving through the floods at a fast speed and spraying the runners with icy water.
All in all a day when the weather was as much of a challenge as the hills.