Not our best turnout. The women had a full complement but the men were two short (not too short, please note). Linda Gray put in another fine performance and is now leading lady in the over 55 category (and gets a mention in the race report, below!).
If you want a good giggle, check out a video from the event: click here.
Race report - Rob Bright
Congratulations are in order for Annabelle Stearnswho finally took the Kent Fitness League ladies’ title on Sunday after more than 3 years of trying. At Minnis Bay, she recorded her 5th successive win of the season and now has an unassailable lead with two races still to come. Her win on Sunday was by far the most emphatic of her 9 wins in this league – finishing in front of all but 14 of the leading men – and she managed to put behind her the injuries which have plagued her running since her first league win back in 2003/04.
More than 300 competitors assembled at Minnis Bay on the North Kent coast in sunny, breezy conditions. The race was run over a 6 mile circuit, taking in the usual waterlogged paths and ditches, but omitting the beach which was not available to us because of the wrong sort of tide.
Reigning champion Elaine Murty (Dartford Harriers) finished 3rd behind Kent Under 15 Champion Amy Smith and Murty is now vying for second place in the championship with Larkfield’s Nicola Susans who finished 5th (these two are currently separated by 6 thousanths of a percentage point !).
In the men’s race, Andrew Pickett was the winner by over a minute to make it four wins out of four starts. He now needs to complete just one more race to be sure of retaining his individual title from last year. Medway and Maidstone’s Clayton Barrett finished second – leading the M&M’s to another team victory - and there were top10 finishes for two Paddock Wood runners James Ridger (8th) and Steve Roberts (10th).
Invicta East Kent AC moved into second spot in the table helped by good performances from James Hogg (7th) and Mark Wilkins (12th) while a reduced stregth Larkfield AC slipped to 3rd place.
Canterbury Harriers had a pretty good day out at the seaside. While their ladies team only finished 4th on the day, they have taken the lead in the ladies’ championships – both Emma Greatrix and Barbara Wenman are in line for awards within their respective age groups. Steve Clark and Dave Hammond both have the “most improved” runner award in their sights.
New Eltham Joggers seem to have found a bright young star in Chris Wyles who opened his account with a top ten placing on Sunday. Meanwhile, Bromley Vets, who don’t often feature in these write-ups have a potential champion in the making. Linda Gray, at the age of 59, has crept onto the radar as the leading over 55 runner.
So well done to Thanet Roadrunners on yet another well organised event. There were mixed comments after the race about the “bottomless” pit we were forced to negotiate on the way back. The burly figure of Simon Burton (splattered in mud) standing alongside was a great comfort to all those who went in head first. All the highlights have been recorded on video which can be viewed on the Swanley web site.
We have a short interlude now before we all head off to Oxleas Wood on 18th February. More details to follow on this in due course.