Another good set of performances confirming our standings in this year's tables. An excellent result for Mike Turner with probably his highest position to date, also improving on last year's time (and conditions this year were much wetter and tougher!). Great to see Ray Chapman back to something like his old form too. The ladies once more stood up to the conditions - with the exception of Pat Morton who decided to lay down in them! Well done Becky who seemed to enjoy her first outing as a guest.
Race report - Rob Bright
Larkfield AC posted their second team win of the season in the Kent Fitness League on Sunday. This win elevates the club into second place in the league table, behind Medway and Maidstone AC with just one event to go. Their star performer was Nicola Susans, who took second place in the ladies’ race following a head-to-head battle with Medway’s Emma Harraden, the two finishing half a minute behind reigning ladies’ champion Elaine Murty (Dartford Harriers).
Evidently with other competing attractions on the same weekend, the sixth race of the season attracted a much reduced field of 260 to the notoriously hellish venue at Oxleas Wood, Eltham. Conditions underfoot were soft in places, but the weather was dry and mild. Well done to Ray Marshall and Plumstead Runners for getting everything into place on the day.
Andrew Pickett (Dartford Harriers) registered his 5th straight victory in this competition to take the male championship title for the second year in succession. Clayton Barrett (Medway and Maidstone) pushed him all the way and was unlucky not to come away with his first competition win, but he retains the runners up spot in the championship.
There was an unfortunate navigational error on leaving the woodland halfway around the first circuit when the leading half dozen took the wrong route. It’s difficult to say whether or not this had a bearing on the result as they all got back on track soon afterwards, but Mike Baron had his best finish of the season (3rdplace) to take the leading M40 spot.
Invicta East Kent’s Paul Ross-Davies was the leading over 50 veteran in 8th place, almost a minute clear of Medway and Maidstone rival Phil Wallace and Istead’s Peter Burton was the first over 60 male. In the ladies’ race, Barbara Wenman (Canterbury Harriers) and Sue James (Paddock Wood AC) took the honours in the senior veteran categories.
With Invicta choosing not to field any women this time, the ladies’ team race was thrown wide open, andSwanley took full advantage – Jane Blackmore, Stephanie Wood and Sharon McGuiness being the successful trio.
So on to Capstone Park next Sunday for our final race of the season. There is no junior race once again – the main event kicks off at 11.00 am. 10 km in length, most of the two lap route is on grass; there are plenty of undulations but (unlike Oxleas) very few tree roots to worry us. I circulated some race details yesterday – bear in mind the limited parking which will be located by the main country park and lake off Capstone Lane – allow a 10 minute walk to get to the start.