We got off to a good start at Canterbury on a beautiful, if slightly chilly day. Our men were very well placed, finishing in 12th position (albeit that only the combined and women only standings actually count in the championship stakes). That gave us a good leg up onto the combined team ladder anyway. Anne Unseld was unfortunately the only woman in our team and with three to score, that rather pushed us down the snake a little, as it were, in the combined and left us next to bottom in the women only category.
Paul Marshall was again our top man, though guest and 'pre-vet' Simon Horler will be certainly vying for that spot if he joins us. Some excellent performances from relative newcomers Mark Russell and Rob Brown as well, with Chris Marshall just pipping the recovering Ken Daniel. Jim Peters continues to go from strength to strength and we may be seeing a top 100 place soon!
KFL Race Report - Rob Bright
Around 350 runners turned out for our opening race at Canterbury on Sunday. They were treated to mild autumnal temperatures and a cloudless sky as they negotiated a 5 ¼ mile circuit of slippery woodland tracks and the result provided an early team success for Larkfield AC.
Larkfield’s leading trio of Gareth Evans, Ashley Howes and Simon Hesketh were well to the fore after the opening mile, along with Medway’s Clayton Barrett, Invicta’s Jamie Bailey and an unfamiliar figure in the shape of Essex-based runner Jonathan Briggs making a guest appearance. Briggs started to pull away in the woods taking Evans in tow, followed some distance behind by Bailey, Hesketh and Barrett. After 1 ½ miles, Briggs drew away from Evans and steadily built up a lead of nearly a minute by the time he crossed the finish line.
Gareth Evans, a talented triathlete and modern pentathlete, crossed the line in a time of 29.13 as the official winner and followed his exertions with a 35 mile cycle ride back to his home in Cobham. Howes took second place and Hesketh (leading over 40 man) made it a 1-2-3 for Larkfield.
Invicta East Kent had two teenagers – Jamie Bailey and Kieron Riley finishing 5th and 6th respectively. In all, there were 6 clubs represented amongst the top 10 finishers pointing to a closely faught competition throughout the winter. The leading over 50 man was Mike Baron (Swanley) in 18th place while Phil Wallace (Medway & Maidstone) was the fastest over 60 runner in 43rd position.
Larkfield’s celebrations were completed when Nicola Groom came home the clear winner in the ladies’ race having beaten all but 34 of the men. Her time of 33.11 brought her across the line over 1½ minutes c
In the combined team race, Larkfield AC were the clear winners ahead of Canterbury Harriers and Dartford Roadrunners. Gravesend RR pulled out their best ever team effort to finish 4th. Reigning champions Paddock Wood AC opened their campaign in 12th place and face an uphill task to get back up with the leaders having fielded an under-strength team on the day.
The next race is at Swanley on 14th November.