Race Report View

KFL - Swanley - 14 Mar 2010

This last, re-arranged meeting took place over a different course in Swanley Park. Going into the race Pam Woodward and Linda Gray were vying to win the prize in the ladies 60+ age group. And the winner was ... Pam Woodward - well done Pam. We managed full teams in both the men's and ladies' sections, so congratulations to all who made the effort.

KFL Race Report - Rob Bright

There was triumph and disappointment in equal measures at the final race of the Kent Fitness League series at Swanley on Sunday.

At the end of a truly awful winter, our season was extended into March for the first time to complete the 7 scheduled races and Swanley Park was blessed with warm sunshine to greet the 260 plus starters.

The individual race was dominated by winners of earlier races - Thanet’s Abdi Madar, winner at Sevenoaks and Dartford’s Ben Louch, winner of the Deal race. The two were together at the halfway point, but Madar had the strength to pull away on the second lap, covering the 5 mile route in 27 min 34 sec. Behind them were two of the main contenders for the Individual Championship – James Ridger (Padd Wd) and Clayton Barratt (Med & Maid) were locked together for much of the race, but Ridger managed to pull away just before the line. However, an emotional Barratt had done enough to hold on to the mens championship – his first ever title which followed nearly a year on crutches in 2008. However, Ridger will look back to the hiatus in the Fowlmead race which probably robbed him of the overall championship which he won last year.

Medway and Maidstone AC were well placed in the men’s race with Barratt (5th); Josh Elderfield (6th); Leon Iwanca (9th) and Josh Nice (12th) – but their lack of women runners left them trailing in the team race.

Tina Oldershaw dominated the ladies’ race, notching up her sixth win in as many races this season – finishing amongst the top 20 men and 1 ½ minutes ahead of the rest of the women. Lara Hawkings finished strongly in second place on a great day out for New Eltham Joggers which also saw four men in the top 20 (led by Chris Wyles in 3rd place) and three women in the top 10. The Joggers took second spot in the combined team race and third in the championship (their best ever) and will have greater ambitions for next season.

The reigning champions, Larkfield AC went into the final race with a two point advantage at the top of the league ahead of Paddock Wood. But they were unable to field their strongest team owing to injuries and key runners unavailable through marathon training. So, despite a valiant run by Nicola Groom to finish 4th lady and a great effort by Martin Taylor to take 13th place, their team score suffered and could only manage 4th place on the day.

Paddock Wood took full advantage, with the main support for Ridger and Oldershaw coming from Gareth Robb (8th), Steve Roberts (14th) and Rob Rowland (17th) in the mens race; Victoria McGregor and Laura Burton finishing 5th and 6th in the ladies’ event. By easily taking maximum team points on the day, they climbed just one point clear of Larkfield to lift the team trophy they last held in 2008. Congratulations to Paddock wood for a holding together a sustained team effort throughout the season.