Including our guest, Derek Laws (running for the first time in a cross country), there were 21 BVAC runners taking part at this event, probably an all time record. Thanks to everyone involved. Also to June Marshall for the usual record keeping and money taking and to Maureen Farish who had intended to run but came along anyway when she didn't feel up to it.
Didn't we do well! This was also probably one of our highest ever positions. Check out the results for this event, below.
KFL Race Report - Rob Bright
Medway and Maidstone AC took over as league leaders after the second race of the Kent Fitness League at Swanley on Sunday.
The 350 strong field observed a minute’s silence on the start line at 11.00 ambefore setting off on a looping, switchback 2 laps around Swanley Parktotalling just over 5 miles. Quickly moving to the front were reigning Male Champion Andrew Pickett (Dartford Harriers), winner of the first race Martin Castle (Istead & Ifield Harriers) and newcomer Josef Zidak (Medway and Maidstone AC). By the end of the first circuit, Pickett had started to pull away, so Castle and Zidak were left to battle for the minor placings. By the time he crossed the finish line in 28 min 42 sec, Pickett’s winning margin had extended to 43 seconds with Castle taking second place.
The 20 year old Slovakian, Zidek, an established steeplechaser, finished a close third and his Medway andMaidstoneclub colleagues Clayton Barrett and Josh Nice took the following two places. Mike Baronof the promoting club Swanley and District AC finished 7th to lead in the over 40 men while Larkfield’s 17 year old James Gibson finished an outstanding 10th on his league debut.
The ladies’ race was a much closer contest. Reigning champion Elaine Murty (Dartford Harriers) was the early leader, but she lost ground in the second half. Michelle Flaxton (another previous league champion) of Dartford Road Runners also took a turn at the front, but the honours went to Annabelle Stearns (Invicta East Kent) who registered her second win of the season in a time of 33 min 20 sec. Flaxton was close behind in second place with Nicola Susans (Larkfield AC) taking third spot.
Medway and Maidstone’s success in the combined team place was greatly assisted by Phil Wallace who led in the over 50 men in 25th place and Emma Harraden who finished 7th lady. Invicta East KentAC lost their place on the top of the table despite having three women (Stearns, Sara Luck and Lisa Clayton) in the top 10.
All in all, it was another excellent race with everyone enjoying the autumnal sunshine. A minor glitch occurred at the start of the race with the leaders heading off in different directions, but they managed to regroup as they crossed the railway line (which had live trains running !). Apparently both car parks filled up well before the start. Marshals noted the high number of runners arriving one per car which, of course contributes to the parking problem. We all need to do our bit to ease the congestion on facilities with the numbers we are now getting. and car sharing is one way of doing this – you might also help to save the planet.
And finally, I’m afraid, another rant about wearing club colours. With runners crossing the finish line at up to 30 per minute, the process of identifying those not wearing their colours causes delays and queuing in the funnel which interferes with the race. This is unacceptable and so, in future, anyone running without a recognisable club vest will be timed in only as a guest and will not feature in the individual or team results of that race. By the same token, anyone who runs up the finishing straight having previously finished or with no intention of going through the funnel is also interfering with the race. Please keep well away from the finish line if you are not in the race. Anyone who contravenes this renders their club liable to disqualification. End of rant.
The next race is at Nurstead Court, Meopham on 26th November, the course is mixture of woodland tracks and fields totalling 5 ½ miles or thereabouts. The water feature will be topped up ready for your arrival !