Racers fancy anniversary run

Athletics

A total of 368 runners took to the Medway towpath on Saturday for Maidstone’s parkrun, many in fancy dress to celebrate 13 years since the first parkrun took place in Bushy Park, Hertfordshire.

As many times previously, Tom Carpenter was first to finish in 17min28sec while Marley Godden, second two weeks ago, was runner-up again in 18.15. Ed Peters, a previous winner, came third in 18.26.

Charlotte Bates was first lady in 20.57 and Vera Hunter, second two weeks ago, repeated that performance in 21.08. Tanya Stelfox took third place in 22.20.

Dave Moorekite also repeated his effort of two weeks ago by taking the age-graded top position, finishing 62nd overall, in 23.33 for 83.51%.

At Malling, 193 runners celebrated the day where Stephen Turpie led everyone home in 18.28 with Harry Young (JM15-17) second in 18.49 and first-time visitor Garon Heslop taking third place in 19.17.

Tereza Francova was first lady again in 20.49 with Laura Taylor second in 22.19 and another first-time visitor, Maria Medvedieva, third in 23.09.

Best age-graded score was a close call with James Graham (VM60- 64) finishing 10th overall in 20.35 for 80.73%, just ahead of Heslop whose third place in 19.17 gave him 80.38%.

Local parkrunners in other events included Charlotte Bates, who was second lady in the Givaudan Ashford 10k in 40.32. Viki Garrett (Dragons Running Club) was 693rd in 1hr02min11sec with 986 runners taking part.

Janice Moorekite (Larkfield AC) ran the Chester Marathon in 4:19.47, finishing 1,624th out of 2,644 runners.