A Major success at first time of asking

Athletics

A record 451 runners took part in Saturday’s Maidstone parkrun and a fresh face was the first to the finish as Michael Major led everyone home in 16min55sec.

Major was closely followed by regular leader Tom Carpenter in 17.08 with first-time visitor to Maidstone, Maxwell Phillips, finishing in third place in 17.36.

Nicola Susans was the leading lady in 20.44, followed by two runners producing personal bests. Abigail Jordon (JW15-17) was second in 20.57 and Nicole Priestley third in 21.00.

Julian Spencer-Wood (VM65- 69) took the top age-graded spot with a time of 20.22 to finish 25th overall for a score of 83.14%.

There was also a large field at Malling, where 228 runners took part.

Leo Gifford produced a best of 18.08 to be the first finisher, ahead of Justin Lane (18.50).

Leading lady was Tereza Francova in 20.52, followed home by two first-time visitors – Vicky Cooper in 21.27 and Grace Simmonds (JW11-14) in 22.04.

The age-graded top score went to Michael Beecher with 75.12% for 10th place overall in 21.10.

Dragons Running Club had two runners in The Deal Castle 5 mile race. Katherine Smith finished in 42.35 and Clare Fullager in 1hr02min10sec.