Cloke completes toughest challenge

Athletics

Neil Cloke overcame the challenge of one of Europe’s toughest races in Europe – the Lavaredo Ultra.

The Ashford Road Running Club member was 218th out of 972 finishers in a time of 20 hours, two minutes 13 seconds.

Sixteen-hundred starters set out on the 74-mile course from Cortina d‘Ampezzao in the Southern Dolomites, featuring five climbs and a total climb of more than 19,000 feet.

Closer to home, Dean Bracken was 40th in a field of 500 starters at the Leeds Castle Triathlon Sprint on Saturday.

He covered the 750m swim, 26k bike ride and 5k off-road run in a time of 1:35.35.

Jon Wiles battled through the pain barrier to complete the tough Race to the King Ultra marathon.

He completed the 53.5mile multi-terrain race from Arundel through the South Downs National Park to the finish at Winchester Cathedral in 20 hours, 11 minutes.

Five club members competed in the North Downs Run, a 30k race including some tough climbs.

Wet conditions made it difficult, with Anthony Brown first home, 87th overall in 2:41.25, followed home by Richard Baker, 100th in 2:44.27.

Mark Attenborough was 153rd in 2:54.44, with Ingvild Firth (3:09.25) and Rhian Shrimplin (3:15.47).

Ashford AC’s Matthew Hogben won the PodPlus MNDA Three Lakes 5k in Ashford on Sunday.

Hogben finished in 17.42, more than a minute ahead of runnerup Mark Peacock (18.47).

RRC’s Stu Nunn was 20th (23.59), followed home by Steve Hickman, 32nd (27.58).

Pictures: Chris Davey FM4402471/FM4402503 Buy these pictures from kentonline.co.uk Ashford golfer Jason Barnes tees off at the Final Open qualifying at Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club. Below, Chart Hills’ Mark Collins who finished tied 11th

Ashford Road Running Club at the Northdown 30k