Kentish Express Ashford & District
Latala in a league of his own in parkruns
Athletics
Robert Latala was in excellent form in the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day parkruns at Ashford, being first home in both. The Ashford and District Road Running Club member crossed the line on Christmas Eve in 17.04 and was followed home in fourth by clubmate Dan Green, who ran 18.11. Robert Carpenter was ninth in 19.41, with Keith Haynes (21.02) 17th and Mark Attenborough (21.11) 18th. Terry Sellen clocked 21.37, Christine Costiff 21.42 (fourth lady), Claire Green 23.59 (seventh lady) and William Whittington 24.40, while John Fidge (25.09) was first MV60. Simon Jackson registered 26.27, with Andrew Smith clocking 28.50, Ann Fidge 29.00 (second in age category) and Nigel Costiff 29.26. On Christmas Day, Latala ran almost three-quarters-of-a-minute quicker than the day before to cross the line in 16.21. Trevor Kay was fourth in 17.59, with Paul Moses 12th and first MV50 in 19.29. Other times were: Robert Carpenter (21st in 20.26), Danyel Giles (22.18, seventh lady and new personal best), Jonny Wells (38th in 23.19), Julius Sampson (23.54), Simon Jackson (26.23), Kevan James (27.56) and Claire Green (28.51).
Dean Bracken led the club’s challenge in the Saltwood Boxing Day Run on Monday. The event, run over a three-mile off road muddy course, attracted a field of more than 1,000 and Bracken came home 30th in 19minutes 44seconds. Julius Sampson was 39th in 20.08, while Johnny Wells was five places further back in 20.10. Stu Nunn finished 177th in 25.02 with Steve Hickman 394th in 30.44.
CJ Lattimer came home second in the Rutland Water parkrun on Saturday. Lattimer clocked a time of 18.01 with Jo Lattimer sixth lady in 22.58.