France trip brings out the best

Athletics

Ashford & District RRC completed a clean sweep of international honours at the Hardelot 10k in northern France on Saturday.

The town welcomed more than 550 runners. Ashford & District fielded a team of 20, with men’s club captain Scott Lynch picking up the team prize for the club.

Trevor Kay was first home for Ashford in 36min 41sec, finishing in 21st place overall and winning the first international male prize.

Danyel Carter picked up the first international women’s prize, with a personal best 43.09 in 130th place overall.

Dean Bracken finished in a season’s best of 38.20 for 35th overall, just ahead of Scott Lynch in 38.29 (39th).

Other Ashford & District finishers: 77 Richard Baker 41.12, 93 Chris Boyce 41.51, 95 Mark Attenborough 41.53, 137 Adrian Moody 43.39, 205 Hazel Turner 46.30, 241 Mark Carlton 47.33, 306 Frances Hunt 50.20 (PB), 307 Brad Bunk 50.20, 335 Elodie Paviot 51.55, 336 Jaclyn Kay 52.00, Helen 415 Weeden 56.07, 419 Simon Jackson 56.25, 427 John Fidge 57.02, 445 Lucy Johnstone 58.03 PB, 506 Ann Fidge 1:00.43, 562 Julie Foster 1:12.41.

Jon Wells took on the impressively titled ‘Man v Mountain’ adventure race, finishing 98th overall and 25th in category in 4:59.26. The 22-mile course starts at sea level and weaves its way up to the summit of Snowdon, coming back down the other side into Dinorwic Quarry.

In Ashford parkrun action, Dan Green was first home for Ashford & District RRC, finishing second overall in 18.35.

Other club finishers: 17 Paul Brasington 21.37, 28 Edward Rodger 23.00, 30 Robert Carpenter 23.14, 37 James Chapman 23.52, 56 Will Whittington 25.04, 127 Claire Green 29.00, 137 Heather Johnston 29.38 PB, 164 Becky Hodgson 32.8, 187 Jeremy Chambers 35.14.

Jon Wiles completed the Parallel London 10k, at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in a time of 48.34, finishing 44th overall.

The event is a fully inclusive fun run which caters for all ages and abilities. Jon was also representing the charity, Christmas for Kids.

Steve Hickman travelled to Hampshire for his 141st marathon.

In the Andover Trail Marathon, Hickman completed the hilly run in 5:05.28, despite taking a detour at 21 miles due to a lack of signs.

Rik Holden finished the Kent Coastal Marathon in 49th position overall and 13th in the men’s V40 category in 3:55.08.

Robert Latala competed in the Longford Marathon, Ireland, finishing third in an impressive time of 2:39.56.

Trevor Kay with his trophy in Hardelot

Ashford & District RRC’s Danyel Carter, left, and Scott Lynch in Hardelot, northern France