Kentish Express Ashford & District
Davies out on his own
There were some excellent performances by members of the Ashford & District RRC squad at the third round of the Kent Cross Country League at Danson Park, Bexley, on Saturday.
Mike Davies came first in the men’s vet 70 by more than three minutes which keeps him flying high in pole position in the standings.
The women’s three to score team came ninth, which keeps them ninth in the overall table. In the six to score, the team finished seventh, which keeps them seventh overall.
For the women’s teams, the top three consisted of: Becks Macey, 21st in a time of 20min 32sec; Essen Larsen, 57th in 22.54; and Christine Costiff, 63rd in 23.05.
Macey is sixth in the masters league table and chasing a county vest.
Finishing off the six to score were: Jill CroftonMartin, 85th in 24.02; Rhian Shrimplin, 91st in 24:13; Gill O’Connor, 93rd in 24.15.
Following strongly were: Claire Williams, 101st in 24.34; Massah Cooper, 102nd in 24:37; Ailis Goddard, 113th in 25.17; Jaclyn Kay, 121st in 25.51; Sandi Mortimer 123rd in 26.01, and Lucy Johnston 154th, in 29.57.
Costiff is first overall in the masters 55 category, with O’Connor now third after her performance at the weekend.
Steve Hickman completed the Remembrance Day Marathon in Walton-on-Thames on Sunday, marking his 162nd marathon to date.
Running along the banks of the Thames, Hickman finished in 4hr 31min 05sec.
In Hampshire, John Beale finished third overall in the New Forest Trail Half Marathon in a time of 1:41.02.
The mud and tough hills provided a challenging first trail half marathon for Adrian Beresford, who was 16th overall in 1:51.56.
■ A total of 249 people brave a chilly Saturday morning at Victoria Park for the Ashford parkrun.
Ashford Striders celebrating were Peter Broom (29min 07sec) and Michelle Rowles (31.52) with personal bests times and Josh Witten, who completed his 50th parkrun in 24.08.
First to finish for the Striders was Paul McDonnell in 18.31, followed by Robert Wood 22.49 and Shane Snowwolf 23.51.
First Strider lady to finish was Alison Waters in 24.07, followed by Josh Whiten in 24.08.
Other finishers: Steve Rumsey 24.55, Owen Protheroe 24.55, Frank Remigio 25.48, Helen Weeden 26.27, Becca Hurley 27.52, Vicky Stevenson 28.47, Lisa Jones 28.47,
Daniel Forbes 28.50, Rachel Forrester 29.01, David Holland 29.06, Rachel Theobold 29.22, Kevin York 29.22, Hazel Forrester 29.56, John Mitchell 29.58, Brian Forrester 30.02, Mark Archer 30.46, Reece Corner 30.53, Tamsin Ritchie 31.09, Martin Whittingam 31.20, and Amelia Letteboer 32.54.
Pam Hunt was a volunteer.
Jacob Henwood took on the Southwark parkrun, finishing in 22.01. Lee Standen (28.31), Jamie Bartlett (28.41) and Clare Maxlow (38.32) sampled the undulating Bedgebury Pinetum parkrun.
Danielle Moss completed the Reigate Priory parkrun in 45.07, while Hannah Lothian was in Folkestone, finishing in 25.45.
Alice Cook took part in the Chiltern Cross Country League meeting in Milton Keynes, completing the 3.6 miles in 28.58.
A group of Striders took on this week’s Great Run Local on Sunday morning.
Brian Marsh (23.54) was the first Strider to finish. He was followed by Robert Wood 26.09, Becca Hurley 28.22, Tricia Lovell 31.41, John Mitchell 32.04, Kirsty Theobold 36.37, Clare Maxlow 40.19 and Pam Hunt 40.30.
Chris Sardo ran in the Athens marathon on Sunday. He completed the course in 3hr 58min 13sec.