Kentish Express Ashford & District
Craig’s marathon effort!
Craig Hoveman completed two marathons in two days over the weekend and beat his first time by a minute.
He was one of several South Kent Harriers completing marathon runs on what should have been the date of the delayed London event.
Hoveman completed his first run in 4hrs 24mins, running between Hythe and Folkestone three times, then the following day beat that time by a minute as part of the deferred Kent Spring Marathon.
Paul Hannay, in his first marathon, ran a lapped course in Folkestone and Cheriton which passed his house five times. He finished outside his home to a great reception from friends and family in an impressive time of 4:26. He raised £5,305 for Leukaemia Care.
Other charities to benefit from SKH runners included the Salvation Army, Macmillan, NSPCC and MACS, a charity helping children without eyes or with underdeveloped eyes.
Barbara Hunt was delighted to win the club place for the London Marathon but disappointed when lockdown spoilt her plans.
She ran her first marathon along with fellow first-timer Rebecca Edwards.
They ran from Folkestone to West Hythe on a muddy course which took in the canal bank twice. They were helped by the very supportive John Eaton. All went very well and they achieved a time of 6:35. Club-mate Liz Jenkins helped them along and ran 20 miles, intending to complete the whole distance next year.
A problem with the official app meant Hunt had to run an additional two miles in order to be credited with a marathon distance!
Sheila Eade, who had been unwell leading up to the race,
completed the virtual London marathon in a time of 5:49.11.
Gary Frake was a great support to Madison Scott who had
entered the Brighton Marathon only to see it postponed.
Madison, who had been coached by Peter Russell, completed a virtual Brighton run in 5:03.23. The trip was run from the Hotel Burstin to St Mary’s Bay and back.
In the Kent Spring Marathon, held on an undulating, multiterrain course surrounding Ashford and Charing, South Kent Harriers were led home by prolific runner Martin Salmon (3:37).
John Lennon ran a personal best of 3:53. Jodie Jackman ran well with a time of 4:18 and is preparing for a much longer race in the next few weeks.
The South Kent contingent was concluded very successfully by Melanie Satchwell in 5:10 and Royd Powell a mere ten seconds behind.
Not everyone competed in a marathon this weekend. Jane Wren and Alan Randall preferred to race in the Hastings Seafront 10K.
Wren finished in 51.50 and was first lady in the over 55 category and Randall was seventh in the men’s over 50 category.