Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Tsegay out on his own
Abel Tsegay led from start to finish in a record-breaking Wingham 10k on Sunday.
In perfect conditions, the race – organised by Sporting Events UK – sold out for the first time with around 400 runners tackling either the 5.4k or 10k, a turnout 50% higher than the previous two events.
Invicta East Kent AC star Tsegay set a new course record, stopping the clock in 30mins 53secs – taking 61 seconds off the previous best set in 1999 by Dominic O’mahoney.
Mike Coleman, of South Kent Harriers, was second in 33.31 with Tom Millard of Canterbury Harriers third in 33.54 just outside his own personal best.
The ladies’ 10k race was won by Renata Mcdonnell of Deal Tri in 40.44, with clubmate Yvonne Elliott in second in 45.17 and IEK’S Vicky TalbotRosner claiming third in 45.54.
Louise Clifford of Deal Tri was fourth in 46.52 to help seal the team prize. The men’s prize went to Beech Grove Academy.
The 5.4k men’s race was decisively won by Charlie Brisley, of IEK, in 18.57, just seven seconds off the course record, with Tom Purnell, of Canterbury Harriers, in third in 20.10 and Caleb Meier from Beech Grove Academy third in 20.27.
The ladies’ 5.4k was won for the second time by IEK’S Louise Flynn in 24.36, with Candice Thomas in second (25.16) and Sarah Maguire, of Canterbury Harriers, in third (25.22).
Sue Yoxall, of Jelly Legs, chose the race to mark her wedding anniversary while the oldest runner was 79-year-old Ray Johnson from Faversham Running Club.
There was also a father and sons’ race in the form of local family Tim, Tom and Adam Kerr, with Tim, aged 56, being beaten by both sons, Tom, 21, finishing in 51.20 and younger brother Adam finishing in 1:00, just one minute ahead of his dad.
Barry Hopkins, from Sporting Events UK said: “We rescued this race from closure in 2014 and are so
FULL RESULTS AT www.sportingeventsuk.com/race-results/29th-wingham-10k-5k-results/ pleased to have brought the event forward and built on it, achieving record numbers and selling out for the first time ever.
“We will be increasing the entry limit for next year in what will be the race’s 30th year and are already planning how we can mark this special occasion.” Adalta CC’S James Lane-pitcher took second in his first aquathlon at the Ocean Lake Tri event. Yiannis Christodoulou finished third with Mark Stockley smashing his swim with a personal best in seventh. The in-form triathletes were in action again with Lane-pitcher and Stockley winning their age groups at the Bodium Castle Triathlon. James Wren put in a great performance to finish second overall. Emma Lewis clocked a PB of 59.17 at the RTTC National Series to claim third place and third place overall after six rounds of the series. Lewis will be attending the Night of Champions presentation evening to celebrate her fantastic progression and results this season. Adalta riders turned out in force for the first round of the East Kent Cyclocross Series in Sandwich. Lee Mills, Ian Bookless and Jody Coxon all put in great rides for their first attempt at the technical discipline, with Dan Weale, Richard Mcvey and John Beggs all showing the newcomers how it’s done. Josh Wakeling had a battle in the men’s race to take second place finishing with a wheelie across the line.