Boyce eases to lakes win

Athletics

Ashford & District Road Running Club’s Chris Boyce beat a strong field to finish first in the Pod Plus 3 lakes 5k on Sunday. Boyce finished in a time of 17 minutes 35 seconds, nearly three minutes ahead of the next Ashford runner. They were running in support of the chosen charity of the race, the local Motor Neurone Disease Association, which one of their members, Jan Hickman was diagnosed with last year. Jan has ran both marathons and ultra marathons for the club and showed great determination and courage to walk a mile of the course. Gill Pragnell was the second lady to finish in a time of 21.10. There were other good finishes for Robert Carpenter (20.14), Dean Bracken (20.29) and Scott Lynch (20.36) who came fifth, sixth and seventh respectively. There were also personal bests for Kirsty Farrant, in 24.28, and Andrew Smith in 26.17. In the Summer Series 10 on Friday, Rhian Shrimplin was the first lady to finish in a personal best 47 mins and 39 secs. There were second place finishes for Dean Bracken (39.04) in the men’s race and Danyel Giles (48.28) in the ladies race. Anthony Brown finished in a personal best 43.25 to come seventh and Kate Williams was 16th posting a time of 52.56. In the Summer Series 5k, Chris Boyce (18.30) came third and Keith Haynes (20.02) sixth. At the Ashford Parkrun on Saturday, Scott Lynch came first in a personal best time of 18.19. Dean Bracken was third in 19.00 and Paul Moses fifth in 19.03, in his first race for club. Also in his first race for the club was Toby Calnan, who finished in 25.11.

The Hamstreet 10k will take place on Sunday from 10.30am for its fifth year plus the addition of a 5k run. The course will start from the Victory Hall in Hamstreet with the 10k taking in two circuits of Hamstreet Woods with the 5k completing one circuit. The race will suit both experienced runners and those new to running. All race profits to Hamstreet School Association. For details go to www.nicework.org.uk