Kentish Express Ashford & District
MARATHON, HALF-MARATHON AND 10K STAGED ON SAME DAY FROM JULIE ROSE STADIUM Owler has triple appeal
Owler races
Competitors gathered at the Julie Rose Stadium on Sunday for the latest running of the Owler marathon, half-marathon and 10k, put on by Tri Spirit Events.
With a choice of distances to run, the event attracted a wide variety of entrants.
First off was the marathon, where runners tackled the twolap undulating route around Conningbrook lake before heading to the inclines at Brook and Hinxhill and returning back to the stadium.
John Whittaker, of Gravesend Road Runners, crossed the line first in a blistering time of 3hr 23min 18sec. Richard Holden (Ashford & District RRC) was second in 3:36.05, with John Diamante (Bromley Veterans AC) third in 3:47.56.
The ladies put in some times that would have seen them grace the men’s podium. Kate Bennett stormed home in 3:34.47, runner-up Emily Rayner in 3:42.08 and third-placed Donna Pugh in 3:56.53.
The half-marathon had the largest field of runners, who completed one lap of the 13.1 mile route.
The men’s section saw Chris Kirby, of Dover Road Runners AC, take first place in 1.30.51, in second spot was was Oliver Welch (Crowborough Runners) in 1:32.31, with Paul McDonnell third in 1:38.41.
Eileen Welch (Crowborough Runners) was first in the ladies’ section in 1:56.53, with Chloe Brown ( 1: 58.52) second and Amber Martingell (2:02.31) third.
In the 10k, runners headed out on the first part of the same lap but then turned at the 5k point to re-trace their steps back to the stadium. First home in both the the male and female standings was Linda- Jean Delport, of Ashford Striders, beating everyone in a time of 46.06.
Derek Mansell ( Wadhurst Runners) was first male in 46.41, with Allan Steatham (Ashford Tri Club) second in 47.37 and Ethan Falkner third in 50.22.
Second in the ladies’ race was Anna Howard (52.56), with Sally Green (Wadhurst Runners) third in 53.32.
Liz King, event director of Tri Spirit, said: “Many competitors return year on year to support the event, and lots of people intend to take on the same course for the winter version of the Owler marathon, half-marathon and 10k on November 24.”