Runners beat the heat

ATHLETICS

John Thorpe led home a field of nearly 500 runners to take the Canterbury Half-Marathon title on Bank Holiday Monday.

Unattached Thorpe stopped the clock in 1hour 18minutes 45seconds after running more than 13 miles in glorious sunshine after starting at Merton Farm, near Canterbury RFC.

Jim Addison, of Beckenham Road Runners, was second in 1:19.58 and was the first over- 40 home, while Michael Beckett of Coventry Godiva was third in 1: 20.03.

The first local runner home was Canterbury Harriers’ Simon Jones in 1.21.26, good enough for fourth place overall.

Mark Baker was second Harrier home in 1: 31.48 for 20th overall with Jake Hussey three places further back in 1: 32.15 to help Harriers take the team title.

Adam

Stokes

of Invicta East Kent finished in 1: 27.29 for 12th overall, one place behind veteran over- 45 woman Tina Oldershaw of Paddock Wood AC who won the ladies race in 1.27.15.

Oldershaw’s dominance of the women’s race resulted in a winning margin of three minutes over Hazel Vuvi of Dartford Road Runners (1: 31.01) while Cath Stibbs of Kent AC was third in 1: 38.10.

Dartford Road Runners won the women’s team honours.

The race – organised on behalf of the Canterbury Forest of Blean Rotary Club supporting the Pilgrims Hospices – was finished by 460 runners.

Pictures: Barry Duffield FM2766673 above, FM2766653 right Buy these pictures from kentonline.co.uk THEY’RE OFF: Runners start the Canterbury Half-Marathon and, right, winner John Thorpe (454) leads the field home down the finishing straight BRONZE: Emily Higham

Picture: Barry Duffield FM2766657 Buy this picture from kentonline.co.uk WORK OUT: The team from Canterbury-based Burgess Hodgson accountants, who sponsored the half-marathon

Picture: Barry Duffield FM2766645 WINNER: Charlie Cook (711) from Canterbury won the fun run ahead of Conor Murdoch (719)