Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Gibbens runs the show
Invicta East Kent AC’S Cole Gibbens won the Pentland Homes Canterbury 10-mile road race on Sunday - organised by his own club. Gibbens, 21, excels at distances from 5,000m upwards and clocked 52min15sec for victory.
He ran away from the field, while there was a competitive battle for the minor places. Veteran Dartford Harriers athlete Barry Stephenson (53.57) came second and Rhys Boorman, of Hastings AC, was third in 54.05.
An outstanding performance from Bristol & West AC athlete Chelsea Baker saw her stun her closest rivals in the ladies’ race to win in a new course-record time of 58.04. Hastings AC’S Grace Baker - no relation to the winner - was second lady home in 59.57 while third home was former Invicta East Kent athlete Imogen Amos, who now runs for Tonbridge AC, finishing in 1hr00min25sec on her debut over the distance.
Despite her best efforts, defending champion Helen Gaunt was fourth in 1:00.57 and settled for the V35 prize. Participation numbers were muchimproved from the Covid-affected races of the previous two years and 1,148 runners were on the start line. Race director Glenn Mousley said: “[It was] a spectacular race with a ladies’ course-record and numbers back to where we want them. “We are really pleased with the race this year. There was a real buzz around race HQ and, in the race itself, with positivity all around.
“A good turnout from both club runners and those not affiliated gave a real feeling of inclusiveness, which we try to achieve.
“I would like to thank all of the runners for helping to make the race happen and to the many volunteers and organisers who give up their time to work on the race. We hope to be back next January.”
The race was once again aided by the sponsorship of property developer Pentland Homes and Canterbury-based sports shop The Running Outlet repeated previous support. Canterbury Christ Church University once again lent their sports centre as race headquarters, and they provided a team of staff and students who took part in the race.
The event charity for the second year was Demelza Hospice Care for Children.
Aaron Wilson (57.53) was first men’s V40, Stephen Male (57.36) was first V50, Paul Moses (1:01.59) was first V60 home and David Thornby (1:21.09) was the first men’s V70 across the line.
In the ladies’ category, meanwhile, Teresa Murphy in 1:04.32 won the V45 category, Julie Williams (1:20.27) claimed the V55 gong and Janet Lenton (1:20.50) was the first V65.
Thanet Roadrunners’ Andy Stevens, Jack Bradley, Lee Hardie and Jay Bailey won the men’s team race, with Invicta East Kent in second and Tunbridge Wells Harriers third.
In the ladies’ team race, Tonbridge AC were out in force with their top three of Imogen Amos, Gaunt and Harriet Woolley able to gain victory ahead of Tunbridge Wells Harriers who were second. Canterbury Harriers finished in third.
■ Alex Millard of Invicta East Kent came home 11th last Sunday at The Lotto Cross Cup de Hannut in Belgium.
■ Yiannis Christodoulou of Canterbury Harriers earned a personal-best time at Sunday’s Pentland Homes Canterbury 10-mile road race. Christodoulou came second in the M40 category in 57.58 while the event was Harriers’ first internal club championships in three years. James Brooke, Victoria Stears, Samantha Follington, Daisy Shaw, Paul Moore and Melanie Hill also gained personal-best times.