Kent Cross Country Championships

The 2012 Kent Cross Country Championships took place on Saturday 7th January at Wilmington Grammar School for Boys. For the first time in this season's cross country, in both the men's and women's races the Harriers were thin on the ground, partly due to seasonal bugs. Nevertheless we managed to field teams for both races and there were some gutsy performances, particularly in the men's race which was a real test of endurance as it was seven and a half miles long. Despite the rain of the past few weeks, the course was remarkably dry which led to some very fast times.

Simon Whitaker was the first Harrier past the finish line in 65th position in a time of 44:02. Making up the team in the '6 to score' were Daryl Palfrey 91st in 46:44, Mark Taylor 138th in 50:23, Neil Clark 144th in 51:05, Casper Morris 148th in 51:18 and Mike Russell 155th in 52:39 and Tunbridge Wells Harriers came 12th out of 13. Also representing TWH was Dan Cook who finished 166th in 54:37. There were 187 finishers in this race.

Men's race (11 970m)

1 John Gilbert (Kent AC) 36:12

65 Simon Whitaker 44:02

91 Daryl Palfrey 46:44

138 Mark Taylor 50:23

144 Neil Clark 51:05

148 Casper Morris 51:18

155 Mike Russell 52:39

166 Dan Cook 54:37

Only three women donned deckchairs on Saturday but this, at least, meant that they all made the team in the '3 to score'. Kim Deeney was first home, in what was her first Kent Champs, coming 42nd in a time of 35:13. Not far behind was Siân Roberts 43rd in 35:24 and completing the trio, in her first outing for the Harriers, was Claire Hayhurst. There were 85 finishers and Tunbridge Wells Harriers came 14th out of 16 in the '3 to score'.

Women's race (8050m)

1 Grace Nicholls (Tonbridge AC) 28:11

42 Kim Deeney 35:13

43 Siân Roberts 35:24

49 Claire Hayhurst 35:48

Many thanks to all those who ran and to Mike Jarvis whose support was invaluable.

Siân