Mount Ephraim 10K (Kent Grand Prix)

The Mount Ephraim 10K is the sixth race in the Kent Grand Prix series.

Report from Andy Howey:

There was a tremendous turn-out today at the Mount-Ephraim 10k, and some superb performances in some very testing conditions. According to my back-of-an-envelope calculations, the men scored 563 points in the Kent Grand Prix which is our highest ever score. This was achieved by taking 4th, 5th, 6th, 9th, 11th and 13th positions on the day.   The conditions and course were rather severe: apart from a strong wind, the temperature was 27°C and the frequent hills were mostly exposed to the strong sunshine.

Nick Leech was our first finisher in 36:24, taking 4th behind winner Chris Holmes (IEK) who knocked out a 35:07 on a course as tough as our handicap. Chris Wolton was 5th and Colin Edwards 6th, so taking the senior men's team prize with ease. Luckily for Terry Everest (9th), Colin's club was recorded as 'Tonbridge', so he got to collect the three bottles of wine instead. I came 11th, outsprinting Craig Chapman (13th) in the finish, but sadly not Tezza or indeed the famous Mrs Oldershaw.

At this point I should express my admiration and pride for seeing a long line of deckchairs spread out between me and the lead car for most of the race.   The aforementioned Tina Oldershaw wasn't permitted to collect two prizes, so took the F35, leaving me with an envelope stuffed full of cash for our F45 Jo Clift. I was lucky enough to take the M40 brown envelope. PB's for anyone? Not that I know of - they'd have to be superhuman in that race, but let us know if you did.   A special mention to Becky Smith who finished despite suffering badly with the heat.

Some details:

1 Chris Holmes (IEK) 35:07

4 Nick Leech 36:24

5 Chris Wolton 37:30

6 Colin Edwards 37:52

9 Terry Everest 38:34

10 Tina Oldershaw (PWAC) 38:35

11 Andy Howey 38:35 (1st M40)

13 Craig Chapman 38:41

22 Matt Clark 41:31

40 Richard Withers 44:29

49 Chris Smith 45:43

52 Matt Adams 45:53

55 James Sarre 46:06

57 Michael Kennard 46:07

63 Michael Russell 46:32

85 Paul Clift 47:48

89 Bernie Bass 48:04

108 Jo Clift 50:14 (1st F45)

131 Caroline Ives 52:33

162 Lucille Joannes 55:24

165 John Johnson 56:05

166 Anthony Ives 56:47

224 Becky Smith 69:00