As we prepare for the South of England Cross Country Championship race this weekend, at Beckenham Place Park, a quick look back at some of our history in the race…
1990 was the first year the club – as Tunbridge Wells Runners – ran in the race (held at Parliament Hill) with 10 men running, including early club luminaries Tony Baldock, Tony Lavender & Alistair Watson and current members Andy Howey, Chris Elvy, Mark Taylor and John Hepner.
Thirty years ago in 1995 – again at Parliament Hill – again 10 men from the club ran, led home by Mark Taylor, a minute ahead of Andy Howey.
Twenty years ago in 2005 – again at Parliament Hill and again 10 Harrier men ran including Derek Harrison, Geoff Turner and Michael Russell
Finally, in 2015 it wasn’t ‘10 men went to mow’ again but rather 14 men and 3 women went to Stanmer Park in Brighton.
The harriers were led home by Sam Begg in 130th place and with 11 current male members running; Andy Howey, Matt Clark, Ed Steele, Simon Whittaker, Simon Howden, Steve Austin, George Harris, Mark Taylor, Geoff Turner, Andy Page and Michael Russell.
Former member and multiple club record holder, Alice Heather-Hayes, finished an excellent 29th in the 8k womens race, which also had Lesley Page and Carol Tsang running for the club.
Happy Running!
Andrew D