Thanks to Craig for his report (see below) on the TWH results in the North Downs Run 30k, and the updated KGP standings. As first Harrier home, and therefore one of the club’s leading distance specialists (ahem), it’s down to me to put a few words together about the event.
I was asked one question several times before the race, namely: ‘why?’ This was a query that I later repeated to myself as a mantra on passing each kilo marker. Although it was a KGP event, I probably wouldn’t have entered had it not also incorporated the British Masters’ Multi-Terrain Champs (note to Kent ROAD Running GP organisers: multi-terrain!). Thirty kilometres was hard to talk myself into: so, that’s just two Southern Cross Country Champs in a row. Bloody hell, no – even without the wind, rain and freezing cold! After various combinations, I finally settled on ‘a Bewl 15 followed by a parkrun’, conveniently forgetting that I’d (literally) been on my knees at the end of my only attempt at Bewl.
The forecast for days beforehand was warm but cloudy, so naturally it dawned sparkling clear and due for a scorcher. I opted to carry water and a couple of gels, and just top up at the drinks stations, which worked out really well (apart from forgetting to consume the second gel).
Having looked at previous results, I reckoned on a sub 2:13 time being good for first M50, or about 44 min 10k pace. As for the British Champs in the M55 category, I met kiwi Stuart Mills at the start line in his yellow Uckfield vest, and we both realised we’d be pushing each other. You might know Stuart as the race director of the Kings Head Canter and High Weald Ultra events, but he’s also been a serial winner of the Beachy Head Marathon in sub 3 hour times, so is used to such terrain and distance.
The first 3k or so across the barley and rapeseed fields had a rather industrial view of the Thames Estuary, and I settled into 17th place (easy to count with the field strung out ahead) as the leading contenders romped off into the distance – including a notable yellow vest. By the time we reached some trees though, I’d caught and passed Stuart, and he looked to be struggling a bit having gone off slightly too fast. A steady climb through fields and pleasantly cool woodland to 9k was then followed by a plunge downhill to the lowest point of the course at the 10k point, which I was surprised to pass in 40:30. A bit ahead of schedule, but I was feeling well within myself as we started the long climb up to the highest point of the course at halfway. Thankfully, most of this part of the route was also in dappled shade, and I noticed that along with the excellent course marking, all of the tree root trip hazards were still marked in orange paint as they had been just after the start. This continued for the entire 30k: an amazing effort by the organisers, and a great way to know you were still on course.
By halfway, with yet another welcome drinks station with sponges, I was back to my scheduled 10k pace. The second half of the race was mostly out in the open across arable fields on rolling downland, and heading back north we had the midday sun beating down on our backs. With a few sharp climbs, but no long uphill slogs, I went through 21k in 1:30 and passed a few ahead of me, but then started to focus on the last few kilos and forgot my last gel – oops! With three kilos to go and onto the fields of the start route again, I was back into 17th and beginning to feel rather jaded. At 29k, we took a sharp left and I glanced back to see a yellow vest approaching. A brief injection of pace had less than the desired effect, so I had to ease up and settle for a BMAF silver and 3rd M50 to avoid an embarrassing low blood sugar face-plant on the line. In the end, my 2:11:22 was just inside my 44 min 10k pace.
Harriet Woolley had a storming run to finish 3rd woman in 2:28:39, and had great support from the rest of the Harriers’ womens’ team (Hayley 3rd Sen F and Nicola 6th F45) to increase their lead in the KGP to 177 pts. The men, on the other hand, are now only 8 pts ahead of Orpington… still all to play for. Ed took his usual position of second Harrier having nursed yet another pair of trail shoes to within an inch of their lives – no mid-race disintegration this time, outstanding effort. Well done to everyone for competing on such a demanding course in rather challenging conditions, particularly to Geoff who’d warmed up with a 100 mile bike ride the day before. Nutter.
If you’ve not taken part in this event before, you really have to give it a go: the course marking and marshalling were superb, and the support around the entire route was amazing. Drinks stations were perfectly positioned every 5k, and there was free tea and cake at the finish. My only gripe was yet another turgid prize presentation – I think we do those at our events rather well, but other races don’t seem to give it much thought. Harriet took away a lovely glass trophy, some wine and a voucher, and we left the organisers in no doubt that she’s spoken for and certainly not ‘unattached’. Thanks to all of you that waited for the BMAF presentation, with the silver medal going to “Andy… er… Honey… um… or could that be Harvey?”. I let them off, but only because England were 6-0 up.
Andy.
It was a hot day for a 30K yesterday, but 14 Deckchairs (8 men & 6 ladies) put on their sun cream and went up and down the North Downs, some hoping to be back in time to watch the football.
| Place | First Name | Last Name | Chip Time | Age Group | KGP Pts |
| 17 | Andy | Howey | 02:11:22 | M 50 to 59 | 91 |
| 36 | Edward | Steele | 02:22:00 | M Senior | 80 |
| 55 | Richard | Carter | 02:28:46 | M Senior | 73 |
| 57 | Harriet | Woolley | 02:28:39 | F Senior | 48 |
| 89 | Hayley | Larkin | 02:38:15 | F Senior | 43 |
| 105 | Nicola | Morris | 02:42:39 | F 45 to 54 | 40 |
| 112 | Geoff | Turner | 02:43:41 | M 50 to 59 | 55 |
| 149 | Martin | Hobbs | 02:51:46 | M 50 to 59 | 42 |
| 166 | Michael | Russell | 02:54:00 | M 50 to 59 | 37 |
| 186 | Matthew | Newman | 02:57:55 | M Senior | 31 |
| 235 | Clare | Andrew | 03:09:07 | F 45 to 54 | 23 |
| 263 | Lesley | Page | 03:13:28 | F 35 to 44 | 18 |
| 299 | Andy | Page | 03:20:19 | M 50 to 59 | 8 |
| 376 | Jane | Roome | 03:39:18 | F 45 to 54 |
So, with six races in the bag, here’s where we currently stand
BOTH TEAMS ARE STILL ON TOP, with the ladies striding ahead, but the gap for the men is just too close and not big enough yet to take a break, so let’s try and maintain our strong presence for the remaining races.
Men (first six to score for team)
| 1 | Tunbridge Wells Harriers | 2636 |
| 2 | Orpington Road Runners | 2628 |
| 3 | Maidstone Harriers | 1915 |
| 4 | Dartford Road Runners | 1814 |
| 5 | Sevenoaks AC | 1597 |
| Ladies (first four to score for team) | ||
| 1 | Tunbridge Wells Harriers | 934 |
| 2 | Orpington Road Runners | 757 |
| 3 | Petts Wood Runners | 548 |
| 4 | Maidstone Harriers | 486 |
| 5 | Dartford Road Runners | 464 |
What’s next and how can I sign-up?
Use the links below to enter the upcoming 10K’s (with Thanet Marathon in between on Sunday 2 September if interested)
These are likely to sell out, so if you haven’t already, and you can run, please enter ASAP:
Sunday 22 July @ 10am
Deal Dinosaur 10k
https://www.twharriers.org.uk/event/deal-dinosaur-10k-kgp/
Sunday 16 September @ 10:30am
Larkfield 10K
https://www.twharriers.org.uk/event/larkfield-10k-kgp/
Thanks for your support
Craig Chapman
TWHs Road Race Captain
