Another excellent turnout for BVAC. With a 10th overall finish, this must be once again a record breaker for us. A
magnificent 7th for the ladies too (sorry couldn't resist).
For the ladies, Lynette registered a terrific 10th place, while Katrina unfortunately took a tumble but did magnificently to pick herself up and finish the course. Helen was also pleased to make it round this time after having to stop at Meopham.
For the men, Neil put in another fine performance finishing 6th official scorer. MikeT dipped below 50th spot with good points also from MikeA. Chris went through a bad patch (no truth in the rumour that he had too much wine at the club dinner!) but picked up at the end. Clive and Phil just missed out on getting under the 100th spot.
KFL Race Report - Rob Bright
It was another gloriously sunny day (cold but windless) and Knole Park looked a picture with its valley sides clad in brown bracken as unsuspecting deer grazed peacefully along its length. The overnight frost had lifted and apart from a slippery 200 metres on the way back, conditions were ideal for off-road running and just under 300 made it around the 5 ½ mile two lap course.
Andy Pickett again proved to be in a class of his own, leading most of the race to notch up his 3rd win of the season by over a minute and he is well on the way to regaining his championship title. Andy Thomas (a nine minute steeplechaser) took second place on his debut in the league, with Darrell Smith of the host club in third place. Neil Ayrton was once again the leading over 40 in 8th place and Phil Wallace (22nd) led home the over 50’s.
In the women’s race, Annabelle Stearns (Invicta) was equally dominant in recording her 4th win out of four in the competition and now needs only one more race to secure her first ladies’ title. Nicola Susans was placed second ahead of Elaine Murty who had already contested a gruelling Kent League race at Tunbridge Wells the day before.
Larkfield AC triumphed in the Combined Team race with more than 100 points advantage over the league leaders Medway and Maidstone AC and they now share second place with Invicta East Kent with 3 races remaining. It was Larkfield’s second team win, but the first of this season. Medway and Maidstone’s team effort was marred by the absence of a third female member. It’s now shaping up to be a three horse race as we go into 2007, with just four points covering the these clubs.
As a competitor, I thought the race was well organised. Rob Carr made a successful debut as Race Director and many of the Sevenoaks AC members, their friends and family turned out around the course. My thanks also for the tuneless rendition on the start line which reminded me that I am getting a little nearer to senility and incontinence !