It was run on the bank holiday Monday, given that New Year's day fell on a Sunday this year. We managed a minimum contingent in the ladies section and more than enough men to fill the team slots with the remainder pushing down the opposition scorers, of course. With a big field, we struggled to make such good progress as in recent events. The ladies particularly could finish only 17th but Anne, Pat and Linda put up a brace fight against much younger opponents!
KFL Race Report - Rob Bright
Our first race of 2012 was held in bright sunshine on a crisp morning at Avery Hill Park in SE10. Despite the Bank Holiday and the post Xmas malaise, well over 400 people made it to the start line and there were significant developments in the overall team competition.
Andy Green was the early pace setter as the field negotiated the winding course around the playing fields of Avery Hill Park and the lead changed hands several times during the 5 mile race. Throughout the race, there were always three Paddock Wood runners in contention – Gareth Robb, Paul Hasler and James Ridger – but Paddock Wood’s new year party celebrations were dampened by the late finishing effort of Clayton Barrett who in taking his 2nd victory of the season announced his arrival at the finish line in his usual loud and spectacular fashion.
Paddock Wood runners Robb, Hasler and Ridger followed him in – Paul Hasler has recently entered the over 40 category and secured crucial points along with over 50 runner Malcolm Martin who achieved an excellent 15th place.
With Nicola Groom a reluctant spectator owing to illness, Gravesend Roadrunners had a clear run in the ladies’ race finishing 1-2-3. Mel Frazier was once again the lead runner, supported by Annabelle Stearns and Claire Gaskill and the trio had finished for over a minute befe the rest of the competitors arrived.
Natasha Dawson’s 4th place was the highlight of an unmemorable race for the Larkfield team who fielded a reduced strength team on the day. By contrast, Medway and Maidstone had a revitalised team out with two of their ladies – Emma Harraden and Jenny Harnett - finishing in 5th and 6th places. Dartford Road Runners also had three of their ladies finishing in the top 10.
So the combined team race saw victory for Paddock Wood AC by a huge margin – over 100 points – even with some of their top ladies absent. Dartford Road Runners finished in second place, and Larkfield AC were left clinging onto third place by a small margin ahead of Medway and Maidstone AC.
This means that Paddock Wood go to the top of the table and Larkfield drop to second place with three races still to go. Please be reminded that we have introduced a new rule this season which allows clubs to delete their lowest scoring race from the final points total, so only the best 6 races will count in the final total.
My thanks to New Eltham Joggers (Joe Cleverly in particular) for putting on an excellent race which was well marshalled throughout. Joe was unhappy that I described this as a “beginner’s course” – it certainly hasn’t got the rollercoaster thrills and spills you get at nearby Oxleas Wood – but it neverthess provided great competition for our 4th race of the season