The tremendous success of the 2nd running of the Tonbridge AC Midsummer relay at Penshurst on Wednesday evening would suggest that this event has already established itself as a firm favourite on the athletics calendar. This link goes to the report of last year’s inaugural race: https://onthesubjectofrunning.com/2024/07/05/o-t-s-o-relays/
Nearly 140 teams – a 50% increase on last year – toed the startline on another glorious warm summer’s evening in the beautiful grounds of Penshurst place. Of the 4 local clubs, Tunbridge Wells Harriers managed to add a 24th team to surpass their 23 of last year, host club Tonbridge AC sent 14 teams, my club Paddock Wood AC doubled last year’s participation, fielding 8 teams, and Sevenoaks AC sent 6 teams.
The lap handover point was busy but well controlled, reflecting the excellent organisation – with familiar faces including Andy Howey, Tony Bennett, Mark Pitcairn Knowles, Di Bradley, Iain Presnell, Louise Mason and many others quietly playing their part in ensuring the smooth running of an event such as this.
As for the outright race, at the end of the first lap it was a close run thing with Isaac Arnott handing over for Tonbridge in 12’47”, just 5 seconds clear of the chasing Bobby Babaker of Cambridge Harriers, but Tonbridge soon pulled clear with Steve Strange (12’40”) and Sean Molloy (12’34”) giving Tonbridge the three fastest times of the night to finish 1 minute 38 seconds clear of the chasers. As for the results, the basics are: 1st Male team – Tonbridge AC, 1st Female team – Tunbridge Wells harriers, 1st mixed team – Sevenoaks AC. Fastest laps of the night: Male – Sean Molloy, Tonbridge AC 12’34”. Female – Ashley Fennell, Tunbridge Wells Harriers 14’19”. Congratulations to them, and to all who took part.
A small slideshow below, and then an epic film of the event, shot by Tonbridge AC stalwart Mark Hookway.
On the subject of running..... 