Very pleased to say that I got round the PW 1/2 marathon in 1hr 50′ 59″, which following the ‘flu of the previous several weeks was better than I’d expected. The weather conditions could hardly have been more favourable, cool and windless. An excellent event as usual, with great roadside support along Maidstone road in the town at the start and finish, and at various points along the route.
Almost 2,500 runners finished the race, and in a generally high quality field there were some exceptional performances at the sharp end, which deserve special recognition. To give some perspective; 20 athletes ran sub – 70 minutes, whereas just one person achieved that at the recent Tunbridge Wells 1/2 (admittedly a tougher course, although finish times are generally quite similar). And the time that achieved 2nd place at TW would have got you 82nd place at Paddock Wood !
Standout performances across various age categories are as follows:
1st place – Cole Gibbens of Tonbridge AC in 1hr 04′ 43″
Male Vet over 40 – Christopher Busaileh in 1hr 09′ 13″
Male Vet over 50 – Will Green in 1hr 08′ 31″. Run of the day, a staggering performance for an over 50 !!!
Male Vet over 60 – Krzysztof Klidzia in 1hr 22′ 23″
Male Vet over 70 – Paul Mcauliffe in 1hr 36′ 50″
1st place female – Tracy Barlow of Thames Valley Harriers in 1hr 14′ 00″ (veteran over 35)
Female Vet over 45 – Helen Gaunt in 1hr 18′ 32″
Female Vet over 55 – Samantha Alvarez in 1hr 28′ 56″
Female Vet over 65 – Katrin Flikschuh in 1hr 34′ 37″
Some fantastic individual performances I’m sure you’ll agree, in what was another highly successful staging of this great race.
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On the subject of running..... 