The Paddock Wood half-marathon is and has been one of the best UK road races for many years. This year the race was more important as it was not only part of the Kent Road Race Grand Prix Series, but also the Kent Long Course Road Championships.
Medway & Maidstone AC had an excellent turn out and between them claimed several individual and team medals along with numerous personal best times.
The clubs first runner home was Tewelde Menges in a superb PB of 67.18 to give him 3rd place overall. This ranks him 3rd Under 23 in the UK at this distance. Menges also claimed the Gold medal in the Kent championship race, as the first 2 runners were from out of the county. He was followed by Ben Tyler (14th 70.55 & PB) and Noel Sutton (44th 75.01), another PB and Club record, – a superb result for this M45. Menges, Tyler and Sutton combined to take the Kent Team silver trophy.
Harry Collins was just one place behind Sutton in 45th (75.05), another PB. Richard Tomlinson was another runner on form, taking the M50 race prize, Kent M50 Gold trophy as well as slashing his own Club Record (47th 75.31). Ben Hughes was 55th in a time of 76.25. This was a first at this distance for the 17 year old. Hughes was followed by Chris Rampling (75th 78.50), M45 Stephen Turpie (114th 82.11), M50 Alun Rodgers (167th 86.02), Stephen McGlynn with a PB (205th 87.43), Bob Fursey (367th 94.37) and Alberto Mangili (449th 97.35).
The next Kent Grand Prix series race is the Darenth Valley 10 Km on the 12th May.