Following the team success at Swanley Park three weeks ago, Medway and Maidstone AC travelled to Oxleas Wood, Eltham, for the third fixture of the Kent Fitness League on Sunday. With the Kent Veterans Cross Country Championships the day before many of the team had a two race weekend and conditions as Oxleas were testing, with thick mud throughout the wooded sections making it tricky underfoot. In spite of this the team again came out on top of the standings for both the overall team and male team.
The women’s team was led home by Emily Hale, who went one better than her previous race, finishing as first lady in the race. She was followed closely by Antel Muller (17th), Vanessa Vander (34th), Bernadette Harrop (36th) and Catherine Rodwell (71st), completing the women’s team.
The men’s team also produced a great result, with Neill Wright leading the way in 3rd place, his highest finish in the Kent Fitness League. This was supported by a strong team performance with Chris Rampling (5th), Daniel St. Martin (11th), Adam Featherstone (15th & 1st M45), Alun Rodgers (21st & 1st M50), Gareth Williams (22nd), Sean Rodwell (27th), Martin Taylor (81st) and George Blake (114th). The race also marked Alun Rodgers’ 100th Kent Fitness League race, which he celebrated with his highest ever finish in the league.
This team result puts Medway and Maidstone on top of overall standings and second in the men’s team standings at the halfway point of the league.