Author: Sarah Kenyon

The Club’s first Open Meeting at Medway Park took place on Sunday 21st April. Thankfully the day stayed dry and there were some fantastic early season results for athletes.

We were again very happy to host the BMC 800m races which saw 21 PBs but the highlight being the 800m age 15 best for Shakira King in a time of 2:02.60. Full BMC results can be found HERE

Full results of the Open meeting can be found HERE

Our next Open meetings are scheduled for 7th July and 1st September and will again include BMC 800m races. Details to be confirmed soon.

Thank you to all those that attended the Club’s AGM and Winter Awards Presentation evening at the Holiday Inn Rochester on Friday 19 April.

Well done to all our award winners which can be seen below.

The London Landmarks Half Marathon took place on Sunday 7^th April 2024 and two Medway & Maidstone athletes took part. Sean Barwick was 9^th overall in 01:15:24 (achieving a new PB) and was followed by Stephen Turpie (378th) in 01:32:18. Well done to them both!

On Sunday 14^th April 2024, one Medway & Maidstone athlete took part in the Manchester marathon. Vanessa Vander completed the course (her second marathon) in 3:46:39 to get a new PB. In contrast to the previous weeks, the weather on the day stayed dry with little wind and even some sun which helped. We wish all our athletes taking part in the London Marathon this weekend all the best!

On Sunday 21^st April 2024, several Medway & Maidstone athletes took part in the London marathon. First home for M&M was Ben Tyler (125th) with a new PB of 02:28:23, followed by Alun Rodgers in 02:59:28 (PB), Owen Featherstone in his debut marathon (03:08:33). For the ladies, Emily Hale in 03:09:22 (PB), Karen Cudmore in 03:21:28 (PB) and Hayley Palmer in 04:30:53.

Well done all those that completed.

Sunday 3^rd March saw the return of the Paddock Wood Half Marathon. First home for Medway & Maidstone was Ben Tyler in 9^th with a PB of 01:09:30. Other competitors were Jack Tyler (127th) with a debut of 01:18:26, Alun Rodgers (202nd) with a PB and new M55 club record of 01:21:12, Darren Last (527th) with a debut of 01:33:44, Bob Fursey (786^th) 01:42:46, Mark Simpson (964th) with a debut of 01:46:04 and Debbie Mantle (1554th) with a debut of 02:06:35.

The Lydd 20 miler took place on Sunday 10^th March and three Medway & Maidstone athletes took part. In 3^rd overall place (2^nd M45) with a PB of 01:53:27 was Anthony Webb. He was followed by Owen Featherstone (23rd) in his debut over this distance in 02:15:17 and Vanessa Vander (185th) in 02:51:10, also a debut over this distance.

The 40^th Folkestone 10 miler took place on Good Friday 29^th March 2024. From Medway & Maidstone, five athletes took part. First home for the team was Daniel St Martin (8th) in 56:47, Chris Rampling (23rd) in 01:01:04, Alun Rodgers (33^rd and 2^nd M55) with a new PB of 01:02:45 followed by Emily Hale (84th) in 01:10:30 in her debut over this distance and Vanessa Vander (200th) with a new PB of 01:19:15.

Congratulations to them all!`

Saturday 6th January saw the Cross Country season resume for Kent athletes after the festive break at a very chilly and windswept Brands Hatch. Luckily the rain stayed away.

In the Senior Men’s race, M&M took bronze in both the 6 to score and 12 to score competitions. The team was led by a strong finishing Jamie Walsh (9th) with Ben Tyler (10th) just behind. Anthony Webb (21st) was next for M&M, followed by Daniel St Martin (31st), Tom Collins (32nd) and Justin Lane (37th) completing the scoring team of six. The 12 to score team was completed by Luke Stringer (49th), Jacques Cunningham-Marsh (51st), Alexander Donnelly (52nd), Owen Featherstone (54th), Alex Barber (57th) and Alun Rodgers (83rd).

With no U20 male athletes, the U17 men saw Franklin Shepherd running superbly to finish in the silver medal position (20.18). He was followed by team mates Henry Gibson 12th (21.48), Theo Ronchetti 19^th (22.32) and Dominic Wright 31^st (28.42). With 4 to score in this age group, the team picked up a bronze team medals.

The U15 boy’s four to score team, racing over 4400 metres, was led home by Freddie Gibson who took the individual bronze medal in 15:20. He was followed home by Louie Gear (23rd in 17:05); there was a three way battle for the remaining two scoring places, Connor Cousins (34th in 18:19) and Declan Tighe (35th in 18:23) edging out Alfred Moisan (36th in 18:31) for the honours.  They were supported by Cameron Davis (51st in 22:13). The U15 boys missed out on the team bronze by a mere 4 places.

The U13 boys four to score team, racing over 3050 metres, was once again led home by Daniel Kershaw who continued his league form to finish in 10th place (11:46).  Logan Smith was next home in 38th (12:52), closely followed by Jack Gregory  in 40th (12:56) and Jacob Welton in 43rd place (12:59). They were supported in close order by Sebastian Smit 61st (14:28), Ethan Miles 62nd (14:37) and Cameron Drake 63rd (14:40). The team finished in sixth place overall.

The Senior Women saw Charlotte Young running strongly over the 8100m course to finish in 6^th position (33.41). Emily Hale 24^th (36.56) and Taryne McPherson 48^th(39.23). Karen Cudmore did not finish due to a hip injury. The 3 to score team finished in a respectable 6^th place. 

The U20 women competing over 6100m saws ran Ella Webb runnng a tactically strong race to take a deserved silver medal (23.38). She was supported by Abigail Royden 5^th (24.23) and Lily Crossley 6^th (24.44) which meant the team finished in the gold medal position. Further support from Lola Sutton 7^th (25.00), Annabel Young 9^th (26.14), Ingrid Linn (28.22), Sharne Elphick 18th (30.32) and Ciara Harrop 19^th (30.36).

The U17 women saw another strong run from Amber Matthew to achieve a deserved bronze medal (23.59). Support from Iris Crossley 7^th (25.33) and Abigail Hawkes (26.39) meant the team also achieved bronze team medals . Further support came from Beth Palmer 16^th (26.53) and Heidi Hughes 17^th (27.21).

The U15s girls team was led in by Rose Crossley 5^th(18.27), Sofia Cudmore-Smith 8^th (18.53) and Olivia Baker 27^th (21.23). The girls also achieved bronze team medals. Further support from Amelie Guthrie 33^rd (23.11) and Matilda Moisan 34^th (23.58).

The Kent Veterans Cross Country Championships took place on Saturday 2nd December.

Anthony Webb running in a competitive field, finished strong to take the overall silver medal with the team picking up a closely contested between 3rd and 5th, team bronze medal (Anthony Webb (M45) 2nd, Justin Lane (M45) 7th, Neill Wright 23rd, Nigel Lowther 29th).

There was also team success in the M50 category collecting another bronze team medal. Richard Tomlinson (M55) 6th, Adam Featherstone 12th, Alun Rodgers (M55) 14th and Don Lawless (M55) 51st.

All results below.

M40 results

M50 results

M60 results

M70 results

W35 results

W45 results

W55 results

W65 results

The Kent Cross Country League series drew to a close for the junior age groups at a sunny but cold Swanley Park. With the Senior Men not competing in this match but saw the return of the Senior Women. The men and women have their final match in February.

The 9 Senior Women were led in by Charlotte Young in her debut senior race, finishing an impressive 5th (31.04). Emily Hale 19th (33.22) and Karen Cudmore 28th (34.09) completed the 3 to score team. Taryne McPherson 35th (34.52), Antel Muller, returning to competition, 43rd (36.14) and Vanessa Vander 56th (37.06) closing the 6 to score. Catherine Rodwell 101st (40.54), Hayley Palmer 106th (41.30) and Sarah Kenyon 129 (44.39) finishing the ladies team.

The U20 women were led in by Abigail Royden 3rd (19.27), Ella Webb 4th (19.33) and Lola Sutton (20.03) (5th) closing the 3 to score team. Lily Crossley 6th (20.33), Ingrid Linn 9th (21.36.) and Ciara Harrop 11th (24.54). The team winning on the day and finishing 2nd over the 4 matches. Ella Webb won bronze overall. All girls will be representing Kent at the inter-counties XC Championships on Saturday 9th December.

The U17 women saw another strong run for Amber Matthews in 2nd (19.21). Iris Crossley 7th (20.44) and Abigail Hawkes 8th (21.03) finished the 3 to score. Beth Palmer (21.07), Heidi Hughes 14th (21.57) and Naveen Neo 16th (22.28). The team winning on the day and finishing 2nd over the 4 matches. Amber, Iris, and Beth selected for the Kent inter counties XC on Saturday.

The U15 girls team were led in by Rose Crossley 4th (16.00), Sofia Cudmore-Smith (16.47) and Olivia Baker 18th (17.42) for the 3 to score team. Matilda Moisan 34th (19.12), Amelie Guthrie 37th (20.01), Subuki Antonio 38th (20.06) and Freya Stein 42nd (22.04) closing the team. The team finished 3rd on the day and 3rd over all. Rose and Sofia gaining selection for Kent.

The U13s girls were led in by Gwen Thomas 21st (14.03) and Chloe Orridge 32nd (15.59).

A strong run and win for U17 Franklin Shepherd (16.37). Theo Ronchetti 14th (18.12) and Dominic Wright 28th (22.17). The team finished 3rd in the day and 3rd overall.

Daniel Kershaw was once again first home for the club, crossing the line in 11th (11:41), Ola Ajelara continued his fine form to finish 17th (11:50) and Logan Smith closed the team for the first time in 21st (12:00). Other finishers were Jacob Welton (30th in 12:23), Oliver Field (34th in 12:37), Jack Gregory (37th in 12:44) and Cameron Drake (60th in 15:12).

The U13 boys finished 3rd on the day and 4th overall.

The U15 boys were led home by Freddie Gibson in 3rd place (13:44). This result secured him the individual silver medal, Alfred Moisan was next home in 24th place (14:56) and Dillon Gregory completed the team of three in 27th place (15:09),. Support was provided by Louie Gear (28th in 15:10), Declan Tighe (42nd in 16:07), Maxime Foissy (51st in 17:01) and Cameron Davis (56th in 19:06).

The U15 boys finished 3rd on the day and were 3rd overall.

As a result of their performances over the season, Daniel Kershaw (U13) and Freddie Gibson (U15) have been selected to compete for Kent in the Southern Intercounties at Horspath, Oxford on December the 9th.

Donnelly leads the way for M&M

The second race of the Kent Fitness League season took place Sunday 19th November at Oxleas Wood, Eltham with Medway and Maidstone AC fielding a much-depleted team due to injuries and other absences.

Building on his strong debut run the previous week, Alex Donnelly led the way for M&M, finishing in 4th place, narrowly missing out on a top three place. He was followed by Justin Lane (7th and 1st M45), Owen Featherstone (8th) and Neill Wright (12th and 3rd M45) all improving on their performances in the first race of the season. Jacques Cunningham-March continued his return to form, finishing 20th on his KFL debut, just ahead of Chris Rampling, who arrived just on time to race to a comfortable 21st place. Adam Featherstone finished 32nd for the second week running, and was 3rd M50, with Stephen Turpie (58th) and Adrian Moody (102nd and 1st M60) completing the men’s scoring team. James Marshall made his cross country debut finishing strongly to take 112th place.

M&M ladies were again well represented with eight athletes completing the hilly course. As was the case in race one, it was Emily Hale (9th) and Chloe Hammond (17th and 2nd F40) as the first two M&M ladies. Vanessa Vander (35th), with her best KFL performance to date, was next to finish, followed by debutant Ciara Harrop (58th). Catherine Rodwell (80th), Sophie Barnes (81st) and Deborah Warren (112th) all improved on their positions in the previous week to finish further up the field, with Hayley Palmer (93rd) returning to cross country action to complete the team.

Another strong showing throughout the men’s team helped them to another victory in the team competition, and despite having a scoring team member missing, the ladies still finished 11th and combined team 3rd overall.

Race three of the season is on Sunday 26th November, 9:00am at Knole Park, Sevenoaks.

Results: https://kfl.canterburyharriers.org/xc_result.php?id=18529
Photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/76c291bpbqzWqwEU9