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Folkestone 10 mile

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Folkestone 10 2008 Race Report

What a way to celebrate our 25th running of the event! Less than a week ago things looked pretty grim, with the Easter break the earliest since 1913, gale force winds and high seas dumping sand and shingle on most of the promenade, the running of the race looked decidedly dodgy. Thanks to a stirling effort by Shepway District Council, aided and abetted by club members, friends and family who met throughout the week on shingle clearing duty, the race went ahead on schedule. The club was honoured by the presence of Mike Gratton, one time member of Folkestone AC, London Marathon winner in 1983 and record holder of the Folkestone ‘10’ in 1985 in 48 mins and 45 seconds. Mike started today’s proceedings by presenting our own club member, Dave Denyer, with a framed copy of his race number ‘1’. Dave was presented with this number in honour of his contribution to the race over a twenty year period from 1984 to 2003 and was the only Folkestone runner competing today. He completed the course in a time of 1.18.19.
The conditions proved to be pretty tough today and Mike’s record remained safe for another year, however, the race was none the less an exciting one. Competition was stiff due to the event being a County Championship and Grand Prix race. In a close finish, Andy Welch of Ashford AC was first home in a time of 54.02, followed by Aboura Mahieddine of Thanet Road Runners in 54.03! Aboura was awarded the County Championship Gold medal as Andy entered on the day and could not qualify for the event. In third place was Peter Tucker of Blackheath and Bromley in 54.53. First lady home was Tina Oldershaw of Paddock Wood AC in a time of 1.02.09, in second place was Claire Gibson, Cambridge Harriers in 1.02.21 and third place went to Janine Brown, Ashford AC in 1.04.00. Barry Royden, Medway and Maidstone AC, a regular at the event, was first Vet 40 in a time of 58.55 and first Vet 35 lady was Tina Oldershaw.
The County Championship team golds went to Cambridge Harriers for the men and Paddock Wood AC for the ladies.
The Junior race was no less competitive, with a total of fifty five runners taking part this year. First runner home in the Secondary School category was Ben Burton of Thanet Road Runners in a time of 04.15 followed by Jacob Burton, also of Thanet Road Runners in 04.18 repeating their success of 2007. In third place was Adrian Ross, unattached, in a time of 04.22. In the Primary Category the first runner to finish was Dan Eades, unattached in a time of 05.04, followed by Dominic Wild, also unattached, in 05.06 and in third place was Rebecca Roddy of Deal Tri in 5.07.

Well done to all of the 549 runners who competed today and thanks for coming. See you again next year!

Tina Eke
Chairman
Folkestone Running Club

Event photographs are available at Ed Stagg Photography

Entry details

Download the entry form from this page and mail to the Race Director.

Results from previous years are on Documents page.

The course

Race HQ is the British Legion, St Leonards Road, Hythe. Due to the redevelopments in Folkestone, the course runs from Hythe to Folkestone and back, but essentially uses the same course, and is primarily seafront promenade.
Fantastic news! A new beach path has been built linking Sandgate to Folkestone Harbour. This means the only hill on the course has been removed. PB's are definitely possible.

Course Records

Men 1985 48.45 Mike Gratton, Invicta E Kent
V40 1991 52.18 Henry Emerton,Colchester&Tendr
V50 1997 54.11 Martyn Rouse, Invicta East Kent
V60 2001 62.44 Michael Conway,Canterbury Harrier

Lady2005 53.21 Charlotte Dale, Invicta East Kent (new course)
Lady1984 55.52 Sarah Rowell,Dartford Harriers
V40 2004 59.45 Alison Fletcher, Dulwich Runners
V50 1992 65.09 Mollie Smith, Ashford&Dist RR