23rd March 2009 More race results

Congratulations to Tony Gates and Peter Burfoot who took on a new race, the A20 Pathway 17.3 mile. This started at the old Great Danes Hotel, now the Ramada Maidstone, near Leeds Castle. It was a rolling Chip start with runners being despatched in waves on account of the narrowness of the pathway beside the A20 used for this race. The rolling start worked well and it was fun overtaking the some of the slower runners who started earlier. The race weaved its undulating way to Harrietsham and beside the A20 for nearly 6 miles before turning left near Lenham and climbing up the North Downs along a minor road. Once at the top it was quite flat and fast, though at the 8 mile point Tony was afflicted by cramp. Just before 9 miles the race descended the North Downs steeply close to Charing and hit the A20 again, this time westbound and against the noticeable breeze. The return back to the Great Danes was a bit of a slog, but the general view on Runners World was that the runners enjoyed the race for marathon training purposes. It was a lovely sunny morning, neither too hot nor too cold. There were 344 finishers.

The results:-

73 364 PETER BURFOOT M-MSV WADHURST RUNNERS 02:16:45

315 342 ANTHONY GATES M-MSV WADHURST RUNNERS 03:10:51


Some weeks back on 1st March, while the Waddies were grappling with the Eastbourne Half Marathon, Martin Burke was running in Belgium in the Annual Ostend to Bruges race. Martins' result was:-

Martin Burke GBR Wadhurst Runners 1.48.44 1.50.12

...And a little closer to home, on 18th March, Janet Drake was in racing action again in Norfolk in the Broadland Half Marathon. It was a very picturesque undulating route> Unfortunately groin and stomach cramps problem affected Janet's performance. Janet's result was:-
Place Time Name Affiliate Category Number
277 2:21:46 DRAKE, Janet Wadhurst Runners Ladies 45-54 315
Those in Marathon training should not forget to consider the next Sussex Grand Prix race which is the Worthing 20 mile race on 5th April. For those who prefer something a bit shorter, there is the Hastings 5 mile race on 19th April which is also a Sussex Grand Prix event.

On the Sunday 29th March, Tunbridge Wells Harriers are staging their last perfect pre-London Marathon 18 mile training run from Pembury, Camden Arms at 8.00 am . There is an option of an additional 2 miles to add on before, after, or both. Also there is a 13 mile short cut. 3 drinks stations with water and sports drinks will be laid on. All are welcome to this scenic, (tough) hilly course.

Eastbourne Half, Thanet 20 and slightly further afield

Windy conditions affected the times at both Eastbourne, for the return of the town's Half Marathon, and at Thanet, where Peter Burfoot was the sole Waddie representative.

There was a strong Waddie presence in Eastbourne where the weather conditions didn't help the runner's times. In addition to the strength sapping wind, the course also contained a very large hill that some Waddies weren't expecting (not many seafronts built on a hill etc etc!)

The results from Eastbourne were

8 Ciaran Osborn 1.23.23
22 Mike Pain 1.27.45
104 Eddy Watenbach 1.39.16
109 Simon Bowyer 1.39.42
115 Shane Last 1.40.04
130 Cathy Hall 1.41.16
201 Abert Kemp 1.46.27
398 Nyree Thomson 1.58.02
399 Sam Craven 1.58.02
469 Helen Neary 2.03.17
529 Kathy Gates 2.07.07
530 Tony Gates 2.07.12
734 Janet Drake 2.40.38

And over in Kent, well done to Peter Burfoot for completing the Thanet 20!

98 Peter Burfoot 2.35.12

Slightly further afield, a couple of Waddies made the annual pilgramage to the city of chocolate and beer for one of Europe's fastest 10 Mile races. The one way race from Ostend to Bruges along the side of the canal which links these two cities always attracts a large field and, if the wind is blowing in the right direction, some fast times are possible.

WebEd was there with Mrs Ed and recorded a pw of 1.47.50 - nothing to do with the wind being in the wrong direction but more to do with an act of supreme gallantry in volunteering to run with a first-timer.

All off to Hastings?

This Sunday sees one of the biggest dates in the Sussex racing calendar with the running of the Hastings Half marathon. The seaside half marathon is regularly voted the country's top half marathon and well over 4,000 entries have already been received - so a record turnout could be on the cards.

There should be a strong turnout of Waddies on Sunday but if you haven't yet got your entry in, don't worry as the organisers are also still accepting entries on the day. Mind you, if you are thinking of leaving it until the last minute, you'd be advised to make sure you're in Hastings well before the 10.30 start time - the race HQ and surrounding areas are extremely congested and parking can be a problem.

Next up in the Sussex GP series, and ideal for London Marathon preparation, is the Worthing 20 on Sunday April 1st. If that's a touch too lomg, why not take a look at the Paddock Wood Half which takes place on the same day? It's a flat course and ideal for a pb.

No Waddies in action locally at the weekend (unless you know any different?) but Cathy and Martin were part of a group who travelled to Bruges for the annual Ostend to Bruges 10 Mile Race. Cathy was definitely in pot hunting mode as she came home first lady in the 6K - and was rewarded with her pot. Complete with plant!

Martin finished the 10 Mile Race in 1.26.47.

Have a good week.

Photos below show Martin huffing and puffing his way just 1K from home; and the second photo shows what happens if you trust your camera to a local who’s watched the entire race from the comfort of the bar!!

Waddies do things by Half!!

Waddies were out in force at the weekend, with half a dozen members taking part in the Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon, a couple more venturing a little further afield to take part in the Roding Valley Half Marathon and Helen taking part in the Eastbourne Half.

The Tunbridge Wells results are now available at here

For the record, the Waddies results from yesterday are:

Mike Mackay 1.28.52
Peter Burfoot 1.37.22
Linda Hayes 1.42.00
Eddie Wattenbach 1.43.14
Cathy Hall 1.48.27
Sara Wrenn 2.27.23

At the Roding Valley Half Marathon:

Cathy Burke 1.54.37
Martin Burke 1.57.49

At the Eastbourne Half Marathon: here

Helen Neary 1.52.06

No Grand Prix race this weekend with everybody getting ready for Hastings on the 11th. If you do fancy a mad race, you could always pop over to Steyning for the Steyning Stinger Marathon ....

A couple of Waddies will be wearing the vest in Belgium this weekend at the popular Ostend to Bruges 10 Mile Race. Whatever you're doing though, enjoy your week.