Photo – Ben Cole after the Reading Half Marathon win
Ben Cole, from Tonbridge Athletic Club, produced a superb win at the Reading Half Marathon, on Sunday and set a new personal best and club record for the over 35 age group.
Cole recorded 65.28 to win by more than a minute from Tom Higgs of South London Harriers, with the race having 5,373 finishers. His time ranks him third on the Tonbridge all-time list, but is an over 35 age group record, improving his own mark by a couple of seconds.
Cole has been outstanding over the last few months, with results including winning the South of Thames Cross Country title, finishing second in the Kent Championships, fifth at the Southern and 17th at the National Championships, whilst featuring amongst the fastest relay legs at the South of England and National Road Relays.
Also at the Reading Half Marathon, John Harley ran 1.42.28 to set a new Tonbridge age group record, for the over 70 men.
The UK’s second biggest marathon took place, on Sunday, at Manchester, where a few from Tonbridge AC were competing. Tom Woolley (over 40) was the first of the group home in 2.49.20, with Nichola Evans (over 40) making her debut at the distance and recording 2.58.23. Adam Tibbals (over 45) ran 3.02.27, Ben Hepden (over 45) 3.04.49 and Penny Pilbeam (over 50) 3.29.00.