Photo – The presentations take place
95 teams from 20 Kent and Sussex clubs competed in the inaugural Tonbridge AC Midsummer Relay Race on a warm, dry evening in Penshurst Place last week. The sold-out event was also huge success for the host club’s athletes after some titanic battles over the undulating 4km route, as they took both the men’s and women’s title ahead of local rivals. Eltham based, Cambridge Harriers won the prestigious mixed team event.
In the men’s race a storming first leg run of 12.09 from Liam White of Tunbridge Wells Harriers, proved to be the fastest of the race and he was followed home by Jamie Bryant of the home club and Josh Teece of Dartford based Central Park AC. Harriers lead over the testing 4km course had been narrowed by Matt Dennis of Tonbridge on leg 2 before Steve Strange came through on the final leg to break the tape first for Tonbridge with the second fastest lap of the race. Mouctar Barry of Central Park overhauled John Laws of the Harriers for second place. Tunbridge Wells Harriers showed their immense strength in depth by also filling 4th and 5th places.
In the ladies race, Tunbridge Wells Harriers Laura Whitehead led home the first leg before Tonbridge seized the lead from their west Kent rivals through Maria Heslop and then Lucy Thompson completed the win ahead of the Harriers and Paddock Wood. Nicolene Hanekom of Sevenoaks AC was the fastest female runner of the day in a scintillating time of 14.33.
The third Alan Bennett trophy, in memory of the athletic club’s former president, was awarded to a very strong Cambridge Harriers team comprising Ben Shearer, James Macdonald and Catherine Gonzalez. They led home Sevenoaks AC and Canterbury based, Sporting Events UK.
Mote Park Runners, Lingfield AC, Marden-based Russet Runners and Wadhurst Runners had multiple enthusiastic teams who competed in this event, which is expected to attract even more entrants next summer.
Perhaps the biggest cheer of the day went to the oldest competitor, 81 year old Alan Champion of Istead and Ifield AC who was awarded a prize for his efforts by key sponsor, Birketts.
Photos courtesy of Charlotte Knee Photography
