Six Kent Ac Runners took part in the Bath Half Marathon , with well 11000 runners, one of the country’s largest big city Halves. First Kent AC man home was James Savage continuing his preparations for the London marathon and finishing 19th in a time of 69.17, just outside his best of the season. Second home for Kent was Chris Greenwood, who continued his rapid developement through the XC season with a massive improvement in his PB, finishing 64th in a time of 74.22. Anyone doubting Chris’s grit and determination or just wanting a laugh should check out his finishing straight photos on marathon- photos.com Stuart Beaney continued his steady improvement back to his best form from the 1990’s, finishing 69th and dipping under the 75 minute barrier to finish in 74.52, less than a minute off his best time from his twenties. True to form Simon Loach went out hard and led the b group contingent until 9 miles, hanging on well at the end to finish 10th V40 in 75.41. Perhaps the most surprising and impressive b group performance of the day came from Hesham Dahman. Having managed virtually no training through the winter owing to injury problems and work commitments, Hesham started the day with no expectations and having stuck to your correspondents shoulder for almost the entire race out sprinted me in the final straight to record a PB of 75.49. That left the old man of the b group last but still very happy with dipping under 76 minutes and being 2nd V50.
Although no official team result is available yet, we calculate that our 4 to score team finished 4th on a cumulative time basis behind Tipton Harriers, Bournemouth AC, and Bristol & West. On a cumulative place basis we would have beaten Bristol and West. It is also a testimony to the strength in depth of the b group that I think any 4 of our runners on the day would have secured 4th place.
Elsewhere new b group recruits Matthew Llewellin and Simon Macer-Wright continued their preparations for the London marathon competing in the Silverstone Half. Although Silverstone does not having a reputation as such a fast course both recorded times which bode well for achieving their marathon targets. Simon was 10th V40 in 87.27 and Matthew finished 26th recording a PB of 79.27.

David Child