The club ensured that we picked up where we left off last year in the first big test of 2012- this was with another triumph . And what a triumph it was. For not only did we have the individual winner with John Gilbert repeating his success of last year, but we also won the six and twelve to score competitions in resounding style.

The early running in the race was made by our own James Connor cutting out the pace. After James’ early burst, a lead group formed that contained both John and his Cambridge rival, Dean Lacy. After a relatively short period these two got away from the rest of the field and spectators were anticipating a possible race long struggle between the pair. However, although they had been together for much of the recent South of the Thames race, today John had upped his game and built a lead quite early on. However, unlike the South of the Thames when John had a lead that was pegged back by Dean, today there was no coming back. John ran a truly authoritative race which we hope will be a confidence booster for John mounting a serious challenge in the forthcoming Southern Championships. Behind the lead two, our runners clinched the six to score with a highly impressive 6 in 19. After John came James Connor in fifth , which though highly creditable might have been one better had in not been for an altercation with a metal post that perhaps prevented him securing fourth spot. Just behind James in sixth was Ben Hope making his debut for the club in fine style. Ben, a long term friend and Sunday run partner of Andy Moreton , has recently started training with Ken’s group and joined us second claim at present. He’s clearly a talented runner and a welcome addition to our ranks. Ben was followed by Chris Greenwood claiming a top ten spot in ninth. His placing another stunning example of the progress he has made this year. Our fifth and sixth scorers were Jim Savage in 17th and Rich Munn in 19th. Jim’s run showed he is coming back to form after a cycling accident put him out of action and unable to train whilst Rich had a really solid run to make the top twenty. A measure of the strength of Rich’s run was that the always dependable Steve McGrory had an excellent run to finish in 21st and yet was unable to make the scoring six. The next five scorers who made up the winning team, were Stuart Beaney , 28th, Andrew Dunwoody 30th, Callum Fraser 43rd, Jack Wilson 46th and closing the 12 in 47th was Andy Moreton. It was good to see Stuart back to form (some might say linked to lack of lager consumption) and also to see Andrew Dunwoody racing and performing well in his first race after an injury and illness blighted season. In addition to the scoring twelve it should also be said that our other runners also ran with conviction and commitment to the cause. Luke Armitage narrowly missed out on the scoring 12 finishing in 53rd , he was followed in by Stuart Scott in in 72nd, Alex Moreau in 80th and Theo Hadlow in 84th.

Not to be outdone our women’s team also did the club proud. In the three to score the club finished a very pleasing third club, whilst in the six they went one better claiming second spot. It may not have mattered, but conceivably it could have been even better had it not been for Natasha’s pre-race de-tour which meant she missed the start. Relative novice Sarah Watson confirmed her undoubted potential by having a superb run to finish fifth and not far out of medals. Nevertheless Sarah’s fine run meant she qualifies for Kent selection in the forthcoming inter- counties. Although Sarah, a language student, is due to be in Spain at the time of the race, it seemed as though the attraction of representative honours may tempt her to make a journey back. For the rest of the women’s placings and full results the Kent County website should be viewed.

All in all another day of great success for the club. Let’s hope for more of the same in 2012.

Andy G.

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What can I say!

What a fantastic weekend, one of the best in the clubs history I'm sure! We finally got a team out that cleaned up at the County champs and dominated in every department in the senior men's race. Individual winner, six man team and 12 man team champions!

John Gilbert ran a superb race to win the men's title for a second year running beating Dean Lacy (London Cross Country Champion), who has been in fantastic shape this season by 40 seconds! I am sure John is in with a great chance of a Southen top 5 finish in 3 weeks time. I personally had a nice return to racing and had a last lap battle with our debutant Ben Hope (5th and 6th, respectively), however I think 4th could have been possible if I had not had an altercation with a post at the start of the last lap. Forth scorer was Chris Greenwood in 9th, who's his improvement is such that he is now mixing it up at the front of the field and adds true strength to the squad now. Jim Savage also on the comeback after having a period of injury is showing he is again improving as the weeks go by with a very solid run in 17th and is such a key member in the team competitions. Our Surrey league captain Rich Munn had a fantastic race to close our victorious six man team in 19th position and had produced the goods when he had to, especially with Steve McGrory (21st) in hot pursuit. Stuart Beaney (28th) who is on an alcohol free regime is getting fitter by the week and relished the opportunity to take a few scalps of old team mates from Medway. In his first race for several months Andrew Dunwoody (30th) produced a very solid run and has shown that it won't be long before he is back in the six man team. The next 3 men home secured the 12 man team prize, Calum Fraser (43rd), Jack Wilson (46th) and Andy Moreton (47th), and goes to show just how much the format of the Surrey League has developed our club. Outside of the 12 was Luke (53rd), Stuart Scott (72nd), Alex Moreau (80th), Theo Hadlow (84th) - All our runners inside 85 with 187 finishers!

Thanks for your support at the weekend, lets do the same at the Southern on 28th Jan

Cheers

James Connor