SOUTH OF THE THAMES SENIOR RACE, ALDERSHOT, DEC 16 2017
SOUTH OF THE THAMES SENIOR RACE, ALDERSHOT, DEC 16 2017
KENT AC WOMEN STRIKE GOLD AGAIN AND THERE’S A VINTAGE PERFORMANCE FROM JOHN GILBERT
Following on from their win in the Junior South of the Thames race last month, Kent AC women did the double and secured victory in the Senior race at Aldershot on Saturday. The men, facing very stiff opposition on this occasion, couldn’t match their victory in the Junior race. Nevertheless, the team secured bronze medals, and there was an outstanding run from John Gilbert in the men’s race.
For those like me who’ve watched many of John’s races, this was reminiscent of his running of a few years ago when he was such a dominant force over the country. He won the race in never say die style. Pushing the pace in unrelenting fashion, almost from the word go. I say almost, as at the start spectators were treated to the sight of Dame Dibaba haring off at an incredible pace. There had been pre- race rumours that perhaps Dame might have a more restrained, conservative start. However, the rumours were clearly misplaced as on the day he shot off almost quicker than ever. After around 400 metres Dame nearly veered off course but got back on track when he was joined by John and a group of around five other runners. Soon afterwards though John took control of the race. He forced an early lead, and pushed on to have a significant gap between him and the chasers for almost the entire race. And it should be said that in the chasing pack there were some class acts, including the likes of Aldershot’s Johnny Hay and Tonbridge’s George Duggan.
As mentioned, in the team stakes the men faced extremely strong opposition. Jordan Weaver, sporting a cap for the duration of the race, (he can get away with it) was our next man in after John. Reportedly, Jordan hadn’t really trained since the disappointment of going up to Telford the previous week, only to have the weather force the race cancellation. He was just outside the top twenty in this quality field.
As sometimes happens with Dame, after the fast and furious start he can go backwards -only to surge back up the field. There was a bit of that in this race, but he had the added problem of experiencing a stitch. It forced him to stop briefly and perform his own brand of calisthenics for a while.
The prospect of a Kent AC runner passing him spurred him on and he went on to finish twenty fifth in the race. Not far behind Dame were our fourth and fifth scorers in the six to score, Pete Lighting (28th) and Neil Phillips (29th). Pete, who now has some impressive marathon times to his name, looks to be getting stronger on the country these days. While it was pleasing to see Neil, who had such a great season last year, having an improved run and feeling more positive post-race. Then just outside the top thirty, (31) was Ben Harding. Having six runners in by 31 is pretty good scoring. However, as mentioned earlier, Tonbridge, but in particular Aldershot had really strong teams out. Having said that, we again showed the strength in depth of the club as we had a ‘B’ team that finished seventh and a ‘C’ team, tenth, out of the eighteen clubs that closed in. Moreover, we were also second in the 12 to score.
Our women created another little piece of Kent AC history. To do the double, that is winning both Junior and Senior race is quite an achievement. But the significant thing here was that composition of the team at Aldershot was so different from the one that won at Beckenham. To win races with quite different teams clearly demonstrates the growing strength in depth of the club. Continuing her come back, Amy led the way with a strong fourth place in the women’s race. Looks like she’s getting fitter as she was closer to Georgie Bruinvels, the Aldershot international, than she was at Beckenham. Our next three scorers were all inside the top twenty. Sarah Hanley ran strongly to come home in 15th spot. Not far behind Sarah was Catherine Kandie (17th) having another fine run. Then Victoria Buck (19th), who showed her versatility in the summer covering numerous track events, proved again that she’s no slouch at cross country. The final counters for the team were Eliza Grant (24th) and Claire Sutton (35th). One of the interesting facets of this race is that like the 5- mile team race, men and women run together. This can lead to little personal duels like the one Eliza had on the last lap with fellow Kent AC runner, Paul Crompton. Eliza may have just lost out to Paul but her 24th place in the Women’s race was to be commended. As was the run of Claire Sutton who had a terrific run and closed the team in.
Finally, incorporated into the usual Kent AC post- race celebrations was a stag do for the estimable Tim Lawrence. A number of the party had donned specially commissioned T-shirts with a picture of a youthful Tim embossed on the front. Fair to say the suggestions as to the various people he resembled in the youthful pic were less than flattering. But then I guess many of us would have pictures from those early years that induce a bit of mirth.
Your correspondent has semi- retired from serious boozing, as well as serious running, so didn’t get very far on the pub run. I’ve no doubt people can catch up on social media.
Next up on the running front is the Kent County and then we do battle in the Surrey League again.
Results:
South of Thames Senior Championship
at Aldershot on Sat 16th December 2017
1st John Gilbert 36 58
21st Jordan Weaver 39 40
25th Dame Dibaba 40 12 Teams : 6 to score
28th Peter Lighting 40 18 1st Aldershot Farnham & D 53
29th Neil Phillips 40 25 2nd Tonbridge 107
31st Ben Harding 40 29 3rd KENT AC 135
39th Jonathan Tipper 41 25 32nd Dave Morgan 40 31 – non scorer
42nd James Bowler 41 34
45th Daniel Pettit 41 45 Teams : 12 to score
48th Phil Sanders 41 50 1st Aldershot Farnham & D 293
54th Tim Lawrence 42 24 2nd KENT AC 422
59th Ben Cook 43 11
64th Stuart Beaney 43 21
65th Calum Fraser 43 25
68th Daniel Ansell 43 59
85th Ian Ellwood 46 08
102nd Tim Sharp 48 17
107th Roger Beardsworth 48 46
131th Paul Crompton 52 26
160 finishers