Women’s Kent Vets Champs – Dartford
On a cold, wet and windy Saturday the Kent AC women kicked off December with an impressive performance at the Kent County Vets Champs in Dartford. Over 3 miles of muddy and slippery terrain (I’m told there were some regrets over not using 15-inch spikes, especially as the ground was quite churned up already after the previous race!) the women dominated across all age categories with Amy Clements coming first overall (and in the V35) and recent Dublin Marathon runner Nicky Hayes coming 2nd in the V55 category.
The V35 team saw Clements (in her first race back after Frankfurt Marathon, were she finished 25th overall and 2nd in her age category) crossed the line in 18.35. She was followed by the in-form Laura McCrave (who ran 19.39 at Victoria Docks parkrun last weekend) finishing in 9th and Zuzana Nemeckova in 15th (just off two back-to-back international major marathons this autumn!). Heather Castle competing in her first XC race came home strongly to round out the team.
In the V45 category the always consistent Ali Farrell was first Kent AC runner home in 5th place. She was followed by Sarah Dowling, who has had an eye-catching XC season so far competing in all the fixtures to date. Third scorer was Andrea Barber, who has been putting in some quality training sessions and great parkrun times over the last few months. Rounding out the V45 team is the always consistent (and great photo taker!) Sarah Young. The team came 3rd overall in a quality field.
A second place in the V55 for Nicky Hayes (who would have felt these were easy conditions after her experience at Boston marathon earlier in the year!) put the team in good position to take out the age category with XC regulars Carol Grady and Zoe Grattan second and third scorer for the team.
Kate Williams unfortunately had to pull out of the race to take on medic duties taking one of the men to hospital to be treated for what sounds like a nasty injury.
Thanks to Pete Boxshall and Sarah Young for providing race photos.
Results:
V35
1 Kent AC 1,9,15
2 Tunbridge Wells Harriers 8,11,12
3 Dulwich Runners AC 2,13,25
V45
1 Tonbridge AC 3,4,6
2 Dulwich Runners AC 1,8,13
3 Kent AC 5,11,20
V55
1 Kent AC 2,5,8