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Athletics round-up: Dover Road Runners, South Kent Harriers and Swale Combined AC

Four Dover Road Runners took part in the SVN challenge at the cyclopark at Gravesend in ideal running conditions on Saturday.

The route consisted of eight 3.28 mile laps to complete the marathon distance.

South Kent Harriers' Illyan Tytel, Martin Salmon, Gary Frake and Sheila Eade.
South Kent Harriers' Illyan Tytel, Martin Salmon, Gary Frake and Sheila Eade.

Michele Barnes finished the course in a time of 5hrs12min02secs, closely followed by Claire Thurgate and Adam Tomaskewski in 5:22.23 and Kirsten Mueller in 6:41.49.

On Sunday, five Dover Road Runners took part in the Rye 5 and 10 mile races.

Another post lockdown race used a staggered start format with groups of 12 runners heading out in five-minute intervals. The route provided a challenge for all, undulating from start to finish.

In the five-mile race, a trio of Dover Road Runners found themselves in the top 10. Jared Dobson came home in an excellent third place overall in a time of 31.06. He was followed by Ola Zdzieblowska (37.33) and Amy Stimpson (38.12) in 9th and 10th respectively. In her first race as a member, Jody Gavin came home in 47th place (59.24).

In the 10 mile race, Lee Gavin was the club's only runner with a time of 1:12.47 for 26th place overall.

The Saxons, Vikings and Normans are an organisation that specialises in setting running challenges without the stress of competition.

This week's challenge was over the half marathon distance and was held at Gravesend in Cyclopark. The run was part of the 20 in 20 series for 2020 - that translates as 20 runs in 20 days.

In order to comply with social distancing, four South Kent Harriers runners were sent off at different times in groups.

The conditions, although still hot, were much more favourable than in recent runs as there was a cool breeze and the hilly,woodland course provided some shelter from the sun.

All four runners had an enjoyable run and successfully completed the half-marathon distance. New member Martin Salmon completed the run in a quick 1hr 52mins with Gary Frake, Illyan Tytel and Sheila Eade also completing the challenge.

South Kent Harriers welcome new runners whatever their current standard. They meet in the Saga car park every Tuesday and Thursday at 6.15pm for training.

Swale Combined AC has been training in a COVID secure environment since the middle of July and on Saturday their athletes finally got a chance to compete.

Four Swale athletes travelled to Norman Park, Bromley, to compete in the Blackheath and Bromley Open and set three personal bests in a now very short outdoor season.

Harrison Patching-Scott (U17M) took second place in his heat of the 100m with a best of 12.15secs, as he gets closer to breaking the 12-second barrier. Freya Jury (U17W) also ran in the 100m with a time of 13.80.

In the javelin, Christine Lynch threw a string of PBs in the W60 category, finishing with a new best of 16.49m. Amelia Williams also threw a personal best in the U17W shot with a best throw of 9.88.

Dartford’s Adam Gemili won the men’s 200m with a time of 20.61 seconds at the Diamond League in Stockholm.

It was Gemili’s final outing of a shortened season.

He said: “Great to end my ‘season’ healthy and with a win at the Stockholm DL.

“Thanks to everyone for the messages of love and support. Now time for a short break before the real work begins going into Tokyo."

Read more: All the latest sports news in Kent

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