37th Wingham 10k & 5k Race

Hello all,

 

I had a very enjoyable experience at the 37th Wingham 10km Race on Sunday 8th September 2024. The weather was actually far better than I think everyone had anticipated, and presented all of the runners with fairly ideal weather to run in, which was much appreciated for when it came to the rolling hills along multiple points during the course.

 

I began at the front of the 252 total runners, with Mark Croucher just behind before we set off on what promised to be a great experience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We soon then got onto a right hand bend which then gradually led up a fair bit of a hill relatively early on. Following this, we were then back onto a much more flattened section soon enough, that also boasted some quite scenic countryside views.

 

 

However there wasn’t too much time for myself and many others to stop and admire it all, since we either had our sights set on PB’s, podium/age category finishes or even simply just being able to reach the finish line and receive the expertly handcrafted pottery finishers medal (made by Canterbury Pottery, so many thanks to them for doing that).

 

 

Further on during the race a few more rolling hills gradually emerged, however we were pleasantly rewarded almost every time with some form of a downhill section after each.

 

 

From around mile 5 to the finish section, the course still had its small share of rolling hills, although I must say when reaching the short flat road onwards towards the finish line, it certainly felt like quite a fast finish (which I was very grateful for).

 

 

Following on from that I was actually quite surprised about how quick the course ended up being, since I hadn’t entirely anticipated it to be all that quick in some parts. I would therefore say it is a pretty fast course and certainly can be PB territory, despite some of the hills to navigate across the course. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As ever with any races that Sporting Events hosts, it was a very professionally organised race. People are very friendly and supportive, so that only added to the pleasant atmosphere too. 

 

 

My final time was 37:29, and so a personal best for me in the 10km by 5 seconds. 

However that should not take center stage, as a very well done must be given to all from Thanet Roadrunners AC who participated today on this challenging course.

 

 

Final times are:

 

Janet Morgan – bib #165 – chip time 58:56

 

Sarah Bailey – bib #6 – chip time 59:33

 

Mark Croucher – bib #59 – chip time 39:58

 

Oliver Regan – bib #192 – chip time 37:29