North Downs Race Report and Results

16 Traccies took on the brutal challenge of the 30k North downs run, this multi terrain race is often described as “hard as a marathon”. Well, they did warn us! We all agreed though that we had lots of fun and we had great praise for the host clubs’ marshals and organisers.

 

The route of the North Downs Run passes through some of the finest scenery in Southern England. Runners thread their way across farmland to Shorne village before descending gently southwards through Cobham Park into the Cuxton Valley and the steep drop down to Lower Bush. Then begins the relentless climb to Holly Hill, followed by a welcome descent into Great Buckland.

 

The route crosses the fields to Luddesdown Court and over picturesque “Cricket Pitch Hill”. There follows an 800 metre road section at Henley Street taking you past ‘The Cock’ pub, and passing through Kent apple and pear orchards to reach the historic village of Cobham into Jeskyns Nature Reserve & Ashenbank Wood and then through scenic Shorne Wood Country Park for a seriously challenging uphill section before emerging onto the Shorne Ifield Road and the path back across the fields to Cascades Leisure Centre for the FINISH.

 

Sunday was another hot day for running for the 551 athletes and this race formed part of the Kent grand prix, the British Masters Multi-terrain Championships and our own club championships. The race was won by the Instead & ilfield harrier Ed Bovington 1:59:40.

 

As for Thanet Road Runners, David Winch secured both a V70 win overall and a V70 British Masters Multi-terrain Championships win, Well done David!

 

 

Elizabeth Carr and Pam Philpot were the first Lady Traccie’s to finish in 3hrs 43 and I (Chris Brenchley) was the first Traccie home just under 2hrs 20mins.

 

We were left sprawled out in the sunshine afterwards, nursing wounds and eating cakes and ice-creams. The club’s results are below;

 

Chris Brenchley 2:19:17
Dan Clarke ran for his trail club; Barrowdale 2:32:17
John Hunt 2:33:05
Andy Stevens 2:35:44
Richard Allan 2:37:24
David Riordan 2:38:01
David Winch 2:41:36
Richard Purton 2:44:24
Stephen Forshaw 3:01:58
Oliver Northrop 3:09:10
Maxwell Hubbard 3:12:21
Michael Philpot 3:36:20
Elizabeth Carr 3:43:04
Pam Philpot 3:43:05
Joanne Jeffreys 3:53:12
Pauline Petitt 4:01:22

 

Chris Brenchley, men’s captain. 💪