Despite (or perhaps because?) entries are no longer available on the day in the Kent League, there was a record turnout at the first fixture of the season at Stanhill Farm. The senior men’s race attracted a field of 225, a total to which we made a healthy contribution with 17. Our numbers were swelled by the return of Dean Lacy who missed all of the previous season through injury and also by the return of Ian McCarthy and Mike and Joe Simmons after much longer absences.
In warm sunshine and over firm ground on a flat course it didn’t really feel like cross country but I am sure that we will be faced with some more challenging conditions as the season progresses.
Despite his long lay-off Dean was still our first finisher although his 18th place is something that he will be sure to improve on if he can stay injury free. Steve Hodges had a good run for 23rd as did Steve Groom (46) and David Reader (54) who completed the 4-to-score team which came 5th. In the 12-to-score we were 6th.
RESULTS
18 Dean Lacy 34:53 23 Steve Hodges 35:42 46 Steve Groom 37:24 54 David Reader 37:52 93 Andy Knight 39:56 101 Christian Poulton 40:27 104 Graham Maynard 40:34 108 Dom Fiore 40:42 135 Clem Dixon 42:07 137 Mark Cross 42:13 163 Joseph Simmons 44:47 178 Ian McCarthy 46:25 179 Ian Marshall 46:33 202 Darren O’Brien 49:14 212 Pat Austin 52:17 219 Stanley Thomas 54:09 225 Mike Simmons 59:35