By Jon Holl
Perfectly timed as a warmup race for London, Chicago, Amsterdam, Chester and Colchester marathons, Thanet Roadrunners Ricky Savage 20-mile road race welcomed runners from across the home counties, but proved to be challenging as ever.
After sub-zero hail, snow and gale conditions in previous years runners experienced a hot but beautiful clear day, with lots of loud support along the promenades of Thanet. The stunning blue sky showed Thanet at its best.
The race started at Ramsgate Boating Pool, passing along the coast to Broadstairs, turning at Louisa Bay (what a horrible hill to run up), and returning south to Chalk Hill, where it turned, with runners treated to another lap!
Forty Thanet Roadrunners marshals guided runners along the route. They were simply fabulous. They were noisy, boisterous, and supportive. Just what every runner needs. People seem to change when you give them a yellow tabard!
The all-female lead cyclist team guided the lead runners along the promenade and alerted families to the pace of the lead runners. They had their work cut out guiding some really fast runners (the winner Anthony Webb puts in a 15.30 5k time). They did a tremendous job.
First man was Anthony Webb from Medway and Maidstone AC and 2.03.35 and first lady Clare Mullenger from Wimbledon Windmillers, finishing 10th overall in 02.32.39.
Chris Brenchley (2.20.17) was first Thanet Roadrunner home and 5th man overall, also winning the V/50 prize.
Spencer Hoult 18th place, 2.46.53
Dave Winch 19th place, 2.49.20
Jo Holl 20th place, 2.50.08 achieved her first ever podium position, as 3rd lady and V55 winner.
Steve Morgan 24th 2.56.10
Jon Holl 26th 2.57.25
Nikki Boyes 27th place 2.58.48
Matthew Hall 39th 3.18.55
Rob Butler 46th 3.33.35
Phil Cope 57th 3.57.30
Simon Clayton tail runner 5.04.55 (over 3hrs after the first finisher).
Thanet Roadrunners next event is the Alan Green Memorial 5 and 10 mile race on Sunday 4th December: https://thanetroadrunnersac.com/events/
Good that my old running club Thanet Roadrunners of which I’m a founder member are organising / putting on this race which is a challenging course so you need to have got some hill / slope training in before taking part in it .
Some decent times in there and good to see people like Dave Winch are still running well after all these years
And a “ well done” to the 40 club volunteers that marshalled the course