2004 Red Lion 10K Report

11:00 8 August 2004 at Red Lion PH, Hernhill, nr Faversham

2004 individual results »   2004 team results »

For the second year in a row the runners in the Red Lion 10K had a torrid time of it, running on one of the hottest days of the year in a race that has one of the more challenging courses in the south-east. Whilst the race did not experience last year's record temperatures, when it was held on the hottest day ever in the UK, quite a few runners needed attention from the St John Ambulance Brigade. Thankfully, however, that prompt attention plus the availability of water at the finish and on the course meant that everybody recovered quickly.

This year's temperatures, coupled perhaps with memories of last year, reduced the field to 202 entrants, but there were still some excellent performances. Patrick Curran of Medway & Maidstone AC was first home in 34:16 but, as he had only entered on the day he had to relinquish first prize to Roy Burgess of Hercules Wimbledon AC who ran 36:22. David Law (36:50; Maidstone Harriers) and Sam Rigby (37:31, Folkestone AC) were the second and third male prizewinners.

Amongst the women there was a comfortable win for Annabelle Stearns of Gravesend Roadrunners, who improved upon her second place in the 2003 race. She finished in a time of 40:03, 2:47 ahead of second placed Briony Segal (42:50; Ashford & District), who just managed to put a gap of five seconds between herself and Invicta East Kent veteran Janice Moorkite.

The team competitions were a clean sweep for Invicta East Kent with their all-veteran men's team (John Wilkins, Peter Bowell and Martin Rouse) managing to hold off Deal Tri. Their dominance in the women's race was a bit more clear-cut, with Samantha Reid and Rachel Wood combining with Moorkite to take the prize.

The runners did have the compensation of each receiving a T-shirt to mark their efforts, with some fortunates also receiving spot prizes.

Canterbury Harriers were grateful to all the members and friends who helped out with organising the race and to the police and St John Ambulance Brigade for their assistance. Many thanks also to Bailey's Nissan of Canterbury and the Red Lion pub at Hernhill for their sponsorship of the race.

2004 individual results »   2004 team results »