A good day for running encouraged a large turn-out of 14 club runners at the Paddock Wood Half Marathon. Always a popular event for those preparing for a spring Marathon and several among the Sevenoaks contingent were finalising their training for either the London or Brighton Marathon , writes John Denyer .

The race achieved a record 1945 finishers and was won by William Levett of Tonbridge AC in a time of 1.09.59. The first SAC finisher was David Ives in 17th place in an excellent PB of 1.15.21. He was followed by Keith Brown, using the race as preparation for his Tri season, who finished in a fine time of 1.22.42. Next home was John Denyer in 1.30.04, 3rd M60 overall and 1st M60 in the Kent Champs.

There then followed a tight bunch in the 1.30’s with Pauline Dalton and Duncan Warwick-Champion in 1.35.48 and 1.36.40 respectively and both preparing for London, Erik Folkesson (1.37.43) and Simon Bishop (1.39.19). Shortly after them came Glen Maule in 1.40.34, who was rehearsing his pace for the Brighton Marathon, and Toby Galbraith in his first Half Marathon setting a marker at 1.40.43.

Other SAC runners were the ever present Sally Shewell in 1.48.32, Rob Johnson in 1.57.03, Lynette Van Der Berg, fresh from the Rome Marathon in 1.58.16, Richard Thomas in 2.00.25 and M70 Ron Denney in 2.08.07.

With these and other recent results the new Team Grand Prix competition is beginning to take shape with the team of Chris Desmond, Sylvia Lewis and Richard Thomas leading the way with a combined total of 328.7 closely followed by Pauline Dalton, Simon Bishop and Maryanne Aitken with 325.7. With a number of runners yet to record their two races this season there is still all to play for – check the club website here for regular updates.