The 41st Folkestone 10 on Good Friday, 18 April 2025, saw a record entry, and hundreds of happy runners rang the PB bell at the finish on Hythe Green. This is a flat, out-and-back, flat-out blast along the traffic-free seafront promenade between Hythe and Folkestone that has been a staple of the Easter race programme in Kent since 1984.

The comprehensive race website built by Folkestone Running Club carries all the past results. The inaugural winner was Mike Gratton, of Invicta AC, whose course record of 48:45 has endured since 1985.

Sarah Rowell (Dartford Harriers, 55:52) was 15th in that first race and a clear women's winner – only 30 of the 343 finishers were females! The best time ever by a woman is 53:21 by Charlotte Dale (Invicta East Kent), which would have been an overall winning time on nine occasions since 2005!

Conditions for this year's race were good, with warm sunshine and a cooling breeze. The traditional chocolate treat at the finish was appreciated by regular participants like Scott Lynch (Medway & Maidstone AC), who posted this comment on social media: "Really nice race out there today Folkestone Running & Athletics Club. Always a challenge running back....be it strong wind or sun and the creme egg always feels well earnt. Thanks to all your marshalls & helpers. Really appreciated."

The race winners were the 2022 champion Marshall Smith (Ashford AC, 51:22) and W45 Helen Gaunt (Tonbridge AC, 57:12 PB) – the fourth fastest time ever by a UK W45 athlete and a PB by 61 seconds! Gaunt, who also won here in 2022 and 2023, finished sixth overall in her final test run before the TCS London Marathon.

The five men ahead of the women's champion were Smith (51:22), M40 Barry Stephenson (Dartford Harriers, 53:03), and three members of Kent AC: Rory Knight (56:06), M45 Robert Laing (56:17 PB), and M40 Barnaby Day (57:12).

The women's podium was completed by W35 Becky Morrish (Paddock Wood AC, 61:45) on her 10-mile debut and Daisy Mummery (Southville RC, 63:06 PB).

A record 723 finished in 2:20:04, and a finishing time of 90 minutes gained a top 400 place.

Previous results and race reports are at the runABC South race listing here.

Photos courtesy of Folkestone Running Club on Facebook