The 38th North Downs 30K incorporating the British Masters Multi-Terrain Championships for the sixth time, was held on the new course that was introduced last year based at Cyclopark, Gravesend. There were 388 finishers in 4:44:14 in the open race and 52 of those were chasing medals in the age-group competition. 

The organisation of this traditional Kent classic, hosted annually by Istead & Ifield Harriers, is seamless after nearly 40 years as highlighted by M50 Gary Walsh (Sevenoaks, 2:51:39) on facebook soon after finishing 146th: "Fantastic event with a great atmosphere before, during and after the race. The marshals and volunteers were amazing, and it was especially nice to see so many familiar faces from the Cyclopark parkrun - always remember to dig deeper!"

This year, just four men were sufficiently talented and able to dig deep enough to beat two hours, including the overall winner and British Masters champion Paul Fauset (M45 Northern Masters, 1:56:42). The other sub-two-hour finishers were: Tom Collins (M35 Medway & Maidstone, 1:58:37), Fabien Lassonde (M40 Victoria Park Harriers & Tower Hamlets, 1:58:43) and Rhys Gillard (Southend AC, 1:58:48).

British Masters gold medal winners in the higher age groups included M50 Steve Winder (Epsom & Ewell, 2:01:07); M55 Jeremy Mower (Welsh Masters, 2:11:12); M60 Peter Thompson (Eastern Masters, 2:23:18); M65 Paul McAuliffe (Medway & Maidstone, 2:39:44); M70 Trevor Edgeley (Southern Counties Veterans, 2:50:57) and M75 John Turner (Eastern Masters, 4:08:13).

W40 Victoria Gill (Winchester & District AC, 2:12:23) took the women's open race and British Masters title, followed by Chelsea Baker (Royal Navy AC, 2:19:51) and W45 national champion Victoria Buck (Veterans AC, 2:25:50). The remaining age group titles went to W35 Kay Sheedy (Veterans AC, 2:27:48); W50 Victoria Carter (Veterans AC, 2:33:32); W55 Kate Marchant (Beckenham AC, 3:03:38); W60 Lynne Whitaker (South West Veterans AC, 2:46:08); W65 Janice Moorekite (Southern Counties Veterans, 3:23:15) and W70 Sarah Marzaioli (Southern Counties Veterans, 3:50:01).         

Our image above shows the presentations taking place with possibly an over-enthusiastic use of the loudhailer, despite the ages of some of the winners!

Full results and previous report at runABC South race listing here

Race details at Istead and Ifield Harriers website

Image courtesy North Downs Run on facebook