Canterbury Harriers have nurtured this local charity run into a club runners' essential fixture and your runABC South correspondent was one of many potential competitors too slow out of the blocks to secure a race number this year!

The course has evolved slightly over the years but remains an out and back along Tankerton Slopes, through Swalecliffe and Studd Hill to Hampton Pier on the western fringe of Herne Bay. The return route follows Saxon Shore Way on Whitstable Promenade, with stunning sea views across Tankerton Bay, before a sprint finish on the pebble beach.

A pound from every entry goes to Demelza House Hospice Care for Children to make fundraising simple and the course records are 31:48 by Michael Coleman in 2004 and 32:54 by GB international Charlotte Dale – who famously won outright in 2002 and 2005.

There were no record bonus payments in the 20th anniversary race but excellent times were recorded by race winners Tom Millard (South Kent Harriers, 33:20) and Cas Wright (Dartford Harriers, 39:41) in generally overcast and cool conditions.

Millard was chased by the closely matched Joe Elliott (Clapham Chasers, 33:43) and leading M40 master Allan Lee (Sevenoaks, 33:45). Top M50 Nick Varley (Dartford Harriers, 38:20) was among 24 runners to finish inside 40 minutes. Dartford Harriers were clear team winners but a tie break was needed to separate Faversham Running Club from Central Park Athletics.

Cas Wright led Dartford Harriers to team success over Central Park Athletics and Rebel Runners Medway. Lucie Parker (unattached, 41:57) and W45 Anoushka Johnson (Central Park Athletics, 42:24) completed the women's rostrum and first W55 Jo Quantrill (South London Harriers, 47:44) was among 17 women under 50 minutes.

Full results available via runABC South comprehensive race listing here

Image courtesy Whitstable 10K/Canterbury Harriers