South Kent Harriers


Established in 1987 by Champions
A Club for all dedicated Runners

Pegwell Bay well may of faced its invasions in the distant past, but yesterday it was given a full taste of a Harrier invasion with a 1, 2, 3 by Michael Coleman, James Mcneill and Ali Scott.

As the heads turned and asked the questions, the boys in the harlequin orange and white which is visible from the continent on a clear day, skipped along the coastal 5k with not a care in the world.

Michael Coleman tore it up with a 15.30 clocking, whilst James Mcneill 2nd (17.16) and Ali Scott 3rd (17.28/PB) produced fantastic back up in this ever improving team.

The future is not just bright.....it's blinding! Wherever will they be next?? It's sure to bright whatever!

All this followed the initial run at Margate, a week ago...

1st James Mcneill (SKH)

2nd Matt Kendell (SKH)

3rd Ali Scott (SKH)

5th John Creane (SKH)

7th Glen Abel (SKH)

11th Toby Philpott (SKH)

Tuesday evening will be remembered for some time by those who were there to witness and compare times and days gone by.

It must be over 15 years since the Harriers had produced such a big turnout at an event, with 2 senior teams, a masters team and a womens team (YES a womens team) competing in the East Kent Road Relay Series.

With the club being based in Sandgate it was fitting that the A team should produce such a wonderful result and coming 1st overall by a considerable distance.

The team was led out by Ali Scott who ran a very solid leg to put the team right in contention, nestling close in 4th place. This was followed by James Mcneill, who ran splendidly to close the gap to hand over a realistic possibility for leg 3. Indeed Michael Coleman stormed into the lead within 1km of his leg and created a good lead and this was finished off by the emerging Sam Rigby who recently signed for the team. Rigby ran with great confidence knowing he was extending the lead with every stride and crossed the line to hear the cheers of his team mates.

The B team also ran very solidly and was led by John Creane on leg1 (3rd place). Toby Philpott took over on the second leg and experience the competitiveness that he is seeking to make improvements and he ran a very solid leg. On leg 3 Louis Fearn made a brave decison to run for the team, after suffering with recent injury and illness, but put in a strong effort to hand over to our spiritual leader Barrington J Watson (1976 British Marathon Champion/Olympian) who fought hard to the line despite 50 years of fiercely competitive running.

SKH finally (after too many years) produced a momentous night when displaying for as long as I can remember - A WOMENS TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Amazing indeed and great to see. The team was led out by the highly accomplished Lauren Fawke who gave her usual 100% performance to put the team into the frame. The second leg was taken by Margaret Connolly who has ran more Park Runs than most. A solid performance by her to be taken over by Jodie Hyde who is returning to running after a long lay off and she bravely ran a tight leg to finish the first womens team for close on 20 years!

Finally the hardy 'originals' of SKH, Pete Russell, Paul Holland and Keith Munro made their intentions quite clear by finishing 2nd in the over 50s Men. Very accomplished running by all in this hugely experienced unit and they are sure to find more in the coming relays to challenge for the top spot.

It's all looking hugely impressive and long may it continue!!! Well done SKH. You are making it happen. COME ON!!!!!!

Harriers running jackets are available to purchase for £30.

Good luck to member Toby Philpott who runs this Sunday's Brighton Marathon.

Also good luck to James McNeill and Ali Scott with the final prep for London and of course the race itself.

The first fixture  has been confirmed as Tuesday 14th May at Folkestone with the 2nd fixture being at Minnis Bay (Thanet) on the 28th. A full list of the 5 fixtures will be posted shortly.

One of our targets this year is to put full teams out at these fixtures and it is extremely important that we make a great effort at the first fixture. Presently interest is high, but that means nothing until we can fill the team sheet on the night.

Masters and womens are also assembling, so it could be a good summer. Good luck with Marathons and good luck with early season training for the rest!

Congratulations to James Roberts who successfully completed the Paris Marathon in 4.04. Jim was looking for around 3.45 and certainly up until the last 10k he was on course for sub 4 hours..

Well done also to Margaret Connolly who ran a PB at Paddock Wood Half Marathon, recording 1 hour 50 taking 5 minutes of her previous time in only her second half marathon.

Just to inform everyone that there is a new parkrun in Kent starting on Saturday 13th April 09:00.  The run is at Lock Lane, Sandling, Maidstone, Kent ME14 3AU. 

7 SKH members have run the Whitstable parkrun recordiing an impressive set of times;

Michael COLEMAN 16:22

John CREANE 17:59

Matthew KENDELL 18:04

James MCNEILL 18:33

Alistair SCOTT 18:50

Glen ABEL 21:17

Keith MUNRO 21:52

Just a reminder that the Folkestone 10 miler takes place this Good Friday 29th March 2013 at 11.00.  SKH members have achieved a number of successes in this race in various age categories over the years.  So far one SKH member has signed up for this years race which incorporates chip timing for the first time. 

A warm welcome to Toby Philpott, who has decided to join after several training sessions with us out of Sandgate.  Toby is running this years Brighton Marathon on April 14th for the Dame Kelly Holmes' Legacy Trust. This will be Toby's second marathon after completing the Zagreb Marathon last year. 

Congratulations to James McNeill and Ali Scott who recorded two great times at the Lydd Half Marathon on Sunday.  James Mcneill ran 78.50 and was 11th and Ali Scott ran 82.50 and was 24th.  Conditions were particularly bitter this year as compared to 2012 when it was slightly too warm, but a number of runners stiil managed to record PBs.