EIGHT members of Istead & Ifield AC defied last weekend’s heavy rain to represent the club at two events.

Seven took part in the Canterbury 10-mile race, while one tackled the Gades Valley Harriers’ 12-mile run.

Istead & Ifield founder member Sue Holland was the first finisher for the club for the first time ever at Canterbury.

However, none of the field was helped by the fact three and a half miles were run alongside the Grand Union Canal, which was as bad as the worst of the cross country runs, as well as the road sections often being flooded.

The rest of the runners had taken a break to do the Benidorm half marathon, which was cancelled because of bush fires blowing smoke over the town.

Results: Canterbury 10 - 390th Sue Holland 85m15s; 538th - Robert Standing 92m26s; 542nd - Emma Penfold 92m45s; 567th - Sandra Barbutti 94m21s; 618th - Judy Bain 94m42s; 718th - Helen Fooks 107m58s and 747th Celia Poke 120m55s.

Gades Valley 12-mile run - Bob Carter 114m57s.

The previous week saw 20 I&I runners take part in the Dartford 10miles race, where the club’s first three finishers were Simon Parrin (13th), David Abery (37th) and Joe Cumberland (59th).