Very few Istead and Ifield Harriers were out at the weekend, despite the fine weather and the abundance of races both nationally, and overseas.

With a choice of five marathons at the weekend, only the attractions of Amsterdam enticed any of the club’s members to take part. Both Alison Bell and Barbara Ockendon made the trip over the North Sea to run one of the flattest marathons around, with just a few canal bridges to cross. Alison ran her third marathon of the year and finished in a very respectable time of 3 hrs 36 min and 50 seconds, while Barbara ran a lovely even-paced race and achieved a personal best of 4hrs 14 min and 44 sec.

Closer to home seven members ran the Maidstone Half Marathon, with new member Ken Rains being first home for the club in 29th position in a time of 1 hr 26 min and 39 secs, in the process gaining second place in the over 50 category.

Maidstone Half Marathon Results:- Ken Rains 29th 1:26:39; Steve Cason 136th 1:35:33; Ian Creasey 224th 1:40:51; Steve Ball 273rd 1:43:21; Lesley Irvine 628th 2:05:38; Jan Giles 766th 2:23:51; Celia Poke 803rd 2:48:31.