With two cross country league events on this weekend, many runners had to decide on which race to run. On the other hand some just can’t stop themselves and ran both.

On Saturday, while Alan Cowan led home two other Istead and Ifield harriers in the challenging Beachy Head Marathon, eleven members ran in the two Kent League cross country races at Tonbridge.

Claire Gaskill was first Istead finisher in the ladies race in an impressive 8th place, while Simon Parrin was the club’s first finisher in the men’s race in 34th position.

There was bigger turnout of members at the Kent Fitness League event at Rough Common, Canterbury, on Sunday. Andrew Archer was the club’s first finisher, and was also one of eight club members who having already raced on Saturday doubled up with a Sunday run. He led home 19 other club members in the first race of the popular Sunday series of cross country races.

Also held at the weekend, was one of the most popular races in the South of England, the Portsmouth-based Great South Run. Barbara Webling was the club’s sole representative, finishing in 1hr 48 mins and 33 seconds. Almost 15,000 runners took part in the event.

Results:- Beachy Head Marathon: Alan Cowan 140th 4:10:00; Emma Penfold 800th 5:40:00; Judy Bain 6:12:00

Kent Cross Country League – Ladies: Claire Gaskill 8th 22:32; Angela Hames 40th 26:42; Jackie King 43rd 27:20; Lynne Champion 55th 28:48; Tania Yates 62nd 31:32

Men: Simon Parrin 34th 38:58; Ray Pearce 53rd 40:24; Andrew Archer 54th 40:28; Joe Cumberland 58th 41:15; Ken Rains 62nd 41:2; Mark Champion 65th 41:40

Kent Fitness League – Andrew Archer 30th 32:49; Ken Rains 39th 33:28; Mark Champion 44th 33:48; Steve Cable 95th 36:03; Chris Thompson 128th 37:16; Nick Claydon 132nd 37:22; John Gillis 172nd 39:29; Angela Hames 183rd 39:50; Barry Bell 196th 40:24; Jackie King 199th 40:40; Peter Burton 225th 41:49; Alan Cowan 228th 41:59; Lynne Champion 262nd 43:24; Alison Thompson 300th 46:51; Tania Yates 310th 47:56; Margaret Mary Cowan 321st 49:37; Sandra Barbuti 322nd 49:40; Lesley Irvine 327th 50:25; Gillian Calliste 328th 50:34; Jan Giles 342nd 58:25