The new BVAC 2-second tent really came into it's own as the race HQ was way up the top of the meadow and the start/finish was right down the bottom - so we could stay clothed till just before the race and put on warm things straight after without fear of the gear getting drenched in between.

We continued our progress, finishing third from bottom in the meeting overall. Our ladies came a creditable 14th too!

We didn't quite manage sufficient men and were forced to accept the default score for once place (i.e. last!)

Great to see Janice turning out for the first time this season. Sadly, Helen came decidedly under the weather and, although she lined up at the start, it quickly became apparent that she wasn't going to be able to run. Anne Unsell was worse still and was unable to make it at all.

KFL - Oxleas Wood Race Report (Rob Bright)

Oxleas Meadow lived up to its reputation as our toughest cross country course on Sunday. 

Amidst bright sunshine, sub zero temperatures and ground like concrete, the assembled field at the start line contemplated with some trepidation the near 6 miles of steep inclines and treacherous descents which lay ahead of them.  Around half a dozen of the 270 starters came a cropper on the hidden tree roots in the woods and there were a few complaints of twisted ankles etc.

Up at the front, the race soon turned into a battle between three previous winners this season – Paul Hasler, Duncan Marsden and Andrew Pickett – these three broke away on the first lap.  Tracking them all the way was 17 year old Ben Tyler of Medway and Maidstone AC getting probably his first taste of senior competition.  By the halfway point, Hasler decided to push on, having just negotiated the second climb up to the café and went on to collect his second league win.  The three others gave chase but only to fight it out for the minor placings – Pickett was successful in the sprint for second place ahead of Marsden while Tyler took an excellent 4^th place in his league debut.

The male individual championship is wide open with two races still to come.  Pickett leads, but there are no less that five chasers within one percentage point of his score – Gareth Robb, Andrew Green, Josh Nice, Clayton Barrett and David Hall are still in contention.  Each has to complete at least 5 races to qualify.

David Hall (6^th) was the first over 40 and takes over the lead in this championship from Mike Baron.  Andy Girling (16^th) had his best run of the season (possibly assisted by the guest appearance of Mick Ellsmore) to lead the over 50 men home.  Kent Champion Paul Ross-Davies and Paul McAuliffe came in shortly afterwards to make it four M50’s in the top 20.

The women’s race was equally well contested.  With Michelle Flaxton and Heidi Coleman absent on the day, the scene was set for Elaine Murty to take her first league win.  Having taken the lead early in the race, she had to hold off a late challenge from Sharon Hawkins and Emma Harraden, but Murty with youth on her side was not going to be beaten.  The win raises her to third position in the ladies’ championship behind Flaxton and Hawkins.

The team race saw success for Medway and Maidstone AC and they take a two point lead at the top of the table ahead of Invicta (who were missing some of their top women).   Dartford Roadrunners and Istead & Ifield still remain in contention as championship contenders.