Wingham 5k & 10k 2025

Report by Anna Harrison

I am not quite sure when I last entered a race, and this was my first time to run Wingham, having been told there are hills, and realising I do like hills!

Great set up by Sporting Events UK – signage, loads of free parking on site, refreshments and toilets – all key!
Whilst I knew Cathy Beddoes was running, with her hubby Steve supporting, I had no idea who else to expect. I did think there would me more than 4 Thanet Road Runners going round – well they are the ones I spotted in our club T-shirt! Great to see Margate parkrunners, Sonia and Richard running, John Garner marshalling, along with lots of Coastal Striders. As I didn’t have my glasses on, I headed to those in similar blue hoodies to find they were Faversham runners! Good news is they will be at the Harbour Wallbanger and when hearing I was running Faversham 10K next week said that is even hillier and they look forward to the feedback on it! Mmmm…..

Our photo shoot grew as we caught up with Oliver Regan, hoping to do better in the 10K, than 3rd position last year!

Cathy and I were doing the 10k and then we met Lainey Carter, doing the 5k.

Top tip from James Figgins who had done it previously – don’t overdo it on the first hill – go steady! Great to have hubby Rich sporting his new TRAC hoodie (key to see the blue) and Paul Cherry at the top of the first hill to cheer us on!

There was lots of space on the undulating country lanes, with one short track and very few cars. Before you know it you see the 5k turn off, plenty of marshals to guide us round and several water stations. Makes for a great run. I have no idea on the elevation – I don’t do Strava (but definitely not as hilly as some on the four castles ½ – thankfully)!

I think about 3 ½ k from the end, with Terry Brightwell on the roadside, taking a photo, Cathy appeared behind me chirpy and lovely as ever. I end up saying “can’t chat, need to breathe”! With Cathy and one other on my heels at 2K I said I’m slowing, I really wanted them to go past! Had a dextro energy tablet as got distracted to take at the start – bit dry, but at least I had water with me and psychologically a boost! (For those that saw me at Sacketts one year – I did not want a repeat)!
A bonus to know you are going back down the hill to the end, and as you get closer there are supporters on the field cheering you on, helping give that last energy boost – but not enough for me to catch Cathy!

Fabulous that Oliver joined us after to chat after, and we were in awe (but not surprised as he’s such a great runner) that he came in 2nd. Managed to get a group snap with Terry too.

We didn’t see Lainey again – no surprise as she was speedy in the 5k! Did some cheering as Oliver got his award and Barry rightly commented at 15 years old they may need to work on their trophy options for him. (I didn’t want to do the maths at that point for my age)!!

Big shout out and thank you to our Run Leaders that help give us encouragement on the hills and Monday sessions – for me Ade, Nikki, Jo, Adam and Spencer. Now let’s see what the next race brings!

Results
Oliver Reagan 10k 35.43 (+1.27) 2nd out of 274 and mens
Cathy Beddoes 56.26, 131 overall, 31 in women, 6th in age category
Anna Harrison 56.42, 135 overall, 35 in women, 8th in age category
Lainey Carter 5K 30:58 – 19th out of 77, 6th in women, 3rd in age category

For more on the results see here: Sporting Events UK : The Wingham Run