Sevenoaks 7

July 13, 2025

See how we all got on at the latest Club Championship race:

Report by Phil Stevens

Sunday 13th July saw 12 members head to the latest race at Knole Park, Sevenoaks.

Sadly as always with Knole it’s a 9am start as I think the National Trust want the race to finish before the hoards of tourists arrives.

This meant an early early start for us all, so it was impressive to see so many turn up.

On the flip side you get to run through this stunning landscape which we usually experience in the winter when it is somewhat cooler.

The weather was kind to us, with no wind to mention, overcast and the temperature in the late teens, early 20’s. So a lot cooler then the last race at the North Downs Run.

The start was the same place as the Cross Country (XC) (a good mile walk from where you park your car) and there was a good turn out from other runners. The safety briefing could have done with the microphone being turned up (didn’t hear a word) but we were soon off and along a tarmac path. The beginning is a bit crowded and with people trying to get to the right pace you have to sometimes run on the uneven grass verges at the side.

I knew from the XC that this path is a steady up for about 1km so you have to be careful not to go off too quick and blow up before you hit the top.

At the top there was a water station, which I thought was a strange place to put one, we were literally 4 minutes into the race? I didn’t see many water cups being grabbed and then it was a sharp right hand turn, down a steep descent and then along a long steady downhill section on fairly even grassed trails. You could really pick the pace up here and get your breath back. Next it was a short and sharp hill to the right taking you back in the direction of the start. This was where it was different to the XC as we headed to the left and then up a different long up tarmac path (that we usually come down on the XC). It was here that you had the chance to see other runners and see how they were getting on as there was a turn around point at a cone. I could see Jude Wood was the quickest for our club but hot on his heels were Matt McCarthy, Jay Bailey and Chris Brenchley. I also got the chance to shout encouragement to Mark Croucher, Chris Pascoe, Steve Suttle, Claire Greenaway and Jo Kemp. We came back to the same water station, which I was now grateful for. I slowed right down and tried to drink it all. Things were started to get hot and hard now!

From there it was back down the same long grassed bit, back up that short sharp right hander and then cutting back down to the long grassed bit. This time however we were going up. Knowing that the boys closest rivals in the Kent Grand Prix are Maidstone Harriers, I could see 3 of them in front and started to dig in to close them down. Having run the XC a fair few times, I knew what was coming at the end of this long grassed up, a horrible (I want to walk it) steep hill to the left.

I could see Mark Croucher slowing down on this hill and was gaining on him quickly. Sadly however he got to the top and was off like a Knole Park deer and I couldn’t catch him.

I’d manage to overtake two of the harriers and kept in front of them.

What followed next is the reverse of the start, a 1km tarmac downhill. Once you get your breath back from that horrible hill, it’s just a case of flying. You can’t help but smile, as nearing the finish line and because of the descent you just get faster and faster.

Through the finish line, get your medal, a bottle of water and time to re-live the adventure with the rest of the gang.

It was lovely to be cheered on at the finish by my wife Andrea and my biggest supporter Leo who thought licking me all over would speed up my recovery.

A slight scare at the end, when another runner took Chris Pascoes bag by mistake. This turned into a mass team search. But a happy ending when a lady of mature years from another club, holding Chris’s bag was told that she wouldn’t have much use for ‘Old Spice’.

Well done everyone, some great performances.

Pos	Gen Pos	Name	Chip Time
15	14	Matt McCarthy	00:44:19
22	21	Jude Wood	00:45:10
25	24	Christopher Brenchley	00:45:22
29	28	Jay Bailey	00:46:31
44	41	Mark Croucher	00:48:00
47	44	Phil Stevens	00:48:14
53	49	Chris Pascoe	00:49:15
76	71	Stephen Suttle	00:52:21
99	10	Claire Greenaway	00:55:47
116	13	Joanne Kemp	00:57:15
150	26	Asmaa Hatim	01:00:03
155	127	Peter Heath	01:00:35