Whitstable Harbour 5 Mile/5k and 1 Mile Run
Sunday 8th February 2026
Whilst a lot of TRACcies were either at the Allhallows cross country, Sunday social run or other runs a small amount of us – 3 to be precise – ventured to the new race that Sporting Events UK had put on at Whitstable Harbour.
Spencer Hoult (race adjudicator), Gary Pearse and Andy Whitnell – supported by Julie Pearse – were the TRAC representatives at this inaugural run – all doing the 5 Mile race.
Conditions were for one in a long time ok – well dry and sunny overhead that is – as a lot of the course not surprisingly given the almost constant rain of the preceding days was very moist and boggy in places – more of that later on.
The race started in two waves. Spencer and Gary in Wave 1 and Andy in Wave 2. Each wave was about 2/3 minutes apart. The course started at the Harbour then proceeded up Tower Hill – with the marshals asking us to stay on the pavement which was almost impossible at one place as some idiot van driver had parked on the pavement – into Tankerton Slopes and then having to cross a very muddy and slippery grass bank to head back to the start area via the sea front. We then headed via road and sea path towards Seasalter. This was the easy part!
The route then took on a bit of a twist as we had to negotiate two very rickety bridges – heading over the rails. These were almost impossible to run on as they were steep and also shared with walkers, dogs etc. This part of the course was also very boggy as it was through woods and grass – mud and puddles. Next time trail shoes might be a better idea than the road shoes I – Andy – was wearing. My legs at this stage wanted a divorce from me.
We then headed back to the seafront and came back the way that we had come from and finished where we started – back at the Harbour where a medal – after all that’s the only reason we do it – and a refreshing drink of water was waiting for us.
In summary it was nice to do an inaugural event and was a good event but because of some parts of the route trails might be better than the road shoes we had on.
Results were:
72 Spencer Hoult 45:15
110 Gary Pearse 49:38
130 Andy Whitnell 52:30
