We seem to be starting a brand new series here! Do let us know if you have any stories from the past to share, or try our new option to nominate a fellow TRACcie for recognition.
Thanks to Tim Baily for his reminiscences!
Hi, I was an active member of the Thanet Roadrunners from 1999 to 2013. I very much enjoy checking out the club website from time to time.
Recently I noted Mike Privetts recollections of the 80s and I want to share with the website my past memories/ press cuttings and pics from 21 years ago about the Thanet Roadrunner who finished 4th in The Southern Cross Country Championships, 11th in The National Cross Country Championships and 9th in the AAA National Half Marathon Championships. …..
Mahieddine Aboura and Zac Boukelika joined the club after finishing first and second in the Thanet Half Marathon September 2004. Zac won the Thanet 10 Dec 2004, and that was the last TRR to win the race until Matthew Collyer’s fine win last year; 21 years later.
Before that I won the race in 2001. A few months later, Feb 2005; Mahieddine Aboura in Thanet colours finished 4th in The Southern Cross Country Championships behind GB Marathon International Huw Lobb. The Thanet Gazette ran with the headline ‘Man who beat the horse ends Aboura’s hopes’ referencing Huw Lobbs victory the previous year in the annual Man v Horse marathon over 21 miles. [more on that story from the BBC archives http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/mid/3801177.stm]
The pic featured in the article – was taken from the Thanet Half of Zac ( red t-shirt) running alongside Aboura. Thanet had a full men’s team out that day at Parliament Hill for the Southern Cross – I took a photo on the athletics track before the race- left to right Club Stalwart Simon Burton, Phil Kinnil who became a life member, Aboura, Dave Bennett Road Captain, Frank Flint Supervet and Danny Farrow an outstanding Junior athlete.
Aboura followed up this Southern performance with 11th Place finish at the National Cross Country Championships and then led the Club into the AAA’s and South of England Half Marathon Championships.
Aboura 9th Me 34th and Zac 38th finished just outside the coveted AAA National medals in 4th team place but we did enough in the 4 to score race with Tom Connell finishing our team to win South of England Championship Team medals and a team cash prize of £30.
A year later Aboura returned to Algeria and Zac moved to Scotland winning Scottish universities athletics championships at 5000m. I was 38, Aboura 24, and Zac 28. Fond memories of a fantastic inclusive running club for everyone.
