Race Reports - May 2026
Whitstable 10k
Race Report by Lauren Appleby
Today being Bank Holiday Monday, means one thing, the annual Furley Page Whitstable 10k. Conditions were so much better than last year. Gentle winds and cloud cover made for good running conditions. The race HQ was by Whitstable Castle which was nice. After getting our race numbers, Martin and I found our fellow Coasties. Looking back at the photos, we must have been one of the biggest teams competing.
After the team photo, we got into our waves. I was in wave 5. Once we got going, a lot of us split up. My watch was showing some good pacing. I did start to struggle a little bit (forgot to bring a little snack) but saw a couple of people offering sweets to the runners. I couldn't turn this down, I needed the sugar. Clearly it paid off as I put on some speed and found myself doing sub 10 minute miles at miles 5 and 6.
Once I crossed the finish line, I received my medal and a well earned cup of water. I met up with some already finished Coasties and were supporting those approaching the finish. I was rewarded with a PB of 01:02:17 so was so so happy. I'm getting close to the elusive 1 hour mark.
After, Martin and I met Pete, Brian, Erin and Polly in a coffee shop to get some cake and caffeine. By then, we already had a slice of Sharon's cake, but it's tradition after a run to get coffee and cake.
Massive well done everyone. We certainly painted Whitstable orange and blue.
Kent County Championships, Steeplechase
Race Report by George Major
The county champs are held over two days, but the events I might otherwise have considered running (5,000m, 10,000m) were held on Saturday when I was at work. So, only being able to attend the Sunday, I took the opportunity to scratch an old itch, and entered the steeplechase.
Before we talk about the race, there's a bit of backstory to get out of the way...
Last time I ran at a track meet was over a quarter of a century ago, the last race I ever ran as a junior club runner (with good old Cambridge Harriers) was a steeplechase. In that race, I injured my ACL and crawled over the finish line on my hands and knees, dead last. Today was going to be payback. Or, if not payback, I was at least hoping to avoid total humiliation.
For the uninitiated, steeplechase is a distance event on the track, with a 3-foot-high barrier every 80 metres, 5 per lap. The barriers aren't like hurdles that fall over if you hit them, they're pretty solid. But you're allowed to step on them to help yourself over, or even vault them with your hands if you need to. One of the barriers that you have to jump every lap has waist-deep water on the far side, giving spectators something to laugh at, and ensuring you finish with nice clean shoes.
Anyway, it was harder than I remember, but I held on to second place (I was lapped by the winner).
After I finished, a lady from Ashford AC came over for a chat: "Hi, I coach steeplechase. We were watching you and thought you look like you could do with some help."
Damn right.
Turns out there's an open steeplechase session you can join for £5 at the Julie Rose Stadium. I told her I'd see if I could interest a few Coasties in coming along for fun.
She said it would be great if we could come to a session before the next road relay, so she can knacker us all out first.
Who's in?
Folkestone Coastal 10k
Race Report by Holly Ansell
Well, it was a rather warm start to the day, but it was overcast to go with it, so luckily the clouds covered the sun over just enough not to be too overbearing. Never a bad time to put suncream on still.
On my way to Folkestone this morning and after retrieving my bib and T-shirt and all the other wonderful things that come with preparing for a race! (I won’t mention the portaloos) , I crossed the little wooden bridge and went to sit over by the trees in the cool shade waiting to see if anyone else in Orange came along. I looked over from afar and saw Keith, Sarah and Andy and we all went to find a nice forest backdrop for our group photo. Minutes later we saw Steve and we decided to do another photo and then the same thing happened when we slowly walked our way down the steps and onto the promenade for the start of the race, but this time with Simon. We also saw Dave (who came to see his children do the 9:30am kids race beforehand) but as he was starting near the front with the elite runners we missed out on a photo with him this time.
After the briefing, the klaxon went off! And we all started off at a similar pace, but I usually start off a bit too quickly trying to keep up with others and felt in my fashionable manner to just power walk my race. I got lots of cheering from the public crowds and passers by and I’d never had so much of that before in my life! But it felt good and kept my emotional strength up.
I thought I was going to be last, that was until I turned at the u- turn and less than 2 minutes after had seen a guy who was far from the u- turn point.
At least 3 times throughout going back I had 2 really nice Marshalls on bikes making sure I was ok in the heat as I had no tail walker with me and made sure I stopped for water in both directions. At one point I didn’t know whether to drink it or pour it over my head as my face was like a beetroot.
I was getting more tired on the last few kilometres and as I got round the corner between 8km and 9km the two bike marshals shouted out to me, not far now! And nearing towards doing the 10, I had a lovely helping hand from one of the nice work team, a lady called Lauren who got me with her, speaking on her phone to let them know I was coming in at the finish! And said to jog to my sprint finish and there I was with a roaring cheer from others and the remaining team and my name from a familiar voice called over the microphone “Holly from Coastal Striders!”
Feeling knackered, but so pleased to have done this again (3rd time of doing this race as I did this in 2023 BC (before Coasties) and in 2024 as a Coastie) no PB but I did enjoy the experience and even more so the support - this was my fastest 10k time this year!
Also to note down: Sarah got a new PB and since doing this race last time in 2023 she knocked off a whopping 2 minutes 39 seconds! A great time indeed. Well done 👏 Coasties!