Forward comment from Race Director:
Wow what a fantastic 10th anniversary race. We sold out quickly with over 900 record entries and ideal weather conditions. After months of planning and keeping coronavirus compliant we soon received entries from as far as Birmingham with many running club members participating from all over the country and many fun runners enjoyed a welcome back to competitive running. A restricted field of over 900 runners lined up on Folkestone promenade on Sunday for the start of the popular 10th Folkestone Coastal 10K. The course records remain and those elite athletes competing have already confirmed they will be back next year for the challenge.
Runners set off at various times in waves over a one-hour duration to comply with the revised Covid-19 rules set by UK Athletics. This year we enjoyed support from our title sponsor SAGA and many other companies as well as new marshal teams from the Police Cadets and Folkestone College. In addition, the local business community entered many teams including SAGA, Church & Dwight, Folkestone College and Metroline for the first time. They along with many individuals are raising funds for many good causes.
Already we have received excellent feedback and families and supporters enjoyed the atmosphere who were, suitably distanced of course and lined the route along the whole course to prevent crowding. I was pleased to see a few newcomers at 15 years old to one runner of 84.
Congratulations to all those who participated. This year’s winner Ed Bovington of the mighty Istead & Ifield Harriers at 31:08 and similarly the ladies’ winner was once again Holly Dixon of Cambridge Harriers who achieved an outstanding 34:45. Both will receive the winner’s prize supported by SAGA. My heartiest congratulations to both runners who clearly pushed incredibly hard within an extremely competitive field. Teams did well and this year’s corporate was won by SAGA.
The male team prizes went to Medway & Maidstone AC and female team prizes were awarded to Cambridge Harriers.
It is a fantastic achievement for the runners to complete the course either as an elite runner or a new participant to a 10-kilometre race. The objectives of the race from the outset in 2012 are to encourage participation for all abilities, assist charities, visit our district and promote good health, as well as increase the profile of sport and I am particularly delighted that there was such a good turnout during these challenging times. Thanks to you all.
First indications are that the event has raised good and timely funds for many worthwhile causes including The Rainbow Centre, Gurkha Memorial Fund, Folkestone Youth Project, Green Kordofan, Touchbase and local Rotary Clubs for distribution to local causes.
The event went extremely well without any incidents, and help was received with sincere thanks from over a record 90 marshals and assistants including both Folkestone, Hythe & Deal Rotary Clubs, Nice Work, Police Cadets, Folkestone College and many local support volunteers. I would also like to thank our many sponsors in particular SAGA, Folkestone & Hythe District Council and Folkestone Police for their valuable support.
Once again, we have received tremendous feedback from the runners congratulating us for such a great event, by way of organisation, encouragement from marshals and most importantly holding the event safely. They also thoroughly enjoyed the course and the seafront areas.
Next year’s race will be on Sunday 29th May 2022 and we have already received a few entries!!
