Whitstable 10k 4th May 2014 by Angela Parker

On May Day 2014 I travelled to Whitstable for the annual 10k.  The sun was out very early and it was warming up.  Being Bank Holiday Monday, there was chaos on the A2 so I diverted off to Swingfield and rejoined the A2 just past the Aylesham junction.  Also the main car park in Whitstable, Gorrell Tank was closed as a utility company wanted to do major works there.

Canterbury City Council was splendid in providing free parking for the runners on the Westmeads Recreation Ground.  From there it was 10 minute walk to the Waterfront Club where we stored our bags, collected our chips and our T shirt.

We made our way to the start which was just past Whitstable Castle, near the Tankerton Slopes.  We were starting on an incline.  It wasn’t that bad, though as we were quite bunched together and before you knew it we were on the flat.  By the Coast Guard Cottages, which was about 3.5 km into the race, we turned onto a grass section which went up a slope for approx. 250 metres.  Otherwise this race was a flat course.

At the 5km mark we turned and the race course continued along the promenade until the finish.  It was getting hotter and there was a lovely breeze.  The bugs were out and having a field day as they weaved in and out of the runners.  But they did no harm. There was one water station between 5km and 6km and another water station at the finish.

It seemed a long stretch to the finish and I soon past the 9km mark, then 400 metres and there in the crowds cheering me on were my supporters.  I pushed onto the finish and crossed the line in 56:27.  I also got sunburnt.

Hats off to Canterbury Harriers and Bailey’s Nissan – this was an excellent race on a lovely day.  Very well organised, clear tannoy announcements and great support.