SEVENOAKS ROTARY KNOLE PARK 10K and 1.5K FUN RUN 13th March 2011
8am and as deer graze quietly a low mist hangs over the sleepy trees and grassland of Knole Park. In the distance a yellow van gently slips sideways as it tries in vain to deliver a ton of plastic bottles to the water station of the annual 10k run of the Rotary Club of Sevenoaks. Overnight rain has left a heavy dew, conditions are soft but dry for the 5th running of this race, now a popular and major event on the S.E. runners` circuit.
9.15am tents are up, marshals are ready and runners are starting to stream into car parks. Six hundred and thirteen entrants for the 10k and 60+ for the 1.5k fun run soon fill the leisure centre. Once checked in and changed, chip timing is attached to all 10k runners shoes to provide precise electronic results and times.
Entries have been received from as far afield as North America and in this country Birmingham, Oxford and Reading - a tribute to the team’s marketing. Trek and Run magazine/ website covers some of the worlds most beautiful runs. Their four representatives are at the race to both film and report.
10am and colourful, excited runners and spectators of every age, shape and size are starting to overflow the entry area and pour down steep Webs Alley to the waiting park below. Left for the fun run and right to the 10k start. Knole Park was now alive, runners and spectators lining the many vantage points. With a blast of the horn Simon Raikes, Town Mayor of Sevenoaks, starts the 10k race.
As runners disappear up the long start valley, the Rotary President and Mayor move equally quickly to the fun run start and an ever eager start line of young people and a few brave mums and dads. After a short pep talk all are off. Both runs go well and runner comments are very positive ‘tough but feels great now it’s done’. Later at the leisure centre prizes are presented by Rex Johnson, President of the Rotary Club of Sevenoaks.
Winner of the 10k this year was Duncan Marsden of Bow Valley Harriers in 34 minutes 56 seconds, 2nd was Alex Gibbins of Blackheath and Bromley in 34 minutes and 59 seconds and a very close 3rd was Paul Hayman of Serpentine Running Club also in 34 minutes and 59 seconds. In 4th place was Mark Steime of Bow Valley Harriers in 35 minutes and 4 seconds. All were very fast times!
First lady for the 3rd year in succession was Maria Heslop from Paddock Wood AC in an even faster time than last year of 39 minutes 53 seconds, Melanie Burdett of Beckenham RC was in 2nd place for the second year with a time of 43minutes 14 seconds and in 3rd place was Natasha Swan of Seaford Striders AC in 44 minutes 22 seconds. In 4th place was Helen Garrett of Beckenham RC in 45 minutes 35 seconds.
The Mens` Team prizes were won by Beckenham RC, Sevenoaks AC and Sevenoaks TRI. The Ladies` Team prizes were won by Beckenham RC, Chequers Chasers and Knocker & Foskett - sponsors of this event. Runners in all teams were highly placed overall. The fun run was won b James Puxty in 10 minutes and 10 seconds, second place went to Christian Turner in 10 minutes and 19 seconds, third to Alex Kavanagh in 10 minutes and 25 seconds. Mathew Bestwick came a very close fourth.
Marshalls around the entry area and on the course were an almost full compliment of Sevenoaks Rotarians, their friends and family, all did a wonderful job. Excellent help was also provided by a large team from Kemsing Explorer Scouts.
Principle beneficiaries of the event this year are Kent Air Ambulance and the Paula Carr Diabetic Trust. It is hoped that the Run will show a surplus of approx. £6000, all for charity.
Main Sponsors were Knocker & Foskett, and Ibbett Moseley for the 5th successive year, as well National Trust Countryside Ranger team who provided field transport and manpower. Main prizes were donated by Sevenoaks HiFi, Sevenoaks Hardware, Boots of Sevenoaks and Rotary members, with excellent support help and facilities from SENCIO at the Sevenoaks Leisure Centre. Healthy energy giving bananas were kindly provided for all contestants for the second year by Dole Fresh UK of Dartford.
The essential website www.sevenoaksrotary10k.co.uk and computer produced address labelling was provided and maintained by John Hubbard of Otford.net. To date we have received many letters and messages of thanks and support. By clicking or logging on to www.trekandrun.com you may read further reports and watch a film of the 10k race.
2.30pm and the deer have returned and are once again grazing, a few visitors amble quietly around the park and some rather exhausted and a little muddy helpers slowly stagger off home.
From the race organisers Denis Bestwick, Brian Brauns, Duncan Stainer, Brian Partridge, Alan Waters, David Green, John Walker and Laurie Thomas Race Director: a hearty thank you!
Thanks for organising a great race yesterday. Tough work but enjoyable ... Duncan
A really well organised event. Thanks to everyone ... Andrew & Esther
I'd like to say how much I enjoyed yesterday's race at Knole - the organisation was superb and the marshals friendly and encouraging and I was very pleased to find I was 3rd in the female V45 category ... Carol
I was the first woman home today and I would just like to say how well organised and efficient I find this event to be. I have done it three years in a row now and love it. Even when it's muddy! The event is well and cheerfully marshalled, the prize giving is not too long after the race has ended and I think the prizes are very generous for a relatively small event.
My only fear is that word will spread too much and then I won't be able to win again !
SEVENOAKS ROTARY 10K CHARITY RUN 
Thanks for organising a great race yesterday. Tough work but enjoyable 
... Duncan