Pearce takes scenic route to success

1:10pm Tuesday 7th October 2008

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RAY Pearce won the recent Green Chain marathon, the first cross country of the season in which 14 Istead & Ifield Harriers runners took part.

New Eltham Joggers hosted the event on a course which is a walking route from Erith around south London with frequent signs to prevent people from getting lost.

The race was run without marshalls, with competitors handed a map which covered a route passing historical sites such as Lessness Abbey and Eltham Palace.

Runners had to take care crossing roads and minding pedestrians.

Pearce was the first of the 34 contestants to complete the course in a time of 3hrs 39m05s.

The first of this year's cross countries took place on Saturday when round one of the Kent cross country league took place at Capstone Park, Gillingham.

Istead & Ifield's men's team of six came ninth, while the ladies had a team of five in action.

Results: Men: 44th - Mark Champion 36m57s; 49th - Andy Archer 37m29s; 52nd - Derek George 37m46s; 66th - Joe Cumberland 39m10s; 77th - Steve Lelliot 40m21s and 79th - Andy Alison 40m 27s.

Ladies: 17th - Angela Hames; 24th - Lynne Champion; 38th - Sally Whitelaw; 52nd - Judy Bain and 54th - Charlotte Greenwood.

On Sunday, 14 runners from the club, including Judy Bain, took part in the Sittingbourne 10-mile race in the pouring rain.

Two runners delivered personal bests and at least one other did a better time than last year.

Results: 31st - Steve Cason 71m16s; 67th - Tim Forsyth 76m52s; 73rd - Alan Cowan 78m06s; 97th - Sue Beecham 82m57s; 99th - Jason Beaney 84m31s; 104th - Sue Holland 85m27s; 115th - Alison Thompson 88m41s; 117th - Bob Carter 88m58s; 120th - Leslie Irvine 89m39s; 131st - Judy Bain 92m53s; 145th - Debbie Tyler 100m08s; 146th - 100m08s; 148th - Suilin Carron 100m16s and Helen Fooks 112m25s.

Meanwhile, Annabelle Stearnes, the first lady finisher, and Steve Cable crossed the line together at the London to Brighton 90km race in 9hr40m.