I should say that while I have written this article, praise should go to Marco for masterminding the logistics of accommodating such a large group of people.  Answers on a postcard as to how many times  Marco shuttled between Whitstable and Canterbury on the Saturday!

Marco, Phil Wyard, his wife Carolyn, myself and my family met Terese, President of the Reims Canterbury Twinning Association, and two of her colleagues at the newly restored Whitstable Castle Orangery on the Saturday for a cream tea before Marco took them off to Canterbury.  Phil and myself stayed on at the Castle in order to meet the contingent from Dainville who consisted of the Mairie, Francoise Rossignol, the Deputy Mairie – Philippe Quadrelle and his wife Caroline, together with their colleague Herve Havet, Daniel Capel, President of the event five Harriers ran in April (Foulees Dainvilloises), and his wife plus two of their colleagues from the town.

We then gave them a whistle stop tour of the town and harbour, taking in some shopping in Harbour Street, Squeeze Gut Alley and a drink outside the Old Neptune before escorting them to their accommodation at Canterbury Christchurch University’s Halls of Residence at Lanfranc in Northgate where the Reims party had also been billeted.  All of this was organised by Marco.

We then all attended an evening reception and BBQ at the Dominican Priory in St Peter’s Lane which was hosted by the Canterbury-Reims Twinning Association.  We finished the evening off with a visit to the Parrot pub in St Peter’s Lane where everyone enjoyed an English beer or two.

As already noted, 26 French runners completed the 10k course.  20 were from the L’Union newspaper group on the outskirts of Reims where numerous Harriers have in the past enjoyed champagne receptions as part of our annual visit to the city to take part in the ‘Reims a toute jambes’ 10k and half marathon events.  The families associated with L’Union have also provided Harriers with B&B facilities, saving us the cost of hotels.  Another 4 runners from the Reims Athletics Club – EFSRA – also completed the course,

placing 3^rd man and 3^rd woman overall, which was a fantastic result.  Harriers have also enjoyed beer and champagne receptions at the ‘Reims a toutes jambes’ Expo hosted by EFSRA at their stand.  The group supporting all of these runners have in the past been instrumental in arranging visits to champagne houses and producers and hosted evening meals for us in local restaurants.  2 runners from the town of Dainville completed the 10k included the Deputy Mairie.  Philippe and his family hosted Tony McParland and myself when we visited Dainville in April and laid on a fantastic evening meal for all of the visiting Harriers.

Afterwards, everyone enjoyed a sumptuous buffet in the spectacular grounds of Mount Ephraim where we got our visitors to sample some Chapel Down Sparkling Wine which had kindly been provided by the Mount Ephraim 10k sponsors, Baileys Nissan of Canterbury.

Over the past couple of years, we have established really strong links between the towns of Reims and Dainville and both are ready to welcome larger numbers of Harriers to take part in their events in October and April respectively.  If you have never run abroad before, or only have experience of running the Le Touquet 10k, I would urge you to give one of these events a try.  The hospitality provided and the opportunity to establish links with kindred spirits a short distance away on the other side of the channel is a fantastic opportunity.  I am really proud that Canterbury Harriers have been able once again to reciprocate the fantastic hospitality we have experienced both in Reims and Dainville in recent years.   Long may it continue!   Allez, allez, allez!

Entries are now open for the Mount Ephraim Summer 10K run on the Sunday 10th July 2011.

A challenging course on Kentish roads, starting and finishing in the beautiful 10 acre Mount Ephraim Gardens – the perfect place for a day out in Kent.

Post race enjoy the tranquillity of the Japanese gardens, take on the challenge of the grass maze or just relax on the Edwardian Tea Room terrace overlooking the topiary and herbaceous border, Mount Ephraim Gardens are a must for the whole family.

For more information and entry forms visit the Mount Ephraim 10K website.

Entries for the ever popular Whitstable 10K Road Race are now closed. Despite the number of entries being raised again this year to 700 entrants, this number was filled well before the 16th April 2011 closing date.

Good luck if you got into the race; It is a very fast course, where many personal best are set each year. If you didn’t manage to enter this year why not come down and support your fellow runners but remember there are strictly no entries on the day.

The beautiful course of the Whitstable 10k Road Race works its way out from Tower Hill, through Swalecliffe to Hampton Pier and then back along past Whitstable’s famous beach huts.

A pound from every Whitstable 10k Road Race entry will go to the Dave Lee’s Happy Holidays children’s charity enabling them to organize holidays for disabled, sick and underprivileged children of Kent and their immediate families.

For more information about the race, as well as previous reults, please visit the Whitstable 10k Road Race website.

Man on the Run is a 5k event for men and boys that has been devised to raise awareness of male cancers.  The event is in aid of Cancer Research UK and it is hoped that each runner will help to raise money for Cancer Research in preventing and curing cancer.

For more information visit the Man on the Run website.

The race itself took place on a hot day with forecasts of record breaking temperatures and weather warnings – not ideal conditions for running a very undulating if not hilly course! Last minute emergency planning of an additional water station at approx 8km was successful and this station will become a permanent fixture in the race. As it turned out there was some cloud cover which meant the full blazing sun could not do its worse and all runners – a record entry of 274 – completed the course without problems on the hydration/heat front. In fact St John Ambulance our first aid cover was not needed for any incident – not even a wasp sting! The record entry was due in part to online entry through Runner’s World, another feature we will keep for 2011. We also intend to keep Mount Ephraim 10K as a Kent Grand Prix event but will need to confirm this later in the year. Next year we hope to again be at Mount Ephraim 10K run on the second Sunday in July, we should be confirming the date on this website soon.

The results service went well and we were able to present prizes in good time – I’ll not name individuals here (but see results page on the website) as all competitors did their best and so were victorious in tough conditions – before the slightest of showers and then we hosted an excellent buffet for our French visitors before the final clear up of race equipment. Again thank you to those Canterbury Harriers who were able to stay and help with this – I guess the “free” drink and champagne from our French guests helped here!

Finally I must thank all entrants as £1 from each UK entry was donated to Demelza House raising £240 for their excellent charity work.

Regards

Tim Richardson-Perks

It is as they say in the trade “undulating” . If on the other hand you are looking for a race with a difference this could be the one.

Starting and finishing in the stunning grounds of Mount Ephraim house you will find yourself running through a beautiful little corner of Kent on nearly traffic free rural lanes with constantly changing scenery including a spectacular view of the Thames Estuary at the highest point in the course.

After the race you can relax and take time out for traditional English tea and scones on the terrace and enjoy the spectacular grounds and gardens (remember the race entry fee includes free entry to the grounds and gardens for runners and their families)

For more information on the race including a race entry form please visit the Mount Ephraim 10K website.

Alternatively to register on-line visit the Runners World website here.

Harriers should note that they will need to provide a friend to marshall for them if they wish to race.