Ed: Keith Gilbert reports on a new experience for October:

On Sunday [October 2] I ran in The Sittingbourne 10. The last time I ran a 10 mile race was last year in June, a challenging event in The Weald of Kent, temperatures around 30C with only two drinks stations. When I entered the above event I was anticipating a cool autumnal trot hoping it wouldn’t rain, and yet again I found myself running in temperatures approaching 30C with only two drinks stations on the course. I started running at a slower pace than I would normally do to avoid any problems later. It was generally considered to be quite tough going [ I encountered two ambulances with lights going] but apart from two brief stops to drink at the water stations I did manage to keep running.

Towards the finish when I entered the school playing field I expected to see the welcoming finishing line and clock, but alas it was not to be seen! No, there was a final lap of honour required around the entire field before the finish line came into view. No PBs today. I finished in 1:37:22, 204th out of 271 finishers.[ 21st century PB: 1:24:- – Canterbury 2008].