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AAC Race Walkers Return in Style

Posted: 5th Nov 2020 by Lewis Smith

Ashford Athletic Club's race walkers recently returned to competition in style - a return that saw a number of records and personal best times beaten. A Covid secure, but hilly road course, at the Gravesend Cycle Park was the venue for England’s first road walking race since March.

Jacqueline Benson tried her luck in the 15km race, coming in as the second lady and clocking an inaugural personal best of 90 minutes 29 seconds. Racing with a junior international walker and two male Olympians, Jacqueline looked on great form but just missed the magic 90 minutes barrier. 

On the same course, Millie Morris meant business in the 10km race and smashed her personal best time. Millie also beat the Club record by nearly 4 minutes with a time of 54 minutes 35 seconds. Not only did Millie win the ladies' race but is now ranked number one in the UK's Under-20 Women's rankings for 2020.

Determined race walker, Rachel Harding, had her first race over the 10km distance; Rachel finished with a fine time of 70 minutes 24 seconds, taking fifth place.

The 5km race saw Grace Whittingham in her first race for over a year, clocking a stylish 31 minutes 6 seconds for fourth place. A little way back came pensioner Chris Hobbs, breaking the Club's Vet-65 Men’s record with 31 minutes 31 seconds. Coach Chris stated that he was delighted with the team’s performance but will be applying for his bus pass very soon.


You Win Some, You Lose Some

Posted: 3rd Feb 2020 by Lewis Smith

Two Gold medals, a Bronze and Club Records greeted Ashford Athletic Club’s race walkers on a cold and windy Sunday, in Hillingdon.

On her debut race over the 10km Road Walk, sixteen-year old Millie Morris smashed the Ashford Club Record by over two minutes; finishing in a time of 58m01s. Millie also won the Under-20’s Southern Championships over 5km along the way (28m15s). Keeping pace with her younger training partner, Millie helped Katie Stringer of Medway and Maidstone to the Under-17 Gold medal. A tactically challenging task of competing in two races at once paid off for Millie, although she found the middle section tough going. But as the song goes, “when the going gets tough...”.

It was tough for Jacqueline Benson to lose her Under-20 Club Record, however she found satisfaction in establishing the Under-23 Women’s 10km Walk Club Record with a time of 1hr00m41s; gaining the Bronze medal in the Southern Championships.

All three race walkers have earned selection to represent the South of England in March, for the annual inter-area match in Sheffield. Well done all!