Race report: Kent League XC, Somerhill, Oct 17
29th October 2026
TWH turned out in force at Somerhill on Saturday, with 50 Harriers enjoying the sunshine, chatting footwear, pinning numbers to deckchairs, racing, sharing cakes and toasting the afternoon’s endeavours in the Nelly.
Full results are attached.
Just like Foots Cray the week before, conditions were firm, dry and sunny, and it was great to see our M70s produce a trio of top-10 finishers in Michael Sharp (6th), Mark Taylor (7th) and Nick Pierce (9th), who were ably supported by Paul Kromm and Margaret Deighton, both making their season debuts in the mixed Super Vets race.
Also making her season’s debut was Katie Baker, who led the way for TWH in in the Senior Women’s race, finishing 21st. Amelie Karlsson also ran brilliantly (5th) but unfortunately, it was in the red and black of Medway & Maidstone. Amelie remains a Harrier via second claim and she is still welcome to join us for cake! Our SW 3-to-score was completed by Ali Farrall (28th and 6th W45) and L.J. Gittings (42nd and 11th W35) in her first-ever cross country race for the club.
Our SW 6-to-score included captain Jillian Holford (44th and 2nd W55), Vicky Eames (47th and 12th W35) and Katie Trowsdale (49th and 11th W45). Our 3-to-score result was ranked a formidable 6th from 18 teams, while our 6-to-score was 4th from 9 teams. After two races, Jillian is ranked 3rd W55 in the Kent League overall, Vicky is 10th W35, Ali is 5th W45 and Katie is 9th W45.
Our Senior Men’s effort was led again by Ed Steele (71st), with our 4-to-score result completed by Andy Eames (73rd), Andy Howie (89th and 2nd M60) and Michael Armitage (100th). As last week, our 4-to-score result was ranked 10th from 20 teams. Our 12-to-score featured Richard Carter (107th), Tom Cox (132nd), Gareth Baker (133rd), Kannan Mahalingam (153rd), Stuart Corke (159th), Tom Evans (163rd), Robin Barwick (164th) and Mike King (172nd), placing us 6th from 8 teams.
After two races, Ed is ranked 12th M40 in the Kent League, Stuart is 19th M50, while Andy Howie is 2nd M60, having finished runner-up in both races.
Big thanks to everyone who contributed, particularly Mark Taylor and Geoff Hurrell for representing the club as marshals, and to Richard Craig-McFeely for his photography (website gallery: https://photos.twharriers.org.uk/Races/Cross-Country/KXCL-2627-2-Somerhill).
The next XC fixture is the Kent League at Danson Park on November 14. An updated fixtures list and registration details will be posted on Spond tomorrow. In the meantime, enjoy an early-season breather.
