Where Kent
When February 8, 2009
First Man Mike Coleman 49:57
First Woman Helen Decker 57:40
Last Finisher 2:11:51
No. of Finishers 456
The arctic weather in early February claimed many victims in the race calendar, but the Sidcup 10 was not one of them. Doubling as the Kent County 10-mile Championship, the race attracted a competitive field, many of whom had signed up in search of a fast, flat course after the cancellation of the Wokingham Half due to be run on the same morning. As a result, the start line was slightly crowded with runners jostling for position.
The three-lap route, starting and finishing at Chislehurst and Sidcup School, took athletes through the residential roads of Sidcup. While it was hardly scenic, it certainly did what it said on the tin with regards to being fast – there were only two brief sections worth classing as inclines – challenging runners to run progressively faster loops as familiarity with the course grew with each lap.
There was one water station, which coped well with the unexpected extra numbers, but as the influx of mid-pack runners crossed the line, post-race water supplies ran out, leaving many finishers to go without. However, the large school hall was a warm meeting place with plenty of changing facilities and a bustling cafeteria.
No goody bags were handed out, but a medal was given to all finishers. Overall a good, simple, reasonably well-organised road race with a laid-back atmosphere.
