There was a collective sigh of relief from 413 runners and all the officials as the extreme temperatures expected in the South East held off for the 41st North Downs Run 30K on Sunday, 29 June 2025.

It was still warm enough to require respect and only one man broke two hours this year. M40 master Brian Jenkins (Orion Harriers, 1:58:45) was that man, celebrating his win and the incorporated British Masters Multi-Terrain title by tossing his cap high in the air as he crossed the finish line on the Cyclopark bike race circuit at Gravesend, Kent.

The first woman, Amelie Karlsson (Tunbridge Wells Harriers, 2:22:08), had a rather different experience as she almost got tangled up in the finish line banner! Amelie was too young to trouble the scorers in the Masters championships.

The men's runners-up were M40 Rob Jackaman (Dartford Harriers, 2:00:51) and M40 Michael McTernan (Orion Harriers, 2:01:27) – silver and bronze medal winners in the Masters event.

The women's podium was completed by Emily Hale (Medway & Maidstone AC, 2:24:48) and Trang Nguyen (Blackheath & Bromley Harriers, 2:27:59). The British Masters champion for 2025 was fourth-placed overall, Victoria Cartwright (W40 Kent AC, 2:35:14).

The hard-working host club, Istead & Ifield Harriers, provided 120 volunteers (like Paul and Chris posing in high viz above) with five water stations and various buckets on the course for 'splashing and dunking'. They also fielded 25 runners – a great effort from a club with around 150 members! You can read an excellent history of the club here...

The North Downs Run Facebook shows some nice event reels. Can you spot yourself at the start line here...?

The results include the annual Kids' Run, won this year by William Pickett (2:30) and Gabriella McKay (2:47) from 21 finishers.

Results and previous reports are at the runABC South race listing here.

Photo courtesy of North Downs Run on Facebook