February 2021

28 February 2021

Spring is here and track is (almost) back

<<First Name>>, Please see this week’s update for Kent AC members – 28 February 2021<!–

KENT AC NEWS BULLETIN

28th February, 2021

<!–

–>

NEWS

Return to training and racing in England
With the Government announcing earlier this week their anticipated road map for exiting lockdown many of us are already looking forward to getting back to group training at the track and looking ahead to upcoming races.

English Athletics have confirmed that clubs, groups, coaching and competition can return outdoors from 29th March for both adults and children, in-line with the UK Government’s road map, and have developed a helpful infographic outlining what this currently means at each stage. They will be providing updates as they receive more information.

More information and the infographic from English Athletics can be found here

Track news – mark your calendar for return to training
We are anticipating Ladywell Arena to reopen for Kent AC training from Tuesday 30th March in-line with the recent government update. We will be returning to our pre-COVID-19 training patterns of Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

Please see future newsletters for sign-up lists, track passes, and sessions available in the run up to the reopening. Volunteers will be still be needed to help manage the entry and exit process so also keep an eye out for volunteer opportunities!

Please see a helpful FAQs guide here

The Big Half

Many of you would have seen the news that the Big Half organisers have announced they are postponing the race until Sunday 22nd August (more information here).

For those with club places – we anticipate these will roll over. Ted will be in touch as he receives more information.

Note: Ted sent the registration link on the 7^th February to all who applied, but there are still many that haven’t registered yet. Please check your junk email if you are still waiting for the link and please register ASAP to avoid disappointment.

There are still places available for those who may want to target an August half marathon. Please contact Ted directly if you would like a place

<!–

–>

CLUB 5 MILE HANDICAP CHALLENGE & EA NATIONAL RELAYS RECAP

EA National Virtual Relays
Kent AC finished a respectable 12th position overall in the national round out of the 50 clubs which had qualified from the regional round, narrowly missing out on a place in the top 10. Kent AC had a great turnout overall and individually Anthony Johnson was equal 4th overall. Well done to our scoring men and women (results below):

Men
Anthony Johnson (23:58)
Owen Hind (24:50)
Russell Bentley (24:58)
Noah Armitage-Hookes (25:57)

Women
Katie Rowland (30:18)
Sarah Hanley (31:36)
Victoria Buck (31:47)
Teresa Murphy (32:17)

Club Handicap:
A club handicap competition dove-tailed with the National Relays which saw a total of 77 Kent AC runners compete in 10 separate teams, a fantastic turnout. The results saw a tie for first place in the overall Team Handicap between Teams 7 and 10 captained by Nick Ostrowski and Ben Cook averaging a 5 mile handicap time of 23:58 each. Teresa Murphy’s Team 2 won the overall quickest team title averaging 30:31 for the 5 miles. Individually Katie Rowland was the quickest woman with 30:18, Anthony Johnson was the quickest man with 23:58 and Russell Bentley narrowly won the fastest age grade with his 24:58 giving him 89.68% in the age grade performance.

Thank you to Katie Rowland and James Bowler for organising!

<!–

–>

UPCOMING FIXTURES

Kent AC Summer Racing Calendar
Dan Pettitt has put together a very useful google doc for the club highlighting racing fixtures for the upcoming spring and summer season. Everyone in the club can add races they come across to the list and we encourage you to do so!

You can find the doc here

Wimbledon 5 Mile Relays
Ben Noad is organising a follow up Wimbledon 5 mile relays (actual physical racing rather than virtual racing!). Katie Rowland will be arranging the women’s team for this and James Bowler the men’s teams. This will be on Sunday 12th April. Ben is also organising a couple of fast road 5km races at Battersea Park on 7th May and 28th May, more details to follow.

BMAF 1 mile virtual race
If you are ‘of age’ then there is the BMAF 1 mile virtual race happening until 7th March. Please sign up here – Kent already has 17 entries, but would be great to have some more. There are team competitions for the respective age brackets as well as individual ones. Use it as some speed training for your longer races!

Parkrun announces intention to recommence in the coming months
Many of us have been missing Parkrun and with the Government announcement surrounding the road out of lockdown, Parkrun was quick to announce their intended return on Saturday 5th June. Junior Parkrun is due to begin earlier on April 11th. The last Parkrun in the UK was held on 8th March, 2020 so it will have been well over a year since we have had the opportunity to start our Saturday morning with a social run around our local parks! More information can be found here.

<!–

–>

EATING DISORDER AWARENESS WEEK

This past week marked Eating Disorder Awareness Week and it was powerful to see so many GB and international athletes speaking out about their experiences. Between 1.25 and 3.4 million people in the UK are affected by an eating disorder and people who participate in long-distance running are among those who are more vulnerable to developing one.

If you, or someone you know are experiencing an eating disorder or disordered eating please contact:
BEAT eating disorders
ABC (Anorexia and Bulimia Care)
Student Minds

<!–

–>

OPTIMI HEALTH OFFER

Optimi health is a platform developed by world leading sports medicine clinicians and physios to deliver personalised remote rehabilitation to aid the recovery of runners.

They are on a quest to support Runners get back to doing what they do best – running.

They are giving Kent AC members a chance to access a free personalised, progressive return to play / run programme from the comfort of their home via an intuitive app. Following a successful pilot in late 2020, Optimi are looking for people like you to trial the app and to help people get back quickly and safely to sport.

To take advantage of the offer, you must:

• have a smartphone

• have knee osteo-arthritis / wear and tear or runner’s knee

• be able to commit to 4 short phone calls and 4 very brief surveys over a 8-12 week period.

• These pilots will be used to test and evolve the core functionality and design of the app and will help Optimi to build the datasets required to develop more advanced features

To find out more or sign up, please contact Piers Shotter (Optimi CEO):

<!–

–>

NEW MEMBERS

Welcome to new member Bryony Proctor. We look forward to training with you soon!

<!–

–>

KENTversation

No new podcasts this weekend, but you can catch all previous episodes on Spotify here.

<!–

–>

This email was sent to <<Email Address>>

why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list update subscription preferences

Kent AC · 412 Indiana Building · Deals gateway · London, County (optional) SE13 7QD · United Kingdom

21 February 2021

On tenterhooks for That Road Map outta here

<<First Name>>, Please see this week’s update for Kent AC members – 21 February 2021<!–

KENT AC NEWS BULLETIN

21st February 2021

<!–

–>

Daffodils are out, it’s a year since we all learned to call that scary new zoonotic virus Covid 19 and we’re all wondering whether The Big Half 2021 will be a real-life road race, or another virtual challenge. There are reasons to be hopeful, though that Boris Johnson ‘s big new Road Map may include optimism for road racers, parkrunners and, indeed track and field fans. Just 24 hours until we learn how the route out of lockdown will play out.

<!–

–>

NEWS

Cross Country Distances Survey
Talking of racing, we invited club members to have their say in the British Athletics survey on the subject of equalisation of cross country distances. Dan Pettitt sums up:
Despite the relatively low number of responses across the club, it is clear that this is a contentious and complicated issue. Interestingly, the question on equalised cross country distances generated a very split response amongst female responders, whilst males were more in favour of equalisation with 50% saying yes (compared to 12% saying no and 23% who said it was dependent on other factors).
Perhaps where it gets more interesting is when overlaying the most popular distance that our seniors would want to run, with men opting for more or less the status quo (League 8/10km, County 10km, Southern 15km and National 12km). Whereas women more or less unanimously voted for 8km cross country across the board, so it remains unclear how equal distances would be achieved without displeasing either gender. However, certainly on a League level, 8km cross country for both remains the most popular option.
As mentioned, it would have been preferable to see a greater number of responses to capture a wider cross section of the club, however several participants mentioned there was a level of fatigue in having answered other EA surveys on the subject already.
On the SEAA survey responses, responses were similar irrespective of gender.
Read the PDF report for more details

KENT AC Subscriptions

Bernie Hutchinson, membership secretary writes:
For those club members who pay an annual subscription to the club we have decided to send out membership renewal reminders as usual in the hope that training and competition can return to some form of normality this year.

Should this not prove to be the case then the committee will come to a collective decision on what action to take with regards to club subscriptions for the 2022/23 year. Obviously we wish to retain as many of our existing members as possible.

Subscriptions for 2021/22 are due on 1^st April 2021 and the first reminder will go out 28 days before, so please keep an eye on your inboxes (and if you don’t receive anything then also check your junk mail folder).

<!–

–>

CLUB 5 MILE HANDICAP CHALLENGE & EA NATIONAL RELAYS RESULTS SO FAR

Today was your last chance to run a 5-miler in a Kent AC vest in the National Road Relays, which kicked off on 10th February. There have been some impressive early performances from Kent, with Katie Rowland’s terrific 30:18 earning her the first woman tiara. Anthony Johnson’s superb 23:58 run last weekend was enough him to keep him as top man. The relays have also seen a welcome return to the club for Noah Armitage-Hookes clocking 25:57. John Gilbert ran 26:00 which ranks him one place behind Noah and 2nd V40 overall. A late entry from Russell Bentley (3rd M35 in a storming 24:58) should also help Kent sit strongly in the National Standings once the team scores are finalised.

Club 5 mile Handicap
In the Club 5 Mile Handicap, the 77 entries across the club were split into 10 teams, each one having a team captain appointed. You can see the results from the spreadsheet which Pete Lighting has kindly created here It looks like Nick Ostrowski’s team scooped the top slot here, although it looks like a few runners are still to submit. There were a number of competitions within this handicap including:

Team Handicap Performance
Team Overall Performance
Individual Handicap
Individual Age Graded Performance

Well done all who took part!

Next week will include a full breakdown of results when all times have been finalised.
Thank you to James Bowler for organising the competition.

<!–

–>

KENTversation

No new podcasts this weekend, but if you missed our chat with female cross country captain, Sarah Hanley, we would urge you to listen in. Catch Sarah’s episode and previous episodes on Spotify here.

<!–

–>

14 February 2021

Anyone for some Virtual Valentine’s racing?

<<First Name>>, Please see this week’s update for Kent AC members – 14 February 2021<!–

KENT AC NEWS BULLETIN

14th February 2021

<!–

–>

NEWS

Equalisation of Cross-Country Distances – DEADLINE FOR FEEDBACK THIS WEDNESDAY
Following on from the British Athletics survey which was circulated to club members last month to give their views on gender equality in cross country race distances, Kent AC is now looking to submit a club-wide response to the consultation.

The first part of the survey will cover general questions around the consultation currently being undertaken by EA/UKA and also allow the club to quantify the feeling within the club on the consultation and proposed changes.The second part directly copies the questions in the SEAA club survey.

We urge all members to complete the survey (it takes less than five minutes!) by next Wednesday 17th February

<!–

–>

CLUB 5 MILE HANDICAP CHALLENGE & EA NATIONAL RELAYS UPDATE

Note: Entries to the National Relay Competition extended until 21st February

EA National Road Relays
Kent currently has 50 entries into the National Road Relays which are run over 5 miles, these kicked off on the 10th February and run until the 21st. There have been some impressive early performances from Kent, with Anthony Johnson currently in the joint lead overall with his superb 23:58 this morning. The relays have also seen a welcome return to the club for Noah Armitage-Hookes clocking 25:57 for 13th place, Noah hopes to go quicker later on in the week. John Gilbert ran 26:00 which ranks him one place behind Noah and 2nd V40 overall. These performances should help Kent sit strongly in the National Standings once the team score start to appear. It isn’t too late to enter the National Relays, they can be entered right up until the 21st and the club need ALL of our best runners out if we are to contend for a national medal in the team competition.

Club 5 mile Handicap
There were a total of 77 entries across the club which have been split into 10 teams with each team having a team captain appointed. You can follow the progress of this team competition from the spreadsheet which Pete Lighting has kindly created here There are a number of competitions within this handicap including:

Overall quickest team
Quickest handicap team
Quickest average age graded team

I am sure things will chop and change and become exciting as we head into next weekend, – a reminder to team captains to keep the spreadsheet as current as you can.

Competition Summary:
Team Handicap Performance
Team Overall Performance
Individual Handicap
Individual Age Graded Performance

Notes:
EA Rules/Guidance will be used, summarised here.
Open to 2nd claim runners.

If you ran the regional EA Relays your time rounded to the nearest 15 seconds will be used as your handicap.

If you didn’t run the regional EA Relays then your time submitted on entry will be considered, but the organisers will adjust accordingly for those who are looking for a soft handicap!

Once entered and allocated into a team, a DNS/DNF will give you a time of handicap + 2.5 minutes

A team captain will be appointed to help with data entry etc.

You don’t need to enter the EA relays, however it would be great to have as many as possible enter this to show just how strong a club Kent AC is.

<!–

–>

KENTversation

No new podcasts this weekend, but if you missed our chat with female cross country captain, Sarah Hanley, we would urge you to listen in. Catch Sarah’s episode and previous episodes on Spotify here.

<!–

–>

7 February 2021

Beast from the East 2.0 hits SE London

<<First Name>>, Please see this week’s update for Kent AC members – 07 February 2021<!–

KENT AC NEWS BULLETIN

07th February 2021

<!–

–>

NEWS

Equalisation of Cross-Country Distances – new survey for all members
Following on from the British Athletics survey which was circulated to club members last month to give their views on gender equality in cross country race distances, Kent AC is now looking to submit a club-wide response to the consultation.

We urge all members to complete the survey (it takes less than five minutes!) by next Sunday February 14th

<!–

–>

CLUB 5 MILE HANDICAP CHALLENGE & EA NATIONAL RELAYS UPDATE

Note: Entries to the National Relay Competition extended until 21st February

Entries

Kent AC currently have 74 entries into the club handicap, you have until this coming Tuesday to get your entries in for this, please enter at Club_5_mile Handicap.

For the EA relays we have 47 entries, to enter please go to EA_Relays – you can enter this until the 20th February.

Updates

The EA Relays have been extended until the 21st February due to the expected inclement weather. The club handicap will align with any subsequent changes made by the EA

You can enter one or both of the competitions.

You can use one performance for both competitions, you do not have to run twice (unless you want to!).

Club 5 Mile Handicap Challenge – reminder

A reminder that to complement the EA relays, Kent AC is running a club 5 mile handicap competition with a number of competitions within a competition. All you have to do is enter and then run 5 miles whilst adhering to the rules set out by England Athletics. Enter Here

Competition Summary:
Team Handicap Performance
Team Overall Performance
Individual Handicap
Individual Age Graded Performance

Notes:
EA Rules/Guidance will be used, summarised here.
Open to 2nd claim runners.

If you ran the regional EA Relays your time rounded to the nearest 15 seconds will be used as your handicap.

If you didn’t run the regional EA Relays then your time submitted on entry will be considered, but the organisers will adjust accordingly for those who are looking for a soft handicap!

Once entered and allocated into a team, a DNS/DNF will give you a time of handicap + 2.5 minutes

A team captain will be appointed to help with data entry etc.

You don’t need to enter the EA relays, however it would be great to have as many as possible enter this to show just how strong a club Kent AC is.

<!–

–>

FIXTURES

The Big Half 2021 – more community places now available
Ted has now secured additional community places for the club for the Big Half 2021 which will be held on Sunday April 25th. If you haven’t applied yet and are interested in a place, please register your interest here. Ted has now contacted everyone who has already applied for a spot – please let him know directly if you require any additional information!

More information about the event can be found here: www.thebighalf.co.uk/

Kent Athletic Association – Summer programme of athletics
The Kent Athletics Association have sent through details of their planned upcoming season of athletics events. Please note: All events are very much dependent on restrictions easing in the coming months and sports venues reopening. COVID-19 precautions are being put in place to ensure these events are put on in a safe manner for both athletes and officials.

Please see below for dates to start placing in the diary (more details including how to enter to follow)

Kent Young Adults League

23rd May – Dartford Park (confirmed)

26th June – Ashford (TBC)

10th July – Dartford Park (confirmed)

County Champs

8/9th May Main Champs – Ashford (Confirmed)

23rd June 3k and 10k including some masters events – Dartford Park (confirmed)

30th August U13 pentathlon – Tonbridge (TBC)

12th September Relays (including some masters events) – Venue TBC

18/19th September Combined events, U13’s champs and some Masters events – Erith (TBC)

<!–

–>

New Members

A big Kent AC welcome to new member Tina Baklanov. We look forward to welcoming you to the track when group training returns!

<!–

–>

Club 250

Congratulations to Zuzana Nemeckova who was the winner of last night’s draw!

<!–

–>

KENTversation

No new podcasts this weekend, but if you missed our chat with female cross country captain, Sarah Hanley, we would urge you to listen in. Catch Sarah’s episode and previous episodes on Spotify here.

<!–

–>