KENT AC NEWS BULLETIN 

25 April 2021

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Look at these results

One we missed, plus some great runs from the usual suspects
It’s still challenging to stage a mass-participation race in these feverish times (Richmond Marathon Festival had no choice but to cancel for a third time this week; anyone training for that has had a torrid training regime this past year), but competitions are going ahead, and with them come some impressive Kent AC results.
First up, we must flag up Callum Cant’s strong performance in the South Downs Way 50 Mile race. He came 25th and ran this boggling distance in a mere 8:00:09. Two legs especially good in this context.
This weeks results come from Sunday 25 April’s Chester Elite Marathon and Half Marathon, where Georgina Wiley ran a 1:22.19 Half Marathon PB, and Rob Laing ran 1:22.19. In the marathon there were PBs for Tom Marshall (2:34:15) and Barny Day (2:37:39). Chris McGurk, a second claim athlete, ran 2:28.59.
On the same day, Che Compton made a beeline for Glorious Goodwood, where he buzzed round the Motor Circuit Half Marathon in a mere 1:13:13.
Earlier in the week, on Wednesday 21 April, Noah Armitage-Hookes ran the 2km Steeplechase in the Birmingham University Series and bagged a 06:17.40 PB.
On Saturday 24 April Cameron Irwin raced a tidy 0:18:29 5km a the Lee Valley Velo Park Run Through series
If you don’t see your result on here then please let us know and we’ll include next week. 

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Joe Appiah: Portrait in the Attic?

An athlete’s career in sprinting usually shines brightly for several years before fading as age takes its toll. However, there are notable exceptions and one of those is our very own Joe Appiah, who having recently turned 50, is still performing at the top of his game.
Indeed, after a disrupted winter, little was probably expected more than an early season shakeout when the evergreen Joe turned up last weekend at the Worthing Open. However, in the 100m hurdles Joe was able to blow off the cobwebs and smash both the previous UK (14.34) and European (14.09) M50 markers for the event, finishing in a superb 13.98.
We caught up with Joe to get his thoughts on the record run and goals for the rest of the season.

Firstly, did you expect to break the records going into your first race of the season, especially given how disrupted training and indoor racing has been?
Joe: Yes, but not at my first race in April. I trained in winter hoping indoor competitions would be allowed where I was aiming to break the WR for 60mH of 8.24s. I was using any track that was open, such as Barnes Elms, Paddington etc. in the cold.

Now those records are yours, what goals do you have for the rest of the season? Is the world record for the 100mH (13.57) in your sights?
Joe: My goals are to enjoy racing and to get close to the WR of 13.57. It’s a huge challenge to go from 13.98 to running almost half a second quicker in a sprint race. It’s going to be tough, but it gives me more motivation. I have only done a few weeks of hurdling and we have only been back on track since 29th March, so it gives me hope. I am excited to see how fast I can run once I sort out my starts because the hurdles are closer in distance, as well as getting hurdles fit. If you watch my race, you will be able to see the last few hurdles I was tired and lost technique.

Are the Masters records something that motivates you to carry on racing or is there another thing that drives you to carry on competing?
Joe: I have a stressful job. Athletics keeps me sane, it’s my release. I have an opportunity in Masters Athletics that I never did as a junior as I only started athletics properly in my mid-20s. I am also targeting the LJ record at some stage too, it’s within my capabilities and if I jump 6.10m for both indoors and outdoors, I will have them all!
Athletics is also a brilliant way to engage with people across the world, visiting places I wouldn’t otherwise consider and making great friendships.

You can watch Joe’s run from last weekend here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SeE6jqO2q8I2vl_TDEdOnHzQ0Hd-sVqN/view

REMINDER – KENT AC SUBS

Have you paid yours? 
Membership renewal reminders have been sent out 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. When you pay your subscription, you’re also offered England Athletics Affiliation for a further £15.

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We’re on track

 

And it feels great. It’s worth bearing in mind, though, that Tuesday training sessions require a lot of organisation, so volunteers to help with checking that people have signed up and are aware of Covid restrictions are always welcome. Contact Heather, the excellent volunteer organiser, via the website.

Get into the track pass habit
No training unless you’ve signed up to the track pass. You can pay for a month or a year. Here’s how:1) Make sure your membership has been renewed as you must be a paid up member to use the track
2) Purchase your monthly track pass in advance of the session here 
3) Sign up to the appropriate group and session using the links below, for more information about training groups see here
4) Upon arrival before your session, please show your Kent AC membership app, or a print out, at the gate

Please see a helpful FAQs guide here
 

Group spreadsheets to register for sessions (links for payment this month and FAQs within):

Men’s A group 

Men’s B Group

Women’s Group (PB/EB)

C Group

Juno Group

Hassan Group
Despite the above being very track-focused, we will be expanding our offering to properly cater for our field athletes. So stay tuned for more info very soon.

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FIND YOUR NEXT RACE

Kent AC Summer Racing Calendar 
Take the first step to your next PB by having a look at latest fixture list – 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 

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NEW MEMBERS

Welcome to 8 additional new members who join us this week – it’s great to have you. We look forward to meeting you on the track soon! 

Iona Campbell

Rory Campbell

Jim Dickson

Zosia Joyce

Steven Mowll

Max Nicholls

Joe Todd

Parris Williams

 

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