Running up a storm

Please see this week’s update for Kent AC members – 07/07/24–

KENT AC NEWS BULLETIN
 7 July 2024

Thursday last was a momentous day. A little matter of a general election and a widely predicted Starmer landslide was eclipsed by a far more athletic highlight in this soggy summer of sport: the Great Sutcliffe Park assembly league. The evening before, the A Team men stormed Tooting with PBs aplenty. Then it was time for our weekend warriors to take to those far-flung trails in the Spanish Pyrenees and the dramatic, inspirational Ranscombe Nature Reserve.
In other news, SAL goes north, all the way to St Albans on 14 July, which you can sign up for here.
If you’d like to give it a try, please consider signing up on the link. We are particularly in need of female competitors. It’s a fabulous way to improve your all-round fitness and you’ll receive excellent training. We’re currently placed sixth, and who knows, with a few more Kent AC women on board we could be in the medals. It’s also an easy journey on the train from London Bridge, so the time-poor have the perfect opportunity to switch up their fitness. Go for it!
Our Instagram page is also inspirational. Go follow.
 

ASSEMBLY POINT

The fourth Assembly League took place in Sutcliffe Park last Thursday (4th July). We had a great turnout of runners and the sun shone long enough for athletes to top up their vitamin D and stop thinking about politics. Robert Laing was first Kent AC home in 16.08, chased all the way by Phil Sanders and Che Compton. Our Women’s A and B teams both scored the top prize, led in by Ellie Freeden in 18.15 and Claire Oxlade in 18:38.
Dee O’Brien and Lin Skinner were first and second VW45 in 19:14 and 20:05 respectively. Congratulations to Anna Delis on scoring a 5k PB (22:24). 

It was the women’s night

A great run from Lin Skinner ensured  the Women’s A and B team dominance

TOOTING BECKONED
 

Tooting proved a popular front on Wednesday 6  July, when a squadron from our finest A team took part in the T1 Tracksmith Twilight 5000m. Here’s how they fared:

Ross Braden 14:16 PB
Robs Sesemann: 14:50
Ben Clarke 15:12 PB
Jake Simmonds 15:25
Joe Hartley 15:40
Nicholas Chevis 15:54 PB
Lyndon Marfell 16:21
Ian Ellwood 16:41
Matteo Gala 16:46
Phil Woodford-Smith 17:23
Alex Harris 17:41
Gian Valentini 17:45
Rupert Bedofrd 18:40
Matthew Moroney 18:50

 

OFF THE BEATEN TRACK

At least two of us ran away from the Smoke this weekend. Che, not content with racing fast at the Assembly League, ran 50km in the possibly quite muddy, but poppy and corncockle-strewn Ranscombe Nature Reserve, near Rochester.
Ash Green travelled further, and ran higher, in the Spanish Pyrenees, taking part in the UTMB Experience d’Arran. Congratulations on participating in your first ever UTMB, Ash! I imagine we’d all like to be in the Pyrenees as the rain lashes down on south-east London, so feast your eyes on this:

NOW I’M PACING BACK AND FORTH

It’s only a week until our next group parkrun trip – this time to Dulwich for a pacing special on 13 July

We will be pacing all times and all pacers are very very welcome. If you’d like to giver it a go, please sign up below:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1R-FjldTvfJtGYi2IVTNagDd4RwwjOk_B9FarQygYt_E/edit

FOREVER WINTER (TAYLOR’S VERSION)

It’s always good to plan ahead, so start preparing for cold rain and mud, compared to the tepid rain and mud of British summertime. Cross country fixture dates are below. Add them to your diary now to start the build up.
 

September

Saturday 14th – Rescheduled National XC – Weston Park, Telford
Keep an eye out for a form soon to register interest

 

October

Saturday 12th – Surrey League Fixture 1 – Wimbledon Common

 

November

Saturday 9th – Surrey League Fixture 2 – Venue tbc

Saturday 23rd – South of Thames Junior – West Horsley Place, Guildford

 

December

Saturday 14th or 21st – South of Thames Senior – Somerhill School, Tonbridge

 

January

Saturday 11th – Surrey League Fixture 3 – Venue tbc

 

February

Saturday 8th – Surrey League Fixture 4 – Epsom

 

Other fixtures we’re still awaiting date confirmation for:

Mansfield Relays, November

Kent County Championships, Brands Hatch, January

Southern XC Championships, January

National XC, February

British Masters XC Champs, March

HUBBLE BOBBLE TOIL & TROUBLE

BIG Bobble Hats perfect for THIS summer! 

For those members who ordered a BIG bobble hat at the end of 2023, they are now delivered and ready for collection. Payment to be made via https://membermojo.co.uk/kentac/store. 
Please WhatsApp Sarah Young to arrange collection. 

Future orders will be announced in your favourite newsletter. 

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

July
14 – Southern Athletics League – St Albans
17 – Brighton Phoenix 10K – Brighton
28 – KYAL – Norman Park
30 – Post-track social

August
3 – 10k Sri Chimnoy Battersea Park (club champs)
10 – KYAL – Dartford
17 – Southern Athletics League – Ware
27 – Post-track social

September
1 – Big Half (club champs)

October
13 – Petts Wood 10K

EASYFUNDRAISING

Please remember to use easyfundraising every time you shop online.
Over 7,000 brands pay easyfundraising a commission when you start your shop through their platform, so you can raise FREE donations for us no matter what you’re buying. These donations really help us out, so please sign up if you haven’t yet. It’s easy and FREE! You can get started at https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/kentac

You can also install a helpful Chrome extension, which prompts you to donate whenever doing any online shopping – really handy

 

TRACK, TRACK, TRACK

Buy your track pass here.

The usual track times are:
Tuesday 17:30 – 20:45
Thursday 18:00 – 20:30
Sunday 09:00 – 11:30
Please note that individuals are permitted to do their own sessions during club opening times, but coached group sessions continue to take priority.

Track Pass – Juniors
Please purchase your £5 junior monthly track pass in advance here. When purchasing the track pass can parents/guardians please enter the athlete’s name when completing the transaction

Please see a helpful FAQs guide here

Ladywell Arena has opening hours dedicated to the public. While during these times the Kent AC track pass is not valid, members can pay for an individual session.

Session times are: 
Monday: 07:00 -15:00
Tuesday – Thursday: 1300 -1700
Friday: 07:00 – 15:00
Saturday – Sunday: 09:00-15:00

Price:
Adult resident: £2.70
Adult non resident: £3.00
Junior (U16): £1.30

The Kent AC track pass continues to be required for training on Tues/Thurs evenings and Sunday mornings.

Track staff have encouraged people to double check the opening hours before their training session, as they may occasionally be closed for school sport days and football friendlies. Hours can be checked here. This will likely suit members who can’t make training sessions but would like to train in the morning/lunchtime/evening.

Pay as you go fees can either be paid via cash to the desk or using the Better app (note: staff are working to add the sessions to the app).

KEEP US UPDATED

You can have your say about what goes in the newsletter and keep us apprised of your results or running adventures by emailing the comms team directly here.

The password for the club contacts page  is .

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