Champ-agne no problems

Please see this week’s update for Kent AC members – 15/09/24–

KENT AC NEWS BULLETIN
15 September 2024

What a week! Thursday saw our Club Champs for the 200m and 5000m, and junior 800m. First up, a massive thanks and congrats to the organising team who pulled off the event so successfully. Ever impressing all of us with their streak of PBs and performances this season, a huge congrats to Ellie and Dame, our 5000m champions in 18:33 and 15:05 respectively. 

Read on for more triumphs across the Channel, Down Under and up at the re-scheduled National XC. Not a bad way to end the summer, eh?

Never fear, there are plenty more opportunities for fun coming up. We have the next parkrun take-over, and the club ballot for London Marathon places too – read on for details about how you can take part and get involved.

And, as always, if you have anything to add to the weekly newsletter,
send us an email so that it can be featured. We love hearing from you and it’s your newsletter!

CHAMPING AT THE BIT

Pictures speak a thousand words but don’t quite show the level of organisation that went into a seamless and successful night. Well done to all involved, for the behind the scenes  work, those who volunteered on the night and of course those who turned up with pins and passion ready to run.

Our organisers demonstrating that work and play really do mix.

Well done Dame and Ellie, our 5000m club champions of 2024!

Many numbers, more athletes. What a night! 

WEEKEND ROUND UP

In all disciplines and in multiple countries, there have been some inspiring performances from all sections of Kent AC this week. So give it up for:

The Kent AC Juniors, who were represented at the National Champs this year by Harry Clough (207th), Lucas Stickland (188th), George Searle (132nd) in the U15 boys, and Tallulah Jones (83rd) in U15 girls. It was good running conditions on the day – breezy, fresh and sunny – but a tough course with long grass and gradual undulating hills which sapped runners’ energy throughout. It was harsh to watch some of the leading pack of elite athletes collapsing close to the finishing line after pushing it to the max. The whole team performed brilliantly and we saw strong performances all round. Huge congrats to Vic Buck for representing the seniors too!

Mack Atanda, winner of the Kent Champs U13B 75m hurdles with 13.24s. Close behind was Zac Murray with a PB of 13.94. Well done!

Mark Crabtree, who completed the Richmond marathon in 3:01:19.

Dan Hallas, who swam the English Channel, supported by David Devlin and Ian Mizen. Incredible and true teamwork too. 

Ivona Gongolova, who in her quest to complete the SuperHalf series, ran the Copenhagen Half in 99:18mins. Will Brown completed in 89:14. Skol!

Che Compton, for coming 95th at the Sydney Marathon in 2:39:07, making it a very g’day indeed.

Chris Greenwood, who posted an epic 15:09 and Phil Sanders just a touch behind in 16:10 at Friday Night Under The Lights.

Emily Murray, who not only won the triple jump at last week’s English Masters in Corby with 8.95m and won the W35-50 category, but has also broken 5 Kent AC club records this year with a long jump of 4.07m and high jump of 1.35m. Keep ’em coming, we are in awe!

PINK IS THE NEW BLUE

Get ready to don the pink hi-vis vests as we will be doing a takeover ay Peckham parkrun on Saturday 28th September.

We are looking to fill the roster so please sign up here, and remember you can always run first too!

AGM

This is notice of our Annual General Meeting, which will be held on Tuesday 26th November at 20:30, upstairs at the Blythe Hill Tavern, 319 Stanstead Rd, SE23 1JB.
 
Please come along after the track.
Food will be provided!
 
The AGM is a yearly gathering of the club members, primarily to hear reports from committee members, about the club’s activities and finances; to appoint the committee and vote on any contested positions; to ask questions to the committee, and express your ideas and concerns. 

If you wish to propose any change to our rules/constitution or a major change to club policy, this must be submitted in writing before 30th October. This will enable it to be included in the calling notice to all members and the agenda and all accompanying papers, which will be sent out in early November. 
 
The committee is made up of volunteers and each year every post is up for election. 

This year we have the following vacancies:

President: Our co-presidents Victoria Buck and Len Reilly stand down after their three year stint: a three year fixed appointment ensuring good governance, good decision making and that all the club’s members and activities get a fair allocation of resources; chairing committee
Membership co-secretary: a job-share role to assist the current incumbent in processing applications and maintaining the membership database
Track manager: ensuring smooth running of track pass system
Health & safety: ensuring risk assessments both ongoing and for events are appropriate as well as current and risks mitigated
Juniors co-secretary: to assist Anne Hepple in managing the juniors set-up
Kit manager: to coordinate the ordering and distribution of Kent AC vests and other kit
 
A big thanks to all for their hard work over this and previous years.

 

If you are interested in any of these, or wish to contest any other role, please write to and your email will go to the incumbent who will happily tell you what their job involves. If you wish to stand, please let know before 30th October so it can go in the agenda.

 
A big thanks too to those putting their name forward for roles this year.
 
A full list of committee, juniors – sub committee and non – committee posts can be found on our website.
 
Thanks
 Vic and Len

LONDON MARATHON CLUB BALLOT

If you failed to get a London Marathon place, you have a second chance!

The club hopes to have a couple of places available (we haven’t been informed of how many yet) and we’ll run a ballot as in previous years. There is one extra criterion, to encourage volunteering at the club – you have to have helped the club out in some way this year.

The criteria are:

1. Be a fully paid up club member.
2. Been rejected in the London Marathon 2025 ballot (need to provide evidence)
3. Have run for the club in 2024 (state which race)
4. Have volunteered for the club in some way in 2024.
This can include manning the gate at the track, marshalling or otherwise helping at an open meet or a race, being a coach or holding a committee post.

The draw will take place later this year at the Christmas Party on 14 December.

If you wish to enter the draw, send an email to Phil at , with evidence of your LM rejection, what races you have run, and what volunteering you’ve done.

Deadline: 13th December

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

Autumn relay season is about to kick off in two weeks time with the Southern Road Relays at Rushmoor Arena at Aldershot on Saturday 21st September. 

Entries for the Southerns have been filed and teams will be finalised shortly.
Look out on WhatsApp groups for final teams, order and travel details or speak to your team captain! (Chris B for men, Alexa P for women). 

If you missed out on signing up for the Southerns, or if you want two bites at the apple, it’s not too late to state your availability for the Nationals, which will be, as usual, at Sutton Park on Saturday 5th October – sign up sheet here. Teams are of 6 for the men, with each leg running around 6km and 4 for the women with each leg running 4.3km.

JOIN THE PROGRAMME

We’re excited to offer a *free 10-week 5k training program for 10-15 of our adult members, regardless of your current running level. Whether you’re aiming to break 20 minutes, set a new personal best, or simply regain some speed, this program is designed to help you reach your goals whist complementing your existing training.

You’ll be part of a supportive group, with fellow members cheering you on every step of the way, both in training and on race day. It’s a great chance to push yourself and achieve something special with the encouragement of others.

*In return for the coaching, we kindly ask that you consider giving back to the club in the future whether that’s by volunteering at a club event helping with gate duty, or making a small donation.

Your support helps keep our community thriving.

Key Details
• Target Race: The programme will culminate in a specific target race(s), which could be a parkrun, cross-country race, or open meet.
• Focus Areas: Running technique, drills, speed work and one-on-one coaching.
• Coaches: Led by Rowan Crichton and an additional coach (TBD).
• Inclusivity: Open to runners of all genders, ages and speeds.

Schedule
• Duration: 10 weeks
• Start Date: Saturday 28th September – Saturday 14th December
• Weekly Group Sessions: Saturdays, 10:00 – 12:00 (Suspended on Saturday 12th October and 9th November for Surrey League XC)
• Locations: Various local spots, including the track

Programme Structure
1. Initial Assessment: Conducted in Week 1 to tailor individual programmes.
2. Weekly Group Sessions: Focused on various aspects of running, with expert guidance.
3. Individual Programmes: Personalised plans issued to guide your daily and weekly training.

Registration
Participation is on a first-come basis. Register your interest here.

Contact Information
For any questions, please reach out to Rowan Crichton at .

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

September
21 – 6/4/3 Southern Stage Road Relays, including Vets (V40/V50/V60) Relay Championships –  Aldershot
28 – Volunteer takeover Peckham parkrun 

October
5 – 6/4/3 National Road Relays – Sutton Coldfield
12 – Surrey League XC – Wimbledon

November
2 – National XC Relays – Mansfield (tbc)
9 – Surrey League XC – tbc
23 – South of Thames Junior XC – West Horsley Place, Guildford
26 – AGM – BHT
 30 – Kent Vets XC Championships – Central Park, Dartford 

December
7 – SEAA Masters XC Championships – Horspath, Oxford (tbc)
14 – Christmas Party – Jubilee Ground, Catford
14 or 21 – South of Thames Senior XC – Sommerhill School, Tonbridge 
 

2025
January 
4 – Kent County XC Championships – Brands Hatch 
11 – Surrey League XC – tbc
25 – Southern XC Champs – Beckenham Place Park

February
8 – Surrey League XC – Epsom
22 – National XC – Parliament Hill

March
30 – 12/6 Stage Road Relay Championships – Milton Keynes

April
12 – 12/6 National Road Relays – Sutton Coldfield
25 – London Marathon

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 here is .

 

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