Races across the world

Please see this week’s update for Kent AC members – 03/11/24–

KENT AC NEWS BULLETIN
3 November 2024

 As the pumpkins moulder on doorsteps, and thoughts turn to the real potential horror show on Wednesday, our attention is grabbed to a truly big-ticket race across the pond, where James Bates was representing the club. Other globetrotters this weekend were Adrian Young in Istanbul and Ralph Weir in Elgon, Uganda.
Much closer to home, Teresa Murphy smashed the Greenwich 10K – first woman home – and Clare Elms would appreciate your vote. Also on the November agenda: cross country races to sign up for, The AGM, The Great Kent AC Crimbo Beano and those BIG bobbles…ready for the temperature plummet that’s surely on its way. 

First, let’s head to Turkey, where things came together Adrian Young (below). He had a great run in Istanbul, scoring a 10-minute PB: 3:48:21

Today was also a big day in New York City, where the residents surely need the distraction. Our James Bates ran an impressive 3:32:01. Not a PB, he tells us, but that’s a great time, in any case.

 
Next, our Ralph Weir was running with the Ugandans this weekend. He finished the Elgon Half Marathon in 1:38:38. His half marathon times are usually way faster than that, but he reports he was happy to be the first muzungu, despite the race being inundated with the exhaust fumes of many motorbikes, and being sent the wrong way a couple of times. The race was started by Joshua Cheptegei, to promote his campaign against gender-based violence: the horrific case of Rebecca Cheptegei is still foremost in people’s minds in Uganda’s running community. 

Ain other news, a reminder that Christmas Party tickets are on sale, see below. And the London Marathon ballot draw will be at the Christmas Party, so if you want to run and have a rejection from the ballot, have run and volunteered for the club, then you can enter the draw. There aren’t many on the list as yet, so a great chance of snagging a place.

A couple of November dates: Next Saturday, 9 November is a cross country day. It’s in Beckenham, so you’ll be home in time for tea.
Don’t forget the AGM at the end of the month – 26th November.
 

MEANWHILE, UP IN MANSFIELD

…Our only Kent AC team was the Under 20s. They represented strongly, each member of the team giving it their all on a windy 3k course. The team were placed 40th out of 83. Joe English on the first leg ran a fantastic 9:17. Theo Gaymes ran the second leg in 10:21. Guy Barnett kept up the pressure, finishing the third leg in 9:36. Excellent work, team.

VOTE ELMS

Clare Elms is much too modest to blow her own trumpet, but readers may be aware that she has smashed a good number of athletics world records this year. Fortunately, her daughter Lucy has proudly alerted us to the fact that her mother is a nominee for Athletics Weekly Masters Athlete of the Year. If, like us, you think should be garlanded, once more, with this latest honour, you can cast your vote here
 

A MESSAGE FROM OUR WELFARE TEAM

The clocks have gone back, the evenings are darker, and we still want to run, right?
Some timely advice to ensure we all stay safe, as well as some considerations to bear in mind from a woman’s perspective, in the link below. 

Smart Safety Strategies:
• Plan your route in advance and stick to well-lit, populated areas
• Run against traffic so you can see approaching vehicles
• Share your location and expected return time with a friend or family member
• Keep one earbud out or volume low to stay aware of your surroundings
• Vary your routine – avoid running the same route at the same time every day

Essential Gear:
• Wear reflective clothing or a high-visibility vest
• Carry a charged phone
• Use a running light or headlamp

Trust Your Instincts:
If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Don’t worry about appearing rude – cross the street, change direction, or enter a busy shop if you feel uncomfortable. 

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/oct/30/women-safe-exercise-in-the-dark

CHRISTMAS IN OUR SIGHTS

Kent AC Christmas party tickets are now on sale🎄✨

£20 per person including an arrival drink, a buffet and a dancefloor🥂

Purchase your tickets here – get them before they’re gone!

 

RUN IN THE DARK

If you are looking for a race to sign up to in November, look no further than Southwark Athletics Club, who are hosting 1200m and 1 mile races on Thursday 7th November.

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. 

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

 

We’re truly grateful to all for their hard work over this and previous years.

 

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

HUBBLE, BUBBLE, BUY YOUR BOBBLE

When you’re waiting around on the cross country field, then layering up after the race, your best friend is your Kent AC bobble hat. If you are still lacking this style essential, you can go to the Kent AC online shop to order and pay. Your ears will thank you for it. 

LONDON MARATHON CLUB BALLOT

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

The club will have two places 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. You still have a chance to do so before the draw.

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

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

November
9 – Surrey League XC – Beckenham Place Park
23 – South of Thames Junior XC – West Horsley Place, Guildford
26 – AGM – Blythe Hill Tavern
 30 – Kent Vets XC Championships – Central Park, Dartford 

December
7 – SEAA Masters XC Championships – Horspath, Oxford (tbc)
14 – Christmas Party – St Dunstan’s Jubilee Ground, Catford
21 – South of Thames Senior XC – Somerhill 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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