All we have to offer is mud, sweat and a podium finish
All we have to offer is mud, sweat and a podium finish
Please see this week’s update for Kent AC members – 26/01/25–
KENT AC NEWS BULLETIN
26 January 2025
Sofia and Sarah
A few Kent runners avoided the mud and hills and instead ran a flat 10 miles in Canterbury, Victoria Buck running 68:37, Dan Lineham 68:58 and Karen Samuel 88:33.
Len Reilly sends this race report from the Vets XC last weekend:
“Kent AC again punched above its weight at last Saturday’s Vets AC club cross country championship at Wimbledon common. Our three starters, of a field of about 75 produced an outright winner, two age group winners and an age group second. Clare Elms took overall honours and the wv60 title, Vic Buck the wv50 title and Len Reilly the mv60 runner up. Prizes were awarded in 5 year age groups to mv80 and wv70. Inspiring.”
“The event was ousted from its previous more challenging course by the golfing lobby and last week, its second year of use, was further curtailed by landscape works at Queen’s Mere. It’s an out and back of a long, stony, flat straight, a down and up to and from the pond and another long flat, stony straight, then repeated. If the course is uninspiring, in all other respects the event is a triumph: friendly, low-key, good value, swift results, brisk presentation at Belgrave Hall and free tea and cake. Grass roots athletics at its best.”
“In other domestic competition, the cross country grand prix and handicap has been revived. It’s the best score in six of the nine qualifying races (four Surrey leagues, two south Thames champs, the county, the southern and the national). Handicapping will be based on Run Britain rankings so there’s no scope for corruption. More as it emerges.”Please note that entries for the National Cross Country, to be held at Parliament Hill Fields on 22nd February, close this Tuesday 28th. See below for how to sign up.
If you’re available on that day and want to watch the event and contribute, the organisers have a call out for marshalls. Please contact Ben Noad at if you’re available to help.
Our treasurer David notes that there are several numbers still available for the monthly sweepstake – it costs £6 a month with the chance to win £250, the surplus going to held fund the club. Please contact David at if you’d like to join in.
Finally, there’s a parkrun social at Catford (Mountsfield Park) on Saturday 1st February. Do come to run, volunteer or just spectate and socialise!
The men set off with high hopes of matching last year’s bronze, with John Gilbert down from Manchester and in fine form with a 30:11 10k just before New Year, and Owen Hind and Cameron Dockerill also looking strong. All of them pulled off outstanding runs, John coming in 9th – his 7th top 10 finish going back 15 years, but his first since he won the race in 2018. Cam improved from 65th last year to 18th yesterday, and Owen from 83rd to 21st. Nick Acfield (24th), Rob Sesemann (32nd) and Max Nicholls (37th) closed out our 6, 28 places better than in 2024. Our final tally of 141 points was a massive 91 points better than last year, an improvement of an incredible 15 places per runner!
John in full flow [pic credit Mark Hookway]
We briefly thought we’d won silver ahead of Hercules Wimbledon and behind an imperious Highgate, but a revision to the results saw us come 3rd, just 5 points behind Wimbledon. A terrific day for Kent men, which bodes well for the 12 stage relays in the spring. There were excellent runs down the field too, we had 12 runners in the top 100 and 37 finishers overall on the tough 15k course – although it actually measured 1k short, and one 64 year old Kent runner was heard to complain that he still had plenty of energy at the end because of it!
Owen and Cam on the home straight [pic credit Mark Hookway]
Kent women were without several of their top runners, but still put out an impressive 21 runners, their top 4 ranking 6th, a 3 place improvement on last year, Amy Clements was our leading runner again, her 12th place an improvement of one from last year; Katie Good (38th) and Aisling Ahern (52nd) were next for us and Alexa Parker (61st) closed out our team of 4, 21 women completed for Kent, a big increase on 2024, and a tribute to our xc captains in getting so many women enthused about such a hard race!
Kent women (and dog)
We also had a good turnout from our juniors – in the boys’ under 15 we had 5 runners, led home by George Searle in 69th place, with Luke Roderick, Lucas Strickland, Matteo Watson and Ewan Willis also finishing. Rika Gilmore ran in the U13 girls race, and Edward Pearce with the U13 boys. Tallulah Jones and Alice Hales also ran well in the U15 girls race
Congratulations to all runners who attempted the race yesterday, it’s always the most challenging of the year, and the results exceeded expectations.
The XC nationals are being held on 22 February at Parliament Hill, London!
After last year’s fiasco of last-minute cancellation, the premier XC race being close to public transport and actual paved car parking means everyone can once again do battle alongside the bravest and best in the country.
The committee has agreed to continue asking athletes for personal contributions to championship races. In the name of openness, entry is £16 (or 45% of your club membership fee) and anyone keen to run is asked to contribute £5 of that cost.
The sum-up link is open until 9pm on Tuesday 28th January. This is to allow any last-minute chats with coaches or captains at training that night to agree racing plans.
Please purchase your place right here.Don’t delay!
February
1 – Social parkrun – Mountsfield Park, Catford
8 – Surrey League XC – Epsom
22 – National XC – Parliament Hill
March
30 – 12/6 Stage Southern Road Relay Championships – Milton Keynes
April
3 – Assembly League – Beckenham Place Park
12 – 12/6 National Road Relays – Sutton Coldfield
26 – KYAL – Ashford
27 – London Marathon
May
1 – Assembly League – Victoria Park
17 – SAL – Dartford
18 – KYAL – Norman Park (Bromley)
June
5 – Assembly League – Crystal Palace Park
22 – SAL – Woodford Green
July
3 – Assembly League – Sutcliffe Park
5 – KYAL – Medway Park
13 – SAL – Eltham
August
7 – Assembly League – Victoria Park
16 – KYAL – Dartford
30 – SAL – Basildon
September
4 – Assembly League – Beckenham Place Park
7 – Big Half – London
Manners maketh man, woman and great athletes! As we kick off 2025, a reminder to start as we mean to go on and ensuring a friendly, supportive atmosphere where everyone feels welcome; with mutual respect and positive communication – whether on the track, during training sessions, on WhatsApp or in person. Let’s keep the positive and competitive vibes going and make sure our club stays a place which everyone enjoys being part of!
A reminder of the Kent AC code of conduct can be found here.
Welfare Team
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
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.
Buying your pass in January gives you 11 months for the price of 12.
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).
–
–>
