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Please see this week’s update for Kent AC members – 05/01/25–
KENT AC NEWS BULLETIN
5 January 2025
Looking back on the past week, as 2024 gave way to 2025, a merry band of star athletes decided to earn their New Year’s Eve drinks by racing in Battersea.
Then there was the not insignificant matter of the Kent County Cross Country Championships at Brands Hatch (women’s team pictured below). More pictures to come.
For those of you making resolutions to get down to the track more in 2025, one incentive may be that annual track passes are available at a discount until the end of January: 12 months for the price of 11.
Before we head back to a bleak corner of a Kentish Field to salute the boy and girl racers at Brands Hatch, let’s revisit that New Year’s Eve race in Battersea:
It was the Mizuno Podium 5k & 1mile race, and plenty of Kent AC athletes turned up to see out the old year in style:
Pictures telling a thousand words, above, but if it’s words you want, here’s how they all did:
In the elite men’s race, Cam Dockerill ran 14:53 and Kurt Wilkinson ran 15:06.
The elite women’s race saw Katie Good run 18:20.
Noah AH 15:06
Joe English 15:32
Joe Hartley 15:47
Ross Braden 15:56
Rob Laing 15:59
Richard Giles 16:54
Clare Elms 18:50
Lovely picture of Rob and Joe recovering, above.
Racing from Brands Hatch
Now to that cross country: it was a cold, raw, January day, so we’re sending thanks to everyone who waited around to support each other, and super grateful to Coach Pete, who is unfailing in his support for all the women. Also, thanks to President Jules for his help in organising runners in this always challenging race and Helen R and Russell H, who helped marshal in the car park.
The U15 boys, running 4,400m, had a great day:
Flying! Our lads were led in by George Searle, in seventh place, followed by Luke Roderick, Lucas Stickland and Ewan Willis. Fabulous running! In the Under 13s, running 3050m, Ed Pearce came in 38th.
Representing our U15 girls, running 4,400m, was the redoubtable Alice Hales, who raced in in 23rd place.
In the U20 category, (6,100m) Guy set off at a cracking pace and finished strong, coming in 14th.
The senior men, running a 12k course, were led in by Nick Acfield in 41:4, followed by Lyndon Marfell in 43:30 and Luke Rowland in 46:08
It was the women’s day, as Lyndon so generously reports here:
‘Kent AC athletes delivered impressive performances at the Kent County Cross Country Championships held at the Brands Hatch racing circuit. The event, known for its challenging course and competitive field, saw Kent AC athletes rise to the occasion. The Senior Women’s team (whose race was 8k) had a standout performance, securing silver medals in both the 3-person and 6-person team competitions. Leading the team was the impressive Katie Good, who finished 7th, followed closely by Clare Elms in 9th and Claire Oxlade in 13th. The 6-person team also saw strong contributions from Caitlin Bradley, Elyse Jenkins, and Vic Cartwright, whose efforts were crucial in securing the silver medal and showing great depth in the women’s ranks.
Overall, Kent AC’s athletes had another strong Cross Country day out and the club looks forward to building on this success in next weekend’s Surrey League back at West Horsley Place.’ 
The Southern Cross Country Championships take place at Beckenham Place Park on 25 January.
We need more marshalls for this race. If you can spare an hour or two to volunteer and help the club put on a great race, please contact Phil Marsden and the comms team directly here.
Zuzana Nemeckova is well known as the club’s Ultra Queen. Anyone who follows her on Instagram will know she doesn’t do things by halves (a half is a bit short for her) and she’s happiest racing up hill, down dale and round mountains. Unsurprising, then, that she finds south-east London a little limiting and has upped sticks to the Lake District. We wish her all the best in her new life away from the Smoke and hope she’ll keep representing for Kent AC.
Barny Day writes:
Jonathan ‘Joffa’ Ratcliffe has been a running legend in south London for many years. Unfortunately he has had to leave south London and return up North to be closer to family in Burnley. As a Kent AC second claim member there was never a weekend / week night when you would not see Joffa racing somewhere across south London. Joffa has completed more sub 3 hour marathons than anyone we know. We really want to wish him luck up Norf and look forward to seeing him every London marathon and when ever we get the chance. He will be very much missed by the London running community.
Keep running, Joffa
January
11 – Surrey League XC – West Horsley
25 – Southern XC Champs – Beckenham Place Park
February
8 – Surrey League XC – Epsom
22 – National XC – Parliament Hill
March
30 – 12/6 Stage Southern Road Relay Championships – Milton Keynes
April
12 – 12/6 National Road Relays – Sutton Coldfield
25 – London Marathon
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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).
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