It’s good news week
It’s good news week
Please see this week’s update for Kent AC members – 16/03/25–
KENT AC NEWS BULLETIN
16 March 2025
The Kent AC runner with the biggest smile (even when racing while fasting…) received wonderful news this week. Dame Dibaba has won his appeal and has been given leave to remain. We’re delighted for him and join him in thanking the wonderful Nick Ostrowski for working so hard on Dame’s behalf. By way of celebration, Dame was first finisher at Hillyfields parkrun yesterday (Saturday) and today took part in the Mace Masters Parkstrong Event:
Dame smiles through the miles
In other results, looking back to Thursday, and, confusingly, the Friday Night Under the Lights 5k at Battersea (in Wandsworth they do things rather differently…). Our Kent AC runners had it in their diary: Neil Phillips: 15:50; Sam Dames: 16:19; Kendal Noctor: 16:17; Fran Buss: 18:58.
This weekend, we had triumphant podium finishes for young and slightly older athletes at Lee Valley. See below, The Young Ones, for the Junior results, but huge congratulations for our Lin Skinner, who raced down a strong field to win herself a silver medal in the 1500m at Lee Valley. It was a lifetime PB and she was delighted to PB at her third attempt on that distance at Lee Valley:
Lin’s grin
Meanwhile, over in Fleet, the ever fleet of foot Victoria Buck ran a brilliant 1:27 in the half Marathon; Kate Fawcett ran 1:28, Chris Martin 1:16, David Morgan 1:11 and Katie Good 1:42. All these times are gun times.
Alix, Vic and Kate did just great
In Leicester, there was the little matter of the Sportshoes.com Podium Festival, and our A team men made their presence felt in the 5k. Joe English ran 14:45, with Jake Simmonds on his heels with 14:58. Then came Harry Tirnen with a 15:06 PB, Ben Clarke with a 15:07 PB, then Isaac Parjer on 15:25 and Guy Barnett with 17:10.
Joe and Jake take a break
From glamorous Leicester to Los Angeles, where James Bates ran a marathon in 3:23:59, just 30 seconds off a PB. You can bet he’ll be planning his next race on the long flight home from LaLa Land.
Looking ahead to those balmy May days, there’s still time to sign up for the definitive track race of the burgeoning summer season. Entries are open for the Ladywell 10000 on the track on 10th May. It’s a big event that we haven’t held for a few years, there will be music, beer and food. Sign up here if you’d like to run, there are several races throughout the day, races seeded from sub 32 mins to sub 55.
One last thing…We have a need for another welfare officer, if you think you could do the job, please contact Sarah Young, see job requirements below.
At the Kent Champs Phoebe Folarin scored a glittering gold in the high jump with a huge PB of 1:60, Tess Hepple won gold in the 60m hurdles, also earning herself a magical PB of 8.89 and Mack Atanda won bronze in the 60m hurdles. Andrew Caiquo’s 60m hurdle 7.58 was also a PB.
PhoeBe’s PB
Tess is Best
Mack’s on track
Mini Marathon
The full mini marathon trial results will be published soon. Kent AC first-placing athletes in each category were Eleanor Davidson, Tom Brain, Tallulah Jones, George Searle and Dylan Sandhu.
England Athletics recommend that clubs should have both male and female welfare officers, we are looking for an additional welfare officer to work alongside the existing team, led by Sarah Young. The welfare officer role involves taking a lead for safeguarding children and adults at risk (though this is everybody’s responsibility), helping to develop policy and occasionally dealing with concerns. We also have an interest in promoting athletes’ well being more broadly, such as encouraging an understanding of mental health issues.
The role would suit somebody with a children’s services background in education, health or social care though this is not essential. It is a great opportunity to make a difference and also looks good on your CV. Training in the role is offered by England Athletics. If you might interested or would like to find out more please let us know at
.Starting Wednesday 9 April we’re going to have social runs every second Wednesday of the month while the evenings are light.
The plan is to meet at the track at 7pm, organise ourselves into two or three pace groups depending on numbers, then run 7k, after which there’s an option for drinks at the Catford Bridge Tavern.
It’s not planned as a coached session, so there’ll be an element of self organisation. All are welcome.
Bear in mind that the track is not open for bag storage or use of toilets on a Wednesday, so, participants will have to come ready to run.
(please note that the dates marked tbc are provisional)
March
30 – 12/6 Stage Southern Road Relay Championships – Milton Keynes
April
3 – Assembly League – Beckenham Place Park
9 – First Kent AC social run
12 – 12/6 National Road Relays – Sutton Coldfield
26 – KYAL – Ashford
27 – London Marathon
May
1 – Assembly League – Victoria Park
10 – Ladywell 10000/100
17 – SAL – Dartford
18 – KYAL – Norman Park (Bromley)
29 – (tbc) Early summer meet
June
5 – Assembly League – Crystal Palace Park
22 – SAL – Woodford Green
July
3 – Assembly League – Sutcliffe Park
5 – KYAL – Medway Park
13 – SAL – Eltham
26 – (tbc) Ron Hale Open
August
7 – Assembly League – Victoria Park
16 – KYAL – Dartford
30 – SAL – Basildon
September
4 – Assembly League – Beckenham Place Park
7 – Big Half – London
11 – (tbc) Late Summer Meet
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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 £6.50 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
The Alex Yee 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).
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