Glad all over
Glad all over
Please see this week’s update for Kent AC members – 08/06/25–
KENT AC NEWS BULLETIN
8 June 2025
Other results this week include at the VAC 5k in Battersea Park, where 1st was Rob Laing running for GB in 16:20
3rd was Sam Evans, 16:22
first VW45 was Vicky Boyle in 19:21.
On Saturday 7 June Owen Hind went to Paris and ran his chausettes off at the Fast5000 track race: 14:25.
There were races in town and out today (Sunday 8 June). Over at Mile End, fabulous mile times were achieved by Clare Elms (5:28.72) and Peter Range (5:38.84, a PB)
Lin Skinner was third woman the High Elms 10K trail, a very hilly run to end a very hilly week.
Iona Cousland was third woman at Southend half marathon in 86:56 and Joe Vis was second man in 73:21
Vick Buck ran 01:28:26 at Swansea Half and came 6th in her age group:
Charlotte and Andrew Sugden also enjoyed/endured the coastal views and brutal headwind in 1:49 and 1:48 respectively:
Coming up this week, we have Wednesday’s social run (meet at the track at 7pm but note that the toilets won’t be open and no bag drop, the run is about eight kilometres and ends in the pub, as all good runs do).
There’s still time to join in with the in the Southern Athletic League in a fortnight: it’s on 22 June at Woodford, sign up here
Looking further ahead, the Ron Hale Open is back on July 26: there’s time to brush up your sprints and springs for hurdles, long jump, 100m, 300m, 400m, and 1500m.
First home was Jake Simmonds in 15:41; third Olly Buck, 16:14, fourth Jim, 16:15, fifth Matt Speed 16:19; eighth Calum Fraser 16:47 and ninth Robert Laing, 16:48.
First woman was Ellie Freeden in 19:14; second woman Claire Oxlade in 19:52 and third woman was Lin Skinner in 19:57, These three were quickly followed by Caitlin Bradley 20:16;Victoria Buck 20:24; Nesrin Sabanci, 20:27 and Victoria Cartwright 20:38.
A word of warning from the Assembly league organisers: you must sign up on the spreadsheet on the night, and wear a valid number corresponding to that spreadsheet. Do not use old numbers from previous weeks as it causes an almighty headache for the volunteers trying to get the results out.
SEAA U13/U15/U17 Championships, Crystal Palace
As always our junior athletes did brilliantly. They battled truly miserable weather and race delays on Saturday and a much more pleasant sunny Sunday to do themselves proud.
And a huge congratulations everyone and to our medallists Tess (bronze in 80mH) and Zac (bronze in HJ and 75mH)
Kent AC Early Summer Meet
Summer track season is in full swing and last Thursday saw the Alex Yee Arena hosting an open meet and Kent AC club champs for three distances. It was gratifying to see so many juniors and seniors taking part and to welcome friends from other local clubs to our oval office too.
An enormous amount of work goes into organising these events, from officials to timekeepers (which we always need more of!), volunteers to count laps, ring bells and hand out bib numbers, to putting all the logistics in place to make the event run safely and seamlessly.
A huge thank you to Dan A and the team for your work.
For more information and results, see the Juniors newsletter, sent out every week.
Don Beech 1932-2025
The club has recently learned of the death of Don Beech (1932-2025), who was a member in the 1950s and 1960s. He was a respectable standard middle-distance runner with an 800m pb of 1.57 and holder of numerous club championship titles.
He later emigrated to Australia from where we heard about his death from his son, who also provided copies of cuttings about his athletics exploits.
But Don had a parallel athletics career to his time with us, representing his country at four as were called then Deaf and Dumb Olympics. For those, like me, ignorant of this championship, it’s now called the Deaflympics and has been held every four years since 1924, making it the longest established multi-sport event after the Olympics. Don was more than just a competitor, taking home a gold in the 800 and silver in the 400 from Brussels (1953), silvers in the 800 from Milan (1957) and Helsinki (1961); his final champs was at Washington (U.S.) four years later. He was also undefeated in all British deaf championships.
Like most of us he also had a family and a career but his full life shows disability is no barrier to achievement and success.
Len Reilly
Alf Regan, that’s who.
The bonus ball in our monthly prize draw was 56, and the lucky winner in this rollover month was Alf, who pockets £500.
Fancy being in with a chance? We now have plenty of available numbers if anyone wants to get in on the action.
The monthly bonus ball draw is a club fundraiser where the winning number wins £250, the cost is £6/month
June
11 – Kent AC Wednesday social run
18 – Dulwich Relays – Dulwich Park
22 – SAL – Woodford Green
July
1 – Track social
3 – Assembly League – Sutcliffe Park
5 – KYAL – Medway Park
9 – Kent AC Wednesday social run
13 – SAL – Eltham
26 – Ron Hale Open
August
5 – Track social
7 – Assembly League – Victoria Park
16 – KYAL – Dartford
30 – SAL – Basildon
September
4 – Assembly League – Beckenham Place Park
7 – Big Half – London
11 – Late Summer Meet
20 – SEAA 6/4/3 Stage Road Relays @TBC
October
4 – ERRA 6/4 Stage Relays at Sutton Park
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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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