Marathon State of Mind

Please see this week’s update for Kent AC members – 19/10/25–

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KENT AC NEWS BULLETIN
 19 October 2025

Kent AC athletes took the European Masters Championships by storm this week, coming home from Madeira with a host of medals and UK leading times.

Clare Elms lined up for multiple VW60 distance events, taking the win in 19:37 over 5000m and then in 40:25 for the road 10k. In an uncharacteristically hot and humid 8km XC, she added a bronze to her collection in 36:06.

Emily Murray competed in both the long jump and triple jump, scoring a 9.97m PB for 4th place and the new VW45 UK lead in the TJ.

Joe Appiah sprinted his way to gold in the 100mH in 13.96. He added another as he won the long jump in 6.14m and rounded off with bronze in the VM50 4x100m relay, whilst also officiating on his non-competing days!

Medals galore!

With road race season still in full swing, a big congrats to all of you who crossed a finish line this weekend!

Abingdon Marathon
Arejeet Nag – 2:49:23
Matthew Thomas – 2:51:19
James Royston – 3:13:53

Amsterdam Marathon
Liam James – 3:06:00
Lesley Mentink – 4:00:36

Battersea Park Marathon
Paul McCrone – 3:19:28

Great South Run
Vic Buck – 1:07:29
Ronnie Haydon – 1:27:37
Narciso Guerrero – 1:39:03

Yorkshire Marathon
Karina Box – 3:39:23

Post-race grins

The club are hosting the second Surrey League at Beckenham Place Park on 15th November. As well as having a great turnout from members racing on the day, we also need volunteers to help ensure the event runs smoothly!

We need at least six more people to help out at the finish from 12pm – 4pm to cover junior and senior races. Jobs include noting down runner numbers at the end of their race and managing the finish line.

If you can only assist with the senior races, your help would still be much appreciated. Please contact Phil Marsden!

FROM TEMPO TO TINSEL – IT’S PARTY TIME!

🎄*Kent AC’s Christmas Party*🎄 

Yes, it’s that time of year already! A highlight on the club calendar✨

Tickets are £15 including an arrival drink and buffet. Plus-ones very welcome!🥂

Purchase your tickets below ⬇️
https://kentac.sumupstore.com

AGM NOTICE

Notice is hereby given of the Annual General Meeting of Kent Athletic Club which will take place at 20:30 on Tuesday 18 November 2025 at the Blythe Hill Tavern  
  The agenda for the meeting will be circulated later. 

Please also note that all Committee posts are up for election each year. While we no longer have any unfilled posts, any post can be contested at the AGM if properly nominated. A full list of committee members will be circulated two weeks prior to the AGM along with the agenda.

 The meeting will be held in person and via videolink.
Refreshments will be provided.

CHILLY WEATHER MERCH

Tis the (XC) season for BIG bobble hats, the essential piece of kit for all that chilly pre-and post-cross country hanging about when the next cup of tea seems very far away.

The hat, and other essential Kent AC merch, is available via the online shop. Message Sarah Young on the WhatsApp group for collection.   

EVENT CALENDAR

November
15 – Surrey League XC – Beckenham Place Park
18 – AGM – Blythe Hill Tavern
22 – South of Thames 5 Mile XC – Lloyd Park
22 – Kent County Vets XC – Central Park, Dartford
29 – SEAA Masters XC – Horseden Hill, Greenford

December
6 – Kent AC Christmas Party – The Honor Oak
20 – South of Thames Senior Champs 7.5 mile XC (including Club XC Champs) – Wimbledon Common

January
10 – Kent County XC – Brands Hatch
10 – Surrey League XC – Mitcham Common
24 – Southern XC – Beckenham Place Park

February
7 – Surrey League XC – Wimbledon Common
21 – National XC – Sedgefield, County Durham

March
29 – Southern 12 Stage Road Relay – Milton Keynes

April
11 – National 12 Stage Road Relay – Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham
26 – 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 £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).

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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