Relay tough runs
Relay tough runs
Please see this week’s update for Kent AC members – 05/10/25–
View this email in your browser
KENT AC NEWS BULLETIN
5 October 2025
This season of mists is proving fruitful for our ever-ready racers, who limbered up this weekend with relays in the Midlands, a swift half in Cardiff and the full monty in Chester. Blustery conditions, particularly up north, meant that all our racers had wind resistance to factor into their results.
First, those relays: the ERRA National Autumn Road Relays, to be precise, in Sutton Park, Birmingham. Two women’s teams and the Men’s A runners turned out to represent:
Thanks to coaches Ken and Pete, pictured here with all three teams
The women (above) were represented in the A team by Caitlin Bradley, who ran the first lap in 21:11, handing over to Abigail Nolan (20:36), to Aisling Ahern (21:01) and Alexa Parker ran the final leg in 20:54. That total time of 01:23:43 earned them 20th place.
The Women’s B team were led round by Victoria Buck (22:15) handing over to Fran Buss (21:50), to Elyse Jenkins (22:07) with Victoria Cartwright finishing strongly in 21:56.
The men came 13th in the 6-lap race. First lap was taken on by Cameron Dockerill, (16:35), who handed over to Rob Sesemann (16:41), to Dame Dibaba (17:07), then Nick Ackfield (16:41 then Jonathan Collier ran lap 5 (16:42) with Joe English finishing in 16:58.
There was more good news on the Saturday morning, coming from Dulwich parkrun, where the top end of the results was dominated by super swift Kent AC juniors, who earned third, fourth, fifth and sixth positions out of 710 runners. Absolutely stunning results and such good news for the future of this club. Well done to those juniors and their coaches.
Today, Sunday 5 October, we also saw some fabulous results over longer distances. Ivona Gongolova ran the Cardiff Half in 1:43. Ben Clarke was also in the Welsh capital, and conquered the distance in 69:11.
Rob Elphick, battling the headwind in Chester Marathon, ran a beautiful 2:25:29.
A reminder of the club AGM, taking place at the Blythe Hill Tavern on Tuesday 18th November, after the track session.
Please send any proposed resolutions to the Club Secretary by Wednesday.
The agenda will be distributed two weeks before the meeting.
If you would like to view the newsletter in a separate browser, click the link at the top or go via the website.
The cross-country season kicks off on 11 October for the Surrey League at Hurst Green.
Details will follow for each individual race, but for now please check out the fixtures and start signing up on the spreadsheet. Important note to please make sure that your England Athletics membership is up to date and paid for beforehand.
A reminder also that across the cross country season there are six club championships at stake: male, female, main champs (at South of the Thames on 20th December), Grand Prix and Grand Prix handicap. The Grand Prix and handicap are for the best six performances across the whole 9 races of the XC season. The grand prix rewards the overall best and most loyal performer, whilst the handicap can only be described as a dark art – a handicap using best six performances of the same 9 races.
Last year’s winners were: John Gilbert and Amy Clements for champs, Matt Speed and Aisling Ahern for the Grand Prix, and Calum Fraser and Jo Mott for the handicap. Good luck to all this year!
If you have any questions, please let your XC Captains (Owen, James, Gen, Parris, Jason, Nicky, Jules) know and they’ll gladly help. Spikes at the ready.
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 meeting will be held in person and via videolink. Refreshments will be provided.
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 hat, and other essential Kent AC merch, is available via the online shop. Message Sarah Young on the WhatsApp group for collection.
October
11 – Surrey League XC – Hurst Green
November
15 – Surrey League XC – Beckenham Place Park
18 – AGM – Blythe Hill Tavern
22 – South of Thames 5 Mile XC – TBC
22 – Kent County Vets XC – Central Park, Dartford
29 – SEAA Masters XC – Horseden Hill, Greenford
December
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
The Kent AC Christmas Party will take place on Saturday 6 December. It’s a fantastic way to kick off the festive season and catch up with your club mates. Details and ticket prices will be available soon.
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 £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).
–
–>
