Singing for Kent’s unsung hero(es)
Singing for Kent’s unsung hero(es)
Please see this week’s update for Kent AC members – 16/11/25–
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KENT AC NEWS BULLETIN
16 November 2025
This week sees our Annual General Meeting – Tuesday, 20:30, Blythe Hill Tavern. More details below, but the most important request to each and every person reading this is to please join, whether in person or virtually. Your voices, votes and quorate attendance really matter.
We normally spend our weekends painting various towns navy…. but it’s that time of year to paint the town red! Our Christmas party is only three weeks away, so if you’re thinking about coming, now is the time to get your ticket and start getting festive! Don’t miss out!
If you read on, you’ll read all about this week’s Surrey League match, which Kent AC hosted. None of this would have been possible without the incredible organisation and hard work of none other than Ken Pike. Which is fitting, because earlier this week, the inaugural Track and Field Inclusion Awards, backed by UK Athletics, recognised Ken Pike’s leadership and contribution to the sport, so often behind the scenes, by awarding him the Unsung Hero Award. You can read more about the award ceremony here. Thank you, Ken, for all you do for Kent AC and for our sport!
There were a handful of athletes who didn’t make it to Beckenham yesterday, who did our vest proud in a host of other ways this weekend! A huge well done to:
– Lin Skinner for running a 10km PB of 38:27 in Brighton, and a possible England qualification to boot! Wow!
– Clare Elms for coming 1st V60 at the British and Irish Masters Cross Country International in Leeds – incredible, as ever!
– Adam Paterson for coming 4th overall and 1st V40 at the Tweed Valley 65km Ultra…brilliant!
– The Brampton Carlisle 10 miler representatives, who collectively came 2nd team. Awesome running by Nick Acfield in 50:30, Rob Sesemann in 50:31, Ben Clarke in 51:20, James Boustead in 58:15, and Alex Clarkson in 58:59. Smashed it!
Same time next week for a recap of South of the Thames XC and the AGM?
It’s important that as many people turn out as possible, so come along after training for a drink and refreshments (which will be provided). You can also join virtually through a link which will be sent out this week.
🎄*Kent AC’s Christmas Party*🎄
What are you waiting for? XC season is well underway, Mariah is crooning, the John Lewis advert is streaming, the mince pies have been on shop shelves for at least 6 weeks already… whether you’re already in full tinsel and glitter, or whether you’re bah humbugging your way until 1st December… don’t hang around because our annual Christmas Party is now just a few weeks away. Get your tickers now so as not to miss out on the season’s finest soiree!
Tickets are £15 including an arrival drink and buffet. Plus-ones very welcome.🥂
Purchase your tickets below ⬇️
https://kentac.sumupstore.com
On Saturday the 15th of November it was Kent AC’s home winter cross country race at Beckenham Place Park. Perhaps the combination of short commute, home turf, and time of year meant a huge turn out of runners from the Club. The senior women had 33 runners – possibly a record turn out for Surrey League? While the senior men had 66. Huge thank you to everyone for sporting the navy vest to front the hills and represent. The race is well summed up by Joe English who said; “The first lap felt a bit too good, the second lap felt a bit too bad.”
So how did we do?! Honestly, we smashed it! The senior women A team finished 5th place with Herne Hill Harriers, Belgrave and G&G taking 1st, 2nd and 3rd rank. The B team finished 3rd behind Belgrave and Herne Hill Harriers. Amy Clements proved her strong form remains consistent being first Kent runner home in an impressive 8th position. Amelia Pettitt wasn’t far behind in 12th. Aisling Ahern, Iona Cousland and Molly O’Connor powered through the course as a team, finishing a close 42nd, 45th, and 49th. Special mention to Iona Cousland whose performances get better every week. Completing the B team to score we had Ellie Freeden (57th), Hayley Cherry (62nd), Claire Oxlade (70th), Lara Bromilow (77th) and Elyse Jenkins (78th). The women’s team included a strong line up of new mums (I can count 7) showing us that we can both set the foundation for the next generation of Kent runners while bringing out some stellar performances! There are many on this results board we haven’t mentioned who respectively ran incredible races so bravo to all runners. Reaching a number of 33 runners really speaks to the culture of ‘having a go’ in our club. A culture to be celebrated.
The senior men A team (first 10 to score) finished 2nd place overall behind Belgrave and ahead of Thames Hare and Hounds. While the B team finished 3rd only 12 points behind Herne Hill Harriers (Belgrave 1st). This is an outstanding result considering the men’s individual winner Jake Kavanagh of Holland AC is competing regularly with the likes of Olympian Josh Kerr. Jonathan Collier was first Kent runner home in 6th position only two places ahead of Joe English in 8th. Two in the top 10 is outstanding. Joe came all the way from Bristol and set the bar very high for himself with this race being his Senior debut! Next up was Nick Torry (22nd), Cam Dockerill (26th), Dame Dibaba (27th), Isaac Parker (33rd), Max Nicholls (45th), Matt Speed living up to his name (48th), Olly Buck (62nd) and Robert Elphick 68th completing the 10 to score in 68th position. Calum Fraser, who almost never misses a XC race, led the B team scorers in 92nd position. Barnie Day (93rd), Rob Laing (99th), James Ewing (123), Alex Harris (124), Dominic Le Mare (126), Ian Ellwood (127), Phil Sanders (130), Samuel Dames (131) and Ian Cooper (140). As Ian Elwood put it, “it was fast, it was muddy, it was horrible, and really good fun.”
There are quite a few people behind the scenes who put many volunteer hours into making this race day happen. From the runners point of view the day ran brilliantly and we want to give a huge thanks to all the organisers, time keepers, marshalls, and many more who helped to make it happen.
Thanks as ever to the XC Captains:
Gen Blanch, Parris Williams, James Boustead and Owen Hind
The hat, and other essential Kent AC merch, is available via the online shop. Message Sarah Young on the WhatsApp group for collection.
November
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
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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).
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