National Treasures
National Treasures
Please see this week’s update for Kent AC members – 22/02/26–
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KENT AC NEWS BULLETIN
22 FEBRUARY 2026
At Lee Valley yesterday, a couple of Kent athletes competed in the British Masters Indoor Championships. Lin Skinner won the W50 800m and 1500m and Amily Murray won the W45 triple jump.
We’re now entering the road season, but also preparing for the track and field season. We have several open meets at the Alex Yee Arena planned for the summer, in addition to the Southern Athletics League (SAL) and Kent Young Athletes League (KYAL) Note that due to England Athletics changing the age categories, the KYAL fixture arrangements are different to previous seasons. All these fixtures have been added to the calendar below.
Notification for the first open meet on 30th April will be sent out shortly – do sign up if you want to take part, but we will also need people to help out, as officials but also for general help. All volunteers appreciated!
As a piece of admin, Jules Gevers notes:
The club is planning to adopt the EA Inclusion policy as a club policy
This will supersede the club’s existing Diversity and Equality policy.
If you have any comments on this please speak to any club committee member.
Club Template – Inclusion Policy – England Athletics Club Hub
Finally please note a Kent AC parkrun takeover at Hilly Fields on 21st March. Come along to run (in your Kent vest), meet other Kent runners, or volunteer by contacting the Hilly Fields team.
We had two juniors running – Bert Royle completed the U17 boys’ race despite a heavy cold, and Olly Buck came 33rd in the U20 race, a strong finish seeing him pass around 15 runners in the last 1k. As this is his first year in this age category, he has 2 more years to improve on this performance, and this builds on his 3rd place in the Kent County championships which saw him selected for the intercounties next month.
Kent’s small team of women – Aisling Ahern, Gen Blanche, Victoria Buck, Sally Urquhart and Jo Cartledge – fought well and came in 27th overall.
Jo, Aisling, Vic, Sally, Gen
We had 14 men in the senior race, and despite the absence of several of our best runners, KAC managed to finish 12th in the 6 to score competition and 11th in the 9 to score. The outstanding run was by the team captain, Owen Hind. Starting off steadily, he moved up the field and had a storming finish to come in 20th. Getting back to his best.
Noah Armitage Hookes, following up his excellent run in the Southerns, was our second finisher in 65th, and the 6-team was completed by Isaac Parker (141st), Rob Sesemann (146th), Mathew Speed (192nd) and James Boustead (246th) Calum Fraser, Jake Simmonds and Ian Ellwood rounded off the 9-team.
Well done to all who made the trip and ran yesterday, and particular thanks to the cross country captains – Gen Blanche, James Boustead, Parris Williams and Owen Hind – for organising the trip and for their efforts over the whole season.
March
21 – Hilly Fields parkrun takeover
29 – Southern 12 Stage Road Relay – Milton Keynes
April
11 – National 12 Stage Road Relay – Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham
11 – KYAL – U12 – Dartford
25 – KYAL – U14/U16 – Medway
26 – London Marathon
30 – Open Meet – Alex Yee Arena
May
16 – SAL – Eltham
20 – Beckenham Relays
23 – KYAL – U14/16 – Dartford
29 – Open Meet – Alex Yee Arena
June
21 – SAL – Watford
24 – Dulwich Relays
27 – KYAL – U14/U16 – Dartford
July
5 – ROn Hale Open – Alex Yee Arena
19 – SAL – Cambridge
August
8 – SAL – Dartford
23 – KYAL – U12 – Tonbridge
September
10 – Late Summer Meet – Alex Yee Arena
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Buy your track pass here.
The usual track times are:
Tuesday 17:00 – 20:45
Thursday 17:00 – 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.
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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