Friyay Night Under the Lights
Friyay Night Under the Lights
Please see this week’s update for Kent AC members – 01/03/26–
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KENT AC NEWS BULLETIN
1 MARCH 2026
The park was glowing, but our runners were brighter at the latest Friday Night Under the Lights (FNUL) 5k. It turns out that if you put a timing chip on our lot and point them toward a flat path in Battersea, they stop being humans and start being heat-seeking missiles.
A massive shoutout to Owen Hind, who clocked a staggering 13:58.
Breaking the 14-minute barrier is simply staggering. Well done!
The rest of the squad didn’t exactly hang around to admire the scenery either. The sub-15 club is getting suspiciously crowded:
Joe English: 14:10 (Chasing Owen’s shadow), Noah: 14:26, Kurt Wilkinson: 14:38, Harry Tivnen: 14:52, Jake Simmonds: 15:34, Dave Morgan: 16:13, Simon Vaisey: 16:15, Katie Good: 18:51 (Living up to the surname, as always!)
This is what Owen had to say post-race, “When you’re running 20 mile training days – 5k doesn’t seem very far in the end.”
That’s definitely one for the Train Harder mentality.
He also said something much more endearing on one of the many Kent Whatsapp groups, “There was a Sunday a few weeks ago when it was pissing it down with rain and we were running silly mileage and speed. There was no-one else I’d have rather been with than with you lot.”
I love that. So much of modern life can be done in solitude. We work from home, we order food to our home, we communicate with friends and family from home. Also don’t get me started on how expensive trains are. Running is often seen to be one of those other solitary activities. One where if you just put the mileage in then you’ll achieve the results all by yourself. And I call bull on that. Humans are pack animals. We love to be around one another; talking, laughing, eating, exercising. Whatever it is, we enjoy doing it with others and, in the modern world with our busy lives, running is such an excellent way to be those pack animals again. Owen’s results and all the results that we achieve wearing a Kent AC vest are of course incredible achievements as individuals. However, each of our own efforts is one block in the overall foundation that make up our running and lives. This running community that we are all a part of; the newsletter readers, those who proudly slip on the Kent AC tops and even those further afield who are spotted on a random start line somewhere; improves us all. We see one another and motivate one another. At least that’s what I take from Owen’s post-race sign off. Maybe I’m reading too much into it.
But I do think that next time you see a new runner down at the track, hoping to join in with this amazing community. You know the type; the one who’s ran a few good parkruns, they’re known as the ‘really good runner’ by everyone around them, maybe they’ve got a marathon coming up and they want some proper training. They’re intimidated by the number of people, the thought of stepping on the wrong part of the track, tripping over someone else’s foot or simply not being able to keep up. Basically, it’s their first day of school and they’ve just been chucked into PE with all the sporty kids. I know because that’s exactly how I felt first time I made it down to the Alex Yee Ladywell Arena. The next time you see someone like that; make them feel welcome and we’ll all be stronger for it.
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.
I like this diagnosis. It’s to the point and frankly I think it can sometimes be a sound philosophy to live by. Why else would a bunch of South Londoners leave their jobs/partners/children/multitude of other duties to get up ludicrously early, hop on a coach/car/tram/train to different parts of the country for a run in some mud with thousands of other runners all doing the same thing? I for one must admit that I often questioned my choices rather severely. However, that feeling swiftly dissipated as soon as the spikes were screwed in and shoes laced up.
There is something about that moment on the start line when thousands of restless legs are in that steady position. Voices hushed, fingers on watches, staring at the patch of grass or the heel of the person in front of you. In that moment, nothing else is more important than the click of the gun at which point carnage will ensue. It’s what I imagine going into battle for some medieval king must have felt like.
Fortunately for us cross country is less about decapitations by mounted knights and more about mud and the odd shove. This year’s XC season was no different. Except actually the mud wasn’t too bad for the most part.
Here’s some of the things that could be overhead this season.
Owen – Jake couldn’t hack it
Jake – Simmonds is back
James – sometimes, Goliath actually does just end up beating David
Matt – form is temporary, class is permanent
Gen – PIES
Joe V – chaffing, pies and merriment
Vic B – molehills
More from Gen – coach travel is the way forward. Pete’s got impressive counting and manoeuvring around a racecourse skills.
Matt – why’s she such a jobsworth?
Anonymous – it’s break up season
Even more from Gen – the true test of nationals is who turns up for the 8am run. Matt and Rob notably didn’t make it to the 8am.
Here are some photos to sum up the Cross Country Season:
Should XC really be considered for the Winter Olympics with days like these in Surrey League Match 1 – Oxted?
Proof that it’s muddier and harder down south
Grit
3 years of 3rd at the Southerns XC
Yes ladies, he is single.
Saving nothing for the sprint finish
A huge thank you goes out to our Cross Country Captains: Gen, James, Owen and Paris. All of our fun in the mud this wouldn’t happen if it wasn’t for the hard work that you put in to planning, organising, booking, communicating, chasing and then actually racing the events. Well done and thanks again.
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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