Spring in our steps

Please see this week’s update for Kent AC members – 22/03/26–

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KENT AC NEWS BULLETIN
22 MARCH 2026

The spring equinox has seen a flurry of activity among the club’s runners over all distances and terrains.
This weekend was the two-day Lee Valley extravaganza that was the Tri Counties Indoor Championships. In the great outdoors, though, the sun was breaking through, so a fine day for the club to take over Hillyfields parkrun:

A rather more exotic parkrun to run, in Torún, north central Poland, played host to Mark George, who’d been representing Kent AC in the vets’ 3000m in the World Indoors Champs. After all that I imagine he needed some of the famous gingerbread:

Out in Surrey it was trails and trials for Ash Green in the deep, dark Alice Holt forest. He took part in the Backyard Ultra based there…
…and realised how cold the nights can be, even when it’s meteorological spring. He ran an incredible 73.7km (11 loops) before frostbite threatened to set in …well done Ash!

Also trail-y, but more home-y, there was the Bromley Vets five-mile cross country race in West Wickham this morning (Sunday). Sarah Parry (pictured below) and Sam Wilcock turned up in bobble hat and gloves and left, lightly sweating, in vest and pants. That’s early spring for you. Both ran great times (though taking a tumble over a pesky tree root may have slowed Sarah down a bit). She’s happy enough here, though:

In the Forest of Dean, Chris Greenwood and Alex Hamlet took part in a fast and furious TRA short trail championships. Fantastic result for Alex: he came fourth in 1:12:30 and scored a PB. Chris Greenwood was second in his age category with 1:17:27.
On the city streets – of Madrid – Nicholas Griffiths ran a personal best of 1:36:13. I bet he didn’t need a bobble hat at any point, lucky thing.

 In other news; we have plenty to train for: the Early Summer meet coming up soon, as well as all those Thursday 5kms courtesy of the Assembly League. It’s also the time of year when our memberships are up for renewal, so don’t forget to pay up: you know it makes sense. 

TRI COUNTIES RESULTS

We had a number of athletes compete over at Lee Valley Indoor Athletics Centre. Well done to all those who took part and those who made the pilgrimage to support our athletes.
For the juniors, Cheryl  Adjadi (200m), Zy’shae Brown Thomas (200m), Mack Imole Atanda (60m hurdles), Shamariah Notice (60m) and Derek Olewunne (200m) ran and jumped well, with Derek coming fourth in the U17m 200.  
In the women’s 1500m Clare Elms ran a resounding 5:02, just three seconds off her 4:59 from a couple of weeks ago and four seconds off the World Record. We salute you, Clare. 
 

ASSEMBLY POINT

We can officially look forward to light summer evenings and sweaty Thursday 5k races in such glamorous places as Hackney, Beckenham and Crystal Palace, with mellow pub chat afterwards. Yes, it’s the Assembly League, back for another year. Lovably chaotic, always fun. Clear your Thursdays after work. The first one is on Maundy Thursday.April 2 Beckenham Place Park, 7.15pm
May 7 Victoria Park 7.30pm
June 4 Crystal Palace Park 7.30pm
July 2 Sutcliffe Park time tbc
August 6 Victoria Park 7.30pm
September 3 Beckenham Place Park 7.15pm  

EARLY SUMMER MEET 30 APRIL

We can announce that the first Kent AC open meet of the year will be on Thursday 30th April, and will involve two track events and two field events. The schedule will be as follows:

1845 Women’s 200m (U10+)
1905 Men’s 200m (U10+)
1930 Women’s 1500m (U12+)
2000 Men’s 1500m (U12+)

1800 Shot Put (U10+)
1920 Triple Jump (U16+)

Exact timings of field events will be dependent upon the number of entrants and age categories required.

All events will be club championships.

If you would like to enter these events please click through here. Registration is now open.

Please also note that we will need several volunteers to help put these events on. These will be officials to help with the field events – qualifications and experience not required, as long as you can wield a rake or carry a shot – and with setting up, registration and marshalling the track. If you are available and willing to help on the night, please contact Phil Marsden, Dan Ansell or Richard Giles.

A GREAT INVESTMENT

Please renew your membership if you haven’t done so already. Go to the website for information about the easiest way to do this. You also need to add EA membership if you want compete for the club. Membership gives you the winter wonderland that is cross country and the sunny delight that is Assembly League, and the kudos of being a member of the best athletics club in the south-east, obvs.

SAFE, INCLUSIVE, EQUITABLE

Committee update. The club’s inclusion policy has now been formally adopted.
Kent Athletics Club embraces diversity and difference and is committed to providing opportunities that are safe, inclusive, accessible, and equitable. We want our club to be equally accessible to all members of society, whatever their age, disability, gender, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or social/economic status. 
Inclusion – Kent AC

CLUB 250 DRAW

For many years the club has run a draw based on the National Lottery, which serves as a club fundraiser as well as a bit of entertainment for members.

There are 59 numbers in the draw, each one costs £6 per month or £72 per annum.

On the first Saturday of every month, the bonus ball drawn in the National Lottery serves as the winning number for the Club Draw. The winner gets £250. The most recent winners were Ian Ellwood and Luke Armitage.

We currently have 10 numbers available. If you would like to take part, please contact Phil Marsden at

EVENT CALENDAR

March
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

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 17:00 – 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).

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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