Eggsellent performances and cracking records
Eggsellent performances and cracking records
Please see this week’s update for Kent AC members – 05/04/26–
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KENT AC NEWS BULLETIN
5 APRIL 2026
We’re now just a few weeks away from the first open meet of the year, so don’t miss the chance to sign up. Details below.
With new beginnings on the horizon, if you’re also thinking about getting more involved in the club, our comms team would love a couple more pairs of hands to help with these esteemed newsletters. It’s a fun way of seeing all the news from across the club and celebrating everyone – a solid way to spend that much-needed sofa time after a Sunday long run too. Get in touch if you could help out once every 5 weeks or so!
This week, the place to be was Battersea Park, which lived up to its fast and flat reputation…
Tuesday night saw a strong contingent at the Veterans 5km at Battersea Park – well done to Narciso Lopez Guerrero for finishing in 22:31, Robbie Smith in 17:02, Samuel Taylor in 17:54, and Paul McCrone in 20:22.
Then on Saturday, the inimitable Clare Elms ran at the Top Flight 5km, becoming the oldest ever woman to break 18 minutes for the 5km distance, breaking her own W60 World Record to run 17:45 (17:48 gun time). Incredible doesn’t quite do this justice – well done, Clare!
The last (but not least by any stretch) of the Battersea successes came today for Neil Phillips, who ran the half in 79:16!
As we head into some busy weeks of racing and big events, please do share your stories, pics and thoughts with us so we can share with the club!
Our first three male scorers were Matt Speed, Joe Vis and Barny Day, coming in 3rd, 4th, and 8th overall and sandwiched amongst some Dulwich Runners. Our first three female scorers were Amelia Pettitt, Molly O’Connor, and Vic Cartwright, who came in a storming 1st, 2nd and 4th women.
Looking forward to next month’s race already on 7th May in Victoria Park. All are welcome to join, all you need to do is turn up on the night and collect a number and register yourself on a spreadsheet that will be shared on WhatsApp groups. It’s super easy, very fun, and incredibly social!
This week, three Kent AC athletes headed to Poland to compete in the 2026 European Masters Championships. It was hugely exciting to compete on the new track where only the week before we had watched that triple gold moment and the world’s top athletes battling it out.
Joe Appiah MBE (V55) took on the Long Jump, 60m Hurdles and 60m Sprint. He started his campaign by winning a brilliant gold in Long Jump with a British Record distance of 5.87m! He followed this up by winning his 60m semi to make it through to the final. Then to the 60m Hurdles final where he was the clear winner with a time of 8.53s. Another gold! And Joe even found time in his busy medal-winning schedule to help out with officiating the event. Congratulations on your incredible successes Joe!
One-derful golds for Joe!
Joe with the first of two golds!
Emily Murray (V45) competed in both the Long Jump and Triple Jump. Coming back from injury Emily jumped amazingly well in both events, finishing 6th in the Long Jump with a PB of 4:45m, and 4th in the Triple Jump, with a SB of 9:93m, just 4cm off her PB which she set at the end of last year, claiming the Scottish record into the bargain! Emily, who turns 48 this week, is new to athletics, having started training aged 46 and jumping her first ever Triple Jump 18 months ago. So competing against some of the best athletes in Europe, each with decades of experience behind them, was an achievement in itself. She would like to say a huge thank you to Coach Juno, who started her on her athletics journey, and Joe Appiah MBE, with whom she now trains. You can follow Emily at @pinkhouseliving on Instagram, for an inspiring mix of training content plus interior design inspo! Start with this awesome video!
Emily giving meaning to the phrase, jumping for joy
New to the sport, but jumping like a true Master
Lin Skinner (V50) took on 3000m, 5k road, 8km XC and 1500m, which was a bit of a schedule especially after narrowly avoiding having to pull out due to a very bad January illness. Lin’s plan had been to not race all of them, but due to a big rivalry that developed with a German athlete, it became necessary to keep trying for the medals. Lin’s results are:
3000m – 4th – PB 10:52 (outsprinted for bronze)
5k Road – 4th – SB – 18:52 (also outsprinted for bronze)
8km XC – 3rd 🥉 and 2nd 🥈 team (also outsprinted for silver)
1500m – 5th – indoor PB – 5:10 on tired legs (only 3 seconds off 3rd)
Lin’s signature sprint finish!
From Surrey League to GB cross country!
It was great to compete with such a high standard of peers, and to visit the lovely city of Torun. It is quite a big commitment in many ways to take on these events, but really such a great experience, not just competing but watching others, especially the inspiring older athletes and of course representing GB.
Emily, Lin and Joe showing how to work hard, play hard!
The next European Masters Championships is Glasgow 2028, starting 23rd of March. It would be wonderful to have a team of Kent AC masters competing if anyone else would like to give it a try. It is a bit more accessible than Poland.
(Thanks to Lin for kindly writing this report and bringing us all up to speed on the action!)
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.
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
7 – Assembly League – Victoria Park
16 – SAL – Eltham
20 – Beckenham Relays
23 – KYAL – U14/16 – Dartford
June
4 – Assembly League – Crystal Palace
21 – SAL – Watford
24 – Dulwich Relays
27 – KYAL – U14/U16 – Dartford
July
2 – Assembly League – Sutcliffe Park
5 – ROn Hale Open – Alex Yee Arena
19 – SAL – Cambridge
August
6 – Assembly League – Victoria Park
8 – SAL – Dartford
23 – KYAL – U12 – Tonbridge
September
3 – Assembly League – Beckenham Place Park
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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