We Live By the River!
We Live By the River!
Please see this week’s update for Kent AC members – 27/04/26–
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KENT AC NEWS BULLETIN
26 APRIL 2026
On the biggest day of the running year, Kent had over 60 runners out but several times that supporting on the course, on a perfect day for the event. Up at the front of the race, records were set in the men’s and women’s events, while behind them club runners slogged away on a day that started chilly but ended warm. Debuts were made, PBs were achieved, and nobody was broken by it. A fine day out! Report below.
Our juniors were also in action this weekend, inconveniently having a KYAL scheduled for the same day as the mini marathon. Some game juniors (and their parents!) took part in both, a logistical problem given the KYAL was at Medway’s arena in Gillingham. We had fine performances in both, reported below.
Don’t forget that we have our first open meet of the season, on Thursday 30th at the track. Four events – 200m, 1500m, shot put and triple jump. If you’re not competing, come along to watch, support or help out.
Also doing well in their age categories were Chris Busaileh (2:27, 7th VM40), Caoimhe nic Fhogartaigh (2:53, 5th VW45), Victoria Buck (3:04, 10th VW50), and Roger Beardsworth (3:12, 7th VM65)
Our sub 2:30 men included Rhys Doherty (2:25), Alex Hamlet (2:25), Nick Acfield (2:28), Ben Clarke (2:28), Jonathan Collier (2:29) and James Ewing (2:28) The women coming in under 3 hours included Amelia Pettitt ((2C) 2:53), Lara Bromilow ((2C) 2:58) in her first big race since having a baby and Iona Cousland (2:59)
There were many other fine performances yesterday, debut marathons and PBs, including Che Compton (2:39, 13th VM50), Teresa Murphy (3:07) and Kathryn Williams (3:51, 36th VW60)
Kent women relaxing
Special credit to those pacing runners yesterday – George Russell and Jo Wint, who paced blind runners, and Jon Tipper, who set a 3 hour pace for half the race. And to club stalwart Sarah Young, who fulfilled her ambition to run a marathon with her daughter.
And well done to all who ran, and trained for four months to get in shape for it, and thanks to all the coaches and supporters who got them there!
In the mini marathon we had lots of good results (probably not comprehensive as the results were not searchable by club):
U12 boys
Oliver Davidson 6th
U14 girls
Georgia Fox 112th
U16 boys
Ed Pearce 101st
Matteo Mathers 106th
Joel Spencer 115th
U16 girls
Ealeanor Davidson 24th
Daria Gilmore 83rd
Martha Parry 100th
U18 boys
Bert Royle 44th
U18 girls
Elena Oliphant (2C) 30th
Alice Hales 61st
Lexie Walker 78th
The Under-14 boys grasped the chances that the Gillingham meet offered to deliver personal bests in familiar events and try out some new ones.
Stand-out performances included:
- a huge new best of 27.02s for Otis Atlee in the 200m
- Zac Murray returning to the track with a scorching 13.83s in the 80m hurdles
- Mus Senar putting in the hard yards in multiple races from 80m hurdles up to 800m
- spirited efforts in the field with Nico and Emerson Hunter Stuart both breaching the 15-metre mark in the discus.
A number of the Under-14 girls hotfooted it from the London Mini-marathon to Gillingham to then hotfoot it round the track.
The small but enthusiastic team covered a range of track and field events between them.
Evie Atanda soared over 75m of hurdles in just 12.86s. In the field Norah Hebditch and Phoebe Hall both smashed the 12-metre mark in discus.
Among the under 16 boys, Mack Atanda (16.63s) and Elyjah Abdoulaye (17.2s) had to contend with racing for the first time over 100m hurdles, a big step up from the 80mH that they competed in at under-15 level.
Zy’Shae Brown-Thomas and Olaoluwa Oladipo were dominant in the A- and B-strong 300m races, respectively, stopping the clock at 37.61s and 38.12s.
The huge team spirt among the under-16 girls paid off richly in the 4x100m relay, where they came in second in a very competitive race. Several PBs were achieved too:
- Amalya Hunte had PBs in the 200m 28.25 (by over a second) and in LJ (4.26) while also debuting in the hammer.
- Lizzie Brain ran the 200m for the first time, where she ran a really well-fought race to take 2nd in a great 27.55s.
- Shekinah Acheampong competed across a wide variety of events and had a great run in the 300m (47.86s).
- Lily O’Gorman worked hard in some very tough events, including the hurdles and 800m.
- Zoe Folarin had a very speedy run (a PB) in the 300m (45.55) and did really solid work in the HJ and 80m hurdles – despite both events being scheduled for the same time!
KYAL offers athletes a great opportunity to seek new PBs or compete at relatively unfamiliar events in a supportive environment as well as aiding the club in its efforts to maintain its coveted division 1 status. The Junior coaching team also guarantees the same sunny, dry conditions for all the forthcoming fixtures. So take the chance to sign up.
Narciso from C Group has proposed a series of form/technique training workshops during June and July. What is being proposed is a training block of sessions to be held on Thursday evenings (same time as usual) focusing on form and technique as a summer camp, for middle distance/endurance runners. If there is sufficient interest – 10-15 people committing to attend regularly – (in order to gain meaningful benefits), coach Ted has kindly agreed to design and run these sessions. There is also an option of running it on Sunday mornings but this can be finalised once we have an indication of interest. People can indicate interest by sending a WhatsApp to Narciso 07476721272.
April
30 – Open Meet – Alex Yee Arena
May
7 – Assembly League – Victoria Park
16 – SAL – Eltham
20 – Beckenham Relays
23 – KYAL – U14/16 – Dartford
26 – Post-track Social
June
4 – Assembly League – Crystal Palace
21 – SAL – Watford
24 – Dulwich Relays
27 – KYAL – U14/U16 – Dartford
30 – Post-track Social
July
2 – Assembly League – Sutcliffe Park
5 – ROn Hale Open – Alex Yee Arena
19 – SAL – Cambridge
28 – Post-track Social
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
29 – Post-track Social
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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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