An Ultra Special Edition!
An Ultra Special Edition!
Kent AC Newsletter 21 June 2026–
͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ –[if (gte mso 9)|(IE)]> [endif]–>View this email in your browser
––[if mso]>
[endif]–>–[if mso]>
[endif]–>
–[if mso]>
[endif]–>–[if mso]> [endif]–>
–[if mso]>
[endif]–>–[if mso]> [endif]–>
–[if mso]>
[endif]–>–[if mso]> [endif]–>–[if (gte mso 9)|(IE)]>
[endif]–>–[if (gte mso 9)|(IE)]> [endif]–>KENT AC NEWSLETTER
21 JUNE 2026
A delayed newsletter for you today as your editors were variously active yesterday, one of them doing a half ironman triathlon in the Netherlands, one helping out in the heat at the SAL in Watford. There’s much more heat to come this week, so take care with your efforts and hydration.
Full results and report from the SAL will come next week, but we managed to put out a mostly full team (accounting for the usual multi-event heroes) with fine results in some events, particularly in the middle distances, the standouts being 1st A and B string in the women’s 3000m (Aisling Ahern and Teresa Murphy) and 1st A & B in the men’s 1500m (Theo Gaymes and Bert Royle)
Aside from track and field, as we get into summer members find different challenges, so this week we have an ultramarathon special feature. Last week Alex Morales ran the Montane Spine Challenger South, a 108 mile trail race with 18,000ft of elevation, which took him over 41 hours. He was 40th out of 150 starters, which is a huge achievement in his first race of that distance. He’s written a full report of his experience, down below.
On Saturday, three of our stalwart Kent women ran a 50k trail race in West Sussex – Sarah Young writes up the experience below. Suzanne Spalding and Nicola Cartlidge finished the race in 6:05, Sarah in 6:39, 1st VW60 by over an hour.
Lucy Atlee, juniors co-secretary, has a roundup of youth action below.
At the Vets AC 5000m at Battersea last week,several Kent Masters set good times – Roger Beardsworth (19:33), Vicky Boyle (19:35), Jules Gevers (19:55), Nicola Papalini (21:26), Karina Box (22:04) and Narciso Guerrero (24:33)
Finally, a shoutout to one of our editors, Claire Oxlade, who completed the West Friesland 70.3 triathlon in 5hrs 16 mins, including an impressive 95 minute half marathon. This was her second medal of the month after receiving an MBE in the King’s birthday honours!
Don’t forget the Dulwich Relays on Wednesday, although be alert to hot weather warnings.
And there are still places available for multiple events for the Ron Hale Open on July 5. Do join in, as a competitor, spectator or volunteer.
ULTRA SPECIAL #1
AlexMorales writes:
Anyone who’s dabbled in ultras in the UK at some point will hear about the country’s most daunting non-stop race, The Spine, which covers 268 miles of the Pennine Way from Edale in Derbyshire to Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders.
With winter and summer editions, the distance alone would put most people off, let alone the 10,700 metres of ascent, the endless bogs and the prospect of running in either freezing or boiling conditions on little-to-no sleep while carrying several kilos of mandatory gear.
The Spine organisers have cottoned on to that and the full Spine has spawned several what I would call “gateway” races to lure the suffering-curious runners among us.
And that’s how I found myself running the 108-mile Spine Challenger South last weekend. (Also on offer: the 160-mile Challenger North, and 43-mile and 46-mile “sprints” north and south.)
The build-up was dominated by ensuring I had all the required items in my pack — and that they met the race organiser’s standards. Waterproofs need to meet a certain rating; footwear has to be in decent condition, and you need items ranging from a whistle and first aid kit to poo bags (which I hoped never to have to use). You also need basic map reading skills (although in practice, I did not use my map or compass once, because any decent GPS watch fitted with maps and loaded with the route will get you around.)
On the start line, there was a clear favourite, Christopher Cope. Others looked like they were chomping at the bit to stride out, but the bulk of us were in it to finish it, rather than to contest the podium.
It’s very hard to judge what pace to move at when attempting a race quite so long, especially if you’ve never attempted one before. But I knew that sprinting from the get-go was a passport to a DNF, not to mention exacerbating all the nutrition problems I’ve struggled with in recent ultras.
For a mid-pack runner like me, these events are not run even remotely close to marathon pace, and I resolved to run only the flats and the downhills that weren’t too steep, with a steady walk for the rest of the terrain. Soon enough, I settled into a comfortable rhythm, interrupted periodically by gradient changes, kit adjustments and snacks.
I had an alarm to remind me to eat small amounts every half hour, having been told that my nausea and digestion problems from races past probably stemmed from not doing so frequently enough. (I won’t pretend to be an expert in the science, but my understanding is that you basically need to remind your body to keep the blood flowing to the digestive system when it would otherwise divert it to your main current activity — running.)
It’s possible to spend a lot of the time in ultras running alone because relatively small fields get strung out pretty quickly. But I ran much of the first half with an NHS psychiatrist, and our conversation spanned the origins of the red and white spinning barbers’ pole to the history of the reservoirs we were running alongside, which had been built by his ancestors. Eventually I left him behind and entered the race’s sole checkpoint alongside a Yorkshirewoman who lived nearby and begrudged having to run a short stretch on asphalt.
The checkpoint at the scout centre in Hebden Hey was a chance to have a hot shower, change kit and eat a welcome meal of chicken and rice. The psychiatrist came in soon after me and we resolved to have a 90-minute lie-down on the camp beds provided, before setting off together again in darkness, just after midnight, without really having slept. Another 62 miles to go.
The night-running was surreal, dominated by the sound of a thumping rave we could hear coming from a house across the valley, which we passed later on just as revellers were leaving and the beats had subsided. The psychiatrist dropped back and told me he’d catch me on the next climb (This made sense: he’d been stronger than me on all the climbs, while I favoured the downhills). But I didn’t see him again and spent most of the rest of the race alone. My morning was dominated by thoughts of sleep as I assessed and discarded various locations for a bivvy. At Gargrave, I met my husband in a pub for breakfast (the race rules say you’re not allowed to accept anything from a supporter, but you are allowed to stop at restaurants and cafes, as they’re forms of assistance available to all runners).
Then it was onwards for the final third of the race, taking in some beautiful scenery and the limestone pavement at Malham Cove. I ran for a bit with the Yorkshirewoman, until she stopped to attend to her feet and I tried —unsuccessfully — to grab some sleep in my bivvy on what turned out to be a patch of grass rich in hidden thistles. At Malham Tarn, the race’s wonderful volunteers plied me with biscuits and melon and refilled my water. Then it was onwards to the final major obstacle of the day, Pen y Ghent, featuring what I knew from my recces to be a fairly hairy climb. I was grateful to get there before dark, as I would not have fancied a nigh-time ascent.
Seeing that a finish before midnight was (very) vaguely attainable, I tried to make some good time on the descent — by which I mean stringing together a few sub 10-minute kilometres (this isn’t marathon pace, remember?). I stopped at a pub in Horton for some soup, before heading out on the final 24-kilometre stretch taking in the interminable Cam High Road in the dark. I didn’t see another soul until 2 kilometres from the finish.
It was on this stretch that I paid for my lack of sleep, and I did much of it in a trance-like state, closing my eyes for several steps at a time, staggering occasionally and giving myself repeated talkings to to be mindful of the potentially fatal drop to my left. I also had hallucinations, though they felt more like stills from dreams, and I surprised myself every now and then by speaking words out aloud that I hadn’t expected to utter. A frog rebuffed my attempts at a conversation (and I later discovered a dozen photos of the poor amphibian on my phone).
Finally I ran into Hawes and then through some fields to Hardraw for the finish at just past 1:30 a.m. I was greeted by some ever-cheerful volunteers and given a medal, a certificate and some refreshments before a kind member of the team drove me back to my hotel in Hawes. Over breakfast later that morning, I idly checked the race-tracker and saw that my doctor friend was soon to pass through Hawes. I hobbled down the road to greet him and walked with him for a few hundred metres. His foot had swollen up with tendonitis, and he’d pushed on through the pain. He’d also had to guide another contestant down Pen y Ghent in a state of apparent delirium. We hugged and I left him to hobble the final 2 kilometres to be greeted at the finish by his wife and four kids.
My final time was just over 41 1/2 hours — almost twice as long as it took the winner, Chris Cope. He’d set a course record, beaten second place by more than five hours and third place by almost 10. But for the bulk of us, it wasn’t about the time, it was about the setting, the people, the camaraderie.
ULTRA SPECIAL #2
Sarah Young writes:
Cajoled into indulging my new decade, Nicola Cartlidge, Suze Spalding and I took part in our first ultra marathon across the South Downs, offering us a scenic, runnable mix of chalk trails, woodland, farmland and coastal paths. The 50km Coastal route is billed as a nice if not easy entry level ultra – and didn’t disappoint.
The race village had a festival feel to it, fluttering flags, coffee and food trucks as well as a few knights, or kings in shining armour ensuring we were in the race pen in time to get us started.
The route starts off grassy and traily (important note for next time – start nearer the front of the pack!), then gets a bit seaweed-stinky and estuarine for a while and finishes with a few sharp ups and downs, presenting a serious test for the knees.
Overall elevation was touching 500 metres – freewheeling down hill naturally meant a climb back up, several times!
Sarah. Nicala and Suze
Back through the festival flags and over the finish to cheers from spectators and runners alike.
Whilst the weather was incredibly humid, we were lucky to start out under a gentle mizzle and to finish with sunshine just breaking through the clouds.
Overall a great day out with fabulously stocked pit stops, plentiful clean toilets, friendly marshals, a hot meal and showers, as well as live music to enjoy a beer in the sunshine at the end and a lovely atmosphere; just an all round prefect first ultra experience.
It’s definitely got us eyeing up the next level up in the Threshold Trail Series for next year’s adventure! 100kms beckons!
YOUTH ROUND-UP
Lucy Atlee, juniors co-secretary, writes:
Kent AC Juniors at London, Kent and Independent Schools Track and Field Championships and the London Youth Games
A number of Kent athletes made it through borough championships to compete at the London and Kent School finals this week picking up medals, PBs and great competition experiences.
U14
Evie Atanda travelled to London Schools Athletics Championships to compete in the 70mH and javelin for Southwark. Evie qualified for the 70m hurdles final with the fastest time overall and a new PB of 12.1 seconds and carried that form into the final to win gold. She finished the day with another PB of 14.57m in the javelin
Otis Atlee, competed for Southwark in the Long Jump and won Silver in the 4×100 with the Southwark team.
Emerson Hunter Stuart competed for Lewisham in the Javelin winning Bronze.
U16/U18
Claudia Rigby won a Silver medal in the 300mH.
Eleanor Davidson competed in the 800m at the Kent Schools Championships winning Bronze with a PB of 2.26
Derek Olewunne competed in the 200m at the Kent Schools winning a Silver Medal with a new 23.11s PB.
Well done to Ola Oladipo and Zy’shae Brown-Thomas who competed at the London Schools Champs coming 5th and 6th in the 100m final, both with new PBs, Zy’shae running 11.50s and Ola 11.65s in their heats.
At the Independent Schools Association Athletics Finals Zac Murray came 2nd in the 80mH and Joshua Pinna-Griffith won Silver in the 4x100m relays.
London Youth Games
Four Kent AC athletes competed at the London Youth Games in sweltering heat on Sunday, Tom Brain ran a fantastic 1500m taking silver with a PB of 4:45, Evie Atanda got a PB in Long Jump of 4.15M and came second in the 100m B Final with a PB of 13.68s, Otis Atlee came third in the 200m B final with a PB of 26.52s, Zen Ntiamoah ran a superb 1500m and Luke Morrison threw a brilliant javelin PB of 19m.
RON HALE OPEN
The annual Ron Hale Open will be held at the Alex Yee Arena on Sunday 5 July. We will have 100m, 300m (juniors only), 400m, 3000m and hurdles, plus high jump and long jump.
Do enter if you want to compete, try an event, or just set a good time or mark.
Entries are open now, sign up here
We will need lots of volunteers to put this on, helping with putting out hurdles, crowd control, registration, lap counting, pit raking, and plenty more. If you’re available on the day, please contact Richard Giles or Dan Ansell to offer your services.
ON FORM
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.
EVENT CALENDAR
June
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
Sepember
3 – Assembly League – Beckenham Place Park
10 – Late Summer Meet – Alex Yee Arena
29 – Post-track Social
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 INFORMED
You can have your say about what goes in the newsletter and keep us appraised of your results or running adventures by emailing the comms team directly here.
The password for the club contacts page hereis .
–[if mso]> [endif]–>–[if mso]> [endif]–>–[if mso]>
[endif]–>–[if mso]> [endif]–>–[if mso]>
[endif]–>–[if mso]> [endif]–>
–[if mso]>
[endif]–>–[if mso]> [endif]–>The annual Ron Hale Open will be held at the Alex Yee Arena on Sunday 5 July. We will have 100m, 300m (juniors only), 400m, 3000m and hurdles, plus high jump and long jump.
Do enter if you want to compete, try an event, or just set a good time or mark.
Entries are open now, sign up here
We will need lots of volunteers to put this on, helping with putting out hurdles, crowd control, registration, lap counting, pit raking, and plenty more. If you’re available on the day, please contact Richard Giles or Dan Ansell to offer your services.
–[if (gte mso 9)|(IE)]>
[endif]–>–[if (gte mso 9)|(IE)]> [endif]–>Our mailing address is:
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe
–[if (gte mso 9)|(IE)]>
[endif]–>
