When Saturday comes
When Saturday comes
Kent AC Newsletter 04 October 2026–
͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ –[if (gte mso 9)|(IE)]> [endif]–>View this email in your browser
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[endif]–>–[if (gte mso 9)|(IE)]> [endif]–>KENT AC NEWSLETTER
4 October 2026
The cross country season starts on Saturday 10 October. Lots of information about how to enter, or volunteer to help, below.
Results wise, we had two runners in the Manchester Half: one was John Gilbert who was first V45 with his incredible 66:19; the other was Florence Ingram who powered round in 88.10.
What’s more (13 miles more), this is the man, Joe Viz, who only went and won the Kielder Marathon, and got to plant a tree on Winners’ Row for his pains (not like he was tired or anything):
CALLING ALL MASTERS
The BMAF cross-country relays take place at Horspath on 24 October. The four Tlegs are 3km, there are categories for W35, W45, W55 and W65, and M35, M45, M55 and M75. Entries must be submitted by 16 October. Express your interest on the spreadsheet here
CROSS COUNTRY DETAILS
Some of you who are new to the club, or have not tried cross country before, may be unfamiliar with the cross country season, so here’s a guide to what to expect:
What cross country fixtures are there?
There are four Surrey League fixtures, two South of the Thames fixtures (Junior and Senior – note that the junior race isn’t for junior runners, it’s just the shorter of the two races), Kent County, Southern Championships and National Championships, plus Masters races at county, regional and national level, and relays. It’s quite possible to run 10 cross country races in a season.
In most races men and women run separately. The exceptions are the South of the Thames races, in which men and women run together.
There are also junior races at most fixtures.
Note that Kent are in the First Division of the Surrey League, so the competition standard is high, particularly in the men’s races, which can be daunting. Don’t be discouraged by that, there are plenty of races with a broad ability level, including the South of the Thames races, Kent County, Kent Vets (Masters) and the Southerns.
What distance are they?
Most races are 8k/5 miles. The exceptions are the South of the Thames Senior (12k), Kent County (12k), Southerns (15k) and Nationals (12k)
Where are they held?
The Surrey League fixtures are in parks mostly in South London, the furthest locations are Guildford and Oxted. The South of the Thames fixtures are in similar locations, but there is currently some doubt over venues for both of them this season. The Southerns are in Beckenham Place Park, and the Nationals, which rotate each year, are in Newark in 2027.
Will they cost me anything?
Entry fees for almost all xc races are covered by the club. The exceptions are the Southern Championships in January and the National Championships in February, which are more expensive than other races (£14-15) For those we require a £5 payment to secure your place, and also to deter uncommitted placeholder entries that cost the club.
Can I reclaim travel costs?
Most races are close enough that they would not be eligible for travel reclaim. Some such as the Nationals and more distant regional races may qualify. The club’s policy is that, except in specific circumstances, travel will not be recoverable unless travelling in a group by the cheapest reasonable method.
Do I need spikes?
For some of the earlier races, when the ground is firm and dependent upon the terrain, it may be that trail shoes or flats are suitable. For most races in the season, spikes are strongly encouraged, running without them on slippery ground can be perilous. Generally, the chat before the race will guide as to whether spikes are necessary.
Notification will come round soon for the first cross country, at Wimbledon on 10 October.
We have a proud recent history of success in cross countries, and also of sending large teams to races. We encourage everybody to try it out!
Owen Hind adds
‘As ever it’s the Surrey Cross Country League that’s the cornerstone of the season where numbers count most. We encourage everyone in the club to run at least one of the four matches (ideally more!) For the men each match requires ten scorers and for the women it’s seven runners. As the club continues to grow in strength and depth, we need your help in making the organisation of entering teams and travel as smooth as possible. Bear in mind: we can’t enter anyone who is not a club member or registered with EA, so make sure your club competition membership is up to date. The sign up spreadsheet can be found here’
EVENT CALENDAR
October
10 – Surrey League xc – Wimbledon
17 – Southern Cross country relays – Wormwood Scrubs
24 – Vets Cross Country relays – Horspath
November
14 – Surrey League xc – BPP
17 – AGM – Blythe Hill Tavern
28 – SEAA Masters xc – Lloyd Park
December
5 – Kent Vets xc – Dartford
TBC – South of the Thames Junior xc – TBC
January 2027
9 – Kent County xc – Gravesend
16 – Surrey League – Guildford
30 – Southern xc Championhips – BPP
February
13 – Surrey League – TBC
20 – National XC Championships, Thoresby Park Newark
March
TBC – South of the Thames Senior xc – TBC
TRACK! TRACK! TRACK!
Buy your track pass here.
The usual track times are:
Tuesday 17:30 – 20:45
Thursday 17:30 – 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 -1730
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 .
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