It was looking touch and go whether we could get a team out the Kent vets 40 cross-country champs in the lead up to Sat 8th Dec, with injuries and other committments. Let alone retain the team title. Luke did a great job in chasing the team up. There was heavy wind and rain on the day. The sparrows of Sparrows Den were in hiding and the new brightly coloured crazy golf course certainly wasn't doing much business!

The M50s/M60s were off first, unfortunately we didn't complete a team in these categories.
The ladies F45 team ran well to take the team bronze medals, just one point behind the second placed team.

Then the M40s started off in the driving wind. By this stage the teams and officials tents had succumbed to the weather and were packed away. Kent AC's gazebo was unaffected, this remains in safe storage in the gazebo shop! The trials of getting a team out were well rewarded, winning the team event by 9 points from Medway and Maidstone with Blacheath and Bromley HAC in third place.

We had no first-claim entrants in the clubmans, the non-vets who were running opted for the delights of Parliament Hill for the London champs. Second claim member Andy Pickett finished in second place running for Dartford.

Well done to those of you who braved the elements, especially the spectators and supporters. Further thanks to the officials and marshalls who were unable to afford the luxury of spectating from the shelter of the woods!

With the tents unable to stand up to the elements and Beccehamian RFC refusing runners refuge in the 'private members club' sports pavillion, we will have to wait for the senior county champs in Detling in January for the presentation of shiny Kent Messenger Cup; thanks to Len for that - "if I'd known we were going to win it again I wouldn't have bothered polishing it!"

Vets - date for all your diaries - Sat 2nd Feb, Southern Vets XC at Ruislip - No excuses accepted. Be there, we want a great Kent AC turnout.