On Saturday 9th Kent AC took another big step in achieving their major target of getting from Div 4 to Div 1 in 3 successive years as they overwhelmed the opposition in the first match of the year on a sunny springlike day over a demanding and hilly course. Led home by John Gilbert who stormed away from the field after the first small lap he eventually won by well over a minute and looked strong all the way despite an 8 mile run in the morning !

On his Kent AC debut Jim Savage also looked strong as he steadily pulled away from the chasing pack and secured an excellent second place as Surrey League Captain Rich Munn had a solid run to come home in 5th place despite “an unfit” Andy Moreton chasing him all the way to achieve a great 6th place. Just behind them Phil Sanders and U20 George Quinn had a great battle with Phil’s steady start eventually giving him the edge - but nothing can take away George’s ‘run of the day’ that secured 9th place.

This league is 10 to score so your later scorers are always your key men so really solid runs from Hesham Dahman, Lee Haze, Rawlston Morian and Simon Loach were vital in our massive win with all 10 scorers in the first 24 home in a field of over 100 runners.

Not to be outdone Quazer Mays, Richard Archer and Nick Park gave us some backup as they pushed other teams scorers back to increase our winning margin even more – any of them would have been in the top 5 of any other team ! The only disappointing note was that we did not achieve our target of having 17 runners out - something that will be key to any success as we move up the division in our quest for Division 1 status in 2012.

Ken

Travel details:
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Here are the final details for the first Surrey league this Saturday. The race starts at 3pm at Nork Park. We will be travelling as a team. We generally find that the most reliable to travel is by train. It is also for most people likley to result in a better run as you are less stiff after a train journey. The closest station is Epsom Downs Station.

There will be two meeting points:

1 - London Victoria. Meet at 12.05 in the main part of the station (i.e by WH Smiths). There is a direct train at 12.23. I hope to be there for this train but as I have to work in the morning I may not be able to make this train. Do not wait for me.

2 - Forest Hill. Meet at 12.05. Ken will be there so look out for him. Get the first train to Croydon and change there to get a train to Epsom Downs. Meet by the ticket barriers to the south bound platform.

Please buy your own ticket in advance of boarding the train.

Please also do not be late. There appears to be only one train an hour from London and if we miss the train we are aiming for we are unlikly to get to the match on time. We have to factor in a 20 minute walk once we get to Epsom Downs. If you are not there in time for the train you will have to make your own way there.

Please also follow this link for a map: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&q=nork%20park&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl

If you want to run and haven't yet told me so please contact me.

If you are planning on making your own way there please also let me know.

Due to the wet weather we have recently had I would say spikes are required (in order to run to your full potential).

Please contact me if you want any more information.

Thanks,

Rich

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The Surrey League is a new venture for Kent AC and we won Div 4 in our first season. We can win Div 3 this year (we would have won Div 3 and Div 2 last year based on the teams we fielded) provided we get a good turnout. It is especially important that those that train in the B group turn out and race. Most of you will be able to finish in the top 20 (maybe better) and will also be able to see how much you improve over the four fixtures.

The Surrey leagues make up part of our club grand prix. this is a competition where athlete are given a handicap at the beggining of the season and get points for every race they finish. The idea of the handicap is to level the playing field and means if you do a number of races (best 6 count) and run well you stand a good chance of inning the handicap competition.

If you haven't alreday responded to me culd you let me know wich of the 4 races below you can do. At this stage the planning for the first 2 is the priority so don't worry if you can't let me know about February's fixture!

I will send out exact transport details next week.

If you have any queries feel free to ask me at training or email me back.

thanks

Rich

previous Notice......

Dear All,

Before I go on I need to vent and say how much I hate computers. I spent about 30 minutes typing a very long explanatory email about cross country. Explaining how XC is a great way to get fitter and faster, how the team spirit is amazing and how the level of competition is ideal for slower athletes. However it all disappeared into some sort of cyber space void.

any way the dates are as follows

9th Oct - North Park
13th Nov - Croydon
11th Dec - Lightwater
5th Feb - Wimbledon

All start at 3pm except the December fixture which starts at 2pm.

Detail of travelling etc will be sent out nearer the time.

I am happy to talk to anyone at the track on any queries they may have (what shoes to wear etc).

please could you let me know which of these fixtures you can make / can't make so I am able to get an idea of how many we have in the team. We need at least 10 athletes at each fixture in order to close a team. The more we have the better.

We won the league last year with a record breaking score and had an average of over 14 athletes per fixture. There is absolutely no reaosn why this can't be at least repeated this season.

thanks

Rich