Southern league match 5 Dartford
Kent AC finished the season 6th in our division in the SAL, our highest ever position. Not bad, but the signs are there that we can push on next season and get promotion!
We were third on the day in our final fixture. A creditable performance given we were short of numbers, holidays and a clash with the British League meant many of our regulars were unavailable. Those athletes that competed on the day did brilliantly to cover the events.
1 Cambridge Harriers 174
2 East Grinstead AC 144
3 Kent AC 131
4 Sutton and District AC 108
Highlights of the day included:
- Joe Hartley demonstrating an exciting new ability to jump upwards and into water, getting a high jump PB of 1.50m and a 2k steeplechase PB of 6.48.
- Paul Crompton’s dashing multi-eventing in the high jump (1.40, 23rd in the M50 UK rankings), javelin, discus and 1500m.
- Adrian Dracup outkicking a much younger athlete in the 800m, getting a new PB in the process. And also learning the rules of the shot putt, long jump and triple jump.
- An exciting 5,000m race saw future Kent AC member Noah Armitage-Hookes smash his PB with 15.37, Dame Dibaba also recording a PB with 16.12 to win the B race.
- Dame also ran in an exciting 1500m race, covering the first 200m at world record pace and then fading somewhat, before fighting back and managing a thrilling sprint finish.
- James Opio turned up expecting to be a non-scorer in one event but was happy to be persuaded to score in 4 events: taking the win in the 400mH, second in the 400m and run excellent 100m and 400m relay legs.
- Daniel Ansell ran very well in the 800m and steeplechase and performed an adequate shot putt.
- Victoria Buck won the B string discus and came second in an exciting 800m. Mulit-eventer Kathy Sharpe scored in the 800m, long jump, shot putt and javelin.
- Sarah Hanley won the 3,000m and Annabelle Hadlow (W60) won the 1,500m B race.
- Juno Field’s exciting sprint team: Dominic, Akeem, Jonathan Fletcher and Shamariah Notice all scored valuable points.
- Len Reilly and Tim Sharp ran well as non-scorers in the 5,000m, Len was about three minutes behind his best time but Tim got a PB.
- I did six events, at least five of them badly, particular lowlight being an astonishingly slow 100m relay leg.
Thanks to everyone who competed on Sunday, and throughout the season. The enthusiasm of Kent AC members to turn out at these events and try hard at whatever the team requires from them is inspiring.
Several people have competed in athletics for the first time this season which is brilliant, and many people have commented on the good atmosphere at the meets, helped by the coaches and spectators who have turned up and offered support.
The regular team of volunteers have been brilliant this season: Rob Moye, Norman Fairbrass, Annabelle and Ed Hadlow, Bernie Hutchinson and Ken and Pete, thank you all very much. Also thanks to Charlie who turned up on Sunday expecting to sit on the grass and watch, but was talked into collecting javelins and monitoring pole vaults.