As we in Lewisham anxiously scan the parkrun UK horizon, for news about whether our favourite timed weekly 5k will come back to Hillyfields and Mountsfield Park, a few of our number are already smashing their 5k PBs in more formal race settings. Don’t write in, we all know parkrun is a run not a race. Even more excitement comes from Team GB Triathlon, where former Kent AC junior Alex Yee (5k PB 13:20) continues to threaten Brownlee supremacy as he sets his sights on the Tokyo Olympics. Maybe. If they happen.
Closer to home, the club coaches are encouraging new talent to sign up in their droves with initiatives like this:
Junior Taster Saturday 22nd May John Barron writes
‘We have now reached our target of 60 junior athletes for the event next Saturday. In the event of ’no shows’ on the day registration will remain open until this Friday.
Our goal is to inspire 20 youngsters to join Kent AC. Our thanks to all the coaches and members who have volunteered to help us on the day.
Local schools are key to our future success as a source of new junior members. Prendergast Vale have asked for our help on Friday 16th July in two ways: provide volunteers to help manage their sports event and find a local sponsor to cover the cost of buying medals for the students. If you are available to volunteer in July or can suggest a company we could approach to sponsor the medals please email .
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RESULTS ROUND-UP
Yes, racing really is back, and Kent AC athletes are smashing it.
First up, a couple of April results that didn’t reach us on time: Gravesend Cyclopark 5K, 29-Apr-2021:
Will Pitt 17:21
Jules Gevers 19:32
More recently, it’s been quite a week for the women. On Saturday 15 May
Dee O’Brian and Teresa Murphy ran the 5k in RunThrough Battersea Park 5&10k
Teresa ran 18:56 and Dee will be pleased with her PB of 19:04
Results just in, via Strava, show one Suzi Spalding celebrating her run in the Kew 10k:
In her own words:
‘It’s official, 7th out of 46 in the ‘old lady’ category!’
That official time? A mystery but my maths tells me something like 45.34
And, from the Birmingham Running Festival 10K (16 May 2021),
an excellent run from Laura McCrave, fifth woman in the 10K in 43.42
Heather Castle ran a strong 53:06
Well done, we have it on good authority that it was hilly…
Please let us know if you have an upcoming race so we can include your results, or if we have missed your results.
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TRACKING NUMBERS
It is fantastic to see so many club members back training at the track, but particularly now we must make sure we abide by the current group training restrictions and give all user groups at the track plenty of space to train. Please see the note from our coaching coordinator, Ted Aston, below:
Groups A, B & C
1. Athletes must go to their designated starting areas with their bags and bicycles.
2. Coaches should nominate their captains beforehand together with those running in their group
3. Groups no greater than 12
4. All to leave track straight onto the infield (not outer lanes) after each rep.
5. All groups to walk/jog on the infield – on the grass. Must not use the outer lanes
6. Groups to stay apart
7. Captains make sure their athletes regroup before the next rep and set off together
8. Once overtaken, athletes to move into lane 1 immediately. Single file
9. Athletes must leave the arena immediately after the session and cool down outside.
10. Note, lanes 1-3 available
Sprints
1. As above except use lanes 4,5, 6, 7 & 8
2. Lane 6 & 7 on the back straight for equipment, hurdles, etc, if needed.
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IF YOU HAVEN’T DONE SO ALREADY…
…Sign up to volunteer at the track for those busy Tuesday and Thursday sessions. As you may have gathered, we can’t just rock and and run these days, so everyone should all take their turn to rock up and stand still, to check track passes, wield the hand san, etc Thank you to all who have volunteered so far.
Please contact Heather if you are yet to volunteer with a date that would suit you.
Talking of passes, they’re available for purchase here. You will need to pay for your pass prior to attending Tuesday’s session.
Get into the track pass habit
No training unless you’ve signed up to the track pass. You can pay for a month or a year. Here’s how:
1) Make sure your membership has been renewed as you must be a paid up member to use the track
2) Purchase your monthly track pass in advance of the session here
3) Sign up to the appropriate group and session using the links below, for more information about training groups see here
4) Upon arrival before your session, please show your Kent AC membership app, or a print out, at the gate
We’re giving you another week to listen to sprint supremo Juno Field tell us about his career competing and coaching in athletics, his thoughts about our upcoming Junior Taster Day (on 22nd May!) and about growing our youth offering here at Kent AC.
Listen in here!
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SPEEDY LIKE SUNDAY MORNING
Sprints coach Juno Field has hired Ladywell track on Sundays at 9.30-11.00 for sprint specific sessions. He is opening up the opportunity for any members of the club who would like to join. For more details, including what the sessions will entail and costs please contact Juno directly /" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">
Please note: This is currently not part of the club track pass, although this may change in the future.
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YOUR NEXT RACE…THE BIG ONE?
Kent AC Summer Racing Calendar Plan your summer of racing here! Everyone in the club can add races they come across to the list and we encourage you to do so. You can find the doc here
Meanwhile, if you’ve always had your sights set on the London Marathon (official name The Virgin Money London Marathon) we’ve some good news for you, hot from the desk of one Ted Aston, who writes:
‘I have been given 2 places for this year’s Virgin London Marathon mass event in London on Sunday 3rd October 2021. This is not for the virtual race. I am opening a ballot for the places so please register your interest on the link below answering all the questions. The winners will have to sign up and pay for the entry fee of £49 directly to VMLM. The deadline is Monday 24th May for the ballot.
VMLM is our club champs so you will be required to wear your club vest.
The Donor has requested:
a) The place goes to someone who is a current member of Kent AC for at least 6 months (Not including any time out during Covid). This means if you have only just renewed and were a member in 2019 missing out 2020 only, you are still eligible as long as the total months add up to 6. If your membership has lapsed then it’s too late.
b) You have volunteered for the club
c) Makes a donation to the club of no less than £50 (in addition to VMLM’s registration fee)
d) Previous winners of Kent AC club ballot places are not eligible
Virgin London Marathon Places – Please click the link and fill in the form.