Next stop Nationals!
KENT AC NEWS BULLETIN
20 February 2022
IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO ALL TRACK USERS
A polite reminder to all track users to follow the track etiquette during club training sessions. The committee have formed a working group and are formulating a plan on how best to keep all track users safe during busy periods, but the risk is lowered substantially if all users of the track follow the guidance below.
TRACK ETTIQUETE:
Distance groups:
All to leave track straight onto the infield (not outer lanes) after each rep.
Only start your rep when there is space to do so – those on the track have right of way
All groups to walk/jog on the infield – on the grass. Must not use the outer lanes.
Captains make sure their athletes regroup before the next rep and set off together.
Once overtaken, athletes to move into lane 1 immediately.
No warming up or cooling down on the track (where this can be safely avoided).
Note, lanes 1 – 2 available (lane 3 overtaking only).
Use lanes 4, 5, 6 (7 & 8 on home straight) when distance group present.
Hurdles and equipment should be kept in outer 2 lanes.
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FUTURE OF LADYWELL ARENA
Members might be aware that Lewisham Council and their contractor GLL (aka Better) are trying to offload the track to another operator. Neither want to absorb the costs for it to breakeven; or, put another way, it makes a loss of over £150,000 pa. It is highly probable that whoever takes it over will want to increase football use, and thereby revenue, and that they will do this by astroturfing the infield.
Last year Kent AC was asked if it wished to take it over as part of a ‘community asset transfer’. We politely declined.
We have just learned that a second round of bids is taking place – apparently the deadline passed, the decision is next month and handover in April. The first we heard of this was from one of the possible bidders. We have asked for more confirmation of their timetable and to be consulted about the selection process.
We have also met with England Athletics and we, and they, have written to the council requesting that Ladywell, our home for 85 years, remains principally as an athletics stadium, with full facilities including for long throws, with our use times guaranteed, at reasonable costs, with the reintroduction of walk-up use and that contractors budget for long-term track maintenance, not short-term gain. At the time of writing we have had no reply and are chasing.
In the meantime we continue with our block bookings and track passes.
But big changes could be coming soon. More information when we have it.
Len Reilly Club president (j/s) 20.2.22
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ON TO THE NATIONALS
Entries closed last month, so for those racing please see the details below. Even for those not wearing spikes next week, it promises to be a fantastic day of spectating, so make sure you come along to support!
The timetable for the racing is listed below, so please arrive in good time before your race in order to collect your number from the Kent AC flag and familiarise yourself with the course.
1
11:00am
Under 17 Women Championship – 5K
2
11:25am
Under 15 Boys Championship – 4K
3
11:45am
Under 13 Girls Championship – 3K
4
12:05pm
Under 17 Men Championship – 6K
5
12:30pm
Under 13 Boys Championship – 3K
6
12:45pm
Under 15 Girls Championship – 4K
7
1:05pm
Junior Women Championship – 6K
8
1:35pm
Senior Women Championship – 8K
9
2:20pm
Junior Men Championship – 10K
10
3:00pm
Senior Men Championship – 12K
How to get there: Parliament Hill is well served by public transport, with Gospel Oak (overground), Kentish Town (Thameslink/ Northern Line), Tufnell Park and Hampstead (both Northern Line), all within walking distance. The club base will be amongst the festival of tents and flags, situated just to the north of Parliament Hill Athletics Track.
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SUNNY SEVILLE
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ROAD RELAY ACTION
The club will be pushing for a strong showing, so keep an eye out for further details from Team Managers.
Additional upcoming race dates:
Saturday 26 February – National Championships, Parliament Hill
Saturday 12 March – BMAF Vets Championship, Tonbridge
Saturday 12 March – Inter Counties XC, Loughborough
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NEW MEMBERS
Martin Bassendale
Olly Hacker
Jonathan Hockings
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WIN A TRACK PASS
To be added to the rota simply email Jacqueline/Simon at ( /
).
We only need each track attendee to volunteer a couple of times a year to spread the responsibility fairly.
T&Cs for the track pass draw:
All volunteers for the current month will be added into the hat for a draw each month.
The winner will win a free pass for the next calendar month.
Names will be automatically drawn from https://namepicker.net/ (or similar alternative)
The winner can either chose to:
use their free pass within a calendar year
allow their free pass to roll down to another volunteer
annual pass holders can nominate another club member if they cannot make use of the pass themselves
No refunds/discounts will be provided in place of the free monthly pass.
Volunteers will only be eligible to win a pass once every three months.
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TRACK
Buy your February pass here.
The usual track times are:
Tuesday 17:15 – 20:45
Thursday 18:30 – 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.
Please purchase your February £5 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
Please see a helpful FAQs guide here
Group spreadsheets to register for sessions (links for payment this month and FAQs also here):
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