A year of stunning running
A year of stunning running
Please see this week’s update for Kent AC members – 31/12/23–
KENT AC NEWS BULLETIN
31 December 2023
There has been running this week, though. In the breaks between mince-pie stuffing, Kent AC athletes have been out parkrunning, some have even bumped up the mileage to ultra proportions and, most notably, competing in the Hereford Couriers Christmas 10k, where Annie Birch was first woman in 36:23 and Luke Rowland was fifth overall in 34:48.
If you haven’t been out there yet, there’s just time for you to put in a fast 5km at Hillyfields or Mountsfield Park tomorrow at 9am, in order for the Kent County cross country in Brands Hatch on 6 January to be a proper athletic epiphany. If you’re not ready to race, please marshall at this event, read on for details.
However you’re celebrating, we wish you your best running year in 2024
THAT WAS THE YEAR THAT WAS
It has been a sparkling year for Kent AC. The teams have brought home some impressive trophies and achieved wonderful results over all distances, from hurdle sprints to ultras. By way of some inspirational holiday reading while you ease into 2024’s training schedule, here are some reflections on the past year from our esteemed presidential double act, Vic Buck and Len Reilly.
2023 was Kent AC’s 125th anniversary. This milestone was celebrated in considerable style with a memorable dinner and dance. Our anniversary was also marked with some historic team results. Top of the tree must be the men’s third place at the national 12 stage road relays in the spring. We fielded the best team on our books and it took the best that Scotland (Central AC) and north London (Highgate) could offer to beat us. Just as exciting was the women’s second in the Surrey cross country league, beaten by a fraction by Herne Hill. All the athletes, managers and coaches made a tremendous contribution to the club’s fortunes.
In the Coronation Games, the club also put on its first ever open event. Many people had a great deal of fun and the club learned a great deal. There’s more on results and other activities below and in the managers’ reports.
We offer a huge thanks to all those who have given their time to keep Kent AC active and flourishing in the last 12 months, be they team managers, coaches, committee members, event organisers, communications folk, parents or gate volunteers. We know how busy everyone’s lives are and the time and efforts given to the club are hugely appreciated and essential to Kent AC’s continued success.
Continuing the run of superlatives, our membership and our income and expenditure are close to our highest on record. Our pool of coaches and officials continues to grow (but isn’t yet big enough) and forms a critical foundation of the club’s activities.
Further competition highlights have been the southern athletics league team comfortably holding their own in division 3 and benefiting from many juniors’ eligibility. The junior section, which continues to grow, also held their own in their four Kent young athletes league fixtures. On the road, there were many blue vests in the London Marathon and summer assembly league. For a second year a team trekked across Wales, this time victorious in the Welsh castles relay. The autumn road relays made a welcome return to Aldershot: the women came sixth and many vets came home with medals. The women continued their form with a superb 12th at the national.
The Coronation Games doubled as club championships and included a mile (the gunpowder mile) race. We also put on a wet Surrey league xc at Beckenham.
The club lost two long standing members in Ron Hale and Peter Yates. Both joined the club just after World War II and steered it through a difficult period in the late 1970s when it nearly folded and then were key in its revitalisation. Looking ahead to 2024, a number of committee members are standing down or, subject to membership approval, moving on to new positions. Thanks to everyone for the time dedicated to their positions in 2023 and previous years, notably, Bernie Hutchinson who, after 34 years and to his great relief is handing over the membership secretary role.
In our joint capacity as presidents of the club, along with the committee, it’s our aim to help all members to achieve their athletic goals by utilising the coaching and training opportunities offered by the club. Kent AC will continue to provide access to meaningful competition irrespective of ability or age; to be friendly, welcoming, inclusive and fair to everyone, and to be run, administered and managed in a way that is responsive to the needs of our members. The longer term aim is for the demographic profile of our members to more closely match that of our local community, something the growth of our junior section is helping to address.
MARSHALLING OUR FORCES NEXT WEEKEND
We’ve been asked if Kent AC can provide some marshals to help out the county champs at Brands Hatch on Saturday 6 January.
It is purely for observation purposes, in places where the runners get out of sight of the main course. Those running at the championships can also help out by marshaling for the other races.
If you can help, please contact Jules Gevers. You can either email him directly or via who will forward it on.
LONDON MARATHON BALLOT
Club ballot entries are still open for those of you wanting to run the 2024 London Marathon who have failed in the LM ballot. We have two club places to give away.
The criteria are that a) you have competed for Kent AC in an event in 2023 (this includes wearing the Kent vest in a major race), and b) you have applied for and been rejected in the ballot for the 2024 London Marathon (evidence of your rejection will be required before the place is awarded).
Please submit your entry for the club ballot to by 7th January 2024.
The draw will be at the next Committee Meeting on 8th January. Good luck!
Club ballot entries are still open for those of you wanting to run the 2024 London Marathon who have failed in the LM ballot. We have two club places to give away.
The criteria are that a) you have competed for Kent AC in an event in 2023 (this includes wearing the Kent vest in a major race), and b) you have applied for and been rejected in the ballot for the 2024 London Marathon (evidence of your rejection will be required before the place is awarded).
Please submit your entry for the club ballot to by 7th January 2024.
The draw will be at the next Committee Meeting on 8th January. Good luck!
Club ballot entries are still open for those of you wanting to run the 2024 London Marathon who have failed in the LM ballot. We have two club places to give away.
The criteria are that a) you have competed for Kent AC in an event in 2023 (this includes wearing the Kent vest in a major race), and b) you have applied for and been rejected in the ballot for the 2024 London Marathon (evidence of your rejection will be required before the place is awarded).
Please submit your entry for the club ballot to by 7th January 2024.
The draw will be at the next Committee Meeting on 8th January. Good luck!
2024…LET’S GET BACK ON TRACK
The 2024 annual track pass is available to purchase on the sumup shop.
We are offering 12 months for the price of 11. An ideal seasonal present to yourself.
The track will be open as usual Tuesday 2 January. See you there, fuelled by Champagne and the last of the mince pies.
RACE DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
A summary of dates for your diary
2024
January
6 – Kent County XC – Brands Hatch
13 – Surrey League XC – Wimbledon Common
27 – Southern XC champs – BPP
February
10 – Surrey League XC – West Horsley, Guildford
24 – National XC Champs – Weston Park, Shropshire
March
16 – British Masters XC Champs – Corwen, N Wales
24 – Southern Relays – Milton Keynes
April
6 – National Road Relays – Sutton Coldfield
21 – London Marathon
ADMIN ON TRACK
Would you like to take a leading role in the club? Are you organised and have an eye for detail? Or do you just want to earn a pint for some volunteering? If you answered yes to any of these questions, we have just the ticket for you.
We are looking for a new Track Admin Officer. This is a committee post, which involves technical admin of the track pass app and negotiating hours and rates for the track with GLL and the council.
If you would like to find out more about this, then please contact Amelia.
MEET YOU AT THE GATE
Gate volunteers form the unsung heroes of the club, making sure that our Tuesday and Thursday night sessions can run smoothly and safely.
It’s a great way to meet new people and have a chat with friends too, as well as give back a little bit of time to the club. You can sign up here!
LET’S MAKE IT OFFICIAL
Athletics needs more officials, and volunteering in this way is a wonderful way to give back to the club.
This is a great opportunity to help get club events’ results on Power of 10. And it’s fun.
Our SAL performances not only need athletes, but also qualified officials – so you can directly contribute to our success! Every qualification counts!
It’s a straightforward process that the club will pay for, with more detail on available courses here.
Please contact Len Reilly for more info.
It would be great to see a few more people put their names down to help out!
EASYFUNDRAISING
Over 7,000 brands pay easyfundraising a commission when you start your shop through their platform, so you can raise FREE donations for us no matter what you’re buying. These donations really help us out, so please sign up if you haven’t yet. It’s easy and FREE! You can get started at https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/kentac
You can also install a helpful Chrome extension, which prompts you to donate whenever doing any online shopping – really handy
WIN A TRACK PASS
To be added to the rota simply email Jacqueline or Laurie
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.
TRACK, TRACK, TRACK
Buy your track pass here.
The usual track times are:
Tuesday 17:30 – 20:30
Thursday 18:00 – 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.
Track Pass – Juniors
Please purchase your £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
Ladywell Arena now has new opening hours dedicated to the public. While during these times the Kent AC track pass is not valid, members can pay for an individual session.
Session times are:
Monday: 07:00 -15:00
Tuesday – Thursday: 1300 -1700
Friday: 07:00 – 15:00
Saturday – Sunday: 09:00-15:00
Price:
Adult resident: £2.70
Adult non resident: £3.00
Junior (U16): £1.30
The Kent AC track pass continues to be required for training on Tues/Thurs evenings and Sunday mornings.
Track staff have encouraged people to double check the opening hours before their training session, as they may occasionally be closed for school sport days and football friendlies. Hours can be checked here. This will likely suit members who can’t make training sessions but would like to train in the morning/lunchtime/evening.
Pay as you go fees can either be paid via cash to the desk or using the Better app (note: staff are working to add the sessions to the app).
KEEP US UPDATED
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