On an unexpectedly warm day that put PBs out of reach for most, over 50 Kent runners took to our local streets for the Big Half. Dame Dibaba, arguably our most improved athlete, was our first runner home, coming 12th of the mass start, 28th overall, in a PB of 70:19. Evergreen Che Compton was 2nd in the V50 category in 75:08, and Andrea and KErsha were top 10 in their age categories. Full report below.

Now to our regular feature – Clare Elms breaks a record. In fact it was 2 this week – on Monday she broke the British VW60 3000m record at Tonbridge with 10:33.34. Then on Saturday at the Vets AC meeting at Tooting she broke the world VW60 1500m record with 4:57.14, taking over 2s off the old mark! We think that’s 3 British records and a world record in August!

Even the timekeepers are happy with Clare’s achievement

On Wednesday a dozen Kent runners ran the Tracksmith 5000m up at Highgate. There were a few PBs, notably Harry Tivnen in 15:28, but also Jeremy Kempke (16:24), Kieran Page (16:32) and Gian Valentini (17:09) Well run all!

Noah Armitage-Hookes ran 15:41 at the Last Friday of the Month event in Battersea Park, and Kent stalwart John Gilbert ran a PB with a stonking 14:30 at the Mid Cheshire 5k.

Don’t forget the Assembly League fixture this week at Beckenham Place Park on Thursday, you should all have received notification of it. It’s an earlier start than usual of 1915, and a little trot from the clubhouse to the start, so don’t be late!

As a matter of essential admin, the AGM will be on Tuesday 26 November at 2030, notification is below, the full agenda will be distributed in a few weeks.

The Christmas Party will be on 14 December at the St Dunstan’s venue in the Jubliee Grounds in Catford. Full details of how to book to come. Save the date!

And Sarah Young wants to remind everybody that we have bobble hats for sale, very handy for the xc season. There are 14 left in stock, £19.20 from the Kent AC shop.

The last vestiges of summer arrived today to play havoc with half marathoners on the streets of SE London. Those who started later had the worst of it as temperatures soared to 25C, with added humidity, but Dame Dibaba started early and finished early, with a storming 70:10 PB run to come 28th man overall, our best Kent result since Owen Hind also came 28th in 2020. Nick Acfield, our 2nd runner home, also ran a PB in 72:21.

Tim looking comfortable

Other notable runs include Che Compton – 2nd V50 in 75:08, Huw Evans 81:06 PB, Luis Huesca Molina 83:13 PB, Harry Massingham 83:38 PB, Lee Davies 83:39 PB, Kersha Scibor 93:04 7th VW45, Andrea Barber 1:40:50 8th VW55 and Miki Jablkowska 2:27:05 2nd VW70

Sarah says Hi

Anybody running a PB in those conditions deserves special credit, but well done to all who ran today!

This is notice of our Annual General Meeting which will be held on Tuesday 26 November at 2030, upstairs at the Blythe Hill Tavern, 319 Stanstead Rd, SE23 1JB
 
Please come along after the track.
Food will be provided!
 
The AGM is a yearly gathering of the club members, primarily to hear reports from committee members about the club’s activities and finances; to appoint the committee and vote on any contested positions; to ask questions to the committee, and express your ideas and concerns. 

If you wish to propose any change to our rules/constitution or a major change to club policy this must be submitted in writing before 30 October. This will enable it to be included in the calling notice to all members and the agenda and all accompanying papers, which will be sent out in early November. 
 
The committee is made up of volunteers and each year every post is up for election.  This year we have the following vacancies

President.  our co-presidents Victoria Buck and Len Reilly stand down after their three year stint: a three year fixed appointment ensuring good governance, good decision making, and that all the club’s members and activities get a fair allocation of resources;  chairing committee.
Membership co-secretary: a job-share role to assist the current incumbent in processing applications and maintaining the membership database.
Track manager: ensuring smooth running of track pass system
Health & safety: ensuring risk assessments both ongoing and for events are appropriate and current and risks mitigated
Juniors co-secretary: to assist Anne Hepple in managing the juniors set-up
Kit manager: to coordinate the ordering and distribution of Kent AC vests and other kit

 
A big thanks to all for their hard work over this and previous years.
 
If you are interested in any of these, or wish to contest any other role, please write to and your mail will go to the incumbent who will happily tell you what their job involves.  If you wish to stand, please let know before 30 October so it can go in the agenda.
 
A big thanks too to those putting their name forward for roles this year.
 
A full list of committee, juniors-sub committee and non-committee posts can be found on our website.
 
Thanks
 Vic and Len

Hard to believe but it’s time to start thinking about the autumn relay season. (The best time of the year). 
This year the Southerns are at Rushmoor Arena at Aldershot on Saturday 21st September and the Nationals are, as usual, at Sutton Park on Saturday 5th October. 

The Southerns has V40, V50 and V60 categories (the Nationals is seniors only). It would be great to have strong representation across all teams if possible. 

Alexa P will be organising the women’s seniors, Chris B will be sorting out the men’s seniors and Jules G will be sorting the vets teams. Sign up sheet. 

Entries close on the 5th September so we’ll be looking to have teams sorted in the next few weeks. If there are any questions, just let one of the captains know.

CLUB CHAMPS 🏆

Entries are now open for our 5000m Club Championships at Ladywell Arena.
Also taking place on this day are the non-championship races for juniors (800m). and a 200m race that is open to all. To enter, you must complete the Google Form, then pay the fee on SumUp (link in form)

This is a UKA licensed race, meaning the results will feature on Power of 10 but we will need volunteers to meet officiating standards. If you can support the club by helping out on race day, please add your name to the sheet. Races will be seeded and all abilities are welcome and encouraged. Enter now!  

September
12 – Club champs 5km 
14 – National Cross Country Championships, Weston Park
21- 6/4/3 Southern Stage Road Relays, Aldershot including Vets (V40/V50/V60) relay champs
28 – Parkrun takeover Peckham 

October
5 – 6/4/3 National Road Relays, Sutton Coldfield
12 – Surrey League xc – Wimbledon

November
9 – Surrey League xc – tbc
23 – South of the Thames Junior xc – Guildford
26 – AGM – BHT
 30 – Kent Vets XC Champs – Central Park Dartford 

December
14 – Christmas party – Jubilee Ground Catford
14 or 21 – South of the Thames Senior xc – Tonbridge

January 2025
4 – Kent County xc championships – Brands Hatch (tbc)
11 – Surrey League xc – tbc
25 – Southern xc – tbc

February
8 – Surrey League xc – tbc
tbc – National xc – tbc

March

April
25 – London Marathon