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Sutton, Chicago, Hyde Park, Munich, everybody talk about Kent – so quick!
<<First Name>>, Please see this week’s update for Kent AC members – 08/10/23<!–
KENT AC NEWS BULLETIN
8 October 2023
As summer drags on into mid October, we had lots of running action this weekend, at home and abroad.
Firstly, a successful trip up to Birmingham for our men and women to participate in the National 6 and 4 stage Road Relays. Full reports below.
Autumn marathon season has started, and 5 intrepid Kent runners flew out to Chicago. James Royston (3:00:17), Richard Jones (3:53:30), Tom Joslin (3:29:49), Adrian Young (4:01:16) and Kimberly Parker all wore the Kent vest proudly.
Che Compton went not quite so far, but a little further than he wanted in running the Munich marathon. Due to a stewarding screwup (seems to be the theme of the season) lots of runners were sent the wrong way and ended up running 1.5 miles more than a marathon. Che’s time of 2:50 was at least 10 minutes more than intended, but it was still enough for him to be 1st Brit home, 2nd v45 and 26th overall. Michael Gibson managed to avoid the diversion and run just the 26.2, finishing in 3:15.
Meanwhile Jo Mott ran the Chester marathon in 4:12 in hot conditions, Arejeet Nag ran the Epping Forest 50k in 4:25, finishing 10th overall, Michael Adeniran did the Spartan Ultra 50k in 10h46m with 5,100 feet of climbing, and lots of Kent runners ran the Royal Parks Half, but as the results aren’t searchable by club as yet, you’ll have to take our word for it. There were several good runs and a few PBs, so we hear. Finally, Teresa Murphy won the Greenwich Park 10k in 41:20 and Vic Cartwright was 2nd placed woman in the Petts Wood 10k in 42:11.
Looking ahead, we have the start of the Cross Country season this Saturday, although it won’t feel like it. Spikes may not be necessary at Richmond Park, but full details for meeting up are below. Please note the sign up spreadsheet, so that numbers can be allocated – the same race numbers are used for all the Surrey League season, for ease of scoring.
CROSS COUNTRY OPENER AT RICHMOND PARK
The Cross Country season starts on Saturday, with the opening Surrey League match on 14th October at Richmond Park. It’ll be roughly 5 miles, and we’d like to start the season with a bang!
We’d like as many Kent runners to turn up as possible – the ground should be firm and flat so spikes are optional, the competition intense, but never mind your level, do turn up with your Kent vest and run hard.
Before you do, you need to sign up on the Google Sheet here. This is to allocate race numbers for the Surrey League, which will be the numbers used throughout the league season (4 league races)
Travel information for Saturday is as follows:
Women – race at 11.00. Meet at 850 at Waterloo for 900 train (Clapham Junction 910) to Barnes, Walk to race start.
Men – race at 1400, meet at 1145 at Waterloo for 1200 train (Clapham Junction 1210) to Barnes. Walk to race start.
See you there!
XC Captains, Gen, Sarah, Owen and James
NATIONAL 6 AND 4 STAGE ROAD RELAYS
Kent sent two teams each of men and women to Sutton Coldfield to run in the national relays, 6 stage for men and 4 stage for women.
The men’s A and B teams finished 27th and 60th (11th B). Whilst injuries and illnesses meant our teams were not quite as strong as they might have been, there were nonetheless some impressive performances at a highly competitive event that included several international runners.
Dame Dibaba was a last minute promotion to the A team and got the men off to a good start (18.40) on the traditionally loaded first leg. Rob Sesemann then bounced back nicely from a disappointing run at Aldershot two weeks ago, running 18.00 to move up 17 places with the fastest Kent AC time of the day. That gave something for Cam to build on who moved us up a further 11 places with a strong 18.20. Relay specialist Jake Simmonds then took over, showing a slight improvement on his time from last year running 18.30 and moving us up a further place. By now we were up into the low 20s with some stiff competition. Joe Hartley and James Boustead were our next two legs, both promoted up to the A team following strong runs at Aldershot. Whilst we slipped a little, their efforts (19.16 and 19.05 respectively) were enough to earn 27th. James doing his best to hold off 3.29 1500m man Stewart McSweyn but gallantly falling just short (Belgrave were subsequently disqualified for fielding an ineligible runner). The result was a one place improvement on last year.
Cam making an effort (credit Graham Smith)
For the Bs, it was great to have Ben Harding back racing in a Kent vest following his move to North Wales. Whilst this wasn’t his finest run at Sutton Park (20.03), it was hopefully a stepping stone back to fitness. Sean Fitzpatrick was next on and another looking to return to form, something he duly did, running 18.43 which was comfortably the fastest B runner and good enough to make his team manager a bit foolish for not picking him for the As. Next up was Richard Giles, a very last minute replacement and making his Sutton Park debut with a 21.00 leg. He found the course ‘horrendous’ which presumably means he enjoyed the whole experience and can’t wait to come back for more. George Russell followed Richard and made up some places with a solid 19.44, this time without the pressure of having to hold off the A team. Anthony Johnson was next, continuing his return from a long lay off and also overcoming illness, with a 20.36 to hold our position. Calum Fraser then closed the team out with a 20.24. Calum and Anthony then took on the big responsibility of sourcing the train beers, doing a superb job by finding a local tap room and returning with a box of excellent 8% sours and 5% pale ales. Both are now pre-selected for the 12 stage team in April.
Ben Harding (credit Graham Smith)
The women’s team enjoyed a hugely successful trip to Sutton Coldfield, iwith 2 teams travelling & racing for the first time in the club’s history.
The A team – Bryony Proctor, Annie Birch, Katie Rowland & Alexa Parker – celebrated the women’s highest placed finish to date in 12th position, with only 18 seconds separating us from the top 10. There were strong and closely timed runs by all four, with the team moving up the ranks throughout the race. Bryony ran very well in a highly stacked first leg in 15:35, Annie making her nationals debut gained an incredible 10 places on the 2nd leg in 15:04,, Katie ran 15:32 on the 3rd leg gaining 4 places to 17th, and Alexa anchored the 12th place finish with the team’s fastest leg in 15:01.
Alexa chilling before her leg (credit Graham Smith)
The B team of Clare Elms, Victoria Buck, Ella Day and Ellie Freedon finished 48th overall, notably 13th of the B teams – demonstrating our ever growing depth. Special thanks to Clare for stepping in at the last minute (and never ceasing to amaze and inspire us all), Vic returning to racing after a recently broken arm, and Ellie and Ella for also making their national relay debuts – excellent runs by all, in 16:07, 18:48, 17:59 and 16:53 respectively.
The women’s A and B teams
Huge thanks to Pete for all of his coaching and support, flag carrying, stop-watch timing and loud-shouting, seeming to be everywhere on the course, and to all the reserves – an essential part of every relay event!
We look forward to switching to spikes and taking on the Surrey League next week.
Reports from Chris Busaileh and Katie Rowland
NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY RELAYS
This year we’re entering the National Cross Country Relays for the first time, which are being held in Mansfield on 4th November.
There are a limited number of teams we can send – men’s, women’s and vets – but we have to notify the organisers by 13th October, at the end of this week, so if you’re interested in running, please sign up on the spreadsheet, or contact James Boustead if you have questions.
KENT AC AGM
Kent AC Annual General Meeting 2023
This is notice of our Annual General Meeting which will be held on Tuesday 14 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; ask questions to the committee and express your ideas and concerns. If you wished to propose any change to our rules/constitution or a major change to club policy it would be useful if this was submitted in writing before 6 October. This will enable it to be included in the calling notice to all members and agenda, which will be sent out in mid October.
The committee is made up of volunteers and we have a number of vacancies which give you an opportunity to be more involved.
They are:
Trophies secretary (previously Dan Pettitt)
H&S advisor (previously Amelia Pettitt)
Women’s road manager (Katie Rowland will be stepping down)
Social secretary (Katie Rowland)
A big thanks to all for their hard work over this and previous years.
If you are interested in any of these please write to info@kentac.org.uk and your mail will go to the incumbent who will happily tell you what their job involves.
If you wish to stand, please let info@kentac.org.uk know before 6 October so it can go in the agenda.
A big thanks too to those putting their name forward for roles this year:
Phil Marsden to be club secretary
Zuzana Nemeckova to become membership sec.
Bernie Hutchison is standing down after a remarkable 33 years in post
Rob Sesemann to join the comms team
Gen Blanche as joint womens xc manager
James Boustead as joint mens xc manager
Kieran Fitzpatrick to join welfare team, replacing Neil Gordon-Orr
Anne Hepple and Claire Oxlade to take on juniors secretary from John Barron
A full list of committee, juniors sub-committee and non-committee posts can be found on our website.
Thanks
Vic and Len
SWEEP DRAW
Bob Harris won this month’s prize of £250 with the number 26.
There are still 2 numbers available, at £6 per month. Contact David Devlin if you’re interested.
WINTER RACE DATES
A summary of dates for your diary:
October
14 – Surrey League XC – Richmond Park
November
4 – National XC relays – Mansfield
11 – Surrey League XC – Mitcham Common
14 – Club AGM – Blythe Hill Tavern
25 – South of the Thames Junior XC – BPP
December
2 – Kent County Vets XC – Dartford (Age group xc champs)
9 – SEAA Masters CC Champs – Horspath, Oxford
16 – South of the Thames Senior – Lloyd Park (Senior XC champs)
2024
January
6 – Kent County XC – Brands Hatch
13 – Surrey League XC – Wimbledon Common
27 – Southern XC champs – BPP
February
10 – Surrey League XC – TBD
24 – National XC Champs – Weston Park, Shropshire
March
16 – British Masters XC Champs – Corwen, N Wales
April
TBD – Southern Road Relays – TBD
TBD – National Road Relays – Sutton Coldfield
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.
DUTY CALLS
Gate volunteers form the unsung heroes spine 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
Please remember to use easyfundraising every time you shop online.
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
In recognition of the importance of our volunteers, all gate volunteers each month are in with a chance of winning themselves a month’s track pass (worth £10).
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
You can have your say about what goes in the newsletter and keep us apprised of your results or running adventures by emailing the comms team directly here.
CLUB CONTACTS PAGE
The password for the club contacts page here is kacladywell2022.
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Kent AC · 412 Indiana Building · Deals gateway · London, County (optional) SE13 7QD · United Kingdom