Menu

Road Races

Kent AC competes in many road races throughout the year from local parkruns to national relays and international Marathons. Some of these are self-organised and others organised through the club, but you will probably find there are other club members training for a similar distance or the same event.

Relays

Kent AC competes annually in both regional and national road relays held every spring and autumn. We have enough competitive runners to put forward multiple teams (A-team, B-team, C-team) in most of the categories of men and women’s senior, V40, V50 and V60 vets’ team.

Distances of these races can vary from 6km – 10km, and locations are generally outside of central London which makes for a great club day out. 

Team managers are nominated and make team selection in consultation with runners based on recent performances and the level of interest. To be eligible to run you must have an up to date paid club membership, be first claim Kent AC and England Athletics membership.

In previous years, Kent AC has put forward a number of teams in the South of England Athletics Association (SEAA) Relay championships across men and women’s seniors, V40, V50 and V60 vets’ teams in the events listed below:

  • 12 stage (men) and 6 stage (women) road relays (March, Milton Keynes)
  • 6 stage (men) and 4 stage (women) road relays (September)

The National Road Relays, organised by the English Road Running Association (ERAA), are a historic event and a fantastic opportunity for Kent AC to compete against some of the top clubs in the country. 

  • 12 stage relay (men) and 6 stage (women) road relays (April, Sutton Park Coldfield, Birmingham)
  • 6 stage (men) and 4 stage (women) (October, Sutton Park Coldfield, Birmingham)

Assembly league 

The Assembly League is a series of six free and incredibly welcoming 5km road or park races over the summer open to all members of the league clubs. The League was set up in the mid 1970s and was originally mainly for work-place based teams in an era when many employers had their own athletics teams. AS many industries have vanished from London along with their sports clubs, the League has shifted to consisting largely of established running clubs from the London/Kent area e.g. Serpentine, Victoria Park Harriers, Dulwich Runners and Beckenham RC. All you need to do is turn up on the night, sign in and collect a race number but it is essential that you wear a Kent AC top when racing. Races are held on the first Thursday of the month from April to September, starting at 7.15pm (April & September) or 7.30pm (May – August).

Full results are distributed a day or so after each race through the Kent AC mailing list or through the Assembly League Facebook Group. Clubs earn points based on finishing positions and there are prizes awarded after the final race for the winning club and best performances.

Assembly League etiquette from the League organisers:

  • Please make sure you write clearly on the declaration sheet (provided at the Race HQ)
  • Sign in on the correct sheet depending on whether you are male / female
  • Put sequential numbers on the declaration sheets as best you can
  • Wear your race number on the front of your club top (not the back)
  • Stay in order in the finishing chute and move forward as quickly as possible

The Vitality Big Half

The Vitality Big Half marathon is the Kent AC half marathon championship race. The course is roughly the first half of the London Marathon but starting at Tower Bridge and ending in Greenwich Park, running through the Boroughs of Greenwich, Southwark, Tower Hamlets and Lewisham.

Kent AC falls within one of the four boroughs that the Big Half race runs through enabling us to provide a limited number of community places for club members in exchange for fundraising for the club. Details about this are circulated through the Kent AC mailing list early in the year.

British Masters Athletic Federation (BMAF)

The British Masters Athletic Federation are a grouping of clubs located across the UK with over 5,000 active athletes from aged 35 upwards. Their remit is to encourage, organise and regulate athletics in 5-year age groups for older athletes. Kent AC are previous winners. To complete in these competitions you need to be affiliated to a Veterans club to compete e.g Vets AC. Races we have competed in are:

  • British Masters Road Relays
  • British Masters multi-terrain 
  • Champs 2023

London Marathon and Mini Marathon

London Marathon (April)

Kent AC has a strong presence at the Virgin Money London Marathon running tradition with significant performances being laid down each year by our members frequently winning AAA team medals. Kent AC runners secure their marathon place either through securing a championship qualifying time in a previous race, through a good for age entry or getting lucky in the ballot. Another popular way to get involved in the London Marathon is through volunteering as a Club Marshall. 

Other popular marathons for Kent AC members include Brighton, Chester, Manchester, New York, Berlin, Frankfurt, Paris and Snowdonia.

Mini Marathon (April)

For Kent AC juniors, the Mini Marathon is an important event, held just before the London Marathon. Athletes get to run on the last three miles of the official course. In previous years, Kent AC has representation at all age levels with results very impressive including podium finishes.

Other popular road races:

There are a number of popular road races in and around London which Kent AC completes in.