July 2024

National Athletics League Championship Promotion Match, at Bedford, Saturday 3rd August
​Videos loaded !

TAC finished 3rd in the 8-club match, missing promotion to the Premiership by just the one place.
​Details and results link - ​https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2024/GBR/nal-champ-prom/
​Photos here and on Mark Hookway' Facebook page - ​flic.kr/s/aHBqjBCiAo

Above - TAC men's 4x400m record by Jack Higgins, Kieran Eland, Henry Marshall, Ben Gardiner

Above - TAC at the National Athletics League Promotion Match, at Bedford

Wimbledon 5000m Festival, Saturday 3rd August

James Kingston (13.56.74) finished 3rd in the men's A race, whilst Ben Pearce (14.58.92) and Verity Hopkins (16.13.24) ran personal bests. Dan Longhurst (m40) 16.52.17. Ben Pearce pb by 90.0s and Verity Hopkins by 6.0s, who remains 5th on the TAC all-time list. Details and results link here - ​https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2024/GBR/herc5000/

Blackheath and Bromley Open Meeting, at Bromley, Monday 29th July

800m Purdey Hutchings (u15g) 2.21.11, Zach Ward (u13b) 2.23.98 (pb by 2.0s), Isabel Gowing (u15g) 2.29.08 (pb by 2.0s)
300m  Purdey Hutchings (u15g) 44.91 , 1500m Sam Śmiałowski (u17m) 4.18.47 (pb by 3.4s), Oscar Graffin (u17m) 4.20.75
Full results - https://justiming.co.uk/liveresults/liveresults.html?meeting=bandbh30.7.24&page=results

Kent Young Athletes League, at Bromley, Sunday 28th July

TAC finished as 3rd team.
​Results on the Results 2024 page.

East Peckham 10k road race, Sunday 28th July

A few from TAC raced, although due to works the course was extended to 10.5k.
2nd Dan Bradley, 3rd Matt Dennis
Results here - ​https://www.nice-work.org.uk/calendars/sport-events/results

English National u15/17 Championships at Birmingham and
British Masters Championships at Derby

No TAC distance runners at either event.

Basingstoke Open Meeting, Wednesday 24th July

Ollie Head (u17) broke 2 minutes for 800m for the first time with 1.59.10 at this meeting, in the A race. This was a pb by 1.6s and Ollie was the 21st TAC male to break 2 minutes this year.
Full results here - ​https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/participants?id=25223

British Milers Club Meeting, Tooting, Wednesday 24th July
Videos loaded !

800m A race 4th Jack Higgins 1.47.54, B race 2nd Jordan Chambers 1.49.68 (pb by 0.1s), 1500m D race 4th Max Selby 3.49.54 (pb by 1.2s), 9th Miles Weatherseed 3.53.95. Jordan Chambers remains 12th on the TAC all-time list.
Full results - ​https://www.britishmilersclub.com/result/tooting-bec-24-july-2024-results/
Photos here and on Mark Hookway's Facebook page - ​flic.kr/s/aHBqjBBhzM

Above at Tooting
Tope - Jordan Chambers (232), Jack Higgins
​Bottom - Max Selby, Alasdair Kinloch

Watford Open Meeting, Watford, Wednesday 24th July

3000m Race 3 - 10th Toby Bawtree (u17) 8.44.64 (pb by 39.4s)), 14th Harrison Fraser (u20) 8.59.57 (pb by 10.5s)
Race 2 - 1st Mark Bridger (u20) 9.10.39 (pb by 26.3s), 6th Ewan Prendergast (u17)  9.20.10 (pb by 12.5s), 12th Peter Fitzmaurice (u17) 9.33.68 (debut).
Full results - ​https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/schedule?id=25572

This week's 'Big Hitters' 15th to 21st July
(Biggest improvements against personal bests)

800 metres
Emily Butcher (u13) 2.41.79 (improved by 8.4s)
Zach Ward (u13) 2.25.96 (improved by 1.6s)
1200 metres
Victor Watling (u13) 3.50.35 (improved by 3.3s)
Arianne Launders (u13) 4.07.13 (improved by 0.7s)
1500 metres
Jack Higgins 3.43.79 (improved by 7.0s)
Purdey Hutchings (u15) 4.51.78 (improved by 4.9s)
1 mile
Jack Higgins 3.58.81 (improved by 6.2s)
TAC records
W40 and W45 10km road Helen Gaunt 34.39
M45 10km road Craig Halsey 33.43

UK Youth Development League, Sunday 21st July

Provisional results show TAC as finishing 2nd in the match, the best result of the season. See the Results 2024 page.
There were TAC A-string wins for -
Aimee Watts u13 girls 1200m,  Zach Ward U13 boys 800m and Purdey Hutchings u15 girls 800m

England Championships, at Birmingham, Friday 19th July
Videos loaded !

Jordan Chambers finished 2nd in the men's 800 metres final in 1.51.65, following a 58 first lap.
​Ollie White placed 3rd in the T20 category 1500m in 4.36.97, although medals are allocated based on performance points across all of the Paralympic categories.
Full results - https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/schedule?id=25344

Above - Jordan Chambers (right) finished 2nd at the England Championships

Southern Counties Veterans League, at Dartford, Friday 19th July
Videos loaded !

TAC won the men's and women's Division 1 matches, plus the overall for the season. The men also won their Division 2 match.
​Results are on the Results 2024 page.

Above - TAC squad with the Southern Veterans League Kent Division trophies

Latest Masters Update from Mark Pitcairn-Knowles

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Meeting Arcobaleno, Celle Ligure, Northern Italy, Wednesday 17th July

Ben Gardiner ran 1.48.43 and finished 3rd over 800 metres in Italy. This was a pb by 0.03s.
Ben remains 5th on the TAC all time-list.
​Race video here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5cyMJADcCY
Results - ​https://www.fidal.it/risultati/2024/COD11403/Risultati/Gara013.html

Dave Clarke Mile Extravaganza, at Wimbledon, Wednesday 17th July
​Videos loaded !

Jack Higgins finished a very close second in the fastest race (race 14) in 3.58.81 (pb by 6.2s), to go third on the TAC all-time list. Ben Murphy finished 6th in 4.06.63
Jack is the fifth TAC athlete to break 4 minutes. His time ranks him 13th on the UK list this year. He is also around 160th on the UK all-time list, just below Roger Bannister ! His 1500m time en route was 3.43.79 (pb by 7.0s)
​Results link - ​https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2024/GBR/dc1mile/event/T1/
​Photos here and on Mark Hookway's Facebook page - ​flic.kr/s/aHBqjBA9WY

Above - Jack Higgins becomes the 5th Tonbridge AC sub 4 minute miler

Cambridge Harriers and British Milers Club Meeting, at Eltham, Wednesday 17th July

Max Selby finished 4th in the BMC men's 800m A race in 1.53.68.
​Sam Smialowski (u17)  ran 4.21.87 (pb by 2.5s) for 1500m and Purdey Hutchings (u15) ran 4.51.78 (pb by 4.9s) in open race 2.
Results link - ​https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/schedule?id=24904

Brighton Phoenix 10k road race, Wednesday 17th July

Verity Hopkins and Helen Gaunt finished 1st and 2nd in the women's race with times of 33.39 and 34.39, respectively.
Helen's time was a personal best and beat her own TAC w40 record, plus Maria Heslop's w45 mark.
Craig Halsey(m45)  ran 33.43 in 14th, improving Graeme Saker's TAC age group record by 7 seconds.
Results - https://events.sportsystems.co.uk/results/?eid=3764&rid=5886

Above - Verity Hopkins and Helen Gaunt finished 1-2 at Brighton 10k

New Romney 10k road race, Sunday 14th July

Maria Heslop won the women's race and was 11th overall in 38.01.
Full results - ​https://results.sporthive.com/events/7217466750202281984

Above - Maria Heslop after winning the New Romney 10k

Race to the Stones 100k trail race, High Wycombe, Saturday 13th July

Ben Cole finished 6th in 8 hours 48 minutes 59 seconds
Full results - https://results.resultsbase.net/results.aspx?CId=8&RId=20426&EId=1&dt=0&so=1&st=le8evkb%2bkw1qCFVeEXi%2f5g%3d%3d

English Schools Championships, at Birmingham, Friday/Saturday 12th/13th July

The only TAC distance runner competing was Ollie Head in the Inter Boys 3000m and he didn't qualify for the final after a 9.03.87 heat..
Details here - https://entry4sports.co.uk/#/show-entry/617
​Livestream - ​https://www.youtube.com/@englandathleticsvids/streams

Medway Miles, at Gillingham, Friday 12th July
​Videos loaded !

James Kingston won the men's A race in 4.08.01 (pb by 3.7s), from Max Selby 4.11.46 (debut)
Photos here and on Mark Hookway's Facebook page - flic.kr/s/aHBqjBznfx
​Results link - ​https://justiming.co.uk/liveresults/liveresults.html?meeting=medwaymile24&page=schedule

Above - James Kingston and Max Selby at the Medway Mile

Southern Counties Veteran's League, at Tonbridge, Friday 12th July

Results are on the Results 2024 page. TAC won the men's and women's Division 1 matches, plus the men's Division 2.
Amongst the highlights were TAC age records from -
Maria Heslop w55 3000m 10.54.1 and Ben Reynolds m60 10.19.9.

TAC squad at the Southern Counties Veterans League, at Tonbridge

British Milers Club Meeting, Watford Wednesday 10th July
​Videos loaded !

Four from TAC raced. Jack Higgins finished 2nd to Olympian Max Burgin in the 800m A race, whilst Jordan Chambers won the B race. In the men's A 1500m Ben Murphy and James Kingston finished 2nd and 3rd, with James improving his pb to 3.47.08.
Full results here - https://www.britishmilersclub.com/result/watford-gold-standard-10-july-2024-results/
​Photos here and on Mark Hookway's Facebook page - ​flic.kr/s/aHBqjBzdMn

Above at Watford
Top - Jack Higgins, Jordan Chambers
Bottom - James Kingston, Ben Murphy

This week's 'Big Hitters' 1st to 7th July
(Biggest improvements against personal bests)

400 metres
Adam Singleterry 53.09 (improved by 1.0s)

800 metres
Toby James (u20) 2.04.82 (improved by 40.7s from 2019)
Oliver White (u13) 2.33.20 (improved by 38.5s)
James Petrie (u17) 2.05.77 (improved by 18.5s)

Arianne Launders (u13) 2.36.96 (improved by 1.4s)

1500 metres
Tom Beghein (u20) 4.16.24 (improved by 34.2s)
Ben Bailey (u15) 5.18.58 (improved by 20.4s)
Oscar Cowling (u15) 5.01.45  (improved by 19.1s)
Jack Levett (u13) 5.09.54 (improved by 12.3s)
Victor Watling (u13) 4.50.66 (improved by 10.2s)

Aimee Watts (u13) 4.58.87 (improved by 6.0s)
Aoife Foley (u15) 4.59.96 (improved by 5.2s)

5,000 metres
Verity Hopkins 16.19.23 (improved by 5.1s)
James Kingston 13.54.54 (improved by 0.3s

National Athletics League, at Kingston, Sunday 7th July
​Videos loaded !

In what was at times atrocious conditions, TAC finished third in this match and hung on at the top of the Championship Division South. On the day, we finished behind Belgrave and Crawley, but the results from the previous two matches meant we finished just one point ahead of Belgrave, to qualify for the final match on 3rd August.
​Results link - ​https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2024/GBR/nal-champ-s3/
Photos here and on Facebook - ​​flic.kr/s/aHBqjBytcL

Above - Calum Laing in the steeplechase at Kingston, getting a bit wetter than normal !

Other weekend news, Saturday/Sunday 6th/7th July

Friday
Rye Summer 10k
1st Nathan Chapman
Full results - https://results.sporthive.com/events/7213477387009261568/races/2
Saturday
Surrey Championships, at Kingston
Under 20 men's 1500m - 2nd Jacob Hunt 4.13.75
Results - ​https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2024/GBR/scaamasters/event/
Whitstable 10k
Julian Rendall (m45) won the 10k on 36.29
Full results - https://thefixevents.com/run-whitstable-and-herne-bay-summer-5k-10k-and-half-marathon
British Milers Club Grand Prix, Birmingham
​Full results - https://live.athletic.net/meets/38828/events/individual/1476437
1500m race E - 3rd Kieran Reilly 3.52.33 sb
3000m women - 13th Charlotte Alexander 9.29.67 sb
3000m A - 10th Alasdair Kinloch 8.10.86
Sunday
Bewl 15 miles and 5 miles
A few from TAC ran. Tony Bennett was 3rd in the 5 mile race.
Full results - https://results.sporthive.com/events/7212403258638414080

Brands Hatch 10k road race, Friday 5th July

Ted Higgins won the Brands Hatch 10k by a significant margin.
Full results - ​https://results.chronotrack.com/event/results/event/event-81113

Tracksmith Twilight 5000s, Tooting, Wednesday 3rd July

James Kingston won the fastest race of the night and sneaked inside his personal best with 13.54.54.
Verity Hopkins ran a pb of 16.19.23 and Tom Lockhart made is debut at the distance in 16.11.85.
​Verity moves up one place to 5th on the TAC all-time list.
Full results - ​https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2024/GBR/twilighttooting/event/T1/

Tonbridge AC Mid Summer Relays, Penshurst Place, Wednesday 3rd July

TAC won both the men's and women's races, at what was a hugely successful event. See photos below.
​The maximum number of teams entered, which was 100 and 94 completed on the day.
Full results - ​http://results.netiming.co.uk/results.aspx?CId=20008&RId=428&EId=1&dt=0&PageNo=2
​The results with individual rankings are also on the Results 2024 page.
Charlotte Warren's photos here (please credit Charlotte Knee photography if used) -
​ https://charlottekneephotography.pic-time.com/-tacpenshurstmidsummerrelays/gallery
Mark Hookway's photos on Facebook and here - flic.kr/s/aHBqjBy4y5

Above - The TAC teams that won the men's and women's races at Penshurst
Left - Steve Strange, Jamie Bryant, Matt Dennis
Right - Polly Pitcairn-Knowles, Lucy Thompson, Maria Heslop

Tonbridge AC Evening Open Meeting, Tuesday 2nd July
​Videos loaded !

Full event schedule and results link - ​https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2024/GBR/tacdev3/
A summary of TAC performances is on the Results 2024 page.
​Photos here and on Mark Hookway's Facebook page - ​flic.kr/s/aHBqjBxPRd
Max Selby won the fastest 800m race in 1.52.70 to go into 21st place on the TAC all-time list.

Above - some who achieved significant personal bests at the open meeting
Top - Ollie White, Arianne Launders, Toby James
Middle - James Petrie, Oscar Cowling, Ben Bailey
​Bottom - Aimee Watts, Aoife Foley, Tom Beghein

British Championships and Olympic Trials, at Manchester, Saturday/Sunday, 29th/30th June
Videos loaded !

James West was in action on Sunday, defending the title that he won last year and up against a field that included Patrick Dever and Jack Rowe, who had achieved the Olympic qualifying standard of 13.05. These two pushed the pace hard towards the end of the race, after a steady start and at the bell, with a lap to go, there were five runners in contention, including West. With less than 200 metres to go it came down to a sprint between Dever and West, with the latter pulling away in the home straight to win in 13.43.62, after a 54 second last 400 metres and 2.24 final kilometre.
This was West’s fourth British title in two years, adding to last year’s 5000 metres and the two wins indoors over 3000 metres. Olympic selection eluded him, since his best time is 13.09, four seconds outside the qualifying mark.

Jack Higgins, Ben Murphy and Ben Gardiner did not progress beyond the heats of a very strong men’s 800 metres.

Full results - https://ukacm2024.microplustimingservices.com/#/athletic-result-json/AT/ASM/013/004/001

Above - James West UK 5000 metres champion

UK Youth Development League, at Crawley, Sunday 30th June

Results arrived late and are now on the Results 2024 page.

North Downs 30km multi terrain race, Sunday 30th June

3rd Jay Smith, 10th Julian Rendall, 29th Tom Rule
Results here - http://results.netiming.co.uk/results.aspx?CId=20008&RId=384

Above - Tom Rule, Jay Smith, Julian Rendall at the North Downs 30km

Southern Counties Veterans League, Friday 28th June

Results are on the Results 2024 page.

Wednesday Night Action, 26th June

Kent 10,000 metres championship, at Dartford
George Marshall finished 3rd with a pb of 33.49.30
Full results here - https://justiming.co.uk/liveresults/liveresults.html?meeting=dartford26.6.24&page=event&heat=E006H01
Watford Open Meeting
​Jacob Hunt (u20) won heat 5 (of sub 4.37 races) with a pb of 4.05.27 
Verity Hopkins ran 9.46.26 for 3000m in race 2.

Sri Chimnoy Dashing Deer 5km road race, Battersea Park, London, Tuesday 25th June

Women - 1st Lucy Reid 16.16, 3rd Helen Gaunt 16.58
​Men - Nick Beer 16.25
Full results - https://uk.srichinmoyraces.org/files/uk/result-pdfs/2024/Dashing%20Deer%205K%20Final%20Results%202024.pdf

This week's 'Big Hitters' 17th to 23rd June
(Biggest improvements against personal bests)

400 metres
Ben Gardiner 48.11 (improved by 0.2s)
800 metres
Jack Higgins 1.46.58 (improved by 0.9s)
Arianne Launders 2.38.21 (improved by 0.1s)
Noah Śmiałowski 2.32.00 (improved by 4.6s)
1500 metres
Will Beeston 3.49.67 (improved by 2.6s)
3000 metres
Simon Coppard 8.13.64 (improved by 4.1s)
TAC Records
Jack Higgins 1.46.58 800m
Tom Richards m35 400m hurdles 59.37

Other weekend  news, Saturday/Sunday 22nd/23rd June

Saturday
British Milers Club Meeting at Jarrow
Kieran Reilly had his first track race of the season finishing 7th in the 1500 metres A-race in 3.53.98.
Results - https://www.britishmilersclub.com/result/jarrow-22-june-2024-results/
British Milers Club Grand Prix, Loughborough
1500m C race 7th Will Beeston 3.49.67 pb
3000m  A race 10th Ally Kinloch 8.06.24, 15th Simon Coppard 8.13.64 pb (moves to 16th on TAC all time list)
Sunday
Hawkhurst 5k and 10k
Ollie White finished 2nd in the 10k, whilst there were a few more from TAC competing.
Full results - https://results.sporthive.com/events/7204063205248284672
Greener Earth Trail Run, Uckfield
Michael Ellis finished 2nd
Results - https://results.sporthive.com/events/7209194084847262976/races/3

​Vienna Track Night, Austria, 22nd June
​Jack Higgins sets TAC 800m record
​Video loaded !

Jack Higgins won the men's B race and set a new Tonbridge AC 800 metres record of 1.46.58.
This moves Jack into the UK's top 20 for the year.

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Above - Jack Higgins sets a new TAC 800m record in Vienna

National Athletics League, at Crawley, Saturday 22nd June
Videos loaded !

Results link - https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2024/GBR/nal-champ-s2
400m men A string 1st Kieran Eland 48.26, B string 1st Ben Gardiner 48.11 pb
400m hurdles men B string 1st Tom Richards 59.37 (TAC m35 record)
800m men A string 1st Jordan Chambers 1.50.85 sb, B string 1st Ben Pearce 1.55.71
800m women A string 4th Jess Murphy 2.21.04 sb, B string 3rd Annabelle Hales 2.32.37
1500m men A string 2nd Ted Higgins 3.58.46 pb, B string 1st Jordan Chambers 4.01.65
1500m women A string 5th Bethany Murray 5.06.19, B string 2nd Polly Moses 5.14.75
3000m women A string 3rd Bethany Murray 10.26.79
5000m men A string 2nd Steve Strange 15.27.32, B string 2nd George Marshall 16.07.98
2000m steeplechase men A string 3rd Calum Laing 6.23.46, B string 1st Michael Ellis 6.40.74
Photos here and on Mark Hookway's Facebook page - flic.kr/s/aHBqjBwnnB

Photos from the National Athletics League
Top - Tom Richards, Jordan Chambers, Ben Pearce
Middle - Annabelle Hales & Jess Murphy, Michael Ellis & Calum Laing, Ben Gardiner
​Bottom - Ted Higgins & Jordan Chambers, Bethany Murray & Polly Moses, Steve Strange & George Marshall

Kent Young Athletes League at Gillingham, Saturday 22nd June

Results are now on the Results 2024 page.

Wednesday night action, 19th June

Mick Marlow Memorial Meeting, Bracknell, including BMC races
​Videos loaded !
Jordan Chambers bounced back from a couple of tough results to finish 3rd in the 800m B race in 1.51.70.
Simon Coppard ran  3.46.36 in the men's 1500m A race
Results link - https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/about?id=25059
Photos - ​flic.kr/s/aHBqjBw1bu
Cambridge Harriers Open Meeting, at Eltham
Ben Murphy won the 400m in 50.70.
Over 800m Elliot Green ran 2.03.96, Oscar Graffin (u17) 2.07.79 and Theo Ackerman (u15) 2.29.89 (debut)
George Hopkins (u20) won the 1500m in 4.09.57. Sam Smialowski (u17) ran 4.28.89
Results link - https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/schedule?id=24903

Tuesday night action, 18th June

Worthing Open Meeting
​Jacob Hunt was just outside his pb over 800m with 1.57.92 in race 1.
Results - https://justiming.co.uk/liveresults/liveresults.html?meeting=worthing18.6.24&page=results
Heddington 5km road race, Oxfordshire
​Ben Cole won this race on his 38th birthday in 15.03.
Full results - https://dbmaxresults.co.uk/results.aspx?CId=16421&RId=30321

See Race Information pages.

This week's 'Big Hitters' 10th to 16​th June
(Biggest improvements against personal bests)

800 metres
Jack Szumilewicz (u13) 2.53.74 (improved by 4.8s)
1200 metres
Arianne Launders (u13) 4.07.85 (improved by 13.8s)
1500 metres
Luca Szumilewicz  (u15) 4.40.15 (improved by 8.3s)
3000 metres
Ted Higgins 8.19.31 (improved by 14.1s)
TAC Records
Maria Heslop - w55 800m in 2.40.3
Ben Reynolds - m60 800m in 2.27.5
Helen Gaunt - w40 and w45 5km road 16.46
Craig Halsey - m45 5km road in 16.11

UK Youth Development League, at Havering, Sunday 16th June

TAC finished 4th of the 6 teams, which gives them a good chance of surviving in the Premier Division.
Aimee Watts won the under 13 girls' 1200 metres.
​Results are on the Results 2024 page.

Eltham Park 5 miles, Sunday 19th June

Mark Pitcairn-Knowles finished 24th in 32.27 and was 2nd in the age 50 to 59 category.

Dates for the Diary
Saturday 22nd June - National Athletics League at Crawley
Saturday 22nd June - Kent Young Athletes League (u13/15) at Gillingham

Southern Counties Veterans League, at Dartford, Friday 14th June

TAC won the women's division 1 match and were 2nd in the men's.
Full results are on the Results 2024 page.

Above - TAC squad at the veterans league

Kent Independent Schools Championships, at Ashford, Friday 14th June

There were wins for Ned Taylor, Hana Maeda and Purdey Hutchings
Full results - https://justiming.co.uk/liveresults/liveresults.html?meeting=kentiaps24&page=schedule​

Hercules Wimbledon 3000 metres Night, Wednesday 12th June
​Videos loaded !

Conditions were near perfect, being still, dry and cool, which helped produce some good performances amongst the 10 races.
Race 9 - 3rd Ted Higgins 8.19.31 pb , 6th Ben Pearce 8.25.88 debut
Race 8 - 21st Isaac Arnott 8.55.42
Race 4 - 13th Mark Pepper 9.24.14 pb, 19th Verity Hopkins 9.43.42
Full results - https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2024/GBR/herc3000/event/T1/
Photos here and on Mark Hookway's Facebook page - ​​flic.kr/s/aHBqjBuWER

Above at Wimbledon 3000m Night
Top - Mark Pepper, Ted Higgins (behind), Ben Pearce
Bottom - Isaac Arnott, Verity Hopkins

Charnwood Open and British Milers Club Meeting, Wednesday 12th June

Will Beeston finished 2nd in the BMC A race in 3.52.22, which was a pb by 0.8s
Full results - ​https://justiming.co.uk/liveresults/liveresults.html?meeting=charnwood12.6.24&page=schedule

Sri Chimnoy 5km road race, Battersea Park, London, Tuesday 11th June

Helen Gaunt ran 16.46, which breaks her own TAC w40 record and smashes Maria Heslop's w45 record !
​Craig Halsey ran 16.11, which is a TAC m45 record. 
Others from TAC were Nathan Chapman 15.52, Ross Thomas 15.52
Official results are here - ​https://uk.srichinmoyraces.org/results

Blackheath and Bromley Open Meeting, Monday 10th June

Zach Ward (u13) ran 2.30.56 for 800 metres
Full results - https://justiming.co.uk/liveresults/liveresults.html?meeting=bandbh10.6.24&page=event&heat=E001H04

This week's 'Big Hitters' 3rd to 9th June
(Biggest improvements against personal bests)

800 metres
Neve Raymond (u17) 2.23.60 (improved by 6.2s)
Seb Mottram (u13) 2.36.27 (improved by 6.1s)
1500 metres
Harry Lawrence  (u15) 4.53.22 (improved by 3.5s)
3000 metres
Ewan Prendergast 9.32.37 (improved by 11.3s)
5000 metres
Charlotte Alexander 16.08.75 (improved by 11.4s)

Portland Track Festival, USA, Sunday 9th June

Chris Olley ran 3.45.93 for 1500m, which is his fastest time for four years.

South of England Championships, at Eton, Saturday/Sunday 8th/9th June

Saturday
Under 20 men's 5000m - 3rd Jacob Hunt 15.41.71 debut
​Sunday
Under 20 men's 1500m - 4th Joseph Hunt 4.07.71
Live results and race line ups - https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/schedule?id=25020

Above - Jacob Hunt with his bronze medal from the South of England Championships

European Championships, Rome, Italy, Saturday 8th June

James West, representing Great Britain, finished 7th in the 5000 metres final in 13.24.80
Full results - https://live.european-athletics.com/ECH2024/lrs/results/ATH/ATHM5000M-------------FNL-000100--/

British Milers Club Grand Prix, at Watford, Saturday 8th June
​Videos loaded !

800m A race 5th Jack Higgins 1.48.64
800m B race  3rd Ben Gardiner 1.48.46 pb (5th TAC all time list), 6th Ben Murphy 1.49.24
800m C race 6th Charlie Crick 1.50.82 sb
800m D race Jordan Chambers did not finish
1500m C race 7th Simon Coppard 3.44.87, 11th Ally Kinloch 3.46.26 (18th TAC all time), Miles Weatherseed did not finish
1500m E race 10th Max Selby 3.50.75 pb
5000m A race 9th Charlotte Alexander 16.08.75 pb (4th TAC all time list)
Photos here and on Mark Hookway's Facebook page - ​flic.kr/s/aHBqjBufgS

Above - at the British Milers Club Grand Prix
Top - Left  Ben Gardiner, Right Ally Kinloch
Bottom - Left Max Selby, Right Charlotte Alexander

Kent Schools Athletics Championships, at Gillingham, Saturday 8th June

TAC distance running medals came from -
Gold - Toby Bawtree (Inter/u17 800m)
Silver - Harrison Fraser (Senior/u20) 2000m steeplechase,  Purdey Hutchings (Junior/u15) 800m, Victor Watling (Year 7) 800m, Aimee Watts (Year 7) 800m
Bronze - Steven Galliard (Junior/u15) 800m, Millie Watts (Junior/u15) 1500m, Zac Ward (Year 7) 800m
​Results link - https://justiming.co.uk/liveresults/liveresults.html?meeting=ksaa24&page=schedule
​There is also a TAC summary, plus a full listing on the Results 2024 page.

Above - At Kent Schools Championships
​Left Ollie Head (left) and Ewan Prendergast (right, Middle Millie Watts, Right Purdey Hutchings (left)

Vets AC 5k road race, Battersea Park, London, Tuesday 4th June

A few from TAC competed with Maria Heslop (w55)  leading the way as 2nd female in 18.19.
​Mark Pitcairn-Knowles (m55) 18.37, Charlie Richardson (m40) 19.27 pb,  Michael Thomson (m50) 19.36, Derek Jee (m50) 20.06, Tracey Horne (w55) 22.23, Scott Shurmer (m50) 22.52 pb.
Results - ​https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2024/GBR/vacchamp5k24/event/R1/

Above - TAC at the Vets AC 5km road championships, on Tuesday evening

This week's 'Big Hitters' 28th May to 2nd June
(Biggest improvements against personal bests)

1500 metres
Christian du Toit (u15) 4.42.29 (improved by 34.5s)
Oliver Lester (u15) 4.34.62 (improved by 26.3s)
Harry Wrigley (u15) 4.39.76 (improved by 24.6s)
William Bachelor (u17) 4.20.80 (improved by 23.2s)
Zac Owen  (u15) 5.08.82 (improved by 13.8s)

Rika Paterson (u15g) 5.39.62 (improved by 21.2s)

3000 metres
Helen Gaunt (w40) 10.08.10 (improved by 26.2s) - TAC w35/40 record
Ted Higgins 8.33.48 (improved by 20.0s)

Other TAC record
Ben Reynolds (m60) 1500m 4.52.1

Other news, Saturday and Sunday 1st/2nd June

Saturday
​Harvel 5 miles multi terrain race
1st Jay Smith
​Full results - https://www.racetimeresult.co.uk/results/harvel-55
Sunday
​Marden 10k road race
1st Dan Bradley, 2nd Michael Ellis, 3rd Dan Longhurst
​Women 2nd Lucy Thompson, 3rd Nichola Evans
Full results - ​http://results.netiming.co.uk/results.aspx?CId=20008&RId=406

Above - Some TAC runners amongst the prize winners at the Marden 10k

National Athletics League, at Portsmouth, Saturday 1st June
Videos loaded !

TAC had a convincing win over the other 5 teams. On the men's side maximum points were secured in the 400m, 800m, 1500m 3000m, steeplechase and 4x400m relay. These were all first places
400m A string Henry Marshall 48.37, B string Charlie Crick 48.80
800m A string Charlie Crick 1.53.33, B string Toby Bawtree 1.58.03
1500m A string Jack Higgins 3.50.75 (pb by 13.7s, exc. mile conversion), B string Jordan Chambers 4.04.04
3000m A string Ted Higgins 8.33.48 (pb by 20.0s), B string Will Beeston 8.37.08
3000m steeplechase A string Calum Laing 10.11.57, B string Michael Ellis 10.24.89
Also Bethany Murray (1500m and 3000m), Lucy Thompson (3000m) and Polly Moses (1500m) contributed valuable points.,
Full results - ​https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2024/GBR/nal-champ-s1/
​Photos here and on Mark Hookway's Facebook page - ​​flic.kr/s/aHBqjBt81k

Above - National Athletics League, at Portsmouth
Top - 4x400m men, Charlie Crick
Middle top - Toby Bawtree, Michael Ellis & Calum Laing
Middle bottom - Bethany Murray & Lucy Thompson, Jack Higgins & Jordan Chambers
Bottom - Ted Higgins & Will Beeston, Polly Moses & Bethany Murray

Southern Counties Veterans League, at Tonbridge, Friday 31st May

TAC won the men's and women's division 1 matches. Full results are on the Results 2024 page.
​Ben Reynolds set a TAC m60 1500m record of 4.52.1

Above - The TAC squad at Tonbridge on Friday evening

Latest TAC Masters Update by Mark Pitcairn-Knowles

tac_masters_28th_may_2024_newsletter.pdf
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Tonbridge AC Evening Open Meeting, Tuesday 28th May
Videos loaded !

Results here - ​https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2024/GBR/tacdev2/event/
Summary on the results page 2024,  showing about 31 personal bests and 7 debuts from 56 TAC distance runner performances.
​There was a club over 35/.40 women's record from Helen Gaunt with 10.08.10.
Photos here and on Mark Hookway's Facebook page - flic.kr/s/aHBqjBsz5M

Above - A few of the photos from the Tonbridge Open Meeting

This week's 'Big Hitters' 20th to 27th May
(Biggest improvements against personal bests

400 metres
Jordan Chambers 50.15  (improved by 0.5s)
800 metres
Will Bachelor (u17m) 2.06.4 (improved by 9.8s)
Millie Watts (u17w) 2.23.2 (improved by 4.5s)
1500 metres
Harrison Fraser (u20) 4.05.48 (improved by 4.9s)
5,000 metres
James West 13.09.07 (improved by 10.9s) - TAC club record

Georgetown Memorial 5k road race, USA, ​Sunday 26th May

George Marshall won this 5k on a trip to the USA, but even he admits it was significantly short !
Full results here - ​https://bishopsevents.com/2024_results/2024-spring-georgetown-memorial-5k-half/

Great West Run 10k Road Race, , Exeter, Sunday 26th May

Jamie Macdonald won the 10k at this Great West Run event in 32.14.
Full results here - http://www.titaniumresults.co.uk/results.aspx?CId=19747&RId=336&EId=7

Above - left Jamie Macdonald after winning the Great West Run 10k

Other weekend news, Saturday/Sunday 25th/26th May

Sunday
Staplehurst 10k
Penny Pilbeam was 2nd female in 42.53 (pb)
Full results - http://results.netiming.co.uk/results.aspx?CId=20008&RId=417&EId=2&dt=0&adv=1
Great Manchester Half Marathon
Julian Rendall represented the England Masters team and ran 75.58, placing 46th and 5th m45.
Full results - https://www.greatrun.org/results/1229/?search=&page=5
South Downs 100 mile race
Charles Adair finished 4th (official results awaited)
UK Youth Development League (u17/20), at Brighton
TAC were 5th of 8 teams. Distance runners (all u17) pbs and debuts came from -
800m Will Bachelor 2.06.4 (pb by 9.8s), Millie Watts 2.23.2 (pb by 4.5s)
3000m 1st A-string Emily Boyd 11.43.0 (pb hy 4.4s
Debuts
3000m Yugo Maeda 10.53.8
1500m steeplechase James Petrie 4.48.9

Above - Julian Rendall and Penny Pilbeam were in action on Sunday

IFAM Meeting, Brussels, Belgium, Saturday 25th May
​James West smashes TAC 5000m record with 13.09.07 !

With what might be the finest ever track distance running performance by a TAC runner, James West ran 13.09.07 to finish 4th over 5000 metres in Belgium. This moved James to 9th on the UK all time list and is 4 seconds outside the Olympic qualifying time. Full results here - ​https://www.athletics.app/wedstrijd/startlijst/933394/78/#series

Above - some of James West's 5000m run can be seem at 12.30 on in this video

British Masters Road Relay Championships, at Mallory Park, Saturday 25th May

TAC had teams in the M35, W55 and M55 age group races, finishing 2nd, 2nd and 11th.
​Ben Cole (m35) and Maria Heslop (w55) ran the fastest laps of the day, in their respective events.
Full results - ​https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2024/GBR/bmaf-orrc/event/ and here
​https://results.eventchiptiming.com/results.aspx?CId=16202&RId=5219

Above - The TAC m35 team

Above - The TAC w55 team

Above - Ben Cole and Maria Heslop

British Milers Club Grand Prix, Manchester, Saturday 25th May

800m -  Bad day for the TAC lads with Ben Gardiner feeling a hamstring in warm-up and not starting, Ben Murphy not finishing after a fast start and Jordan Chambers struggling.
1500m - Simon Coppard showed improved form finishing 8th in race B in 3.46.95
​5000m - Ally Kinloch improved superb after recent tough races to finish 5th in the A 5000m in 13.56.18. This was a pb by 4.1s
Full results - https://www.britishmilersclub.com/result/sportcity-grand-prix-25-may-2024-results/
Photos - ​flic.kr/s/aHBqjBs7ni

Gorzow Meeting, Poland, Friday 24th May
​Video loaded !

Jack Higgins ran 1.47.45 (pb by 0.5s) to finish 3rd in the men's 800m. Jack's time moved him up one place to second on the TAC all time list. Full result - ​https://live.domtel-sport.pl/?seria=1&runda=1&konkurencja=M800&dzien=2024-05-24&impreza=6

Beckenham Road Relays, Wednesday 22nd May

TAC has multiple teams in this road relay. The men's A team finished second and Cameron Chambers ran the fastest leg of the race.
​Full results
https://www.beckenhamrunning.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Beckenham-Team-Relay-2024-Results.pdf
Details here - ​https://www.beckenhamrunning.co.uk/races/relay

Above - TAC teams to go alongside initial results link

Above - some of the TAC teams at Beckenham

Above - Cameron Chambers who ran the fastest lap at Beckenham

British Milers Club and Cambridge Harriers Meeting, Wednesday 22nd May
​Videos loading !

Very wet conditions met the athletes, particularly in the early races. TAC results were -
400m - 1st Jordan Chambers 50.15 (pb by 0.5s)
800m BMC A race - 4th Ted Higgins 1.53.35 sb
1500m BMC A race - 10th Harrison Fraser 4.05.48 (pb by 4.9s)
1500m B race - 5th Charlotte Alexander 4.34.95
Results link - https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/schedule?id=24886
Photos here and on Mark Hookway's Facebook page - ​​flic.kr/s/aHBqjBrAfL

Above at Eltham
Top - Jordan Chambers, Ted Higgins
​Bottom - Harrison Fraser, Charlotte Alexander

Blackheath and Bromley Open Meeting, Tuesday 21st May

800 metres
Oscar Graffin (u17) 2.05.12 (pb by 2.4s)
​Purdey Hutchings (u15) 2.23.08 (pb by 1.8s)
Full results - https://justiming.co.uk/liveresults/liveresults.html?meeting=bandbh21.5.24&page=results

This week's 'Big Hitters' 13th to 19th May
(Biggest improvements against personal bests

Some of the track improvements from the last few days (based on Power of 10 records) are here –
​800 metres
Mika Pit (u13b) 2.32.00 (improved by 7.4s)
Rita Paterson (u13g) 2.39.15 (improved by 2.4s)
1200 metres
Aimee Watts (u13) 3.53.49 (improved by 10.9s)
1500 metres
Joel Graffin (u15) 4.45.16 (improved by 20.2s)
Steve Galliard (u15) 4.30.63 (improved by 12.2s)
Isabel Gowing (u15) 4.59.84 (improved by 7.0s)
10,000 metres
Ben Cole (m35) 29.54.04 (improved by 7.5s, from 2015) - TAC over 35s record
Charlotte Alexander 34.09.15 (improved by 30.2)
Other TAC records
Maria Heslop 3000m 10.58.7 - TAC w55 record

UK Youth Development League (u13/15) at Bromley, Sunday 19th May

Results and a summary are on the Results 2024 page.
The only TAC A-string winner on the day was Aimee Watts, who ran 3.53.49 for 1200m, to take more than 10s from her personal best. I make it that overall there were 10 pbs and 5 debuts at the distance from TAC runners and all the A and B strings were covered.
The Tonbridge team finished 4th overall, moving up a place from the first match.

Loughborough International, Sunday 19th May
​Videos loaded !

800m match race - 3rd Jack Higgins, 7th Simon Coppard
1500m guest race - 2nd Will Beeston
1 mile match race - 4th Ben Murphy
​3000m - 6th Alasdair Kinloch
Full results - ​https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/schedule?id=24876
​Photos here and on Mark Hookway's Facebook page - ​flic.kr/s/aHBqjBr3E3

Above - Jack Higgins representing England over 800m

Highgate Night of 10,000m pbs, London, Saturday 18th May

Race 5 - 10th Ben Cole 29.54.04 (pb and TAC m35 record) - 5th TAC all-time
Race 10 - 22nd Charlotte Alexander 34.09.15 (pb by 30.2s)  - 4th TAC all-time
​800m under 17 men - 11th Toby Bawtree 1.56.09 (pb by 0.1s)
James Kingston paced the mens B race through 5000m in 14.04 and carried on taking the leaders to 5800m.
Full results - ​https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2024/GBR/not/event/

Oxford vs Cambridge Varsity Match, at Oxford, Saturday 18th May

800m Men 4th Miles Weatherseed 1.57.75
5000m Women 1st Phoebe Barker 16.28.53
1 mile men 3rd Miles Weatherseed 5.37.21 (more like a 400m race ! )
1 mile women 3rd Phoebe Barker 4.53.21
Full results - https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2024/GBR/varsity-athletics/event/

Sussex Independent Schools Diamond League, at Brighton, Saturday 18th May

Emily Butcher ran 5.32.69 for 1500m in the final race of the series, which was a personal best.
Results here - https://www.sisdl.com/copy-of-results-2023

Southern Counties Veterans League, at Bromley, Friday 17th May

TAC won both the men's and women's competitions in Division 1.
Tom Richards won the over 35 men's 400 metres in 54.4.
Maria Heslop won the over 50 women's 3000m and in the process set a TAC over 55 women's record of 10.58.7.
Results are on the Results 2024 page.

Jack Higgins selected for England team at Loughborough International

Jack Higgins has been selected to run the 800 metres for the England team at Sunday's Loughborough International.
​https://www.englandathletics.org/news/england-team-selected-for-the-2024-loughborough-international/

Wednesday Night Action, 15th May

Above - Jordan Chambers and Ben Murphy at Watford

English Schools Cup 1st Round, at Tonbridge School, Wednesday15th May

Judd and Skinners School featured. Results are here -
​https://esaa.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/KNT2-Results.pdf

BMC Watford
​Videos loaded !
800m A race 2nd Ben Murphy 1.48.87, 5th Jordan Chambers 1.51.00. Ben's mark brought the total of TAC men sub 2 minutes to 17 so far this year, with the record standing at 21 in 2013.
​Photos here and on Mark Hookway's Facebook page - flic.kr/s/aHBqjBqwEs
BMC Birmingham University
Ben Gardiner finished 5th in the BMC 800m race 1, in 1.48.50, which was a pb by 1.1s
Livestream (Ben's race at 1 hour 36 mins in) - https://www.youtube.com/@UBSportAthleticBUAC/streams
Results link - https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2024/GBR/uobtfmay/event/
BMC and Charnwood Open Meeting, at Loughborough
Max Selby finished an excellent 3rd in the 1500m in 3.52.82, which was a pb by 5.7s.
Results link - https://justiming.co.uk/liveresults/liveresults.html?meeting=charnwood15.5.24&page=schedule
Bath Open Meeting
Ben Pearce ran 1.55.43 to win the 800m, which was a pb by 0.18s

Some links to results and livestreams over the next few days, 17th to 19th May

​Racing 17th to 19th May
Friday
James West in 5000m at Los Angeles Grand Prix
Start of 5000m at 9.14pm local time (5.15am UK time, Saturday)
Meet info including athletes under status of entries here –
https://www.usatf.org/events/2024/2024-usatf-los-angeles-grand-prix/friday-night-event-information
Livestream Runnerspace/Vinco via subscription –
https://middle-distance-classic.runnerspace.com/eprofile.php?do=news&event_id=3423&news_id=668722
Could also be on World Athletics Inside Track (UK might be excluded) –
https://worldathletics.org/inside-track
Saturday
James Kingston pacing men’s B race (7.20pm) at Highgate Night of 10,000m pbs
Highgate race line ups - https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2024/GBR/not/
Livestream should be on European Athletics YouTube Channel (an maybe On Athletics Channel as was last year) –
https://www.youtube.com/@EuropeanAthletics/streams
https://www.youtube.com/@On-Running
The men’s and women’s A races are due to be shown on BBC eg Red Button Channel 970 at 8.30pm
Note – Toby Bawtree in u17 800m at 8pm
Sunday
Loughborough International
800m match race at 3.30pm – Jack Higgins (England team)
1 mile match race at 4.55pm – Ben Murphy
1500m guest race  at 1.30pm – Will Beeston
Could be others from TAC competing.
Line ups and results link -https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/about?id=24876
Livestream - https://www.youtube.com/@LoughboroughSport/streams

This week's 'Big Hitters' 7th to 12th May
(Biggest improvements against personal bests

Some of the track improvements from the last few days (based on Power of 10 records) are here –
​800 metres
Steven Galliard (u15) 2.08.15 (improved by 1.3s)
Neve Raymond (u17) 2.29.85 (improved by 1.1s)
1500 metres
Jamie Macdonald 4.02.77 (improved by 32.7s, from 2020)
Cameron Chambers 3.57.69 (improved by 11.7s)
Hana Maeda (u15g) 5.17.11 (improved by 10.9s)
3000 metres
Ben Cole (m35) 8.27.85 (improved by 3.3s, from 2015) - TAC over 35s record

Other weekend news, Friday/Saturday/Sunday 10th to 12th May

Friday
Wiltshire Championships, at Swindon
Ben Cole won the 3000 metres in 8.27.85, which is a TAC over 35 men's record.
​Saturday
Bewl Water Half Marathon
1st Jamie Bryant 81.49
Results - https://events.sportsystems.co.uk/results/?eid=3742&rid=5863
Sound Running Track Fest
Chris Olley ran 3.48.51 in 1500m section 3 and finished 9th.
Sunday
Devon Championships, at Exeter
Jamie Macdonald won the senior men's 1500m in 4.02.77 (pb 32.7s)
Results - https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/results?id=24868&meId=176896#title-anchor

International Schools Federation Cross Country Championships, Kenya (Judd School), Sunday 12th May

Full results are on the Results 2024 page
Peter Fitzmaurice and Mark Bridger were the first Judd boys home in the u15 and u18 races, respectively
​Livestream - ​tv.isfsports.org/sportitem/6638d39be755d0acf226e1f6

Above - Judd School at the International Schools Federation World Cross Country Championships

Kent Championships, at Ashford, Sunday 12th May - Day 2
Day 2 videos loaded !

Purdey Hutchings ran a pb of 2.24.81 to finish 3rd in the under 15 girls' 800m
Results link here - ​​https://justiming.co.uk/liveresults/liveresults.html?meeting=kcaa12.5.24&page=schedule
​Photos here and on Mark Hookway's Facebook page - ​flic.kr/s/aHBqjBpZeE

Kent Championships, at Ashford, Saturday 11th May - Day 1
Day 1 videos loaded !

Results link here - ​justiming.co.uk/liveresults/liveresults.html?meeting=directory
There were not that many TAC distance runners entered for the championships.
Cameron Chambers finished 2nd in the senior men's 1500m in 3.57.69, which was a pb by 11.7s, whilst Ollie White ran 4.35.90, a best by 3.8s.
Neve Raymond ran a pb in the heats of the under 17 women's 800m with 2.29.85.
Steven Galliard ran 2.16.25 to qualify for the under 15 boys' 800m final. Harry Wrigley ran 2.12.95 to qualify for the same final which takes place on Sunday.
Purdey Hutchings ran 2.28.10 to make the under 15 girls' final.

Day 1 photos here and on Mark Hookway's Facebook page - ​flic.kr/s/aHBqjBpKx

Above - Cameron Chambers and Ollie White after the Senior Men's 1500 metres final

Above
Top - Cameron Chambers, Ollie White, Harry Wrigley
Bottom - Steven Galliard, Purdey Hutchings, Neve Raymond

Ipswich Twilight 5k road race, Saturday 11th May

Corey De'Ath finished 10th in 15.03
Full results - ​https://my.raceresult.com/272148/results

Atlantic Coast Conference Championships, Atlanta, USA, Friday 11th May

Charlie Crick ran 1.51.79 for 800m in the heats, which ends his season in the USA.

'Inside Tonbridge' Latest Episodes - 3 parts covering training in Tenerife

If you actually find that you have time to watch the three episodes just released, then you probably have time to volunteer to help significantly at TAC !! The episodes cover a recent training trip to Tenerife by some of the distance runners.

Link here - https://www.youtube.com/@insidetonbridge

This week's 'Big Hitters' 30th April to 6th May
(Biggest improvements against personal bests)

Some of the track improvements from the last few days (based on Power of 10 records) are here –
800 metres
George Hopkins (u20) 1.58.38 (improved by 20.3s, from 2019)
Joel Graffin (u15) 2.19.08 (improved by 14.9s)
Rika Paterson (u13) 2.41.50 (improved by 8.6s)
Hana Maeda (u15) 2.36.66 (improved by 6.4s)
1200 metres
Arianne Launders 4.21.65 (improved by 20.6s)
1500 metres
Joseph Hunt (u20) 4.00.34 (improved by 4.9s)
Aoife Foley (u15g) 5.08.18 (improved by 6.0s)
1 mile
Ben Pearce 4.14.30 (improved by 23.0s)
Miles Weatherseed 4.05.49 (improved by 1.1s)
3000 metres
Emily Geake (u20) 10.40.30 (improved by 8.3s)
Jamie Macdonald 8.42.51 (improved by 2 mins 00.5s, from 2019)
Ross Thomas 9.07.15 (improved by 16.9s)

British Universities and Colleges Championships, at Manchester, Monday 6th May - Day 3

Results and seeding -  meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/schedule?id=24918
YouTube live - www.youtube.com/live/QGgWFcFrAY0?si=42iRFoUgdNzbV1Dl
3000m steeplechase - 9th Jamie Macdonald (Exeter)
800m - 7th Ben Gardiner (Birmingham)
1500m - 10th Simon Coppard (Loughborough)

Bannister Miles Oxford, Monday 6th May

In race C Ben Pearce won in 4.14.30 (pb by 23.0s) and Joseph Hunt ran 4.17.91 (debut) in 10th.
Miles Weatherseed ran 4.05.49 in the men's A race, which was a pb by 1.1s.
Details here - ​https://www.britishmilersclub.com/start-list/oxford-miles-06-may-2024-start-lists-and-athlete-details/
Livestream - ​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAmSzj1HLYM

Hildenborough Runs, Monday 6th May

5 mile road race - George Marshall and Nichola Evans were first home in the men's and women's events.
​Oliver Lester won the 2.5 mile race.
Results should appear here - ​https://www.nice-work.org.uk/calendars/sport-events/results
​Photos here and on Mark Hookway's Facebook page - ​flic.kr/s/aHBqjBp6Ea

Above - George Marshall and Nichola Evans winners at the Hildenborough 5 miles road race

British Universities and Colleges Championships, at Manchester, Saturday to Monday 4th to 6th May

Saturday
800 metres
Ben Gardiner qualified through Saturday's heats for a place in Sunday's semi finals
1500 metres
Simon Coppard qualified through Saturday's heats for a place in Sunday's semi finals
Sunday
​800 metres
Ben Gardiner qualified for Monday's final in one of the fastest non automatic places with 1.50.49
1500 metres
Simon Coppard qualified through for Monday's final in 3.48.28
3000 metres steeplechase
Jamie Macdonald ran 9.25.36 and qualified for Monday's final. This was his first race over the distance.
Full results -  https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/schedule?id=24918

Kent Young Athletes League, at Bromley, Sunday 5th May

Results are on the Results 2024 page.

Cardiff Race to Victory 5k road race, Sunday 5th May

Isaac Arnott ran 15.18 at the Cardiff Race to Victory 5k road race, which was a big pb and also well inside his track best.
Full results - ​https://results.sporthive.com/events/7189172772830652416/races/1

Geneva Marathon, Sunday 5th May

Hannah Smith ran 3.44.41 at the Geneva Marathon.
Full results - ​https://www.cimchrono.com/sport-up/resultat/partenaire-20190624004639.htm

Above - Hannah Smith at the Geneva Marathon

Latest Masters Update from Mark Pitcairn-Knowles

tac_masters_30th_april_2024_newsletter.pdf
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Silverstone 10k Road Race, Wednesday 1st May

Will Beeston won this race with about 1300  finishers in 32.09. The event is held on the Grand Prix circuit.
Full results - https://results.sporthive.com/events/7191516738188476416/races/1

Above - Will Beeston winning the Silverstone 10k road race

Watford Open Meeting, Wednesday 1st May

Miles Weatherseed finished 2nd in the final 1500m heat of the night in 3.51.67
Full results - ​https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/results?id=25113&meId=197676

Tonbridge AC Evening Open Meeting, Tuesday 30th April
​Videos loaded !

A summary of TAC distance runners performances is shown on on the Results 2024 page.
The fastest over 800m from TAC were Ted Higgins (1.53.54) and Sophie Hawkins (2.21.96).
I believe we have 15 men who have run under 2 minutes for 800m in 2024 and the record is 21 in 2013.
Jamie Macdonald won the 3000m in 8.42.51 and Emily Geake was fastest of the TAC women in 10.40.30. Both were pbs.
Full results appear here -
​https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2024/GBR/tacdev1/event/
​Photos - ​flic.kr/s/aHBqjBoA1T

Above - Fastest TAC over 800m and 3000m at the Open Meeting
Top - Sophie Hawkins and Ted Higgins
​Bottom - Jame Macdonald and Emily Geake

Blackheath and Bromley Open Meeting, Monday 29th April

Anna Palmer finished 2nd in race 4 of the 800s in 2.24.04. Anna recently joined TAC.
Zach Ward (u13) ran 5.15.44 in heat 2 of the 1500m races.
Full results - https://justiming.co.uk/liveresults/liveresults.html?meeting=bandbh29.4.24&page=results

Tonbridge AC Midsummer Relays, at Penshurst, Wednesday 3rd July

A message from Peter Sutton -

Hello all, I will be TAC Team Manager for the Summer Relays at Penshurst Place taking place 7pm Wednesday 3rd July.

The following video gives a flavour of the event.

https://youtu.be/hB4_DZrnJc4?si=Ygbxse8ExXKe3oL1 

We're hoping for enough interest to enter 15-20 teams of 3. Open to all abilities within the club from Under 17 and upwards. Entry is £21 per team (payment details to follow at a later date).

For now please let me know if you'd like to take part either as a runner or marshal by completing the following form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1GsBTaq0LIuiuwg-DvU-qoX9aT2lLYvehQdVcjjKh5YQ/edit?ts=662e9901 

It is important that we get an early idea of how many would like to take part to help with planning, so if you'd like to participate please complete the form by the end of the week.

Any questions let me know
Peter Sutton
Email [email protected] ​

This week's 'Big Hitters' 22nd to 29th April
(Biggest improvements against personal bests)

Some of the track improvements from the last few days (based on Power of 10 records) are here –
Note - school events cannot be generally included, due to the absence of official timing. However, quite a few did run pbs at the Tonbridge School meeting on Saturday.
800 metres
Ben Pearce 1.55.61 (improved by 1.5s)
1500 metres
Emily Boyd (u17) 5.21.7 (improved by 3.2s)
3000 metres
Simon Coppard 8.17.75 (debut)
5000 metres
Mark Pepper 16.19.86 (improved by 5.7s)

Other weekend results, Friday to Sunday 26th to 28th April

Friday
1 Mile Road Race, Bute Park, Cardiff
Isaac Arnott finished 2nd in 4.32. Official results - https://www.cardiffrunningevents.org/resources/CSS%201m%202024%20Overall%20Results.pdf
Saturday
University of Birmingham Meeting
Simon Coppard ran an excellent 8.17.75 for 3000 metres to finish 3rd in the BMC A race. This was his debut at the distance !
Katie Goodge finished 7th in the open 3000m race 2 in 10.18.39
Full results - https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2024/GBR/uobtfapril/event/
Schools Meeting at Tonbridge School
​Videos loaded !
There were quite a few TAC members representing both Judd and Tonbridge School. I will post the results should I receive them. Amongst them were -
Senior Boys
​400m A string 1st Ethan Rocks 53.5, B string 1st Jack Sharpe 54.1
800m 1st Ethan Rocks 2.00.8, 3rd Jack Sharpe 2.01.5
1500m 1st George Hopkins 4.09.9, Mark Bridger 4.23.2, Tom Beghein 4.25
Inter Boys
800m 2nd Peter Fitzmaurice 2.06.5, 3rd Felipe Fujimori 2.08.9, 3rd Will Batchelor 2.09, 9th Nico Swainson
1500m 1st Ollie Head 4.13.7, 3rd James Petrie 4.29.4
Junior Boys
800m Theo Ackerman 2.35.3
1500m 1st Charlie Warren 4.47.2, 2nd Harry Lawrence 4.59.6
Full results on the Results 2024 page
Sunday
Gloucester Open Meeting
Ben Pearce won the 800m with a new pb of 1.55.61 (by by 1.5s)
UK Youth Development League (u17/20), at Tooting
Videos loaded !
Not many TAC distance runners attended
1500m - Under 20 women 2nd Emily Geake 5.04.7, 1st B string Polly Moses 5.36.3. Under 17 women 4th A string Emily Boyd 5.21.7 (pb by 3.2s)
800m - Under 17 Men 3rd Sam Smialowski 2.10.2, Under 17 Women 3rd Neve Raymond 2.34.5
Results https://thepowerof10.info/results/results.aspx?meetingid=597219
Photos - flic.kr/s/aHBqjBobZM
Worthing Half Marathon
Rebecca Morton 89.04 (pb by 3.35), Michael Thomson 89.55, Derek Jee 93.52 
Results https://run-fest.com/worthing-run-fest-race-results-2024/
Coventry Spring Meet (for Paralympic categories)
Ollie White finished 7th in the 1500m in 4.40.37, which was a fraction of a second outside his recent personal best.
Full results - https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/schedule?id=24689

Above - Emily Geake, Polly Moses and Emily Boyd at the UKYDL at Tooting

Comeback 5000 Night at Battersea Park, London, Friday 26th April
Videos loaded !

800m Invitational - 5th Jordan Chambers 1.51.46
5000m Elite men - 10th James Kingston 14.03.26, 18th Alasdair Kinloch 14.18.40
5000m race 2 - 6th Mark Pepper 16.19.86 (pb), 13th Dan Longhurst 16.52.22
Full results - https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2024/GBR/comeback/
Photos here and on Mark Hookway's Facebook page - ​flic.kr/s/aHBqjBo2so

Above at Battersea
Top - Dan Longhurst. Mark Pepper
​Bottom - Jordan Chambers, James Kingston

British Athletics and Inter Counties Mountain Running Championship, Lake District, Sunday 21st April

Sunday - Up and down hill championship
Jamie Goodge finished 25th, representing Kent
Friday - Uphill only
Jamie Goodge finished 25th, whilst sister Katie finished 70th overall and 29th female

Above - Jamie and Katie Goodge at the British Mountain Championships

British Milers Club and Medway and Maidstone Meeting, Gillingham, Sunday 21st April
​Videos loaded !

TAC runners had a good day in the 800m and 1500m.
800m BMC men race 3 - 1st Joseph Hunt 1.56.33 pb, 2nd Ethan Rocks 1.56.97 pb, 3rd Jacob Hunt 1.59.49 pb
800m BMC mixed race 4 - 1st Toby Bawtree 1.56.72 pb, 3rd Harrison Fraser 1.59.83 pb
1500m open race 1 - 3rd Ollie White 4.39.73 pb, 9th Anna Palmer (first time in TAC vest) 5.00.20
Results link - ​https://justiming.co.uk/liveresults/liveresults.html?meeting=mnm21.4.24&page=schedule
Photos here and on Mark Hookway's Facebook page - ​flic.kr/s/aHBqjBndag

Above
Top -  Left Jospeh Hunt, Jacob Hunt, Toby Bawtree, Harrison Fraser, Ethan Rocks, Right Anna Palmer and Ollie White
​Bottom - Left Joseph Hunt winning, Right Toby Bawtree winning

London Marathon, Sunday 21st April

This year must have seen one of the largest number of TAC runners taking part (I don't have a a record of the actual stat)
Ben Shearer (m40 2nd claim TAC) 2.27.12
Dan Bradley (m35) 2.29.08 debut
Fred Damas 2.31.49 (pb by 5.11)
Charles Adair 2.34.25 (pb by 2.59)
Michael Ellis 2.37.03
Verity Hopkins 2.37.17 - goes 2nd on TAC all-time list (pb by 14.05)
Helen Gaunt (w40) 2.38.40
Nathan Chapman (m35) 2.41.52 debut
Tom Rule (m40) 2.49.44 (pb by 1.13)
Paul Freeman-Jones 2.52.31 (pb by 5.23)
Tim Hill (m45) 2.59.36 (pb by 5.02)
Jason Barton (m40) 3.02.26 (pb by 20.08)
Peter Sutton 3.09.19 debut
Martin Richardson (m35) 3.21.12 debut
Hannah Smith 3.39.43 debut
Ryan Brignall 4.15.19 debut
Chris Hogwood (m35) 4.34.14 debut
Full results - ​https://results.tcslondonmarathon.com/2024/

Oregon Relays Meeting, USA, Saturday 20th April

Chris Olley finished 12th in the men's mile in 4.05.43
Results - ​https://live.athletictiming.net/meets/33328/events/individual/1271859

UK Youth Development League (u13/15) at Woodford Green, Saturday 20th April

Results are on the Results 2024 page and amongst them was a terrific win by Aimee Watts in the u13 girls 1200m in 4.04.34.

British Universities and Colleges 10,000 metres championships and Loughborough Open Meeting
​Saturday 20th April

Women's 10,000 metres - 2nd Phoebe Barker 34.31.87 (debut) , 3rd Charlotte Alexander 34.39.36 (debut finish)
Men's 1500m C race - 1st Ben Gardiner 4.02.74 (pb)
​Full results - ​https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/schedule?id=24875

Above - Phoebe Barker and Charlotte Alexander finished 2nd and 3rd at BUCS 10,000 metres

Podium 5k road race, at Dulwich Park, Saturday 20th April

TAC in the elite men's race - Max Selby 14.57 (pb by 18s), Kieran Reilly 15.09, Steve Strange 15.36
Results link - ​https://results.racetimingsolutions.co.uk/results.aspx?CId=16269&RId=1808
Photos - ​​​flic.kr/s/aHBqjBncso

Above - Max Selby first time sub 15 minutes for 5k, at Dulwich Park

Watford Open Meeting, Wednesday 17th April

There were 3 from TAC racing over 3000 metres.
3000m Race 2 - Ollie Head 8.57.99 (pb by 24.3s)
3000m Race 3 - Harrison Fraser 9.10.07 (pb by 0.8s), Connor Prendergast 9.10.75 (pb by 17.8s)
Full results here - ​https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/schedule?id=25014&meId=191648

Boston Marathon, Monday 15th April

Julian Rendall (m45) ran 2.51.28 and Elise (w45) Rendall 3.55.28
For Elise it meant the completion of all six  World Marathon Majors (London, Tokyo, Berlin, Chicago, New York and Boston) 
Full results - ​https://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/results/search-results

Weekend News, Saturday/Sunday 13th/14th April

Friday
Bryan Clay Invitational, California
800m Chris Olley 1.54.41
Saturday
Bryan Clay Invitational, California
1500m Chris Olley 3.50.18
Sunday
Reading Half Marathon
Ben Cole won the half marathon with a pb and TAC m35 record of 65.38
John Harley (m70) ran 1.42.28, a club over 70s record
Full results here - https://results.sporthive.com/events/7184121749397569536
Manchester Marathon
A few from TAC ran -
Tom Woolley (m40) 2.49.20, Nichola Evans (w40) 2.58.23 (debut), Adam Tibbals (m45) 3.02.27, Ben Hepden (m45) 3.04.49 and Penny Pilbeam (w50) 3.29.00.
Full results here - https://www.manchestermarathon.co.uk/event-info/results/
Tracking here - https://track.rtrt.me/e/RA-MANCHESTERMARATHON24#/tracker/R3YPUNWR,RH2ULGX5,RG9U3NVB,RFR26Y7A,RFCE978Y,RLU9Z87J 

Above - Ben Cole after winning the Reading Half Marathon

English National Cross Country Championships, at Weston Park, Shropshire, Saturday 14th September
​Re-arranged event and TAC trip

The National Cross Country Championships have  been re-arranged, following the February postponement and will now take place on Saturday 14th September.

James Taylor has kindly agreed to organise the TAC trip and following the recent survey has put together the information, with various travel and hotel options.

The full information pack can be found here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kgurawM1xxq5dc1z3giFJiFcaI1Jtoip9Rvwf4PmcTY/edit?usp=sharing

Hotel rooms and buses have been reserved, but please book as soon as possible and arrange payment of deposits.

The booking form with options is here - https://forms.gle/8jG2PHZgEpspfCha6 

This week's 'Big Hitters' 2nd to 7th April
(Biggest improvements against personal bests

Some of the track improvements from the last few days (based on Power of 10 records) are here –
800 metres
Aimee Watts (u13) 5.23.97 (improved by 4.5s)
1500 metres
Kaito Paterson (u15) 4.59.65 (debut)

Blackheath and Bromley Open Meeting, Sunday 8th April

800m - Aoife Foley (u15) 2.36.87
​1500m - Kaito Patterson (u15) 4.59.65 (debut), Aimee Watts (u13) 5.23.97 (pb), Millie Watts (u17) 5.28.21
Full results - ​https://justiming.co.uk/liveresults/liveresults.html?meeting=bnb7.4.24&page=startlist

National 6 (women) and 12 (men) stage road relay championships, Sutton Coldfield (seniors)
at Sutton Coldfield, Saturday 6th April - Videos loaded !

The TAC teams battled amongst all the others in very windy conditions and ended up 5th in the men's race and 12th in the women's. Full results are on the Results 2024 page.
Charlotte Alexander ran the 5th fastest women's 'long' leg, whilst on the men's side James Kingston was 3rd and James West 4th fastest on the longs stages and Ben Murphy 3rd on the short.
Photos - ​flic.kr/s/aHBqjBkyZQ

national_6_and_12_relays_since_2016_fastest_laps.pdf
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Above - The TAC women's team 12th at National Road Relay Championship

Above - The TAC men's team, 5th at National Road Relay Championship

Latest Masters Update from Mark Pitcairn-Knowles

tac_masters_4th_april_2024_newsletter.pdf
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This week's 'Big Hitters' 25th March to 1st April
(Biggest improvements against personal bests

​Some of the track improvements from the last few days (based on Power of 10 records) are here –
400 metres
Lily Slack (u20) 60.64 (improved by 6.3s)
600 metres
Jordan Chambers 1.20.28 (improved by 8.5s)
Lily Slack (u20) 1.36.74 (improved by 7.4s)
Neve Raymond (u17) 1.51.40 (improved by 3.5s)
1500 metres
Oliver White (u13) 5.44.99 (improved by 29.5s)
Joel Graffin (u15) 5.05.30 (improved by 14.3s)
3000 metres
Jay Smith (M40) 9.24.93 (improved by 8.3s)

Tonbridge AC Easter Open Meeting, Monday 1st April
​Videos loading !

Full results are here -
https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2024/GBR/taceom/
Photos - ​flic.kr/s/aHBqjBjH6p

Above - a few of the photos from the TAC Open Meeting

Carifta Games, Grenada, Sunday 31st March

Jake Brislane finished 2nd in the under 20 men's 5000m with 15.42.42
Results - https://www.watchathletics.com/page/5277/day-3-results-carifta-games-2024

Isle of Man Easter Festival 5k road race, Sunday 31st March

George Marshall ran 16.08 and finished 26th in this final race of the series.
Full results - https://my.raceresult.com/240435/results#0_2C4089

Mike Fanelli Track Classic, California, USA, Saturday 30th March

Chris Olley ran 1.53.60 (pb) in section 5 of the 800 metres.
Results - https://timerhub.com/getHytResults.php?v=6&page=https://redcaptiming.com/2024/fanelli/240329F019.htm

Carifta Games, Grenada, Saturday 30th March

Jake Brislane made a big breakthrough when he finished 3rd in the under 20 men's 1500m with 3.58.83. His previous pb was 4.09.00 from 2022.

Isle of Man Easter Festival Hill race, Saturday 30th March

George Marshall finished 22nd in this second race of the three day festival.
Results here - ​https://my.raceresult.com/240435/info

World Cross Country Championships, at Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday 30th March
James Kingston runs for GB and finishes 68th

James Kingston finished 68th in the men's race and was 4th scorer for GB..
All the details  here -
​worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-cross-country-championships/belgrade24/where-to-watch?countryCode=GB
James is interviewed by Athletics Weekly - ​x.com/AthleticsWeekly/status/1773807741389115758?s=20

Above - James Kingston with the GB mens team

Good Friday action, 29th March

Isle of Man Easter Festival 10k road race
George Marshall ran 32.37 (pb by 50s)
​Full results - https://my.raceresult.com/240435/
Folkestone 10 mile road race
​Dan Bradley 54.40. Harriet Woolley 66.51
Full results - https://www.folkestone10mile.co.uk/results/2024-results/
Stanford Invite Meeting, California, USA 
​Chris Olley ran 3.52.90 in heat 2 of the 1500m.
Full results - https://rt.trackscoreboard.com/meets/32924/events/15/Final

National Athletics League (under 20 and seniors) - season details from Team Manager Michael Ellis

The summer season is fast approaching and I am contacting athletes for their availability for the upcoming National Athletics League (NAL) fixtures.
For those of you who have not competed at an NAL before it is the top-level senior league (open to U20s but senior weights and hurdles etc) that Tonbridge compete in. A full range of events are on offer with 2 scoring places needing to be filled. At present I am just asking athletes to register initial availability via this form:  https://forms.gle/hVCbcKf2H9GuoGuG6
I will then be in touch closer to each fixture to start filling the teamsheet.
Our fixtures are:
Fixture 1: Saturday 1st June – Kingston Upon Thames
Fixture 2: Saturday 22nd June – Portsmouth
Fixture 3: Sunday 7th July – Crawley
Fixture 4: Saturday 3rd August – National Final (Promotion Match at Bedford)
Should you have any questions contact me at [email protected]
Further information can be found at https://tonbridgeac.org.uk/groups/national-league/

South of England Men's 12 Stage Road Relay Championships, at Milton Keynes, Sunday 24th March
​Video loaded !

TAC men's team finished 5th
James Kingston ran the fastest short leg by about 28 seconds, whilst Ben Cole was 6th fastest of all the long legs.
James ran 14.17 for 4983m and Ben 25.56 for 8662m
​Full results are on the Results 2024 page, with individual rankings.
​Results link also here - results.sporthive.com/events/7176156238635629312
Photos here  and on Mark Hookway's Facebook page - ​flic.kr/s/aHBqjBiE5j

Above - TAC 5th at South of England 12 Stage Road Relay

Other weekend news, 23rd and 24th March

Saturday
University of Central Florida Knights Invite, Orlando
​Charlie Crick 800m 1.52.84. 5th in heat 2. Results - http://live.halfmiletiming.com/meets/640/events/28/Final
Sunday
Eastleigh 10k
​Dan Longhurst 35.50, Phil Coleman 39.55
Results - ​https://www.athlinks.com/event/36195/results/Event/1076420/Course/2455639/Results
Bromley Vets AC 5 miles cross country, at Sparrows Den, West Wickham
​9th Mark Pitcairn-Knowles, 53rd Scott Shurmer.
5th female Frazia Manzotti
Results - ​https://results.racetimingsolutions.co.uk/results.aspx?CId=16269&RId=1783&EId=1&dt=0&PageNo=1
Hastings Half Marathon
​Fraser Irving 1.25.57, David Suddes 1.32.59, Derek Jee 1.36.14, Rachel Fagg 1.46.03
Results - https://results.sporthive.com/events/7171169601421879808/races/1

Mauao Half Marathon, New Zealand, Saturday 23rd March

​Lucy Thompson (photo) won a really tough half marathon up and down a mountain in New Zealand.
​
Full results here - https://thetimingteamresults.co.nz/pages/event_summary/600/

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Latest Masters Update from Mark Pitcairn-Knowles

tac_masters_21st__march_2024_newsletter.pdf
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Essex 20 miles road race, including inter counties, Sunday 17th March

Results link - https://results.eventchiptiming.com/results.aspx?CId=16202&RId=5199
7th Dan Bradley 1.51.05, 8th Michael Ellis 1.52.24
1st female Verity Hopkins 1,57.24 (TAC women's record. Was Lucy Reid 1.59.13), Nicola Evans 2.12.51, Harriet Woolley 2.17.51

Above at Essex 20
Top - Verity Hopkins, Dan Bradley and Michael Ellis
​Bottom - Nicola Evans, Harriet Woolley
(photos from Richard Owen)

James Kingston selected for Great Britain team for World Cross Country Championships

James Kingston has been named as part of the GB men's team to compete in Belgrade, Serbia at the World Cross Country Championships, on Saturday 30th March. Announcement here -
​https://www.britishathletics.org.uk/news-and-features/great-britain-and-northern-ireland-team-are-belgrade-bound-for-the-2024-world-athletics-cross-country-championships/

Other Saturday results, 16th March

Saturday
British Masters Cross Country Championships, Denbighshire, Wales
Full results - https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2024/GBR/bmaf-xc/
46th Tony Bennett, 72nd Mark Pitcairn-Knowles, 73rd Richard Preston, 80th Phil Coleman
TAC won silver medals in the m45 age group.
Black and Gold Invitational Meeting, University of Central Florida, USA
​Videos loaded !
Charlie Crick ran a pb for 400m of 48.66, improving his pb by 0.24s. This followed a disappointing 1500m on Friday evening.
Results here - http://live.halfmiletiming.com/meets/636/events/22/Final
Sunday
Bath Half Marathon
Amelia Beeston 1.36.40, David Fullbrook (better known as a Javelin thrower) 1.48.25. Also Lucy Kingston ran 1.52.59.
Results - https://www.tdleventservices.co.uk/en/results-embed.php?event=3997

Above - Richard Preston, Tony Bennett and Mark Pitcairn-Knowls
​with silver medals at British Masters Cross Country Championships

Podium Festival, Leicester, , Saturday 16th March

Details here - https://podium5k.co.uk/
There was a livestream of this event -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ie9BtnZD9tQ 
Results - https://results.racetimingsolutions.co.uk/results.aspx?CId=16269&RId=1805&EId=2
Results - Elliot Green 16.41
1k Time Trial -   Ben Murphy 2.22 (4th fastest) Jordan Chambers 2.25 (7th fastest)
Sub 15 wave - Cameron Chambers 14.47, Will Beeston 14.59, 
Elite Women B race - Katie Goodge 18.05 pb
Elite B race - Simon Coppard 14.44 pb, Corey De'Ath 14.56
Elite Women A race -  Charlotte Alexander 16.28 pb, Phoebe Barker 16.35 pb
Elite Men A race - James West 13.44, Alasdair Kinloch 14.29

English Schools Cross Country Championships, at Pontefract, Saturday 16th March

There was a livestream, although a subscription is required -
https://www.vincosport.com/gprofile.php?mgroup_id=47566&do=videos&video_id=383716
Results - ​https://results.sporthive.com/events/7172954061333856256
They are also on the Results 2024 page.
​TAC results -
Senior Boys - Kent 3rd 20th Tom Claridge, 38th Harrison Fraser
Senior Girls - Kent 10th. 125th Jess Poland 
Inter Boys - Kent 1st.  28th Toby Bawtree, 54th Connor Prendergast, 114th Ben Catchpole, 192nd Peter Fitzmaurice
Inter Girls - Kent 15th and no TAC
Junior Boys - Kent 12th. 74th Charlie Warren, 184th Luca Szumilewicz
Junior Girls - Kent 5th. 208th Purdey Hutchings

Above - Kent Inter Boys team who won the English Schools Championship
Peter Fitzmaurice (3rd from left), Connor Prendergast (4th from left),
​Toby Bawtree (2nd from right), Ben Catchpole (far right)

Kent Indoor Championships, at Lee Valley, Saturday/Sunday 16th/17th March
Videos loaded !

Lily Slack won the under 20 women's 800 metres in 2.17.07 (pb) and Ethan Rocks won the u20 men's 800 metres in 2.01 (official result awaited)
Photos - ​flic.kr/s/aHBqjBhHmd

Above - Lily Slack and Ethan Rocks

Friday Night Under the Lights 5km road race, Friday 15th March

A few from TAC raced at Battersea Park on Friday night.
Harry Paton 15.26 pb, George Marshall 15.31 pb, Mark Pepper 16.26 pb, Luke Hooper 16.55 debut, Dan Longhurst 17.09
Results - ​https://results.racetimingsolutions.co.uk/results.aspx?CId=16269&RId=1769&EId=2&dt=0&PageNo=2

Above - Harry Paton, George Marshall, Dan Longhurst, Luke Hooper at Battersea

TAC Junior Endurance Day, at Tonbridge School, Saturday 13th April

Please find below details of a day being organised by Michael Ellis, the TAC Coaching Coordinator.
Hopefully, the day will arm some of our young distance runners with some really useful information.
It would be great if we could get as many of of young runners together as possible.
There is a cost involved to help cover the expenses of hiring those involved.

tac_endurance_camp_dayoutline.pdf
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Be Fit Track Academy Indoor Open Meeting, Lee Valley, Saturday 10th March
​Videos loaded !

Lily Slack ran an indoor pb over 800 metres of 2.19.50 and finished 2nd in race 2.
Results here - ​https://justiming.co.uk/liveresults/liveresults.html?meeting=bftta10.3.24&page=schedule

UK Inter Counties Cross Country Championships, at Wollaton Park, Nottingham, Saturday 9th March
​Videos loaded !

TAC had a good number competing, mainly for Kent -
Senior Men - 4th James Kingston, 17th Ben Cole, 59th Matthew Taylor, 92nd Steve Strange (Essex), 188th Isaac Arnott. Kent 5th
Senior Women - 8th Phoebe Barker, 137th Polly Pitcairn-Knowles. Kent 3rd
Under 20 Men - 95th Max Malkinson, 106th Dan Hadden. Kent 14th
Under 20 Women - no TAC. Kent 2nd
Under 17 Men - 29th Harrison Fraser, 106th Mark Bridger. Kent 3rd
Under 17 Women - 85th Emily Geake.  Kent 11th
Under 15 Boys - 49th Peter Fitzmaurice, 86th James Petrie, 183rd Ewan Prendergast
Under 15 Girls - 248th Isabel Gowing, Did not finish Millie Watts. Kent 15th
Under 13 Boys - 207th Jamie Rogers. Kent 18th
Under 13 Girls - 102nd Aimee Watts, 154th Purdey Hutchings. Kent 16th
Livestream UK Inter Counties - ​www.youtube.com/live/_dn3Pc9Sszg?si=wyYMgCH-3TXZTKH9
Results link - https://results.sporthive.com/events/7171445711774430464
Results are also on the Results 2024 page.
Photos here and on Mark Hookway's Facebook page - https://www.flickr.com/photos/156678663@N02/

Above at UK Inter Counties
Top - Max Malkinson, Phoebe Barker, Polly Pitcairn-Knowles
Middle - Peter Fitzmaurice, Emily Geake, Harrison Fraser
Bottom - James Kingston, Ben Cole, Matthew Taylor

Alan Bennett Funeral

Alan's cremation will be at 4.30pm on Tuesday 5th March at the Kent & Sussex crematorium in Tunbridge Wells, TN2 5JJ.
The gathering afterwards will be at Tonbridge Old Fire Station on Castle Street, TN9 1BH, from 6.00pm to 8.00pm. Beyond 8pm there will be an opportunity for others to join for a drink at the Ivy House, TN9 1BW

Paddock Wood Half Marathon, Sunday 3rd March

6th Michael Ellis 69.09, 6th Dan Bradley 69.12 pb, Nick Beer 72.47 (fastest since 2010)
​Nicholas Evans 82.51 pb
Results link - ​https://events.sportsystems.co.uk/results/?eid=58&rid=42
TAC here - ​https://events.sportsystems.co.uk/results/?eid=58&rid=42&tid=307
Some photos here - flic.kr/s/aHBqjBgeYQ

Top - Michael Ellis, Dan Bradley, Nick Beer
Row 2 - James Ashton, Martin Richardson,  Paul Freeman-Jones
Row 3 - Jack Sharpe, Tom Woolley, Adam Tibbals
Bottom - Nichola Evans, Harriet Woolley, Lizzie Owen

Cambridge Half Marathon, Sunday 3rd March

1st Lucy Reid 71.41, 3rd Phoebe Barker 72.38 (debut), Verity Hopkins 73.21 pb, Helen Gaunt 77.51
Phoebe goes to 2nd on the TAC all time list, with Lucy top and Verity now 3rd.
Results link - ​https://results.resultsbase.net/results.aspx?CId=8&RId=20401

Above - Verity Hopkins, Phoebe Barker, Lucy Reid

Interview with Jack Higgins (UK Indoor 800m champion)

Jack was interviewed by Max Wharton for his podcast -
​https://open.spotify.com/episode/6tSFyaElgmDAGtL1TJLBye?si=S8SXdIG8R4ODxlcPZZPBpQ&context=spotify%3Ashow%3A1O0suhy8Pfdw7OQs49Thqi&nd=1&dlsi=a86341cd587f46f7

Interview with James West (UK Indoor 3000m champion)

Inside Tonbridge - British Indoor Championships

This is the latest episode produced by Jordan Chambers.

Other weekend news, 23rd to 25th February

British Universities and Colleges Indoor Championships, at Sheffield
Ben Gardiner finished 6th in the men's 800m final, on Sunday, having qualified via the heats and semi final. He ran 1.50.56 in the semi.
Run Through 10k road race, Battersea Park
Steve Strange finished 3rd in 31.34 in this road race, on Saturday.
Brighton Half Marathon
​Elliot Green ran 78.55, which was a pb by over a minute.

English National Cross Country Championships, at Weston Park, Shropshire, Saturday 24th February

0nMost readers will have heard that the championships were cancelled, with it being announced around 11am on Friday morning.
With 2 buses, a hotel for 2 nights and a formal dinner all booked at Telford, the vast majority decided to still travel and make the most of it.
The weekend was somewhat different than it might have been, with many running Friday on arrival and then participating in a quiz. On Saturday morning the plan was for the squad to take part in the Telford parkrun, but below freezing temperature meant that the course was a bit slippery and that was cancelled ! So, another run took place.
On Saturday afternoon we identified a good course for a mass relay, which saw more than 60 runners take part.
Then on Saturday evening the TAC Awards dinner took place , with team photos and some improvisation required to decide some winners. It was still an excellent evening, enjoyed by about 120 people.
Photos - flic.kr/s/aHBqjBfvFF
Awards Dinner - ​flic.kr/s/aHBqjBfsuV
Saturday training session video filmed by Gary Goodge - youtu.be/6agvj6Y1Kfc
A few other clips - ​youtu.be/0ezztLg2m1Q?si=-mLb50XHhNcOFX

Above - Saturday afternoon relays

Above - photos from Saturday's dinner

Latest Masters Update from Mark Pitcairn-Knowles

tac_masters_15th__february_2024_newsletter.pdf
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British Indoor Athletics Championships, at Birmingham,Sunday 18th February - Day 2
​Videos loaded !

Quite a day for TAC as James West retained his 3000 metres title with a confident display, winning in 7.51.09., with a final 1000 metres in a round 2.26.
​After that, Jack Higgins produced one of the shocks of the championships when he snatched the 800m win over Guy Learmonth by just 1/1000th of a second. His time of 1.47.91 moves him to 3rd from 8th on the TAC all-time rankings for indoor or out, ahead of Steve Fennell and behind Ben Murphy and Sean Molloy. It also puts Jack inside the UK top 50 times indoors.
​Ben Murphy was 8th in the 1500m final.
Photos - flic.kr/s/aHBqjBeAkv

Above at British Indoor Championships
Top - Jack Higgins
Bottom - James West

British Masters Athletics Federation Indoor Championships
​at Lee Valley, Saturday/Sunday 17th/18th February

Copied and pasted from Alan Newman's Facebook post -
800m M70 Alan Newman 4th 3:12.62 (Club Indoor Record) - 17/02
1500m M70 Alan Newman 4th 6:16.38 (Club Indoor Record) - 18/02
1500m M60 Phil Coleman 8th 5:10:06 (Club Indoor Record) - 18/02
800m M60 Ian Crawley 13th 2:34.54 (Club Indoor Record) - 17/02
​Full results - https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2024/GBR/bmaf-itfc/event/#day1

Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon, Sunday 18th February

1st Michael Ellis, 2nd Steve Strange
​1st female Helen Gaunt, 2nd Nichola Evans
​John Harley ran 1.51.27, which is probably the fastest ever TAC over 70 men's time (nothing officially listed)
Other results appear here -
​https://results.sporthive.com/events/7160968903555898624/races/1

Above - Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon
Top - Left  Michael Ellis, Right Helen Gaunt
Bottom - Left Steve Strange, Right Nichola Evans
​(most photos from Richard Owen)

World Students Cross Country Championships, Oman, Sunday 18th February

Phoebe Barker finished 9th and Charlotte Alexander 12th .
Results - ​https://muscat2024fisucrosscountry.com/results/female-long-course-results/

British Indoor Athletics Championships, at Birmingham, Saturday and Sunday 17th/18th February
​Videos loaded !

Saturday - Day 1
800m men
Jack Higgins qualified for Sunday's final by finishing 2nd in his heat in 1.51.51
Ben Gardner ran an indoor pb of 1.50.58
1500m men
Ben Murphy finished 4th in his heat to qualify for the final with 3.47.00
Photos - flic.kr/s/aHBqjBesNL
Sunday - Day 2
2.09pm 3000m final - James West, Ally Kinloch
3.20pm 1500m final - Ben Murphy
​3.40pm 800m final - Jack Higgins

The weekend ahead Saturday/Sunday 17th/18th February

Saturday and Sunday
World University Cross Country Championships, in Oman
Phoebe Barker and Charlotte Alexander have been selected to compete for the GB team
The women's race over 10k is at 7am UK time (11am local). Details here -
https://muscat2024fisucrosscountry.com/competition/program-of-the-event/
Livestream here - ​https://www.fisu.tv/featured/videos/muscat-2024-fisu-championship-cross-country
Saturday and Sunday
UK Indoor Championships at Birmingham
The following have all qualified and accepted. Check out British Athletics tv on YouTube or BBC web site, as not currently showing on main BBC or red button.
60m Lucy Tallon Sat 11. 25am
200m Lucy Tallon Sun 12.00pm
400m Asha Root Sat 1.10pm
400m Kieran Eland Sat 1.40pm
800m Jack Higgins, Ben Gardiner, Jordan Chambers (maybe) Sat 3.55pm
1500m Ben Murphy Sat 6.34pm
3000m James West, Alasdair Kinloch Final Sun 2.09pm
Live results link - https://ukaic2024.microplustimingservices.com/#/schedule-bydate
Livestream - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/athletics/68204699
​Timetable here - https://www.britishathletics.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/UKAIC24_Timetable_15-01-2024.pdf
Sunday
Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon
Start I believe is at 9am (I cant find it on the web site !)
Website - https://www.twharriers.org.uk/tunbridge-wells-half-marathon/

Friday Night Under The Lights 5k Road Race, Battersea, Friday 16th February

Ben Cole ran 14.11 to finish 8th in race 4, the elite men's race.
Cameron Chambers ran 14.59 in race 5.
Full results - ​https://results.racetimingsolutions.co.uk/results.aspx?CId=16269&RId=1785&EId=4&dt=0

Alan Bennett - more memories and a tribute

I felt compelled to write a little more about Alan here.

alan_bennett_tribute.pdf
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Above - Just love this photo taken by Gary Goodge
Alan Bennett in his element at Sutton Park for the road relays

Other weekend results, 10th/11th February

Saturday
Birmingham Cross Country League, at Northampton
Matthew Taylor finished 6th in the men's race - https://www.birminghamccleague.co.uk/images/stories/bdccl/articlepdfs/XC_League_Archive/2023-24/2024-02-10-M1.pdf
Sunday
Headcorn Half Marathon
3rd Penny Pilbeam 94.30. Penny was the only TAC member running.
​Full results - results.netiming.co.uk/results.aspx?CId=20008&RId=390&EId=1&dt=0&so=1&st=jXZinHpAGAb1OQ0GIYx6QvB2woPsULeEvM0i6u66zY0%3dSunday

USA results, Saturday 10th February

James West breaks TAC 5000 metres record, at Boston
James West reduced his own 5000m mark to 13.19.98, at the Boston University meeting.
This ranks James 3rd on the 2024 UK rankings and sneaks inside the European Championships qualifying mark.

At the same meeting Chris Olley ran 4.01.80 for the mile, just outside his personal best.
Full results - live.lancertiming.com/meets/203/events/46/Final

Clemson University, Tiger Paw Invitational Meeting
Charlie Crick reduced his indoor personal best for 800 metres to 1.49.26. This puts Charlie in the top 10 in the UK in 2024, just behind Jack Higgins on 1.49.17.
​Full result - www.tfrrs.org/results/83628/5038301/Clemson_Tiger_Paw_Invitational/Mens-800-Meters

Kent Cross Country League, at Norman Park, Bromley, Saturday 10th February
Videos loaded !

The fixture will be most remembered for the many people from all clubs who sent their condolences and expressed their memories of Alan Bennett supporting at events.
​
TAC women won the overall 6 to score competition, whilst the men won both the 4 and 12 to score.
Men 1st Steve Strange, 3rd Corey De'Ath, 4th Calum Laing. Steve was awarded the winner, following a protest that the winner continuously cut corners during the race. The team won both the 4 and 12 to score contests on the day.
Women 7th Maria Heslop. The team was 2nd in both the 3 and 6 to score contests on the day.

Results are on the Results 2024 page.
Photos - ​flic.kr/s/aHBqjBdGtW

Above at the Kent Cross Country League
Top - Maria Heslop, Steve Strange
Bottom - Corey De'Ath, Calum Laing

Alan Bennett - Rest in Peace

With heavy hearts we are sad to announce that the Tonbridge AC Club President Alan Bennett passed away on Friday 9th February. Alan was a massive influence on the development of TAC over the years and the very best supporter at events, encouraging everyone. Our condolences go to all his family.

​In the file below is some of the feedback that we have received about Alan, plus a few photos.

alan_bennett_messages.pdf
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