Ashford Leisure Centre Trust Open Meeting, Wednesday 30th April
There were two TAC distance runners in action at this meeting. Ben Murphy reduced his 800m pb by 0.7s to 2.06.66, whilst Polly Pitcairn-Knowles was second in the 1500m steeplechase in 5.45.64.
Distance Runners Diaries Update - Laurie Probert
Laurie has sent an update from the USA where he is studying at Lamar University, Texas.
UK Youth Development League (u17/20) at Norwich, Sunday 27th April
Videos loaded !
Full results are on the Results 2014 page.
This is the toughest league to be in, since TAC were promoted last season. The club finished sixth of the six clubs, but from a points view were not that far away. We finished behind Windsor, Shaftesbury, Team Norfolk (combination of clubs), Blackheath and Reading. However, if it wasn't for a few gaps in our team sheet, we might have beaten a couple of the other clubs.
There was a purple patch at one stage in the afternoon, where TAC won four 800m races in a row. These came from Sean Molloy (1.54.10), James West (1.58.88), Chris Cohen (2.01.14) and Jamie Brown (2.08.21). Sean then went on to win a titanic 400m battle with Kyle Langford, from Shaftesbury, one of his main rivals this year over 800. Sean won in 48.99, which was a new pb and only 0.09s outside Steve Fennell's club under 20 record.
It was good to see Stuart Brown getting back to good form, when he took 16 seconds from his pb to win the under 17, 3000m in 9.22.82.
Other highlights for me included tough doubles from Polly Pitcairn-Knowles (800 and 1500m steeplechase) and Ellen Willumsen (3000 and 1500m steeplechase). In Polly's case they were both pbs and in Ellen's a pb and a debut !
This is the toughest league to be in, since TAC were promoted last season. The club finished sixth of the six clubs, but from a points view were not that far away. We finished behind Windsor, Shaftesbury, Team Norfolk (combination of clubs), Blackheath and Reading. However, if it wasn't for a few gaps in our team sheet, we might have beaten a couple of the other clubs.
There was a purple patch at one stage in the afternoon, where TAC won four 800m races in a row. These came from Sean Molloy (1.54.10), James West (1.58.88), Chris Cohen (2.01.14) and Jamie Brown (2.08.21). Sean then went on to win a titanic 400m battle with Kyle Langford, from Shaftesbury, one of his main rivals this year over 800. Sean won in 48.99, which was a new pb and only 0.09s outside Steve Fennell's club under 20 record.
It was good to see Stuart Brown getting back to good form, when he took 16 seconds from his pb to win the under 17, 3000m in 9.22.82.
Other highlights for me included tough doubles from Polly Pitcairn-Knowles (800 and 1500m steeplechase) and Ellen Willumsen (3000 and 1500m steeplechase). In Polly's case they were both pbs and in Ellen's a pb and a debut !
Kent Young Athletes League, at Ashford, Saturday 26th April
Full results are on the Results 2014 page. The highlight of the distance runners was a 1500m win by Hamish Johnstone in 4.49.38. TAC placed 2nd of 6 teams in the boys event and 6th of 7 in the girls.
Parkruns, Saturday 26th April
Maidstone - 1st George Duggan 16.10
Ashford - 1st lady (3rd overall) Grace Nicholls 19.46 (equal ladies course record)
Tonbridge - 1st Dan Bradley 16.52, 2nd Jamie Bryant 17.06, Matt Harvey 18.53, Abianne Coates 21.34 (1st lady), Cain Bradley 21.42, Nicola Summerfield 22.37, Lucy Kingston 24.10, Diane Bradley 24.11, Maurice Marchant 24.30
Tunbridge Wells (first ever event) - 2nd Dan Watt 17.44, Nicole Taylor 19.15, Nicola Wilkinson 19.27, Catherine Symons 20.06, Richard Owen 20.14, Lucy Reid 20.38, Duncan Ralph 25.11. TAC listed were first 4 ladies .
Ashford - 1st lady (3rd overall) Grace Nicholls 19.46 (equal ladies course record)
Tonbridge - 1st Dan Bradley 16.52, 2nd Jamie Bryant 17.06, Matt Harvey 18.53, Abianne Coates 21.34 (1st lady), Cain Bradley 21.42, Nicola Summerfield 22.37, Lucy Kingston 24.10, Diane Bradley 24.11, Maurice Marchant 24.30
Tunbridge Wells (first ever event) - 2nd Dan Watt 17.44, Nicole Taylor 19.15, Nicola Wilkinson 19.27, Catherine Symons 20.06, Richard Owen 20.14, Lucy Reid 20.38, Duncan Ralph 25.11. TAC listed were first 4 ladies .
Watford Open Meeting, Wednesday 23rd April
Race videos loaded !
It was a cold and wet evening at Watford, but this didn't seem to deter athletes from competing in the most popular open meets in the country. There were 23x800m races and 3x3000m races, with about 90 competitors in the latter !
The last race went off at gone 10pm and featured tow of TAC's under 20 squad. Both had excellent runs to slice significant chunks from their personal bests. Chris Olley ran 8.34.35 (13s pb) and Max Nicholls 8.39.46 (11s pb) in a high quality race.
Dom Brown was our only 800m competitor and was in race number 23, the fastest on paper. The field was loaded with talent and Dom finished a fine 5th in 1.54.74 (0.2s pb), after a 'slow' first lap of 59/60 for the whole field.
Earlier in the evening James West ran in the British Milers Club 1500m, which was only arranged a few days before. There were only five runners and Ross Murray was being paced for a target of 3.41 (he ran 3.44). James tried to go with the pace and was 2.00 at 800m, before he struggled home in 3.58.52.
The last race went off at gone 10pm and featured tow of TAC's under 20 squad. Both had excellent runs to slice significant chunks from their personal bests. Chris Olley ran 8.34.35 (13s pb) and Max Nicholls 8.39.46 (11s pb) in a high quality race.
Dom Brown was our only 800m competitor and was in race number 23, the fastest on paper. The field was loaded with talent and Dom finished a fine 5th in 1.54.74 (0.2s pb), after a 'slow' first lap of 59/60 for the whole field.
Earlier in the evening James West ran in the British Milers Club 1500m, which was only arranged a few days before. There were only five runners and Ross Murray was being paced for a target of 3.41 (he ran 3.44). James tried to go with the pace and was 2.00 at 800m, before he struggled home in 3.58.52.
Tonbridge AC Easter Open Meeting, Monday 21st April
Race videos of all 600m and 1500m races now loaded !
We couldn't have really hoped for better weather than we got today for the Easter Open Meeting and it seemed to bring out the best in quite a few athletes. There were record numbers in many events, so particular thanks go to all the officials and volunteers who helped put the meeting on. It made a huge difference having so many lending a hand in the organisation.
On the distance running front I think that the only club record to fall went to Sean Molloy over 600 metres, where he ran 79.34, which only misses Steve Fennell's outright club record by four tenths of a second.
There were masses of personal bests from TAC athletes and the trackl results are on the Results 2014 page.
Photo of Sean Molloy on his way to a club under 20, 600 metres record (would have been fastest in UK in 2013)
On the distance running front I think that the only club record to fall went to Sean Molloy over 600 metres, where he ran 79.34, which only misses Steve Fennell's outright club record by four tenths of a second.
There were masses of personal bests from TAC athletes and the trackl results are on the Results 2014 page.
Photo of Sean Molloy on his way to a club under 20, 600 metres record (would have been fastest in UK in 2013)
Some other great finishes from today !
Southern Athletics League, at Ashford, Saturday 19th April
Tonbridge won the match convincingly from Ashford, Bexley and Belgrave.
TAC distance runners swept the men's A-string results with wins at 400m (George Duggan 51.7 pb), 800m (James West 1.57.6), 1500m (Sean Molloy 4.02.9), 5000m (Tom Cox 15.39.2) and 2000m steeplechase (Alex Howard 6.14.5).
On the womens side there were A-string wins at 400m (Becky O'Hara 60.2) and 1500m steeplechase (Nicole Taylor 5.03.8 pb).
Full results are on the Results 2014 page. Photos below of today's TAC Distance Runners, who won their A-string events.
TAC distance runners swept the men's A-string results with wins at 400m (George Duggan 51.7 pb), 800m (James West 1.57.6), 1500m (Sean Molloy 4.02.9), 5000m (Tom Cox 15.39.2) and 2000m steeplechase (Alex Howard 6.14.5).
On the womens side there were A-string wins at 400m (Becky O'Hara 60.2) and 1500m steeplechase (Nicole Taylor 5.03.8 pb).
Full results are on the Results 2014 page. Photos below of today's TAC Distance Runners, who won their A-string events.
Victoria Park 5 mile road race, East London, Saturday 19th April
Lucy Reid finished as third women (30.57) and picked up some prize money, whilst Dan Bradley placed 6th in 25.52, with Cameron Knapp running 27.18. Full results appear here - http://www.vphthac.org.uk/open5/index.html
Saturday 5km Parkruns, 19th April
At Tonbridge there was another good turnout of TAC runners, including the winner James Puxty with 17.31 and first lady in Sally Musson with 21.25. Others included -
Charlie Crick 18.41, Hamish Johnstone 18.55, Bede Pitcairn-Knowles 19.47, Toby Ross 20.07, Ben Brooks 20.18, Steve Brooks 21.56, Ellen Pitcairn-Knowles 23.19
At Riddlesdown, Ben Foreman was third with 17.48
At Bexley Jordan Saul was fifth in 19.05, having gone off course when in third.
Charlie Crick 18.41, Hamish Johnstone 18.55, Bede Pitcairn-Knowles 19.47, Toby Ross 20.07, Ben Brooks 20.18, Steve Brooks 21.56, Ellen Pitcairn-Knowles 23.19
At Riddlesdown, Ben Foreman was third with 17.48
At Bexley Jordan Saul was fifth in 19.05, having gone off course when in third.
Ecolution sponsors eight TAC Distance Runners
Kent-based Ecolution, leader in the design and installation of renewable systems, is supporting eight Tonbridge Athletic Club (TAC) distance runners to help them develop their careers in athletics.
Nicole Taylor, Robbie Farnham-Rose, Andy Combs, Dominic Brown, Tom Cox, Ryan Driscoll, Sean Molloy and Luca Russo, who have all gained either International or Regional representative honours, have received a sponsorship deal from Ecolution worth £5000 over 12 months. The funds will help them with their travel, physiotherapy as well as with purchasing their running equipment and kit.
Kevin Knapp, Director, Ecolution comments: “Being based in Kent, we want to support regional community initiatives whenever we can. We are proud to be helping these athletes; their dedication and passion is inspiring. Just like TAC, we believe in nurturing young talent, whether it is through our sporting sponsorship or our own employees, and hope that our contribution will help them achieve their goals.”
See the Ecolution Sponsorship page for more information.
Nicole Taylor, Robbie Farnham-Rose, Andy Combs, Dominic Brown, Tom Cox, Ryan Driscoll, Sean Molloy and Luca Russo, who have all gained either International or Regional representative honours, have received a sponsorship deal from Ecolution worth £5000 over 12 months. The funds will help them with their travel, physiotherapy as well as with purchasing their running equipment and kit.
Kevin Knapp, Director, Ecolution comments: “Being based in Kent, we want to support regional community initiatives whenever we can. We are proud to be helping these athletes; their dedication and passion is inspiring. Just like TAC, we believe in nurturing young talent, whether it is through our sporting sponsorship or our own employees, and hope that our contribution will help them achieve their goals.”
See the Ecolution Sponsorship page for more information.
London Marathon and Mini Marathons, Sunday 13th April
TAC had about a dozen distance runners in action on the streets of London today. Julian Rendall led the main marathon squad home with a 2.32.19 run, with Ben Cole (2.37.51) and Dan Watt (2.41.47) having a debut and personal best performance respectively. The three of them should finish quite high up in the three to score club event, once results are announced.
Duncan Ralph (3.59.34) dipped under 4 hours on his debut, having only started running two years ago, whilst Nigel Beer ran 4.07.30, Rachel Fagg 4.16.45(debut) and Joe Baldwin 4.41.15 (debut).
TAC second claim member, Ben Reynolds ran 2.33.53 and was the winner of the over 50 mens age group race. Ben now races for Thames Hare and Hounds, but has been a TAC member since he was a teenager at Sevenoaks School.
In the mini marathons, over the final 3 miles of the marathon course, the highest TAC performer was Alasdair Kinloch, who had a great run to place third in the under 15s.
A summary is available on the Results 2014 page, with the full mini marathon results. Full marathon results are at -http://results-2014.virginmoneylondonmarathon.com/2014/
Duncan Ralph (3.59.34) dipped under 4 hours on his debut, having only started running two years ago, whilst Nigel Beer ran 4.07.30, Rachel Fagg 4.16.45(debut) and Joe Baldwin 4.41.15 (debut).
TAC second claim member, Ben Reynolds ran 2.33.53 and was the winner of the over 50 mens age group race. Ben now races for Thames Hare and Hounds, but has been a TAC member since he was a teenager at Sevenoaks School.
In the mini marathons, over the final 3 miles of the marathon course, the highest TAC performer was Alasdair Kinloch, who had a great run to place third in the under 15s.
A summary is available on the Results 2014 page, with the full mini marathon results. Full marathon results are at -http://results-2014.virginmoneylondonmarathon.com/2014/
Other weekend news, Saturday and Sunday 12th and 13th April
Max Nicholls (u20) was first home and broke the Ashford Parkrun course record with 15.45 on Saturday. His younger brother Euan (u17) ran 17.53.
At Croydon Christian Lee (u15) ran 18.48 and 'dad' Nick ran 20.33.
Kieran Reilly followed up his personal best 800 metres, from last weekend with a seasons opener over 1500m at the University of Illinois Twighlight Track meeting, on Saturday evening. Kieran ran 3.48.54 to finish 4th.
On Sunday Sally Musson finished as 3rd lady in the Hartfield 10k, whilst Joe Watts ran around 47.19, on the tough course. Results will appear at http://www.hartfieldonline.com/Core/Hartfield-Parish-Council/Pages/Fun_Run_1.aspx
At Croydon Christian Lee (u15) ran 18.48 and 'dad' Nick ran 20.33.
Kieran Reilly followed up his personal best 800 metres, from last weekend with a seasons opener over 1500m at the University of Illinois Twighlight Track meeting, on Saturday evening. Kieran ran 3.48.54 to finish 4th.
On Sunday Sally Musson finished as 3rd lady in the Hartfield 10k, whilst Joe Watts ran around 47.19, on the tough course. Results will appear at http://www.hartfieldonline.com/Core/Hartfield-Parish-Council/Pages/Fun_Run_1.aspx
Tonbridge Parkrun, 5km, Saturday 12th April
See video highlights
A few TAC distance runners took advantage of a break in their racing calendar to turn out at the Parkrun. Steve Fennell, led Tom Cox, Dan Bradley, Ashley Gibson and Michael Ellis home. Steve and Ash would have smashed the official men's and women's course records, but for the fact that a marshal had located a turn market at the wrong location ! It was estimated that the course was maybe 80 metres or 20 seconds short, so Steve (15.35) and Ash (16.38) would have been well inside the existing records of 16.17 and 19.05.
Full results are at - http://www.parkrun.org.uk/tonbridge/results/latestresults/
Full results are at - http://www.parkrun.org.uk/tonbridge/results/latestresults/
Kent Championships, Saturday/Sunday 24th/25th May (under 15s and older)
Entries are open now for the Kent Championships. Details are on the relevant Race Information page.
Entries close 5th May.
Entries close 5th May.
Watford Open Meeting, Wednesday 9th April
Genny Allan (under 15) produced a terrific 1500 metres last night at Watford to take 18 seconds from her personal best, with 4.46.18 ! Only one TAC female athlete ran quicker than this in 2013, so its an excellent start to the season.
Genny Allan
Hercules Wimbledon Young Athletes Meeting, at Wimbledon, Sunday 6th April
James West finished second in the Dave Clarke under 20 mens mile, in a slow and tactical race, with a very fast last lap. The time was 4.28.11 and he was just beaten by Tom Holden (4.27.11), of South London Harriers.
Christian Lee took two seconds from his 800m personal best with 2.16.07, in the under 15 age group.
Full results are on the Results 2014 page.
Christian Lee took two seconds from his 800m personal best with 2.16.07, in the under 15 age group.
Full results are on the Results 2014 page.
Brighton Marathon Day 10k road race, Sunday 6th April
Dan Watt followed up his half marathon personal best last weekend with another today in 33.11 over 10k. Full results are at -http://brighton.marathonapp.net/events/2014/races/2/meta.html
National 6 (women) and 12 (men) stage road relay championships, at Sutton Coldfield, Saturday 5th April
Tonbridge AC's mens and womens teams produced the club's best ever performances at these championships, as they finished 13th and 21st respectively.
These relays are perhaps the truest test of a club's distance running status, with the best from England, Scotland and Wales competing. The men had only once qualified for the championships, before 2011 and in 1996 only had eleven runners, so the team was incomplete. Since then the progress has been 2011 - 28th, 2012 -19th, 2013 - 14th, 2014 - 13th. However, breaking into the top ten will be very tough to achieve, although with such a young current squad the potential is there.
The women in 2012 almost completed a team, but suffered the misfortune of one athlete twisting an ankle in warm up. This year was the first time TAC have finished and the creditable 21st place is something we again can hopefully now build on.
Full results are on the Results 2014 page. Photos below.
These relays are perhaps the truest test of a club's distance running status, with the best from England, Scotland and Wales competing. The men had only once qualified for the championships, before 2011 and in 1996 only had eleven runners, so the team was incomplete. Since then the progress has been 2011 - 28th, 2012 -19th, 2013 - 14th, 2014 - 13th. However, breaking into the top ten will be very tough to achieve, although with such a young current squad the potential is there.
The women in 2012 almost completed a team, but suffered the misfortune of one athlete twisting an ankle in warm up. This year was the first time TAC have finished and the creditable 21st place is something we again can hopefully now build on.
Full results are on the Results 2014 page. Photos below.
Eastern Ilinois Big Blue Classic Meeting, USA Saturday 5th April
Kieran Reilly who is attending Indiana University, in the USA, won his first race of the outdoor track season, in the USA and took a tenth of a second from his 800 metres personal best. Kieran ran 1.52.13. Kieran also goes top of the TAC 800m rankings for 2014, as its fractionally quicker than Sean Molloy ran indoors.
Brighton Mini Road Miles, Saturday 5th April
TAC athletes featured in five of the road miles at Brighton, with Katie Goodge claiming a win. Results of the relevant races are on the Results 2014 page. Full results are at http://www.brightonminimile.co.uk/race-day-live
Saturday Parkruns, 5th April
Tonbridge - Michael Ellis (17.35) and Nicola Summerfield (22.11) were the first finishers home. Matt Harvey (18.36), Ollie Dunn (18.40) and James Kingston (19.53) all ran course personal bests. Steve Brooks ran 22.33 in his first attempt at the course.
Harrogate - The Pitcairn-Knowles family appeared up in Yorkshire and Bede ran 19.05 in 5th, followed home by Polly (20.57) and mum Lucy (22.13)
Harrogate - The Pitcairn-Knowles family appeared up in Yorkshire and Bede ran 19.05 in 5th, followed home by Polly (20.57) and mum Lucy (22.13)
London Marathon, Sunday 13th April
TAC will have a few representatives in the London Marathon, including Duncan Ralph, who is asking for help in supporting his fund raising efforts at the link below -
https://justgiving.com/duncanralphlondon
https://justgiving.com/duncanralphlondon
Duncan Ralph - Asking for support at London Marathon
Other weekend news 29th/30th March
A few other performances at the weekend -
Dominic Brown (u20) ran and won in an 800m/1500m double at the Sheffield University Indoor Varsity event. he ran 1.56 and 4.03.
Christian Lee (u15) made a 3000m debut at the Crawley Open Meeting on Saturday and ran about 10.15 (official result awaited)
Calum Laing (u15) ran a pb 800m at Lee Valley in an indoor pentathlon, with 2.28.06. This took more than five seconds from his best.
Dominic Brown (u20) ran and won in an 800m/1500m double at the Sheffield University Indoor Varsity event. he ran 1.56 and 4.03.
Christian Lee (u15) made a 3000m debut at the Crawley Open Meeting on Saturday and ran about 10.15 (official result awaited)
Calum Laing (u15) ran a pb 800m at Lee Valley in an indoor pentathlon, with 2.28.06. This took more than five seconds from his best.
Paddock Wood Half Marathon, Sunday 30th March
Tonbridge AC missed winning the senior men's team title at Paddock Wood today by one point to Cambridge Harriers, although one of the Cambridge H athletes was not entered for the club fully. Therefore, on a technicality our squad were awarded the team prize.
The team was led home by an outstanding run from Dan Watt. Dan finished 9th in a high class race, reducing his personal best to 70.47, which is an improvement of 80 seconds.
Julian Rendall was not far behind in 12th with 70.57, which was not far from his own pb, being the first time for four years that he has gone sub 71 minutes. Ben Cole was 19th in 73.49, although was using it more as a training run.
Dan, Julian and Ben are all due to run the London Marathon.
Others - Richard Westover 80.33, Nigel Beer 1.39.03, Duncan Ralph 1.41.34 (pb), Rachel Fagg 1.50.45 (pb), Pat Hollands 2.01.03
Full results are at the following link - https://www.sportsystems.co.uk/ss/results/25th%20Brooks%20Paddock%20Wood%20Half%20Marathon/1288
Photos courtesy of Dave Adkin and Diane Bradley.
The team was led home by an outstanding run from Dan Watt. Dan finished 9th in a high class race, reducing his personal best to 70.47, which is an improvement of 80 seconds.
Julian Rendall was not far behind in 12th with 70.57, which was not far from his own pb, being the first time for four years that he has gone sub 71 minutes. Ben Cole was 19th in 73.49, although was using it more as a training run.
Dan, Julian and Ben are all due to run the London Marathon.
Others - Richard Westover 80.33, Nigel Beer 1.39.03, Duncan Ralph 1.41.34 (pb), Rachel Fagg 1.50.45 (pb), Pat Hollands 2.01.03
Full results are at the following link - https://www.sportsystems.co.uk/ss/results/25th%20Brooks%20Paddock%20Wood%20Half%20Marathon/1288
Photos courtesy of Dave Adkin and Diane Bradley.
SE Schools Inter Counties Cross Country Championships (years 7 and 8)
at Chelmsford, Saturday 29th March
Full results on the Results 2014 page. The top TAC performers were Charlie Crick who was 5th in the year 8 boys race and Vita de Munck who was 6th in the year 8 girls race.
Tonbridge 5k Parkrun, Saturday 29th March - New course record
Dan Bradley took nine seconds off his own Tonbridge Parkrun record this morning with a 16.17 clocking, being followed home by Jamie Bryant (17.11). Nicola Summerfield was the first lady home with a new course pb of 22.45.
Others - Ollie Dunn 18.53, Matt Harvey 18.59, Cain Bradley 21.13, Louisa Bryant 22.55.
Others - Ollie Dunn 18.53, Matt Harvey 18.59, Cain Bradley 21.13, Louisa Bryant 22.55.
