February 2015
National Under 20 Indoor Championships at Sheffield, Saturday 28th February
I thought that this was supposed to be a relatively quiet weekend for TAC distance runners, but James West went and produced another National Championship win today ! He won the under 20 men's 1500 metres in 3.51.79, producing a stunning last 100 metres to defeat Robbie Fitzgibbon of Brighton Phoenix. In what was a relatively tactical affair, James took three seconds from his indoor personal best time.
James West - National under 20 mens indoor 1500m champion
USA National Collegiate Conference Meetings, Friday and Saturday, 27th/28th February
Kieran Reilly competed for Indiana in the Big10 Conference, in Ohio, running the heats of the 800 metres on Friday. Kieran lowered his indoor personal best substantially to 1.52.78, to finish sixth, so will not qualify for Saturday's final. Kieran's time took almost two seconds from his indoor best time and was just 0.6s away from his outright pb.
Robbie Farnham-Rose competed for Alabama in the South East Conference, in Kentucky, running in the mile. Robbie placed third in his heat, which was an automatic qualifying position for the final. He ran 4.06.48. In Saturday's final Robbie placed third in 4.03.87, just 0.5s away from the winner.
Robbie Farnham-Rose competed for Alabama in the South East Conference, in Kentucky, running in the mile. Robbie placed third in his heat, which was an automatic qualifying position for the final. He ran 4.06.48. In Saturday's final Robbie placed third in 4.03.87, just 0.5s away from the winner.
Harrow Schools Cross Country Races, Saturday 28th February
A few results from Harrow -
Senior Boys - 2nd Tim Faes, 4th Stuart Brown, 6th Miles Weatherseed, 17th ? Will Whitmore, 18th Luke Fisher
Inter Boys - 3rd Jesse Magorrian, 4th Dan Blades
Junior Boys - 3rd Charlie Crick, 4th James Kingston
Inter Girls - 2nd Phoebe Barker
Senior Boys - 2nd Tim Faes, 4th Stuart Brown, 6th Miles Weatherseed, 17th ? Will Whitmore, 18th Luke Fisher
Inter Boys - 3rd Jesse Magorrian, 4th Dan Blades
Junior Boys - 3rd Charlie Crick, 4th James Kingston
Inter Girls - 2nd Phoebe Barker
Saturday parkruns, 28th February
Tonbridge - 1st James Puxty 17.38
Royal Tunbridge Wells - 1st female and 1st overall Alice Ralph 21.41
Riddlesdown - 1st female Melissa Berry 22.32
Dartford - 1st female Leah Melvin 19.28
Full results - http://www.parkrun.org.uk/tonbridge/results
The updated Tonbridge AC Winter Grand Prix league table is in the file below (thanks Mark Pitcairn-Knowles)
Royal Tunbridge Wells - 1st female and 1st overall Alice Ralph 21.41
Riddlesdown - 1st female Melissa Berry 22.32
Dartford - 1st female Leah Melvin 19.28
Full results - http://www.parkrun.org.uk/tonbridge/results
The updated Tonbridge AC Winter Grand Prix league table is in the file below (thanks Mark Pitcairn-Knowles)
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Serpentine, Last Friday of the Month 5k, Friday 27th February
Chris Olley used the Serpentine lunchtime 5k event in Hyde Park, as a good hard training run and finished first in 15.27, about a minute ahead of the second placed runner. Sally Musson showed that she is still running well, recording 21.29 in the over 60 category.
Full results are at - http://www.serpentine.org.uk/rdb/showrace.php?race=10275
Full results are at - http://www.serpentine.org.uk/rdb/showrace.php?race=10275
Videos of all ten National Cross Country Championship races now loaded !
British Universities and Colleges Indoor Championships, at Sheffield, Saturday/Sunday, 21st/22nd February
James West had one of his best ever races, when he finished second in the 1500 metres at the BUCS Indoor Championships.
He had won his heat on Saturday in 4.01.37 and in a tactical final on Sunday ran 4.00.15 as Ben Coldray, of St Marys won in 3.59.55.
He had won his heat on Saturday in 4.01.37 and in a tactical final on Sunday ran 4.00.15 as Ben Coldray, of St Marys won in 3.59.55.
James West (left), with Ben Coldray and Dan Cheeseman
Bristol Varsity 10k race, Sunday 22nd February
James Thompson showed that he is continuing is move back to full fitness by almost winning the Bristol Varsity 10k. He ran 34.43, on what might be a slightly over distance run. Full results are at - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/trP8WHShZc8molbokRLQmNg/htmlview?pli=1
Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon, Sunday 22nd February
Dan Bradley won the Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon in 72.58, with Dan Watt in 2nd with 75.07. With Julian Rendall in 5th, TAC won the team race. Full results are at http://www.chiptiming.co.uk/results/?sport=1&year=2015&event=360&race=253#
Dan Bradley (right) with Dave Coleman (Tonbridge AC and Dame Kelly Holmes Trust)
English National Cross Country Championships, at Parliament Hill Fields, Hampstead, North London
Saturday 21st February - Videos of all ten National Cross Country Championship races now loaded !
I have a lot of work to do editing photos, videos etc from the National, but will get it all done over the next day or so. Its also my dad's 80th birthday lunch on Sunday, so apologies if only a little appears here today.
Many will now by now that TAC came away from the championships with three team gold medals, a team bronze and an individual winner. It was quite a remarkable day (and evening) and I would like to thank everyone who ran, supported and helped.
In summary -
Senior men - 11th (6 to score) and 9th (9 to score) - best ever places. Ryan Driscoll 77th.
Senior women - 41st. Lucy Reid 39th (highest ever TAC)
Under 20 men - 1st National Champions . Max Nicholls 4th.
Under 20 women - 3rd. Nicole Taylor 22nd.
Under 17 men - 1st National Champions. Jamie Goodge 13th
Under 17 women - 7th. Alice Ralph 40th.
Under 15 boys - 1st National Champions. James Puxty 4th.
Under 15 girls - 5th. Kathleen Faes 1st - National Champion
Under 13 boys - 5th. James Kingston 19th.
Under 13 girls - 14th. Lizzie Miller 30th.
Full results are on the Results 2015 page.
Many will now by now that TAC came away from the championships with three team gold medals, a team bronze and an individual winner. It was quite a remarkable day (and evening) and I would like to thank everyone who ran, supported and helped.
In summary -
Senior men - 11th (6 to score) and 9th (9 to score) - best ever places. Ryan Driscoll 77th.
Senior women - 41st. Lucy Reid 39th (highest ever TAC)
Under 20 men - 1st National Champions . Max Nicholls 4th.
Under 20 women - 3rd. Nicole Taylor 22nd.
Under 17 men - 1st National Champions. Jamie Goodge 13th
Under 17 women - 7th. Alice Ralph 40th.
Under 15 boys - 1st National Champions. James Puxty 4th.
Under 15 girls - 5th. Kathleen Faes 1st - National Champion
Under 13 boys - 5th. James Kingston 19th.
Under 13 girls - 14th. Lizzie Miller 30th.
Full results are on the Results 2015 page.
Kathleen Faes - First TAC female National Champion for 27 years
The four medal winning teams
A few photos from the many taken (more will appear at the Scrapbook at www.tonbridgeac.co.uk)
The 9th Tonbridge AC 'National' Dinner and Awards
News from USA - Saturday 21st February
Robbie Farnham-Rose ran 1200 metres in 2.54 to help Alabama's Distance Medley Relay team qualify for the National Collegiate Championships. The 1200m is the first leg and is followed by the 800m, 400m and 1600m. Alabama placed third at the Alex Wilson Invitational, held at Notre Dame, Indiana.
The DMR (Distance Medley Relay) is a popular event in the USA, ran both indoors and outdoors.
The DMR (Distance Medley Relay) is a popular event in the USA, ran both indoors and outdoors.
Message from the Johnstones in Australia !
We received an update from Abi and Amanda Johnstone in Australia. Read the news on the Distance Runners Diaries page for 2015. They wish everyone good luck at the National.
Abi Johnstone settling into Australian life
Tenterden 5 mile road race, Sunday 16th February
Dan Bradley produced another good road race performance today in winning the Tenterden 5 miles in 25.41. This gave him a 98 second cushion over second placed Jack Goss of Invicta and broke the course record. The time is also only just 17 seconds away from Dan's pb, set on the ultra flat and fast Victoria Park course in London.
Full results are at - http://niceworkevents.blogspot.co.uk
Full results are at - http://niceworkevents.blogspot.co.uk
Other weekend action 14th/15th February
Kieran Reilly raced an indoor 1 mile at Indiana on Friday evening, but was disappointed with his time of 4.12.52. He then ran 1200m in the Distance Medley Relay in 3.05.
James West ran 4.06.09 for a very tactical 1500m and finished 4th in his heat at the British Championships, at Sheffield. Unfortunately, it was the slower of the two heats and only the first three qualified for Sunday's final. The fastest losers qualifying spots came from heat two.
In the Saturday parkruns -
Tonbridge 1st Tim Faes 16.51, 1st female Polly Pitcairn-Knowles 20.31
Royal Tunbridge Wells 4th Joe Watt (21.09), 6th (1st female) Alice Ralph 21.43
Swindon 1st Ben Cole 16.01
Full results are at http://www.parkrun.org.uk/results/firstfinishers/
The updated TAC Grand Prix League table is in the file below (courtesy of Mark Pitcairn-Knowles). The next qualifying run at Tonbridge is 28th February.
James West ran 4.06.09 for a very tactical 1500m and finished 4th in his heat at the British Championships, at Sheffield. Unfortunately, it was the slower of the two heats and only the first three qualified for Sunday's final. The fastest losers qualifying spots came from heat two.
In the Saturday parkruns -
Tonbridge 1st Tim Faes 16.51, 1st female Polly Pitcairn-Knowles 20.31
Royal Tunbridge Wells 4th Joe Watt (21.09), 6th (1st female) Alice Ralph 21.43
Swindon 1st Ben Cole 16.01
Full results are at http://www.parkrun.org.uk/results/firstfinishers/
The updated TAC Grand Prix League table is in the file below (courtesy of Mark Pitcairn-Knowles). The next qualifying run at Tonbridge is 28th February.
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James Thompson won an unusual cross country race in Gloucestershire on Saturday. From what I can gather its run over a 3 mile course, that normally accommodates a horse race ! James reports that it was very tough but was very pleased with the win, since it was his first race for a while, after injury.
James Thompson being interviewed after his win !
Sunday 8th February action
Chichester 10k road race
Ben Cole produced another stunning performance, underlining his continued improvement, as he took 86 seconds from his personal best, to finish third in this high quality road race. Ben's time of 30.38 is the fastest by any TAC athlete for many years.
Cameron Knapp finished 67th in 35.20, which improved his best time for the distance by 27 seconds, that he set in 2014.
Eva Kolivoskova-Martin ran a massive pb of 45.38, showing her improvement in recent weeks. Just before Christmas a sub 50 was in her sights !
Full results are on the Results 2015 page.
Welsh Athletics Indoor Open Meeting - Videos loaded !
Luca Russo and Alex Hookway travelled to Cardiff to finish off their indoor track racing campaign. Luca improved his indoor 1500m pb by two seconds to finish third in the A race with 3.55.11, tantalisingly close to the 3.54 standard that would have got him into next weekends British Championships. Alex front ran the B race at 800m but ran out of steam on the last 200m to record 2.00.33, to place third.
Tonbridge AC Junior 1 mile races, at Tonbridge School
Full results are on the Results 2015 page
Ben Cole produced another stunning performance, underlining his continued improvement, as he took 86 seconds from his personal best, to finish third in this high quality road race. Ben's time of 30.38 is the fastest by any TAC athlete for many years.
Cameron Knapp finished 67th in 35.20, which improved his best time for the distance by 27 seconds, that he set in 2014.
Eva Kolivoskova-Martin ran a massive pb of 45.38, showing her improvement in recent weeks. Just before Christmas a sub 50 was in her sights !
Full results are on the Results 2015 page.
Welsh Athletics Indoor Open Meeting - Videos loaded !
Luca Russo and Alex Hookway travelled to Cardiff to finish off their indoor track racing campaign. Luca improved his indoor 1500m pb by two seconds to finish third in the A race with 3.55.11, tantalisingly close to the 3.54 standard that would have got him into next weekends British Championships. Alex front ran the B race at 800m but ran out of steam on the last 200m to record 2.00.33, to place third.
Tonbridge AC Junior 1 mile races, at Tonbridge School
Full results are on the Results 2015 page
Ben Cole (left) - fast 10k in 30.38
Robbie Farnham-Rose wins Mens Indoor Mile at Husker Invitational at Lincoln, Nebraska in 4.01.34
Saturday 7th February - Video loaded !
Robbie lowered his personal best and ran the fastest ever indoor mile by a TAC athletes, when he won in Nebraska in 4.01.34.
Full result at http://www.huskers.com/fls/100/trackstats/15FSHI/index.htm?DB_OEM_ID=100
Full result at http://www.huskers.com/fls/100/trackstats/15FSHI/index.htm?DB_OEM_ID=100
Kent Cross Country League at Swanley Park, Saturday 7th February
Videos loaded !
Swanley Park hosted the Kent League for the second time this season, for what was the final fixture for all the age groups.
Somehow TAC came away as league champions in both the senior mens and senior women's events, although in entirely different circumstances. The men had gone into this last race tied with both Blackheath and Cambridge Harriers, whilst the women led Invicta by a single point.
Blackheath came at us hard in the men's race, spearheaded by a fine win from Scott Overall, who ran the London 2012 Olympic Marathon for GB. However, TAC put in a battling show with George Duggan 5th, Tom Cox 6th, Dan Bradley 11th and Dan Watt 12th.
The ladies finished 6th on the day, but somehow it was enough to clinch the league, with Invicta not completing a team and the others being far enough behind, before the day. Thanks go to Ellen Pitcairn-Knowles, Jayne Mallyon, Rachel Fagg and Estelle Fenton who made up todays team.
Kathleen Faes and James Puxty won the under 15 races, although Sam Crick, with a terrific race on the day, in 2nd claimed the league title.
In the under 17s Alasdair Kinloch and Jamie Goodge were 1-2 in the men's whilst perhaps the best run of the day came from Alice Ralph who won her first ever Kent League race in fine style.
Full results from today and final league standings are on the Results 2015 page.
Somehow TAC came away as league champions in both the senior mens and senior women's events, although in entirely different circumstances. The men had gone into this last race tied with both Blackheath and Cambridge Harriers, whilst the women led Invicta by a single point.
Blackheath came at us hard in the men's race, spearheaded by a fine win from Scott Overall, who ran the London 2012 Olympic Marathon for GB. However, TAC put in a battling show with George Duggan 5th, Tom Cox 6th, Dan Bradley 11th and Dan Watt 12th.
The ladies finished 6th on the day, but somehow it was enough to clinch the league, with Invicta not completing a team and the others being far enough behind, before the day. Thanks go to Ellen Pitcairn-Knowles, Jayne Mallyon, Rachel Fagg and Estelle Fenton who made up todays team.
Kathleen Faes and James Puxty won the under 15 races, although Sam Crick, with a terrific race on the day, in 2nd claimed the league title.
In the under 17s Alasdair Kinloch and Jamie Goodge were 1-2 in the men's whilst perhaps the best run of the day came from Alice Ralph who won her first ever Kent League race in fine style.
Full results from today and final league standings are on the Results 2015 page.
Senior Men - Kent League Champions
Rachel Fagg collects the Senior Womens Kent League trophy
Other weekend news
Saturday Parkruns - Andrew Mercer won at Tonbridge in 17.25 whilst Matt Harvey ran a big pb of 17.51 at Mile End for third. Full results are at - http://www.parkrun.org.uk/results/firstfinishers/
Hyde Park Relays Saturday, over 4.95km
Chris Olley 14.47 (5th fastest lap), Max Nicholls 15.06, Alex Howard 15.07, Jack Keywood 16.35
Photos below courtesy of Steve Keywood.
Hyde Park Relays Saturday, over 4.95km
Chris Olley 14.47 (5th fastest lap), Max Nicholls 15.06, Alex Howard 15.07, Jack Keywood 16.35
Photos below courtesy of Steve Keywood.
British Cross Challenge and Chiltern League at Milton Keynes, Saturday -
u20 men 7th Corey De'Ath (21st overall with seniors)
senior women 8th (10th overall) Lucy Reid, 10th (13th overall) Nicole Taylor, 21st Sophie Foreman
under 11 boys 19th (1st in cross challenge) Maxim Bragin
Full results are on the Results 2015 page.
Photos below, courtesy of Richard Owen
u20 men 7th Corey De'Ath (21st overall with seniors)
senior women 8th (10th overall) Lucy Reid, 10th (13th overall) Nicole Taylor, 21st Sophie Foreman
under 11 boys 19th (1st in cross challenge) Maxim Bragin
Full results are on the Results 2015 page.
Photos below, courtesy of Richard Owen
British Milers Club and Open Meeting, at Lee Valley, Wednesday 4th February
Videos now loaded !
Three TAC distance runners were in action at Lee Valley. Ryan Driscoll had his first ever indoor race and ran 8.26.44 for 3000m to place third, with Luca Russo 8.33.13 for an indoor pb. Tom Dean raced the 800m and ran an indoor pb of 2.04.8.
Judd School win King Henry V111 School, Coventry Relay with all TAC runners
Wednesday 4th February
Judd School had a fine win at the prestigious King Henry V111 School relays on Wednesday, with a team made entirely of TAC runners - Will Whitmore (12.24), Jesse Magorrian (12.27), Stuart Brown (12.02), Miles Weatherseed (11.51), Dan Blades (12.53), Toby Ralph (12.17).
Sevenoaks School finished 4th in the girls race with TAC runners contributing as follows - Alice Tyler (14.21), Clara Tyler (15.11), Phoebe Barker (14.07). Full results are on the Results 2015 page.
Sevenoaks School finished 4th in the girls race with TAC runners contributing as follows - Alice Tyler (14.21), Clara Tyler (15.11), Phoebe Barker (14.07). Full results are on the Results 2015 page.
Ashford and District 10k road race, Sunday 1st February
Dan Bradley won this 10k road race, whilst Nicola Summerfield was the fifth lady finisher. Dan ran 33.26 and beat Mike Coleman, who won the bronze medal in the Kent Cross Country Championships, by seven seconds. Nicola ran 42.27 and Cain Bradley was 119th in 46.27.
Dan had finished second in this race on three previous occasions, but never won. He led for most of the distance, losing the lead inside the last kilometre, before rallying for the win.
Dan had finished second in this race on three previous occasions, but never won. He led for most of the distance, losing the lead inside the last kilometre, before rallying for the win.
BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) Championships, at Stanmer Park,
Brighton, Saturday 31st January - Videos and full results loaded !
The BUCS championships are very popular with students, but also provide top quality races. Today the womens race was won by Emelia Gorecka and the mens A race by Jonny Hay. For those not in the 6 to run team for their university there is a mens B race. Henry Pearce (10th) and Nicole Taylor (35th) were the highest placed from TAC. Ryan Driscoll almost pulled out a win in this event, but lost out to Scott Halstead over the last half mile or so, to finish second. Nathan Marsh finished around 12th.
More details and results to follow.
More details and results to follow.
South East Schools Inter Counties at Reigate, Saturday 31st January
There were plenty of TAC distance runners in action at Reigate. Results are on the Results 2015 page.
In summary (top 10s and first TAC) -
Senior Boys - 4th Chris Cohen, 6th Miles Weatherseed, 8th Tim Faes
Senior Girls - 44th Ellen Pitcairn-Knowles
Inter Boys - 21st Charlie Lindsay
Inter Girls - 12th Phoebe Barker
Junior Boys - 46th Adam Van de Plas
Junior Girls - 20th Evie Butler
In summary (top 10s and first TAC) -
Senior Boys - 4th Chris Cohen, 6th Miles Weatherseed, 8th Tim Faes
Senior Girls - 44th Ellen Pitcairn-Knowles
Inter Boys - 21st Charlie Lindsay
Inter Girls - 12th Phoebe Barker
Junior Boys - 46th Adam Van de Plas
Junior Girls - 20th Evie Butler
Other weekend news Friday to Sunday, 30th January to 1st February
Kieran Reilly reduced his indoor 1 mile seasons best to 4.07.86 at the Indiana University meeting on Friday night. This is not far away from his personal best, but Kieran will have been hoping for more.
On Saturday Judd School retained the ‘Public Schools’ Cup’ in a mob race organised by Ranelagh Harriers in Richmond Park.
Will Whitmore took his first victory of the season, Jesse Magorrian 3rd. Ollie Harding and Pete Laing completed the scoring four.
On Saturday Judd School retained the ‘Public Schools’ Cup’ in a mob race organised by Ranelagh Harriers in Richmond Park.
Will Whitmore took his first victory of the season, Jesse Magorrian 3rd. Ollie Harding and Pete Laing completed the scoring four.
Parkruns
Ollie Dunn has moved to the top of the TAC Winter Grand Prix after this weeks event at Tonbridge, where he placed 5th. Andrew Mercer was first home. Emily Hale was the first female home at Maidstone, whilst TAC was also represented at the Royal Tunbridge Wells event. See full results at - http://www.parkrun.org.uk/results/firstfinishers/
TACGrand Prix league table below, supplied by Mark Pitcairn-Knowles -
TACGrand Prix league table below, supplied by Mark Pitcairn-Knowles -
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