January 2016
Other weekend news 30th/31st January
Ryan Driscoll has run 8.10.44 for 3000m in Seattle on Saturday, racing indoors for the University of San Francisco. This is the third TAC athlete to go sub 8.15 this indoor season; Robbie Farnham-Rose and James West being the other two.
Saturday 5km parkruns
Tonbridge - 1st female Megan Brickell 20.58 (pb)
Bexley - 2nd Jordan Saul 19.07 (started late !)
Banstead Woods - 2nd female Melissa Berry 22.10
Maidstone - 5th Harry Brown 18.10
Malling - 2nd Matt Harvey 19.11
Saturday 5km parkruns
Tonbridge - 1st female Megan Brickell 20.58 (pb)
Bexley - 2nd Jordan Saul 19.07 (started late !)
Banstead Woods - 2nd female Melissa Berry 22.10
Maidstone - 5th Harry Brown 18.10
Malling - 2nd Matt Harvey 19.11
South of England Cross Country Championships, at Parliament Hill Fields, Saturday 30th January
Race videos loaded !
Provisional results are on the Results 2016.
5 team medals, including a win for the under 13 boys. Its the first year since 2011 that TAC have won 5 team medals.(never achieved 6)
2 individual medals - 1st Max Nicholls (u20s), 2nd Katie Goodge (u13s)
In summary -
Senior men - 19 starters is a TAC record by 8. The team finished 4th, beating the highest ever position for TAC from two years ago. The team placed 3rd in the 12 to score result. Ben Cole was first home in 20th.
Senior women - Team 21st and first time ever that TAC have completed a team !. Both Ashley Gibson (8th) and Nicole Taylor (15th) were inside the highest ever TAC individual position ever recorded in the race.
Under 20 men - 2nd team, losing by just 3 points to Aldershot, 25 to 28. Max Nicholls was the first TAC winner of the event since Spencer Newport in 1986 and Andrew Hollens in 1985. Chris Olley 4th and George Duggan 8th.
Under 20 women - 3rd team and third year in a row TAC have won medals. Chloe Bird was first home in 21st.
Under 17 men - 2nd team, losing to Cambridge and Colleridge by 5 points. James Puxty 4th, Alasdair Kinloch 5th. TAC u17 men teams have won medals 10 years in a row now !
Under 17 women - 6th team. Phoebe Barker 10th
Under 15 boys - 3rd team. James Stoney 15th
Under 15 girls - 13th team. Clara Tyler 27th
Under 13 boys - 1st team. Matthew Taylor 6th, Fraser Gordon 8th. 13 starters is an equal TAC record.
Under 13 girls - 6th team. Katie Goodge 2nd and equal highest ever TAC position.
5 team medals, including a win for the under 13 boys. Its the first year since 2011 that TAC have won 5 team medals.(never achieved 6)
2 individual medals - 1st Max Nicholls (u20s), 2nd Katie Goodge (u13s)
In summary -
Senior men - 19 starters is a TAC record by 8. The team finished 4th, beating the highest ever position for TAC from two years ago. The team placed 3rd in the 12 to score result. Ben Cole was first home in 20th.
Senior women - Team 21st and first time ever that TAC have completed a team !. Both Ashley Gibson (8th) and Nicole Taylor (15th) were inside the highest ever TAC individual position ever recorded in the race.
Under 20 men - 2nd team, losing by just 3 points to Aldershot, 25 to 28. Max Nicholls was the first TAC winner of the event since Spencer Newport in 1986 and Andrew Hollens in 1985. Chris Olley 4th and George Duggan 8th.
Under 20 women - 3rd team and third year in a row TAC have won medals. Chloe Bird was first home in 21st.
Under 17 men - 2nd team, losing to Cambridge and Colleridge by 5 points. James Puxty 4th, Alasdair Kinloch 5th. TAC u17 men teams have won medals 10 years in a row now !
Under 17 women - 6th team. Phoebe Barker 10th
Under 15 boys - 3rd team. James Stoney 15th
Under 15 girls - 13th team. Clara Tyler 27th
Under 13 boys - 1st team. Matthew Taylor 6th, Fraser Gordon 8th. 13 starters is an equal TAC record.
Under 13 girls - 6th team. Katie Goodge 2nd and equal highest ever TAC position.
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Max Nicholls - 1st under 20 men and Katie Goodge - 2nd under 13 girls
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Under 13 Boys - 1st
James Crawley, Matthew Taylor, Henry Taylor (stood in for Fin Croll at presentation), Fraser Gordon
James Crawley, Matthew Taylor, Henry Taylor (stood in for Fin Croll at presentation), Fraser Gordon
Under 20 men - 2nd
Max Nicholls, Chris Olley, Corey De'Ath, George Duggan
Max Nicholls, Chris Olley, Corey De'Ath, George Duggan
Under 17 men - 2nd
James Puxty, Jamie Goodge, Bede Pitcairn-Knowles, Alasdair Kinloch
James Puxty, Jamie Goodge, Bede Pitcairn-Knowles, Alasdair Kinloch
Under 20 women - 3rd
Kiri Marsh, Chloe Bird, Sophie Foreman, Hannah Czarnowski
Kiri Marsh, Chloe Bird, Sophie Foreman, Hannah Czarnowski
Under 15 Boys - 3rd
James Kingston, Dan Schofield, James Stoney, Cameron Roberts
James Kingston, Dan Schofield, James Stoney, Cameron Roberts
South of England Cross Country Championships - Throwback in time, 10 years to 2006
With digital photography being around for more than a decade its relatively easy to go back in time with TAC and see how we did in the past.
Ten years ago, in 2006, we travelled on a bus with no heating to a very cold West Country for the Southern Championships. We had 36 runners (no seniors) and came away with two team and two individual medals. The under 13 boys were 2nd and the under 15 boys won, with Kurt Wolfe (2nd) and Seb Harding (3rd) being on the podium.
There are not many from 2006 still running 10 years later, although Pandora Banbury (u13 then) is back training, plus Catherine Symons, Andy Combs, Michael Mason and Sam Bradley still appear at the club. However, the only runner due to run at Parliament Hill this weekend, who was at Exmouth ten years ago is Dan Bradley, who back then finished 44th in an under 20 race, won by Andy Vernon of Aldershot (see below).
Ten years ago, in 2006, we travelled on a bus with no heating to a very cold West Country for the Southern Championships. We had 36 runners (no seniors) and came away with two team and two individual medals. The under 13 boys were 2nd and the under 15 boys won, with Kurt Wolfe (2nd) and Seb Harding (3rd) being on the podium.
There are not many from 2006 still running 10 years later, although Pandora Banbury (u13 then) is back training, plus Catherine Symons, Andy Combs, Michael Mason and Sam Bradley still appear at the club. However, the only runner due to run at Parliament Hill this weekend, who was at Exmouth ten years ago is Dan Bradley, who back then finished 44th in an under 20 race, won by Andy Vernon of Aldershot (see below).
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Other Saturday Results, 23rd January
Indoor results -
Alabama - Robbie Farnham-Rose 1 mile 4.07.65 (7th)
Kentucky - Luca Russo 800m 1.54.95 (3rd)
Cardiff - Miles Weatherseed 1500m 4.01.40 (9th)
Surrey Schools Cross Country
Senior Girls - Melissa Berry 16th
Parkruns -
Bushy Park - 1st Chris Olley 15.10 (2nd fastest ever TAC parkrun)
Tonbridge - 1st Andrew Mercer 16.47 (I see ex TAC distance runner Kelly Holmes was 1st female in 21.25)
Aberystwyth - 1st Ben Cole 16.24
On Sunday Alex Howard missed the British Cross Country Challenge, having gone down with an illness.
Alabama - Robbie Farnham-Rose 1 mile 4.07.65 (7th)
Kentucky - Luca Russo 800m 1.54.95 (3rd)
Cardiff - Miles Weatherseed 1500m 4.01.40 (9th)
Surrey Schools Cross Country
Senior Girls - Melissa Berry 16th
Parkruns -
Bushy Park - 1st Chris Olley 15.10 (2nd fastest ever TAC parkrun)
Tonbridge - 1st Andrew Mercer 16.47 (I see ex TAC distance runner Kelly Holmes was 1st female in 21.25)
Aberystwyth - 1st Ben Cole 16.24
On Sunday Alex Howard missed the British Cross Country Challenge, having gone down with an illness.
Kent Schools Cross Country Championships, at Hythe, Saturday 23rd January
Videos now loaded !
Full results, are on the Results 2016 page.
My stat of the week is that TAC supplied 45% of the top 10 positions across the eight age groups ! (36 of 80)
The schools age groups are a year different from the club events in the Winter, which means some different runners are pitched against each other. Places for the Kent teams, at the English Schools Championships, were at stake, with the top four in the Junior, Inter and Senior races gaining automatic selection. Thirteen TAC runners managed this.
Year 7 Girls - TAC had four of the top ten, as 101 finished. Maddie Wise placed second.
Year 7 Boys - Fin Croll had an excellent win and TAC had seven of the top twenty.
Junior Girls - Katie Goodge was an impressive winner, despite being 'bottom' of the age group, whilst TAC had four in the top ten.
Junior Boys - We will claim the winner Finn Harvey as TAC, since he is a second claim member, being a pupil at Tonbridge School, which made eight in the top twenty.
Inter Girls - Phoebe Barker bounced back from a tough Knole Run the week before to finish third, as the Inters were generally stronger than the seniors, who ran with them.
Inter Boys - TAC were quite dominant, filling the first four places, headed by James Puxty. James Stoney had a blinder in second (bottom of the age group), whilst Dan Schofield also stood out in seventh.
Senior Girls - With only eleven in the race, it was the smallest field and TAC had five of them ! It was good to see Alice Ralph run well, after a season blighted with illness.
Senior Boys - There was a surprise at the front as Ally Kinloch had a blip in his season's form to place third, with Jamie Goodge in second. All eight TAC were in the top thirteen.
My stat of the week is that TAC supplied 45% of the top 10 positions across the eight age groups ! (36 of 80)
The schools age groups are a year different from the club events in the Winter, which means some different runners are pitched against each other. Places for the Kent teams, at the English Schools Championships, were at stake, with the top four in the Junior, Inter and Senior races gaining automatic selection. Thirteen TAC runners managed this.
Year 7 Girls - TAC had four of the top ten, as 101 finished. Maddie Wise placed second.
Year 7 Boys - Fin Croll had an excellent win and TAC had seven of the top twenty.
Junior Girls - Katie Goodge was an impressive winner, despite being 'bottom' of the age group, whilst TAC had four in the top ten.
Junior Boys - We will claim the winner Finn Harvey as TAC, since he is a second claim member, being a pupil at Tonbridge School, which made eight in the top twenty.
Inter Girls - Phoebe Barker bounced back from a tough Knole Run the week before to finish third, as the Inters were generally stronger than the seniors, who ran with them.
Inter Boys - TAC were quite dominant, filling the first four places, headed by James Puxty. James Stoney had a blinder in second (bottom of the age group), whilst Dan Schofield also stood out in seventh.
Senior Girls - With only eleven in the race, it was the smallest field and TAC had five of them ! It was good to see Alice Ralph run well, after a season blighted with illness.
Senior Boys - There was a surprise at the front as Ally Kinloch had a blip in his season's form to place third, with Jamie Goodge in second. All eight TAC were in the top thirteen.
Fin Croll - 1st year 7
Katie Goodge - 1st Junior
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Finn Harvey - 1st Junior
James Puxty - 1st Inter
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Tonbridge AC parkrun Winter Grand Prix update
The latest league table is on the Parkrun page. From Mark Pitcairn-Knowles -
Matt Harvey was rewarded with 20 points as he was the only TAC runner to run at Orpington last Saturday, this catapults him up to 5th place overall. He ran 19.46 and came 3rd overall, which considering the muddy sections and undulating nature is very impressive. Next qualifying run is Feb 6th at Tonbridge.
Sophy Slack still tops the league table.
Matt Harvey was rewarded with 20 points as he was the only TAC runner to run at Orpington last Saturday, this catapults him up to 5th place overall. He ran 19.46 and came 3rd overall, which considering the muddy sections and undulating nature is very impressive. Next qualifying run is Feb 6th at Tonbridge.
Sophy Slack still tops the league table.
Sussex Schools Cross Country Championships, at Brighton, Wednesday 20th January
I think that Scarlet Coates may have been the only TAC runner in action at the Sussex Schools Championships, on Wednesday. Scarlet finished an excellent 25th from nearly 200 finishers in the Junior Girls race. Full results are on the Results 2016 page.
Scarlet Coates - 25th in Sussex Schools Champs on Wednesday, at Brighton
Kathleen Faes wins Sevenoaks Chronicle 'Young Sports Star of the Year' Award
Kathleen Faes won the Sevenoaks Chronicle Young Sports Star Award for 2015, on Monday night and was presented with her award by Glenn Garrett, the sports editor.
Other weekend news, 16th/17th January
Nathan Marsh, running for Leeds University, finished 9th in the varsity match against Leeds Beckett University. Nathan was the third Leeds Uni man home and has been selected for their A-team to compete in the BUCS championships in early February.
Full results are on the Results 2016 page.
Sophie Foreman (Warwick Uni) and Saffron Salih (Birmingham Uni) competed in the Midlands League and finished 32nd and 50th, respectively. Full results are on the Results 2016 page.
Full results are on the Results 2016 page.
Sophie Foreman (Warwick Uni) and Saffron Salih (Birmingham Uni) competed in the Midlands League and finished 32nd and 50th, respectively. Full results are on the Results 2016 page.
Commodore Indoor Invitational, Nashville, Tennessee , Saturday 16th January
Robbie Farnham-Rose has run 8.08.77 for 3000m in USA, which is the fastest by a TAC athlete for at least 15 years. The first half was covered in 4.06, so hopefully there is more to come from Robbie as the year progresses.
Full result at - http://www.cfpitiming.com/liveresults/2016_Indoor/Vandy_Commodore_2016/results_44.html
Full result at - http://www.cfpitiming.com/liveresults/2016_Indoor/Vandy_Commodore_2016/results_44.html
Robbie Farnham-Rose - 3000 metres pb in USA
Birmingham Cross Country League, Saturday 16th January
George Duggan (9th) and James West (11th) both had good runs to be the third and fifth scorers for Loughborough University, in a high class race. It was a Loughborough trial for the British Universities Championships, so both will be hoping for selection in the six man team. Full results are on the Results 2016 page
James West and George Duggan competing in the Birmingham League
Sevenoaks School Knole Run, Saturday 16th January
Race videos loaded !
Tonbridge AC runners had success in both the girls and boys races.
Girls - 3rd Alice Tyler, 4th Clara Tyler - I Sevenoaks won
Boys - 1st James Puxty, 2nd Stuart Brown - Judd were 2nd, just 1 point behind Shrewsbury
Full results are now on the Results 2015 page
Girls - 3rd Alice Tyler, 4th Clara Tyler - I Sevenoaks won
Boys - 1st James Puxty, 2nd Stuart Brown - Judd were 2nd, just 1 point behind Shrewsbury
Full results are now on the Results 2015 page
Alice and Clara Tyler (centre) were always high up
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James Puxty (left) and Stuart Brown (right) finished 1-2
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Saturday 5km parkruns, 16th January
Tonbridge - 1st Julian Rendall 16.58, 1st female Tilly Hall 21.30
Bromley - 1st Dan Bradley 16.05
Swindon - 1st Ben Cole 16.39
Full results are at - http://www.parkrun.org.uk/results/firstfinishers/
Bromley - 1st Dan Bradley 16.05
Swindon - 1st Ben Cole 16.39
Full results are at - http://www.parkrun.org.uk/results/firstfinishers/
The weekend ahead, 16th/17th January
This weekend has plenty of TAC distance runners in action, but for their schools and universities -
Saturday, The Sevenoaks School Knole Run
The girls race is due to start at 2.30pm and the boys 10 minutes later.
This prestigious race has been held annually for more than 40 years (see photo below !)
Saturday, Birmingham Cross Country League, at Coventry
George Duggan and James West are due to race, in an event being used as a trial for the Loughborough University BUCS team. Note the Midland Womens League is at Gloucester and could also feature TAC members.
Saturday, Commodore Indoor Invitational, Nashville, Tennesse
Robbie Farnham-Rose is due to open his indoor season in the USA, racing 3000m for Alabama. The race is at 10.35pm UK time.
Saturday, The Sevenoaks School Knole Run
The girls race is due to start at 2.30pm and the boys 10 minutes later.
This prestigious race has been held annually for more than 40 years (see photo below !)
Saturday, Birmingham Cross Country League, at Coventry
George Duggan and James West are due to race, in an event being used as a trial for the Loughborough University BUCS team. Note the Midland Womens League is at Gloucester and could also feature TAC members.
Saturday, Commodore Indoor Invitational, Nashville, Tennesse
Robbie Farnham-Rose is due to open his indoor season in the USA, racing 3000m for Alabama. The race is at 10.35pm UK time.
The Knole Run takes place on Saturday. Unfortunately some of us can recall many of those over the last 40 years or so !
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James Taylor 'JT' (left) finished 5th in the 2009 Knole Run and now helping team manage as a teacher
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Midweek races, Wednesday and Thursday 13th/14th January
There have been a couple of midweek results from TAC Distance Runner -
Wednesday - Jack Keywood finished a fine 2nd in the East Anglian Cross Country League, at Norwich.
Thursday - Harry Paton was 13th in the RAF v Police v Fire Service v Civil Service cross country race.
Wednesday - Jack Keywood finished a fine 2nd in the East Anglian Cross Country League, at Norwich.
Thursday - Harry Paton was 13th in the RAF v Police v Fire Service v Civil Service cross country race.
TAC Fantasy Cross Country League - update after Kent Cross Country Championships
The updated Fantasy League table is on the FL page, with quite a few changes in positions.
Now added are the update 'Athlete Averages' table, alongside Ian Crawley's Latest Blog.
Now added are the update 'Athlete Averages' table, alongside Ian Crawley's Latest Blog.
Other weekend news, 9th and 10th January
TAC had mixed fortunes at the British Milers Club Indoor Meeting, at Sheffield on Sunday. James West finished 5th in the mens 3000m A race in a new personal best of 8.14.49. This took nine seconds from his outright pb set at Watford at the end of the Summer. However, there was bad news for Miles Weatherseed (1500m) and Dom Brown (3000m) as neither finished their races, one with a stomach issue and the other with a hamstring problem.
On Saturday, Luca Russo, ran 800m in 1.55.96 to finish 4th at Champagne, Illinois. Luca was back in the USA after the Christmas break and racing for the University of Missouri.
On Saturday a below par Henry Pearce finished 30th at the Great Edinburgh Cross Country International, racing for the GB mens team.
On Saturday, Luca Russo, ran 800m in 1.55.96 to finish 4th at Champagne, Illinois. Luca was back in the USA after the Christmas break and racing for the University of Missouri.
On Saturday a below par Henry Pearce finished 30th at the Great Edinburgh Cross Country International, racing for the GB mens team.
Kent Cross Country Championships, at Brands Hatch, Saturday 9th January
Videos loaded !
As seems to be traditional now the wind, rain and mud greeted all the competitors and supporters at the Kent Championships. I can assure you that not only does it making competing tough, but getting photos and videos is a nightmare !
Full results and the summary are on the Results 2016 page.
Senior Men - 1st (6 to score), 1st (12 to score), 2nd Max Nicholls, 4th Ben Cole
The men reversed our defeat to Kent AC at the South of Thames Championship, before Christmas, with some impressive packing. Max Nicholls led the team home in 2nd (Allen Graffin won in 2000 and Huw Evans was 2nd in 2003)
Senior Women - 1st (3 to score), 1st (6 to score), 1st Ashley Gibson, 4th Lucy Reid
Chloe Bird was maybe the heroine as she only declared her calf ok to race, the evening before and her 12th place gave the team victory, our first since 2012. Ashley's victory was only the second for TAC in the race history, as Deirdre McDermot won a couple of years ago.
Under 20 Men - 1st team, 2nd Stuart Brown, 3rd Euan Nicholls.
The team win made it 9 years in a row that TAC have won this event.
Under 20 Women - incomplete team, 4th Kiri Marsh
A couple of illnesses in the week dashed the chance to have a complete team.
Under 17 Men - 1st team, 1st Alasdair Kinloch, 3rd Jamie Goodge
The team win made it 10 years in a row that TAC have won this event. Ally's win was the first since Corey De'Ath in 2013.
Under 17 Women - 2nd team, 6th Phoebe Barker
The last time TAC won the team event was in 2012.
Under 15 Boys - 1st team, 3rd James Stoney
The team win made it 11 years in a row that TAC have won this event. Incredibly it is the first time since 2005 that TAC has not had the individual winner.
Under 15 Girls - 1st team, 1st Kathleen Faes.
It was TACs first team win for 6 years.
Under 13 Boys - 1st team, 4th Matthew Taylor
The last time TACs team didnt finish first or second was 2002.
Under 13 Girls - 2nd team, 1st Katie Goodge.
Katie is the third TAC winner this century after Alice Wood and Kathleen Faes.
Records broken ! A few TAC participation records for the county championships were broken today -
Overall 109 a record by 15 (33 initially declared but illness, injury and a no show reduced this)
Overall men 71 a record and overall women 38 a record
Senior Women - 9 a record, Senior Men - 27 a record
Three records equalled - u13 boys 14, u17 men 14, u15 girls 11
Full results and the summary are on the Results 2016 page.
Senior Men - 1st (6 to score), 1st (12 to score), 2nd Max Nicholls, 4th Ben Cole
The men reversed our defeat to Kent AC at the South of Thames Championship, before Christmas, with some impressive packing. Max Nicholls led the team home in 2nd (Allen Graffin won in 2000 and Huw Evans was 2nd in 2003)
Senior Women - 1st (3 to score), 1st (6 to score), 1st Ashley Gibson, 4th Lucy Reid
Chloe Bird was maybe the heroine as she only declared her calf ok to race, the evening before and her 12th place gave the team victory, our first since 2012. Ashley's victory was only the second for TAC in the race history, as Deirdre McDermot won a couple of years ago.
Under 20 Men - 1st team, 2nd Stuart Brown, 3rd Euan Nicholls.
The team win made it 9 years in a row that TAC have won this event.
Under 20 Women - incomplete team, 4th Kiri Marsh
A couple of illnesses in the week dashed the chance to have a complete team.
Under 17 Men - 1st team, 1st Alasdair Kinloch, 3rd Jamie Goodge
The team win made it 10 years in a row that TAC have won this event. Ally's win was the first since Corey De'Ath in 2013.
Under 17 Women - 2nd team, 6th Phoebe Barker
The last time TAC won the team event was in 2012.
Under 15 Boys - 1st team, 3rd James Stoney
The team win made it 11 years in a row that TAC have won this event. Incredibly it is the first time since 2005 that TAC has not had the individual winner.
Under 15 Girls - 1st team, 1st Kathleen Faes.
It was TACs first team win for 6 years.
Under 13 Boys - 1st team, 4th Matthew Taylor
The last time TACs team didnt finish first or second was 2002.
Under 13 Girls - 2nd team, 1st Katie Goodge.
Katie is the third TAC winner this century after Alice Wood and Kathleen Faes.
Records broken ! A few TAC participation records for the county championships were broken today -
Overall 109 a record by 15 (33 initially declared but illness, injury and a no show reduced this)
Overall men 71 a record and overall women 38 a record
Senior Women - 9 a record, Senior Men - 27 a record
Three records equalled - u13 boys 14, u17 men 14, u15 girls 11
The TAC Individual Kent Champions
Katie Goodge - u13 girls
Ashley Gibson - senior women
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Kathleen Faes - u15 girls
Alasdair Kinloch - 17 men
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Some of the photos from the Kent Champions - a few on form and in high places
All photos will be at www.tonbridgeac.co.uk under the Scrapbook
The weekend ahead, Saturday and Sunday 9th/10th January
We have a busy weekend coming up, with hopefully a record number of TAC competitors starting at the Kent Championships, at Brands Hatch. The club also has entries at both the Sussex and Surrey Champs (Sunday).
On Saturday Henry Pearce races for the GB mens team, alongside Mo Farah, at the Great Edinbugh Cross Country Meeting. This is being shown live on BBC1 from 1pm.
On Saturday, in the USA, Luca Russo will be the first of the four TAC distance runners, based there, to start their indoor season. Luca races for Missouri University, at the Border Battle meet, over 800m, which starts at 8.58pm UK time (2.58pm local time). This is in a three way meeting, with Illinois and Iowa, at Champagne, Illinois. Live results will go up at - http://sidearmstats.com/illinois/track/
On Sunday three TAC distance runners are due to compete in the British Milers Club indoor meeting at Sheffield. Miles Weatherseed is in the 1500m A-race at 2.44pm and James West, plus Dominic Brown in the 3000m A-race at 3.26pm. The races start at 1.30pm, with the last event at 3.38pm. Video coverage has been promised by Vinco Sport at http://www.runjumpthrow.com .(not live) A full timetable with start lists is at -http://www.britishmilersclub.com/content/bmcitemdisplay.aspx?itemid=1161
On Saturday Henry Pearce races for the GB mens team, alongside Mo Farah, at the Great Edinbugh Cross Country Meeting. This is being shown live on BBC1 from 1pm.
On Saturday, in the USA, Luca Russo will be the first of the four TAC distance runners, based there, to start their indoor season. Luca races for Missouri University, at the Border Battle meet, over 800m, which starts at 8.58pm UK time (2.58pm local time). This is in a three way meeting, with Illinois and Iowa, at Champagne, Illinois. Live results will go up at - http://sidearmstats.com/illinois/track/
On Sunday three TAC distance runners are due to compete in the British Milers Club indoor meeting at Sheffield. Miles Weatherseed is in the 1500m A-race at 2.44pm and James West, plus Dominic Brown in the 3000m A-race at 3.26pm. The races start at 1.30pm, with the last event at 3.38pm. Video coverage has been promised by Vinco Sport at http://www.runjumpthrow.com .(not live) A full timetable with start lists is at -http://www.britishmilersclub.com/content/bmcitemdisplay.aspx?itemid=1161
Henry Pearce called up for Great Britain Senior Men's team - Great Edinburgh Cross Country International
Henry Pearce has been called into the GB senior men's squad for the Great Edinburgh Cross Country International this coming Saturday, 9th January.
This will be the first senior international vest from a member of the current TAC squad and Henry will line up alongside Mo Farah in the televised event. The programme starts at 1pm on BBC1.
This will be the first senior international vest from a member of the current TAC squad and Henry will line up alongside Mo Farah in the televised event. The programme starts at 1pm on BBC1.
Tonbridge AC Junior (under 12) 1 mile races, at Tonbridge School, Sunday 3rd January
With the weather conditions as bad as anything that we have seen, so far this Winter, we moved the monthly 1 mile races onto the track. It might have meant that there were no fallers, but with parents generally huddled under a roof there were more opportunities to give up ! I am pleased to say that there were some toughies out there and the first home were Ollie Hill and Beth Lednor, both from TAC.
TAC Winter Parkrun Grand Prix - Saturday 2nd January
Mostly different runners today, Cain Bradley has moved to equal 3rd and along with Aimee Holdstock, John Ridge and Indiana Winter has completed 4 scoring runs so far. Andrew Mercer and Daniel Bradley (1st and 2nd in age grading TAC) who are both previous winners of the GP registered their first scores for the winter.
Mark Pitcairn-Knowles
See the Parkrun page for the latest league table, headed by Sophy Slack.
Mark Pitcairn-Knowles
See the Parkrun page for the latest league table, headed by Sophy Slack.
TAC Winter Parkrun Grand Prix - Friday 1st January
Park Run update before tomorrows next GP round - see the Parkrun page for the latest league table, headed by Sophy Slack.
“ Good day for the older TAC runners, with Ben Reynolds making an appearance to take top spot in the run and on age grading, from Julian Rendall. Joe Watts ran a PB in very muddy / slippery conditions to gain a 5 point bonus score. Cain Bradley in 4th place GP closed on the leading 3.” - Mark Pitcairn-Knowles
“ Good day for the older TAC runners, with Ben Reynolds making an appearance to take top spot in the run and on age grading, from Julian Rendall. Joe Watts ran a PB in very muddy / slippery conditions to gain a 5 point bonus score. Cain Bradley in 4th place GP closed on the leading 3.” - Mark Pitcairn-Knowles
Happy New Year Everyone and best wishes for 2016 !
Can it be any better than 2015 ?
As we move into 2016 I wish everyone a happy New Year and let's hope that TAC Distance Runners can move on again, over the next 12 months. In my mind, 2015 was probably the best year so far for the Tonbridge AC distance runners and as a reminder here are ten of my highlights. Apologies for number 10, but he is my own son and I rarely give him a mention !
There were many more that I could have added to the list and am happy to take requests via email, text or twitter message. If there are enough votes I will do another ten.
There were many more that I could have added to the list and am happy to take requests via email, text or twitter message. If there are enough votes I will do another ten.
TAC Fantasy League - Ian Crawley's latest blog, post Boxing Day handicap
Ian's latest blog, updating us all on the movers and shakers in the Fantasy League, after the Boxing Day handicap, is now loaded on the Fantasy League page.
End of year newsletter
As we are nearing the end of 2015 and also about halfway through the cross country season, I have put together a newsletter.
The prime aim is to highlight some thoughts, in terms of the development of young distance runners, but also publish some information that might be useful, especially to relatively new club members.
At the end I have attached a couple of articles that were published in Athletics Weekly in recent weeks.
The file is too large to email to everyone, but I hope that quite a few of you take the chance to have a read over the next few weeks.
The prime aim is to highlight some thoughts, in terms of the development of young distance runners, but also publish some information that might be useful, especially to relatively new club members.
At the end I have attached a couple of articles that were published in Athletics Weekly in recent weeks.
The file is too large to email to everyone, but I hope that quite a few of you take the chance to have a read over the next few weeks.
| tac_distance_runners_newsletter_december_2015_final.pdf |
Knole Park Training - New Years Eve
We had another great turn out this morning with about 60 completing the tough hill session. On top of this it was a beautiful, sunny morning in a picturesque location.
Happy New Year to everyone and hope to see plenty of you on Saturday morning.
Happy New Year to everyone and hope to see plenty of you on Saturday morning.
Fantasy Cross Country League - update 26th December, after Christmas Pudding Handicap
Michael Ellis has updated the league points and table, following todays Christmas Pudding Handicap. See the Fantasy League page for details.
Simon Fraser tops the FL, as we go into 2016.
Simon Fraser tops the FL, as we go into 2016.
TAC Boxing Day Handicap, Saturday 26th December
William McCarthy was the overall winner, from Pete Ebbage.
Fastest laps were recorded by Corey De'Ath and Kathleen Faes.
I cant recall a previous race which had such a mix of 'names' from the past making an appearance, alongside the current crop.
Individual times are on the Results 2015 page. Video loaded.
Fastest laps were recorded by Corey De'Ath and Kathleen Faes.
I cant recall a previous race which had such a mix of 'names' from the past making an appearance, alongside the current crop.
Individual times are on the Results 2015 page. Video loaded.
Merry Christmas to everyone at TAC and beyond
Despite the wind and the rain we had 78 runners turn out for Christmas Eve training at Knole Park. It was a record number for a single training session. Photo courtesy of Richard Owen. See Training completed for times.
TAC parkrun Grand Prix
Mark Pitcairn-Knowles has swapped the 1st January qualifying event from Bromley to Tonbridge, now that one is being staged at the 'home' event. This New Years Day run starts at 10.30am.
TAC Fantasy Cross Country League update
On the Fantasy Cross Country League page you will find a Christmas blog and analysis from Ian Crawley.
Of course the 'wild card' event of the Boxing Day handicap is looming, which could throw some completely different point scores into the mix. However, I am sure, like all races, it will be dependent of your teams' runners turning out.
Of course the 'wild card' event of the Boxing Day handicap is looming, which could throw some completely different point scores into the mix. However, I am sure, like all races, it will be dependent of your teams' runners turning out.
Sunday News, 20th December
Kent Christmas Cracker 5 mile road race at Deal - James West pulled away to win this road race in 25.47, covering the final mile in 4.49
Lotto Cross Cup, Brussels, Belgium - Kathleen Faes has won her race, for those born in 1999 and 2000. Full results are at http://www.sport.be/crosscup/2015/fr/brussel/uitslagen/
Corey De'Ath, finished an excellent third in the under 20 men's race, competing for the England under 20 team. Full results are at - http://www.sport.be/crosscup/2015/fr/brussel/uitslagen/
Lotto Cross Cup, Brussels, Belgium - Kathleen Faes has won her race, for those born in 1999 and 2000. Full results are at http://www.sport.be/crosscup/2015/fr/brussel/uitslagen/
Corey De'Ath, finished an excellent third in the under 20 men's race, competing for the England under 20 team. Full results are at - http://www.sport.be/crosscup/2015/fr/brussel/uitslagen/
Kathleen Faes - win in Belgium
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Corey De'Ath - 3rd in Belgium
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South of Thames Championship, at The Schools at Somerhill, Saturday 19th December
Race video loaded !
Tonbridge AC men's team had a titanic battle with Kent AC today, but in the end missed out in the 6 to score championship, by 52 to 58 points. As a consolation good packing by the TAC squad meant that the 12 to score first place was secured. Our packing was so good that the 'B team' six finished 4th overall.
Max Nicholls battled it out with John Gilbert, for much of the race, but Gilbert pulled away to win on the final lap of three, over the 7.5 mile course. Max slipped to third as Steven Feroni, of Brighton, came through.
Nicole Taylor took silver in the women's race, being not far behind Amy Clements, of Kent AC, whilst Lucy Reid (4th) and Nicola Wilkinson (9th) were both high up. Unfortunately, with only five runners, the ladies could not complete a team.
Other TAC A-team men - 6th Ben Cole, 10th Robbie Farnham-Rose, 11th George Duggan, 13th Julian Rendall, 15th Dan Bradley. Full results are on the Results 2015 page.
Max Nicholls battled it out with John Gilbert, for much of the race, but Gilbert pulled away to win on the final lap of three, over the 7.5 mile course. Max slipped to third as Steven Feroni, of Brighton, came through.
Nicole Taylor took silver in the women's race, being not far behind Amy Clements, of Kent AC, whilst Lucy Reid (4th) and Nicola Wilkinson (9th) were both high up. Unfortunately, with only five runners, the ladies could not complete a team.
Other TAC A-team men - 6th Ben Cole, 10th Robbie Farnham-Rose, 11th George Duggan, 13th Julian Rendall, 15th Dan Bradley. Full results are on the Results 2015 page.
Max Nicholls - 3rd overall
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Nicole Taylor - 2nd lady
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Men - 1st in 12 to score and 2nd in 6 to score
New Tonbridge AC men's parkrun record and other parkrun news, Saturday 19th December
Chris Olley has broken the TAC men's outright parkrun record with a 15.03 clocking this morning at Fulham Palace. He also regained his own course record.
Simon Fraser, who is approaching his 40th birthday and full veteran status in 2016 ran 17.32 for 5th at York.
Tonbridge - 1st Steve Fennell 16.33, 1st female Ashley Gibson 18.03
Maidstone - 2nd female Pandora Banbury 22.48. To me this is probably the most pleasing result of the whole weekend, as Pandora is attempting to get back to proper running about three years after having to stop. A debilitating back condition makes it very difficult, but this time she took almost two minutes from her recent other Maidstone parkrun performances.
Simon Fraser, who is approaching his 40th birthday and full veteran status in 2016 ran 17.32 for 5th at York.
Tonbridge - 1st Steve Fennell 16.33, 1st female Ashley Gibson 18.03
Maidstone - 2nd female Pandora Banbury 22.48. To me this is probably the most pleasing result of the whole weekend, as Pandora is attempting to get back to proper running about three years after having to stop. A debilitating back condition makes it very difficult, but this time she took almost two minutes from her recent other Maidstone parkrun performances.
The weekend ahead 19th/20th December
On Saturday TAC are hosting The South of Thames Association Championship race. Its a combined men and womens race, over 7.5 miles.
The race starts at 2pm, at The Schools at Somerhill. TAC support very welcome !
On Sunday, Corey De'Ath is due to race for an England under 20 men's team in Brussels, at the Lotto Cup international.
The race starts at 2pm, at The Schools at Somerhill. TAC support very welcome !
On Sunday, Corey De'Ath is due to race for an England under 20 men's team in Brussels, at the Lotto Cup international.
Other weekend news, 12th/13th December
TAC Junior 1 mile race (Sunday) - There were 37 finishers with the boys category being won by George Thomas (Hilden Grange) from Albert Kreuzberg (TAC) and the girls race won by TAC's Beth Lednor. Results are on the Results 2015 page.
South Yorkshire Cross Country League (Sunday) - Michael Ellis 23rd (full results on the Results 2015 page)
Reigate Holly Run (Sunday) - Sophie Foreman 2nd (full results on the Results 2015 page)
Parkruns 5km (Saturday) - Full results are at http://www.parkrun.org.uk/results/firstfinishers/
Tonbridge - 1st Jamie Bryant 17.00
Maidstone - 1st Dan Bradley 16.04 (Pandora Banbury 25.29)
Bushy Park - 5th Ben Cole 16.02
Tunbridge Wells - 4th Joe Watts 20.43
South Yorkshire Cross Country League (Sunday) - Michael Ellis 23rd (full results on the Results 2015 page)
Reigate Holly Run (Sunday) - Sophie Foreman 2nd (full results on the Results 2015 page)
Parkruns 5km (Saturday) - Full results are at http://www.parkrun.org.uk/results/firstfinishers/
Tonbridge - 1st Jamie Bryant 17.00
Maidstone - 1st Dan Bradley 16.04 (Pandora Banbury 25.29)
Bushy Park - 5th Ben Cole 16.02
Tunbridge Wells - 4th Joe Watts 20.43
European Cross Country Championships, at Hyeres, South of France, Sunday, 13th December
Some video footage loaded !
Henry Pearce (under 23) and Chris Olley (under 20) did TAC and Great Britain proud at the European Cross Country Championships at Hyeres in the South of France, on Sunday.
Chris finished 17th and second scorer for the bronze medal winning GB team.
Henry finished 25th and fourth scorer for the silver medal winning GB team.
Full results are at - http://www.european-athletics.org
Chris finished 17th and second scorer for the bronze medal winning GB team.
Henry finished 25th and fourth scorer for the silver medal winning GB team.
Full results are at - http://www.european-athletics.org
Chris
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Henry
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South of England Inter Counties and Veterans Championships, at Biggleswade, Saturday 12th December
Race videos loaded !
Alasdair Kinloch produced a dominant display to win the under 17 mens race, whilst Jamie and Katie Goodge had fine 4th places in their races, the u17 men and u13 girls.
Full results are on the Results 2015 page.
Full results are on the Results 2015 page.
Victory 5 mile road race, at Portsmouth, Sunday 6th December
Nicole Taylor, Lucy Reid, Phoebe Barker
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Three of the Tonbridge AC ladies headed to a very windy Portsmouth for this road race and came away with the first team prize.
Lucy Reid broke the club record for 5 miles by 39 seconds to record 28.55 and finish just 12 seconds behind the winner, Bryony Proctor, of Aldershot. Not far behind Nicole Taylor also ran an excellent 29.07 and was in 3rd place Phoebe Barker was second 'junior' to finish with 32.59 Full results are at -https://www.fullonsport.com/event/victory52015/leaderboard |
Other Saturday news, 5th December
Gwent League at Bristol - early reports that Charlie Joslin-Allen was around 10th and James Thompson 50th
Leeds University Relays - results so far. Mens race won by Loughborough with James West 10.52 on leg 4 (last). Tim Faes was 3rd on first leg for Durham in 10.46. Nathan Marsh ran 11.18 on the third leg for Leeds. The fastest lap was run by Jake Wightman with 10.24 on the 1st leg for Loughborough.
Oxford Vs Cambridge Varsity Match, at Wimbledon - Alex Howard (Oxford) placed a fine 3rd overall, behind two very good quality athletes. Oxford won the match.
Parkruns
Tonbridge 1st Stuart Brown 17.01
Tunbridge Wells 1st James Stoney 19.26
Swindon 1st Ben Cole 16.50
Leeds University Relays - results so far. Mens race won by Loughborough with James West 10.52 on leg 4 (last). Tim Faes was 3rd on first leg for Durham in 10.46. Nathan Marsh ran 11.18 on the third leg for Leeds. The fastest lap was run by Jake Wightman with 10.24 on the 1st leg for Loughborough.
Oxford Vs Cambridge Varsity Match, at Wimbledon - Alex Howard (Oxford) placed a fine 3rd overall, behind two very good quality athletes. Oxford won the match.
Parkruns
Tonbridge 1st Stuart Brown 17.01
Tunbridge Wells 1st James Stoney 19.26
Swindon 1st Ben Cole 16.50
Kent Masters Cross Country Championships, at Sparrows Den, West Wickham, Saturday 5th December
Videos now loaded !
There were plenty of TAC runners competing across the age groups. High winds were the order of the day, although it did generally stay dry.
Ben Reynolds led the team to victory in the over 50s, as he won convincingly, whilst Graeme Saker finished third.
Andrew Mercer came second in the over 40s race, although the team just missed a medal, whilst John Harley also won silver in a terrific over 60s race.
Full results are on the Results 2015 page.
Ben Reynolds led the team to victory in the over 50s, as he won convincingly, whilst Graeme Saker finished third.
Andrew Mercer came second in the over 40s race, although the team just missed a medal, whilst John Harley also won silver in a terrific over 60s race.
Full results are on the Results 2015 page.
Photos of the TAC teams -
English Schools Cross Country Cup Final, at Bedford, Saturday 5th December
TAC runners were competing in the school colours of Sevenoaks, Judd, Yardley Court and Walthamstow Hall across three of the four cup final races.
Kathleen Faes produced another convincing win, in the Inter (years 9 and 10) age group, to win by 35 seconds.
Full results are on the Results 2015 page.
Kathleen Faes produced another convincing win, in the Inter (years 9 and 10) age group, to win by 35 seconds.
Full results are on the Results 2015 page.