June 2016

Tonbridge AC Evening Open Meeting, Tuesday 5th July
Videos loaded !

There looked to be some good competitive races tonight. Gary Goodge captured videos of all the 1 mile, 400m and 3000m races.
Provisional results are on the Results 2016 page, but only include the names of those who pre-registered on line so far.

National Prep Schools Championships, at Birmingham, Monday 4th July

The only result that I have so far regarding TAC athletes is that Olukorede Fasina placed third in the under 13, 1500 metres in 4.47.
Further update, courtesy of Ian Crawley -
Ollie Croll U12 1500 5th I think with maybe 5:06 (PB) I think
FIn Croll u13 800 3rd with 2:18 I think ( PB or close)
James Crawley u14 800 5th 2:16 PB. G Fisher 6th I think.
Beckie O Brien u14 800 1st 2:21. PB plus 1st also in HJ
Josh O Brien u14 1500 12th

Kent Young Athletes League (u13/15) at Ashford, Sunday 3rd July
From Steve Brooks
Videos now loaded !

Quick summary of the boys' results from KYAL today:
U13 Team 1 1500m:

• Oliver Hill 3rd A stream in 5:09.3
• George Thomas 4th B stream 5:24.8
• Maxim Bragin 2nd n/s in 5:24.0

U13 Team 2 1500m:

• Olukorede Fasina 1st A stream in 4:56.8
• Huxley Crush 1st B stream in 5:34.4
• Ben Harvey 1st n/s in 5:21.3

Korede was to be A stream in Team 1 but i had to fill gaps in LJ and 200m and George Thomas stepped up to do those.
U15 Team 1 1500m:

• Fraser Gordon was 3rd A stream in 4:30.6 (~ 4sec PB?)
• James Kingston was 1st B stream in 4:32.3
• Toby Emm was 1st n/s I think in 4:36.6

Unfortunately I didn't get Scott Paige's 1500m time.
300m:
Ewan Wood was 5th in 42.4
4x300m:
A convincing win with Toby Emm giving them a great lead on first leg, Ewan Wood, Thomas Draper and George Thomas rounded off the win.
The U15 boys were quite a way ahead of the oppo and the last set of results on display showed TAC in 3rd overall by about 5 points, which I would expect to have been closed and 2nd place gained behind B&B as ever.

Full results will appear at - http://www.kcaa.org.uk​

Bewl 15 mile race, Sunday 3rd July

TAC won the mens team race with -
3rd Ben Cole 1.30.43
6th Dan Bradley 1.33.12
8th Julian Rendall 1.33.57
12th Greg Cole 1.37.27
Full results are at - ​http://niceworkevents.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/sunday-3rd-july-2016-17th-bewl-15.html

​Photos courtesy of Diane Bradley

Tonbridge AC Fantasy League Competition Update, after 3 Southern League matches

James Taylor and Ian Crawley have supplied the latest Fantasy League stats and analysis, which can be found on the FL page.

The next Southern Athletics League match is on Saturday 9th July at Crawley.

Watford Open Meeting, Wednesday 29th June

There were at a couple from TAC competing over 1500 metres, as both Lizzie Miller and Olukorede Fasina finished just outside their pbs.  Lizzie (u15) ran 4.50.19 and Olukorede (u13) 4.49.68. Full results are at ​http://www.watfordharriers.org.uk/indexnc.htm

Kathleen Faes and Alasdair Kinloch selected for Great Britain Under 18s Team,
for European Youth Championships

​Two young distance runners from Tonbridge Athletic Club have been selected to represent Great Britain at the European Youth Championships, in a couple of weeks time.
 
Kathleen Faes and Alasdair Kinloch, will both be part of the 26-strong, under 18 squad, that travels to Tbilisi, Georgia, for the championships that take place between 14th and 17th July.
 
Both Kathleen and Ally have previously gained England Schools selections, but this will be the first time that they have appeared in a GB team.
 
For Kathleen the selection is a reward for her persistence, after a Winter where she had to battle with a niggling injury, that restricted her competitive outings. However, she has bounced back and twice run the European qualifying time for the 3000 metres, for which she has been selected. Her personal best is 9.37.36 and the fifteen year old will be one of the youngest competitors at the championships.
 
Similarly, Ally spent the first half of the Winter season in fine form, but then suffered a series of defeats at the major championships in the new year. He has also shown a great strength of character to regain his best form, running inside the European standard three times for 3000 metres, with a  best of 8.18.21
 
Both athletes will be going to the European Championships with confidence, since they are ranked highly in their respective 3000 metres listings.

Kathleen Faes and Alasdair Kinloch selected for Great Britain

This week's 'Big Hitters' - the top personal bests and debuts in the last week, 22nd to 27th June

Here are a few who have set some of the biggest personal bests over the past week -
400 metres
Charlie Crick 54.61 (4.4s improvement)
800 metres​
Ollie Dunn (u20) 2.03.00 (2.1s improvement)
Lara Gueorguieva (u17) 2.39.33 (0.8s improvement)
1500 metres
Toby Ralph (u20) 3.59.66 (8.9s improvement)
1 mile
George Duggan 4.15.84 (7.1s improvement)
3000 metres
Lucy Thompson (u20) 10.49.84 (7.8s improvement in the week)
5000 metres
Chris Olley 14.10.54 (7.8s improvement)

Southern Counties Veterans League (over 35s) at Ashford, Monday 27th June
Videos loaded !

TAC won both the division 2 men's and women's contests on the night and now hold pole position in both leagues.
​Full results are on the Results 2016 page.

The TAC Ladies Team who now top division 2 of the Southern Counties Veterans League. Kent Division
Photo courtesy of Sasha Houghton

British Championships and Olympic Trials, at Birmingham
Saturday and Sunday, 25th and 26th June
Videos loaded !

TAC had six distance runners in action at the British Championships, which must be a record for the club. All six of them are just 20 or 21 years old, so hopefully they and others can gain from such experiences and get even stronger over the next few years. Unfortunately, Ashley Gibson had to withdraw from racing in the 5000 metres, due to injury.

Sean Molloy - Had one of his best ever performances in the 800 metres, as he finished second in his heat on Saturday, which had ten athletes starting. He ran 1.49.42. With four heats and only the winner of each and four fastest losers going through, the qualification was extremely difficult. Sean ran well to finish a close second to eventual silver medallist Jamie Webb to qualify for Sunday's final, where he finished a respectable fifth in 1.50.49. Hopefully, this performance will give him the confidence to go on to greater things.

Nicole Taylor - Finished 7th in Sunday's 3000 metres steeplechase, with another very solid race, just outside her personal best with 10.34.49. Alex Howard had a disappointing run to finish 15th in the men's race over the same distance on Saturday, having had a terrific performance in the previous week's under 23 championships..

Chris Olley ran an excellent race in the 5000m final, on Saturday, to finish 11th in 14.10.54. Despite the relatively slow start to the race, Chris took almost eight seconds from his personal best.

We had two representatives in the men's 1500m on Saturday, as James West went in heat 2 and Dominic Brown in heat 3. Once again the qualification was tough, with the top three from each heat and three fastest losers going through to the final. James was very unlucky not to make it as he finished 4th in his heat, just 0.2s behind third, with 3.46.67. After two of the three heats he was in the first fastest losers spot, but the final heat went at a quick pace and six athletes qualified from that race. Dom was 12th in this one with 3.50.81.

Other weekend news, Saturday and Sunday 25th/26th June

Swansea Half Marathon, Sunday
Ben Cole finished 6th in 69.57, at the Swansea Half Marathon, Full results are at -
http://dbmaxresults.co.uk/Results.aspx?CId=16421&RId=6109&EId=1
North Downs 30km, Trail Race, Sunday
Julian Rendall finished a fine second in the North Downs race, on Sunday, in 2.01.37
Full results are at - ​http://www.swifttiming.co.uk/cgi-bin/list_race_result.php?meet_event_id=840001
The race was won by 19 year old Alex Money of Orpington Road Runners.

UK Youth Development League Upper Age Group (u17/20), at Barnet, Sunday 26th June
​Videos loaded !

TAC finished last of the six teams, with a severely weakened team. However, amongst the results were some excellent individual performances, including an A string under 20 double win by Toby Ralph, over 800m and 1500m.

Full results are on the Results 2016 page.

TAC Summer parkrun Grand Prix update, after 25th June run
From Mark Pitcairn-Knowles

5th Round of the Park Run age graded GP, saw Andrew Mercer produce a PB in his 106th park run, 84.23%.    Olukorede Fasina also produced a PB run of 77.63%.    Andrew will a large turn out of TAC runners and probably another PB at one of the remaining events to close the gap on Sophie and Lily Slack.
​The latest league table is on the Parkrun page.

TAC Summer parkrun Grand Prix update, after 18th June run
From Mark Pitcairn-Knowles

Sophie and Lily Slack continue to dominate the scoreboard after another couple of over 80% scores.  They have both run 4 qualifying races, so have set a target for others to try and reach, pb’s will be required!!  Andrew Mercer won on the day and also flying the flag for the older generation was Mark PK with a PB bonus.  Next qualifying race is this Saturday, 25th June.

The latest league table is on the Parkrun page.

British Milers Club and Cambridge Harriers Meeting, Wednesday 22nd June
Race videos loaded !

George Duggan won the City Mile and £100 first prize in 4.15.84, with a 58s final lap, as he raced for the first time for five weeks. The BMC have resurrected this historic race, that had been held before at Motspur Park and won by the likes of Steve Ovett in the past.

TAC had four runners in the 800m races and Tom Holden was close to winning the A race, as he finished second in 1.52.7, just outside his personal best. Kieran Eland then looked the best that he has done all season, as he strolled away from the rest of the field in the C race to win in a pb of 1.56.3.

​Michael Ellis won race E with a pb of 2.01.3, whilst Jack Keywood ran 2.03.0.
Full results are at - ​http://www.britishmilersclub.com/content/bmcitemdisplay.aspx?itemid=1213

Kent 3000 metre Championships, at Dartford, Wednesday 22nd June

James Puxty won the overall 3000m race at Dartford in 9.38.95, whilst Dan Blades was 3rd in 9.46.65.
Lucy Thompson took 3.5s from her personal best to finish 2nd in the under 20 women's event, with 10.54.14.

Magificent 7 head for Olympic Trials

At the time of writing there are seven TAC distance runners due to compete in Birmingham this weekend. Here they are in alphabetical order -

This week's 'Big Hitters' - the top personal bests and debuts in the last week, 15th to 21st June

Here are a few who have set some of the biggest personal bests over the past week -
800 metres​
Steph Puxty (u15) 2.37.6 (9.1s improvement)
Ollie Hill (u13) 2.27.8 (1.0s improvement)
1500 metres
Fraser Gordon (u15) 4.34.9 (5.2s improvement)
Katie Goodge (u15) (5.0s improvement)
3000 metres
Phoebe Barker 9.53.82 (2.6s improvement)
5000 metres
Greg Cole 16.24.0 (18.7s improvement)
1500 metres steeplechase
Bede Pitcairn-Knowles 4.36.9 (4.3s improvement)
3000 metres steeplechase
Alex Howard 9.02.48 (4.7s improvement)

Kent Schools Team Selections for English Schools Championships

I understand that the following TAC distance runners have been selected for the Kent team to compete at the English Schools Championships, on 8th/9th July, at Gateshead -
Sam Crick, Kathleen Faes, Phoebe Barker, Toby Ralph, James Puxty, Becky O'Hara and Alasdair Kinloch

Kent Independent Schools Championships, at Ashford, Monday 20th June

Full results, including quite a few TAC are on the Results 2016 page.

Other weekend news 18/19 June

Amba Hotels City of London Road Miles, on Sunday - See video. Sam Crick was 2nd and Bede Pitcairn-Knowles 3rd in one of the junior races. Full results are at - http://www.chiptiming.co.uk/results/?sport=1&year=2016&event=2637&race=4473

​Max Nicholls and Brian Buckwell ran the in half marathon trail race Wales.This was the 5th edition of the Salomon Trail Marathon Wales, which had full (26 mile / 42km) and half (13mile / 21 km) marathon race routes in the stunning trails and tracks of the world-renowned Coed y Brenin forest in the Snowdonia National Park. So far I know Max won and that Brian ran 2.16 for 9th in his age group, but cannot find results on line.

National Under 20 and 23 Championships, at Bedford, Sunday 19th June - Day 2
More medals from Tom Holden, Kathleen Faes and Nicole Taylor
Videos loaded !

I will add more details when I get a chance, but there were three more TAC distance running medals today, that came in the form of Tom Holden (u20 1500m), Kathleen Faes (3rd u20 3000m) and Nicole Taylor (2nd u23 3000m steeplechase).

UK Youth Development League (u13/15) at Bromley, Sunday 19th June
Videos loaded !

 Full results are now on the Results 2016 page.
There were a mass of personal bests in the middle distances. In total I made ten. Steph Puxty was the biggest of these as she improved her 800m to 2.37.6. There would have been one middle distance A string win, but unfortunately Olukorede Fasina was disqualified for breaking lane too early in the under 13 boys 800 metres.

National Under 20 and 23 Championships, at Bedford, Saturday 18th June - Day 1
​Alex Howard and Alasdair Kinloch win medals
Videos loaded !

Day 1 of the championships was a good one generally for TAC.

Alex Howard stole the TAC show at the end of the day by picking up the silver medal in a closely contested 3000 metres steeplechase. Alex ran a pb of 9.02.48, improving by 2.7 seconds, but also significantly inside the Olympic Trials/British Championships qualifying standard of 9.05.

Alasdair Kinloch captured a very good bronze medal in the under 20 mens 3000 metres in 8.29.14. He ran inside the European under 18 qualifying standard and defeated his main rival in the age group. Hopefully, Ally will gain GB selection as a result of his performances.

The 1500m races went well with all three from Tonbridge AC qualifying for Sunday's finals. Firstly, our new recruit Tom Holden made the under 20 final and then both Dominic Brown and Chris Olley moved into the under 23 final.

Becky O'Hara was 5th in her 400m heat in 57.68, despite being layed low with illness a couple of weeks back.

Corey De'Ath was well below his par in the under 23, 5000 metres.

​Full results are at - http://www.englandathletics.org/library-media/documents/EA_U23U20_2016_results_day1(3).pdf
​
Videos of all races are at - http://www.runjumpthrow.com/fixtures/10005-england-athletics-under-23--under-20-championships 

Southern Athletics League, at Harrow, Saturday 18th June
Videos loaded !

Full results are on the Results 2016 page.
TAC 3rd off 4 teams (too many spare places that require filling)
Women
400m 2nd A Sian Driscoll 62.0, 1st B Hannah Czarnowski 63.9
800m 2nd A Sian Driscoll 2.18.0, 1st B Hannah Czarnowski 2.24.4
1500m 3rd A Alice Ralph 5.01.2, 2nd B Polly Pitcairn-Knowles 5.13.6
3000m - no athletes
Men
800m 2nd A Ben Murphy 1.57.6, 2nd B Tim Faes 2.04.2.
​1st non scoring Jack Keywood 2.02.6, Jamie Brown 2.07.7, George Kelly 2.19.1
1500m 1st A Tim Faes 4.05.3, 2nd B Jack Keywood 4.21.1, Ollie Dunn (non scoring) 4.17 (approx)
5000m 1st A Tom Cox 15.28.5, 3rd B Greg Cole 16.24.0
2000m steeplechase 2nd A Tom Cox 6.23.5, 2nd B Michael Ellis 6.32.4
A few photos below courtesy of the team -

South East Inter County Schools, at Carshalton, Saturday 18th June

Full results are now on the Results 2016 page, with TAC highlighted.
Results included excellent Inter Boys wins for Bede Pitcairn-Knowles (1500m steeplechase) and James Puxty (3000m)
Lizzie Miller took 0.5s from her 1500m pb.

British Milers Club Elite and Watford Open Meeting, Wednesday 15th June

Hopefully, this evening will prove a significant one in terms of TAC middle distance running with a couple of superb runs from our athletes. James West and Sean Molloy posted two of the fastest ever times by Tonbridge runners, at 1500m and 800m, respectively.

James ran 3.40.0 to finish second in a national quality field, only losing to Tom Farrell. Unfortunately, for James the electronic timing system malfunctioned for his race, so they reverted to the manual times, probably denying him a sub 3.40 clocking.

James goes to second on the TAC all-time list behind Andy Graffin's club record, listed at 3.36.80. Andy went to the Sydney Olympics that year. There was some debate anyway as to the exact timing that Andy Graffin and his twin brother, Allen, moved from TAC to Belgrave. However, James' time is still quicker than Allen (3.40.14) ever ran, aswell as quicker than the likes of David Robertson (3.40.9 for TAC) or Matt Skelton (3.41.8) ever managed. Will Crocker, visiting from the USA, also wore a TAC vest to race the 1500m, but was under par and well outside his pb of 3.42.

In many ways Sean's 800m time of 1.49.05 could be as significant, since it is his fastest since 2012 and second best ever. Its been a real battle for him to live up to his UK age 16 best of 1.48.24, but this shows he can get back and beyond that sort of level. Sean remains as TAC number two all-time, to Steve Fennell's club record of 1.47.97.

​Also racing was Ben Murphy, in the open meeting 800 metres, who ran 1.56.48 for a personal best in race 22, of 25.

Full open meet results will be at - http://www.watfordharriers.org.uk/indexnc.htm
BMC race results are at - ​http://www.britishmilersclub.com/content/bmcitemdisplay.aspx?itemid=1209

This week's 'Big Hitters' - the top personal bests and debuts in the last week, 9th to 14th June

Here are a few who have set some of the biggest personal bests over the past week -
800 metres​
Jesse Magorrian (u17) 1.57.15 (4.4s improvement)
Fraser Gordon (u15) (4.4s improvement)
Sally Palmer 2.37.4 (2.8s improvement)
1500 metres
Ollie Bingham (u15) 4.39.27 (17.2s improvement)
Toby Ross (u15) 5.03.62 (13.0s improvement)
Clara Tyler 4.46.26 (10.8s improvement)
3000 metres
Phoebe Barker 9.56.43 (1.4s improvement)
3000 metres steeplechase
Nicole Taylor 10.30.81 (6.6s improvement) - TAC Club record

Other weekend news, 11th and 12th June

Dominic Brown was 4th in the North of England Mens 800 metres final in 1.56.37.

Southend Half Marathon - Nicola Summerfield 14th lady in 1.43.39

Max Nicholls went out to the French Alsace for a mountain race on Sunday. La Montee Grand Ballon is a famous uphill course of 13.7km. Max came 9th (1hr 4m)overall, first in his age category (around 300 runners). Winner was Petro Mamu of Eritrea (59.03).

Jess Owen completed the Olympic Park 5k on Sunday and was 3rd female in 22:15. Jess is making good, steady progress after an operation and will hopefully continue to move forward.

South of England Championships, at Lee Valley, Sunday 12th June - Day 2
Videos loaded !

There were two more medals for TAC distance runners, on day two of the championships.
Phoebe Barker won the under 17, 3000 metres in a new personal best of 9.56.43. having had to front run the entire race. At the finish Phoebe was 20 seconds clear of the runner-up.

Miles Weatherseed gained a silver medal in the under 20 men's 1500 metres, with a time of 4.00.82.

In the mens' 1500m final Luca Russo was 7th in 3.52.66 and Corey De'Ath 12th in 4.00.47.

​Kieran Eland placed 5th in the under 20 mens 800 metres final in 1.59.40.

South of England Championships, at Lee Valley, Saturday 11th June - Day 1
Videos loaded !

Senior Women 1500m 2nd Ashley Gibson 4.38.35
Senior Women 3000m steeplechase 2nd Nicole Taylor 10.30.81 (pb and TAC Club record)
Senior Men 1500m heats Corey De'Ath 3.55.73 (pb), Luca Russo 3.59.58
Senior Men 3000m steeplechase 6th Tom Cox 9.45.13
Under 20 Men 800m heat - Kieran Eland 2.00.? (qualified for Sunday final as a fastest loser)

Kent Schools Championships, at Ashford, Saturday 11th June
Videos loaded !

Full results are now on the Results 2016 page. I made it somewhere around 15 personal bests from TAC Distance Runners.
Results include -
​Inter Girls 800m 1st Evie Butler
Inter Girls 1500m 1st Kathleen Faes, 3rd Phoebe Barker
Inter Boys 800m 1st Jess Magorrian 1.57.15, 3rd Dan Seagrove 1.57.67, Simon Coppard 2.00.83, 9th Isaac Harding 2.08.16
Inter Boys 1500m steeplechase 1st Sam Crick 4.32, 4th Bede Pitcairn-Knowles
Inter Boys 3000m 1st James Puxty 9.04
​Junior Girls 1500m 2nd Lizzie Miller 4.50
Junior Girls 800m 2nd Katie Burgess, 3rd Rebekah O'Brien, 4th Tilly Hall

Southern Counties Veterans League, at Bromley, Friday 10th June
Mens 1500m videos loaded !

Full results are now on the Results 2016 page.
TAC Masters Men and Womens teams both won their respective Div 2 matches of the 4th Kent SCVAC league on Friday.   Stand out performances were Di Bradley in the 2K walk,  Ben Reynolds M50 62 sec last lap of the 1500m,   1500m Pbs for both Emma Avis and Lucy PK and Club records for Pete Brenchley in the M70 Javelin and Richard Christian M50 2k walk.

​Mark Pitcairn-Knowles

This week's 'Big Hitters' - the top personal bests and debuts in the last week, 31st May to 8th June

Here are a few who have set some of the biggest personal bests over the past week -
400 metres
Michael Ellis 55.06 (0.9s improvement)
800 metres​
George Fisher (u15) 2.16.39 (10.4s improvement)
Jamie Thompson (u17) 2.21.25 (10.3s improvement)
Ollie Croll (u13) 2.31.3 (10.0s improvement)
Emily Hale (u20) 2.47.94 (7.8s improvement)
1500 metres
Fin Harvey (u15) 4.21.43 (2.4s improvement)
3000 metres
Luke Reeves (u17) 10.30.40 (29.1s improvement)
Kiri Marsh (u20) 11.15.28 (11.6s improvement)
2000 metres steeplechase
Nicole Taylor 6.50.22 (1.6s improvement) - TAC Club record

Loughborough University Meeting, Wednesday 8th June

James West finished second in a high quality 800 metres, in 1.50.52, which was just 0.04s away from the win and a fraction outside his pb. New member Tom Holden was fourth in the same race, reducing his pb to 1.52.29.

James West finished 2nd at Loughborough with new TAC recruit Tom Holden (second from left) placing 4th.

Tonbridge AC Evening Open Meeting, Tuesday 7th June
Videos Loaded !

Full results are on the Results 2016 page.

Amazingly the storm brewing, for much of the evening, did not unleash the rain seen in some parts and conditions were extremely good.

By my calculations there were about 27 personal bests from TAC Distance runners, either in the 200, 400, 800 or 3k, plus 15 debuts on top of that.

The 800m was the most popular, with some of the biggest pbs recorded by George Fisher (u15), Jamie Thompson (u17), Emily Hale (u20) and Ella de Munck (u13). The fastest run came from Will Crocker, who is over from the USA, where he has been at university, with our own Luca Russo, at Missouri. Will is a 3.42 1500m runner. The fastest of the TAC girls was Rebekah O'Brien (u15) with 2.24.51, who I have always suspected had the capability of a fast 800m.

In the 3000m there were some very encouraging debuts from Clara Tyler (u17) and Fraser Gordon (u15) , whilst Luke Reeves (u17) took almost half a minute from his best time.

You can see all the pbs and times in the summary on the Results 2016 page.

Kent Young Athletes League, at Dartford, Sunday 5th June

Results are now on the Results 2016 page.
​
Looking through the results it appears to have been a very busy day, with the TAC division 1 team placing 2nd of 8 clubs and the division 2 team 3rd of 7 clubs.

Ollie Croll (u13, 2.31.3) and Katie Burgess (u15, 2.26.2) were the two TAC 800m winners in division 1, with Ollie taking an impressive 10 seconds from his pb.

There were big pbs also for Olukorede Fasina (u13) in 2.22.0, James Kingston (u15) in 2.16.0 and Luciana Anderson (u15) 2.39.9.

Ollie Croll - won the under 13 800m and also recorded the biggest pb of the day, at Dartford

Staplehurst 10k Road Race, Sunday 5th June

Dan Bradley led the TAC group home with 6th place in 34.38, whilst Shauna Paice was 2nd female in 41.04.
Others - Sasha Houghton 43.12, Sally Musson 43.24, Cain Bradley 46.59

Dan Bradley - 6th at Staplehurst

Active Newham Open Meeting, Sunday 5th June

Jamie Brown was just outside his pb when he ran 89.44 for 600 metres at Newham, to finish 3rd.
Full results are at - ​http://www.thepowerof10.info/results/results.aspx?meetingid=161426&pagenum=2#600

British Milers Club PB Classic, Milton Keynes, Saturday 4th June
​Tonbridge AC Club record for Nicole Taylor

Nicole Taylor won the 2000m steeplechase, breaking her own TAC club record with 6.50.22
​Kieran Eland was 4th in the mens 800m B race in 1.59.25
Full results at - ​http://www.britishmilersclub.com/content/bmcitemdisplay.aspx?itemid=1203
Photos courtesy of Richard Owen

Memorial Leon Buyle Meeting, Putbos, Belgium, Saturday 4th June

Sean Molloy finished second in an 800m in Belgium in 1.50.97
Full results are at - ​http://liveresults.be/2016/putbos-memorial-leon-buyle/event031h02.html

Harvel 5 miles road race, Saturday 4th June

Dan Bradley finished 2nd in this event in 27.19, with Michael Ellis having a very good run for 4th in around 27.39.
​Peter Tucker, of Blackheath and Bromley, was first home in 26.44
Full results are at - http://www.chiptiminguk.co.uk/ps/results/Harvel%205/47452
​Photos courtesy of Diane Bradley

Watford Open Meeting, Wednesday 1st June
(Videos loaded !)

By Watford Wednesday standards the weather was not as welcoming as it can be, being damp, cold and breezy, but it didn't stop plenty of runners turning up. There were seventeen 1500m races, with between 15 and 20 athletes in each, plus three 3000 metre races at the end of the night.

Katie Goodge (u15) was the first from TAC in action and ran 4.57.20 for 5th in race 7 of the 1500s, just outside her pb. Graeme Saker (m50) ran a 4.42.27 in race 11 and Dan Schofield (u17) was just outside his best in race 13, with 4.32.80. Fin Harvey (u15, 2nd claim) knocked over 3 seconds from his best with a 4.21.43 posting.

Each of the 3000s had TAC representation. Graeme Saker paced George Kelly (sm) around his first ever track race at the distance. Graeme ran 10.26.24 and George 10.26.30. In race 2 Nicole Taylor (sw) ran 9.46.07, reducing her two year old pb by three seconds.

In the last race of the night we had three athletes competing, as 27 toed the line. Ally Kinloch (u20) had another tremendous performance to place 2nd in 8.18.21, taking two seconds from the pb set last month. This was significant, as it was the second time he has run inside the European under 18 championship qualifying time, by a large amount. It also puts him top of the current European under 18 rankings.

​James Puxty (u17) also had a fine run with 8.55.32, improving by eight seconds, from his best set the previous Sunday and Michael Ellis (sm) ran a six second pb with 9.15.62.

Full results will be published at - ​http://www.watfordharriers.org.uk/indexnc.htm

TAC Fantasy League update, after 2 matches

After a bit of delay the Fantasy League team have announced the latest results, following the last Southern Athletics League match. All the details are on the Fantasy League page, including -
League Table
Athlete Averages
​Ian Crawley's FL Blog and analysis

This week's 'Big Hitters' - the top personal bests and debuts in the last week, 23rd to 30th May

Here are a few who have set the biggest personal bests over the past week -
400 metres
Becky O’Hara 56.99 (0.2s improvement)
800 metres​
Melissa Berry 2.27.41 (20.6s improvement)
Euan Nicholls 2.01.13(2.0s improvement)
1500 metres
Dan Schofield 4.31.53 (14.3s improvement)
Phoebe Barker 4.32.67 (2.6s improvement)
3000 metres
Ellie Cohen 11.56.92 (74.5s improvement)
Ollie Dunn 9.49.64 (19.8s improvement)
3000 metres steeplechase
Tom Cox 9.44.54 (25.4s improvement)
10km road
Shauna Paice 40.38 (5.08 improvement)
​Mark Pitcairn-Knowles 37.49 (52s improvement)

TAC Summer parkrun Grand Prix update, after event 3, 28th May
From Mark Pitcairn-Knowles, after the Tonbridge parkrun

Lily and Sophie Slack continue to dominate with both scoring exactly the same 85.19%, great running.   Both also ran PB’s, this being 3 out of 3 for Sophie (15 bonus points), making her position at the top of the leader board very strong.  Luciana Anderson is the best of the rest, but others will need PB’s to get close to the leaders.

The league table is on the parkrun page.

All the Saturday TAC parkrun results can be viewed at - http://www.parkrun.com/results/consolidatedclub/?clubNum=2404

Vitality London 10k road race, Monday 30th May

Official results are awaited at - https://www.vitalitylondon10000.co.uk/event-info/race-results/
Here are the TAC athletes - Nathan Marsh 33.29, Greg Cole 33.46 (pb), Dan Watt 34.54, Mark Pitcairn-Knowles 37.49 (pb), Chloe Bird 39.48 (debut), Shauna Paice 40.38 (pb), Joe Watts 41.30, Lucy Pitcairn-Knowles 42.40 (pb), Jess Owen 49.07 (debut). Photos courtesy of Richard Owen

UK Youth Development League (u17/20), at Bromley, Sunday 29th May
​Videos loaded !

TAC placed 5th of the 6 clubs in this Premier Division Match.
Full provisional results are on the Results 2016 page.

Vitality Westminster Road Miles, Sunday 29th May
Video loaded ! (u13s only)

Some of the younger TAC distance runners competed in the road mile championships -
Under 13 Girls -2nd  Katie Goodge 5.17
Under 13 Boys - 10th Olukorede Fasina 5.09, 16th Fin Croll 5.16, 30th Matthew Taylor 5.29, 32nd Henry Taylor 5.33
Under 11 Girls - 16th Amber Croll 6.42, 17th Aimee Holdstock 6.42, 19th Isabel Thorn 6.44, 33rd Phoebe Foster 7.39
​Under 11 Boys - 6th Ollie Croll 5.40, 9th George Burbage 5.45

Full results can be found at - https://www.vitalitywestminstermile.co.uk/results/2016/
Photos courtesy of Gary Goodge

British Milers Club Grand Prix 2 at Watford, Saturday 28th May
Videos loaded !

Summary results are on the Results 2016 page. There were six personal bests and two seasons bests from the eleven TAC athletes.
Full results are at - ​http://www.britishmilersclub.com/content/bmcitemdisplay.aspx?itemid=1198
​Unfortunately I think that I had my camera on the wrong setting for some of the later races and therefore have no good photos from some races ! Richard Owen kindly supplied a couple of those shown.

James Pigot at Melbourne Parkrun, Australia

James Pigot, who has recently qualified as a doctor, is working in Australia for a few weeks. He reports that he put on his TAC vest, for the first time for a while, to finish 8th at the Melbourne parkrun in Australia, in around 17 minutes.

USA NCAA West Region Preliminary, Lawrence, Kansas, Friday 27th May

Ryan Driscoll finished last of sixteen in his heat of the 3000 metres steeplechase, over half a minute outside his best with 9.30.47. Ryan explains that a knee injury hampered him and is now looking forward to being home for the rest of the Summer.

Southern Counties Veterans League (over 35s) at Bromley, Friday 27th May
Video loaded !

The men's team won again in division 2 of the league, whilst the ladies were third. Full results are on the Results 2016 page.

USA NCAA East Region Preliminary, Jacksonville, Florida, Thursday 26th May

Robbie Farnham-Rose finished 10th of 12 in his 1500m in the East Region Championships. He ran 3.51.96, having been beaten in a last lap burn up.
Full results are at - http://www.ncaa.com/ncaa-division-i-east-preliminary-round

Cambridge Harriers and British Milers Club Meeting, at Eltham, Wednesday 25th May

Results in so far from Eltham include -
​800 metres - ​Kieran Eland 1.58.48, Steve Tester 2.00.07, Euan Nicholls 2.01.13 pb, Simon Coppard 2.02.45,
Simon Fraser 2.05.63, Sam Avis 2.07.63
1500 metres - Sian Driscoll 4.55.29, 5000 metres Ashley Gibson 16.30.00
Full results are at - http://www.britishmilersclub.com/content/bmcitemdisplay.aspx?itemid=1196

Ashley broke the TAC senior womens 5000m record with her time of 16.30.00This is inside the Olympic Trials/British Championships qualifying time, making Ashley the seventh TAC distance runner to qualify.

Ashley Gibson - Tonbridge AC club record at 5000 metres and Olympic Trials Qualifying Standard

This week's 'Big Hitters' - the top personal bests and debuts in the last week, 18th to 22nd May

Here are a few who have set the biggest personal bests over the past week -
400 metres
Becky O’Hara 57.2 (0.1s improvement)
800 metres​
Fin Croll 2.19.1 (2.1s improvement)
1200 metres
Megan Moore 4.17.7 (3.0s improvement)
1500 metres
Henry Taylor 5.05.3 (0.4s improvement)
3000 metres
Kathleen Faes 9.39.59 (20.6s improvement)

Olympic Trials Qualifiers ....so far

So far TAC has 6 athletes who have qualified to compete in this year's Olympic Trials -
Nicole Taylor - 3000m steeplechase
James West - 800m and 1500m
Robbie Farnham-Rose - 800m and 1500m
Sean Molloy - 800m
​Ryan Driscoll - 3000m steeplechase
Dominic Brown - 1500m (from last year)

Loughborough International, Sunday 22nd May
Videos loaded !

Tonbridge AC had an excellent day at Loughborough -
George Duggan ran a 1.52.35 pb 800 metres to finish 4th in the Guest race, running for Loughborough University.
James West ran a 1.50.35 pb 800 metres to finish 5th in the Match race, running for Loughborough University.
Chris Olley finished 2nd in the 3000 metres in 8.06.24, which was a 13s pb. Henry Pearce ran 8.47.50, although he was not at his best.
Kathleen Faes finished 6th in the womens 3000 metres in 9.39.59, for a 20.6s pb. Kathleen, alongside Alasdair Kinloch, is now the second Tonbridge distance runner to gain the European under 18 championship qualifying time, enabling consideration for GB selection. The time was also a TAC under 17 club record.
Nicole Taylor ran her first 3000m steeplechase for two years annd finished 3rd in 10.37.59, less than half a second from her pb, but an Olympic Trials qualifying standard. Nicole was representing the British Universities and Colleges Team.
​Tom Holden, who is in the process of joining TAC ran 8.11.13 in the 3000 metres, for a 19 second pb, running for Loughborough University..

Highgate Harriers Night of the 10,000 metres PBS

Ben Cole was the only TAC runner in action and made his 10k track debut in race 4, finishing 14th in 30.33.30. This was just outside his road pb.

Hopefully, many of you will have seen the video footage from this terrific event that incorporated the British Olympic Trials for 10,000 metres. If you missed it then you can catch up at - ​http://www.runjumpthrow.com/fixtures/10004-highgate-harriers-night-of-the-10000m-pbs

Southern Athletics League, at Walton On Thames, Saturday 21st May
Videos loaded !

Tonbridge won the match by 2.5 points according to the final results, now on the Results 2016 page.

From a distance runners point of view maybe the most notable performances came over 400m ! Becky O'Hara seems to be taking a little from her personal best with each race and ran 57.0 on this occasion. Sean Molloy comfortably won the mens race in 50.2, but it was his 48.4 relay leg that caused a stir and well worth a watch on the video page.

Michael Ellis was very close to lapping the whole field in the 3000 metres steeplechase, as only team mate Tim Corby was spared.

UK Youth Development League (u13/15) at Southampton, Saturday 21st May

Provisional results are now on the Results 2016 page.
​​From a distance running perspective there were good wins by both Fin Croll (u13 800m) and James Kingston (u15 1500m and four personal bests, from Fin, Alex Sandberg (800m), Megan Moore (1200m) and Henry Taylor (1500m).

Watford Open Meeting, including British Milers Club Giokld Standard Races, Wednesday 18th May
Videos loaded !

Three TAC distance runners competed at Watford on Wednesday evening, in the first of the Summer series that included British Milers Club Gold Standard races. Sean Molloy raced in the first of these and finished 4th in 1.50.87 and although disappointed that it wasn't faster it was his quickest time since July 2014. Hopefully, he can continue to move forward from this. Donald Carter also had a tough one in the B 800m finishing 8th in 1.57.64.

Toby Ralph was our only representative in the fifteen open 800m races and went in the final and fastest race of the evening. Toby was 'fresh' from his Kent under 20 victory at the weekend and once again found himself at the front, early on and pushing the pace. He looked strong again and improved his time to 1.53.98, for a personal best.

Videos will be loaded asap

Beckenham Road Relays, Wednesday 18th May

Tonbridge AC had five teams of three in these evening, midweek road relays, being 1st, 18th and 24th, 51st and 52nd from 118 teams.  Results are on the Results 2016 page but they do contain errors -
The winning team was Graeme Saker 15.01, Dan Bradley 13.33 and Greg Cole 14.20. Dan was two seconds away from running the fastest lap.

Winning team - Graeme Saker, Dan Bradley, Greg Cole

This week's 'Big Hitters' - the top personal bests and debuts in the last week, 9th to 17th May

Here are a few who have set the biggest personal bests over the past week -
300 metres
​Ewan Wood 300m in 42.01 (0.3s improvement)
400 metres
Becky O’Hara 57.30 (0.3s improvement)
800 metres​ Toby Ralph 1.54.35 (3.5s improvement)
Lauren Vinten 2.40.72 (3.2s improvement)
Harry Brown 2.05.25 (3.1s improvement)
1500 metres
Vita Milana 5.15.55 (12.5s improvement)
Phoebe Barker 4.35.28 (12.5s improvement)
Dan Seagrove 4.13.42 (6.3s improvement)
5000 metres
Jack Keywood 16.19.59 (19.8s improvement)
Steeplechase
2000m Tom Cox 6.11.89 (10.4s improvement)
1500m Sam Crick 4.22.31 (10.0s improvement)

Kent Championships, at Ashford, Sunday 15th May - Day 2
Videos loaded !

Day 2 of the championships included a fair share of success for TAC distance runners -
Under 17 Mens 800m - 1st Simon Coppard 2.01.35
Under 20 Mens 800m - 1st Toby Ralph 1.54.35 (pb), 2nd Ben Murphy 1.57.30 (pb)
Under 15 Girls 1500m - 3rd Katie Goodge 4.53.88 (pb)
Under 17 Womens 1500m - 2nd Phoebe Barker 4.35.28 (pb)
Senior Womens 1500m - 1st Ashley Gibson 4.34.35
Under 17 Mens 1500m s/c - 1st Sam Crick 4.22.32 (pb and maybe UK u17 lead 2016)
Under 20 Men's 2000m s/c - 1st Euan Nicholls 6.23.53
Senior Mens 2000m s/c - 1st Tom Cox 6.11.89 (pb), 2nd Michael Ellis 6.24.15 (pb)
​Full results from both days are on the Results 2016 page.

Sittingbourne Invicta 10k road race, Sunday 15th May

There were three TAC members in this 10k
Maria Heslop (2nd claim TAC) was first lady in 37.31.
Then in the official results Jordan Saul was 12th in 38.17, whilst George Kelly doesn't appear at all.
George reckons he ran 39.45 but lost his electronic chip, whilst Jordan had a similar issue, when in 4th and lost ground due to a chip and shoe lace issue. My theory that our members who live near Sittingbourne always seem to have 'issues' at races, holds fast !
The official results are at - ​http://www.chiptiminguk.co.uk/ps/results/Sittingbourne%20Invicta%2010K/42736

South East Conference Championships, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Saturday 14th May

Robbie Farnham-Rose missed a medal by just 1/100th of a second in the SEC Championships 1500 metres final and was just 0.4s away from the winner in 3.51.11.
Full results are at - http://results.flotrack.org/2016/05-12-SEC/Web/Track.php?EN=25&RN=2&D=3

West Coast Last Chance Meet, San Francisco USA, Saturday 14th May

Ryan Driscoll finished 2nd over 1500 metres at the meeting in a new personal best of 3.47.36.
Full results are at - ​http://results.runnercard.com/Results/results.jsp?meetid=1000284

British Milers Club Grand Prix, at Sports City, Manchester, Saturday 14th May
Videos of the TAC 1500m races loaded !

It was a good night for TAC Distance Runners. Provisional Results -
Men's 1500 metres
James West 3.43.41 3rd in A race pb
George Duggan 3.47.93 4th in B race (close to a pb)
Chris Olley 3.50.32 in C race pb
Tom Holden 3.50.38 in C race pb
Miles Weatherseed 3.51.64 in D race pb
Donald Carter 3.53.82 in D race
Womens 1500m metres
Kathleen Faes 4.28.70  in B race (close to a pb)
Mens 5000 metres
Henry Pearce 14.49.91 in A race pb
Nathan Marsh 15.12.96 in D race pb
Full results will appear at - ​http://www.britishmilersclub.com/results/bmcresultsindex.aspx

Above George Duggan, Below Tom Holden and Chris Olley (photos courtesy Nikolaas Faes)

UK Inter Counties Fell Running Championships, at Ras Moel Eilio Race, North Wales, Saturday 14th May

TAC had two representatives in the Kent team.
Max Nicholls finished 4th overall and perhaps could have been in the top two, as he was directed off course at one stage.
Julian Rendall, who is a less experienced fell runner, placed 26th.
Full results are on the Results 2016 page.

Kent Team, with Max on the left and Julian on the right

Kent Championships, at Ashford, Saturday 14th May - Day 1
Videos loaded !

Brief results -
Under 15 Girls 800m - 2nd Katie Burgess 2.24.91, 3rd Lizzie Miller 2.25.47
Under 15 Boys 1500m - 3rd James Kingston 4.30.06 (pb)
Under 17 Men 400m - 3rd Cameron Roberts
Under 17 Men 1500m - 1st James Puxty 4.13.18, 2nd Dan Seagrove 4.13.43
Under 20 Men 1500m - 1st Alasdair Kinloch 3.59.64 (pb)
Senior Men 400m - 2nd Sean Molloy 49.51
Senior Men 1500m - 1st Corey De'Ath 4.04.28, 2nd Tom Cox 4.15.99
Senior Men 5000m - 1st Ben Cole 15.00.03

National Masters Road Relay Championships, at Sutton Coldfield, Saturday 14th May
From Mark Pitcairn-Knowles

Results at http://www.race-results.co.uk/results/2016/bmafm3516.htm
Yet another glorious sunny day with a light northerly wind.
The Men 55 were the first race we were involved in, as unfortunately on this occasion we were not able to put out a ladies team.
35  Tonbridge Ac  M55                   1:07:36
 
        Cain Bradley     (34) 21:19
        Brian Buckwell   (31) 21:20
        Maurice Marchant (35) 24:57
 
Brian improved on his time from last year by 11 seconds.   Although down on last year it was great to see Cain running after a tricky few months.   Watch Maurice accelerate up the finish straight to hold off a challenge from another athlete, plus other action from the day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3ENtax4C3o
In a change to previous years the M35 race (6 Stage) started 5 mins before the M45.    Unfortunately our M35 team had become depleted to just 4, however this set up an intriguing race between our M35 and M45, both with 4 runners, as on paper it looked like it would be very close to a 5 minute time difference.
Tony Bennett had the “pleasure” of making his TAC vets debut (he ran for the club as a junior) as first leg runner.   Having negotiated an attempt to put on his old TAC vest in which he actually got stuck and had to be helped to release his arm, he was kitted out in Rachael Bennetts vest, certainly still effectively a compression outfit!  

He held his composure well to run 18.04,despite the furious pace set at the start.  This was probably ahead of expectation.     Graeme Saker started M45 team off and improved on last year by 23 seconds to 17.02 and 18th ( when comparing to the M55 AG which Graeme will be in Sept he was encouraged to see his time would have been 3rd fastest, so hopes of an International vest are positive for the winter)    John Ridge on second leg for M35 got under 19 minutes in his first attempt at the course.   While Phil Coleman also lowered his time from last year by 14 secs to 17.50 (20th).  At this stage the gap between the teams was 2.45 .

Ian Crawley who made his TAC debut at this event last year, knocked a massive 52 Secs off his time and finished under his 20 min target in 19.55.   However for the M45 team Mark PK also took 7 secs off last years time in 18.15  (20th place)     This left Steve Brooks (20.38) with a lead of 1.05 over Andy Wood (19.04) as they started the last legs.    Despite Steve improving his time by 10 secs, it was not enough, as Andy Wood encouraged by the sight of Steve at the turn around point had a target to chase and was able to catch him at the lake and finish 29 secs ahead.   It was great to see Andy Wood run well after a tricky 2015/16 winter. As a team the M45 improved from 1.14.15 last year to 1.12.11, but surprisingly this 2 minute improvement only equated to one place!   27th to 26th this year.  Last year this would have got 18th place….
Results at http://www.race-results.co.uk/results/2016/
Tonbridge AC M35                        1:17:40
Incomplete
 
        Anthony Bennett  (36) 18:08
        John Ridge       (37) 18:59
        Ian Crawley      (36) 19:55
        Steven Brooks    (34) 20:38
26  Tonbridge Ac M45                    1:12:11
 
        Graeme Saker     (18) 17:02
        Philip Coleman   (20) 17:50
        M Pitcairnknowle (20) 18:15
        Andrew Wood      (26) 19:04
 
Ben Reynolds (2nd Claim TAC) ran the second fastest M45 leg of the day in an amazing 15.28, as his team Thames Hare and Hounds won the M45 race.  
We were all very grateful for the fantastic support team of Alan Bennett, Di Bradley and Nicky Buckwell.   It really helped at the point in the race where the body flags!   Thanks to everyone for making the effort to travel to Sutton Coldfield, which we all agreed was well worth it.

​Looking at the potential M35 team (Parkrun results yesterday of 3 qualified TAC runners 17.24, 17.29 and 18.57, plus Julian Rendall running for Kent in a mountain race) if we can have a concerted effort the team could be well up there challenging for a top 10 place.

South East Conference Championships, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Friday 13th May

Robbie Farnham-Rose (Alabama) had an excellent race to qualify for Saturday's final with 3.46.64 in second place in his heat.
​Luca Russo (Missouri) suffered in his heat and almost fell at one stage, being 10th in 3.58.71.
Full results are at - ​http://results.flotrack.org/2016/05-12-SEC/Web/Timetable.php?D=2

English Schools Cup, First Round, at Ashford, Friday 13th May

Full results will appear at - http://www.esaa.net/v2/2016/tfcup/tfcup16results.php
A few TAC were competing, including -

Junior Boys 1500m Elliot Webb 5.09.4
Junior Girls 1500m Maddie Wise 5.19.0, Alexandra Evans 5.26.4
Inter Boys 800m Cameron Roberts 2.16.0, 1500m Ingmar Gunn 4.43.5
Inter Girls

TAC Summer Parkrun Grand Prix update, after 7th May event
​Update from Mark Pitcairn-Knowles

A large turn out as the Summer Park Run GP was finally run in Summer weather, which appears to have suited a number of athletes who ran PB’s to collect bonus 5 points for their scores.   The top 3 age graded runners were Sophie Slack, Lily Slack and Sam Crick who all scored over 80% and rans PB’s with Sam being first home ahead of previous GP winner Dan Bradley.   Sophie appears to be intent on keeping the Trophy on her mantelpiece !

The latest league table is on the Parkrun page.

Southern Counties Veterans League, Kent Division 2, at Canterbury, Monday 9th May

Tonbridge AC won both the mens and womens division 2 matches and now top the mens and are second in the ladies overall, after the first two matches.
Team Manager Mark Pitcairn-Knowles is doing a cracking job, in not only launching TAC's teams in this league for the first time, but getting so many to compete. I just hope a few are ok on Tuesday morning, as having seen the results, a some were competing in more unusual events for them !

This week's 'Big Hitters' - the top personal bests and debuts in the last week
3rd to 8th May

Here are a few who have set the biggest personal bests over the past week -
300 metres
Toby Emm (u15) 39.91 (4.6s improvement)
Sam Avis (u20) 41.17 (11.0s improvement, from 2011)
800 metres
Ollie Dunn (u20) 2:09.06 (13.5s improvement)
Beth Lednor (u13) 2.42.47 (6.6s improvement)
1500 metres
Olukorede Fasina (u13) 4.57.1 (27.0s improvement)
Luciana Anderson (u15) 5.19.3 (11.3s improvement)
1 mile
Phoebe Barker (u17)  4.55.49 (67.5s improvement, from 2013)
Matthew Taylor (u13) 5.26.36 (30.9s improvement)
3000 metres
Alasdair Kinloch (u20) 8.20.98 (20.2s improvement)

Kent Young Athletes League, at Bromley, Sunday 8th May

Full results are on the Results 2016 page.
On a very warm day there seems to have been some good middle distance running from a number of TAC youngsters. The biggest pb came from Olukorede Fasina, with a division 2, under 13 boys, 1500m win in 4.57.1. 

Beth Lednor (H) and Megan Moore (HH) in the under 13 girls 1200m (photo courtesy of Stella Bandu)

Other weekend news, Saturday/Sunday 7th/8th May

Saturday
Oxford Vs Cambridge University Varsity Match, at Ifley Road, Oxford
3000m steeplechase - Alex Howard (Oxford) 1st in 9.13.6 (pb).
1500m - Miles Weatherseed (Oxford) was 4th in the mile with 4.19.
British Athletics League Premier Division, at Eton
Michael Ellis ran 10.16 for 3000m steeplechase, racing for Sheffield AC, for whom he has high claim competition status with. Michael is at university there.

Saturday 5km parkruns, 7th May

It seems that the parkruns continue to flourish and today -
Tonbridge - 1st Sam Crick 16.33, 1st female Sophie Slack (just turned 10) in 20.08
There were 473 finishers at Tonbridge !
Ashton Court (near Bristol - 1st George Duggan 16.11 (equals course record)
Full results are at - ​http://www.parkrun.org.uk/results/firstfinishers/

The weekend ahead 7th/8th May

This weekend is a relatively quiet one, with just the Kent Young Athletes competing at bromley on Sunday.
Just as a reminder to others, you are more than welcome to come along on Sunday morning for training at 9.30am, where there is either a run or a faster track session available.

Watford Open Meeting, Wednesday 4th May
Videos loaded !

TAC had just three competitors at the Watford meeting and enjoyed the best conditions of the season so far.
Graeme Saker ran 9.47.83 as an over 50, in the first of two 3000m races, before we witnessed a cracking final race of the evening.

Donald Carter and Ally Kinloch joined the train of the lead group runners at the front of the 3000 metres and both came away with personal bests, as they finished 3rd and 7th, respectively. Donald took ten seconds from his pb with 8.14.29 to go third on the 2016 TAC rankings, whilst Ally had a superb race to run 8.20.98 and take more than twenty seconds from his own best, with 8.20.98.

Ally's time could be significant as there is a European under 18 championships this year and he was well inside the qualifying mark of 8.32. However, the selectors look for more than that as one of the criteria is to be able to show 'top 8 potential'. He had another under 18 just ahead of him last night, but last year his time would have ranked him fourth in Europe, for the age group.

Tonbridge AC Evening Open Meeting, Tuesday 3rd May
Videos loaded !

Full results are on the Results 2016 page.
Amongst the results Kathleen Faes broke Ruth Bourne's club record for the under 17 women's mile with 4.52.38, with Phoebe Barker also inside the old mark with 4.55.49

This week's 'Big Hitters' - the top personal bests and debuts in the last week
25th April to 2nd May

Here are a few who have set the biggest personal bests over the past week -
400 metres
Cameron Roberts (u17) 54.29 (6.7s improvement)
Becky O'Hara (u20) 57.61 (0.07s improvement)
800 metres
Cameron Roberts (u17) 2:01.96 (26.1s improvement)
1500 metres
Luke Reeves (u17) 4.40.15 (16.6s improvement)
Melissa Berry (u20) (3.4s improvement)
Other
1500m steeplechase - Bede Pitcairn-Knowles (u17) 4.41.26 (10.0s improvement)
3000 metres steeplechase - Michael Ellis (senior) 10.02.73 (28.6s improvement)
5000 metres - Corey De'Ath 14.49.09 (15.1s improvement)

Bank Holiday Monday 3rd May road race updates

Bede and Mark Pitcairn-Knowles ran the Ted Pepper Multi terrain 10k, quite challenging under foot in places.  Bede was in 2nd place at 6k when he unfortunately fell over and cut his knee, ended up 7th , 37.56.    He was first Junior Male. Mark ran 40.13,  20th place overall, 3rd M50 in race,  but Silver medal in Southern Vets championship  (out of 2). Full results -
http://www.swifttiming.co.uk/cgi-bin/list_race_result.php?meet_event_id=1090001

Hildenborough Road Races
We are awaiting full results, but TAC ladies filled the first three places in the 5 miles through Shauna Paice, Sasha Houghtonand Nicola Summerfield.
Joe Watts ran his first 10 mile race in 68.39
Luke Fisher and Fraser Gordon were first and second in the 5 mile junior race.
Full results are on the Results 2016 page.

Tonbridge AC Parkrun Grand Prix - Summer 2016 - update after event 1, 30th April
​Update from Mark Pitcairn-Knowles

Winter champion Sophie Slack has started where she left off, leading the way with a PB performance to add the bonus 5 points.  Luciana Anderson also ran a PB to be second with 17 points.   Next qualifying race is this Saturday 7th May at Tonbridge.

​League table on the Parkrun page

British Universities and Colleges Sport Championships, at Bedford, Monday 2nd May - Day 3
​​Videos loaded !

Full results and summary are on the Results 2016 page.
Bronze medals for James West (1500m) and Nicole Taylor (2000m steeplechase)

UK Youth Development League (u17/20), Sunday 1st May
Videos loaded !

TAC were 5th of the 6 teams. Full results are on the Results 2016 page.
Photos courtesy Sam Crick and friends

British Universities and Colleges Sport Championships, at Bedford, Sunday 1st May - Day 2
​Videos loaded !

Once again it was generally a successful day for TAC distance runners -
Womens 800m - Sian Driscoll missed qualifying for the final but ran a seasons best of 2.19.78
Mens 800m semi finals - Sean Molloy qualified for Monday's final
Men's 1500 metres semi finals - 4 TAC runners have qualified for Monday's final : James West, Dom Brown, George Duggan and Chris Olley, whilst Miles Weatherseed went out at this stage.
Men's 10,000 metres - Henry Pearce was 4th on his track debut at the distance.
​Full results are on the Results 2016 page.

Other Saturday news

On Saturday Toby Ralph scored an impressive double win at a school match at Tonbridge School, winning the 800m in a pb of 1.56.4 and 1500m in 4.22, before then contributing a 51.5 400m relay leg.

USA news, Saturday 30th April and Sunday 1st May

Luca Russo finished a close second over 1500m at the Memphis Invitational in 3.52.90
Full results are at - ​http://www.cfpitiming.com/liveresults/2016_Outdoor/Memphis_2016/results_9.html#round_1

After a delay to the meeting for lightning strikes, Robbie Farnham-Rose finished third in section 2 of the mens 800 metres at the LSU Invitational Meeting, at Louisiana. Robbie ran 1.49.69, which was just 0.07s outside his personal best, set in 2012.
Full results are at - http://results.deltatiming.com/lsu/tf/2016-lsu-invitational/160430F006

On Sunday, unfortunately, Ryan Driscoll failed to finish his 3000 metres steeplechase at the Payton Jordan Invitational. He is fine, recovered and will race again in two or three weeks time.

British Universities and Colleges Sport Championships, at Bedford, Saturday 30th April - Day 1
Videos loaded !

Day one of the three day championships have proved successful for Tonbridge AC distance runners.
Womens 800m - Sian Driscoll qualified with a fastest losers spot for Sunday's semi finals
Men's 800m - Sean Molloy front ran and won his heat to qualify for Sunday's semi finals
Men's 1500m - All five from TAC qualified from the heats to Sunday's semi finals: James West, George Duggan, Dom Brown, Chris Olley and Miles Weatherseed.
Both Chloe Bird (5000m) and Ben Murphy (800m) were eliminated in their heats.
Men's 3000m steeplechase - Alex Howard qualified for Monday's final and Michael Ellis was elimininated, although he ran a big personal best.
Men's 5000m - both Corey De'Ath and Max Nicholls qualified for Monday's final, Max as a fastest loser.

Full results are on the Results 2016 page
Continuing updates of results from the championships will be at - ​http://www.bucs.org.uk/page.asp?section=17472&sectionTitle=Outdoor+Championships

Southern Counties Veterans League at Eltham, Friday 29th April

The TAC men placed second and ladies third in their first ever match. Results are on the Results 2016 page.

The weekend ahead Friday 29th April to Monday 2nd May

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 It's a busy Bank Holiday weekend coming up, although the UK weather appears to be continuing as a very mixed and not that warm. These are some of the highlights that I am aware of -
Southern Counties Veterans League, at Eltham, Friday. This is TAC's first appearance in the league.
British Universities and Colleges Championships, at Bedford, Friday to Monday
TAC have, by my calculations, fifteen or more distance runners competing.
​There is a live internet stream at - http://www.runjumpthrow.com/fixtures/8917-bucs-championships
UK Youth Development League (u17/20), now at Eton (see above), on Sunday
Pete Mason, the team manager, is still looking to fill gaps in his team sheet, so if you are available please let him know.
Hildenborough Road Races, on Monday
These start at 2.30pm at Hildenborough Recreation Ground. The 2.5 mile run is for 12 years old and under. See above for the link to details and entries.
Reminder - TAC Evening Open Meeting on Tuesday and entries can be made online at www.tonbridgeac.co.uk
USA
Luca Russo - 1500m (section 1) at Memphis Invitational. Saturday 12.30pm local / 6.30pm UK time.
Robbie Farnham-Rose - 800m at LSU Invitational, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Saturday 1.40pm local/7.40pm UK
Ryan Driscoll - 3000m steeplechase (section 4) at Payton Jordan Invitational, California, on Sunday. Live at www.flotrack.org Pro (subscription service). Race time 11.00am local / 7pm UK time.
Kieran Reilly is in the Eastern Michigan team at the Drake Relays, Iowa and scheduled to race the 4x800m (Friday 8.19pm local/2.19am Sat UK) and Distance Medley Relay (Saturday 12.30pm local/6.30pm UKl). Stop press - didn't race due to calf injury.

Eva Kolivoskova-Martin - baby Alexandra arrives !

Those of you who know Eva, will be pleased to hear that she gave birth to baby Alexandra, weighing in at 6lbs 10oz. Congratulations to Eva and husband Nick.

The weather is testing us all ! (Tuesday 26th April)

These were the conditions about 45 minutes apart on Tuesday at TAC !

Fantasy Athletics League 2016

Many thanks to those entered our first TAC Fantasy Athletics League. Slightly disappointing entry numbers but enough for good prize money and to raise a little for the club. It is not too late to enter, and pick up points for the remaining SAL fixtures. Entry details at www.tacdistancerunners.com , find the ‘Fantasy League’ tab on the left side. If you have not yet paid for your entry, please do so as soon as possible. Remember to boost your score by turning out at Fixture 2 in Walton on 21 May!  

James Taylor (JT)
See results on the Fantasy League page.

This week's 'Big Hitters' - the top personal bests and debuts in the last week
​Season so far to 24th April

Just as last year I will try and highlight the weekly 'Big Hitters' ,who are the athletes that have improved their personal bests by the most significant amounts. So far this season we have had a few open meetings, the Southern Athletics League and the UK Youth Development League for under 13s and 15s. So here are a few, who have shown some big steps forward -
400 metres
Becky O'Hara (u20) 57.68 (0.6s improvement)
800 metres
Lizzie Wooff (u13) 2.45.8 (11.8s improvement)
1200 metres
Maddie Wise (u13) 4.04.9 (10.5s improvement)
1500 metres
Henry Taylor (u13) 5.05.7 (22.0s improvement)
Katie Goodge (u15) 4.55.9 (18.4s improvement)
Other
2000m steeplechase - Bede Pitcairn-Knowles (u17) 6.46.98 (28.0s improvement)
3000 metres - Alex Howard (senior) 8.37.00 (10.2s improvement)
Marathon - Dan Watt 2.39.21  (2.26 improvement)

Oxford University Trials, Sunday 24th April

Miles Weatherseed won the Oxford University 1500 metre trials, defeating some good quality athletes in 4.00.21

Tonbridge AC Parkrun Grand Prix - Summer 2016

The TAC Summer parkrun Grand Prix commences on 30th April. Full details are in the file below and also on the Parkrun page.

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London Marathon and mini marathons, Sunday 24th April

TAC had a number of representatives in the London Marathon, plus Phoebe Barker and Alasdair Kinloch in the under 17 mini marathons.

In the main marathon Ben Cole set off at a pace ahead of the club record of 2.24, but faded to 2.28.52. Leah Melvin was the club's first female finisher, in her debut with 3.33.12.

Summary results are on the Results 2016 page. Note there are errors in the provisional/official minimi marathon results.
​Photos below courtesy Richard Owen

Photos below courtesy of George Kelly
​Left Dan Watt and Right Greg Cole

UK Youth Development League (u13/15), at Reading, Saturday 23rd April
Videos loaded of 1200m and 1500m races !

Although the team finished 6th of the six clubs, there were some very encouraging performances in the middle distance races, including some big personal bests.

Fin Croll was one of only three A-string winners that the club had all day, as he won the under 13, 800 metres in 2.23.9. However, take a look at the results summary and you will see some big personal bests from the likes of Lizzie Wooff, Matthew Taylor, Henry Taylor, Katie Goodge, James Kingston and Adam Van der Plas.
​
Full results already available at - ​http://www.thepowerof10.info/results/results.aspx?meetingid=159375
​They are also on the Results 2016 page. Photos of some of the 800m runners, courtesy of Gary Goodge.

Saturday in USA, 23rd April

Luca Russo opened his outdoor season with Missouri University with a 3.55.07 for 1500m at Arkansas. Full results at -
http://arkansas-john-mcdonnell-invitational.runnerspace.com/eprofile.php?event_id=2508&year=2016&do=info

​Kieran Reilly ran 1.56.85 (sb) for 800m at Columbus, Ohio

Friday night in USA, 22nd April

I must admit I had been a bit concerned, when I went to bed in the UK on Friday night, as Robbie was feeling unwell and Ryan had suffered shin soreness, so it was testament to their attitudes that they both came up with 1500m personal bests !

Robbie Farnham-Rose was 3rd in the Auburn War Eagle Invitational over 1500m in 3.44.39. Full results at -
http://results.deltatiming.com/tf/2016-war-eagle-invitational/160422F110

Ryan Driscoll was 5th in his race at the Stanford Twilight Meeting, in California. Ryan's race can be caught on video at www.flotrack.org , but on the Pro subscription service. Full results at -http://www.rtspt.com/events/stanford/twilight16/160422F009.htm

Kieran Reilly ran 3.59.97 for 1500m at Columbus, Ohio

Watford Open Meeting, Wednesday 20th April
Videos loaded !

TAC had eleven runners in action at a chilly Watford on Wednesday night, with most having their first race of the season. Six gained personal bests, whilst there were a couple of race wins included.

Sean Molloy opened his season with a 50.11 for 400m, the quickest by a TAC athlete so far in 2016.

In the 800m there were wins for Simon Coppard and Kieran Eland (joining TAC this week), who are u17 and u20, respectively. Simon, Ben Murphy and Sam Avis all ran pbs.

In the 3000m races three of the four TAC runners ran pbs (Corey De'Ath, Alex Howard, Sam Crick), whilst James West was just a fraction off his with 8.14.77. However, splits of 4.13 and 1500m and 4.01, for the second half, were still very encouraging, as he placed a close up third in a high quality race.
​
Summary results are on the Results 2016 page and full results will appear at -http://www.watfordharriers.org.uk/indexnc.htm

Sophie Slack receives TAC Parkrun Grand Prix trophy

Sophie Slack (left) received her TAC Winter Parkrun Grand Prix trophy on Monday, presented by schools international, Kathleen Faes (right)

Sunday 10km Road Races, 17th April

Reports coming in of some 10k races today -
Michael Ellis ran a pb of 34.35 at Rother Valley
Nathan Marsh was 7th at Lincoln in 32.09 (the day after running a long leg in the National Road Relay team).
Full results are at - http://chiptiming.co.uk/results/?sport=1&year=2016&event=2587&race=4430
Cameron Knapp was 10th in the Goudhurst 10k in 40.12, where Maria Heslop (2nd claim TAC) was first female and second overall in 37.38. Full results are at - http://niceworkevents.blogspot.co.uk

National 12 Stage Mens Road Relay Championship, at Sutton Coldfield, Saturday 16th April
Extensive video highlights now loaded !

The TAC men's team put in another superb performance, at a National Relay Championship, to finish fifth and equal the club's best ever position, achieved last year. Full results are on the Results 2016 page.

Ben Cole is proving a valuable asset, as time and time again he runs a solid relay leg to put our teams in contention. He handed over in 9th from the 67 that started. Tom Cox transfered his late season cross country form to the road to move the team to 6th. Nathan Marsh, making his debut in such a race, ran all out, but slipped to 13th, although still in close contention. Dom Brown, on leg four, put the team back to 7th and Chris Olley moved up another two places. Miles Weatherseed, only brought into the team a couple of days earlier, did his bit to keep the team in the top six at halfway.

Alex Howard ran a very solid 7th leg, again having his first experience of such a distance, at this level. We were in 7th, at this stage, before Donald Carter ran our fastest short leg to move to 6th. Max Nicholls on leg nine was pretty much equal 6th with Bedford, but was pipped on the line. Then Dan Bradley consolidated 6th place, looking like he is retuning to form. Henry Pearce ran a tremendous penultimate leg to move into 4th, with the fifth fastest long leg of the day. Finally, Tim Corby had an excellent run on the anchor leg, only being overtaken by Matt Jackson, of Liverpool, who ran the fastest short leg of the race.

So we ended up with a very solid 5th, that was equal to last year's best ever. However, this was a more solid overall performance, in many ways. whereas last year we just slipped by a couple of teams right at the end.

Having had time to reflect on the result, I feel it was a terrific effort by the team to gain 5th, ahead of many of the UK's top distance running clubs. We had to take a few risks and with a relatively young team many are still getting stronger and more experienced of racing at this level, in such a championship. To have three of our long leg runners in the fastest 20 (Henry, Ben and Chris) is a sign of how far we have come as a club, as to do that you have to be a very strong distance runner.
We have four club members away on USA scholarships and another three away training with their universities, who may have made the team, so the future is bright. Hopefully, one day Tonbridge can take a win in what is probably the UK's premier test of a club's capability.

Southern Athletics League, at Milton Keynes, Saturday 16th April
Videos of 1500m and steeplechase races now loaded !

TAC opened the Southern Athletics League season with a 3rd place finish.
Full provisional results are on the Results 2016 page.
Amongst the performances were personal bests for Becky O'Hara (400m), Emilia Hope (1500m), Sam Crick (2000m s/c), Bede Pitcairn-Knowles (2000m s/c)

Brighton mini road mile, Saturday 16th April

Beth Lednor won the girls years 9 and 10, mile race at Brighton in 6.01. There were 251 finishers just in her age group race !
Full results are at - ​http://www.brightonminimile.co.uk/results

Mount Sac Relays meeting, Friday 15th April
​Ryan Driscoll closes in on TAC club record at 3000 metres steeplechase

Ryan Driscoll finished third in section 2 of the 3000m steeplechase at the Mount Sac Relays meeting, near Los Angeles, USA. Ryan, running for San Francisco University, clocked a two second personal best of 8.56.77 which is the third fastest ever TAC time and not far away from Stuart Kirk's 8.55.0 record set in 1984.
Full results are at - http://www.mtsacrelays.com/2016/results/041516results.htm​

Beach Pacific Coast Invitational, Long Beach, USA, Thursday 14th and Friday 15th April

Kieran Reilly ran 800m in 1.58.68 and finished third. Full results are at - 
​http://emueagles.com.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/2016/4/15/Pacific_Coast_Invite_Results.pdf?id=4401
Kieran also finished 5th in the 1500m in a seasons best of 3.51.95
Full results at - http://emueagles.com.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/2016/4/17/Beach_Invite_Day_2_Results.pdf?id=4406​

Sunday results, 10th April

Hartfield 10k
Joe Watts ran 45.25 in this tough 10k and believes he was close to the top 10. Official results are awaited.
Results should be posted at - http://www.hartfieldonline.com/Core/Hartfield-Parish-Council/Pages/Fun_Run_2.aspx​
Ashford Half Marathon
Cameron Knapp finished 7th in the Ashford Half Marathon in 90.42 and aims to be racing the Goudhurst 10k this coming Sunday.
Medway and Maidstone Open Meeting
400m - Sam Avis (u20) made his debut over 400m in 58.49
800m - George Kelly (sm) won his 800m in 2.23.64 and Tilly Hall ran 2.29.27.

Saturday results, 9th April

A few results will posted here, if I get news -
Saturday Open Meetings
Sian Driscoll (u20) has won an 800m in 2.20.0 at the Carnegie Games, at Leeds.
Jamie Brown (u20) ran 90s for 600m at the Herne Hill Harriers Open Meet.
USA
Robbie Farnham-Rose ran the quickest TAC 800m of the year so far with a 1.51.13 effort. He was 4th in section 2, at the Battle of the Bayou meeting, at Baton Rouge, Loisiana. Robbie ran a low 49s split for the Alabama 4x400m relay B team.
Full results - http://results.deltatiming.com/lsu/tf/2016-battle-on-the-bayou#/2016-04-09
Parkruns
Tonbridge - 1st female Phoebe Barker 18.11 pb, 2nd overall Dan Bradley 16.45
Royal Tunbridge Wells - 1st Jamie Goodge 18.07, 1st female Katie Goodge 21.02
Lullingstone - 1st Charlie Lindsay 19.18
​Bedgebury - 1st Bede Pitcairn-Knowles 18.34
Full results are at - ​http://www.parkrun.org.uk/results/firstfinishers/ 

Old video clips

I have edited a few old video clips from 2005 and 2006, which are now loaded on the relevant page, under History. Some of you may recognise a few faces even though 10 years younger !

TAC Fantasy Athletics League 2016
Hurry as entries close 14th April !

James Taylor (JT) has announced details for the first ever TAC Fantasy Athletics League following on from the successful cross country version last Winter. Full details are in the file below, but be quick as the closing date is 14th April.
The league is based on Southern Athletics League results for the coming season.
​The cross country competition not only proved popular for a bit of fun, but created interest in runners across the age groups, whilst also raising more than £300 for club funds.

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Wednesday Night Open Meetings, 6th April

There were a number of open meetings going on in the South East on Wednesday night, at places like Ashford, Watford and Highgate. There were TAC distance runners in action at the first two. Here are some of the results -
Ashford
Ollie Croll won a 600m in 1.55.81. (Ollie is 11 years old in May)
Fin Croll 800m 2.27.40
Kieran Eland (joining TAC, u20) 100m 11.89, 400m 51.36
Note - Henry Marshall (u20) ran 400m in 50.56, just outside his pb
Watford
Simon Coppard (u17) won his 800m in 2.03.57. Full results are at - http://www.watfordharriers.org.uk/indexnc.htm​
Crawley, Sunday
A late result coming in is Jamie Brown ran 800m in 2.06.0, just 0.7s away from his pb

Easter Newsletter - April 2016

Following on from the newsletter that I produced at the end of 2015, I thought that I would produce another. Hopefully, it will help in terms of some information about the coming Summer track season, aswell as including a quick review of last Winter. Hope that you all enjoy it.

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