Author: Sarah Kenyon

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Sunday 12th November saw the return of the Kent Fitness League, with the first race held at Swanley Park. Medway and Maidstone AC turned out in force, fielding their record number of athletes (37), for a Kent Fitness League race. This included a record ladies team too, with 9 ladies competing over the 5 mile course.

The race loop was hotly contested, with M&Ms twin brothers, Cameron and Callum Featherstone, working together at the front to seal a one-two finish. Callum finishing 1st in 29:47 and Cameron just 11 seconds behind. Next for M&M was Alex Donnelly (4th) on his KFL debut, with Justin Lane (7th and 1st M45) not far behind. Owen Featherstone (11th) produced another solid run, leading Chris Rampling (15th), Neill Wright (17th and 3rd M45) and another debutant, Nigel Lowther (23rd and 3rd M40). Adam Featherstone (32nd and 2nd M50), Stephen Turpie (57th) and Adrian Moody (126th) rounded off the men’s scoring team. Another notable performance in the men’s team was Glyn Pallister (176th), returning to the KFL after a five season absence.

In the Ladies race, Emily Hale (9th) led the way home for M&M, followed by Chloe Hammond (21st), Antel Muller (37th), Vanessa Vander (53rd) and Catherine Rodwell (89th).  Next for the ladies were three debutants, Debbie Mantle (104th), Sophie Barnes (108th) and Deborah Warren (136th).  Completing the ladies team was Sarah Kenyon (149th).

Outstanding performances throughout both teams meant that in the combined team result, M&M came out on top by a narrow margin of 17 points. There was also another victory in the men’s team competition, extending the men’s unbeaten run, having last been beat on 10th November 2019. The ladies team finished 8th, in what was a tightly contested competition between the 10 clubs.

The third fixture of the Kent Cross Country League took place at Danson Park, Bexleyheath on Saturday 11th November.

The Senior Men fielding another strong team . Current league leader, Tewelde Menges, returned to winning ways, taking an early lead and comfortably finishing almost ahead of the rest of the field. Next to finish for M&M was Ben Tyler (5th), closely followed by Jamie Walsh (6th) and Anthony Webb (8th and 1st M40), completing the 4-to-score team, which was narrowly beaten into second place, just 4 points behind Tonbridge AC.

Continuing to improve on his debut season for M&M, Andrew Headley finished 11th, ahead of Daniel St Martin (20th), Callum Featherstone (28th), Cameron Featherstone (32nd), Alex Donnelly (34th), Jack Tyler (40th) and Richard Tomlinson (44th and 2nd M50), making up the 12-to-score team, which again finished second behind Tonbridge AC.  The Senior Men now have a long break from the Kent League, not racing again until February 2024, but with a number of athletes on target to top their respective league categories come the end of the season.

There were 4 competitors contesting the U17 men’s race. Another strong run from Franklin Shepherd 3rd (16.56), Theo Ronchetti 10th (17.56), Henry Gibson 16th (18.34) and Dominic Wright 32nd (23.11). The 3 to score team finishing in 3rd on the day.

Freddie Gibson continued his rich vein of form in the U15 boys’ race to once again lead the team home in 2nd place (14:04). He was followed home by Louie Gear in 23rd place (15:23) and the team of three was closed by Alfred Moisan in 31st place (16:02). Further support was provided by Connor Cousins (37th, 16:16), Declan Tighe (39th, 16:26), Maxime Foissy (48th, 17:06) and Cameron Davis (61st, 19:22).

The U15 boys finished in fourth place on the day and are in third place overall.

The U13 boys were led home once again by Daniel Kershaw in 9th place (11:27), the scoring three was completed by Ola Ajelara (19th, 11:35) and William Pratt (26th, 11:56) They were supported by Logan Smith (28th, 12:00), Oliver Field (32nd, 12:07), Jack Gregory (36th in12:12), Sebastian Smit (57th,13:25), Ethan Miles (58th, 13:31) and Cameron Drake (65th, 14:13). The team finished fourth on the day and are fourth overall with one match remaining.

There was again good representation from the U20 and U17s ladies. In the U20s Abigail Royden running well was first M&M athlete 4th (19.29). Followed in closely by Ella Webb 5th (19.31) and Lily Crossley 6th (20.24) completing the 3 to score. Close behind, Lola Sutton 7th (20.27th) and Ingrid Linn 10th (21.39) and Ciara Harrop 13th (25.32) completing the team. 

U17 Amber Matthews ran brilliantly and tactically strong to win the U17 race (19.16). The 3 to score team were completed by Iris Crossley 8th (21.08) and Abi Hawkes, running strong to come through for 9th (21.08), completing the 3 to score. Beth Palmer 10th (19.26) and Naveen Deo 21st (23.27) to compete the team’s runners.

The U15 girls saw Rose Crossley in 10th (16.40) followed by Sofia Cudmore-Smith in 13th (17.06) with Olivia Baker 27th (18.30) closing the 3 to score team. Matilda Moisan 36th (18.49), Amelie Guthrie 38th (29.51), Ava Graham 41st (20.52), Freya Stein 48th (25.21) and Sabuko Antonio (50th) (25.24). The team finished in 3rd place.

Only 2 competitors in the U13 girls team contested the 3000m course. Gwen Thomas 27th (13.32) and Chloe Orridge 43rd (14.48).

The final league match for the junior age groups and is on Saturday 25th of November at Swanley Park.

Saturday 28th October saw the second fixture of the Kent Cross Country League at a wet and muddy Somerhill School, Tonbridge. The Senior Men turned out in force with thirty Medway and Maidstone athletes making it their biggest Senior Men’s team to ever complete in the Kent League.

Following on from his success in the first race, Tewelde Menges was first home for M&M, finishing a close second behind Tonbridge’s James Kingston, who is the reigning National XC Champion.

Next to finish for M&M were Ben Tyler (12^th), Andrew Headley (13^th) and Jamie Walsh (14^th), completing the 4-to-score team that finished 2^nd to Tonbridge AC on the day. Anthony Webb (20^th and 3^rd M45) had another strong run, keeping his place at the top of the M40 standings and Owen Featherstone (28^th) won the family race again, beating Callum Featherstone (47^th), Cameron Featherstone (49^th) and Adam Featherstone (102^nd). Richard Tomlinson (57^th and 3^rd M50) strengthened his hold on 2^nd place in the M50 standings. Completing M&M’s 12-to-score team were Daniel St Martin (33^rd), Alexander Donnelly (43^rd) and Jack Tyler (52^nd).

Our U17 men saw Franklin Shepherd contesting his first cross country race of the season due to missing the first event as recently being selected for the England Athletic Youth Talent Programme! Franklin finishing a strong 3rd in a competitive race (17.57).  Theo Ronchetti 15th (19.34) Henry Gibson 25th (21.21) and Dominic Wright 39th (26.06). The team finished 3rd in the day.

The course had started to cut up and was trickier underfoot by the time the U15 boys took their turn; Freddie Gibson once again led the team home in 5th place (14:20). He was backed up by Connor Cousins 28th (15:37) and Louie Gear 33rd (15:47), Declan Tighe 44th (16:38), Alfred Moisan 47th  (16:52) and Cameron Davis 66th (20:57). The U15 boys finished 5th on the day and are in 4th place after two matches.

With a downpour at the start of the U13 boys not stopping strong performances. Once again led home by Daniel Kershaw in 11th place (11:22). He was followed shortly afterwards by newcomer Ola Ajelara in 20th (11:47) and Jack Gregory in 28th (11:59). The scoring team of three was supported by Logan Smith 32nd (12:03), Oliver Field 39th (12:27) and Ethan Miles 56th (13:15). The team finished in 5th place on the day and are in 4th place after two matches.

The senior ladies’ team had seven athletes toe the line; the most for a few years. First across the line with a strong run was Emily Hale in 13th (35.59). Teammates Karen Cudmore 28th (38.50) and Taryne McPherson (32nd) 39.08 finishing well and completing the 3 to score team in 5th. Vanessa Vander 66th  (42.12), Catherine Rodwell 110th (46.19) and Rachael Stuart 131st (50.46) completing the 6 to score and finishing 6th team on the day. Sarah Kenyon (134th) (51.25)The U20 saw similar strong performances to the first match. Ella Webb 3rd (19.38), Abigail Royden 5th (20.25) and Annabel Young 7th (20.57) with the scoring three narrowly beaten into 2nd by 1 point. Other strong performances from Lily Crossley 

8th (21.17), Lola Sutton 10th (21.34), Ingrid Linn 14th (22.58) and Ciara Harrop 15th (25.26).

The U17 women had another strong turnout. Amber Matthews returning to competition with a strong performance in 5th (20.46.  Iris Crossley 8th (21.32) and Abigail Hawkes 10th (21.54) completing the team scoring places with the team in 2nd. Other performances saw Beth Palmer 13th (22.06), Heidi Hughes 16th (22.20) and Naveen Deo 22nd (24.04), 

In the U15 girls, Rose Crossley run well finishing strongly in 4th (16.06). Backed up by teammates Sofia Cudmore-Smith (17.16) and Amelie Guthrie 30th (20.26) completing the scoring team places and finishing 2nd. Matilda Moisan 32nd (20.48) and Ava Graham 33rd (20.58) completing the team.

The U13s saw an increase in athletes participating which was fantastic to see. A strong performance from Gwen Thomas and our first athlete across the finish line in 17th, (13.21). Eve Hammersley 21st  (13.31) and  Ada Wass 32nd (14.15) both running competitively in their first cross country race for the Club and Chloe Orridge 39th (14.57). The team finished in 5th.

The next match is on Saturday 11th November at Danson Park, Bexley.

Indoor Season

December

Sun 3^rd Dec – Lee Valley Indoor Open

Sun 10^th Dec – BFTTA Open, Lee Valley

Sun 17^th – Sutcliffe 60’s, Sutcliffe Park

January 2024

Mon 1^st January – Lee Valley New Years Day Open, Lee Valley

Sun 7^th January – BFTTA Open, Lee Valley

Sun 7^th January – Sutcliffe 60’s, Sutcliffe Park

13^th/14^th January – SEAA Champs,Lee Valley (Senior, U20s)

Sat 20th/Sun 21^st January – London Indoor Games, Lee Valley (U20/Sen)

Sat 27th/Sun 28^th January – London Indoor Games, Lee Valley (U13-U17)

February

Sat 3rd/Sun 4th February – South of England Age Group Indoor Championships Lee Valley, (U15/U17)

Wed 7^th February -, Ayo Falola Dream Mile & Invite, Lee Valley

Sat 10th/Sun 11^th February -England Age Group Indoor Championships, Sheffield  (U15/U17)

Sat 17th/Sun 18^th February –  UK Indoor Championships, Birmingham

Sun 18^th February – Sutcliffe 60’s, Sutcliffe Park

Thursdays 23rd/Sat 25^th February – BUCS Indoor Championships, Sheffield University

March

Sun 3^rd March – Sutcliffe 60’s, Sutcliffe Park

Sat 16th/Sun 17^th March – Kent Indoor Champs, Lee Valley (U15 and above)

The Kent Cross Country League returned on Saturday, with the first race of the season held at Foots Cray Meadows.  In the Senior Men’s race, Medway & Maidstone AC had 26 runners competing, 12 of these in the top 50 and 18 runners in the top 100, showing great strength in depth.  Following on from his strong showing in the Summer track and road season, Tewelde Menges led from start to finish, beating his nearest rivals by just under 30 seconds.

In the team competition, despite having 4 finishers in the first 12 (30 points), M&M failed to win the 4-to-score team position as Tonbridge AC had a superb team result taking the 2nd place through to 5th place (14 points). M&M still had a great result placing 2nd team out of 19 teams. Cambridge Harriers were 3rd (53 points). In the 12-to-score team competition, Tonbridge AC also took first place (171), with M&M again second (299), followed by Cambridge Harriers (473). Following Tewelde in the scoring team was Ben Tyler in 8th. He was closely followed by Jamie Walsh in 9th and Anthony Webb in 12th, who was also the 1st M40 athlete. To complete the 12-to-score team the top 4 were followed by Andrew Headley, making his M&M debut (13th); Daniel St Martin (28th); Tom Collins (30th); Owen Featherstone, with his best ever Kent League result (34th); Callum Featherstone (35th); Alex Donnelly (40th), Sean Barwick (42nd) and Richard Tomlinson (47th and 2nd M50). There was also notable performances from Jack Tyler (50th), returning to cross country after a 9-year absence and Bashiri Ryan (113th), who had also been away from the sport since 2017.

The U13 boys had a great turnout for their 3km race with Daniel Kershaw (sporting a cast on his wrist) leading the team home in 10th place (12:13). He was followed home by William Pratt in 18th (12:29), Harry Notley in 26th (13:04), Oliver Field in 27th (13:06), Jack Gregory in 34th (13:16), Logan Smith in 35th (13:17), Sebastian Smit in 46th (13:42) and Cameron Drake in 65th (16:34). The boys’ team of three finished fourth on the day.

A similar sized U15 boys’ team covered the slightly longer distance of 4km, they were led home by Freddie Gibson in 3rd (14:34), followed by Dillon Gregory in 24th (15:53), Connor Cousins in 27th (16:02), Louie Gear in 33rd place (16:19), Alfred Moisan in 49th (17:29), Declan Tighe in 53rd (17:41), Maxime Foissy in 57th (18:08) and Cameron Davis in 72nd on his cross country debut (24:31). The U15 boys three to score team took third place on the day.
There were 3 competitors in the U17 men’s race running over 5000m. Henry Gibson 14th (19.53) was the first across the line for M&M, followed by Ethan Rollings 25th (21.10) and Dominic Wright 37th (26.00). The team finished in 5th place.

There were only 2 U13s girls for this first meeting. Gwen Thomas came through well to finish in 28th (14.40) and Chloe Orridge in 44th (16.41).

The U15 girls saw Sofia Cudmore-Smith run strongly finishing in 7th place (17:33) followed in by teammates Olivia Baker 25th (19.18) and Amelie Guthrie (21.09) to complete the 3 to score team. Matilda Moisan finished in 40th (21.48). The team currently standing in 5th position.

The U17 women were 2nd team overall. A strong performance by Beth Palmer in 4th (22.31), followed by teammates Iris Crossley 7th (22.50) and Abigail Hawkes 13th (23.37). Heidi Hughes 15th (23.45) and Naveen Deo 16th (24.15), in her first race, finishing well.

The U20s women racing over the same distance of 5000m as the U17s, had a strong start to the season. Ella Webb 3rd (21.15), Abigail Royden (21.27) (4th) and Lola Sutton (6th) (22.17 ) leaving the team in 2nd place. Lily Crossley 8th (22.24) and Ingrid Linn running well in 13th (24.29), Sharne Elphick 14th (26.48th) and Ciara Harrop 15th (27.50).

The Senior Ladies saw Karen Cudmore 31st (38.59), Taryne MacPherson 34th (39.26)and Vanessa Vander 58th (42.58), Catherine Rodwell (47.31) 117th and Sarah Kenyon 134th (50.46). The 3 to score team currently in 10th position.

The next Kent match takes place on Saturday 28th October in Tonbridge.

County support
Urgent request for volunteer support at the Cross Country league matches

For some time there has been a shortage of volunteer support and KCAA has asked that each Club now provides volunteers. Unfortunately if the league continues to struggle, these events will just cease to take place.  Last week, I entered for the Club, 99 athletes and I cannot believe that with the number of athletes attending and family members supporting, we are not able to provide some volunteers to help cover all or part of the day. Please do not wait for someone else to volunteer or the same people consistently volunteering because no one comes forward.

The first match is on Saturday 14^th October at Foots Cray Meadows, Bexley, with the first event (U13 girls) starting at 12pm (it is likely you would need  to report to the meeting organisers at 11.30am). The last event of the day is the senior men’s race at 3pm, (finish at approximately 4pm}. Please can you let me know ASAP if you are able to offer help for all or part of the day. Full support will be given and I am told the roles will likely be around the start/finish areas, being line judges, finish funnel managers, results recorders or marshals. 

Other dates where support would be required are listed below.   Sat. 28 October 2023 Somerhill Schools, Tonbridge
Sat. 11 November 2023 Danson Park, Bexley (finish approx. 3pm)
Sat. 25 November 2023, Swanley (finish approx. 3pm)
Sat. 10 February 2024, Norman Park, Bromley

Thank you.

There was a great atmosphere at the Road Relay Championships despite a difficult start for many of our earlier teams being unable to arrive in good time, if at all, due to an incident on the M25. In the U13 boys team sadly only one runner, Jack Gregory (12:03), made it to the start line but having a fantastic run over the 3000m course (the same distance for U13s and U15s) in his first experience of road relay running.

The U15 boys team with one team member not making it in time, Freddie Gibson (9:53) led the way, coming through to team mate, Louie Gear in 8th position. Louie Gear (11:56) in 38th position but sadly no one to handover too.

The U15 girls team saw the team finish in 41st position out of 63 teams. Matilda Moisan (14:12) running first in 63rd handing over to Sofia Cudmore-Smith (12:22) return in 53rd. Rose Crossley (11:59) working her way through the field to finish 41st.

The U17 Men’s team saw a strong team effort finishing 23rd out of 68 teams over the 4000m course. Henry Gibson handing over in 38th position (16:08), Frankin Shepherd 23rd (15:16) and Theo Ronchetti holding his position (16:11) for 23rd.

The U17 women had only two team members. Iris Crossley (19:11) returning after the first leg in 32nd and Heidi Hughes (19:37th) in 27th.

The Senior Ladies had two teams entered but unfortunately a late withdrawal due to the traffic problems saw only one of the teams starting. It was a great effort with the team being all U20 athletes. Ella Webb leading the strong field over 6000m returning after a strong run in 36th (23:11), Lily Crossley returning in 50th (27:47), Abigail Royden returning in 40th (24:04) with a strong finish by Lola Sutton in 36th (25:05).

Running the same distance as the ladies of 6000m, Ben Tyler led an impressive field in the Senior Men’s team returning in 49th (19:20). Handing over to Jamie Walsh 45th (19.34). A last minute call up due to a late withdrawal, saw Cameron Featherstone step in and returning in 55th (20:34), Dan St Martin (20:14), Owen Featherstone 52nd (20:55), and Tom Collins finishing in 51st (20:22) out of 106 teams.

Our Masters Men 40 team finished 10th out of 21 teams. Anthony Webb running an impressive 1st leg (19:44) returning in 3rd position, Stephen Turpie, 9th (23:44), Kirill Miryanov, 10th (22:48), Darren Wright, 10th (23:11).

Our Masters Men 50 team fielded a strong team of runners to finish in an impressive 6th place. Lee McMeekin coming through the in 7th position (22:28). Adam Featherstone matching the time and position, 7th (22:28). Gareth Williams moving up to 6th (23:45) and Alun Rogers, 6th (23:05).

Well done to all our runners.