Seven SAC runners contested the eighth running of the East Peckham 10k near Paddock Wood on 2nd August with four of them finishing first in their categories. Conditions were very hot, and with little shade and not much breeze, times were slower than sometimes. However, Jon Drake was first M50, Andrew Mead first M55, Simon Hallpike first M70 and Lionel Stielow first M75. Also, Lucy Ching was 3rd W45 and Sally Shewell 3rd W65.

The SAC results were:

The full results are here:

Sevenoaks AC men came 2nd at the final meeting of the SCVAC T&F league 2026, a great result, even beating Tonbridge B on home turf according to the draft results (which may have missed out the discus).

 There were Div 2 victories by Jamie, only just shy of his 800 M45 club best, Rebecca over 800m W50, Oloff in 800m M50, Seb with a PB in triple jump M50 and Geoffrey in the 100m M70 (Oloff said: "Never thought it was possible to win the 100m by a country mile, but Geoffrey came close tonight.")

The mens team qualified for promotion to Div 1, this being the last match in the 2026 series, but there was a notional 'paper' play off between ourselves and Ashford AC who were potentially liable to be demoted from Division 1, and Ashford are deemed to have won this. They stay in Div 1 and we stay in Div 2.  Nevertheless a best performance for us for, I think, 20 years.

Jamie said: "Thanks for all you organising and effort Geoffrey and well done to all. A successful season despite no promotion. Medway and Maidstone are coming down so will be stiff running competition in Division 2 next year."

The North Downs 30k Trail Run on 28th June 2026 was also the 7th round of the Kent Road Race Grand Prix as well as the BMAF trail championships. Eight SAC runners contested the race, with some also entering the BMAF event, with brilliant results.

Leading the Sevenoaks runners home in 27th place, Keith Dowson was 2nd M60 but importantly first from a Kent club for maximum points in the individual KGP M60 competition. SAC also had two outright category winners, with Nicola Glover 1st W35 and Bridgit Weekes 1st W65, both taking their respective BMAF titles as well as the GP points.

The full Sevenoaks AC results were as follows:

The full results are here.

The eighth round GP race, the Mid-Kent 5, unfortunately clashes with the Sevenoaks 7 on 12th July. The ninth and penultimate race is the Larkfield 10k on 20 September which doubles as the Kent Short Course Championships.

The inaugural Pauline Dalton Trophy race took place on Thursday 18th June, writes event co-organiser Jamie Philip. Pauline was a stalwart of Sevenoaks Athletics Club who sadly passed away this year. This 3k Handicap race in her memory was created to promote an inclusive event where Junior and Senior members of the Club of all levels can compete and have some fun.

The weather cooperated and we had a glorious summer evening, bathing Sevenoaks School playing fields in sunlight. It was fantastic to see more than 30 SAC members of all ages compete over the 3k course which consisted of two laps of the playing fields including the perimeter of the athletics track.

Sham Pickard, Jim Knight and John Copping were the first athletes to set off with the other runners following at intervals determined by their expected finishing time. Jake Mears, one of the fastest senior athletes over 5k was the last to set off. 

Sham Pickard immediately established a lead, giving the organiser an early indication that he had potentially been overly generous with Sham's handicap! Sham looked determined to maintain his strong early pace, perhaps fearful of his son Louie and wife Rebecca chasing him down. The main challenge came from two junior athletes with Harvey Fenwick and Finlay Philip closing in on Sham over the second lap. Sham was able to hold on however with Harvey coming in second and Finlay third.

Ed Saunders was fourth (another one for the handicap secretary to look at), before a number of our senior athletes finished in quick succession - Jon Maxim, Yon Marsh and John Copping were grouped closely before Max Philip (junior), Duncan Warwick-Champion and Alex Newby made up the top 10.

A special mention to Hugo Morrison (junior) and Jake Mears who came charging through the field from their late starting positions and finished just outside the top 10. Sham's son Louie also ran well to enjoy a sprint finish with Hugo.

Everyone finishing strongly despite the warm conditions and Club members shared drinks and cakes in the sunshine after the race. Pauline's husband Duncan presented the trophies to the top 3 and the top 5 juniors also received prizes. Many thanks to Neil Haggertay for providing the trophies and Keith Dowson for the prizes. Thanks also to those who brought the delicious cakes and to those who arrived early and helped with the course setting.

Sevenoaks AC has a long-held tradition of Handicap races and this new version was a fantastic way to get the junior and seniors together. We look forward to this event becoming an annual tradition which all members can enjoy.