Sevenoaks AC's combined team won the first match of the Kent Fitness League cross country over a tough course in Knole Park. The event was superbly organised by Richard Thomas and his team from the club, and was blessed with fine conditions.

Despite having to field many more helpers and marshals for the Knole-Estates-mandated new course, SAC fielded a team of 43 runners on the day. The women's team did particularly well with Cath Linney, Vanessa Gilmartin, Mary Bridges and Suzy Claridge scoring in a clear victory ahead of Istead & Isfield and Paddock Wood.

The men's team were a solid fourth, led by James Mason in fifth place overall. James was backed up by fellow scorers Guillaume Nineven, Ben Bridges, Lee Lintern, Mike Lochead, Darius Sarshar, Andrew Milne and Andrew Mead. Dartford Harriers and Medway & Maidstone were a long way clear in the men's team race, with Paddock Wood just ahead of Sevenoaks. But the brilliant performance of Sevenoaks AC's women tipped the balance in SAC's favour in the combined category.

The SAC results are as follows:

The full results are here.

The next event is at Swanley Park this coming Remembrance Sunday 10th November at 11:02. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. is the SAC team organiser.

The SAC men's team moved up to 15th place in the standings after the second match of the 2019/20 Kent Cross Country League at Somerhill on 26th October. Darius Sarshar led the team in 120th place (6th M50) in 42:54, and he was backed up by Andrew Mead in 132nd place (9th M50) in 43:29, Zachary Ramsden in 175th (23rd M50) in 45:44, Dan Witt in 182nd (30th M40) in 46:17, and Chris Desmond in 187th (12th M55) in 46:38. Equalling their performance in the first match, the team finished 18th on the day.

In the women's event, Suzy Claridge beat her run in the previous match by one place for 49th (7th W45) in 23:08. And in the men's over-70 race, Richard Pitcairn-Knowles was 7th (1st M85) in 42:20.

Once again, the club had full teams in both the under-13 boys and girls, with the boys 10th on the day and 7th in the standings and the girls 8th on the day and 8th in the standings. The individuals running in those races for Sevenoaks AC were Frederick Naughton 45th in 13:19, Edward Geeson 50th in 14:01, and William Hurst 57th in 15:40; Ella Baker 23rd in 12:43, Alexia Scotiniadis 37th in 13:31, and Lucy Edwards 47th in 14:18. One other junior athlete also competed, with Tom Gill 37th in the men's under-17 race in 25:18.

The full results are here.

There is no senior men's race at the next (third) match at Danson Park on 9th November, and no senior women's race at the fourth match at Footscray Meadows on 14th December. SAC seniors can contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and juniors can contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to run in these races.

Seven SAC members tackled this year's Beachy Head Marathon on 26th October, writes Jim Knight.

Whilst the rest of the country had pouring rain, it was mild and windy on Saturday morning on the Downs around Beachy Head, with heavy rain forecast for the afternoon. The course was diverted in two places as a result of flooding, leading to big queues on the section into Alfriston and it was here that I met Rob Carr and Simon Lewis enjoying their annual outing to Beachy Head – Rob’s 10^th.

As usual, the race was well marshalled with lots of food stations including the famous (and very welcome) giant sausage rolls at 16.8 miles.

I ran with Bet Benn on the section over the Seven Sisters to Birling Gap – 7 steep climbs followed by 7 equally steep descents made more difficult by the winds gusting up to 40+mph.

It wasn’t a day for fast times, with the winning time more than 15 minutes slower than last year. Fortunately, the wind was behind us on the final section and I managed to stagger into the finish just before the heavy rain started. It wasn’t as fast as I had hoped, but I’m pleased to have finished, and hope to be able to walk again by next weekend.

Heather fell at 5 miles and hurt her ankle. After treatment at 12 miles, she carried on to finish in just under 5 hours. Sylvia walked round with her son and "had a fantastic day and great fun". Although I didn’t see him on the day, it was good to see Paul Tabor in the results, finishing in an impressive 7.47.

Caitlin had a good run for her first ever trail marathon coming in sub 5 hours, adds Rob Carr. Julie did the 10k and her time was 1:19. Unfortunately it wasn’t a great day for me. I struggled with lower back pain and lack of mobility from about 16 miles. I’d have quite happily pulled out at the aid station before Birling Gap, but was determined to finish what was my 200th marathon. I’m glad I picked Beachy Head as my 200th and it it was  great to see so many SAC runners and to have my family there.

SAC Results were.

Heather Fitzmaurice  4.57, Caitlin Carr 4.59, Jim Knight 6.37, Rob Carr 6.39, Bet Benn 6.40, Paul Tabor 7.47, Sylvia Lewis 8.16. Links to the full results are here.

David Lobley followed up his win in the September Handicap with a more emphatic one in October.

James Baker and Suzy Claridge were the fastest on the day.

Andrew Mead continues to lead the series with Sylvia Lewis in second, but David now has two wins with two races to go.

The next race is on Sunday 24th November. Details are here.