Photo – Tonbridge AC Men’s team at the Kent League
The Tonbridge Athletic Club men’s team secured the Kent Cross Country League titles at the weekend, for both the 4 and 12 to score competitions. However, they had to rely on the depth of their squad across the four fixtures to win and on Saturday, at Norman Park, Bromley lost out to Medway and Maidstone in the 12 to score match.
Tonbridge still packed well at the front, with Lewis Mills and James Crombie battling with Liam White, from Tunbridge Wells Harriers, for the individual win. White eventually pulled away to win in 26.53, with Mills twenty seconds behind and Crombie having his best result of the season in 3rd. Sean Molloy moved from 9th to 4thon the final lap of three, whilst Calum Laing also had his best race this Winter, placing 7th.
Lizzie Owen was the first Tonbridge scorer in the women’s race, placing 11th, with Sara Cronin 19th and Elise Rendall 31st, giving the team 3rd place, from the 13 clubs. Owen also won the league title in the over 45 age group, whilst Tony Fullbrook was 3rd in the over 60 men’s league competition.
James Kingston represented an England team in the home countries international cross-country match, on Saturday, at Leeds, which was part of the UK Cross Challenge Event. Kingston was always with the lead pack, but over the last kilometre Logan Rees, of Scotland, created a gap and went on to win by seven seconds. Kingston led the England team to a narrow win over Scotland.
There were a few from Tonbridge AC competing indoors over the weekend. Ella Thomas High Jumped 1.65 metres to place 7th at the England Under 20 Championships, at Sheffield. Nina Ridge competed in several events at Lee Valley, on Sunday, amongst them being a Tonbridge over 50 women’s Long Jump record of 4.25 metres.
On Sunday, Tonbridge had four competitors at the Farnborough Half Marathon. Steve Strange placed 8thoverall in 70.31, with Dan Bradley (71.56), Mason Willis (73.54) and Julian Rendall (75.16), all being in the top 40 from more than 2000 finishers.
Above – James Kingston at Leeds