Latest News & Reports
Latest Masters Update – June 2026
Training Advice – Latest Plans
from Michael Bannister
Please see below the latest plans from the coaches of the Senior Group, Michael Bannister and Mark Pitcairn-Knowles.
Printable Training Schedule (Senior Distance Running Group)
A few notes explaining the thoughts behind how the training plans are structured.
10 good training tips for distance runners:
1. Establish the running habit – make running your friend (never a bore; never a chore – always something to enjoy)
2. Keep a training log – review and adjust your schedule (learn from your mistakes; discover what works for you)
3. Listen to your body – know when it’s time to take a rest (it’s when the recovery and regeneration takes place)
4. Take one day per mile raced – before you race again (or run the risk of injury and/or over training syndrome)
5. Increase quantity/quality by less than 10% per month (or run the risk of injury and/or over training syndrome)
6. Respect the elements – weather, elevation, surface, etc. (use common sense when planning your routes/sessions)
7. Dress for the second mile – get the right gear and use it (put comfort and practicality before fashion every time)
8. Train the same, stay the same – so vary and challenge (variety really is the spice of life in running training)
9. Never race your training – save it for race days (always hold a little back for when it really matters)
10. Train with a purpose – set realistic goals – be satisfied with your achievements – don’t become a running bore!!!
Above all enjoy your running… These tips were provided by Alan Newman, UK Athletics Performance Coach Level 3 (Still running and coaching and loving it after 50+ years)
Fixtures List
Please note that all fixtures are subject to change, with many under review and dependent on Government and the National Governing Body guidelines. Here is a link to Masters fixtures – https://mastersathletics.co.uk/fixtures-events/
Age Grading Performances
Previous coach of the senior group Alan Newman explains here about age grading performances for comparisons.
About Tonbridge Masters
Tonbridge AC encourages all members to race for the club and the Masters Section gives the opportunity for those over 35 to be competitive and score for a team in races. Depending on the particular event, age groups are in 5 year or 10 year blocks. We are the only people in the club who positively look forward to birthdays at 50, 55, 60, 65 etc!!!!
We race on the Road, Cross Country and compete in Track and Field events.
We welcome all abilities and will adapt sessions to meet needs. Training is aimed at increasing speed and endurance, so will suit those wanting to reduce their times. A competitive nature helps! We also particularly welcome anyone who is interested in sprints and middle-distance running and the full range of field events and can offer specialist training for these disciplines.
Coaches
Michael Bannister supported by Coaching Assistant, Mark Pitcairn-Knowles
We have a growing Masters running group led by Michael Bannister (Level 3 Endurance Coach). The training is aimed at runners hoping to improve or simply maintain their fitness as they age. Training is seasonal, progressive and inclusive and targeted towards 5km to half marathon runners but will also benefit those aiming for shorter and longer distances. You will need to attend training on a regular basis to achieve your goals.
Parents wanting to assist with other groups where their children are involved are most welcome as well. The club is keen to send parents on Assistant Coaching courses to assist with these groups.
You can find us on Facebook:
Training Sessions
Middle/Distance Running:
- Mondays @ 6.30pm – 8-12km run, mixed abilities.
- Tuesdays and Thursdays @ 6.30pm – Masters specific sessions
- Wednesday @ 6.30pm – Circuit Training at The Judd School
- Sundays @ 9.30am – “Long Run” distances from 8km to 18km with options
- Saturdays often races or one-off training session.
Sprint and Field Events:
Sprint Sessions
- Tuesdays and Thursdays @ 6.15pm – Tonbridge School Track / Indoors depending on weather (these sessions have a rolling warm up, so arriving at 6.30pm is fine).
- Sundays @ 11.00am – Tonbridge School Track.
Please enquire for field event specialist training times.
Club Membership
As a Member of Tonbridge AC you will have access to all these training sessions. There are no track fees to pay, just one subscription of £95, including EA registration of £15 (with which you can gain a reduction on some road races). This represents excellent value compared to most pay as you go training groups. You can select which ones suit you, one of the important things as a Masters athlete is to “Train Smart” rather than simply volume!
Membership runs from 1st April to 31st March. There is a pro-rata rate for January, February and March.
Events
The main events that we enter as Masters are:
– Southern Road Relays – September
– National Road Relays – May
– Kent Masters XC Champs – December
– Southern Masters XC Champs – December
– Various Indoor T&F Champs (Kent, Southern and National)
– National Masters XC Champs – March
– National Masters Road Race Champs*
– National Masters XC Relays October*
– Kent Vets T&F League: 6 meetings April to July, Division 1 Men and Women; Division 2 Women ‘B’ team
– Kent Vets T&F Champs
– Southern and National T&F Champs
– Beckenham Relays
*Dependent on date and location
Club membership also includes entry to all events that have a team element (those the Club enter you for); those listed above plus non-masters National, Southern & Kent XC Champs, 4 x Kent League XC, plus other races such as South of Thames XC events.
Our Men’s and Women’s Veterans Track and Field teams are both in Division 1 and we have a Women’s ‘B’ team in Division 2 of the SCVAC Kent Vets T&F league (6 meetings) which take place on Monday and Friday nights from April to July, we welcome new members for this team.
Both TAC Men and Women won Division 1 this year, which qualified us for the Area Final for teams in the South East (London, Bucks, Berks, Herts, Hants, Surrey) where the men finished 3rd and the women were 2nd out of 7 teams. TAC Women also won Division 2 but cannot be promoted due to SCVAC League rules on ‘B’ teams. We will be holding some field event training sessions in early Spring 2019 as we hope to strengthen our teams further.
Please do not hesitate to contact TAC Masters if you would like more information, or find us on Facebook.