Tonbridge Athletic Club, like all sports organisations, has been in lockdown for the past few weeks and it looks likely that this may continue for some time. The current situation makes it a challenge for members to keep motivated and continue training, although the government guidelines of one outdoor exercise activity per day make it a little easier.
For the distance running community staying fit and being able to train is somewhat easier than for many sports. Most runners today have a GPS watch that gives a good idea of distance covered, using satellite links, whilst the devices can also give useful information about pacing, elevation and heart rate. This enables runners to capture information which, if they choose, can be loaded onto internet sites, such as Strava.
The technology, although not always strictly accurate, can give an entertaining way of comparing training and racing amongst people based in completely different locations. So, it was this opportunity that has inspired a number of people within the distance running community to organise some ‘virtual’ competitions.
Mark Hookway, a coach and team manager at Tonbridge AC, was involved with others in creating a virtual race, featuring most of the top clubs in the UK, in an event aimed at replicating the National Road Relay Championships. The men’s race is traditionally based on a 12-man team, whilst the women’s teams compete with a six strong squad. However, for this event everyone was tasked with running five kilometres and a women’s contest with twelve in a team, was also included.
The championship event was totally unofficial, with no prizes available and was run with government guidelines in mind. Runners had to run alone and had a five-day window in which to post their performance on a system hosted by the Open Track organisation. Then the top times from each club were amalgamated to get the team results. Additionally, through donations, more than £8,000 has been raised for the NHS charity.
The event was a huge success, creating a lot of engagement between clubs, athletes and within teams. A total of 3,748 runners submitted a 5km time. The top three men’s teams were Leeds, Cambridge and Tonbridge, with the Tonbridge AC women finishing 6th in their 6 to score contest and 3rd in the 12 to score competition.
Lucy Reid (pictured above) produced the fastest 5km time, from the entire women’s event, recording 16.19, whilst running in Battersea Park, London. Nicole Taylor ran 17.18, Phoebe Barker 18.01, Harriet Woolley 18.44, Chloe Bird 19.16 and Nichola Evans 19.23.
For the men, Chris Olley, who is based in San Francisco, ran the fastest split for Tonbridge with 14.16 with all twelve team members running 15.09 or quicker. Tonbridge were the first team to run under the three-hour marker, averaging less than 15 minutes each, but were overtaken as the event drew to a close.
A few other events have been taking place between Tonbridge AC’s own members, to try and keep communication and interest going during these difficult times.
Above – Chris Olley who ran the fastest TAC 5k split of 14.16