Congratulations to all those who competed this year. You can now see the Provisional Results.
View Photos of the event by Charlotte Knee Photography | Photos on Flickr
View videos by Mark Hookway – Juniors / Seniors / Presentation
Records broken as runners defeat the heat and scorch around Penshurst Place on the hottest June day in history
Despite the unprecedented June heatwave, a record number of teams from 33 Kent and Sussex clubs competed in the third Tonbridge AC Midsummer Relay Race on a warm, dry evening in Penshurst Place last week. The popular relay was a huge success over the undulating 4km route. The shade provided around the scenic course and run-through water sprinklers kept spirits high.
Great Britain international Phoebe Barker smashed the women’s course record helping her team-mates Jay Smith and Mason Willis of Tonbridge AC to the mixed team trophy, presented in memory of the athletic club’s former president, Alan Bennett. Sevenoaks AC relinquished their title, finishing second with Medway & Maidstone in third just ahead of Lingfield and Wadhurst.
Tonbridge AC women wrested the women’s title back from Tunbridge Wells Harriers in a female team course record time, as they led from start to finish. Amelia Beeston gave them a healthy lead on leg 1, before cousin Holly Hayward and Anna Sharp completed the triumph. Amelia ran the second fastest female lap time of the race, slightly faster than former Great Britain international Elle Baker.
In an exciting men’s race, Ethan Gear of Medway & Maidstone led home the host club’s Nick Beer after the first leg. Veteran, Ben Shearer, surged ahead in the second fastest male lap-time on the second leg before Steve Strange broke the tape first for Tonbridge. It was renowned Tunbridge Wells Harrier Dillon Hobbs who scorched around in by far fastest lap of the race in 12.41 to take second. Medway & Maidstone completed the podium in third.
In the corporate event Squerrey’s Winery won the gold medals ahead of a spirited Shipbourne school team and Birketts solicitors took third.
The junior men’s race winner was Maidstone’s Billy Cook ahead of Arthur Pollard of Weald Tri and Ellis Hill. First under 16 female was Rosa Truong ahead of Jessica Hill and Leonie Pitt.
Mote Park Runners, Weald Tri, Paddock Wood, Larkfield AC, Orpington AC, Crowborough and Russet Runners had multiple enthusiastic teams in this event, which was sponsored by Definition Gymns, Springbank Clinic and Birketts law firm.
We couldn’t hold this event without financial support. Thanks to the fabulous local businesses supporting the Midsummer Relays this year.
- Definition Training Facility, Tonbridge. Definition is a training space for people who want to define and redefine themselves. It’s a gym built on effort, on struggle, and on showing up when it would be easier not to. By any means necessary.
- The Springbank Clinic in Sevenoaks, a family-owned osteopathic practice which has multiple other services including Podiatry, Acupuncture, Dietetics, Clinical Psychology, Psychiatry, Sports Massage, Physiotherapy & Pilates, Neuro Physiotherapy, Nutrition and Audiology.
And for the third year running we are delighted Birketts continues to support us, this year supporting the T-shirt spot prizes. Birketts is a full service, UK top 50 law firm with offices across the South of England and in Sevenoaks. With their unique design and made from the best quality cotton, the T-shirts are the sought after prizes anyone can win!
We are also so grateful for all the local businesses who contributed prizes for the event. Squerryes Winery is providing 3 bottles of their finest fizz for one lucky team. There will also be prizes from Quizified, the quiz app, the Running Hub in Southborough, Up and Running in Sevenoaks, Circular & Co the sustainable drinkware and Dr Melissa Bujtor, founder of Lifespan Nutrition, a specialist dietetics practice supporting children, adolescents, women, and families through evidence-based nutrition.
If you are interested in volunteering or sponsoring the event in future please contact summerrelay@tonbridgeac.org.uk
Thanks again to our sponsors:
Prizes Donated by:
