050 SPORT track RIGHT ON
With the IAAF World Athletics Championships taking place in Doha (until 6th October), we look at clubs and local talent taking strides in the sport closer to home
David Leck W
ith some 800 members and a history dating back 70 years, Tonbridge Athletic Club
boasts an impressive track record. It’s also in the enviable, if challenging, position of having to address a demand that isn’t always easy to satisfy. “We offer opportunity for athletes and runners of all abilities, with training groups generally organised by age and training planned around ability and fi tness levels,” explains Mark Hookway, one of the coaches at the club, which is based at Tonbridge School Sports Centre. “Our members are aged from nine
upwards but we also run our Sunday morning Tonbridge Tornados designed to provide an entry route for seven and eight-year-olds as well as well as club nights for the under-13s
and twice-weekly meets for under-11s. “Like most sports we face challenges but for us the most notable is the demand for membership especially among the younger age groups, which in some ways is a nice problem to have given all the publicity around inactivity and obesity. “We have about 30 coaches but could always do with more, particularly in the fi eld and more technical events,” adds Mark. Athletics’ appeal clearly lies in its
ability to offer one of the widest choices of any sport through various throwing, running and jumping disciplines. It can also be enjoyed as part of a formal club structure or through informal activities like the popular Parkrun network. “We have almost 250 adult members
and offer a variety of activities to encourage health and fi tness in a really sociable setting,” says Andrew Deighton of Tunbridge Wells Harriers, a club formed by
a group of individuals following the fi rst London Marathon in March 1981. “We have a main meet on Wednesdays (in addition to other sessions) with a different route around the town each week. And we also have a dedicated new member ‘meet and greet’ representative on hand to answer questions and team people up with a buddy for their initial runs. “Currently, the club is challenging for this year’s Kent Grand Prix title in both the men’s and women’s event. This consists of a series of 10 road races over different distances throughout next spring and summer and is contested by many clubs across Kent,” adds Andrew. “And each year we organise the
popular Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon and the Eridge Park Trail Challenge, which are a great way to showcase our town and its beautiful surrounding areas.”
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© Tonbridge Athletic Club
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