Kent AC wich is in the Kent region in England races in the Surrey regional cross country league

This post aged so badly…

as a reminder to all fellow fans see below Men’s Div 1 team results

2021-22 Hercules Wimbledon
2022-23 Hercules Wimbledon

This was after a tense battle with Kent (6-time champions 2012-18), HW’s first title in 5 decades in 2019, and a return to Kent (a club STILL not in the historic or current county of Surrey) in 2020.

Herc Wim have 3 in 4 League Wins (2020/21 cancelled by covid)…will this year see their continuing dominance for three in a row, or will up-and-comers GGAC or monied BEL make a reappearance this year?

The green and blacks have have been hampered by injury and Bel’s Chequebook is reportedly being refreshed with extra pages for another season. Just ask Manager Steve Gardner and his flashy camera.

Slemeck‘s boys at Herc Wim have lost a few key players (we’ve seen previous Top Ten scorers Robinson, Craske, Jervis disappearing from view) but ably replaced by Cliffe, Wyllie and new signing GB international McCallum—who is doubtful to make many appearances in favour of higher heights.

Are Kent still in the Surrey League?

Are you extracting the urine sir?

Do Belgrave rope in Australian Olympians?

Where were Kent AC today? Hopefully back in Kent, where they belong.

But lovely to see the Chasers replicate their rallying call from the last time they raced in Div 1 at Richmond when they were relegated. Hopefully a sign of things to come.

And Belgrave back on top. Did they manage to register all of their big money signings before deadline day this time?

Kent, closing in their top 10 in 75, just getting warmed up for the long season ahead, running with a team of true home-grown warriors, looking to bring back the trophy to its rightful home. Jack a nack a nory.

total Kent delusion ( but it’s quite sweet )

belgrave a very lucky win with 2pts over HW using two ( debatably three ) second claimers versus the red and yellow home-grown first claimers. Only one in the top dozen with plenty on the bench

HW 3/5 to take the title for a third consecutive season

BEL 2/1 ( will their expensive signings ever show up again? )

two-horse race ( shame for ACM’s green and black heroes )

Kent will be lucky to stay in Div 1 at this rate

Hi trackfan, you can ask me here if you like. I'm afraid our chequebook vanished well over a decade ago - and well before my time - so it's good old fashioned team spirit we're banking on these days. Not sure what my camera has to do with it. Sorry you feel this way about us and best of luck for the season ahead. Steve

A well known and prominent member of the Hercules Wimbledon squad brought a prawn sandwich to the last fixture at Richmond. Following a jubilant run he sat down to change is spikes followed by the exclamation of

"Oh no, look at that, I've sat on the b!stard!"

True story

A well known and prominent member of the Hercules Wimbledon squad brought a prawn rival to the last fixture at Mitcham. Following a jubilant run he sat down to change (h)is spikes followed by the exclamation of
"Oh no, look at that, I've torn the head off the B!lgrav!s!”
True story: Herc Wim obliterates the field.

Sad demise of both GGAC and KAC but no-one cries for the Social Media Prawns in burgundy. See you in 2024.

Mid-season update, men’s Div 1.

Reigning champs (x2) HW have taken over the lead after a domineering performance today at Mitcham Common, scoring 161 and making Belgrave’s early season optimism a much tougher task to follow through in the back end.

1: HW 255+161 = 416
2: BEL 253+344 = 597

A huge margin for the Bels to close, but not unassailable. Perhaps if Wimbledon prioritise other races in the New Year and Belgrave’s second claimers return to the fray the fight could be back, but it feels unlikely. The third match (Jan) with a home advantage could seal the deal for the Hercules men: remember when they scored in ~140 at home a couple of years back? That would end things.

Things get much more interesting with three teams within 60 points for league bronze. Kent were a mightily impressive second today, narrowly ahead of Belgrave and their resultant move into third overall is richly deserved and thanks to persistent team spirit year after year. A big gun or two in early 2024 could see them solidify that position (and an outside chance, dare they dream, of beating BEL to Silver?)

3: KEN 466+337 = 803

4: HHH 430+426 = 856

5: DUL 439+424 = 863

After the most impressive Xc season in their history G&G are dwindling in 6th but safely above any suggestion of relegation: just showing how difficult it is to back up consistent team showings year after year, something Kent are to be applauded for and HW seem to have cracked in the post-Pandemic era.

6: G&G 480+468 = 948

Notable that every club in the top six (other than BEL) improved their A Team score today in Div 1. Can this trend continue and will Dulwich keep creeping up to an historic finish?

If the season was 10 races long I think you are suggesting Kent would win it?

To be honest yes, I think Kent probably would.

What is the life expectancy in Kent these days incidentally, 43?

Should this thread now be retitled “why is Belgrave, which is nowhere near Surrey, in the Surrey league?” At least you Kent lads came and won the bloody thing six years in a row. Belgrave for all their Instagram flashiness is all talk and no walk.

What has life expectancy got to do with the age that runners reach their peak in Kent?

Yawn. Let’s talk about some real clubs: rumour has it Belgrave are fuming today. Silence on social media. Questions being asked of the PR machine. When does the snake massage oil stop working?

Are you suggesting that Kent AC isn't a real club? Were the 6 league titles just a figment of everyone's imagination?

The only thing real about Belgrave is the size of the bank balance

Yet another dominant display by the lads wombling free. Herc Wim 1/10 to win the men’s Surrey League.

3/1 on Belgrave missing out on second place to Kent (who have made a mightily impressive return, it must be said).

Herc Wim Win. 3-time Men’s champs. A very relaxed attendance today at GGAC meant new scorers and a second place match finish for the league champs. When they try, they are unstoppable. Can anyone close the gap?

Less than one month until the 24/25 season commences, what's your predictions TrackXCfan?

Hi Phil, hope you are well. Well it appears there’s something in the air tonight indeed because the season has commenced with a dominating win by Hercules’ men yesterday, and a 50+ lead over only realistic rivals Belgrave. Despite a Summer of recruitment it appears the lads were marooned on their own course, with home turf heroes clearing them away like the litter beneath their womble-trotters. Clear favourites already for their fourth consecutive title. Belgrave will need a couple of big wins in matches 2 and 3 to stand a chance.