Ben Kruze and Alex Adams in what Paul Bearman described as “the best club 1500m race ever at our track with U15 Alex Adams chomping at Ben Kruze’s ankles all the way to the finish.” It was Ben’s first 1500m on the track and his time of 4:15.6 sees him move into 14th place in this year’s UK rankings for his age. Alex’s PB time of 4:17.4 sees him move unto 11th place in the rankings.
Above and below – socially distanced and raring to go.
This week it’s been yet another of those “aren’t we an amazing club” weeks.
Tha Club Championships.
Wow.
What to say ?
On the 2nd September I received an email from Paul Bearman saying that Stratford School had okayed a scaled down version of the club champs and that they were to be held on 13th September. Just 11 days later.
Not possible thought I. How can something of this magnitude, something that normally takes 5 weeks to organise be organised in just 11 days especially with the added complication of Covid -19.
I had underestimated the determination, resilience and sheer bloody mindedness of Paul and his helpers.
So it came to pass that on a glorious sunny Sunday – they do say that the sun shines on the righteous – over 130 athletes were able to compete in an event that is the biggest and most important in the club’s calendar.
Just walking round on the day and taking in the atmosphere, seeing the smiles on people’s faces and the banter was a pure joy.
Witnessing the hard work and commitment of the army of volunteers, the total dedication and attention to detail of what Paul calls ” the white polos ” ie the officials, was a truly humbling experiences.
We all owe a huge debt of gratitude to each and every one of them who made this such a wonderful and life affirming experience.
And what of the athletes, the athletes who have continued to train hard this year despite the severe restrictions placed upon them. I’ve quickly looked at the results and counted over 200 PBs. Yes over 200. So they’ve obviously been doing something right this year. Not that we ever doubted they would be.
It wasn’t a bad week away from the Championships either. Lewis Byng broke the UK U20 6kg shot put record, Emma Bexson stormed to second place in her age category in Ironman Gdynia in Poland and 5 of us had a really good day at the Open T&F event in Leamington.
Not a bad week then.
Best Wishes
David Jones
Sibling rivalry. Adam and Ellen Taylor.
Club Championships Results
Please click on the link below for the results as listed on Power of 10
I’ll admit to a little apprehension prior to the Club Champs starting on Sunday.
All the onerous but necessary Covid preparation was done, England Athletics had licensed the competition, Carolyne had all the signage and registration sorted out, the sun was going to shine etc but this damn virus was hanging over the event like a dark cloud.
Everything we could do had been done to keep everyone safe so what was there to be concerned about?
I needn’t have been concerned because at 8am on a crisp sunny morning a platoon of help arrived and were dispatched to prepare the track and field for action.
Folks had given up their Sunday tea and toast and a read of the papers to come along and help Sandy, Carolyne and myself put the carefully laid plans into action.
By 10am 130 plus athletes had been sanitised, registered and were warmed up. Families pitched their chairs and tents safely behind the 1000m of red and white tape surrounding the track and we were ready for the competition to start.
The Officials “bubbles” took up their stations, Cotswold First Aid had arrived with their ambulance and away we went.
Anthony Carus fired the gun for the first events, the long hurdles, on time and then Mike Sheppard and his team had to clear the track for ….in my view…. the best club 1500m race ever at our track with U15 Alex Adams chomping at Ben Kruze’s ankles all the way to the finish.
As competition manager, under EA rules I couldn’t have a specific role on the day and so as the day went on it was a delight and relief to watch event after event keenly contested but tinged with mutual appreciation of my club mates’ efforts.
It was a lovely sight watching all the smiles, hearing the chatter and banter and I think just general happiness that against the odds the club’s fabulous volunteers had pulled together again to put on an event for our athletes that, to be honest, we never thought was going to happen.
After tidying up it was nice to sit down with a cold beer and reflect on what to me was a perfect day…..thanks to everyone who got involved and made it that perfect day
Paul Bearman
Some appreciative comments
From: Steve Farrow Sent: 15 September 2020 15:43 To: ‘Paul Bearman’ Subject: RE: Club Champs Officials
Hi Paul
Well done on yet another successful club champs, this time really up against it! I reckon you must be Superman in disguise. We were so pleased that Adam decided to compete and it seems to have really given him a taste for it again. He came come happy and for the first time in over 2 years was looking on Power of 10.
Hazel
From: Imogen green Sent: 15 September 2020 13:37 To: Paul Bearman Subject: Re: Club Champs Officials
Words from Sandy,
Lovely to see so many competitors in the throws category with great scenes down on the javelin straight including a new PB from Josh Roberts (PB….best ever javelin club comp with 4 over 40 metres and Josh breaking the U15 club record and going back to number 1 in the national rankings)
1
146
Joshua Roberts
Stratford-Upon-Avon AC
U15B
56.73
2
190
Ollie Wear
Stratford-Upon-Avon AC
U17M
54.52
3
186
Acelin Smith
Stratford-Upon-Avon AC
U17M
51.54
4
180
Adam Farrow
Stratford-Upon-Avon AC
U17M
45.49
From: Louise Leighton Sent: 15 September 2020 10:31 To: ‘Paul Bearman’ Subject: RE: Club Champs Officials
Morning
It really was a great day. I appreciate how much effort goes into organising it and Mills and I are both very grateful that she managed to get to compete in her last U17 competition.
Big thanks to you.
Lou
Lovely message from Cotswold Medics who did the First Aid….only one slight muscle bump👍
From: Emma Robinson Sent: 13 September 2020 22:07 To: Paul Bearman Cc: Mike Sheppard Subject: Today
Hi Paul
Just wanted to say a big thank you for today. Club champs was really well organised and everyone was happy! I thought it went really well.
Best wishes
Emma
From: Alan Mucklow Sent: 14 September 2020 08:24 To: Paul Bearman Subject: RE: SUAAC Club Champs 2020
Hi Paul,
Please pass mine and James thanks to the organising team for yesterday’s Club Champs, great job done under difficult circumstances and tight schedule.
With Kind Regards
Alan Mucklow
Lewis breaks UK record.
Lewis Byng on his way to breaking the UK Under 20 6kg record with a massive throw of 19.71m. Lewis said “I’ve only thrown the 6kg twice since May so I’m gradually getting my timing back. I’ve got 3 more comps with the 6kg shot before my Under 20 career finishes and I’m hoping to push 21m before I move up to the U23s next year”
Emma Bexson
Ironman Gdynia 70.3 – Poland
Report – Tom Yeatman
Emma Bexson competed in Poland’s Ironman Gdynia 70.3, producing a solid performance to take second place amongst a strong field of athletes.
Clear blue skies and a light breeze made for good swim conditions, Emma swam well and was leading as she transitioned from the 1.2 mile swim to the 56 mile bike.
The bike course departed Gdynia into the Tricity Landscape Park, a protected area in Northern Poland. Undulating, winding, tree lined roads made for a great course however a strong breeze made for tough conditions. Emma rode well to complete the 56 miles in 2hr 44min.
Finishing with a 13.1 mile run, athletes weaved their way through the streets of Gdynia for 2 laps before taking their final strides to finish on the beach, a beautiful setting to finish the challenging Ironman event.
Emma finished second in her age category with an overall time of 5hrs 13mins.
With little racing under her belt this year, Emma was happy with her performance and is looking forward to some smaller, somewhat more local races before the season comes to a close.
Well done Emma!
Leamington Cycling & Athletics Club Open T&F Event
Report – David Jones
Five club members competed in this well organised event at Leamington.
Four of them were running in the 1500m races. U13 Martha Peters was racing in her first official 1500m race and she should be very pleased with her performance. She didn’t go off too quickly, she ran a consistent pace, held her form well and finished strongly in a time of 5:42.
U17 Ellie Deaner, who like Peters ran a technically excellent race, was delighted with her run. Returning from a long period of injury she ran a 5 second PB, finishing in a time 5:17.4.
I ran my quickest 1500m for three and a half years. My time of 5:44.2 was a new club record and moved me up into 2nd place in the current UK rankings for his age. I was well pleased.
U15 Alex Adams, who is currently ranked in the UK’s top 20 in his age group for the 1500m, was competing against a group of runners who didn’t really match his ability, he won the race by a comfortable 25 seconds. Alex probably had half an eye on his race the following day in the club championships. However he still managed a time of 4:30.9.
Paula Williams, the UK’s top ranked javelin thrower in her age category was disappointed with her throw of 34.01 metres but was happier with her time of 13.39 in the 100ms.
Alex Adams proudly shows off his hard earned England vest. By finishing 4th in the ECCA English National Championships in Liverpool in March he qualified to represent England in Scotland at the end of March. Unfortunately he was unable to due to lockdown. I have no doubt he will get other opportunities.
And Finally
More photos from Sunday’s Club Championships, the majority of which were taken by Dave Parkin. Dave has very kindly said that anyone requiring a digital copy of any of the photos can get in touch with him
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