SUAAC 1 – Storm Eunice 0.

Paul Hawkins – An Update.

Hi, a personal one from me that David has asked me to do, there’s probably too much detail but you don’t need to read it all!

Just over a year ago I was diagnosed with Lymphoma, a type of cancer of the immune system, and so from the end of March 2021 I’ve been away from Stratford AC until recently, so there are a lot of new faces, apologies if I don’t know everyone yet, I will. Equally if you’re new to the club in the last year I’m sure you won’t know me but I’ve been Chairman of our club for a while now and I also coach middle distance runners. I’m also the one who racewalks at club training sessions. 

I was first admitted to UH Coventry in an ambulance on 7 April 2021, my first chemo was the day after, my birthday!

It seems a long journey since then with lots of chemo and a stem cell transplant in October, plus radiotherapy this year but it’s all been pretty successful and I’ve finished all my treatment and that’s it, I hope. 

Massive thanks to Ward 34 and the Arden Centre at Coventry plus Aylesford Centre at Warwick and Rigby Unit at Stratford and all the brilliant NHS people who’ve cared for me. Naturally I’m very, very thankful to Daf Hawkins and all the family for getting me through it too.

I had a review with my doctor, Dr Borg, a couple of weeks ago and it was mostly ok so I’m now changing to less frequent appointments every 3 months for the next year. 

The one exception is that I’ll have another appointment next week to get the results of a recent head scan. I’m hoping they will confirm they have found a brain. I will also probably need to have some supplements following the radiotherapy.

I am now fit to drive which is a great relief. 

Last week’s blood tests were all ok except my neutrophils had fallen a bit. This is ok and normal in the months after transplant but does mean I’m a bit susceptible to infections still (as expected) so I will continue to be careful. 

I think that covers everything but, as usual, ask away if you have any questions. Essentially I’m back to normal just about and I hope you see me training and racewalking regularly. 

Paul Hawkins 

23 February 2022

West Midland Young Athletes’ Cross-Country League 2021/22
  Pingles Stadium, Nuneaton

Adams’ 23^rd successive win in cross-country league seals 4^th place for Stratford 

Report –  David Parkin

The 5^th and final league race saw Stratford finish the season in 4^th place out of 21 competing clubs. The club continues to perform at the highest level, with outstanding individual performances alongside great team camaraderie. Despite a break for a year due to the pandemic, normal service resumed with Alex Adams winning his 23^rd consecutive race and 5^th championship in a row – he is now all set to perform on the national stage in the final few representative races of the season. Other strong individual performances across the season were Maisie-Joy Spriggs (2^nd U15G), Niamh Hillard (4^th U15G) and Charly Marshall (6^th U17W).

In the U17W, Charly Marshall (2^nd, 15:54) saved her best performance of the year for the final race – running strongly throughout, she finished well clear of the third place runner and should be very proud of an excellent season. Ellie Deaner (31^st, 19:43) and Abigail Skinner (34^th, 20:23) competed well, giving another solid team performance overall.

Toby Spriggs (37^th, 08:39) ran his usual exuberant race to finish first for Stratford in the U11B in what was a very consistent first season. Toby Wilkinson (62^nd, 09:12), Callum Linforth (76^th, 09:41) and Henry Thomas (88^th, 10:21) completed the team, which finished in 8^th place overall. 

In the 3-lap U17M race, Alex Adams (1^st, 17:12) led from the start and opened out 10 seconds a lap to give him a comfortable victory with a 35s gap to the second place runner from Birchfield Harriers. Theo Skirvin (25^th, 19:43) and Caleb Spriggs (34^th, 20:33) both ran strong races to give the team 4^th place overall across the season, only missing third place and a medal by a handful of points.

Stella Sant (20^th, 08:36) had another excellent race in the U11G, once again leading the team home. Amelia Marshall (35^th, 09:02), Rachel Sparrow (46^th, 09:20), Jasmine Mothershaw (51^st, 09:29) and Georgia Sharpe (53^rd, 09:31) worked hard together in a blur of yellow and black in the middle of the pack.

The U15B have become one of Stratford’s strongest teams of the season – the boys work hard together in training and this is reflected in strength in depth in the team, with all of them fighting hard for a few more places in the final straight. Milo Cullimore (17^th, 12:56), Henry Wheeler (21^st, 13:10), Will Mayes (24^th, 13:16), James Day (27^th, 13:26) and Gabriel Gaiser (33^rd, 13:35) were well bunched for the five scoring positions. Hugh Markham (39^th, 13:55), Seb Hillard (47^th, 14:23), Alex Macmillan (60^th, 15:24) and Joe Lewis (64^th, 16:10) all had strong finishes, and the team won a very well-deserved 2^nd place overall.

Unfortunately, due to illness and injury, the U13G had a depleted team, but Lois Ford (16^th, 11:07) had a great outing, holding her place throughout the race. Ava Sheppard (40^th, 11:58) and Tessa Parkin (43^rd, 12:02) ran together for much of the race, with Sheppard just managing an extra effort at the finish to gain a few places. The team finished in 7^th place overall in the league, wondering what might have been having finished 1^st in the first league race of the season with a full team.

Joel Ledgard (18^th, 10:13) shot off round the inside of the first bend to get himself well up into the leading pack in the U13B race, and then managed to hold his position in a well-fought race. Alfie Musk (39^th, 11:23), Arthur Mansbridge (50^th, 12:13) and Ewan Sparrow (59^th, 13:22) all worked well, with Mansbridge looking very determined at the finish, and Sparrow picking up a few places in a fighting second lap.

In the U15G race, all eyes were on Maisie-Joy Spriggs (2^nd, 13:29). Having already secured second place in the league with a race to spare, Spriggs was aiming for her first league win. A group of three broke off the front of the race on the first lap, and, by the second lap, it was down to two. In the end Spriggs didn’t quite have enough left in the tank for the win but she should be delighted with her best ever season. Niamh Hillard (8^th, 14:19) and Maddie Linfoot (12^th, 14:47) both had excellent races to finish consistent seasons. Lucy Thomas (27^th, 15:53), Martha Peters (37^th, 16:07), Abbi Cooper (41^st, 16:18), Alice Cottam (43^rd, 16:20), Emily Cottam (49^th, 16:46), Hannah Wilkinson (54^th, 17:05), Charlotte Skinner (56^th, 17:07) and Tilly Campbell (60^th, 17:42) made up Stratford’s biggest team on the day. Great to see all their hard work training on the Welcombe Hills paying off as they consistently overtook on the uphill sections! The team finished with a very well-deserved third place medal. 

And so another season in the West Midlands Young Athletes Cross Country League comes to an end. While this report usually focuses on the exceptional individual performances, we should very much applaud all those who participate in what is a tough way to spend your Sundays. 

The sense of team is very strong, and it is always a delight to see our athletes, parents and coaches cheering on anyone flying past in the yellow and black of Stratford AC. Well done all. 

Women’s Cross Country  Saturday 19 January 2022

Georgie Campbell Third in U20 category for the Midlands League

Report – Becks Pridham

With Storm Eunice behind us but the weather still wild and unpredictable, it didn’t slow down the Stratford AC ladies in the final league cross country race of the 2021/2022 season.

Leamington’s Newbold Common was a welcome local fixture for the ladies, although there were several veterans who claimed disappointment at the loss of ‘the Ditch’ (an infamous muddy brook which has seen many a runner fall or even lose a shoe). They should not have been worried as there was plenty of water, puddles and a stream plus the Beacon Hill with its challenging camber and variety of surfaces to keep the runners focused on their race. 

Georgie Campbell was first home for Stratford (14^th overall; 25:35), and coach Paul Hawkins was especially impressed with her performance this season as not only has she remained disciplined with her training during her first year away at university, but also had to contend with COVID in December. Georgie has had a fantastic season, with winning the Midland Cross Country Championships at the end of January and now bringing home the Under 20 age group third place season trophy for the Midlands Women’s XC League. 

Second home for Stratford was Emma Bexson (57^th; 28:07), running strong on the hills, she finished 16^thin the Masters race out of a field of 92. Hannah Osborne has had a fantastic season too, clearly demonstrating that ‘hard work pays off’ with her consistent training regime (82^nd; 30:01). Although only in her second race of the league this season, the improving Suzanne Ross finished strong (109^th; 31:24) to finish in the first four Stratford ladies home. 

Cross country is largely about team work and camaraderie, and the rest of the ladies showed fierce determination against the elements and ‘every woman home’ counts in the overall standings. 

The consistent Emma Parkin battled the elements to come home fifth for the team (121^st; 32:32). Newcomer to the cross country league, Clare Goodwin (143^rd; 35:42) is clearly a natural as she was light footed over the mud and is one to watch for future seasons. Recently back from injury, Rebecca Pridham (147^th; 36:14) held strong and kept just ahead of Susan Hunt (149^th, 36:28). Phillippa Paddock (150^th; 37:02) was hampered by her choice of footwear but still kept upright and she is another one to watch for next season.

Emily Adams (158^th; 38:46) thoroughly enjoyed the mud and the hills, although she was delighted when it was all over! Kate Sergent (160^th; 40:19), Sue Mothershaw (163^rd; 41:46) and Cherry Eden (166^th; 43:10) completed the Stratford ladies team, showing the strength of spirit (and legs!) needed to get out there when it is raining, muddy and the elements are against you, and for some crazy reason, run around a field. Twice.

Stratford Ladies have had a fantastic season, battling injuries and illness across the team, but still finishing in eighth position in the table (comfortably just above mid table) which means that they are safe in the Women’s Division 1 for next season.

Birmingham XC League Race 4

Report – Tony Jackson

Storm Eunice had fortunately cleared away to leave predominantly bright and blustery conditions for the final Men’s XC fixture of the season. Nevertheless, it was still sufficiently windy to blow away the Kenilworth team tent which caused a few smiles.

However, the true impact of the storm could be seen around the course which could best be described as wet and muddy.

Rich Shepherd had turned up a week early for the race when the conditions were relatively firm under foot. Unfortunately, the mud was less accommodating this week causing Rich to develop a leg injury which forced him to drop out at the end of the first lap when well placed. 

This left Matt Burdus-Cook (34^th 36 mins 26 secs) to lead the team home and despite hating the conditions he battled his way around. Matt has been our most consistent performer over the winter and placed an excellent 17th overall across the four race series. (Best 3 races to count)

It has been great to see the progress of a couple of juniors in their first year and Ned Campbell (58^th37:36) and Alex Pester (59^th 37:38) raced together for much of the race before Ned pulled away towards the end. They finished 5th & 6th juniors on the day and 4^th and 9^th overall.

However, probably the stand out performance of the day came from Tim Hutchinson (80^th 38:28) who has improved steadily over the winter and was well suited by the mud which brought his endurance strength into play.

Tim was closely followed by Adam Linforth (85^th 38:42) who in his first season has quickly proven himself to be a quietly reliable presence 

The final scorer for the A team – and another contender for performance of the day – was Phil Reading (90^th 38:52). Obviously suited by the conditions this was a seasons best effort as he improved by over 25 places from his previous best placing.

Competition in the B Team saw some very close battles as a slightly below par Ben Jordan (92^nd 39:04) managed to hold off Alex Hill (93^rd 39:06) who was making a belated seasonal debut. Whilst the youthful Josh Dobedoe (114^th 40:37) has finished ahead of Dave Teasdale (40:41) in all races this season, the gap is steadily reducing and they were very close together throughout this race.

Nick Cooper (147^th 42:51) and Max Ross (152^nd 43:04) have been very well matched all season and once again they were able to spur each other along to their best positions of the season as they completed the B Team 

John Raby (168^th 44:09) has been solid all year, Nick Campbell (174^th 44:30) had his best finishing position, Will Dyche (182^nd 45:00) will have learnt plenty from his first XC season and Damien Wheeler (199^th 47:27) continues to compete with grit and determination

The A Team scored 406 pts and 12^th on the day. Despite some excellent individual performances, a couple of absentees contributed to a disappointing return, especially after the high of Race 3 when we scored a best ever points total. We have been on the back foot all season after finishing bottom in Race 1 and we just failed to recover all of the lost ground as we finished 12^th overall and have been relegated.

However, with a number of promising juniors, some excellent first season performances and a trusted core of experienced runners we can be optimistic of promotion next year.

Confirming our strength in depth the B Team have in contrast performed strongly all season and their total of 714 pts meant they finished 5^th on the day which still secured them 3^rd overall.

Thanks to Malcolm Bowyer for his enthusiasm as Team Captain – he will come back stronger to lead the push for promotion next year.

And a special note of praise to the following hard core of regulars who competed in all four races – Matt Burdus-Cook, Ben Jordan, Nick Cooper & John Raby.

As a foot note it was nice of Richard Dobedoe to remind me of the comparable race 20 years ago when the club competed at Droitwich – and thanks to Paul Hawkins who has been able to dig out the official results to confirm the results.

In what was probably the highlight of my SAC career I was first back for the club in 25^th place closely followed by Richard 30^th and Paul 33^rd. Malcolm Bowyer was our 5^th scorer in 54^th.

Happy Days