Our Fab Four British Champs.

British Master Athletic Federation (BMAF) Outdoor T&F Championships.

5 Gold & 5 Bronze – Job done

Report – David Jones

Last weekend 7 of our Masters/Vets competed at these British Championships in Derby and they were among a total of 877 athletes taking part

Friday saw the M65+ age groups competing. I’m guessing this was on the basis that the organisers thought the more senior age groups wouldn’t be working and so would be free to compete on that day.

On Friday Phil Brennan and myself competed in a world class M70+ 1500m race. Among the field was Joe Gough from Ireland, currently occupying 2nd place on the world rankings in both 400 and 800m and 3rd in 1500m.

Also present on the start line was Peter Giles, who’s many impressive rankings include a world ranking of 1st in the mile and 4th in 1500m, as well as UK rankings of 1st in the 1500m, 1st on the all time UK rankings over the same distance and 1st in the current UK 5000m rankings

Unperturbed by these big names, we both set off in the hope of a medal. I realised pretty early on that my best hope was a bronze and as such, I engaged in a tactical race with the wonderfully named Arthur Daley from Gloucester AC, a true gentleman. After a somewhat cat and mouse race I managed to find a little bit extra coming off the final bend to secure bronze.

Phil Brennan admitted to being tired and grumpy after traffic holdups, meaning he had no time for proper warmup (join the club Phil).  He expected to be beaten by Peter Giles and, like me, won the bronze medal but with over a minute separating him and the 4th placed runner in his age category. Saturday saw Phil claim gold in the M80 800m  by a margin of some 30 seconds, thus becoming British Masters outdoor champion

Paula Williams really enjoyed the championships. She went along hopeful that her Achilles would hold and it did. Day 1 was hurdles, 100m and javelin, where she finished with gold, bronze and gold. Day 2 was horrendous weather wise and, even though she achieved gold in the shot put, she was disappointed with her distance being under 13m. 3 golds and a bronze, I would call that a good day at the office, indeed a very good day at the office.

Emma Bexson won gold in the 2000m steeplechase with a time of 9:25.35 which, although not a PB, she professed herself happy with Emma  feels that she is still recovering from her recent Iron Man in Tallinn. She then really enjoyed her first time over 300m hurdles, claiming the bronze medal. She was 5th in the 200m, happy with the fact that this was her first time out of starting blocks, all helped by some coaching from Elaine Ledden pre-event.

Andy List had a good weekend with a venture into throwing, producing results of 8.00 in the shot put and 19.21 in the hammer (some have said that it would be a good idea to practise next time!). Back on the track he reached the finals of the 100m and 200m and was placed 6th and 5th.

On Saturday Elaine Ledden came away with fourth place in the 100m and fifth in the long jump. Sunday featured a magnificent run to first place and a gold medal for her in the 200m. Then came the triple jump and a downpour, competition continued and another medal was won – bronze this time. Brilliant performances!

Mark Illingworth reports on his championships below. 

So 7 club members. 5 bronze medals, 5 golds and Phil, Emma, Paula and Elaine became British Champions.  Pretty good I would say.

Mark’s trip to Derby

Report –  Mark Illingworth

I didn’t go to Derby to win a medal but to attempt PB’s in my favourite events, the !00 and 200 metre sprints and the javelin. I also went to enjoy myself amongst like-minded folks – the spirit of cooperation and collaboration amongst fellow competitors in Vets track and field is fantastic.

Most athletes are data conscious to some extent. This season, prior to the British Masters, I have competed in 44 separate events across 12 competitions. However, this grand total only includes three 100m’s, four 200m’s and three javelins at the appropriate weight for my age category (M65).

First up was the javelin. I knew that some of the throwers were excellent and others, like me, were trying to do their best. I hadn’t realised that three of the top four on the all-time UK rankings were competing. Sometimes you just happen to be in a good age group! It wasn’t happening for me – I was two and a half metres below my best and finished seventh out of eight.

Next up was the 100 metres heats. First two from each heat and the four fastest non-automatic qualifiers through to the final. John Wright, who set a new 200 metre world record in August, is in the lane next to me. I manage to grab the last spot in the final in a time 5 one hundredths of a second off my PB. John absolutely smashes the world record. It was an honour to be in that race.

The final was held three hours later. By then the conditions had deteriorated and the wind had swung round from a following to a head wind. Times were slower but, as expected, John won and I came eighth.

The next day I only had one event, the 200 metres which was held as two seeded races. I came second in the B race and seventh fastest on the day. My race was exciting for the spectators and the fellow competitor who was coming second till about 195 metres in. Having led off the bend I was having a fantastic run till I ran out of gas / the lactic kicked in / it felt as if I was running through treacle (delete as appropriate). I still haven’t watched the livestream footage! The good news is that it was a PB by one one hundredth of a second but (bad news) it was wind assisted.

So, no PB’s for me. However, it was an excellent weekend. It was my first experience of call rooms, heats and finals on the same day and competing on consecutive days. Real championship stuff in a friendly environment.

Stratford Big 10k and Half Marathon.

Report – David Jones

Over 60 of our  member’s competed in these two races last Sunday, both races fortunately missing out on the heavy rain later on in the day.

Sadly there are no reports but below is a brief summary of our top finishers.

In the Big 10k Jamie Hall capped of a superb week by following up on his impressive victory in last week’s Kenilworth Half with an equally impressive victory in this race. His time of 32:54 was 12 seconds ahead of the 2nd placed runner.

Ben Kruze finished in 3rd place and 1st in his M35 age category with a time of 33:53. Dougie Garnett, one of our U20’s, ran a superb 34:36 to finish in 6th place. I understand that he was looking for anything under 36 minutes, which he achieved by some margin. Dougie was followed by Dean Mawby (9th – 35:12), James Cottriall (10th – 35:33) and Sam Wilks, no doubt getting ready for the upcoming XC season was in 11th place  in  36:04. Sam was followed by Seb Wolsoncroft-Dodds (12th – 36:04).

Matt Burdus-Cook finished in 13th place overall and was 1st in his M45 age category, despite him being at the top end of this category. He ran a time of 36:09.

Next to finish were two of our U20 athletes, with Henry Wheeler (17th – 36:33) just edging out the ever improving James Mayes by a mere 4 seconds (18th – 36:37).

Our first lady and 1st lady overall was Georgie Campbell in 21st place overall with a time of 36:54, over a minute ahead of the 2nd placed female. The next of our first five lady finishers was Katie Wilcox (46:44). Katie was also 2nd in the F45 age category and  was followed by Suzie Ross (47:55). The indefatigable Susan Hunt (50:55) was next and she was followed by another of our much improving athletes, Lisa Stevens (53:10).

1200 runners finished the race.

For a full list of those shown as our club members please follow the link below:

https://www.racetecresults.com/results.aspx?CId=16418&RId=970&EId=1&dt=0&adv=1

Stratford Half Marathon.

20 of the 584 finishers in the half marathon are shown as SAC members in the results.

The race was won by Sam Pedley of Bishop’s Stortford Running Club in a time of 1:10.45, with the first female finisher, in 23rd place, being Faye Stanyard in 1:27.49.

The first of our top 10 finishers was Ian Stevens (46th – 1:30.52). He was followed by the in-form Santa Pavlika (62nd – 1:33.15). Santa was 3rd F Senior to finish. She was followed by Anna Bateman (1:35.15). Next was Emma Vickers (1:43.31 – 1st F55), Pierrick Deehegger (1:43.49) and Kevin McFall (1:44.42)

Then it was Damian Wheeler who was pacing a friend round. His finishing time was 1:44.19. Damian then went on to compete in arguably the wettest race ever, the 5000m Shakespeare Race at the Club Championships later in the day. 

Damian was followed by Claire Weatherhead (1:48.58 – 2nd F55), Cara Reynolds (1:49.58) and our 10th finisher Teresa Hunt (1:54.24)

Kate Sergent was 2nd in the F65+ category in a time of 2:19.56. Her time in this year’s Berkhamsted half was 2:19.05 and in last year’s Berkhamsted half 2:19.45. How does she do that ?

For the full list of those shown as our club members, please follow the link below:

https://www.racetecresults.com/results.aspx?CId=16418&RId=970&EId=2&dt=0&adv=1