Biggleswade AC May 2004

Annual Club Pentathlon (and photo shoot)
Tuesday 6th July

A date for your diary folks. After very successful Pentathlons over the last two years the date has been set for this years event. Yet again, it will give you a chance to have a go at those track and field events that you may not have done since last years event, or even since you left school. All our coaches will be on hand for tuition. It always turns into a very enjoyable evening, and you never know you may find you excel at something and have never realised - last year Tim "webmaster" Huxtable was spotted for having true potential and after extra training went on to win metal at Southend Track and Field meet. It really is a great event, and to see Gavin try to lift a shot.....it is even funnier. It is a brilliant evening whatever your level.

We also intend to have our club photo taken on this day as we have grown to such an extent we feel that this would be a perfect occasion.

Club Overseas Tour 2004

A poll has been carried out to gauge interest for this year's tour, and plans are now beginning to take shape. We are probably looking at a race in France, Belgium or Holland some time between August and October. Possible candidates are

the Middlekerke 6k & 10k & 21k in Belgium in August (although this might clash with the Dorset Doddle)

the Reims 10k & 21k in France, on 17 October

the Amsterdam 10k & 21k in Holland, also on 17th October.
We should have more detailed plans in a few weeks time.

The Tuesday Night Programme

  May 4   Sunderland Road / London Road / Bedford Road Loop.
  May 11   Hill running.
  May 18   Sandy 5 course.
  May 25   Away day and picnic - meet at Grafham Waters at 7pm with a hamper and your running kit (partners are welcome)
  Jun 1   Speed work with Steve.
  Jun 8   Hazels Hedge Run.
  Jun 15   Fartlek in the sun.
  Jun 22   RSPB circuit.
  Jun 29   Away day (Destination to be arranged)

All feedback is greatly appreciated. Please speak to Gavin or anyone on the committee. Also any ideas you would like incorporated into the programme please let them know.

SANDY 10 - Sunday 4th April
The Sandy 10 organising committee would like to thank everyone who helped with this year's event. With well over 400 entries in the 10 mile race and 60 in the 2 mile Fun Run, this was our biggest Sandy 10 yet, and it all ran very smoothly. Many runners have sent us emails commenting on the efficiency and friendliness of the race, and you can see a selection of these on the Forum page of our new Web site. If you have not yet received your commemorative Sandy 10 tee shirt for helping with the race, please contact Nigel (01767 682251). We hope to donate about Ł750 from the race funds to the Macmillan Cancer Relief (Bedford) Appeal, which is a tremendous effort. Thanks again for your enthusiastic support.

Leagues, Series, and Other Events

Southern Mens and Womens Leagues
All dates are Saturdays. Please note we have been given two home fixtures for each of the mens' and womens' matches.
Our main concern is the joint fixtures on May 22nd, where the womens and mens are on the same day. Assistance to judge/transport etc is required.

*Month*	Mens League		Womens League
May	1st 22nd	Hemel Hempstead Thurrock (Joint Fixture)	22nd	Ilford (Joint Fixture)
Jun	26th	Luton (Home Fixture)	5th	?????
Jul	10th 31st	Walthamstow Stevenage (Home Fixture)	3rd	Kings Lynn
Aug	14th	?????	7th	Uxbridge
Sep			11th	Luton (Home Fixture)

Eastern Young Athletes League provisional dates
All dates are Sundays. Open to all club members between the ages of 11 and 17 on 31 Aug 2004

May 2nd	Bedford (Home match - we will need plenty of helpers)
May 30th	St Ives
June 20th	Cambridge
July 25th	St Ives again
Sep 12th	Divisional finals

East Midlands Grand Prix Series

Tue 4 May		Silverstone Grand Prix 10k, at 7:30pm
Wed 12 May		Rugby 6, Rugby, at 7:45pm
Tue 18 May		Bedford 6, at 7:45pm
Wed 26 May		Rockingham Speedway, 5 miles, at 7:45pm
Tue 8 Jun		Weedon 10K

Stondon Stomp - Sun 4 July
An 8 mile event this year (it used to be 10 miles), we have been asked to help with marshalling on the day, so if you would like to stand in the sun, rather than sweat your whatsits off running (it's always a hot day), please contact Ken or Nigel.

Dorset Doddle, Sunday 22nd August
As mentioned in an earlier Newsletter, the Dorset Doddle run is back in the calendar this year after an absence of one year. At least five runners from the club are already planning to run the event, and more will be very welcome to experience the "Doddle Weekend". The run is a 31 mile run/jog/walk along the beautiful coastal footpath from Weymouth to Swanage, where enjoyment and completion are the aims, rather than the time taken. Speak to Nigel or Stuart if interested.

Everton Fun Day 5km Trail Run
On Sat 19 June at 10:30am

Club Championship Road Races
This year our club championship road races will be as follows:

10 Km	Dunstable 10K	Sunday 13th June
10 Mile	Leighton Buzzard 10 Mile	Sunday 26th September
Half Marathon	Great Barford Half Marathon	December. date TBA

London Marathon - Biggleswade AC Runners

Biggleswade AC Runners were Singing in the Rain at the London Marathon !

Seven Biggleswade AC runners took part in last Sunday's LONDON MARATHON, and all had reasons to be very happy with their performances. On a day that started with a welcoming drizzle, but finished with an unwelcome downpour, the runners all managed to beat their personal targets as well as the rain.

First home for Biggleswade was Roy Kellaway in 3h 11m. Roy was on schedule for a sub-3 hour finish at 20 miles, but his lack of long runs in training caught up with him, and he slowed over the final miles. Next home, in a new personal best, was Andy Bruce who finally achieved his target of running 3h 15m, after seven attempts at the distance - a superb effort from Andy. Next home in the astonishing time for a newcomer of 3h 45m was Kath Brasier. Kath didn't start running until last year, and her potential is now very clear to all! Watch out Tracey Morris and Paula Radcliffe.

Not far behind Kath, was Tony Haymes who ran superbly to finish in 3h 50m, a well-deserved PB for Tony. Just behind Tony was new club member John Pickles who finished well inside his target of 4 hours with 3h 57m - an excellent performance in John's first marathon.

Zoe Dawson, another lady who did not start running until last year, ran superbly to finish in 4h 8m, and looked as fresh at the end as she did at the start. The "Biggleswade seven" were completed by Carl Kingston who finished in 4h 19m after a gutsy run in the wet conditions.

Our two lady Marathon debutants, Zoe and Kath, have demonstrated in both their training and in the marathon race itself, that everything is possible with dedication and hard work, mixed with a few nights Clubbing! Well done ladies.

New Members

Welcome to the following athletes who have recently been elected members of the Club:

  Jennifer Hutchings - a senior, born in St.Albans, and living in Biggleswade
  George Harris - a junior, born in Cambridge, and living in Biggleswade
  Kayleigh−Anne Burt - a junior, was also born in Cambridge, and living in Dunton
  Christina Burt - a junior, and sister to Kayleigh−Anne; she also was born in Cambridge and lives in Dunton
  Katie Frost - a junior, born in Welwyn Garden City, and living in Arlesey
  Susan Sutton - a senior, a Bedfordian by birth, and living in Sandy (and is Damien's mum)
Best of luck with your running to all of you.

New Athletic Track

No further developments are known at this stage but the next meeting is due to be held on Friday 21st May.

Club Headquarters at Sandy Upper School

The move of the Club Headquarters to Sandy Upper School went ahead on Tuesday 13th April, as planned. Everybody seems to like our new centre of operations and new running trails are being established by Gavin and Damien. We are seeing more and more people joining the club which is very satisfying indeed.

New changing facilities and a pavilion are to be built at the School, to which we shall have access. It is a joint project between Sandy Town Council and the School aiming to obtain funding from the Football Foundation for joint use by the School and the Community. We are attending the planning meetings.

News from other Clubs

Bedford Harriers have a new Secretary:
Lesley Barnes 21 Embla Close, Be4dford MK41 0WR

NEWS FOR YOUNG ATHLETES

The forthcoming SEAA Synopsis (U20/17/15) is now available for the events on Sat 29/ Sun 30 May - See David Brown for advice.
On 8th May there will be a County Squad training day for athletes ages 14/15 who have achieved AAA standard grade 3 or better. See a coach or David Brown the club's statistician, to see if you are on the county list.
1st EYAL Sunday 2nd May at Bedford.
Club Kit must be worn - get yours now from Sportscene in Biggleswade or see Ken who has shorts in small sizes and who can order crop tops (made to measure). Do not leave it too late!

BIGGLESWADE ATHLETIC CLUB

Newsletter : MAY 2004

BIGGLESWADE ATHLETIC CLUB