Biggleswade AC May 2008

Flitwick 10k - Club Championship results

Nearly one thousand runners lined up on the start line of this year's Flitwick 10k that was held on Sunday 20th April, including 24 athletes from Biggleswade Athletic Club, who were also competing for their club championship as well as the County Championship.

The weather was overcast as the runners set off over a very undulating course. First home in Biggleswade colours was Vince Plosky in a magnificent time of 37 minutes and 44 seconds. He was closely followed by John Haines and Michael McKenzie. Debbie Bryant (who had returned from injury after six months) had no need to worry as she flew round the course and picked up the V35 County Championship crown as well as leading the Ladies team home to victory. Gavin Elliott and Ian Skerratt both ran surprisingly well having raced in the London Marathon the week before, while Julie Mackay finished the course with the biggest smile as she smashed her personal best time. Craig Brown and Jonothan Bevan both finished strongly showing great promise for the new season. The clubs fighting spirit was shown as Fiona Hunter and Derek Litchfield could only be separated by three seconds as they dipped for the line. Overall everyone ran really well and the amount of Biggleswade AC supporters round the course showed why Biggleswade AC is the friendliest running club in the area.

Congratulations to Vince Plosky on winning the Men's 10k Club Championship, by just holding off Mac McKenzie by 23 seconds on age-related times. Also many congratulations to Debs Bryant for retaining her 10k Ladies Club Championship title and winning the Beds AAA Senior Lady and LV35 awards. And finally well done to Debs, Fiona and Julie for winning the Flitwick 10k Ladies Team prize.

Result in detail are on the club web site.

Remaining Club Championship Races in 2008

5 Km   Doug Anderson 5km Bedford   Wed 23rd Jul
10 Mile   Swineshead 10 Mile   Sun 7th Sep
Half Marathon   Beds Harriers Half Wootton   Sun 14th Dec

Club Treasurer

We are delighted to announce that Mark Stead has kindly offered to take on the role of Club Treasurer, following Martyn Cole's move to a new job in France. It will take a couple of weeks for Mark to get into the role and be fully up and running, so please bear with us. For any matters related to club finances and payments in the next few weeks, please contact Mark, Stuart or Nigel.

Icknield Way Run - 24-26 May

Plans are coming together for this. Starting on Sat 24th May (about 8 am), finishing that afternoon at Baldock railway station. Re-start 8 am Sunday (at Baldock obviously) and finishing that afternoon at Balsham (two pubs !). Zoe and Pat have agreed to make room in the garden/floor for tired runners and Pat is already polishing the barbeque. Restart next morning to finish at Thetford railway station.

We already have one offer of help to top-up drinks etc on route. Any other offers gratefully received. Of course anybody who wants to run part of the route can join at any time. Just don't expect us to keep up with you !

Club Tour - Derbyshire Peak District 10th to 13th October 2008

The club tour will return to the Derbyshire Peak District this year, probably to Darwin Lakes, just outside Matlock, for a long weekend starting Friday 10th October, and returning on Monday 13th October. We stay in very well appointed cottages, each sleeping 6. There are already about 20 club members and partners signed up for the tour, but there is plenty of space for more. If you are interested in joining us, please see the Forum or contact Nigel (01767 682251). Details for Darwin Lakes can be found at www.darwin-lakes.co.uk

The Seniors Tuesday Night Programme

You can find these and other training events in the training section of the Club website

6th May AWAY DAY- Tempsford lead by Paula (postponed from 29 Apr)
13th May Speedwork with coach Zoe
20th May Black Barn
27th May AWAY DAY - Navigators Way lead by Nigel

3rd Jun Lonely Pines loop
10th Jun Everton Loop, UP Donkey Hill!
17th Jun Speedwork with coach Zoe
24th Jun AWAY DAY - Grafham lead by Mark/Cassie (and picnic)

1st Jul Black Barn

*** you may need a track pass or to pay for a day pass when doing Speed or Track work

Thursday evenings will usually be "General Running", dictated by the race calendar, and are tailored on the night to the participants needs. Runners are usually split into ability groups to ensure everyone has a good run.

If anyone would like to organise an AWAY DAY in your village or town in 2008, or a run on your favourite training route, please let Gavin or one of the committee know.

Leagues, Series, and Other Events

Round Norfolk Relay 20/21 Sep
Rumours are rife that Bedford Harriers are entering a team this year so we have local competition.

Southern Womens League
All dates are on Saturdays in 2008

31 May	Cambridge University
28 Jun	Northgate Stadium, Ipswich
26 Jul	Mile End Stadium
30 Aug	Braintree Leisure Centre

Southern Mens League
All dates are on Saturdays in 2008
We are in Division 4, which currently has 11 teams

3 May	Battersea Park	host QPH (6 teams)
7 Jun	Cambridge	host Cambridge (5 teams)
28 Jun	St Ives	host Hunts AC (6 teams)
12 Jul	Luton	host Luton (5 teams)
2 Aug	Ridlins (Stevenage)	host Biggleswade (5 teams)

National Junior Athletic League
All dates are on Sundays in 2008

25th May,	29th June,	27th July
7th Sep - Promotion matchs
14th Sep - Finals

Eastern Young Athletes League
All dates are on Sundays in 2008

8th June,	29th June,	13th July,	3rd Aug
14th Sept (Finals)

UK Women Athletes League
The 4 dates in 2008 are on Saturdays

Some International Events in 2008

Sat 10 to Sun 11 May	World Race Walking	Russia
Sat 14 June	Race Walk Grand Prix	Leamington Spa
Tue 8 to Sun 13 Jul	World Juniors	Poland
Wed 23 Jul to Sun 3 Aug	Euro Masters
Fri 15 to Sun 24 Aug	Olympics	China
Sat 6 to Wed 17 Sep	Para Olympics	China
Sat 13 to Sun 14 Sep	World Athletics	Germany

Some Domestic Events in 2008

Sat 3 to Mon 5 May	BUSA	Bedford
Sun 11 May	County Champs	Bedford
Sun 18 May	Loughborough Games
Sat 24 to Sun 25 May	SEAA Champs U15/17
Sun 25 to Mon 26 May	CAU
Sun 1 Jun	BIG Games	Bedford
Sat 14 to Sun 15 Jun	GB Masters	Ashford
Sat 14 to Sun 15 Jun	Sen/U20 SEAA Champs
Sat 21 to Sun 22 Jun	AAA U23/20 Champs
Fri 11 to Sun 13 Jul	Olympic Trials	Birmingham
Sat 26 to Sun 27 Jul	London Grand Prix	Crystal Palace
Sun 10 Aug	Hibbard (Eastern Inter-Counties)	Essex
Sun 24 Aug	SEAA Intercounties (U15/20)
Sat 30 Aug	U20 Inter-territories
Sun 31 Aug	British Grand Prix	Gateshead