Biggleswade AC November 2004

Club Trip to REIMS France. 16-18 Oct

Eleven club runners and supporters set off for Reims on Saturday 16th October, hoping for a smooth crossing (especially Zoe) and some pleasant French Wine (especially Stuart, Chris and Steve). The weather stayed fine, and Reims was reached in time to register for the race the following morning.

Sunday morning was overcast and cool - perfect for the 10 km race. But the 3300 runners made the early stages quite precarious, and Zoe was brought down in the first kilometre when a lady tripped in front of her. She gamely got up and completed the race battered and bruised. All nine runners ran excellent times, with the evergreen Chris leading us all home, and Jennifer setting another superb PB.

Sunday afternoon was spent viewing the famous Cathedral, watching the sodden marathon runners (by now it was raining), and visiting the old Reims GP Motor Racing circuit - on which we set a new "minibus" lap record. Some excellent French cuisine and wine on Sunday evening ended a very enjoyable day.

On Monday, after an early morning 7 mile run along the canal in the dark! we had a leisurely drive back towards Calais, stopping off in St Omer for lunch and some shopping, before returning home.

Thanks to everyone for making it a very enjoyable weekend. If anyone has any ideas for next year's overseas trip, please let a committee member know; Poland has already been mentioned!

Club Dinner - 14th January 2005

The annual Club Dinner will be on Friday 14th January 2005, at which the club trophies will be presented. There was fantastic support for the event earlier this year (55 people attended) so we were somewhat limited, because of size, as to where we were able to book.

We need to know as soon as possible how many people might be attending, in order to check out where we might hold the event again.

Please let us whether you will be coming or not, and numbers, by 12th November - if Stuart doesn't hear from you he will assume that you are not intending to come. Sorry to be so early on this, but places get booked up and numbers will affect where we book.

The Tuesday Night Programme

2nd Nov Away day - St Neots - Team leader TBA
9th Nov Fartlek in Fallowfields
16th Nov The Sandy Mile (ever wondered how fast you can run exactly a mile),
then a gentle jog to warm down
23rd Nov Speed work with Steve
30th Nov A gentle run around Sandy
7th Dec Beep Test
- Not compulsory for all (a run will also be going on at the same time)
14th Dec Away day - Biggleswade - Team Leader Gav
21st Dec A very very slow run around Sandy,
finishing at a local public house for festive drinks
28th Dec A gentle run around Sandy
(numbers may be down due to Christmas)
4th Jan Speed work with Steve
11th Jan 'Bring a friend' evening (recruitment drive)
18th Jan Inclines (Using Brickhill Road then Ivel View)
25th Jan Cross training with another fitness organisation

(NB: The Thursday evening programme is decided on a week to week basis depending on ability groups and racing programme.)

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.

Leagues, Series, and Other Events

Apex Sports Chiltern Cross Country League
www.chilternccl.fsnet.co.uk
This league is open to all ages from nine upwards and takes place on Saturdays.

Dec 4 Luton (Stockwood Park)
Jan 8 Watford, Cassiobury Park
Feb 12 Wing, Leighton Buzzard
Three Counties Cross Country League
www.threecountiesxc.org.uk
This league is open to anyone 16 years or over and takes place on Sundays at 11:00am. Where there is a junior race the lower age limit is 9 years.

Nov 28 Wooton
Dec 19 Letchworth
Jan 9 Ampthill (plus junior race)
Feb 6 Wellingborough ( plus junior race)
North West London Y.A. Cross Country League
This league is for juniors under 17 and takes place on Saturdays

Nov 20 Haringay
Dec 4 Trent Park
Feb 5 TBC
Mar 19 Wormwood Scrubs
Stevenage 5k Series
www.fvspartans.org.uk
These races take place on Weekday evenings at 7:30pm, on:
Tue Nov 16 Tue Nov 30 Thu Dec 16
Also, on Sun Nov 7 Stevenage Marathon and half marathon, at 9:30am
Club Championship Half Marathon
This year our club championship half-marathon road race will be run in conjunction with the Bedford Harriers Half Marathon at Wootton, on Sunday 12th December.
(This is a change from previous announcements)
RAF Henlow 10 Nov 24th
If you are interested contact Chris Clarke, who will give you the details and enter you in the race.
AAA Indoor Championships, Birmingham
This is the first time the ages have been separated:
Feb 19th & 20th - U20
Feb 26th & 27th - U15/17
In 2004 we had 8 athletes who qualified . so far we have 10 with plenty of time for others to qualify. Last year we had the most athletes from the County of Bedfordshire competing, let's continue this trend. See David Brown for competition details.
UK Hurdles Club
The dates for the UK Hurdles Club squad days are now available - contact David Brown for more information on getting an invite.

News of Members

Debbie Knott will be competing in Ironman Florida on Saturday November 5th. For those who are not aware, the Ironman is a 3.8km Sea Swim, a 112 Mile Bike Race, with a Marathon Run to finish. Debbies says her aim is "just to finish". Regular updates from the race can be found on www.ironmanlive.com on the day of the event.

Mel Truett has had a little set back with her foot injury but hopefully will be running with us shortly. Pete Amos has had slight problems with his back and lower leg, but hopefully by swimming he will be able to gain more strength in these areas and come back fitter and stronger. Everyone at the club wishes them both a speedy recovery.

It's also great to see Karen Worrell running again after the birth of Sophie Louise.

Club Kit

There is still time to order Biggleswade sweatshirts, trousers and jackets for Christmas - contact Ken Prior on 01767 260592. Club kit bags are also on order and should be here soon.

NEWS FOR YOUNG ATHLETES

Orienteering: Ken is looking to organise an orienteering event for novices in Rowney Warren sometime in December so put those GPS's away and dust off those compasses.
Indoor High Jump Session: There will be an indoor high jump session at Sandy Sports Centre on Friday 12th November. The time is yet to be decided. See Ken for further details, all are welcome.
Sports Hall: Because of hall unavailability at both Biggleswade and Sandy, Junior Sports Hall sessions are taking place at Robert Bloomfield School, Shefford on Mondays from 6pm to 7pm from November 1st until December 6th (inclusive).

BIGGLESWADE ATHLETIC CLUB

Newsletter : NOVEMBER 2004

BIGGLESWADE ATHLETIC CLUB