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A challenge to the subversive-one
3 hours ago
Saturday, 6 February 2010
Midland Road Relays
The Midland 12 stage relays (Seniors and Masters) are to be held at Sutton Park on Saturday 20th March. These races are the qualifiers for the National 12 stage relay. Bristol & West Athletic Club aims to get two mens teams of twelve to the National Relay, but to do that we have to qualify. If you wish to represent the club in these relays and are available please contact Mike Down as soon as possible.
Thursday, 4 February 2010
News From Across The Pond
As pointed out by Dave Jennings, there were some top performances by our US based athletes last weekend that have not been reported and of course the excellent run by Steve Mitchell at Cardiff on Sunday.
Women
Emma REED; 800m; 2:21.76; Albuquerque NM (USA); 29 Jan.
Men
David BISHOP; 800m; 1:52.92; Albuquerque NM (USA);
29 January
Steve MITCHELL; 3,000m; 8:25.14; Cardiff 'UWIC'; 31 Jan.
Please let me know of anything else that has been missed.
Good luck to those heading for the MCAA Meet at Birmingham this Weekend.
Women
Emma REED; 800m; 2:21.76; Albuquerque NM (USA); 29 Jan.
Men
David BISHOP; 800m; 1:52.92; Albuquerque NM (USA);
29 January
Steve MITCHELL; 3,000m; 8:25.14; Cardiff 'UWIC'; 31 Jan.
Please let me know of anything else that has been missed.
Good luck to those heading for the MCAA Meet at Birmingham this Weekend.
Rose Baldwin
We are saddened by the recent Death of Rose Baldwin (47). Rose’s funeral took place on Tuesday some two weeks after she passed away.
Rose’s younger daughter Claire Denley trained at Whitchurch competing in cross country events. Claire suffered from brittle bones and came off the worse for wear on at least one occasion.
Rose lived close to the Whitchurch track and with Claire joining the club Rose quickly became involved. Rose took on the role of U15 Boys Cross Country Team Manager.
Rose and her partner Graham gave great assistance to the young athletes team during a number of summers. Rose did her best to qualify as a field judge and became very capable. Graham provided assistance too either as an unqualified field judge or hurdle mover. Rose was one of the rare people associated with the club to have a catering certificate and on a number of occasions coordinated the catering for officials.
Rose ceased to help quite a while ago having suffered a heart complaint.
We are saddened by her passing and our thoughts go out to her family.
Rose’s younger daughter Claire Denley trained at Whitchurch competing in cross country events. Claire suffered from brittle bones and came off the worse for wear on at least one occasion.
Rose lived close to the Whitchurch track and with Claire joining the club Rose quickly became involved. Rose took on the role of U15 Boys Cross Country Team Manager.
Rose and her partner Graham gave great assistance to the young athletes team during a number of summers. Rose did her best to qualify as a field judge and became very capable. Graham provided assistance too either as an unqualified field judge or hurdle mover. Rose was one of the rare people associated with the club to have a catering certificate and on a number of occasions coordinated the catering for officials.
Rose ceased to help quite a while ago having suffered a heart complaint.
We are saddened by her passing and our thoughts go out to her family.
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
Bridge Inn Series Result After 4 of 5
Here is a link to the series standings with one race to go; Series after 4 of 5 Races
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
BROOKS PARTY - Saturday 6th February
Brooks, the number one running shoe company in the USA, are having a PARTY at our shop on Saturday 6th February. It is an excellent opportunity to try on the latest products from Brooks (the Glycerin 8 and the Green Silence) as well as a chance to ask the Brooks rep any questions about running or running shoes.
Glycerin 8 - featuring DNA, the new adaptive shock adsorption system that adjusts to your running needs
Green Silence - the all new competition shoe at less than 200g
The Brooks rep will be in store from 10am onwards to apply his years of experience and knowledge. There will be a Brooks bag for every purchase and an additional free Brooks gift for everyone who buys a pair of Brooks shoes. As it's a party, drinks and Party Rings will be available - bring your own jelly and ice cream.
Up & Running, 38 North View, Westbury Park, Bristol, BS6 7QA
Glycerin 8 - featuring DNA, the new adaptive shock adsorption system that adjusts to your running needs
Green Silence - the all new competition shoe at less than 200g
The Brooks rep will be in store from 10am onwards to apply his years of experience and knowledge. There will be a Brooks bag for every purchase and an additional free Brooks gift for everyone who buys a pair of Brooks shoes. As it's a party, drinks and Party Rings will be available - bring your own jelly and ice cream.
Up & Running, 38 North View, Westbury Park, Bristol, BS6 7QA
High Jumpers, Hurdlers and Sprinters; Indoor Coaching
At City Academy
To all high jumpers, hurdlers and sprinters who would like to get some extra coaching indoors. Come and join us at the City Academy in central Bristol at 7pm on Thursdays. Please contact me by Wednesday this week to let me know if you planning to come. The more athletes who attend the higher level of funding we can get from Bristol City Council. There will be a nominal charge of £1 for the 75-90 mins sessions.
Following the great news that a new 6-lane training track is to be built at the City Academy's playing fields nearby at Packers/Whitehall, Bristol & West AC will be forming a partnership with the Academy and our use of the indoor facilities will be an important part of our on-going relationship.
High Jumpers will be coached by Joy Bray, hurdlers by James Hillier from Bath University and sprinters by Hilary Nash. Bring your coach along with you.
See you on Thursdays.
Cy Knibb
Club Development Officer
.
To all high jumpers, hurdlers and sprinters who would like to get some extra coaching indoors. Come and join us at the City Academy in central Bristol at 7pm on Thursdays. Please contact me by Wednesday this week to let me know if you planning to come. The more athletes who attend the higher level of funding we can get from Bristol City Council. There will be a nominal charge of £1 for the 75-90 mins sessions.
Following the great news that a new 6-lane training track is to be built at the City Academy's playing fields nearby at Packers/Whitehall, Bristol & West AC will be forming a partnership with the Academy and our use of the indoor facilities will be an important part of our on-going relationship.
High Jumpers will be coached by Joy Bray, hurdlers by James Hillier from Bath University and sprinters by Hilary Nash. Bring your coach along with you.
See you on Thursdays.
Cy Knibb
Club Development Officer
.
Monday, 1 February 2010
Young Athletes Midland Cross Country
What a Tremendous days racing for the Young Athletes of Bristol and West AC
U13 Boys: 99th Tom Grant
U15 Girls: 7th Miranda Sadler, 8th Annesley Park
U15 Boys: 3rd Zak Tobias, 11th Luke Jacobs, 21st Keiran Young, 65th Lewis Nightingale (4th Team)
U17 Ladies 1st Annabel Gommow, 8th Naomi Speake, 11th Olivia Sadler, 55th Billie Williams (1st Team)
U17 Men 3rd Rhys Park, 14th Adam Speake, 33rd Matt Deacon, 61st George Hurford, 80th Zac Marsh (5th Team)
There were also fine performances with Emily Merrick 2nd in the U20's race and Team Silver in the Under 20's Mens race.
Dave Taylor
.
U13 Boys: 99th Tom Grant
U15 Girls: 7th Miranda Sadler, 8th Annesley Park
U15 Boys: 3rd Zak Tobias, 11th Luke Jacobs, 21st Keiran Young, 65th Lewis Nightingale (4th Team)
U17 Ladies 1st Annabel Gommow, 8th Naomi Speake, 11th Olivia Sadler, 55th Billie Williams (1st Team)
U17 Men 3rd Rhys Park, 14th Adam Speake, 33rd Matt Deacon, 61st George Hurford, 80th Zac Marsh (5th Team)
There were also fine performances with Emily Merrick 2nd in the U20's race and Team Silver in the Under 20's Mens race.
Dave Taylor
.
Muddy Midland Medal Marvels
We went to Saturday's Midland cross-country championships with our expectations of success in the senior championships severely dampened by the absence of six of our first choice team members: Rob Whalley, Phil Wylie and Jon Wills among the men and Kate Goodhead, Rebekah Randell and Charley Coffey-Wills the women.
Medals looked a remote possibility and our reputation as the Midlands' leading club appeared under the cosh, but while the missing stars proved too big a handicap for our men to fully overcome in what turned out to be one of the most loaded fields for years - better still than last year's which we felt had been the best for some time - our women took full advantage of their rivals' weakness to underline our strength in depth by scoring an overwhelming triumph against the odds. It ended our perennial rivals Charnwood's seven year stranglehold on the title since we won it in 2002. Ironically too it was only our own second ever success in the event since it was first contested in 1933, though we have been second to Charnwood countless times since that first victory.
As for the men, though up against it our sparse squad, spurred U23 internationals Robbie Bugden and Tom Russell, certainly did not capitulate and ended up a fighting 4th behind our usual major rivals Coventry, Tipton and Notts. Moreover when the men's and women's results are combined we can still justifiably claim the number one spot, as well as providing both the individual silver medallists in Robbie Bugden and Claire Hallissey and 4th place finishers Tom Russell and Imogen Ainsworth.
If further evidence were required of our claim to the Midlands' top club, our talented younger athletes supplied it in spades! The U20 junior men, led by Rich Peters who only just missed the individual bronze medal himself, took the silver medals behind Leicestershire club Owls, while Emily Merrick was the silver medallist in the corresponding U20 women's event.
For their part the U17 women dominated the combined U17/U20 race, with Annabel Gummow outclassing all-comers to take the individual title, while their male counterparts took the individual bronze through Rhys Park, who is only at the bottom of the age group, and ended up a creditable 5th in the team standings, and to complete the success story the U15 boys only just missed out on the bronze medals in 4th place in their event in which young Zak Tobias ran the race of his life to land the individual bronze medal
A full analysis and evaluation of our performances will follow later in the PERFORMANCES OF THE WEEK column.
Meanwhile Keith and I, as well I am sure as young athletes team manager Dave Taylor, would like to congratulate all those who made such a big effort on behalf of the club to keep us right up there in the hot seat!
Mike Down
.
Medals looked a remote possibility and our reputation as the Midlands' leading club appeared under the cosh, but while the missing stars proved too big a handicap for our men to fully overcome in what turned out to be one of the most loaded fields for years - better still than last year's which we felt had been the best for some time - our women took full advantage of their rivals' weakness to underline our strength in depth by scoring an overwhelming triumph against the odds. It ended our perennial rivals Charnwood's seven year stranglehold on the title since we won it in 2002. Ironically too it was only our own second ever success in the event since it was first contested in 1933, though we have been second to Charnwood countless times since that first victory.
As for the men, though up against it our sparse squad, spurred U23 internationals Robbie Bugden and Tom Russell, certainly did not capitulate and ended up a fighting 4th behind our usual major rivals Coventry, Tipton and Notts. Moreover when the men's and women's results are combined we can still justifiably claim the number one spot, as well as providing both the individual silver medallists in Robbie Bugden and Claire Hallissey and 4th place finishers Tom Russell and Imogen Ainsworth.
If further evidence were required of our claim to the Midlands' top club, our talented younger athletes supplied it in spades! The U20 junior men, led by Rich Peters who only just missed the individual bronze medal himself, took the silver medals behind Leicestershire club Owls, while Emily Merrick was the silver medallist in the corresponding U20 women's event.
For their part the U17 women dominated the combined U17/U20 race, with Annabel Gummow outclassing all-comers to take the individual title, while their male counterparts took the individual bronze through Rhys Park, who is only at the bottom of the age group, and ended up a creditable 5th in the team standings, and to complete the success story the U15 boys only just missed out on the bronze medals in 4th place in their event in which young Zak Tobias ran the race of his life to land the individual bronze medal
A full analysis and evaluation of our performances will follow later in the PERFORMANCES OF THE WEEK column.
Meanwhile Keith and I, as well I am sure as young athletes team manager Dave Taylor, would like to congratulate all those who made such a big effort on behalf of the club to keep us right up there in the hot seat!
Mike Down
.
Track and Field News
Male
1/ Yannick Budd again broke the 60h U20 Club Record with a 8.69 run that gave him the Gold Medal at the Welsh Open Champs on Sunday. Yannick, who has had valuable advice from European U20 Champion, Lawrence Clarke this week knocked another tenth of a second of his pb set at Bath last week. Yannick started very poorly by stumbling in his first stride but then showed his great strength by overhauling the leader to win by one hundredth of a second.
Female
1/ This great performance was not reported last week so it is worth reiterating this week. Christina Jones improved her Hammer pb to 46.38m at Alexander Stadium on Sun 24th Jan. This surpassed her previous pb of 45.97m set at Par last September. Christina was due a breakthrough and has been throwing well in excess of this new pb in training. She is benefiting from extra expert guidance from UK Record Holder, Lorraine Shaw. Infact Lorraine has now set a new benchmark and Christina is forbidden to throw less than 46.38 in all future competitions. Keep it going stina.
Officials
I reiterate our crying need for people to gain a simple Officiating qualification. The next course will be held on 28th March and will probably be held at Yate. We already have two B&W members who wish to attend -- please don't feel shy in putting your name to that list. Let me know of your intention and I will smooth the way for you. Costs will be covered by Avon AA.
Mike Strange
.
1/ Yannick Budd again broke the 60h U20 Club Record with a 8.69 run that gave him the Gold Medal at the Welsh Open Champs on Sunday. Yannick, who has had valuable advice from European U20 Champion, Lawrence Clarke this week knocked another tenth of a second of his pb set at Bath last week. Yannick started very poorly by stumbling in his first stride but then showed his great strength by overhauling the leader to win by one hundredth of a second.
Female
1/ This great performance was not reported last week so it is worth reiterating this week. Christina Jones improved her Hammer pb to 46.38m at Alexander Stadium on Sun 24th Jan. This surpassed her previous pb of 45.97m set at Par last September. Christina was due a breakthrough and has been throwing well in excess of this new pb in training. She is benefiting from extra expert guidance from UK Record Holder, Lorraine Shaw. Infact Lorraine has now set a new benchmark and Christina is forbidden to throw less than 46.38 in all future competitions. Keep it going stina.
Officials
I reiterate our crying need for people to gain a simple Officiating qualification. The next course will be held on 28th March and will probably be held at Yate. We already have two B&W members who wish to attend -- please don't feel shy in putting your name to that list. Let me know of your intention and I will smooth the way for you. Costs will be covered by Avon AA.
Mike Strange
.
Friday, 29 January 2010
A New Dawn Beckons
Salvation at last! Our "everlasting" campaign to give Bristol the track and field facilities the city has long coveted was finally rewarded on Thursday night (28th January) when the proposed twin development of a 6-lane training track in conjunction with the City Academy at the club's old headquarters at Packers ground in Whitehall together with the upgrading of the Filton College track to a fully appointed 8-lane competition arena was passed unanimously by the City's cabinet.
It is anticipated that both sites should be up and running by the end of this year, with the Packers track scheduled for completion by September. While I am sure we may all feel these dates are on the ambitious side, the funding is in place and there is no reason why, weather permitting, we should not be using both facilities within the next year.
I would like to thank all those who have spent countless hours in helping us make this finally happen, and now it is up to our athletes to take over and prove that our efforts have not been in vain. There will be no excuses now, so let's make this new dawn the launchpad to make Bristol and West once again one of the top track and field clubs in Britain. We have done it on the road and cross country and there is no reason now, with the new infrastructure and the initiatives it will allow us to roll out, that we can't achieve the same success in track and field.
MIKE DOWN
(Chairman)
It is anticipated that both sites should be up and running by the end of this year, with the Packers track scheduled for completion by September. While I am sure we may all feel these dates are on the ambitious side, the funding is in place and there is no reason why, weather permitting, we should not be using both facilities within the next year.
I would like to thank all those who have spent countless hours in helping us make this finally happen, and now it is up to our athletes to take over and prove that our efforts have not been in vain. There will be no excuses now, so let's make this new dawn the launchpad to make Bristol and West once again one of the top track and field clubs in Britain. We have done it on the road and cross country and there is no reason now, with the new infrastructure and the initiatives it will allow us to roll out, that we can't achieve the same success in track and field.
MIKE DOWN
(Chairman)
Performances Of The Week
SENIORS
1 ROBBIE BUGDEN - Rob continued his return to form running for the RAF by inflicting defeat on Blackpool international Anthony Ford to score an impressive victory in a cross-country match against teams representing the British Fire Brigade, British Police and the Civil Service. This latest success should give him renewed confidence for this Saturday's Midland championships at Stafford.
2 CLAIRE HALLISSEY - Claire celebrated her international cross-country debut by finishing 16th in a high-class field in last weekend's McCains UK Cross Challenge race in Antrim. Although the best part of two minutes down on the winner Mary Cullen, she was less than a minute down on recently crowned European champion Hayley Yelling-Higham, who took 5th place. She too will be looking to make a strong challenge in Saturday's Midland championships as she finished well clear of one of the other leading contenders for the title Tina Brown from Coventry.
3 DAVE GREEN - Dave proved that he is making a steady return to form by dipping under 16 minutes again to finish a close 4th in 15:55 at the latest Bridge Inn 5K road race, in which just 8 seconds covered the first five home.
Although not quite reaching top three ranking status this week, mention is also due to VICKY TESTER and HOLLY WILLIAMSON, who turned in two creditable efforts. Vicky posted a much better time than of late in the Bridge Inn 5K, clocking 18:45, while Holly was only just pipped for second place in the inaugural Lawrence Weston Moorland multi-terrain 10K.
U20 JUNIORS
1 ROSEMARY HURFORD - Rosemary continued to make her increasing presence felt in the Hurford family running dynasty by finishing a close second just 7 seconds behind the favourite Marcia Bower from Bath.in the Avon Schools Senior Girls cross-country championship. Could she yet go on to follow in her mother's footsteps as a member of the senior team?
There were no other U20 junior performances for consideration this week as the Wessex League event was cancelled.
MASTERS
1 MICK O'DOHERTY - Mick continued his build up to his 50th birthday next, month by beating all bar Bideford's Dan Mapp of the 265 finishers in the Alby Memorial 10M road race at Braunton in North Devon, covering the tough undulating course in 58:14.
2 PHIL PARRY - Phil showed he is beginning to find his racing feet again by matching strides with his younger rivals in that thrilling finish to Tuesday's Bridge Inn 5K. Although having eventually to concede defeat, he also broke 16 minutes and was only 8 seconds behind the winner in 5th place.
3 JON GOODLAND - As consistent as ever Jon again took the V50 accolade in the Bridge Inn 5K race, clocking another impressive time of 17:33 for the 5K distance.
Now for those Midland championships. Keith and I wish everyone of our runners the best of luck. Let's make it a medal haul and prove we are the Midlands' top club.
Mike Down
.
1 ROBBIE BUGDEN - Rob continued his return to form running for the RAF by inflicting defeat on Blackpool international Anthony Ford to score an impressive victory in a cross-country match against teams representing the British Fire Brigade, British Police and the Civil Service. This latest success should give him renewed confidence for this Saturday's Midland championships at Stafford.
2 CLAIRE HALLISSEY - Claire celebrated her international cross-country debut by finishing 16th in a high-class field in last weekend's McCains UK Cross Challenge race in Antrim. Although the best part of two minutes down on the winner Mary Cullen, she was less than a minute down on recently crowned European champion Hayley Yelling-Higham, who took 5th place. She too will be looking to make a strong challenge in Saturday's Midland championships as she finished well clear of one of the other leading contenders for the title Tina Brown from Coventry.
3 DAVE GREEN - Dave proved that he is making a steady return to form by dipping under 16 minutes again to finish a close 4th in 15:55 at the latest Bridge Inn 5K road race, in which just 8 seconds covered the first five home.
Although not quite reaching top three ranking status this week, mention is also due to VICKY TESTER and HOLLY WILLIAMSON, who turned in two creditable efforts. Vicky posted a much better time than of late in the Bridge Inn 5K, clocking 18:45, while Holly was only just pipped for second place in the inaugural Lawrence Weston Moorland multi-terrain 10K.
U20 JUNIORS
1 ROSEMARY HURFORD - Rosemary continued to make her increasing presence felt in the Hurford family running dynasty by finishing a close second just 7 seconds behind the favourite Marcia Bower from Bath.in the Avon Schools Senior Girls cross-country championship. Could she yet go on to follow in her mother's footsteps as a member of the senior team?
There were no other U20 junior performances for consideration this week as the Wessex League event was cancelled.
MASTERS
1 MICK O'DOHERTY - Mick continued his build up to his 50th birthday next, month by beating all bar Bideford's Dan Mapp of the 265 finishers in the Alby Memorial 10M road race at Braunton in North Devon, covering the tough undulating course in 58:14.
2 PHIL PARRY - Phil showed he is beginning to find his racing feet again by matching strides with his younger rivals in that thrilling finish to Tuesday's Bridge Inn 5K. Although having eventually to concede defeat, he also broke 16 minutes and was only 8 seconds behind the winner in 5th place.
3 JON GOODLAND - As consistent as ever Jon again took the V50 accolade in the Bridge Inn 5K race, clocking another impressive time of 17:33 for the 5K distance.
Now for those Midland championships. Keith and I wish everyone of our runners the best of luck. Let's make it a medal haul and prove we are the Midlands' top club.
Mike Down
.
Thursday, 28 January 2010
Avon Schools XC Championships 2010
from Blaise Castle
A more inclusive list from the Avon Schools;
Senior Girls
2nd Rosemary Hurford
13th Verity Brunwin
Inter Girls
1st Olivia Sadler
Junior Girls
1st Miranda Sadler
7th Hannah Cockram
15th Amy Reade
Inter Boys
4th Luke Jacobs
7th Zac Tobias
13th Zac Marsh
23rd Dan Bagnall
Junior Boys
1 Miles Chandler
4th Lewis Nightingale
23rd Jack Last
From the girls perspective credit has to go to Miranda Sadler for the way that she attacked the course, Olivia Sadler for the way she overcame a quality performer in Aoife Thorogood of Mendip AC and Rosemary Hurford who held her nerve and worked her way through from the back of the field to finish within seven seconds of winner Marcia Bower of Team Bath.
Both Hannah Cockram and Amy Reade ran much better than in qualifying. Hannah dropped only two places with the inclusion of the other three areas.
In the Inter Boys race both Luke Jacobs and Zac Tobias did well to finish as both were suffering from colds.
A more inclusive list from the Avon Schools;
Senior Girls
2nd Rosemary Hurford
13th Verity Brunwin
Inter Girls
1st Olivia Sadler
Junior Girls
1st Miranda Sadler
7th Hannah Cockram
15th Amy Reade
Inter Boys
4th Luke Jacobs
7th Zac Tobias
13th Zac Marsh
23rd Dan Bagnall
Junior Boys
1 Miles Chandler
4th Lewis Nightingale
23rd Jack Last
From the girls perspective credit has to go to Miranda Sadler for the way that she attacked the course, Olivia Sadler for the way she overcame a quality performer in Aoife Thorogood of Mendip AC and Rosemary Hurford who held her nerve and worked her way through from the back of the field to finish within seven seconds of winner Marcia Bower of Team Bath.
Both Hannah Cockram and Amy Reade ran much better than in qualifying. Hannah dropped only two places with the inclusion of the other three areas.
In the Inter Boys race both Luke Jacobs and Zac Tobias did well to finish as both were suffering from colds.
Bridge Inn Results
The results of last night's Bridge Inn 5k are now online. Conditions were good if a little chilly for the the 102 finishers. The race at the front was keenly fought with only 8 seconds separating the first five finishers. Allister Sheffield (Team Bath) won the men's race in a time of 15:49 while Debbie Marsden (Westbury Harriers) took the women's race in 17:40. Well done to the marshals and spectators who had to stand in the cold - for once I was glad to be running.
Results available here;
Results available here;
Click to view
Monday, 25 January 2010
A late reminder
The next Bridge Inn 5k takes place tomorrow night (26th Jan). Registration from 6:30. Race start at 7:30.
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