AFF_Archive2006

As we close the book on yet another successful year for the Club it is time to tidy up a few remaining events. The Marathon Championship is contested over the calendar year and awarded for the best performances over the distance. Over the year, 33 marathons were completed by Club members and the final results are.

Date	Name	Time	Venue	Age Rating	Category
11-Jun-2006	Sarah Thomson	3:22:15	Edinburgh	68.73%	Senior
23-Apr-2006	Carole Lydon	4:01:28	London	64.85%	V35
23-Apr-2006	Valerie Von Arx	4:56:43	London	52.29%	V45
23-Apr-2006	Adrian Wadsworth	2:59:45	London	70.75%	Senior
3-Dec-2006	Richard Jones	3:12:13	Luton	70.09%	V40
2-Apr-2006	Nick Stone	4:18:47	Bungay Black Dog	59.06%	V50

The Grand Prix Leagues also are concluded at the end of the year. This, supposedly, "bit of fun", event was well contested during the year. Adam Peters just edged out Ady Wadsworth, by virtue of head to head count back, to take the Eagles League title. Martin Beare managed to snatch the Ospreys title from Phil Clarke on the last day of competition. James Atkins took the Falcons title with an economy of effort, winning clearly from Richard Pillinger, despite running in only 5 GP events. Val von Arx and Becky Fleckney took the Herons and Kingfishers titles. No title is awarded for the Hawks league because no one completed more than one GP event.

The leagues have been reviewed and adjusted for the coming year and will be published via this page during January before replacing last years tables.

In practice, the bottom leagues will be considered to be one large league with people moving into and out of Kingfishers as points are scored. If we get sufficient people from those leagues competing in GP events, then they will split into more formal leagues.

I have also updated the annual Age Related Performance table - Click here to view and see how you really rate against your colleagues, and more importantly against the passing years.

9 Flyers had entered this the last race of the year, Mike Petty and Robbie Craig didn't make the start through illness. So 7 flyers made the start. This was my last ditch attempt to win the Grand Prix league, I was jointly leading with Phil Clarke before this race, thus needing 1 point. I needed to finish 1st or 2nd flyer to gain my point.

So this left me with Bobby Riddaway, Dave Sabey, and an on form Rick Hollingsworth to deal with, a tall order given my excess weight and on going shin splint problems, still hurting from boxing day.

So we were off with 539 other runners, the course was as you would expect, flat and open which would have been ok but the wind was out at play and would have tested the best in the second half of the race.

I maintained 2nd spot throughout the race, however such was my commitment on the last hill back into the village, I started to gag and vomit which allowed Rick to close in, and 100 yards to the finish Rick challenged me to the line close or what. Point in the bag chuffed or what? A sweet end to what had been an eventful years running. The girls had strong performances 2 with PB's as did Rick.

A very well organised and atmospheric event, the lone Scottish piper at the start and finish gave a great seasonal flavour to the proceedings.

At the start of December, a 10 miler in between Christmas and the New Year seemed a very good idea. I knew that my alcohol and food consumption would go up and what better way that to fight off the flab? My only drawback was that I forgot quite how much it would go up by! Pre-race week saw seven very, very solid days and nights of partying. My concessions the night before were to drink Budweiser instead of the numerous and varied cocktails that were flying around, slightly less although still impressive amounts of vino and to pass on the whisky that was being offered around 1am. Needless to say my time was somewhat effected as a result. Actually, I knew going to the race I had no intentions of running as fast as I could and as a result really enjoyed it. No pressure, was able to chat to a few peeps on the way round and managed to stave off a bit of Christmas guilt as well.

This was a well organised and interesting race. A little undulating in parts but lots of marshals, nice country route traffic free and enough water stations. Despite all of my pre-race training, great way to finish off the year. Now as for the party that started when I got home……

Arriving early to size up the opposition Tim & Adam prepared for the Boxing Day Run at Pirton. The field were lead off by race organizer, Dil Witherill, for most of the first lap before being swallowed by the field. Tim& Adam's scouting paid dividends as they tracked their main rival, Grant Ramsay, twice around the sports field before negotiating a tricky gate, heading off into the country. From my vantage point you point you could pick the fun runners as they squirmed to avoid the early patch of mud on what was otherwise ideal running conditions. Barely had I established a new viewing position when I picked out a red and white vest approaching down the path. Adam had drawn away from second and third placed men, Grant & Tim, as he made his way back through the gates and back onto the field. As Adam moved away Tim drew along side Grant and pulled away to open up a sizeable gap to make it a one-two for the club. The first 3 all beat Tim's course record, set last year. This is a fun run, raising funds for the local school so no trophies are awarded although everyone, well the first 200, get a bottle "Boxing Day Ale". A well organized event providing a welcome break from the excesses of the season and is developing into a competitive event with more than 250 finishers in the main race. 14 flyers were spotted taking part in a last scramble for GP points including a first run in club colours for Vincent Hollingsworth. Well it would have been his first run in club colours if the kit secretary had been able to find a small enough vest for him. Revenge is sweet as he beat his mum across the line.

On Sunday, 17 December thirty-two Flyers braved a trip to rolling hills just south of surround Letchworth for the 3rd race of the 2006/7 campaign.

As in previous years North Herts RR embraced the festive period to the extent that marshals were donned Santa hats and a mince pie mountain greeted the finishers.

The usual format of an 11am start and an undulating course bathed in crisp winter sunshine. However, this was a course that has been soaking up the wet for weeks and conditions underfoot were to prove a real challenge. Few will forget the ascent from 2.5m where sticky mud unsettled most and made for weary legs.

The 2006 season has been undermined by injury and Letchworth was no different. However, an improving Flyers score of 290 shouldn't be sniffed at and there were some fine performances in the closing stages, not least by Ed Druce

(90th), Jim Dodds (108; 2nd vet) and Tom Pearsall (119th). Adam Peters (8th) made a welcome return from injury and a powerful Tony Cole (56th) finished very strongly, but damaged a calf in the final sprint.

Continued training and the return of injured colleagues bode well for 2007 and should give Bedford Harriers something to think about.

Many thanks for the hospitality shown by NHRR, it rounded off a fantastic day of racing on a course that, although not memorable with landmarks etc., it remains a challenge in the XC diary.

Thanks also to Phil Bierton and Anthea Cozens for giving up their time to manage the results of our runners and somehow have them submitted 30 minutes before the other teams, [Webmaster] even if they can't add up !

A windy night meant that the outward half was tough going but we flew along on the return half. I borrowed Gary Morris’s number for the evening which unfortunately meant this was the first time he’d ever been beaten by his daughter, Michelle! Phil Clarke managed to run exactly the same time as he ran in the first of the series equaling PB and V55 record. Peter Benedickter Jr finished the series as first Junior and 8th overall

This is a well-organised half marathon that also acted as our Club Championships – but where were all our top male runners? - had the Luton Relay tired them all out from the week before? as it was, Kieron Lewis was left to race to Club Champion, uncontested finishing 51^st overall in 1.22.53. Behind Kieron was a good race for 2^nd spot. I had started fast and was out on my own for the first few miles. Bedford is an undulating course, particularly the first 8 miles but if your feeling good coming through Cranfied from 9.5 miles the course drops all the way back into Wootton.

At 3.5 miles both Zac and Tim pasted me and for the next half a mile all three of us worked closely together up the hill. Despite Zac pushing on into 2^nd spot it was Tim (1.31.42) who was eventually the stronger clinching 2nd Club place and Vet 40 Champion. Zac (1.32.43) finished a minute further back and myself, closing on Zac in the final miles, a further 16 seconds behind (1.32.59). In the Ladies race it was an excellent run by Paula James (1.37.14 and a PB I believe) that saw her become Club Champion with Philippa Jamieson Vet Champion.

This event was also the County 1/2 Marathon Championships. Paula James was 2nd V40 lady & Nick Stone was 2nd V60. Kieron Lewis would have been County Champion if he had entered. Of 25 entrants in the race we only had 4 that bothered to enter the County Champs. I know it's a chore to enroll on the day but you never know what you, or the Club, may win!

It was a wee bit windy at Luton and a touch damp underfoot, but given the forecast and the howling wind in the middle of the night, it was better than expected. The great thing about Luton is that it mixes in a relay, which meant a good turnout of flyers. Well done the elite lads who took 2^nd in the relay (with a name like that it was just as well they did!) and to everyone else who turned out. Big respect to Mr.Jones. It was a little challenging in places due mainly to the wind, although the inclines were quite small. Very well marshalled with all cars being stopped to let us pass. Even though it’s a 3 lap course, the fact that you can go through the supporters was a boost and by the time you start to hurt your on your last lap anyway. A number of bottles of ice cold Corona that didn’t touch the side going down and a pizza in front of the TV never tasted better. I hope Ady enjoyed the panto!

On Sunday, 3 December a maelstrom of Flyers ignored Met Office advice and turned out to tackle the Luton Marathon and Relay. In fact, with 7 relay teams (which must be a club record), including three Nice'n' Easy combos, it's fair to say that the Flyers had more team entries than any other club.

Conditions were far from ideal with a blustering westerly doing its best to hamper progress, but at least the rain cleared and we even glimpsed a few shafts of sunlight mid morning. Also, I imagine that the course only encourages urgent times due to a fear of being mugged in the rise through Bury Park.

An interesting start at Lee Manor Recreation Centre saw the front runners (inc Tim Harris) tear round the first roundabout and then up Northwell Drive towards Barton Hills. As usual, the pace was excessively quick with a fleet few nudging 5:20 min/miling before adrenaline made way for a dose of traditional lactic.

Tim kept the pressure on at the front to average 5:45 min/miling on the first 8.5m leg. However, an impressive run by London University's Saningo Martyn (46:05) meant that Tim could only capture a solid 2nd (49:46). Ady Wadsworth (53:51) took over the mantle for the Flyers Elite Men and reduced the University's lead. However, a strong run from Dion Harris (Thames Sigma Turbo Sport) saw the teams swap positions at the interchange. Into the final leg then and with trophies up for grabs.

Stephen Hartley caught 3K specialist, Harry Sprignall (Thames Sigma Turbo Sport) after 1/2 mile and the two ran together for a further mile. Then, wind on the back, an opportunity arrived to up the pace along the A6 and Sprignall fell away. Just a question of keeping it going and not being distracted by a buffeting wind that was particularly disruptive on the stretch from Streatley to Sundon. In the event, Stephen reduced the gap with a final leg best (51:18) which brought the Flyers team home 2nd in 2:34:55. However, London University's first leg lead was insurmountable.

Richard Jones impressed to finish 50th (3:12:13) and slash 14 mins off a PB and gained a "Good for Age" qualification for London..

Also, the Flyers were represented by long distance specialists Paul Owen (3:30:59; 117th)) and Spike McIntosh (5:26:15; 451st).

These performances are all the more impressive when one considers the conditions that these ultra-distance athletes had to endure.

A last minute replacement (Saturday night!) for the Luton Lost Boys, I ran the 1st leg in 1.01.37. (team were 26th overall)

Enjoyable despite the wind and a tough climb upto Streatley but just glad I wasn't doing the full marathon of 3 laps. Passed by Chris Jenart in one of the Flyers teams in the last half mile when I had to stop to re-tie my shoe lace - and what's the golden rule for runners to check before they start a race!!

Also spotted Mike Alcock & Martin Spedding in the results running for Harlington Crawlers but no split times!

4 races in four days. Traveled with members of Leighton Buzzard, North Herts and Milton Keynes running clubs to form Dimmock Dimmonds in memory of Paul Dimmock, who died recently and was due to go to Lanzarote to compete in his 12th Challenge. Full report will be sent to the Newsletter. Astrid McKeown, running for Dimmock Diamonds and a member of North Herts won the Ladies competition in a combined time of 3hrs 10mins 11secs.

10K Road Race 42.45 82nd

13K Ridge Run 55.50 72nd

5K Beach Run 23.01 70th

21K Across Island Race 1.32.09 69th

Combined Time 3.33.44 - Average Min/K 4.22

65th Overall (155 Male Runners completed the Challenge) and 6th in Age Group 50 -54.

This is Bernd Pichler from Shanghai, China, again to report my result from this year's Shanghai Marathon (26.11.2006). I finished 389th out of 11,000 runners competing in the Full and Half-Marathon. The winner was a Kenyian who needed 2:15 to complete this quite awful course. I was really disappointed as Shanghai really has fantatsic places to offer as a scenery to delight runners, but instead they send you through industrial suburbs to ramp up the mileage whilst you are permanently accompanied by the normal traffic on the opposite lanes. It was my 20th marathon and definitely the worst in terms off route. Moreover my wife surprised me half an hour before I planned to go to bed the evening before the race with two tickets for the most famous dancing ball in Shanghai. She meant I should compensate her for the time I spent on running training by joining her - brilliant timing!. So we swept the dance floor until 3:30 in the morning-thanks babe! I was really grateful, when I got up at 5:30, as the start was at 7:30. I tried my best, which admittedly was not a lot this morning and after the 1:37 half marathon I said farewell to my sub 3:00 ambitions. Anyway I was quite pleased to finish in 3:32. All in all I have to advices for you guys: 1) Do not run the Shanghai Marathon - there are much nicer ones and 2) Make sure you satisfy your partners right in time when you have neglected them!

I took part in the Bingley Harriers, Harriers v.Cyclists event on Saturday in Yorkshire. It was a muddy, off road, 6 mile course with 700 feet of ascent with runners competing against cyclists. I was 43rd in a time 48.36 which wasn't too bad considering that its very difficult to practice for those conditions in London!

The event was won by Rob Jebb (of International fell running fame) on a bike, with Ian Holmes third. The runners won overall, however, with the first ten finishers of each scoring.

I’m sure I’m going to get soaked and cold any day soon, but the weather was great again for this late-November race. It was just a little windy, but as it’s a there-and-back course I suppose that get’s evened out over the race. It is a very twisty course, and quite slippery with some rain to soak the leaves in the morning (can you see what it is yet? Yup, an attempt at an excuse!). Not a PB this time, but having never really got going in Stevenage a week ago I did feel that I’d given this one everything I had.

I think that this event is a great way to get a bonus out of having to slog down to London every day. Are there really no other Flyer commuters who fancy having a go? The series runs all year, last Friday of every month.

Campbell Park is a bit of a surprise package. It nestles behind the hedges adjacent to the shopping centre at MK, looking fairly innocuous. The reality could not be more different.

With both the 5KM and 10KM courses long (the organiser mentioned 6KM and 12KM- watch said 11KM), with multi laps, it was always going to be a tester. The hill to be endured at the end of each lap (4 times for the 10KM) is the steepest that I have negotiated in any XC race. It is a monster and being in the vicinity of the start finish area there's plenty of support at the top, if nothing else, encouraging you to keep 'running'.

The upside is, that having negotiated said hill, the next 0.75 mile is flattish or downhill. The back of the lap, from the bottom of the park to 'the hill' is the reverse. Having finished one lap you seriously question whether you have the strength of character for another three.

There's plenty of opportunity on switchbacks etc. to view the opposition and for this reason (and the technicality of the course) I can't help but come to the conclusion that it would suit the likes of Mr Hartley.

Jack Benedickter performed particularly well, finishing in a great 4th and putting the pressure on his father (who also delivered the goods in the 10KM).

It's a shame that it clashes with our XC league races. Having put a stake in the ground it would be useful to race it again, knowing the course better and mentally preparing for the arduous task ahead. It is one of those outings that that leaves you with a satisfied grin, it is that damned challenging.

As last year it was another great event, well organised and the runners very well looked after.

There were a good selection of Flyers taking part and with Ady Wadsworth the only 'top' runner from the club there were 49 Grand Prix up for grabs.

Everyone assembled at RAF Henlow and were then taken by coach to Old Warden at the Shuttleworth Collection (bizarrely just 200 yards from the previous Sundays XC league race). We had 20 minutes to wait before the start of the race which was fine as the weather was mild. I eyed up my fellow Flyers and identified Rick H and Martin as possible rivals for that coveted 2^nd club spot behind the Chairman.

All of a sudden the starting gun went off and many were caught off guard still chatting.

I went off quickly but was soon overtaken by Martin and caught by Rick. We were convinced Beare had gone off way too fast and would struggle in the second half, however he continued to pull away at an alarming rate. I ran with Rick for 8 miles battling against a stiff southerly breeze. At that point we tackled the toughest hill on the course just South of Shefford and Rick showed his greater stamina and started to pull away. The last 2 miles were very hard work and the finish line was a very welcome site. Rick and I never did catch Martin who made a welcome return to form.

We were warmly greeted with a chocolate bar and tea/orange juice. A pile of cakes awaited us in the main hall and it wasn’t long before I’d started to replace some of the 1600 calories my Garmin watch told me I’d burnt up in the race.

There were some good performances from the ladies with a number of PBs. My legs felt like jelly that evening and I wondered how Martin and Annie were getting on at their second race of the day – the Stevenage 5K!

The first of the three Stevenage 5K's unfortunately clashed with the Henlow 10, so probably had a slightly smaller field running than would have otherwise been the case. The double booking didn't deter Martin or Annie, who both decided that 10 miles of racing just wasn't enough for them. Congratulations to Phil Clarke who cracked his target milestone and achieved his first 'under 20' result for 5K, breaking Sedgers' V55 Club record.

Tough luck on young Peter Benedictor, whose time of 17:01 was just 2 seconds off an 80% performance rating. Something to aim for next time!

I guess that I wouldn't be too far wrong if I said that 99% of us had not run this park/course previously. For those of us in the dark what a 'pleasant surprise' it turned out to be.

Initial thoughts when travelling up the main drive was that the course looked a little contrived and did not really follow any landmarks. Having raced the thing I would suggest that it is a proper XC course, with a good mixture of all things off-road, including eight thousand and forty-one sheep!

Following a minute's silence in respect of Remembrance Sunday, a very large field of runners set off on a jaunt through the lovely parklands at Shuttleworth College. The house is spectacular and pretty much dominated whichever part of the course you happened to be on. What appeared to be two minor inclines on the warm-up lap, were in fact 'mountains by stealth', bad enough on the first lap and of epic proportions on the second. Fortunately, each was followed by a downhill section and therefore a half chance of sucking some air back in to your lungs.

The usual gaps soon opened up and the section which skirted the periphery of the reservoir afforded runners the chance to encourage team mates and to take a sneaky look at where you were compared to your peers. The field was certainly spread out over a large area, more evident at this particular venue due to the nature of the course.

We saw the usual pecking order at the front, with the fast girls and boys finishing as the form book would suggest, Tim coming in third, with Steve Hartley fourth, in his first XC outing this season. Nobby wasn’t firing on all cylinders and yet still finished highly, narrowly pipped to the finish by the first lady runner, Kirsty Whigham of Wootton Road Runners (sorry Nobby, I had to do it!).

The ladies finished encouragingly, with Michelle, Paula and Caroline packing well (20^th, 22nd and 24^th respectively), 3 of 14 ladies who turned out for the club.

Further down the field it was a sea of red. The Flyers had a huge turnout, with 37 runners finishing the race (a number that could easily creep to 40 plus were it not for injuries). This is good news for the club as we have been trying to encourage more of our members to participate and we are obviously making great progress.

We finished in another sound fourth place, to follow the fourth place from the first race. We have Wellingborough chasing our heels (pun) so if we wish to go to the finals we will have to stay on our toes (another pun) as we will need to secure at least fourth at the end of the season.

Many thanks for your support and the full results will be posted on the website shortly.

This was a course which played into the hands of the runners as it had some longish runs in the first half. A large 'out-of-bounds' near the start proved to be the prison so was well left alone. Despite some muddy bits near the paths it was a fairly dry run with some well hidden points. Next event is at Caldicotte Lake on November 26th. Details on www.SMOC.info

A beautiful, sunny day, pleasant temperatures and a piper playing us out of the stadium to the start line (well you can’t have everything).

Stevenage is a deceptively challenging course. It requires discipline and constant changes of pace as you negotiate the undulating cycle-ways.

Event was (despite some confusion at the start) well organised and marshalled and the finish on the tartan track in front of crowded stands encouraged me to hang on through the back straight and end with a sprint.

A cracking time from Nick Stone to get 7^th position in the V60 category in his first ever half marathon.

As for James Atkins, as usual he was so far ahead of me I can’t say too much about it. I managed to stay in touch for about the first mile, before he disappeared over the horizon.

New York, New York, so good they named it 26,385 times! I dont think I could have chosen a better marathon for my first (although some of the more experienced Flyers may be able to advise differently), but the atmosphere and setting (not to mention the weather - 12 degrees and still)were simply superb. Combine that with over 38,000 runners and an estimated 2 million spectators and the whole experience was electric.

The race itself covers every NY borough. Starting on Staten Island, it crosses a (steep!) bridge into Brooklyn where the first few miles were so congested, the only way to spend time was high-fiving the spectators at the side! It was relatively flat through halfway into Queens before another bridge climb at 15 miles across into Manhattan for a run North on 1st Avenue to 20 miles into the Bronx, back south into Harlem at 21 miles and the hills

(sadists!) of Central Park for the last 3 miles. A time of 3:41 achieved my goal of sub-3:45 (and a top 20% placing). Thanks to all my fellow Flyers for their wise words on training and race strategy which were invaluable.

Now for my next objective......to persuade the check-in agent that although I may only look 5'9", I am actually 6'5" and reeaaallllly need an extra leg room seat - otherwise the way my legs feel, I may need to be folded off the aircraft in Heathrow...

It was always going to be a tough one. It was the first race of the season, lots of new faces, not just at our club but others also, and a few faces missing.

The weather was perfect, one of those rare occasions when the sun is out and yet you are not too hot.

It was a little disconcerting, 15 minutes before the start, that there was no sign of the start or finish lines! In fairness to Wootton, they tend not to have the start marked out, relying on our common sense and their experience to deliver. No finish though..hhmm, I could just imagine completing 2 laps only to be sent on one more whilst they knock-up a finish area. Fears unfounded though as it was where it should have been in time for the first runners back.

As courses go, this isn't too tough. There is the long drag up the hill (1km) but get your pace right (on both laps) and it is relatively do-able. I guess that the sucker punch comes when you realise that a large proportion of the loop is flat and you up the pace to suit. It is this factor that that leaves you yearning for the finish.

The course was dry for the most part, with even the traditional bog-bound woods giving us this year off. Front runners were as to be expected with Paul Farmer and Tim Harris leading the way, with a void (which will be filled by Steve Hartley and Adam Peters for the next race) before our next runners made an appearance. Matt Jones, in particular, had a fantastic run, maturing nicely towards his full potential and being rewarded with 25 th place.

On the ladies front, for which we had great representation, we had quite an even spread throughout the race pack, with seemingly endless ladies coming through for us. My hands and throat are still sore from clapping and cheering runners in!

On the results front, we were fourth overall, not our usual dizzy heights of standard, but still good out of 11 teams. The full results will be posted on the web shortly. If not on the 3 counties website (via a link on the AFF site), you will be able to find them via Wellingborough's club website.

Well done to all those involved, especially you XC virgins. Roll on the next race, hosted by Biggleswade AC at Shuttleworth College, on 12 November.

A good race that I discovered last year and am now hooked!, 9 miles around Chorleywood and little Chalfont a few challenging hills, great support from the locals, the sponsoring companies and an excellent goody bag thrown in! thoroughly recommended

Weather on Saturday was very wet with low cloud, improving with some sun on Sunday. Terrain was rugged, very wet & boggy in places, with tussocky grass due to lack of grazing slowing progress. We did see some wild goats!

On Sunday, 22 October Ampthill & Flitwick Flyers proudly presented the Ampthill Trophy.

Billed as a cross country curtain raiser, this annual favourite drew hardened souls to Ampthill Park from far and wide. Also, a spot of rain overnight encouraged moist conditions underfoot and, despite a grim forecast, the showers stayed at bay.

At 10:20, with marker flags in place and a squadron of well-briefed marshals, Race Starter Andy Atherton sent the junior athletes on their way. There was the inevitable frenzy of elbows as the juniors looked for an early advantage. Riverside Runners' Tom Stead (U13) might not be tallest of athletes be he more than made up for this with a convincing run (8:03) that netted 1st U13 Boy, with Jack Benedikter (Luton AC) as runner up . Not to be out done, Sarah Pike (Stevenage & N.Herts AC) battled with Jade Nettleton to finish as 1st U13 Girl. The 13-17yr old juniors went on to complete a second lap and it was pleasing to see a fluent Richard Pawlak (Peterborough AC) finish first in 14:48, tracked by runner up Daniel Woodgate (Luton AC) who beat many juniors that were two years older. First U17 Girl was Alice Middleton (Biggleswade AC) in 18:11, with Juliet Colley (Bedford & County) only 6 seconds behind.

For the Main Race (8K) the Flyers welcomed the return of GB Marathon star Huw Lobb and Claire Pusey (Burnham Joggers) was back to defend the Ladies title that she won in 2005. At 11am Race Starter Andy Atherton called his charges to the line and released them to tackle the traditional 2-lap course.

The throng surged away, left around a coppice and then athletes settled into their stride as they descended into a valley to join the main course. At the front Huw Lobb and Neil Miller (Bedford & County) ran shoulder-to-shoulder demonstrating the finer aspects of cross country technique. The pair stuck together for the first lap and then Lobb grabbed the

opportunity to open a gap that was to prove decisive. The Men's Race was a much closer affair than 2005 with Huw Lobb recording 28:19, but Miller (28:37) always remained a danger and Peter Bridger (Luton AC) finished 3rd (30:01). Veteran prizes were collected by Alun Sainsbury (MV40; Dacorum & Tring AC) with spring chicken Geoff Newton (Tadworth AC) who punched ten years above his weight to finish 1st MV50 and MV60.

In the Ladies Race Claire Pusey (33:33) retained the Ladies Title to record a victory over Jackie Cooper (34:55) of Newbury AC, with Anna Litchfield in 3rd (36:49). Carole Cooper (Bedford Harriers) collected the FV45 prize and Margaret Chew (Stopsley Striders) was rewarded with 1st FV55.

Matt Jones (32:58; 11th) flew the flag for the Flyers with an accomplished run and dependable Vicky Adams (42:45; 11th) led the AFF Ladies Team home.

In the team competition it came as no surprise that a Bedford & County combo (Huw Lobb, Neil Miller & Jonathon Roots) collected the Men's Team Prize, while Debbie Bryant, Zoe Dawson and Natalie Darlow (Biggleswade AC) did well to beat a Bedford Harriers trio.

I completed the above race in Peterborogh (my second ever 1/2 marathon, the Great North 2 weeks before being the first) In 2.09.18 new pb in spite of severe cramp in both calves that put me out at 9 miles. It is Thanks to 3 members of the St John ambulance that I was able to continue after they administered intense massage to both legs.

Generally speaking this is a fantastic 10 miler, flat as you like, with only the coastal wind to contend with. This year it wasn't quiite so pleasant, with the heavens opening 15 minutes before kick-off and continuing apace until sometime Monday.

I think that we had 3 runners from the club taking part, with wife Ischelle and Chris Jenart braving the elements alongside me.

It's a big run this one, with 18000 runners setting off in 3 waves. You can imagine that it takes a bit of organising and they never fail to deliver. According to the clock the race started 5 seconds late, forgiveable under any circumstances, and we were duly led off by some reasonably quick fellas from Kenya, plus some not so quick F-list celebs. Before you know it you're 3 miles into the race sucking in air through every orifice and rueing an over enthusiastic start. 5 miles sees you running into the wind and this pretty much remains the state of play until you get to mile 8, whereby the last 2 miles traditionally takes you home with a tail wind (this year swapped for a cross wind). You certainly had to work at this last section of the race and it was quite pleasing to finally pass runners who's backsides you had been staring at for the last hour (in the platonic sense). Not the worst outing that I have had and not too disappointed with my time. I just missed the hour (by 46 seconds) so I guess another trek will be required next year.

Mr Jenart fared equally well, missing his target time of 70 minutes by just over 1 minute.

Ischelle will not let me publicise her time, as it was a training/back to fitness run, so at my peril it was circa 90 minutes, [Webmaster- It's on the Results page} not too bad given that she was winjured!

Dave Brown competed in the Word Ironman Championship in Kona, Hawaii over the weekend and finished in a fabulous position of 179th, in a total time of 9:36:14 His race stats are listed below.

RACE LEG	DISTANCE	PACE	POSITION
TOTAL SWIM	2.4 mi. (1:17:13)	2:01/100m	1062

FIRST BIKE SEGMENT	5 mi. (1:32:44)	22.76 mph
SECOND BIKE SEGMENT	28 mi. (2:35:32)	21.97 mph
THIRD BIKE SEGMENT	59 mi. (3:57:01)	22.83 mph
FOURTH BIKE SEGMENT	88 mi. (5:14:17)	22.52 mph
FINAL BIKE SEGMENT	112 mi. (6:10:03)	25.82 mph
TOTAL BIKE	112 mi. (4:50:30)	23.13 mph	241

FIRST RUN SEGMENT	5.2 mi. (6:53:10)	7:36/mile
SECOND RUN SEGMENT	17.6 mi. (8:28:32)	7:41/mile
RUN FINISH	26.2 mi. (9:36:14)	7:52/mile
TOTAL RUN	26.2 mi. (3:22:39)	7:44/mile	179

TRANSITION			TIME
T1: SWIM-TO-BIKE			2:20
T2: BIKE-TO-RUN			3:32

Here are results from this new orienteeering venture from SMOC yesterday. Low key & relatively easy courses for beginners. We did the Long 7.4k course.

There are 2 more events planned - see www.smoc.info if you're interested in giving thinking with running a try!

It was a lovely sunny day for a run around the Woburn parklands. They even reacted to criticism of the plastic cups for the water break, with plastic bottles that mean you can actually drink while on the move. A much smaller field than the last running of this event, just over 500 this time compared to about 1400 in February.

All put somewhat into perspective by a 6 month's pregnant Paula Radcliffe, who ran 10K in London over two minutes faster than all of us. She said that it was just a gentle jog, that's not quite how it felt to me.

ORANGE course - There were some 175 people in the park on Sunday all pretty much doing their own thing. If any one out there fancies a go at orienteering there is a series of low key events to be held this autumn in Milton Keynes. The details are on www.smoc.info . As you can see from the above you don't have to be a fast runner to do well!

Olivia and I completed the GNR in 2hrs 25 mins (our timing), crossing the line together and throughly enjoying the whole experience - which made up for the anxiety of dragging a junior round the longest distance she had ever tackled! We were prepared to walk, but ran the whole way, although slowed down at about 10 miles, for a grueling last 3, carried by the fantastic friendliness of the South Shields residents.

We started right at the back, about a mile from the line and it took us 30 minutes to cross the chip mats at a very slow stop/start walk. We had arrived about an hour and a half in advance and soaked up the happy party atmosphere enjoying spectating from the grass verges, which is all part of the GNR experience. Lining up with great friendly competitors all with huge senses of fun and humour, we laughed so much we forgot we were going to do a race.

Olivia's verdict immediately after the run was 'hardest thing ever done, never to be repeated', but by 10.00h yesterday she was recruiting friends at school to do it with again next year, so better register an interest straight away!

After months of trying Ady Wadsworth has at last managed to shave off those last few seconds to achieve an 80% age related performance. He ran 1500m at the Watford Open meeting in a time of 4:29.86 to join the elite band of club members who have managed to attain that level of performance. Also worth noting is that Peter Benedickter, who runs for Luton AC but has trained with us on a few occasions, ran 9:28.25 (84.85%) for the 3000m and yet he is only 14!

Straight ahead on the L, turn R, on the R, look L and straight ahead........OK so I exaggerate, but to a non-map reader like myself the written course directions provided may well have said this! You know that 'challenge' is right when the website advises that you do not need a map but it may come in handy! (thanks to Coach Lydon for the tip on the hole in the hedge!) Add to that my first ever multi-terrain race of note, first ever run to 20 miles and the warm temperatures. Having said that, this was an excellent, though tough, event, through beautiful countryside and villages and friendly competitors assisting each other with directions (and in getting lost I might add....you know who you are!). Not only can I recommend this event, but I have spotted a couple of picturesque spots to return with my trusty Canon and tripod! Now, what is the abbreviation for the nearest hostelry........

Flying for the ladies were Val von Arx, Becky Fleckney, Dawn Bird and myself and we saw George Arbuckle and Robbie who were doing the 20 miler - I can't find the official results - they are apparently posted on the site but I couldn't find them. Dawn is one of our long distance members and it was great to meet her we look forward to hearing news from her in the future and seeing her at the cross country.

It was a lovely day for a run across the country - so nice in fact Becky and I decided to run round the same field a couple of times!! Mostly well marked and very lovely friendly marshals made this well worth doing. Would recommend this to all.

A scenic route in the Clweddyn Hills (near Wrexham) organized by the Long Distance Walkers association with a choice of 14, 21 or 30 mile routes.

Saturday was a super cloudless sky in beautiful Mourne Mountains - but the toughest longest day I've ever had - much too long for a C course!

We didn't think we'd be back for the bus to get us to the airport so opted out of second day & took a low level route walk back to event centre. We felt like we'd done 2 days in the one!!

This was an event that I noticed last year but was unable to attend due to work, not to be caught out this year I booked well in advance; I'd also never been to the IOM so it was a was a perfect excuse to combine it with some sight seeing and to round it off the weather turned mild and sunny at the eleventh hour.

This was really a blind entry, 75km with 1500m of climbing didn't seem so bad, how wrong I was, this was possibly the most physically demanding endurance event I have ever undertaken ( I've not done a marathon yet so I'll let you know!).

The 10th running of this was challenge (race) had drawn a mixed group of 420 riders, of which around 30% were "off islanders", as we're so called.

Things didn't start that well, arriving at the IOM airport from Luton only to find that baggage handlers had failed to put my bike on board together with two others, luck would have it they were able to ship them down to Gatwick to catch the last flight of the day.

The first 22km was on flattish roads and as always you just seem to get dragged you along, faster that was probably wise to do so. After that you were either slogging up hill in the lowest gear or up or speeding down rock strewn tracks. After a very short while I was forced to push my bike up most of the hills, finding this not that much slower than trying to ride it, especially if you jogged a bit ( if you have Sky Sport it should be on in a few weeks, you may even see me pushing my bike!). The hills were unrelenting with a final uphill 12% 1km road section to finish off utterly exhausted but twenty cups of tea and 5lb of flapjack soon put me right.

The organisation was fantastic and the IOM tourist board together with some hotels provided excellent travel and accommodation deals, any one fancy it next year!

It was a good interesting route through very pretty countryside and a well organised event with a lovely village fete atmosphere at beginning and end, just suffered from being too hot!

Big race -nearly 7 000. 3 Clarkes competed. My wife in charge of baggage. My son his first marathon just under the magic 4 hrs and my daughter who smashed me in the half by a good mile. Very happy though with a 4 min improved PB 1hr 40 mins 28 sec. Cheered Paul Owen who did the marathon and was more than happy with his time on a hot day.

Extra info on Clarke family extracted from Phil by Webmaster - Joanna Clarke did the half marathon in 1hr 32 min 47 secs. She runs for Victoria Park Harriers in Hackney. Matthew Clarke did his first ever marathon in 3 hr 58 min 32secs. Superb as he is a footballer and has just got into running.

If you want sunshine when you’re running a marathon, enter one that I enter. Needless to say it was a bit warm in Nottingham and the first lap was a bit hilly. Combined with a lack of training, very glad to go under 4 hours. Very well marshalled race, lots of water all around the course and well supported. Huge turnout of about 12000 odd for half and 1800 for the full which gave it a good atmosphere. Running 3 miles around the national water sport lake at 20-23 miles was the only downside. As you entered the park you could see the whole 3 miles in front of you, which was a wee bit hard on the mind. On the whole though thumbs up from me.

Mind you, what sticks in mind for me are the words of wisdom from my wife. On the Saturday night , as she was going to bed she lent over , gave me a kiss and said … wait for it…’’ you haven’t trained enough.Night night’’ ARGHHH!! The night before a marathon is not the time to re-enforce my lack of preparation. Then on the morning of the race, I phoned to say I was there and would call later. You might think a few well chosen words of take it easy , run within yourself , drink lots of fluid etc might be mentioned. But no , without any mention of the impending 26.1 miler , all she could muster was ‘’ what do you want for your tea tonight?’’ At that point I politely pointed out I was about to run a marathon and would she mind awfully making the choice as I had a few other things on my mind!! For the record we had a very nice bar-b-que for those interested ( menus available on request).

This was the 25th running of this excellent event - apparently the 3rd largest in terms of competitor numbers in the UK - running the half/10k/fun run. Weather was great for running - cool and a tad drizzly. The race starts in the centre of Glasgow and crosses the Kingston Bridge before heading west along Paisley Road West. At around the 3 mile marker is the quickest part of the race (at least for those who know the area - next to Govan - Rab C Nesbitt's backyard! Tends to increase the stride length.....)The race then goes through 2 parks - Bellahouston and the beautiful Pollok Park - before turning for home along the south side of the River Clyde through some enthusiastic support and onto Glasgow Green for the finish. The race is very fast and very flat. Top marks to the organisers as Glasgow in general is certainly not flat! Crowd support was excellent but not as much of a carnival atmosphere as last year due to the weather (no 'big band' in Pollok Park, but a few obligatory pipers). Congested first couple of miles, but the running banter made up for this. If anyone is out for a quiet 360 mile drive this time next year, with their running kit, pop in to Glasgow as it is one of the better races!

An excellent race with a great atmosphere around Hyde Park. Ran around the whole course without stopping (a big achievement for me!!) and raised £150 for Pasque hospice and Keech Cottage children’s hospice in the process!

The 10 UK teams between them took 1st & 3rd male V40 prizes and 1st mixed V40 prize as well as our V60 prize.

On Thursday, 24 August perfect weather and a flat course tempted a good show of Flyers over to Willen Lake in Milton Keynes.

The Chicks Chase got underway at 7:30pm and saw impressive efforts by Anne Clarkson (26:27) and Rebecca Fleckney (28:29) rewarded with PBs.

Then, at 8pm it was time for the Men's Race. The first 1000m were a little too quick but Adam Peters had the confidence to hold back as the lead group settled. Then, on 2K experienced James Drinkwater (Bedford & County) started to apply the pressure. However, Adam was more than a match. The pair continued at 5min mile pace and on 4K Adam spotted an opportunity to settle the affair, but a half lead quickly evaporated as Drinkwater struck for home along the canal towpath, Adam on his heels. Second in 16:05 and with a convincing PB, Adam Peters equalled the Senior Men's 5K Record that Paul Westwood set at Cranfield in 2003. How long before he demolishes it?

Note: Grand Prix points have been awarded for these events as though it were a single race.

Martin Yelling and Dave Brown were 19th and 11th overall respectively at the UK Ironman championships, both with sub 10 clockings. They were close together until the final run where Dave pulled away from Martin.

Dave Brown reports below on his very successful outing at the UK Ironman Champs leading to a place in the professional wave at the legendary Hawaii Ironman race in October.

Swim 3.8km Two laps around a lake at 6am, nothing to it I thought after remembering my frequent Haversham and Brogbourough sessions which have become the norm the past couple of months. I kept up a steady pace, took three karate chops and two pulls from behind and the rest of the way I concentrated everything I remembered about swimming technique. The worst part was having to go to the little boys room in the wetsuit (no not the # that keeps you warm) man this was going to be one raw day. Swim time: 61:26 position =231

Cycle 180km Out on the bike for three hilly laps, each lap I concentrated on staying aero, working the hills, stretching/staying loose on the downhills (one on which I broke my bike speed record ~86 km/hr) and getting the nutrition in. Along with Martin Yelling, we worked up the field saving a bit for the run to come. Bike Time: 4:58:01 position=10

Run 42km I kept thinking stay relaxed, loose low arms, nice cadence. I remembered the saying that someone had told me. "If you are feeling good at this stage just wait and if a little bit later if you are feeling good wait some more." The run course suited me with lots of hills and I felt stronger as the run went along picking up the pace as I went. Across the line and I finished finally achieving a big goal for me this year after a season of ups and downs. Run time: 3:10:39 position=8

Post race At the awards ceremony in the flukest moment of my life, I picked up a qualifying slot to go to the World Ironman Hawaiian champs on October 21st as a Pro. Man Kona here I come...damm back to Brogborough and Haversham!

To mark the opening of the bypass at Great Barford, Bedford Rotary club arranged 3 charity events this sunday a 10k run, 6k run and then 6k walk.

Myself and Val Von Arx completed the 6k run in 34:03 (Both PB's due to the slightly obscure distance), the scenery was a little bland to say the least and the course consisted of a straight run down 3k of freshly laid tarmac, turn around and 3k right back again. On the homeward stretch, a fresh blast of wind was blowing against you making me glad I chose the shorter distance as opposed to the 10k. Overall a well organised event apart from the wait for the buses at the end to take you back to the park & ride car parks

I definitely lost to the first train, but have no idea where I came versus the 2nd train. To be honest getting around the quagmire was an achievement in itself. On a more positive note I haven’t enjoyed a race as much in my life. Constant mud-larks and camaraderie throughout made up for any problems with results afterwards.

Perfect evening for a 5 miler, with 17 AFF runners competing. Windy beforehand but this didn't seem to have an effect during the race, which was run over a slightly amended course (shifted forward 200m with a new finish location).

Tim Harris opted to pace make for both Nobby and I but he commented that he was 'having trouble running this slowly' and promptly took off. He spent the remainder of the race playing catch-up and may well have featured in the individual honours had he decided to race from the gun.

With so many of our club runners coming through, we all spent time encouraging the others across the line and with 150m to go it was fantastic to see the sprint finish that was mustered by the Flyers (see, the short painful stuff does pay dividends).

This wasn't the painful course that I remember from 2 years ago. In fact, I demonstrated to Nobby prior to the race, that I couldn't recollect the course at all, as we warmed up using what I thought was mile 4 to 5 (big hill from 4 miles to 4.5 miles) only to find that it didn't materialise during the race!! Sorry Nobby. Olivia Lawson established a Junior Ladies record of 45:37.

Aside from individual honours (Paul Farmer won, now joined as 2nd claim from Luton AC, Dave Brown, 3rd Senior Male), we won the men's team prize (Dave, Tim, Ady).

Ady

Just two members entered this race, Rebecca Fleckney and Ady Wadsworth. There was some concern that Martin Beare wasn't present but we came to the conclusion that there must have been another race somewhere else!!

Why runners advised me this was a PB course before the race started I do not know. The race starts fairly sensibly, has a short downhill section at roughly 2.5 miles and then a small incline. However, about 3.2 miles, a long, uphill drag takes you through to 4.3/4.4 miles. The course then flattens out to the finish, on a sports field, a finish that occurs post most runners' PB's.

It was too hot, too hilly, with far too many runners in front, as opposed to behind. Well organised though, with a road closure at the start of the race and marshals aplenty. There was also a fun run but as this started 10 minutes after the main race we didn't see how it went.

Given that this was my first race proper since London in April (excepting the Greensands), I have to say that there was some ring rust present. it's very easy and quick to forget the art of race craft. Still, we have Blisworth and Cranfield 5 milers almost upon us so another fine opportunity to whine!!

I rode 31.5 miles around beautiful Northants/Leicestershire border with my friend Samantha - finishing about 15mins inside the 4 hours. We found some super tracks to ride on.

When Twinkletoes suggested that we entered a Duathlon, my rational mind questioned duo I do, or duo I don’t? But as always the masochist in me said ‘Why not, you are a long time dead’. Which is what I nearly was by the end of this event.

Surrounded by an over abundance of testosterone and all in one lycra, Carole (Twinkletoes), the redoubtable Annie Page and myself, lost our Duathlon virginity at the National Bowl MK on the 1 Aug. It was if nothing else an interesting event, involving far more mechanics than a normal running race. How to hang one’s bike in transition? Where does one put ones helmet (no suggestions please)? How does one face the fact that a) I had somehow been registered as a Veteran Woman and b) I was by far the oldest competitor and could by the likes of it have fathered about 80 per of the field?

No matter, we did it (or in my case most of it). A 2 mile gallop around an adjacent lake, was followed by one of the scariest experiences I (and the others) have had in our short, medium and long lives. Namely the 10 mile cycle ride. Given that our combined riding experiences have involved no more than Sunday lunchtime excursions to local pubs, rattling around the National Bowl, with legions of aforementioned lycra clad individuals bellowing ‘Right, right, right’ (which I later understood to mean, ‘Excuse me, I wish to overtake you, honoured pensioner), hurtling past, was if nothing else a buttock clenching experience. At this juncture I should mention buttocks. Twinkletoes had a few weeks ago made a very prudent purchase of a gel filled seat cover. I had not. Result? A stunning impersonation of Roy Rogers these past few days.

The second 2 mile gallop was very interesting. After transition (where Carole who had stopped to blow her nose, have a drink, and have a chat, was gently reminded that she could if she so chose continue with the event) I discovered what it was like to run on stilts. My little old legs, fine legs that they are, felt as if they belonged to someone who had just cycled 10 miles or so!!!

No matter, we completed the event, and all credit to Twinkletoes and Annie, who turned in superb performances. Would we do it again? Only if there was a pub stop on the cycle ride.

P.S There was a positive to the evening’s event. We learnt (via a very kind marshal) how to pump up the tyres on our nice new Trek bikes.

Humid weather finished me off and after a quick start I got about half way and realised it’s actually quite difficult to run with out oxygen – suffered badly for the rest of the race – but hey ho there’s another one in August and at least I’m starting to get used to running in this weather – roll on the Autumn!!!

Myself and four other (I think) Flyers took part in this really well-organised and marshalled ladies-only race; nice course round a lake, a great downhill stretch to the finish and lots of drinks and fruit immediately available afterwards. A friendly and supportive atmosphere, particularly in the section of competitors I tend to be in!

A very hot evening (19:30 start) with lots of competitors feeling the heat - many recording below-par times, but I was just glad to get round in 31.54 - and 4th lady over 55 (yes, there were more than 4!).

The best thing was that all competitors had a chip, so times and positions were immediately available on a large screen as soon as you crossed the line. I think that all runners will soon expect such a facility - organisers of future races please note! (Webmaster Note - This system is being investigated for use on Flitwick 10K)

On a July evening with a flat, fast course you’d expect to see PBs galore and maybe even the odd club record. However with the thermometer still touching 30 degrees at 7.30pm and the high humidity level, runners suffered as they tackled the 2.5 laps of leafy Bedford Park.

Adam Peters improvement continued and was the best placed Flyer with 5^th place in 16.26. Phil Clarke had another good run but his goal of a sub-20 minute 5K was not going to be achieved in these conditions. Steve Smith enjoyed his run but could have done with another 20 miles to make it worthwhile!

The race was won by Matt Janes of Bedford & County in a course record of 14:59. He has now completed a hat-trick of local 5K events winning our own Marston Vale 5K and the Cranfield 5K.

As with all Bedford Harrier races, the organisation and marshalling were excellent with the results published the day after.

We knew that Adam Peters had been recognised as the Junior 5K County Champion at Cranfield.

This is just reward for all the hard effort that people have put in training. Congratulations to each of you.

1st Senior Men's Team

Stephen Hartley

Kieron Lewis

Adam Peters

Darren Farr

Junior Man

Adam Peters

3rd Senior Man

Stephen Hartley

3rd V55 Man

Phil Clarke

2nd V60 Man

Nick Stone

3rd V35 Lady

Caroline Gilby

2nd V40 Lady

Caroline Gilby

3rd V40 Lady

Paula James

Having arrived at Snowdon with some trepidation following an injury from my last race which had curtailed my training and certainly any hill work recently, I thought 'survival' would be the order of the day for the race up and down Snowdon. Starting in the town of Llanberris, the race then follows the mountain railway to the summit - a distance of 5 miles.

You have to climb the rocks at the top before turning around for the decent back down. The day was slightly overcast but still very hot and with the race at 2pm I was also aware that the heat would be a factor.

However, I surprised myself with a decent climb to the top and once I got the leg muscles working on the decline! I was passing runners as we returned to the town of Llanberis. Unfortunately, I stated to slow and my feet were beginning to catch the lose rocks and after 2 nearly falls I went over. With blisters also now giving me problems the last mile was agony and even returning onto the flat road in Llanberis for the final 400 metres running was a struggle. Despite slowing, my overall time of 1.47.41 (1.09.44 – Top, 37.57 – Descent) was only 10 minutes slower that I ran some 10 years ago.

I wasn't looking forward to this race because of the weather but was quite relieved when the morning was overcast, cooler and with a slight breeze.

Myself and a handful of flyers turned out for this race along the red routes of Milton Keynes. A pleasant route with enough water stops and a better start than last year. Even with the cooler weather it was still a hot run so was pleasantly surprised with my time, 2hrs 17.48 (PB)

I woke up early Sunday morning and suddenly decided to run the MK half marathon, a decision I wished I had left well alone.

The sun had taken a break this particular morning, however the humidity had taken its place. I would normally revel in these hot conditions, however I suffered from the start. At nine miles I started to walk at the inclines. From nowhere a runner from the Serpentine Running Club came to my assistance and vowed that we would do this together and cross the line. With his help and encouragement, WE did finish together, as promised. I later discovered that this guy called Steve had sacrificed his time of 1.23 to help me, which made his help even more selfless. It's acts like this, that restore your faith...many thanks mate.

Well this was only my second attempt at the Olympic distance after the awful experience of swimming in the Ouse at Bedford last year and finishing nearly last in 2:55.

I missed my start slot for the swim, too busy chatting, so went off last with the elite men. The start was a bit frantic as people kept banging into me and swimming over the top of me. Then a canoeist pointed me the wrong way and I had to change direction to get round a buoy. Some mechanical problems on the bike with a loose bottom bracket (thanks to Evans at Milton Keynes for that) meant the chain rubbed on every revolution. The three lap run through the park was trouble free and I finished in front of 90 other people in 700 place!

Steve James (2:16:48) and Darren Farr (2:6:37) finished way ahead of me so I don't want to talk about that.

Webmaster Note - Kieron Lewis finished in 2:1:50 in 40th place, 7th in category. Too far ahead for Zac to spot! Also spotted Kevin Ash (2:16:46) & Dave Hard (2:21:40) in results.

Anyways as everyone and his aunt decided to compete in the NSPCC half marathon today I thought I’d wander over to Stevenage and do something a bit cheaper. Don’t think any other Flyers took part in this so no GP points (sob).

Yesterday I ran in the first RAF Marham 10 mile race in Norfolk. The day was very hot and the start delayed by 20 mins which didn't help!! Although the briefing beforehand was one of the best I've had - a huge map of the course and the only two hills pointed out!

We started off in the village of Marham and then went onto the RAF base and around the airfield, so it was very open and hot - no shade whatsoever (and I think the heat was 3 - 5 degrees hotter out there than anywhere else). and They had water stations with drinks and sponges about nearly every mile which was brilliant and much needed!! They also set up a cold shower at about the 5 mile marker which was lovely (one of the racers said she went back to go through it twice!) The course itself was mostly flat with one short hill in the first mile and then a long slow hill which was literally from the 6 mile marker to the 7 mile marker which was hard going in the heat. This course definitely has PB potential and the start time needs to be changed from 11 to 10am. Overall an enjoyable race and I hope that it grows over the next few years - definitely worth a weekend in North Norfolk to take part - I'll be back next year.

42 miles along a historic route on North Yorks Moors - finishing at Robin Hoods Bay.

Brian Layton, 8 hours 34 min. 1st Handicap (i.e. 1st across the line) winning the Ward Rose bowl.

	Stephen Hartley	16:14		Caroline Gilby	21:32
V-40	Tony Cole	19:23	V-35	Paula James	21:59
V-50	Phil Clarke	20:19	V-45	Deborah Lawson	24:49

Stephen Hartley was 3rd in County, Adam Peters was County Junior Champion and together with Kieron Lewis and Darren Farr they took Mens team prize.

Hartley Hare joins 'The Eighty Percenters'. This is the first year, since I have been keeping age related stats, that we have had 3 first claim club members achieve that mark.

Over 400 finishers crossed the Line at this years 7th Cranfield University Marie Curie 5k and nearly 100 runners also completing in the one mile fun run. The event which was on Friday 7th was a warm still evening which helped with fast times for all including the winner from Bedford and County Matt James who finished in a great time of 14:57, beating the previous course record by 2 seconds which won Matt an extra £100. Second was Simon Coombes from Herne Hill Harriers 15:55 and third was Steven Herring 16:01 also from Bedford and County.

The First woman was again from Bedford and County, Phillippa Prescott fished in a time of 18:09 with Martha Hall from Garden City Joggers in second 18:47 and Donna Mcewen from Bedford Harriers 18:55 in third.

Bedford and County men won the men's team prize with Ampthill and Flitwick Flyers finishing second and Bedford Harriers third.

All other results can be found on www.cranfield.ac.uk/running.

Mike Devonshire

This race was run in truly sweltering conditions (2pm start) and was an achievement to just finish. A good crowd of Flyers tackled this very picturesque course whose trees provided welcome shade. The race was run as part of the school fete and a fire engine was on hand to douse runners as they approached the finish. Since PBs were out of the question it was worthwhile spending a few extra seconds under the hose before finishing. A great run by Kieron Lewis saw him come home second 17 seconds behind the winner – 17 year old Benjamin Corfield.

Running a 5 mile race on a warm, sultry evening (what you might call a Lydon evening), is always an interesting experience, especially if ones afternoon has been spent enjoying a 2 hour session of Egyptian PT. Thus it was that I plodded around the 2 lap 5 miler organized by Luton AC on Friday 30^th June. This gently undulating course run mainly on the access roads of Luton Hoo, was pleasant enough, and up to a point I, in my usual masochistic fashion enjoyed it, especially when I out sprinted a 70 year walker in the last 400 yards.

However I am not a camel with a reservoir of internal sustenance, and to find at the finish that the water station had been dismantled and there was no water for late arrivals such as me, was diabolical. I made my feelings known to various marshals (‘Nothing to do with me mate, I am not on water’) and it was only the kindly intervention of couple of spectators which prevented me from evaporating and blowing away on the evening air like a redundant butterfly (I was also hallucinating by this stage).

On Friday, 23 June Ampthill & Flitwick Flyers proudly presented the annual Marston Vale Forest 5K, and what a race.

This year the weather was kind and entries swelled to 338 - not bad for an event that is only in it's second year. The Forest 5K is set against the backdrop of Bedfordshire's Marston Vale Millennium Country Park - a traffic-free blend of fledgling wet- and woodland that is an increasingly popular wildlife haven. Also, with just 8 metres variation in height across the entire distance the 5K course offered genuine PB potential.

Athletes flooded into the Country Park and were expertly parked by Forest Centre staff and volunteers. Then, having glimpsed the top-notch facilities, the assembly made their way to the Race Start to be welcomed by enthusiastic Start Director, Jeremy Bell. A highly polished start and the throng surged away at exactly 7:30pm.

The first 650m flows along the main driveway and then the athletes cross a grassy area and out onto a meandering footpath. Race winner Matt Janes enjoyed the company of his Bedford & County team mates for the first 2K but a change of gear saw them fall off the pace to leave Janes chasing the clock. 15:01 and Janes smashed Terry Stanley's 2005 course record - impressive stuff given a 4 months absence enforced by injury. Combined with the talent of Neilson Hall (15:30; 2nd) and Steve Philipps (15:50; 3rd) B&C bagged the Men's team prize with an aggregate score of just 6. Familiar names finished in the next 3 minutes to break each of the men's category records.

In the Ladies Race, Andrea Ward (19:10) led Kim Bolland (19:58; 3rd) and Veronica Singleton (20:45; 4th) home to bag the Ladies Team prize and remind all that the Harrier's are force to be reckoned with. 2nd Lady was impressive Tanya Taylor (Milton Keynes AC) who also set a new record (19:53) as 1st Junior Lady.

Adam Peters (16:22; 7th) was first back for the Flyers, racing his first 5K, followed by Matt Jones (18:12; 22nd) who stuck to the task and shaved a second off the Flyers Junior 5K Record. Caroline Gilby (21:41; 15th) flew the flag for the Ladies Team and 18 of 28 Flyers recorded new PB's.

After the race there was opportunity to share a beer and many took advantage of a professional massage.

You have heard of swimming with dolphins, and dancing with wolves. Well I bring you a new version, namely Slinking with Sloths. In other words I returned another head turning performance (‘Wot you still running mate!!’ and ‘2^nd lap or finishing’? Guess which applied) during today’s Whipsnade 10k. But before you condemn me as being churlish, I should hasten to add this was an excellent, well organized, 3 lap 10k race in and around the beasts of Whipsnade.

How many other runners can claim to have been leered at by lions, gazed at by gnus (and these were good gnus, not bad gnus – geddit???) and flounced at by flamingos? In other words a unique event, and one despite my churlish comments was one that I and the other Flyers taking part e.g. Martin Beare, Val (wot another PB) von Arx and others appeared to enjoy.

After the torrid conditions of the previous week’s Barton 10k, this race was run in warm yet quite refreshing conditions. So much so, my alcoholic intake upon return to Chateau Lydon, was restricted this week to a modest 2 pink gins, and a half bottle of Bordeaux. Well you have to rehydrate don’t you?

On Saturday, 17 June the 19th annual Greensand Ridge Relay attracted a record 18 teams.

For those that are unfamiliar with the event, the course tracks the Greensand Ridge Walk from Leighton Buzzard through to the race finish in Northill. There are six stages which vary in distance from 4 to 8 miles, and each team is weighted with a handicap that is based on the age category of each team member.

Conditions were hardly ideal, the 33 mile course being lit with brilliant sunshine whilst the temperature soared to 27'C. This combined with the fact that this handicap race kicks-off around noon. There were some familiar faces in AFF "Grumpy Old Men, and the Flyers Men were quietly confident. However, it was always going to be a close call against the might of Rootsy's "Bedford & County All Stars" and LBAC "Flying Buzzards."

With a maximum age handicap the Flyers Men were last out of the blocks just after 1pm. Tim Harris had elected to run his customary 5.3 mile leg from Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre (Leighton Buzzard) and swiftly progressed along the Grand Union Canal towards Stockgrove Country Park. Uncomfortable from the outset Tim claims that this wasn't one of his best runs. However, he still managed to take a scalp and won the first leg (34:52) by a margin of just over 2 minutes.

Ady Wadsworth collected the relay baton at Stockgrove Corner and headed-off on a 4.2 mile leg to Woburn Fire Station. Ady usually tackles leg 3 but embraced the new challenge, capturing another scalp and went on to win the 2nd leg in 25:31. Ady's achievement sliced 51s off the record that the Flyer's Mark Smith set in 2004. Most importantly, Ady took 1:22 out of Tom Inchley (LBAC) who was arguably the main threat.

Surprised by Ady's early arrival, Stephen Hartley made a start on the longest leg from Woburn to Millbrook Proving Ground, sights firmly set on Tom May's (LBAC) leg record of 50:04. A lack of shade did little to help but, at least there were a few athletes to chase down over 8 miles. 48:58 later and with 5 scalps in the bag Stephen handed the honours onto a very able Paul Farmer. However, the warm glow of a leg record rapidly disappeared as LBAC Simon Coombes recorded a scintillating 47:34. It took nearly 20yrs for someone to run a sub-50 3rd leg and then it happened twice in the space of 2 oblivious minutes.

Paul Farmer was tasked with taking the baton 5.8 miles through Ampthill Park, past Houghton House for an interchange at Deadman's Hill (which is on the A6 at the fringe of Maulden Woods). Paul made steady progress and improved the Men's team position by another 5 places for a leg win (36:28). Also, Paul came within a whisker of the leg record (36:18) that Andy Bierton set in 2004. At the end of Leg 4 less than 4 minutes separated AFF Men and the LBAC "Flying Buzzards."

The 5th leg (5.2 miles) presented Darren Farr with an opportunity to show whether the prospect of a 30th birthday is taking its toll. Not so, Nobby revelled in the challenge and stuck to the course like glue, even taking the trouble to assist those that spotted an opportunity to shorten their run. The first 4 miles of this leg is fairly straight forwards. However, the rise up to Haynes Silver End is a beast. 35:25 later Nobby (2nd) eased his way to Deadman's Hill to leave anchorman Dave Brown with just one scalp to chase. However, there was little margin for error - the Flyers Men had a lead of just 2:44 over Leighton Buzzard AC.

Dave Brown is a determined Kiwi at the best of times and Saturday was no different. He ploughed through a swathe of flies and a punishing cornfield which might mean that it is some time before Dave wins "lovely legs" competitions again. One final scalp and a leg record 27:28 that will no doubt raise a smile from Kieron Lewis.

And the results? The Flyer's Men were the fastest team (3:28:42) which means that we successfully reclaim the "Running Man Trophy." However, it is particularly pleasing to beat our own 2004 course record by about 4 minutes. Also, the Flyers Men were awarded the Greensand Shield for winning the handicap race. This is despite having to start at the very back of the field. Jonathon Roots tackled the 4th leg (41:15; 4th) and helped his Bedford & County team "Rootsy's All Stars" to 3rd fastest team overall. However, the Flyers "Grumpy Old Men" (10th) managed a convivial smile with Nick Inskip (5th leg; 45:59; 6th) and John Saunders (6th leg; 36:51; 7th) the pick of the bunch.

Sunday's outing was a fantastic achievement by not only the AFF team members, but also the runners from the other teams. It was nip and tuck throughout the event, a few teams competing for the fastest overall team and others trying to be first over the line. Richard Pownall, the organisor, has much to be thanked for. He has put together a fun, competitive and unusual event, that has some of the most comprehensive results you will see. Many thanks Richard and thanks to a great AFF team.

Just got back from running the Colworth 5m race tonight - only saw a couple of other flyers. Very happy as have done a PB of 48.46 (self timed). The course was really good - undulating but no really nasty hills and a lovely run down through the woods in the shade. Although it was still very hot and not much air! Also the water station was great - half way round lots of water and the added bonus of a guy and his son with large water shooters giving everyone who wanted one a soaking!!

Will definitely be back next year - although I can't see me ever doing all three races over the weekend!

Over the hills and far away,

On an ‘orrible hot and sticky day.

Myself and others ventured to run

In the Barton 10k,

But it was not a lot of fun.

Through field and forest we ploughed our way,

With every breath keeping death at bay.

For some this was easy

But not for yours truly

When every step made me ever so queasy.

But at the end of this torrid affair,

I felt like a wolf released from his lair.

(Actually I didn’t. I felt bloody awful)

No matter said I finishing this run,

I still have the breath

To regard 10Ks as fun (who am I kidding)

A challenging 10K race which started with one or two tough hills, it was a blazing hot morning so any shade to be found on the course was gladly welcomed!, there was nice scenery on the way round and a good turn out of flyers, sadly the high temperature led to achievement of an almost personal worst!

The sight of Ann De Winter armed with cold water, pineapple and wipes at the end was very welcomed - a big thanks for your (and other flyers) kind support

Barton Hills plus hot weather for 10K equals purgatory. This was definitely a race that was more pleasant to watch than to participate in.

260'ish runners, a large proportion of whom were students at Arnold Middle School in Barton, endured some 28 degrees, kicking off with the first kilometre being uphill - how rude. Needless to say, many of the runners misjudged the race, using their best stuff just getting up the hill, compromising the rest of the run trying to recover from said hill.

Our own Stephen Hartley took up some of the early running, emerging as 'King of the Hill' (perhaps an idea for next year), with a 20-30 metre lead at the crown of the hill. Adam Peters was having little of this treatment and gradually whittled down the lead, the ensuing battle probably not being appreciated by either of them.

The remainder of the 5K and 10K field eventually made their way to the top, appreciating the flat when it came. The more fortunate ones turned on to the 5K route, the foolhardy athletes took a sharp left to tackle the delight that was the 10K route. The middle and latter parts of both routes become relatively easy, with flat or downhill sections prevailing. This said, the last downhill is somewhat arduous as the application of brakes when tired, tires. Still, despite the heat, all runners returned safely, the marshals having performed admirably on the Lilley Road. Unless you are a first timer, this will never be a PB course. The first ascent punishes and the terrain throughout is more akin to cross country running.

There were goodies to be had for the pupils of Arnold school, with MP3 players, memory sticks and an iPOD up for grabs. This undoubtedly helped to swell the entries, however, last year's mark of 335 across the two races was not achieved, a reflection of the hard work put in by our own Chris Jenart (when he helped to organise this event last year).

Thank-you to everyone who helped with this event, particularly Jeff Conquest, Deputy Head at Arnold, and Janette Murphy, Chair of FASA (Friends of Arnold School Association). A big thank-you also to the many sponsors of these two races. The results, which I won't itemise here, are available at www.barton10K.com.

25th year of running the event well organised and good event went through the town in the final stretch, but a big hill at 11 miles - 1465 finishers

This was not the day to do a half marathon - the heat was oppressive with little shade on route and there were a number of casualties as a result. The 25th running of this half marathon saw the course take a new route via Harpenden before returning you through the town centre. There is always a good atmosphere at this event which includes 2 fun runs, a half marathon walk, a wheel chair category race and a line dancing competion (not sure if any Flyers opted for that!!).

Because of the heat I ran within myself for the first half averaging 7.5 mins per mile with the idea of picking it up later on. At 8 miles you start the long run back along the Redbourn Road and although I was passing many runners it was more to do with them suffering in the heat than me increasing my pace. The half mile climb at 11 miles into the town centre was tough and saw me start to slow considerably and although the next mile was downhill I still had the final mile around Verulanium lake. As I entered the final 200m into the finish I lost a further 2 places in the sprint in but I was now just pleased to finish.Considering the heat I wasn't that disappointed with my time.

I felt this was a well organised event - water stations every 2.5 miles, encouraging marshals and good crowd support in places around the course, particularly as you approached the finish arena. A decent T-shirt and medal and how many races hand out an ice lolly for finishing!

What can I say!! I'd trained hard for my first half marathon and fully expected to be able to finish in around 2 hours. Unfortunately I made one big mistake - to pick one in the middle of June. The heat was relentless (that's putting it mildly) and the route seemed to go on for mile after demoralising mile along shadeless, busy, undulating roads!! I'd already decided to not bother watch checking but at 9 miles I took a quick look only to see that I was already 15 minutes down on previous runs of that distance. Never mind, I did eventually manage to finish in 2:23:55. Disappointing, but considering the conditions I'm just glad I did finish which I think a fair few didn't.

This was my fourth marathon to date and on balance probably the best, although my third slowest. The start was on Prince’s street with a wonderful view of the castle on the hill. There were over 4000 for the full marathon and another 6000 for the relay, although the relay runners were spread over the course. There was a great atmosphere at the start despite the rising temperature and lack of toilets. The course was very interesting, with some great sights including winding through Edinburgh itself, great mountain scenery and the coast. Apparently we ran alongside the old Royal Yacht which is semi-permanently harboured, although I was so pre-occupied I didn’t know until I was told 6 hours later on the plane by Richard. Mind you, he missed Hampton Court Palace on the Richmond half ! What’s worse, missing a boat you could touch almost or a palace?

Lots and lots of water and energy drinks everywhere, some fantastic support along the route and lots of water hoses in the residential streets at the end. Very hot day and two weeks off with a cold three weeks before, saw my planned 3.30 time evaporate as quickly as the water and glad to finish in the end. Never the less, would still highly recommend this race. Hopefully next year there might be proper Scottish weather!

I may enter Nottingham in September and Abingdon in October. If anyone interested, collar me at training as would be good to do with someone. Hopefully Richard may get a pass for one of them!!

On Saturday evening Tim Harris ran in the 800m-H race in the British Milers Club Grand Prix meeting at Watford. His time of 1:57.15 placed him 4th of the 9 competitors in the race and was an improvement by over 3 seconds on his previous run over the distance and moves him ahead of Huw Lobb in terms of age related performance, now only headed by Terry Stanley. Click here for meeting results.

It is with great sadness that we have learnt that Jacques, the husband of our friend and fellow Flyer Valerie Williamson, died on Saturday 10th June 2006. Jacques (47) a keen cyclist and squash player died suddenly whilst cycling with Valerie on Saturday morning.

Our thoughts, prayers and love go to Valerie and daughters Kathleen and Joanne at this sad and tragic time.

Big-Cow events run four Duathlons at the bowl during the summer months. The event takes the form of a 3.5k run followed by 16k bike and a further 3.5k run. The run starts out with a loop of Furzton Lake, you then enter transition to complete 10 laps on the traffic free service roads of the Milton Keynes Bowl. The bike leg is quite technical with one short sharp hill followed by a fast downhill, a large loop round the back of the bowl then takes you back to the start line. The 2^nd run leg is the same as the first, with the first 100 metres hurting like hell.

The event is supposed to appeal to beginners but the way those guys lap me on the bike leg really needs to be seen to be believed.

Lovely scenic route through the Bedfordshire countrytside, not unlike the Flitwick 10. Undulating course with a hill to start with. Two water stops which were very welcomed as it was a hot day. Thank goodness for the 10am start. Well marshalled and organised. Not too sure about the open air service in the counrty park at the finish? Bright yellow towel as a momento at the finish. Very useful on a hot day.

I ran in 44:34 yesterday at the Beds Harriers Harrold 10K. Darren Farr and a couple of nice-n-easys were also there from the Flyers.

The course was very scenic, through the villages north of Bedford. It was fairly hilly but they were mostly quite short climbs, so didn't sap too much energy. It made a welcome change that I needed to take sun cream, rather than a warm jumper. As it was warm they added an extra water stop, so that nobody got dehydrated. Has anyone got a technique for drinking from a plastic cup while keeping moving? I skipped the first stop at 3K but was feeling a bit parched by 7K so decided to take a drink. As usual I got most of the water on my face and up my nose, with very little actually being drunk and the next few hundred metres spend coughing and spluttering. I do realise that I'm not in the 'every second counts' class of runner, but I still can't face actually standing still in the middle of a relatively short race to get a drink.

Although not a best time, I really enjoyed the event and would recommend it for next year. The marshalls were all very enthusiastic and a few well chosen words of encouragement from Pete Sibbett (NHRR), who was spectating, encouraged me to catch and pass a guy who had overtaken me with 500m to go - I caught him with a spurt of speed in the last 300m. I'm sure the Tuesday sessions helped me to keep up a fast pace for several hundred meters right at the end, where he tried to push back but dropped away with 50m to go. Of course the 'sprint duel at the finish' was my own perception. It is possible that the rest of the spectators just saw a couple of hot, knackered runners plodding gently to the finish - but I'm sticking with the way it felt to me.

We all got a freebie bright orange Bedford Harriers towel at the end. A good idea for a summer race.

The venue changed to Campbell Park for this event, which I've now run several times (it was my first ever race a few years back). Campbell Park may be better able to cope with the 5,000 entrants, but it has the huge disadvantage of the seemingly endless 2km uphill from the canal to the finish, and it was a hot day. A few days slogging up and down Alps in Switzerland helped, though it still felt hard. Great support and very friendly atmosphere, and the girls in front of me had about two decades advantage, so all in all I was very pleased with my performance and to be back racing.

Both Adam Peters and Tim Harris opted to travel down the M1 (at 40mph) to participate in the well organised time trials at Watford Harriers' track

This bi-weekly event gives athletes the opportunity to run in a selection of events, from 100m through to 3000m, from March until September. This was Adam's first trip to Watford and he opted to tackle the 3000m (following his recent 9 mins 42 secs at the grass track at Redborne). Setting himself a pre-race target of 9mins 15secs, he avoided the early fast pace, and ran an extremely well judged race, coming home in 9mins 12.40 secs, finishing with a sprint over the last 200m to gain an extra couple of seconds.

Tim, off the back of his training sessions with Bed and County, entered the 800m and in his first attempt at the event, clocked an unbelievable 2.00.81 mins! He was aiming for sub 2 mins so you can imagine the boy's disappointment!

Great runs by both lads, their performances putting them well in to the 80% range for Age Related Performance. Adam now joins that elite group of club members who have achieved this mark.

This small report is supposed to encourage you to come to China and share one of the most fantastic running experiences you will ever make - the Great Wall marathon! No, you do not have to run all the way from the Chinese Coast to Russia, but enough miles on the Great Wall, believe me. The attached photos might give you an impression on how steep some passages are. (sorry Bernd, can't attach but Phil may put them on the web site - Andy) Having completed the Grizzly in South Devon and two 'Tough Guy' I thought it would not be too hard. I was wrong. This is a full blown marathon with 5300 steps in the wall you have to conquer twice during the race.

The whole adventure started with a nightmare the day before when my family and I arrived at Beijing. Our plane was delayed three hours so we reached the hotel at midnight. There we found out that the wake-up call would be at 1:30! Because of the three hour bus transfer to the wall this was necessary.

It starts with a 5 mile long passage going uphill all the way. No probs in the beginning, but you need to keep some power for the rest. Then you hit the Wall for the first time. A fantastic experience which I shared with nearly 500 runners from all over the world, mainly Aussis and Kiwis, but also Argentinians and of course - British. On the Wall you do not really know whether you should stop and try to listen to the ancient mandarin fighters trying to combat against the Mongolians, or whether you merely climb up and down the quite dangerous steps. These steps vary in height and length, none resembles another one. So being focused you leave the wall with a steep decline into the fort where you started, knowing at that time that you will have to do this bit in the opposite direction after nearly 21 miles! Then you can enjoy the country side for 14 miles. You run through small towns where the whole population sits in front of their sheds and watches this strange kind of 'lao wei' (translated as "old foreigners, but old has a positive connotation). In the middle of this passage there is a nice climb again for a change, so all in all it is not boring. I was lucky as I met early in the race a bloody nice Kiwi who kept supplying me with his energy powders. It was Kurt, a Cathay pacific pilot who normally does adventure races. It was his first marathon - to finish in 21st place! We ran nearly 20 miles together and he told me that his brother just finished an anniversary race in New Zealand 21 marathons in 21 subsequent days - I felt like a wimp after this, and probably increased the speed a little. Then we hit the Wall together again and soon it was clear when I needed my hands to creep up the stairs whilst he was still easy going that I would have to say good bye to him. But he insisted on accompanying me. But when I started to get cramps in my legs he heard my pleas to go on and finish in a good time.

After that quite torturing second wall passage the downhill bit was quite nice until the point where three women overtook me. Given the speed they passed me I felt like a tank. So I rolled into the finish in an overall 22nd place, which meant the 2nd in my male age-group. Sounds quite good, but is probably down to the low finishing rate and the small age groups. Anyway, I was a proud Ampthill Flitwick Flyer, running in the club outfit of course. I was not really disappointed that the British winner was 56 minutes quicker!

I will now prepare for my 20th on the 3rd of September to hopefully finish the 1st Wolfsburg Unicef Marathon. All the best to you and happy running.

During a little respite from the rain (and hail!) this morning, we held the second Flitton 'flit' races. There were 3 races, a 5km for age 13 and over, a one mile run for ages 9 - 13 and a 200m sprint for under 9's.

Although the number of entrants was not high, probably something to do with the weather, there were some great performances and a good crowd of onlookers to cheer them on. Thanks to everyone for turning out in such unpredictable conditions!

Our thanks also to all those who helped set up the course, marshal and to the Flyers for loan of equipment. ....Maybe we will try the first Bank holiday in May next year, so put the date in your diaries now!'

Here's one where I thought I wouldn't disgrace myself. Last year I helped out with the entries and stuff and there were plenty of walkers so this year I would pay my money and help the cause. So I entered and duly received number 10. A bit of an early number at only a week before the race and I started to think maybe I had made a mistake about the disgracing bit.

Anyway come bank holiday Monday I got up earlier than is right for a bank holiday and it was raining!!!! (It was a bank holiday so I shouldn't have been surprised!) In fact it was raining very heavily and bed looked a better option but I put my kit on and set off, in the car of course.

There were a few people gathering and some looked very sprightly and others as fed up as me. Only 3 current flyers and an ex member so no chance of grand prix points. After a lecture from Sedgers on the joys of wildlife (move over Bill Oddie) he set us off. The course was very muddy in places and we got to see parts of the moor that I hadn't seen before. I wouldn't say I enjoyed it but once I got into a run 50 paces walk 50 paces routine it seemed to go by quicker, especially as I knew some of the marshals and they didn't actually laugh at me. I finished in 45:28, a big time personal worst but at least I wasn't last. A medal wouldn't have gone amiss but Debbie says maybe if I am good and turn up next year she'll see what she can do. The event raised £200 but if more people come next year they could do even better. It's low key and no pressure and maybe fun.

I ran the Prague Marathon on Sunday the 14th and finished 656th in 3:32:30 (no website to be found at the mo). It was quite a warm day and I was still a bit tired from London but I'm pretty pleased with the time. The race is good and pretty well organised, all the distances in Kilometres though and a pretty grueling out and back section between around Kilometres 25 and 40.

So far I've raised almost £1,500 for Help the Hospices and if anyone else would like to sponsor me then all donations are gratefully received at www.JustGiving.com/2marathons1month

Three of us did this very tough event in the Black Mountains - run by Longtown Mountain Rescue Service to raise funds.

It was 43K (27 miles) with c.2000mts (6,600ft) of climb taking most of the highest summits and runs along the ridges. Unfortunately some bad weather (high wind & rain - so no views) in middle half of race, but a very well organised event.

There were shorter options, which majority of walkers did (about 1000 took part) - but we're not whimps!

Brian Layton, David Peregrine & David Sedgley all finished in 8 hours 54mins. We'd expected it to take nearer 10 hours!

Sunday, 14 May saw the first Club Championship race of the 2006 Season, the St. Albans 10K.

This might not have been the best-organised race, the start being decidedly shambolic. However, a pleasant jaunt along country lanes more than made up for it.

What's more, it's unusual for road races to incorporate a water crossing, 7K offering us a 10 metre stretch to dance through. Alas, this was to catch Martin Beare unawares as took a tumble full length into the mire - not the only one I might add.

The 2006 St. Albans 10K was a positive experience by all accounts. 19 Flyers entered this Club Championship race and there was a fist of PB efforts, just as it should be.

Patience brought an unexpected race win for Stephen Hartley (34:21) as he shook off the pack with 400m to go and retains the Men's Club Champion title in a new Championship Record time.

This, combined with determined trio Adam Peters (6th), Darren Farr (14th) and Tony Cole (27th) also netted the Flyers 1st Men's Team and a few quid in prize money. Incidentally, Tony Cole is also the MV40 Champion while Dave Stanley keeps his MV50 title for a fourth successive year.

In the Ladies Race Paula James (19th) was first back in 46:25, while an ever youthful Carol Lydon will add the Ladies Vet title to her bulging trophy cabinet.

Did the St.Albans 10k today . Missed the start by some way and set off way behind . No idea about the official time but my garmin clocked 43m 54 secs which is a PB for me . I showed at least 5 flyers after the race if you need proof , honest !! Started exactly where everyone else did and caught up back markers at about 4k point.

Webmaster Note: Following a number of well attended races some minor adjustments have been made to the GP Tables to attempt ro remove apparent anomalies. Hopefully things should settle down now although they are always under review.

This was a 35 mile event with 4500ft of tough climbs. A bit of a sprint finish was required to dip under 10 hours!

This long running race is run around the villages of Stevington, Oakley and Pavenham. Run this year anti-clockwise meant it followed basically the course of the Oakley 20 which gave me bad vibes as I passed the 17 mile marker in the road, a point I remember suffering at!

It is well organised and although relatively a low key race is a pleasant rural run over an unusual distance. Sadly, this year for me was a PW, my time was some 2 and a half minutes slower than 2 years ago and my run reflected a heavy mileage week with no tapering. Martin and Vicky had great runs particularly as both had only a few days before done a mini biathlon/triathlon. In Martin's case I think it was his 4th race in a week! The funniest sight was seeing Paul Owen go straight through the finish without stopping, taking his medal and disappearing out of Stevington. Apparently he is in training for the Edinburgh Marathon and this was part of a long run! Ironically, I passed him on my way home running through Bromham, presumably on his way home and not on to Edinburgh!!

This is the first and only race that started from my front door and finished ... at my front door . I live 4 miles from the start and part of my marathon training I ran from my house to the start . The only trouble was that I arrived at the start about 50 mins early ( as planned !! ) so I did a very , very slow trundle past the start and back ... and back past the start and ...back past the start and back .. etc for a few miles and trundled up with 14 secs to spare for the race. I then set off like a tortoise in 3rd gear . There was quite a small field - I guess about a 120ish? - and quite surprisingly I felt very happy at the back . I knew I couldn't run my normal pace so I sat back and smelled the rose's ! When you run as hard as you can , no matter what your pace , you don't enjoy what you are running as much as when you take it slower , in my humble opinion.

Stevington is a great run. There was very little traffic and it was very countrified . It was a tiny bit undulating , but if you went up you went down so for me it was fun , and that's the first time ever I can say that about a race.

Having failed to gain entry into the London I had targeted this Marathon to try and get a good for age time for next year. Training has been a bit sporadic over the months but had at least managed to do the long runs but not the volume of mileage. The day started well enough, cloud cover and not to hot. Arrived in Stratford in plenty of time. Lovely picturesque town. My plan was to try and do 7 min miling for the first 20 miles and then hang on to perhaps 8 mins/mile for the final 6 miles. ( The best laid plans of mice and men !!! ) There was a half marathon as well so I couldn't go off too fast. So at 10am, armed with a load of gels the gun the hooter sounded and off we went with the first mile looping round the town centre. First mile 6:25 ; so much for that idea. The next 7 miles sent us out into the surrounding scenic countryside and through a few lovely villages. Was managing to keep below 7 min miling and still felt quite good despite the quite humid conditions that the cloud cover had created. By 8 miles the slight slowdown started as I moved to the wrong side of 7 min miling. This was a two lap course and the long straight gravel track from 10 mile to 13 was quite boring. Passed halfway in 1:31 but the fast start and 4 hills had started to tell. Got to 20 at 2:22 but by then my legs had started to go. I was in 59th place but suddenly people started passing me. The sun had broke through and was getting quite hot. The last 5 miles along the track was purgatory. Hit the wall at 22 when my legs just went. Couldn’t believe how suddenly it came. Struggling already I went to 9 min+ miling. It was just so much of a physical and mental effort to keep going. So this was what the wall was like. Without the encouragement from fellow competitors and spectators it would have been much worse. Managed to shuffle into the finish grounds and crawled to the line over 4 mins outside 3:15 (96th place) So bitterly disappointed but as they say, there’s always the next time. Having had the chance to reflect on the race I think three things stand out. I should of not gone out too fast, and don’t try to bank time if you feel good early on because the marathon will find you out. I should have stuck to the average intended pace. Thirdly, even though I had done the long slows runs the midweek runs have been sporadic so the mileage in training has not been that high. I think this contributed someway to not have the strength in the legs over the last miles.

Although it was a two lapper and the long “Greenway” gravel track was mentally challenging it was a well organised event. Plenty of water stations and good crowd support through the villages as well as in the town centre.

My 3rd Half Marathon, missed PB by just over 1 minute, but considering the incline of 2 of the hills, quite pleased. Good, scenic course, well marshalled.

A tough 28 mile course with 4500 feet of climbs. The ground was boggy in patches with a lot of long grass and the race required good navigational skills. Fortunately it was dry for the race however the walkers who finished later were hit by the rain.

When Twinkletoes told me about this LDWA 20 mile run and how beautiful it was to traipse up and along the banks of Thames, smelling the money emanating from the huge houses in and around Henley I thought, how could I refuse.

If we had known that the LDWA changes the route of this run each year, and far from seeing the Thames we instead ran up and down what appeared the mountains that had suddenly appeared in the Chilterns, we might have changed our minds.

Nonetheless it was a very invigorating, challenging run over and around the aforesaid Chiltern mountains. The weather was to be blunt variable, and the rain soon washed off my Factor 2 coconut oil (as Becky Fleckney said it was like running next to a beach). Becky and I cajoled and motivated one another around the course, whilst Twinkletoes, Lisa Bassett and the indomitable Mr Sedgley sped on ahead.

The catering facilities provided by the LDWA at the 4 checkpoints was as usual superb. I cannot think of a better way to spend £4.50 than to rumble around the Oxfordshire countryside being fed and watered every 5 miles. If they had chucked in a few beers it would have been perfect.

As this was not a race there were no prizes other than a certificate at the end. Oh I lie. I won the penis head of the day contest when at checkpoint 3 I mentioned to Becky that the tree outside the village hall we were being fed and watered in, looked very similar to the tree outside the hall at checkpoint 1. Becky gently advised me that amazingly enough checkpoint1 1 and 3 were the same place. It’s an age thing!!

Another race ran with my mum - but this time I left her behind! Really pleased with my time - 45.44, a P.B. I'm sure as i've only ever done one 5M before. It was a small, well organised Northamptonshire race which ends in the midst of Weston's May Day Fayre. So lots of things to entertain non-runners and children. The course was undulating and multi-terrain - the off-road part being a very muddy/wet uneven farm track, and there's a nasty hill right at the end to knacker most peoples' chances of a stylish sprint finish. I saw a few Stopsley striders but, disappointingly, no other Flyers.

This race actually covers a distance of 55.4 miles (same as 2 London Marathons) and contains 8800 feet of climbs (same as twice up Ben Nevis).

It is set in the Forest of Dean and starts by following the River Wye and follows Offa’s Dyke for a while.

230 runners/walkers set off at 10.15am on the Saturday with Steve finishing at 2.40am Sunday morning. Saturday was a lovely sunny day but conditions turned chilly once darkness fell and resulted in Steve getting lost 5 times! Navigation is crucial to the race with 7 checkpoints where food and drink were waiting.

Steve is running in a number of long-distance events over the coming months (including a 100 miler!) Please let him know if you’re interested – he’s usually around Tuesdays/Thursdays.

I sneaked out of the office at lunchtime and ran a 5K round Hyde Park. It's as scenic as you can get in London, a loop round the Serpentine lake.

This event is run on the last Friday of every month and is well worth thinking about if you are in London on a Friday

Wow, what a race. It exceeded all my expectations. I completed the course in 4hrs 56mins. Much quicker than I thought possible. Had to be down to the support of the crowds and my family and friends. I would like to thank the Ampthill and Flitwick Flyers for giving me the opportunity to run this race. My special thanks goes to all the nice and easys who trained with me, namely Anthea. Ann, Annie and Becky (apologies for anyone I've missed out) also Dave Sedgley for the Friday morning sessions and particularly Paul Lydon who has been an inspiration to me and tolerated my constant talking whilst training. Thanks a lot guys.

What a great day - well apart from getting up at 4.30am, the drizzle, the aching legs, the blister (no stop)

Apart from all this, it was superb, the atmosphere started from arriving at the red start at Blackheath, and meeting the others who was aiming to run with, managed to cross the start line after about 4 minutes and we were away.

The crowds where superb all along the route shouting encouragement every step of the way, running round Cutty Sark, and over Tower Bridge are superb experiences. The various costumes are amazing - saw the dalek, RAF marching bank and a guy playing golf, etc etc

All along the route the pubs specially decorated and bands playing (dancing in the street and YMCA must be running music) great to see the family at 11 miles.

The second half was more tough and slowed down a little, but ran all the way. Crossing the line after 26.2 miles is a great feeling, - but the legs can not believe you have finally stopped.

Finished in 4 hours and 8 minutes a new PB by less than a minute, so at least consistency, then dived in the nearest pub!

Would recommend the experience to everyone - who is free in April next year (did say to shoot me yesterday if I ever said I would do it again!!!)

If you have sponsored me many thanks - the site has a photo of me looking kn***ed afterwards, dressed as a turkey ready for the oven - and if you still want to sponsor me than you can do it at this site. http://www.justgiving.com/martinflm2006

For all those fed up with rejections from London this is well worth considering as an alternative. Entry can be made on line from early September on a first come first served basis. All you need is a medical certificate from your doc. If you amazingly get an entry for London through the ballot you can always defer your entry to the following year.

35 000 entries, extremely well organised, lovely, flat run starting from under the Arc de Triumph, taking in the sights of Paris as well as having two lengthy sections (5km and 10km) through parkland. Plenty of support both vocal and nutritional. Wine and cider available in the last 10km.

We had a very comfortable run for the most part although Sue struggled through 23/24 miles -- I even saw her walking for a few steps at the top of a slight incline!

This was my first marathon, and I thought it was a very well run and supported event.

Don't let anyone tell you that East Anglia is flat. Run from Bungay to Beccles twice, and you'll know it's not true! What is true however, is that 'The Wall' definitely does exist, as I discovered to my cost at 21 miles. I think I kept hydrated, and didn't feel that I was going too fast. Any advice would be appreciated, although the memory of the pain has got to evaporate substantially before I make another attempt!

When I had the energy to chat, I learnt from a guy in a 'Superman' outfit that it was his 233rd marathon, and that he had once run eight marathons in ten days. He also told me that he had run in the Everest base camp event, and raised over £41,000 for charity. Truly a super man.

Also spotted when checking official results in the same page as Nick - Ex-Flyer Jad Bienek - 4:24:16

I can't quite put my finger on why, but this seemed hard. I would have expected to finish maybe 15 or 20 minutes before I did. Maybe its the lack of road training, maybe its a lack of taper. Time aside, the main thing for me is I enjoyed it. Again I bumped into someone I ran with earlier in the year & ran the first half with him.

At half way we asked how far ahead the next person was. The marshal said 'sorry to say you wouldn't have a chance of catching them'. I kept it going as best I could & at 25.5 miles caught up with 2 people.

At ten miles how we wished the 12 mile event was on the options list for this year. Having not previously run this event, at either distance, I was given contradictory advice as to the flatness or otherwise of the route. Unfortunately and as things of this nature tend to be, hilly/ undulating was the best fit. First ten miles was okay, the only downer being the 1 to 10 mile mile markers being interspersed with the 11 to 20 mile markers, leaving you in no uncertain terms that this particular hill (and a few others) had to be re-negotiated when the body had already been tested aplenty.

The gusty conditions made going very tough but we all love a challenge so head down (or head up for better posture) and on with the task at hand.

The 12 mile marker unfortunately occurred just as you pass the finish line (obviously catering for the Oakley 12, to be re-instated next year), so you can imagine the temptation to retire hurt. To say that my legs were tired, more so with the prospect of having to run another 8 miles before I saw the finish again, was understatement itself. I momentarily surrendered at 14 miles, quite content to walk back to the race HQ, with plenty of time to make up some fictitious set of excuses as to why I didn't finish, but I was made to feel guilty by an equally knackered runner from FVS-Tri. He suggested I was weak-spirited, lacking in character with no real friends to speak of, most of which was of my own making. This motivation was enough to see me rejoin the race and grind out the last 6 miles with my new running buddy. Our mostly silent jaunt was interrupted only when either of us thought of something new to moan about, repeat an old moan, or to say 'well done fella' or 'well done girl' as each runner passed us. How very uplifting.

1 mile to go and I lost my pal, his efforts being spurred on by the fast approaching 3rd placed lady from his own club. This mile wound itself through a housing estate and was seemingly endless. The finish was in sight but still a lap of the field was to be negotiated. The gusty conditions turned to gutsy conditions. Pride kicked in and the 3 runners that had just overtaken me were reeled back in, the only minor upside of an otherwise horrendous run. From a very personal point of view, I performed well below myself and with London only 3 weeks away, my usual confidence has a dent in it the size of the MK Half's bank balance. It is not the fault of the race. It is a good race, reasonably scenic, great marshals, loads to drink and well organised (as usual) by Bedford Harriers. I can only hope that my bad run is now out of my system and that 3 weeks of tapering pay dividends.

Well done to the AFF runners that finished this race and good luck at London. I will be travelling down to register on the Friday beforehand so if anyone needs a lift (and after Oakley, I do!), please call me

A well organised pre-London race by Bedford Harriers around the villages of Oakley, Pavenham, Felmersham, Carlton and Stevington before returning to Oakley. 2 laps of 12 and 8 miles on an undulating course that was made tougher by the wind. A good Flyers turn out led home by Ady Wadsworth in 48th place. Those of you who would like to see Ady tortured should have seen him in agony on the post massage table - what a cry baby!!

Considering the week I had I was relatively pleased with my run although I had wanted to get close to my own club V50 record but realised that after 3 miles it was never on and at12 miles further realised that survival was now the name of the game!

This was my most challenging half to date (out of 10). Was billed as flat/undulating - should have been undulating/hilly with a couple of flat bits! For all the uphills, there never seemed to be any downs. There was an off road section (very muddy track) of over a mile, which was fun (in hindsight!).

The weather was terrible, wind that took your breath away, rain and hail (which was extremely painful - but it took my mind off the pain in my legs).

Great marshalling and organization. Free cuppa at the end, which was gratefully received!

This is the second in a series of three runs organised by the Gade Valley Harriers (race 1, Jan 12 miles, and race 3, March 21 miles)

As a training run it does not provide a race time but I would guess 200 - 300 runners ran the event and had a very friendly run feel, thoroughly enjoyed the event. After the event instead of a medal or tee shirt you get free tea and cake - the chocolate muffin was also great!! Thoroughly recommend as a training run in prep for a spring marathon

I did my first race since joing the Flyers yesterday, it was the Great North West Half Marathon on windy Blackpool Promenade. I came 71st with a time of 1h 25m 28s which is a new PB for me.

Results are on Ukroadraces.net though they have me down as running for Aman Valley, who I have never heard of. I suppose they got the first two letters right!

Vincent Hollingswoth (9) ran, along with some of his Cub Pack at today’s (25/02/06) Ampthill & District Cross Country Championships.

There were three races for eight, nine & ten year olds. The course was at the back of the Ampthill Scout hut down Station Road in Ampthill. The course was sandy and rutted with roots, but the boys did get to walk the route before the run to check out any obstacles.

Vincent came second in his year group, Vincent is only just 9 so a few boys where much taller, it came down to a sprint (for second) and Vincent certainly gave his all.

The Flitwick Tigers pack came third overall, Ampthill second and Aspley Guise retained the trophy from last year.

A very good event, with tea, cake, biscuits and even a sweet shop for the children.

If we could ever convince Vincent to hang up his footie boots I think he could do quite well as runner.

I had my first attempt at triathlon (albeit a mini one) yesterday when I did the Special K Women’s Duathlon here in Taupo – there is a series of them in various towns and cities in New Zealand over the next couple of months. We had to run 3.5km (mainly off-road and hilly), cycle 10km and then run 1.5km again off-road. My time (from the official website) was 1:13:19, placed 278 out of 379 individual entries – there were also teams – not earth-shattering, but there were not too many others of my vintage attempting it! We enjoy getting results of everything the AFF has been doing – some results are awesome! Our best wishes to everyone - we enjoyed seeing John and Sue Furlong here and hope to see others out here before long. Austin is still working in Banda Aceh until the end of May but we plan to have two weeks’ holiday in April in North Vietnam trekking among the mountain people.

At over 7 hours, this was a 'personal worst' but at the same time, a time I was very pleased with. This is the toughest marathon I have completed, but also the most scenic. Severe weather warnings forced a last minute change, making the marathon course 2 laps of the half marathon course to give more support in case of emergencies.

The wind on the coastal path was enough to blow me off the foot wide path several times, at at one point the headwind was so strong I couldn't make any headway at all until it died down a bit. The wooden gates also became a pretty severe obstacle, taking a lot of strength to open & slamming behind you ( or on you if you weren't quick enough).

Pleasingly, the marshalls were very well organised and encouraging, even to those of us at the back of the field. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a well run challenging course.

Poor run but as always enjoyed the experience. The start is incredible with almost 1300 runners charging up the first long, tough climb (if you had time and turned round at the top there are magnificent views across London of the London Eye, Post Office Tower etc!) unfortunately I had 12K of tough hills and some very heavy muddy sections to negotiate. The course is 2 laps and as the last race the course was very churned up making it incredibly difficult to plough through some sections of deep mud. 2nd lap I had found new energy and was passing many runners. There was great crowd support at the various advantage points around the course particularly as you approached the final descent and turn towards the finish - a National is a must for any cross country runner.

Next year's Southern Championships are here so lets make sure we get a men's and lady's teams entered as the course at Parliament Hill has to be experienced.

A well organised run from Reading to East Molesey (near Hampton Court) along the Thames Towpath.

This was a trail run and with the recent rain the going was pretty slippery underfoot and quite tricky at times, especially in the dark. Competitors have to carry their own food, clothing and other supplies in their backpack, which should be at least 4kg in weight. This is predominantly aimed at training for the Marathon des Sables in April.

Marshalls were very helpful and supportive. The cut off times are very generous, allowing for plenty of walking mixed in with the running, but even so the event took its toll on many competitors who were pretty exhausted by the end of it - but also very pleased with their achievement.

Facilities are second to none, with plenty of toilets & showers and a large car park. The course itself is one small lap of just the race course & 2 big laps including perimeter 'roads'. The course has plenty of enjoyable undulations, although being a race course it has a pretty severe camber in places.

In contrast to Watford, there are plenty of water stations (in fact the first time I have seen a water station before the first mile marker), just make sure not to over hydrate. Upon finish you get a brilliant goodie bag which has T shirt, very good medal, running hat, lucozade gel, lucozade energy bar & spring water.

All in all very good for an event that costs a tenner. This joins my list of favourite road halfs.

On a day when penguins were looking for gloves and polar bears were seeking fur coats a number of intrepid Flyers competed in and completed the Watford Half Marathon. The four Flyers I was aware of, were Valerie Williamson, Becky Fleckney, Carole (Twinkeltoes) Lydon and moi. Another Flyer (male) was spotted by Carole so apologies for not identifying him or reporting on his race performance.

The race itself was a testing, multi undulate (lots of chuffing hills) course through the suburbs of Watford and then out into the wilds of the Hertfordshire countryside. Despite my opening tart remarks about the weather it was a superb morning for a half marathon, and all credit to the organizers Watford Harriers, for constructing and managing what in my view was a very well organized race.

Performances? Valerie steamed home in an excellent time of 1.54.30, Carole turned in a personal worst half marathon time (her words, not mine!!!!) of 1.59.30, and Becky (who is competing in the London Marathon) returned a very promising 2.43.30. Me – ugh – why do I bother. Cramp for the last 3 miles, falling over a mile from home saw me staggering in with a time of 2.51.30. At this rate I couldn’t even successfully compete in 2 legged arse kicking contest.

Webmaster Note: Extra Flyer(s) have now been identified as Richard Blunt, Martin Lawrence & Ina McIntosh so now all get GP points. Also official times are now available, all showing an improvement on self timing apart from Goldilocks, who falls even further behind the "bottom kickers".

This is one of my favourite off-road races up in the hills of Leicestershire that this year saw 6 Flyers competing. A change to the previous course meant we ran 13.8 miles rather than the 12.5 due to not being able to go directly around Beacon Hill. The course involves 1200 metres of climb across the beautiful Charnwood Hills of Leicestershire. The first and longest climb is through Bradgate Park before a lovely descent that eventually took us straight across two fairways of a golf course. Not quite sure what the Golfers thought!. Another steep climb set us up nicely for the crawl up to Beacon Hill before descending down some muddy and uneven stony tracks. At this point we eventually rejoined the entrance into Beacon Hill Country Park and then followed our outward course back to the finish. The sting in the tail was the extremely deep muddy section of approx 200metres that saw myself take a tumble and end up face down covered in thick mud - thank goodness for the showers back at the school. A well organised race by the Bowline Climbing Club. Don't expect any medals or t-shirts here just a great satisfaction from completing the course, a free drink and eats and the company of some sad old gits from the Flyers on the drive up!!

Brian Layton and Mike Alcock completed in the Tough Guy. Brian has now completed this event an amazing 15 times and surely need certifying. Winner did 1-17, Last finisher: 4-06. About 4,000 took part with c. 700 DNF's !! Lots of amazing pics on website: www.ToughGuy.co.uk

3 Flyers made the trip over to Wootton for this event. Small field and Sedgers thought he might be in with a chance of V60 prize until he found that V60 winner was only a minute behind Darren, finishing 11th overall and was first vet in the race. What chance for us mere mortals!

15,000 metres felt a long, long way last Saturday at the South of England x/country Championships. The trouble was I was on my feet all afternoon supporting the youngsters in their junior races and when it came to mine I felt I had already run the distance!!

Bicton College is an excellent venue for a major x/country Championship with some short, sharp hills to climb and tough farmland to trouble your ankles on. The good thing this year was the course was fairly dry underfoot. The course was one short lap followed by 4 large laps of approx 3,500 metres. By large lap 3 the leaders had passed me half way round as they were approaching the finish! Still, the experience of running in these top events is always exciting if not a challenge and believe it or not I even lapped some of the back markers!!

It would have been interesting to see how our top club runners would have faired and with the Championships next year back up our neck of the woods we must try and get a team entry. For the record I was 407 out of 551 finishers (1.09.56) and the winner, Mitchinson from Essex Beagles finished in 49.19! Bedford & County took the team title.

On a very cold albeit dry morning four of the Flyers finest tackled the first round of the Wellingborough Multi-Terrain Series. Over a testing mixed terrain course, the Flyers covered themselves in varying amounts of the local flora, fauna and mud, and in the case of the 3 ladies did themselves and the club proud. Jenny and Becky are worth a particular mention. Jenny for whom this was the first race of the year turned in an excellent result which was a credit to her fortitude and resolve. Becky who had never run this type of race and distance before showed that she has the potential to do a great deal more in races and distances of this nature.

Let us hear it for 2 of the Nice ‘n’ Easy’s finest!!! Carole?? Turned in yet another sterling performance, and it was only the wrong type of footwear that prevented her from finishing nearer the first three than she did. Me?. I got there. Eventually.

Current Leaders in Club XC Championships with 3 events still to go. Anything can happen yet and probably will
Sen-Men - Tim Harris	Vet-Men - Andy Atherton & Jeremy Bell	Sen-Ladies - Michelle Morris	Vet-Ladies - Caroline Gilby

Stephen Warne 1:30:25	Ricky Jennings 1:46:35	Dawn Bird 1:59:30
Val Von Arx 1:59:30	Rebecca Fleckney 2:19:49	Annie Page 2:19:49

Tim Harris Winner	Ady Wadsworth 44th	Dave Stanley 102nd	Paula James 121st
Stephen Hartley 7th	Tony Cole 71st	Jeremy Bell 109th	Robbie Craig 129th
Adam Peters 8th	Jonathon Roots 77th	Martin Beare 118th	Andrew Lockley 139rd
Steve James 40th	Matt Jones 90th	Andy Atherton 120th	Annie Page retired (foot injury)