Category: General

British Masters Cross Country

 

While some LBAC members were enjoying the warmer climate of Lanzarote I was competing for England in the annual British & Irish Masters Cross Country International. Running as a Master this is the only race where you have to be selected – a process of various races throughout the year in Masters National competitions.

This year the event was hosted by SVAC at Bellahouston Park Glasgow where the 1978 World Cross Country Championships took place. My coach Tony Simmons was 4th on that day and he warned me how muddy it could be – he wasn’t wrong. read more

St Albans Chiltern League

By Nick Clay & Chris Williams 

The conditions and course provided a perfect cross country challenge, hills, mud and strong winds all had to be dealt with as the under 11 girls got our challenge underway, returning from the Luton event we had Chloe May, Melissa Chapman and Sadie Towell, all running a year young. They all ran well in the conditions finishing 52, 56 and 65 respectively.

The under 13 Girls were next away for the team and on her debut race for the club Sarah Plummer had a strong race over the 3km course. Competing a year young and running against some 13 year olds Sarah finished in 37th position in a time of 13:09 which was very good in the slippy conditions. Becca Mead was glad of the company at this meet and ran well in 49th position having a strong determined run and adding valuable points to the team tally. read more

Nice to Cannes Marathon

By Fi Towell 

 

Three months prior to race date a knee injury that made two miles impossibly painful considerably threatened my chances of making the start line in Nice. But 2 things (or rather two superhero people) helped make it happen:

  • Several wonderfully appropriate Sports Therapy sessions (plug for Carmel at the Sports Therapy Room in Leighton Buzzard)
  • A blank training schedule, lovingly prepared by the middle Mr Inchley, which hung on the back of the kitchen door as a constant reminder that a few missed weeks at the start and no tapering still made it possible to go the distance in the time available.

Not only did I make the start line, but I finished my first ever marathon too. And I have the tee-shirt and black toenail to prove it!

 

Dressed as Batgirl complete with cape and with bats in my hair, on my fingers and drawn on my face and with my fellow superhero chums, Superwoman, Wonderwoman and Catwoman we flew, spun, winged and rocketed our way down to breakfast at 5am with the Ethiopian and Kenyan Elite team who we shared our budget IBIS Hotel with. A few Hi-Fives and several photo calls later we charmed our way onto their bus to the start line. Lukas Kanda wanted his photo taken with the crazy Scottish ladies before he warmed up for his first marathon (much to his coach’s annoyance): read more

Luton Marathon

On Sunday morning, three LBAC members travelled to Luton for the marathon and 3-stage relay. Tom May was the only runner attempting the full distance, in his 13th marathon (he thinks) with this one being only 4 weeks after his impressive run in the notoriously tough Beachy Head marathon. Tom never intended to take this one quite as seriously and on the day he decided to help pace LFR's Marion Wright around the course, helping her go sub-4 with both of them crossing the line in 3:58:04. A great effort from our gallant club captain, he's available to hire for all your marathon pacing needs! read more

Watford Chiltern League

The club had a good turnout for Watford, for a race in ideal conditions around Cassiobury Park. Of note was the huge increase in ladies running this week for the club. They almost matched the men’s numbers with ten competing over the undulating course. Three runners making their club debut in the league were Kelly Paine, Janet Dashwood and Lorraine Mclean who will all undoubtedly learn how to run cross-country as the winter season goes on.

 

The juniors were down on team members from the first event, but those that ran had excellent races to help the points tally. The under 13 boys contested the first race featuring Leighton runners and Owen Drabwell and Sam Nicholas had a fantastic battle all the way round with Owen reversing the order from Luton and that continues a great competition going into the next round between these two. They finished 12th and 14th respectively, backed up by Patrick Clay and Henry Mead who both improved their league standing by at least 10 places to bring the team home in 6th place overall. read more

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