Leighton Buzzard Athletic Club

This coming Saturday 7^th January is the Beds & Bucks Cross Country championships, which we are hosting at Cottesloe School in Wing. We urgently need people to help with marshalling the course so if you can help, or if you have family/friends that may be willing to assist, then please contact Richard Inchley (rinchley@hotmail.com) or 01908 507017.

The first race is at 12.00 so we need marshals to arrive at 11.00, especially as the courses have changed from previous years! The last race starts at 2.30pm and so you should be done by 4pm. If you can only help for part of the day that is also useful so please let Richard know. read more

On a cold and very windy night in Leighton, surprisingly 19 people turned up in Parson's Close to run the fourth race in the 2011/12 Stag Trophy. With current leader Rod Lopez suffering a lack of sleep due to the birth of his daughter on Christmas Eve, he was unlikely to be on top form and a pack had been gathering behind.

Although the wind was blowing us all down Grovebury Road the general inclement nature of the time of year meant that fast times were unlikely and anyone getting near to their handicap was likely to pick up some good points. In just her second race of the season, new club treasurer Helen Crossland was first off, with everyone else following at regular intervals behind, all under the control of Dave and Pete who had braved the weather once again. read more

With Christmas now just a distant memory and New Year's parties about to begin, it's about time to renew your annual subscription. Please can you send Helen a cheque or BACS payment before 31 January 2012.

Senior Members – We would be grateful if you could all complete the membership form below and return it to our treasurer Helen Crossland as soon as possible with your annual subscription. Anyone taking a family membership should complete a form for each family member.

With the usual frivolities of Christmas making it a challenge for most of us to get out running, we thought it would be advisable to put up a bit of a plan so no-one is caught out.

Wednesday 21^st – If you want to run prior to going for a curry at 7.30 then please meet in the usual location at Tiddenfoot at 6pm. We're not too sure who will be there but a few is better than none!

Wednesday 28^th – Normal Wednesday run with a 7.30pm departure. Uncle Pete has promised to be there so you'll be welcomed by at least one festive smile! read more

Leighton Buzzard AC were well represented by four lads in the South of England Inter-Counties Cross Country Championships held at Lloyd Park in Croydon.
 
Stars of the day were undoubtedly our U13 boys Owen Drabwell and Sam Nicholas who were making their debut for the county following a series of excellent Chiltern League performances.
 
In a very fast race in perfect cross country conditions over a 3000m course, Owen was just 7 places ahead of Sam finishing in a fine 28^th place, and being the fourth scorer in the team. He gained himself a South of England bronze medal for helping the team to an excellent 3^rd place. Sam was 5th home out of the eight team members and both look good to gain many more honours in the coming years.
 
In the U15 Boys Jordan Clay was the 4^th finisher for Bedfordshire in 60th place, running a very solid race and beating some fellow team members who he would often struggle to finish in front of. The team finished in 9^th place and Jordan’s run was an encouraging start to the forthcoming very tough season ahead.
 
The representation was completed with Billy Mead running very well by finishing 63^rd in the Under 17 race with six Bedfordshire runners finishing within 35 seconds of each other, bringing the team home in 8^th place overall.
 
It is good to see the youngsters performing well at this level, with several others knocking on the door for County selection. Richard Inchley (County Team Manager) will be watching closely the County Championship results and the final two Chiltern League races, to see who shows enough to make the county teams for the Inter Counties in Birmingham in March. read more