Leighton Buzzard Athletic Club

By Pete Mackrell 

Whilst most of LBAC were doing the 10k on their doorstep, I travelled further afield for the Finchley 20. Two thing struck me as being particularly odd about "the UK's longest running 20 mile road race", firstly it isn't even in Finchley any more, it's in Ruislip 11 miles away, and secondly the official car park is at the crematorium, hardly a good omen!

On the startline I bumped into Joe Hurley and we discussed the four lap race which awaited us. Most people detest doing laps but I quite enjoy them, once you've run 5 miles there are no surprises ahead and it means you get more support at the roadside, especially as you pass the start/finish area. I always seem to keep spotting new things on each lap so I obviously don't pay much attention to what is going on around me. read more

On Sunday 25^th March it the first club championship of the season with the 10 mile race at Sandy. We wholeheartedly encourage everyone who can manage ten miles to enter the race. There aren't many ten mile races around and it is a fast course with the main hill being early on before running down the same one at 8.5 miles. You can see all the details and enter here. www.sandy10.org.uk

However, if you can't come over to Sandy then please support the local Sport Relief Mile.

Come and join the fun! The Sainsbury’s sports mile is coming to Town on the 25th March allowing the entire family to have fun while raising money for charity. Shake the dust from your old trainers, rouse your family and friends and enjoy a morning’s run around Pulford and Tiddenfoot Recreational Parks. This exciting event offers a choice of 1,3 or 6 mile distances. The 1 mile run is entirely contained within Pulfords / Parson’s Close Park, ensuring a safe and fun for the entire family (especially for the youngsters). Places are limited so don’t miss out, register today for (http://my.sportrelief.com/search/event/result?id=1333#postcode=lu7) Sunday 25th March, Pulfords / Parson’s Close Park, races start at 10am. Don’t forget to download those sponsor forms. read more

The South-East of England is in drought having barely had a splash of rain for months. Well, with 11 club members out to run around MK and Berkhamsted in two excellent local half marathons and a further three out marshaling at MK, it was the perfect day for it to lash down with rain that eventually became sleet! Nice!

Starting a touch earlier was the Berko half where club captain Tom May and cross-country ever-present Jane Sauer were out searching for good times over the hills of Ashridge. The course is notoriously hilly, but still produces some fast times for lots of people who manage to make the most of the steep downhills without losing too much on the ups. read more

Thirty-three people made it to Xscape on Friday night for this year's club bowling extravavganza, with competition expected to vary between non-existant in some and very fierce in others. There was not a lot of quality at the beginning, but Tim and Simon both managed a few spares early on. The game progressed with a gradual improvement from a few, while some just focused on the bar.

By the end of the first game, Paul Crossland (133) had come through to lead, but was closely followed by Richard Inchley (129), Iain Holloway-McLean (129), Dave McGarry (128) & Tim Inchley (125). None of the ladies had managed 100 but Jo Breslin (99), Angela McGarry (99) and Mandy Clay (95) looking to defend her title were the leaders. read more