Bedford Harriers A.C.
Beds XC Championships
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Official Results |
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DAY AT THE RACES
Two trophies successfully defended, a third picked up, and second and third
places in the two other contests, amounted to quite a day out.
When 'heads were counted' at the start of proceedings on the wind-swept grassy
acres of the RAF playing fields at distant Halton, where down jackets rather
than track suits were the order of the day, it was apparent that the Ladies
would have their work cut out - three required to count for both Senior and
Veteran contests, and just three runners present.
So to take the silverware back to its rightful place, it was a case of 'win or
bust' - and win they did, with Anna, Sally and Veronica comfortably disposing of
the three opposing clubs in both sections, confounding any suspicions that such
a result might be unlikely. With Sally taking first Vet 40, place medals for
three age groups were shared between our three runners under the multiple award
formula operated by the County.
After missing out by two points last time round, a win in the Men's Vet 40
section was always on the cards, given the strength in depth of this section of
the club. Getting home by over fifty points was a satisfying result, headed up,
as the results below show, by Tony Dadd and Steve Earley (first and second M40's
overall) the other two scorers being Kevin Willett and Richard Piron.
These four, plus Simon Fawcett and Tony Barnes, made up the scoring six in a
bid for the Senior Mens title, taken this year by Ampthill and Flitwick, who
placed six runners in the first eighteen, against Harriers six in the first
twenty-three. The 'losing margin' was 26 points - rather less than our 99 point
deficit behind Beds and Co. last year.
Meanwhile in the M50+ contest, Richard Piron, Neil Lovesey, Joe Horsman and Andy
Purdy took third team place, with Richard taking second M45 and M50 as well
as scoring in all three team results! Of the other individual awards, Tony
Dadd's M40 status as County Champion for this group is probably a 'Harriers
First', while Bob Wells(M60) and Bill Billington(M70 this time) were in their
usual good form in again picking up winner's medals.
So well run everyone who ran, including 'support runners' Simon Costin, Jason
Goodman, Alistair Fadden and Justin Openshaw who all finished in the top two
thirds of the field and thereby contributed to such good team results. My thanks
for an entertaining 'Day at the Races'.
The individual ladies medals (with race positions) were -
Anna 3rd Lady, 2nd LV35
Sally 2nd LV 35, 1ST LV40
Veronica 2nd LV45, 3rd LV40
David.