Beds XC Championships
20th February 2010

David report's on the race:

Great to meet up with the 'A Team' after so long. What better event than the 80th running of the Bedfordshire Championships as a reason for making the trip!

For those with an interest in team running, there is more to tell than Alistair's modest observation following his own strong second lap and impressive finish, clear evidence of benefit from marathon training.

Arriving once again with five runners for the six-to-score senior race, and three for the four-to-score Vets, is normally enough to send a team manager ballistic.

This likelihood was finally avoided when - on staying to witness Sally's 40+ award and Bill's second-time-round 70+ champion's award beating some determined opposition - it was announced out of the blue that NO CLUBS had six runners present, so an unprecedented decision had been made to allow FIVE TO SCORE and three for the Vets.

So our bewildered but rather elated five - Alistair, Matt, Tony B, Tim, and Graham S - found themselves County Champions, retaining the trophy so narrowly snatched from Beds and County and several others in '09.

Clearly the delayed race date following January snow had decimated the turn-out several clubs as well as ourselves. The cross-country season has been a full one, with important races still to come, while road races and marathon training are preferred by many.

Worth a mention in my view that the UK's only two Olympic Marathon medallists in recent decades - Basil Heatley and Charlie Spedding, and track stars including Brendon Foster, Steve Cram and Steve Ovett - all ran a full cross-country season with their club teams as part of their build-up for their main task.

My thanks to Alistair and Co for a fine day at the races - see you there next January - and have a good year everyone!

David