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Everton 5-a-side Football - 9th June 2007
Fans packed onto the Everton playing fields to witness the return of Biggleswade AC's five-a-side football team after last years
exit in the final. Even Biggs FM got in to the mood and dedicated 'We are the champions' to the lads over ther air waves prior to
the kick off. The talent this year was so vast they were divided into two teams. Biggleswade AC "A"- Captained by the Cat- Tim
Huxtable and Biggleswade AC "B"- Captained by "Kick'um hard" Gavin. They all looked really dashing in their new kits.
The tournament started slowly for both teams unfortunately being beat in their first games but as the day grew hotter and the
tackles went in harder they soon found their stride and the back of the oppositions net. Colin showed great composure on the
ball while Vince and Robin showed gritty determination in defence. Tim (for A) and Andrew (for B) also showed heroics in goal.
While Gavin and Lins both found their form and slotted the goals home bringing the crowd to their feet.
If it wasn't for some poor refereeing and the fact that the other teams were slightly better than them both teams would of made
it to the final. But were halted at the semi final stage. Team A in a nail biting penalty shoot out.
BIGGLESWADE AC "A"
Tim Huxtable (GK) (C) - The Cat - he pounced on everything
BIGGLESWADE AC "B"
Colin Harries - Showed superb skill on the ball
Everton Fun Run - 9th June 2007
** Everton 3 Mile Fun Run 2007 Results Available Here **
Steve - Showed speed and grace, and Mark Harris a clean pair of heels
Robin - Nothing got past him
Lins Morgan - Leading goal scorer, and well deserved
Rob - Some great threw balls
Vince - A wall at the back
Andrew Deans (GK) - A brilliant shot stopper
Gav Elliott (C) - Most people felt his force, on the backs of their ankles.
Tim - A man mountain up front
** Everton 1 Mile Fun Run 2007 Results Available Here **
Weymouth Half Ironman - 3rd June 2007
Biggleswade AC Triathlete Debbie Knott competed in the Weymouth Half Ironman on Sunday. The challenge began with a 1.9 mile swim in the calm sea waters off the Dorset coast followed by a 55 mile bike ride around a very hilly course. Debbie was knocked off her bike by a car during this part of the race and injured her shoulder and knee quite badly but carried on to run a very painful 13.1miles and complete the course. Well done Debbie for a most determined and inspirational performance.
Race Referee Nigel Bush kept a watchful eye over the two legged runners at Whipsnade Zoo on Sunday for the 10k race around three laps of the animal enclosures. Three members of Biggleswade Athletic Club took part and first home was Damien Pitts in an excellent time of 41:22. Ray Dowse crossed the finish line in 46:41 and Julie Dowse 61:46.
On Wednesday 30th May Richard Bevan and Vincent Plosky represented Biggleswade Athletic Club in the Corby 5 which is part of the East Midlands Grand Prix Series. This is an extremely hilly course over 5 miles of country roads and both men ran really well to record personal best times. Vincent finished in a time of 32:04 and was 59th overall. Richard followed closely behind in 33:32 and was placed 82nd.
Eight members of Biggleswade Athletic Club braved the heat for a late night race in Bedford on Wednesday 23rd May. The annual 'Bedford Six' road race proved to be a challenging six mile course with an extremely gruelling hill at the three and a half mile mark and that combined with the heat, made it difficult for even the determined runners, despite this fantastic performances were seen by all. Vince Plosky and Rich Bevan led the Biggleswade team in with some of their best times this year so far. Damien Pitts and Neil Gregory were not far behind continuing their good form, they were closely followed by the rapidly improving Alan Goodman, finishing next was Deb Bryant achieving a personal best by 5 miles despite suffering from an injury, Roger Wadely and Nigel Bush followed, who managed to run well despite suffering from a knee injury.
Results are as follows;
Vince Plosky - 47th - 38:14
Rich Bevan - 62nd - 39:31
Damien Pitts - 79th - 40:19
Neil Gregory - 84th - 40:42
Alan Goodman - 90th - 41:10
Deb Bryant - 104th - 41:32 (4th vet 35)
Roger Wadely - 112th - 42:13
Nigel Bush - 141st - 43:46
Wheathampstead 10K - 20th May 2007
Two members of Biggleswade Athletic Club competed in the 7th running of the Wheathampstead 10k on Sunday. The course included some challenging hills through the picturesque countryside and the sunny conditions combined with recent rain made making the right choice of running shoe for this all off-road race important. Elaine Stead is consistently improving and ran really well to complete the course in 58:20 followed closely by Mark Stead in his first race since the London Marathon crossing the finish line in 60:12.
Club Quiz Night - 19th May 2007
Saturday night saw training shoes off and thinking caps on as Biggleswade Athletic Club hosted its first Quiz Night at Sandy Upper School. Fifteen teams competed for the prizes and honour of being Brains of Biggleswade AC 2007. Questions were in a variety of categories including music, sport, general knowledge and a picture round. The evening finished with a noisy but hilarious quick-fire round, thanks to Elaine Stead for supplying the buzzers. There were bonus points on offer if your team were the fastest and best dancers on a random signal and Team One took full advantage of this leading to outright victory for Natalie Darlow , Rob Morgan, Debs Bryant and Lins Morgan. Team Fifteen were second and Team 14 took third prize. Thanks to Question Master Gavin Elliot who with Paula Dawson and Tanya Tatchley organized the whole fun filled and successful evening.
** Quiz Night Results Available Here **
Bedfordshire AAA Track & Field Championships - 13th May 2007
** Bedfordshire AAA Track & Field Championships Results Available Here **
Biggleswade AC Track Relays - 10th May 2007
** Biggleswade AC Track Relays Results Available Here **
London Marathon - 22nd April 2007
Over 36,000 runners from all over the world came together on Sunday for the 27th London Marathon. Lining up in the scorching temperatures were a record eleven runners from Biggleswade Athletic Club with ages ranging from under 25 to over 55. The Biggleswade banner stood proud at the six mile point as the runners came around the Cutty Sark to enormous cheers. Ian Skerrat led the way for Biggleswade and completed the 26.2 miles in an impressive 3:15:04.
At seventeen miles the field was more spread but all the Biggleswade runners were looking relaxed and determined despite the water station actually having run out of water. The heat did nothing to stem the enthusiasm of Paula Dawson who enjoyed every minute of the 4hrs 25mins she spent on the course. Seasoned long distance runner Alistair Burt MP was carrying a calf injury and battled hard in the tough conditions.
Andrew Bruce ran superbly in his 10th London Marathon recording a time of 3:43:37 and just 12 minutes later the first Biggleswade lady across the finish line was Val Kemp.
Canary Wharf gave a great boost to all the runners as the noise of the crowd and sound of the bands was both deafening and inspiring. A recent addition to the Marathon was the showers along the route and Mark Stead made the most of the cooling effects. This was his first Marathon along with Natalie Darlow, Sarah Geeson-Orsgood and Julia Mackay who all completed the course and felt the exhilaration of testing their minds and bodies to the limit.
As the last of the Biggleswade runners approached The Mall towards the finish line there were scenes of drama and camaraderie as, completely exhausted by the heat, a runner was helped across the line by the others around him. It is moments like this which make the London Marathon such a unique event.
Results are as follows;
Ian Skerrat (3:15:04)
Andrew Bruce (3:43:37)
Val Kemp (3:55:30)
Natalie Darlow (4:13:48)
Anthony Haymes (4:17:18)
Paula Dawson (4:25:16)
Sarah Geeson-Orsgood (4:26:31)
Alistair Burt MP (5:18:05)
Julia Mackay (5:23:15)
Mark Stead (5:39:19)
David Lindsay (5:49:00).
Mini Marathon
Competing for Bedfordshire Girls in the 15-16yrs age group, Alice Middleton ran a superb race in a time of 17:05 for the 2.6mile course.
Open Track Meeting - 21st April 2007
** Open Track Meeting (Male) Results Available Here **
** Open Track Meeting (Female) Results Available Here **
Flitwick 10K - 15th April 2007
April is traditionally the month of showers and frosts but in summer-like temperatures of over twenty degrees Centigrade on Sunday, twenty-one runners from Biggleswade Athletic Club competed in the Flitwick 10k Road Race. This is the Club’s 10k Championship race and the circular course from Flitwick through the village of Steppingly had many uphill sections along its country lanes which tested the runner’s strength and stamina.
Stephen Penny was first Biggleswade man home in a time of 39:23 followed by Ian Skerratt in his final race before the Flora London Marathon. Third was Gavin Elliot in 41:38 chased by Rich who had an excellent run and was less than a second behind.
First lady over the finish line was Debs Bryant, a superb athlete whose running continues to go from strength to strength. Simon Prior, recently returned from Australia enjoyed his run on home soil and was chased to the line by Fiona Hunter who recorded a personal best time of 46:04 in her first race in a Biggleswade vest. The International theme continued with Kiwi Sharyn Bray crossing the finish line in under 55 minutes in her first race since competing in the Iron Man Triathlon in New Zealand. Just behind Sharyn and having a terrific race was our representative from France. Marie has been training with the Club whilst living and working locally and was running at the same time as her mother was competing in the Paris Marathon! Elaine Stead gave yet another strong performance to complete the course in 57:36 followed by Sam Grist and Julia Mackay in her last run before London.
Biggleswade results were: Stephen Penny (39:23), Ian Skerratt (40:16), Gavin Elliot (41:33), Rich (42:10), Vince (42:33), Rob Morgan (42:55), Debbie Bryant (43:41), Roger Wadely (44:38), Nigel Bush (44:49), Simon Prior (46:01), Fiona Hunter (46:04), Natalie Darlow (47:56), Derek Litchfield (48:26pb), Colin Harries (52:15), Sharyn Bray (54:44), Marie (56:32), Elaine Stead (57:36), Julia Mackay (58:52), Sam Grist (60:35), Julie Dowse (63:20), Anne Lincoln (63:27).
This was a superb turn out by all of the Club members and supporters. Showing by ever improving results, the benefits of belonging to a positive and encouraging Club such as Biggleswade.
** Club Championship Results Available Here **
Club Handicap Run (April) - 10th April 2007
Run over a course of 3.8 miles approx (Route of the Blunham Loop).
Results are as follows;
Anne Lincoln - 39.30 mins
Julie Dowse - 37.14 mins
Sam Grist - 34.41 mins
Elaine Stead - 33.50 mins
Mary - 33.50 mins
Julia Mackay - 33.23 mins
Kirsty Heath - 32.15 mins
Sharon - 31.30 mins
Colin Harris - 31.13 mins
Mark Peacock - 31.02 mins
Chris Adams - 30.43 mins
Sarah Geeson-Orsgood - 28.37 mins
Will - 28.36 mins
David Albone - 28.15 mins
David - 27.43 mins
Fiona Hunter - 27.31 mins
Derek - 26.54 mins
Chris Clark - 26.48 mins
Val Kemp - 26.28 mins
Roger - 26.20 mins
Debbie Bryant - 25.25 mins
Mark Sylvester - 24.40 mins
Vince - 24.38 mins
Nick - 24.32 mins
Gavin Elliott - 22.42 mins
Gavin Davis - 22.11 mins
Athletics Annual Meeting, Welwyn - 6th April 2007
At the annual meeting at Welwyn Garden City Good Friday 6th April Biggleswade Athletics returned home with new club records, national rankings and personal bests.
Josh Watson competing in the U13 age group retuned home with a personal best in the 100 m and came 4th in his race. He won the High Jump with a personal best with a leap of 1.35 m which is just below the club record, and threw another personal best in the Discus and came 3rd.
Josh's brother, Alex competing in the U17 age group ran in the 800 m and at the start of the second lap was in 2nd position but the pace took its toll and Alex tied up and finished 4th just inside his persoanl best.
Katie Bland in the U15 girls was entered in 3 events the High Jump Hammer and Discus. As the Hammer and High Jump were being held simultaneously, despite warming up but with the problem of changing shoes - Katie withdrew from the High Jump and came home with a new club record and came 4th. This result puts Katie in 4th place in the UK rankings as the 3 girls who beat her are ranked 1, 2 and 3.
Alice Middleton U20 woman opted to run the 800 m and not the 400 m she entered as a warm up event for future events in the summer - and it paid off! Also in the same race was Club veteran David Brown, this was the B standard race with the A race being won in a uk best for 2007. David took the pace from the beginning and went through the first lap in 62 seconds, Alice as close behind in 64 seconds. At the bell David was challenged for the lead and Alice close behind. With 300 m to go David sprinted to the finishing line and was never going to be beaten. Alice finished in 3rd place in a new cub record of 2 mins 14.4 secs. This puts Alice in 8th position in the UK rankings and less than 4 seconds behind the current number 1. Alice went on and competed in the Triple Jump and came second in another club record of 10 m 57 cm.
David competed in the 400 m and came 4th but ran well to equal his best time of the last 3 years.
With these results the club's future is looking very promising.
There was a very good turn out on Sunday by Biggleswade Athletic Club as 14 runners entered for the Oakley 20/12. Many of the competitors were using this race as part of their final long distance training before the London Marathon in three weeks time.
The course was quite undulating but was also a most pleasant run through some of the prettiest villages and countryside in the County. The strong wind played its part too making parts of the course tough but at the same time cooling the runners down as the sunshine made conditions very warm for early spring.
A total of 740 runners finished the race which was won by Peter Galpin of BRJ Huntingdon in 1:55:59. Rob Morgan was first man home for Biggleswade in an excellent time of 2:37:16 just four minutes ahead of a very good run by Gavin Elliot. Nigel Bush was third man and first veteran over the line for the Club in 2:42:32. First lady for Biggleswade was an ever-improving Natalie Darlow in 2:49:30 followed by Anthony Haymes and Sarah Geeson-Orsgood who clocked the same official time of 2:58:35. Paula Dawson fell and sustained injuries to her arm at just past the 19 mile point but in a gritty display of determination, carried on and completed the 20 miles in 3:13:39. In his final long run before London Mark Stead hoped to record a time of around 3:30 but smashed this target by almost three minutes. MP Alistair Burt had a superb run and crossed the finish line in 3:15:51.
Schools' Cross Country Relays - 21st March 2007
** Schools' Relay Results Available Here **
Turing Relay - 18th March 2007
Biggleswade AC had a good turn out Ely this weekend for the inaugural Turing trail relay, the race was held along the banks of the Great Ouse and Cam between Ely and Cambridge. The event is named after Alan Turing, who as a student at Kings college Cambridge regularly ran along the river banks, he went on to be the founding father of modern computer science and played a pivotal role in developing the code breaking facility at Bletchley Park during world war 2, helping to break the German enigma codes.
The race, 35 miles in all, was split into 6 approximately equal stages, 3 from Ely to Cambridge on the west banks and 3 from Cambridge to Ely on the east bank. 70 teams took part in the event, Biggleswade entered two teams, the Panthers, made up of Ken Prior, Rob Morgan, Ray Dowse, Damien Pitts, Gavin Elliot and Nigel Bush, and the Puma’s consisting of Mark Stead, Julie Dowse, Tanya Tatchley, Rebecca Tippett, Natalie Darlow and Elaine Stead. Everybody within the teams ran really well and coped with some challenging conditions as the wind was blowing a gale almost continuously and the route offered little respite or no protection from it’s force. The Panthers were the Biggleswade first team home with a good result of tenth overall, completing the 35 miles in 4 hours and 6 minutes, posting an average of just over 7 minutes per mile over the distance, the Puma’s romped home and hour and bit later in 63 position overall, posting a final time of 5 hours 16 minutes, averaging just over 9 minute miles.
Sportshall Challenge - 11th March 2007
** Sportshall Challenge Results Available Here **
Ironman Triathlon - 3rd March 2007
The peaceful village of Tempsford is keeping a secret because this small community is harbouring an international sporting heroine. Sharyn Bray is a remarkable lady. On 3rd March this diminutive kiwi completed her first Ironman Triathlon in New Zealand. Most of us have now heard of this gruelling sequence of tests which start with a swim, usually in open water, followed by cycling and completed with a run. Race distances vary, a sprint Triathlon can mean a run of just 5k. Ironman is one of the ultimate tests of skill and endurance comprising of a 2.4mile swim, a 112mile cycle ride then a full marathon of 26.2 miles.
Sharyn has lived in Tempsford for just over three years and is a Radiographer for Cambridge University at Addenbrookes Hospital. She also enjoys gardening and hill walking but triathlon is her passion and she wanted to compete in her first Ironman before turning forty this year. “I have done sprint and half Ironman distances, but the thought of trying to go that bit further has always been there.”
In her early 20’s, Sharyn met a person whose enthusiasm and love for the sport inspired her to attempt her first Triathlon. Gilbert, although being thirty years her senior, not only lent her a bike and kayak but also through his totally positive outlook on life, gave Sharyn the belief that her goals were achievable. In Sharyn’s own words, Gilbert is “one of those amazing people who, if you are lucky to know, enriches your life.”
So, in Taupo, New Zealand on 3rd March at 7am, Sharyn lined up amongst both International professional athletes and amateurs for the start of the race. The weather was perfect, warm with only a light breeze throughout the day. This allowed hundreds of spectators to line the course and encourage the athletes from 7am till midnight when the last runner finished. Sharyn completed her swim in 1:11:02, the 112mile cycle in 7:46:37 and the run in 5:48:39 which meant an incredible overall time, including changeovers from one discipline to the next of 15hours 4 minutes and 12 seconds.
The last word goes to Sharyn “For me it was an amazing experience. The buzz of family, friends and spectators yelling and encouraging you was something else. Crossing that finish line was an awesome moment. In an instant you forget the pain of tired legs….am I going to do another one….definitely!”.
Three Counties Cross Country, Dunstable - 11th February 2007
Fifteen members of Biggleswade Athletic Club took part in the final Cross Country of this seasons Three Counties League at Dunstable on Sunday. This was a tough but rewarding Cross Country through some of the most stunning scenery in Bedfordshire. After a week of rain, snow, melting snow and more rain, this predominately clay soil course was expected to be very muddy and expectations were exceeded. As the 11am start time approached the sun broke through the clouds to also highlight the many hills which made up the gruelling five miles that the runners would soon have to tackle.
First man to finish for Biggleswade was Steve Penney in an excellent 26th place with Gavin Elliot not far behind. Well done to Ken Prior who was third man and also first veteran home for the team. Neil Gregory, Nigel Bush and Ian Skerrat all ran well and congratulations to Ray Dowse who achieved a scoring position in his first Cross Country season. Arthur Mitchell ran hard and completed the men’s team line up.
The Ladies team were once again led home by the very talented Debs Bryant in 6th place. Good runs by Natalie Darlow and Penny Fletcher took the other two scoring positions and Samantha Grist gave a very strong performance to finish close behind the first three. Improving places by Elaine Stead, Julie Dowse and Anne Lincoln mean an ever strengthening team for next season.
Mens team results:
Steve Penney (26th), Gavin Elliot (48th), Ken Prior (73rd), Neil Gregory (102nd), Nigel Bush (105th),
Ian Skerrat (114th), Ray Dowse (115th), Arthur Mitchell (134th).
The Men’s Team finished in 7th position.
Ladies team results:
Debbie Bryant (6th), Natalie Darlow (21st), Penny Fletcher (50th), Samantha Grist (56th),
Elaine Stead (62nd), Julie Dowse (75th), Anne Lincoln (76th).
The Ladies Team finished in 5th position.
Wootton won the overall league title for the season with Biggleswade AC finishing in 7th place.