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ATHLETICS

All the up-to-date news from Boston and District Athletic Club

 

 

 

BADAC news March 2006

 

 

Week ending Sunday March 26:

 

With little local representation, Holland schools made a limited contribution to the Lincolnshire Schools team’s achievements at the English Schools Cross-Country championships. There were just three boys from the district on the start line making it the most disappointing ESAA championship representation for decades. Two of the three Holland lads completed their respective races over a demanding Berry Hill Park (Mansfield) course on Saturday.

 

In the intermediate boys championship over 6km, James Munn of Boston Grammar got away to a good start and maintained his form over the three-lap challenge. Spearheading the depleted Lincolnshire squad James finished in 163rd place only to find that his support had faded away.

 

The county only had six of the required eight runners on the start line and two of those failed to finish leaving Lincolnshire able to score a team in the inter boys championship. On a more positive front, the Lincs junior girls team members ran well to finish 15th out of the 42 representative teams.

 

In the junior boys event Tom Rogers of Gleed Boys produced another good performance over the country.

Working hard over the testing surface Tom closed in as fifth Lincolnshire finisher in 182nd place assisting the county to a creditable 24th in the team championship. To finish inside the first 200 positions in his debut at the English Schools Championships was a good achievement for Tom providing him with a good platform for future national schools championships.  

 

On April 1, a small number of junior distance runners have been chosen to represent Lincolnshire in a cross-country fixture against the national air cadets at Cranwell. On Sunday Boston and District Athletic Club open their outdoor track season with club trials at the Tommy Clay track. Registration is from 9am with a 10am start for 300m hurdles, 80m sprint and 300m sprints on the track and shot, hammer, cricket ball and long and high jump for all age groups in the morning. Afternoon events on the track are sprint hurdles 150 metres and 600 metres with discus, javelin, triple jump and pole vault the field events trials.

 

 

Week ending Sunday March 19:

 

Eight Boston and district multi-talented athletes distinguished themselves at the North East Counties Indoor Pentathlon championships at Gateshead on Saturday. Competing as guests at the regional championships, the Gold Tops relished the opportunity to compete in the new indoor athletics arena at the Gateshead International Stadium. Three BADAC representative finished in an excellent second pace achieving a string of personal best performances.

 

In the under-17 men’s pentathlon Jake Mason, opened with an 8.0secs 60 metres sprint, performance for sixth place and followed this with a leap of 5.44m in long jump to claim third place. In the shot he produced an encouraging 10.94m and then went on to clear a personal best 1.83m in high jump. In the final event the 60m hurdles, Jake recorded 9.7secs to finish with a points total of 1,708 to claim second place behind Daniel Gardiner (Leeds City).

 

Club women’s captain Jodie Favell also gained a good second place. An 8.1 second effort in the 60m sprint was followed by 5.02m in long jump and 9.39 in shot putt. Demonstrating her continuing progress she then cleared 1.57m in high jump and finished with a 9.4secs performance in the 60m hurdles. A total of 1,375 points secured runners-up spot behind Emma Morris (South Shields).

 

Gaining valuable experience at regional level, Mark Bridges added another second place to the Gold Tops tally.

In the under-20 mens 60m sprint he was timed at 7.7secs and then added an impressive 5.87m in the long jump competition. A putt of 6.94m in shot preceded 1.41m in high jump and Mark concluded his pentathlon with a very promising 10. 1secs over 60m high hurdles. With a total of 1,243 points Mark claimed second place behind Nick Ridgeon (South Shields).

 

Two under-15 boys distinguished themselves and showed how their winter training has contributed to raised standards. David Sharpe finished third with a total of 1,636 points ahead of team-mate Jake Brittain who claimed fourth place with 1,264 points. After an 8.5secs 60 metres sprint, David did 4.63m in long jump and impressed in shot with a 9.67m effort.  After clearing 1.35m in high jump he finished the day’s events with 11.9secs in the 60m hurdles. Jake recorded 9.1secs for 60 metres, 3.71m for long jump and 5.41, in shot before leaping 1.41m in high jump and crossing the finish line at the end of the 60m hurdles race in 11.0secs.

 

There was further cause for celebration at under-17 women’s level with Emily Moss finishing fifth in a closely contested championship. Her 8.6secs effort over 60 metres was fourth fastest and a leap of 1.84m gave her third place in the long jump competition. A putt of 7.58m in shot was followed by 1.51m in high jump and a 9.8secs performance in the 60m hurdles. A points total of 2,934 was only 170 points behind the championship winner.

 

In the under-15 girls’ event, Bethany Platt finished 12th out of the field of 21 contestants. Recording 9.3secs for 60 metres, 3.99m in long jump and 5.18m in shot, Bethany then cleared 1.18m in high jump and completed 60m hurdles in 11.4secs.

 

Progressing to combined events competition, Phil Peatling finished fifth in the senior mens pentathlon. A time of 7.6secs for 60 metres was followed by 5.67m in long jump, 7.43m in shot, 1.59m in high jump and in conclusion 11.7secs in his weakest event, the challenging 60m high hurdles.

 

On Saturday March 25 an elite group of distance runners selected for Lincolnshire, compete in the English Schools Athletic Association Cross-Country Championships at Mansfield’s testing Berry Hill Park course.

With just eight runners representing the county in each of six age groups, the local athletes will expect a tough race against competitors from 48 other counties.

 

Week ending Sunday March 12:

 

Five local distance runners represented Lincolnshire at the CAU Inter-Counties Cross-Country Championships at Nottingham on Saturday. The Woollaton Park course provided a challenging test for these athletes competing in the national event. In the under-13 boys’ race, Craig Melvin finished in 251st place with Jeremy Baily 276th and Aiden McClure 286th. These local lads assisted Lincolnshire to 33rd in the team competition. At under-15 level Lincolnshire had Giles Favell in 236th with the county team in 27th position. In the under-17 men’s competition James Munn was the first Lincolnshire finisher, claiming a place in the first 250 positions at the end of a demanding run.

 

Runners from two Boston schools contested the third of this seasons Fenland Schools Cross-Country League matches at Spalding. It was a well supported event with athletes tested over very muddy heavy surfaces.

In the under-13 girls race, Boston High School had Louise Rutt seventh, Andrea Jackson 14th and Chelsea Ironmonger 17th leading in their team. There was good support from Wednesday Pywowariw 22nd, Sian Worthington 24th, Stephanie Smith 25th, Ellis Whyler 27th and Abigail Tilley 29th who packed well for the B team.

Leading in Boston Grammar Schools under-13 squad was Richard Reed in a very promising 12th place. Jeremy Baily was 21st and Aidan McClure in 23rd completed the A team. For the B team, Finn Lewis was 28th, Ben Thomas 34th and Robin Perrin 49th. At under-15 level Chloe Turner was 23rd and Kristina Blazkova 24th. Both ran well without further team support and Aston Perrin 21st was also without team backing in the boys race.

 

This weekend Boston and District Athletic Club combined eventers compete at the Gateshead International Stadium. Members are entered in events at the North East Indoor pentathlon championships on Saturday.

 

Club on lookout for helping hands

 

With a full programme of track and field fixtures this summer, Boston and District Athletic Club is looking for helpers. With a minimum of 16 home fixtures at The Princess Royal Sports Arena, the club needs additional officials, judges, timekeepers and event helpers. Training will be given to anyone who feels able to help out at track and field matches. The club has experienced, qualified officials who offer support to novices and volunteers.  A knowledge of athletics would be an advantage but is not essential as guidance and practical training will be arranged.  Anyone wishing to find out more about the training provided should contact Beryl Clay or attend a short meeting at the Princess Royal Sports Arena at 7pm on Monday March 20.

 

Week ending Sunday March 5:

 

One hundred and forty runners finished the Friskney Half-Marathon Road Race on Sunday. This year’s event attracted entries from Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Notts, Essex and Northants as well as more local competitors.

In dry bright, breezy conditions runners relished the flat fast traffic free course and despite the brisk wind many achieved personal best times.

 

For the first five miles Shaun North headed the field alongside Rob Keal (Redhill Road Runners) before injury forced the Boston and District AC runner to pull up. After Shaun’s withdrawal, Rob Keal went on unchallenged finishing in 75.48 with a comfortable two-minute advantage over second man Andrew Goodair (Askern District RC) in 77.56. The host club’s Stuart Cragg crossed the line in third place recording 78.38 and Stephen Shanks (Holme Pierreport RC) was fourth (79.47).

 

The first male veteran 40 runner was Andrew Hough (Ivanhoe Runners) in fifth position (81.22) and Eddie Enright (Lincoln and District RR) was the winner of the veteran 50 category (94.06) in 41st place.

 

Representing Wolds Veterans Runners, Paul Freeman took the veteran 60 prize, recording 88.50 in 25th position.

First lady across the finish line was Julia Barthorpe from Valley Striders who claimed an excellent 22nd place in 88.20. Louth’s Janine Stones (93.45) took the female veteran 35 winners award and Carol Watson (Erewash Valley Runners) 117.08 won the veteran 45 category with Pam Atkins (Beverly AC) 120.45, carrying off the veteran 55 winners trophy.

 

Boston and District AC’s Gill Sleaford took the women’s veteran 45 second prize with 117.32 effort. Gold Top Sharon Gallichan finished in 76th position in 104.20. Ivanhoe Runners took both the senior and veteran womens team prizes but both the men team awards remained in Lincolnshire.

 

Boston and District AC took the honours at senior mens level with a points total of 78. Behind third placed Stuart Cragg the second counter was David Tilley 17th (85.40) and Steve Hubbard brought the team home for victory when he finished in 58th position recording 99.05. Lincoln Wellington AC took the veteran men’s team award.

This Saturday a few select local distance runners represent Lincolnshire at the UKA/CAU world Cross-Country Trials at Nottingham’s Wollaton Park.

 

The last of this season’s Fenland Schools Cross-County League events is at Spalding Grammar School on March 9 with the first race at 4.30pm.