The new wheelchair racing cabing was officially opened on Sunday 4th July by Bedford Borough councillor Doug McMurdo.

A little bit of sad news that might be of interest to some of the more senior members of the Club, particularly those who participated in the relay run to Bamberg.

Club members may be interested in a 10km race and 3km fun run that is being held at Thurleigh Autodrome on Sunday 26th September.  You can find out more, and enter here: https://sdc50.co.uk/events/2021/10km-race-and-fun-run.html#event-info.  Do note that the Southern Road Relays may be on the same day, so don't enter if you think you may run for the club in the road relays.

It is with great sadness that the club has has to report that long-serving club member, Ursula Duckworth, passed away two weeks ago.

Bedfordshire AAA are putting on a Beds Open meeting over two evenings on Monday 14th June (Field) and Wednesday 16th June (Track) from 6pm.  This is subject to a permit being issued.  These meetings will operate under Covid secure protocols, and you should note that they will probably ask for a negative lateral flow test. These can be ordered online or collected from Pharmacists.  The meetings are aimed at young athletes looking for English Schools qualification marks, although entry will not be exclusive to them.

For more information, see http://bedfordshireaaa.org.uk/Beds%20AAA%20Website/bedsaaa/TandF/index.html

Due to government advice against travelling into Bedford, and in order to be fair to all members, including those from outside the town who may want to attend, the 2021 AGM has been postponed, and will now take place on Tuesday 8th June at 7.45 pm at Bedford International Athletic Stadium.  We apologise for any inconvenience caused, but like many organisations, were unaware of the advice until this morning.  Click here to see the agenda.

 Howard Darbon, and his team of volunteers have finished the new Wheelchair Racing Section cabin, and it is now being stress tested by the unseasonable May winds!  Good job all.

From Tuesday 18th May we will be operating a bit more normally, but still with some caution due to rising rates in Bedford. Training for groups other than Beagles will start at 6:30 pm.  Access to the stadium will be through reception.  It will be necessary to use a face covering when inside the building, and you will need to progress to trackside immediately.  Coaches will be responsible for keeping a register of attendees in their group for track and trace purposes, and should pass these details on to Martyn.

Please note you will need to have renewed your membership - otherwise the stadium staff will refuse access. Swipe cards may be in operation, so try and bring these with you, although the stadium staff will have an updated list of all paid members to avoid queues at the entrance.

2021 is the inagural year for the National Athletics League (NAL), which replaces both the British Athletics League, and the UK Women's Athletics League.  As well as the NAL, the club will also be taking part in the Southern Athletics League (SAL).

Richard Chiassaro, the well known Paralympic wheelchair racer, who is a world and British record holder, visited the club last Sunday to spend the morning coaching our Wheelchair Section.  All the Bedford athletes enjoyed the session and learnt many skills from Richard.  Aided by volunteers, Howard Darbon, who manages the Wheelchair Section, has also been constructing a new cabin to hold the section's equipment, just next to the stadium's first-aid post.

The club's Wheelchair section, managed by Howard Darbon, have acquired a wooden cabin that comes in kit form.  This needs to be built, and the ground works prepared.  Howard is ready to proceed and is hoping to start on Monday (26th April) with preparing the site.  Howard is looking for around 6 volunteers to assist on Monday, and thereafter around 2 to 3 each day.  Howard hopes to start at 10.00am , have a break for lunch and then continue to around 5 pm.  It would be very helpful if the volunteers could bring any digging tools - forks, spades etc and wheelbarrows.  If anybody is able to assist, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your availability for Monday 26th, Tuesday 27th, and Wednesday 28th am and / or pm.

After a fallow year in 2020 due to the pandemic, the English Schools Athletics Championships are due to make a welcome return this year.  The dates and locations are as follows: