Competitive athletics and group training are both suspended during the current lockdown. However, several Bedford and County athletes managed to squeeze in some races during October. Here’s a run-down of what has been happening.
"In response to Bedfordshire being placed in Tier 4, and the rapid rise in cases locally, we have decided to suspend all training activity both at the stadium and in public spaces. Please adhere to Government guidance when training on your own in public spaces. We will keep this decision under review as the situation develops."
This is Rebecca Dean - the Wheelchair section's newest recruit. Howard Darbon's group is now up to five, and doubtless will continue to grow.
Public Space Covid Secure training returns from 30th March (the booking system is now open)
You can find the latest England Athletics guidance here: https://www.englandathletics.org/athletics-and-running/news/guidance-update-2021/
In addition to training at Bedford International Athletics Stadium, and in line with England Athletics guidance, Bedford and County offers Covid secure training in a number of selected public spaces.
Gracie Wall stormed to a new U15 Pentathlon club record at Yeovil on 4th October, despite atrocious conditions of persistent heavy rain, strong winds and temperatures which were as low as nine degrees and never rose much above eleven degrees.
Seven Bedford and County athletes took part in the Noble Pro PB Special in Milton Keynes on Sunday 27th September.
Matt Bray finished ninth in a new PB of 14:30. John Eves (M35) also got a new PB of 15:05, and finished 29th. Ben Davies came 33rd in 15:11, and Paul Mizon was close behind in 36th place, recording 15:13. Jono Janes came 43rd in 15:20, Craig Emmerson came 78th in 15:55, and Stanley Willis came 98th in a PB of 16:17. Jono, Craig and Stan all won their waves.
There were good performances over 1500m from three Bedford and County athletes at the Harrow Race Night on Thursday 24th September. Alex Alston (U17) won race eleven in a new PB of 3:59.17. In the same race Jamie Webster (U20) finished second in a season’s best of 4:03.38, and Harry Brodie (U20) came seventh in a PB of 4:06.95. At the same meeting, Paul Mizon set an 800m PB of 1:59.52 whilst finishing 3rd in race 11. At the Nuneaton British Milers Club meeting on 18th September, Ed Blythman (U20) set a 1500m PB of 4:05.22 whilst winning the F race. On the same day, but a little further up the age scale, Charlie Palmer (M40) had an excellent run in the New Forest Arnold Clark Half Marathon, finishing second in 1:20.02.
A small contingent of Bedford and County athletes made the trip to Loughborough to compete in the Charnwood A.C. open on 16th September. Nathan Cox came second in the fastest 200m race of the night, clocking 22.76. Nathan also ran 11.50 over 100m. Under 17 Daniel Harding-Forbes won his 100m race in 11.85, and clocked 23.81 whilst coming second in his 200m. Fellow under 17, Jasmine Wilkins, won her 100m race in 12.85, and also ran 26.58 over 200m. All the sprint races were run into a stiff headwind. Jamie Webster won a somewhat bizarre 800m that included a close shave with an official and a trolley (fortunately no one was seriously injured!) in 2:00.18.
Several Bedford and County athletes were in action at the Milton Keynes Jumps and Throws Meeting on 13th September. The highlight of the day came in the Javelin, where Sadie Werrett not only won the Javelin competition, but also set a new Under 15 Girls club record of 39.09, which exceeds Olivia Da Costa's 37.86, set in 2009. Sadie also won the women's Shot Put with a throw of 9.14. Well done to Sadie, who moves into 5th place in this year's U15 Girls UK rankings for the Javelin. At the same meeting, Graeme Packman threw 30.44 in the Discus, and Richard Martin threw 53.33 in the hammer.
