In addition to the fixtures metioned previously, the fixtures below have also been cancelled. We will update this section with the latest fixture cancellations due to Coronavirus when we get them.
Based on England Athletics instructions, and for the safety of all involved, all Athletics League fixtures and all other club fixtures, including road relays, cross country races, the Southern Athletics League, the National Athletics League, the Eastern Young Athletes League, the Youth Development League, the Eastern Master League, all championships and all other competitions have now been cancelled through to the end of May, and the National Athletics League match on 14th June has also been cancelled. Other fixtures due in June must also be in considerable doubt.
Following the announcement by the government on the 16th March there will be no training at Bedford International Athletic Stadium until further notice.
The advice from England athletics is as follows:England Athletics advises that all face-to-face activity such as club training sessions, events, competitions, club committee and face-to-face meetings, athlete camps, running groups and social events should be suspended until at least the end of April. Statements from the Southern and National Athelitics Leagues on upcoming events are below.
Following the guidance from England Athletics this morning, suspending all athletics activity until the end of April, the Southern Athletics League has decided to cancel all activity during this period. The May fixtures must also be in considerable doubt, but the Southern League awaits will await further guidance and clarification before cancelling the May fixtures.This means that sadly, the Southern Athletics League home fixture that was due to take place on 18th April has been cancelled.The guidance from England Athletics is available at: https://www.englandathletics.org/athletics-and-running/news/coronavirus-statement/
Following discussions with Board Members it has been agreed that the 1st NAL fixtures due to have taken place at various venues over the weekend on Saturday & Sunday 3rd & 4th May 2020 are now all CANCELLED. The decision is in line with guidance provided by the UK Government, UK Athletics and the National Governing bodies of England, Scotland and Wales. The NAL will continue to monitor and review government advice and provide updates on its likely impact on the League’s activities in the months ahead. The Board is mindful that this will be a disappointing decision for some but everyone should understand that the sole reason for this decision is the threat the Coronavirus poses to the health of athletes, officials, members, team managers & coaches, volunteers, supporters and sports centre staff whose safety and well-being are our paramount concern.
Promising young high jumper, Gracie Wall, added another national title to her collection at the England Athletics Under 15 Championships in Sheffield on 22nd February. Gracie, who is coached by Barry Johnson, went into the championships top of the 2020 national rankings, having leapt higher than any other under 15 girl so far this year. Her jump of 1 metre 62 centimetres claimed victory against nineteen competitors who had travelled from as far afield as Glasgow, Cardiff and Norwich for a shot at the national gold. Gracie’s indoor success during the winter should give her confidence as she prepares for the summer season.
Well done to all the Bedford and County athletes who took part in the National Cross-Country Championships in Nottingham on 22nd February.
17 year old Raphael Bouju, Bedford and County sprinter, won a silver medal at the Dutch Indoor Championships in the 60m sprint. He ran a personal best of 6.70, which is the same time that achieved second place in the British Championships last weekend. In addition his time improved his Dutch U20 record.
After five gruelling rounds, the Chiltern Cross Country League reached its muddy conclusion at Campbell Park, Milton Keynes on Saturday. Bedford and County finished in second place overall, just behind Marshall Milton Keynes.
Bedford & County athletes brought home a rich haul of medals from the East of England Indoor Athletics Championships held at Lee Valley on 8th and 9th of February.
Congratulations to Matt Bergin, who equalled his own 5k club road record on Friday 14th February. Running for Ireland in the Armagh International, Matt completed the course in a blistering 13:47, equalling the mark he set in Ipswich in May last year. He came sixth overall, and was the first Irishman home.
In the same race, Bedford’s Paul Mizon finished 102nd in 14:43, and Jake Barraclough finished 168th in 15:12.
Congratulations to Josh Lunn on his international debut!
Josh has been running with increasingly well over the last few months, and was rewarded on Sunday 2nd February with his first international vest, competing for a 7 strong England team in the Granollers Half Marathon in Barcelona. On a tough, undulating course Josh battled hard to finish in 11th place in a time of 67:12.
Bedford and County athletes have been escaping from the cold to compete indoors over the last few weeks. Here is a roundup of what has been going on.
“Bedford & County AC’s athletes were in action on Saturday in the South of England Cross Country Championships, which were held at the iconic, and extremely muddy Parliament Hill Fields venue at Hampstead Heath, London. With a somewhat reduced squad, the Senior Men’s team were realistically looking at a top 6 finish rather than the usual podium position. But, with the club’s Junior (U20) men having performed exceptionally well so far this season, hopes were high that they would make the team podium in their 8k race.
