The second half of the cross country season resumed where it left off for Bedford & County’s endurance squads with another medal haul at the Bedfordshire County Cross Country Championships.  The hilly course around Ampthill Park and cold, wet and windy weather made for truly testing cross country conditions.  However, showing no signs of excessive indulgence over the Christmas break, several of the club’s athletes won their respective age groups becoming county XC champions:  Eleanor Smith (U13 girls), Finley Bent (U13 boys), Lily Farr (U15 girls), Oliver Wilson (U15 boys), Imogen Chesterton (U20 women) and Ed Blythman (senior men).

In addition, there were medals for Megan Barnicoat and Catherine Warren (2^nd & 3^rd U13 girls); Oliver Coombes (2^ndU13 boys); Elllie Harper (2^nd U15 girls); Mackenzie Kotrys and Theo Beale (2^nd & 3^rd U15 boys), Lyla Danobrega (2^ndU17 women); Euan Supple (2^nd U17 men); Lauren Nichols (3^rd senior women); Emma Coombes (3^rd V40 women); Craig Emmerson and James Minter (2^nd & 3^rd senior men); and Ewan Wilson (3^rd V50 men). 

The good turnout and strong running from so many club athletes meant that Bedford and County also won team trophies for U13 girls, U13 boys, U15 boys and senior men.

Alan Turnbull was also the first M50 in the Cambridgeshire County Championships.

Full results below:

Rob Simmons will be travelling to Naivasha, Kenya for a research project between 8th-14th of Jan 2023 and again in March 2023. He will have spare luggage allowance.
Having been to Naivasha several times now he would like to take the opportunity to take some used, but still good trainers and sports clothes to the local Children’s Shelter https://shelteryetu.org/, which has around forty boys, aged between 10 and 15.  If you have any used but still good spikes, or football boots that would also be great.
If you are able to donate, the children would be very grateful.  There is a collection box in reception at the stadium and this Thursday (5th January) will be your last chance to donate trainers and sports clothes before Rob makes his first trip - please remember that what Rob wants are items that are still in reasonably good condition.

Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow Athletic Club are holding a series of three winter indoor open meetings, on Sunday 8th January, Sunday  5th February and Sunday 5th March.  These will be held at Thames Valley Athletic Centre, Eton, SL4 6HN.

For more information, and to enter, please see https://wseh.co.uk/windsor-slough-eton-hounslow-athletic-club-winter-indoor-open-meetings/

Despite the wintry conditions the Bedford and County Annual Christmas Handicap went ahead for the 42^ndconsecutive year. Due to the quite treacherous icy footpaths on the traditional embankment course, the race was moved onto the snowy sports fields adjacent to the Stadium. The 2.9 mile race, which comprised  3 large and one small lap, was quite intriguing with the group of 3 who were sent off first almost completing their 2^ndlarge lap as the last pair of runners off were only just starting. The nature of the race with the field of 24 spread around the lap, some having completed 1 or 2 laps, others just on lap 1, made fascinating but very confusing viewing for the spectators and officials.

Sunday 18th December 2022

Due to icy paths race was run on the sportsfields using the laps used in 2010 & 2011

• 3 large figure 8 loops taking in both fields plus one small loop of Rugby Field
• Distance approx 2.9 to 2.96 ( Garmin measurements and google earth)

The were some very strong performances at the Battersea Park Friday Night Under The Lights 5 Miles race on 16th December, which was run in temperatures of -2°.  Despite snow and train strikes, there was a strong field.

• Harry Brodie, 5th place, 23:52
• Craig Emmerson, 21st place, 25:00
• James Minter, 28th place, 25:19
• Sam Knee-Robinson, 43rd place, 26:31
• Lauren Nichols, 5th  place, 30:53