The 41st Annual Bedford and County AC Christmas Handicap took place on Sunday 19th December. Ten year old Izzy Danobrega took the Pete Dancer Memorial Trophy following in the footsteps of her big sister Lyla who took the title at the same age in 2017.  Izzy recorded an excellent 21:47 for the 3 mile course, only 12 secs slower than Lyla's 2017 time.  The race raised money for Pancreatic Cancer UK.  Anybody who would like to make a donation can do so at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Bedford-and-county-ac 

There were excellent performances at the 5 mile race at Battersea Park on Friday 17th December.  Matt Begin finished 3rd in 23:42, Ben Alcock came sixth in 23:45, Harry Brodie came eleventh in 23:55, and Sam Knee Robinson came fortieth in 25:38.  As well as finishing eleventh in the main race, Harry was the second under 20 home, and his time should move him up to 6th place in the UK Under 20 all time rankings.  Ben is now equal 4th in the Run Britain overall 5 mile rankings for 2021.

Congratulations to Etienne Maughan and Varun Bandi, who were both winners of Bedford Sports and Physical Activity Awards for 2021.  Etienne won the Junior Personality of the Year Award, whilst Varun won the Junior Disability Sport Personality of the Year Award.  Gracie Wall was also received a special commendation in the Junior Personality of the Year Award, and Sadie Werrett was also amongst the nominations.

All three athletes were recognised for their outstanding achievements during 2021.  Etienne finished the season ranked 2nd in the UK in the under 17 80m hurdles and 4th over 100m, won the schools international, and set multiple club records, and she also helps out with Beagles.  Despite some injury problems, Gracie got on the podium in both the English Schools Championships and won at the South of England Championships.  Varun finished 3rd in the London mini marathon boys wheelchair race, and was also 3rd in the National Junior Disability Athletics Championships 200m wheelchair race.

For more information, see https://www.bedford.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/sports-and-physical-activity/sporting-events/

The third round of this season's Chiltern League took place at Stopsley Common in Luton on Saturday 4th December.  There was a win for Harry Brodie in the Senior Men's race, after his ninth place finish in the Under 20  British Athletics Cross Challenge a week earlier.  Ben Davies finished third.  There was also a win in the Under 15 Boys event for Cameron Barnes, a third place for Harry Scott in the Under 13 boys, and second and third places for Milly Dunger and Lyla Danobrega respectively in the Under 15 Girls race.  We finished third in the overall team competition, first in the overall male team competition, and third in the junior competition.  

Photo by kind permission of Barry Cornelius.

The second round of this season's Chiltern League took place at Teardrop Lakes in Milton Keynes on Saturday 13th November.  The match included the UKA Cross Challenge event.  There were some fine performances from Bedford and County athletes, including from Dan Jarvis who came third in the Senior Men's Cross Challenge whilst winning the Division 1 Chiltern League Match, and from Rebecca Murray, who won the women's Division 1 match whilst coming seventh in the cross challenge.  We finished second in the overall team competition, and won the overall seniors' competition.  

Photo by kind permission of Barry Cornelius.

Some of the highlights were...

The club sent 10 teams to the English Cross Country Relay Results that took place at Mansfield on Saturday 6th November.  There were two top ten finishes.