Page 30 - BBHAC Winter 2016-17 Gazette

30 30 Athletics Report
Athletics Report
Continued

“I felt I was in good form and got off The season included the If you run all nine you get a
to a really good start at the Relays, major cross country Club special medal for doing so,
spurred on to a good time by a great championships which for the one of distinctive quality but
first competition with Jenny Neal, men were won by Joss Barber in order to attain that medal
Andy Lawes and Paul Kerekgyarto. in the 5 mile and 10km, Dan you need to run a total of 56¼
The Club 5 and Christmas Yacht Kennedy in the 7 ½ miles and miles. 6 runners did all events
also went well – though it’s a shame to Peter Tucker in the 10 miles. In over six months, more than last
lose the traditional route I think the the ladies championships the year with a further 3 completing
new course suits me - I just love the winners were Jessica Keene in 8 events although more than
fast downhill.” the 5 mile, 10km and 7 ½ miles, half the total sum of runners
The competition was for him an and Carol Penlington in the 10 completed no more than 2.
opportunity for improvement miles, so a highly distinguished As to his other performances
of his times, as it is with season for Jessica Keene. in different competitions Mike
many runners who rise to the As to the statistics of the went on to say
challenge of the handicap. “ competition, 97 athletes took “My form in other competitions was
The three 7.5m mob matches went part (75 men and boys and really strong – I strung together 3
really well. For the two home runs I 22 women and girls with 332 sub-20s at parkrun and did really
broke my PB twice and had a great total performances. The ages well in Petts Wood 10k and Knole
competition with 3 SLH runners of the runners ranged from Park Kent Fitness League. But I
(beating them )” the oldest 69 (John Fenwick) had a setback in the Club 10k. I just
He even paid tribute to the to the youngest 11 (Amarisa didn’t have the legs to keep up with
weather as a contributory factor Sibley). The biggest turnout my usual target runners and I lost 3
in his success it was a feature for of Blackheath Harriers of any or 4 more places in the final kilometre
the whole season “ nowhere near event was 51 for the Will Bolton back around the farm. Still I was
as much mud as usual.” Relays with the smallest being in contention in the points table so I
His total of 394 points was 22 for the SLH Mob Match. wasn’t downhearted.”.
made up of a consistent range Of those 97 taking part in at
of scores ranging from 32 least one race 42 were under 40 Wilf Orton
points to 53, the score he years old (43% of competitors).
attained in the Closing 5 and Of these runners 23 were under
one which secured for him the 20 years old, that is about a
Bennett Cup. quarter of all competitors.
During the course of the season However it could be argued
that of these most, 14 out of
the fastest times for various 23, ran in only one or two
distances were for 10 miles events mainly the shorter ones
1.01’ for the men, run by Peter (either at the start or the end
Tucker, and 1.08.42 for the of the season) so perhaps cross
women by Carol Penlington; country is still not attractive
for 7 ½ miles 49.24 Luca enough amongst the younger
Ercolini (men) 58.00 Jessica members and even less so in
Keene (women); 10km 42.55 the 20s and 30s. It seems that
Joss barber (men) 44.52 Jessica it is particularly competed for
Keene (women); 5 miles by those in their 40s which
28.31 Joss Barber, and 31.05 was the age range with most
Jessica Keene. participants. (24).