Page 29 - BBHAC Winter 2017-18 Gazette

Athletics Report 29

However Paul ensured that he placed in most of the ladies’ rac- Looking back on the series Paul
would finish in style, with the es as well as finishing runner-up made the following observa-
fastest actual time on the day, in the competition. tions: firstly the 9 races had a
and allowing him to extend his huge impact on his fitness and
lead to 38 points, and with it As to the statistics of the made a noticeable difference to
the Bennett Cup for his trophy competition, 96 athletes took my times across all distances.
cabinet. part (79 men and boys and “My parkrun PB dropped to 19:04
17 women and girls with 266 and I achieved a Parris Handicap
His total of 442 points was total performances. The ages PB of 18:57, all thanks to the Bennet
made up of a consistent range of of the runners ranged from the Cup Season.”
scores ranging from 38 points oldest 70 (John Fenwick) to
to 59, and in two events he the youngest 14 (Bailey Marks, Secondly he managed to tie all
picked up awards both in 5 mile Harvey Blandon and William the runs in with his marathon
events, which for a Bennett Cup Andrews). The biggest turnout training for London, “which
winner is unusual as a consistent of Blackheath Harriers of any meant swapping the longer runs for the
collection of handicap scores event was 54 for the Will Bolton Bennet cup matches when required.”
is more conducive to attaining Relays with the smallest being
a winning score than one with 17 for the both SLH Mob Match Having first met him earlier this
more highs and inevitably lows and the Closing 5 (run in freak year I was struck by his integrity,
as well. snow conditions). his modesty and generosity
of spirit. Notwithstanding his
During the course of the season Of those 97 taking part in at own sense of achievement he
the fastest times for various least one race 43 were under had took time to pay tribute to
distances were for 10 miles 40 years old (43% of competi- others be they so humble.
1.00.02 for the men, run by Dan tors). Of these runners 26 were
Kennedy, and 1.13.42 for the under 20 years old, that is over “Running all nine races was easy
women by Amy Leach; for 7 ½ a quarter of all competitors. compared to the job of the marshals
miles 46.06 Dan Kennedy (men) However it could be argued that and organisers, who stood in the wind,
56.44 Jane Bradshaw (women); of these most, 18 out of 26, ran rain and snow throughout the season,
10km 40.30 Alex Gibbins (men) in only one or two events so making this all possible. Thank you.”
53.13 Jane Bradshaw (women); perhaps cross country is still not
5 miles 30.20 Charlie Andrews, attractive enough amongst the Like Mike Sims before him Paul
and 31.05 Yasmine Austridge. younger members and even less is a relatively newcomer to the
so in the 20s and 30s. However club, having shown promise in
The season included the major ironically the age range with the Parris handicap in the pre-
cross country club champion- most participants was the under ceding summer. It still remains
ships which for the men were 20s. an encouraging challenge for
won by Charlie Andrews in the those not yet tainted by the
5 miles, Alex Gibbins in the Of the 96 competitors taking Machiavellian calibrations of the
10km, Gareth Evans in the 7 ½ part this season only 2 runners handicapper.
miles and Dan Kennedy in the did all 9 events and 56 ¼ miles
10 miles. In the ladies cham- over six months, with a further Wilf Orton
pionships the winners were 5 completing 8 events and more
Jasmine Austridge in the 5 mile, than half the total sum of run-
Jane Bradshaw in the 10km and ners completed no more than 2.
7 ½ miles, and Amy Leach in
the 10 miles. It was a partic-
ularly memorable season for
Jane Bradshaw who was highly