Last updated
11 November 2019
Press Releases for
October, November & December 2006
27/12/06
Sydney Wooderson, Blackheath & Bromley’s greatest athlete
and one of Britain’s best ever middle distance runners has died at the age of
92.
In his career he was World Record holder for the mile,
three quarters mile, half mile and 800 metres. The only Briton to have held the
World 800 record since Wooderson is Sebastian Coe. He was AAA’s mile champion
from 1935 to 1939 and three mile champion in 1946 in a British Record.
He is one of the few runners who has successful moved up
from 1500 metres to the 5000 winning the European title in the former in 1938
and in the latter in 1946. He also won silver in the mile at the Empire Games in
1934.Having retired from the track he won the National Cross Country title in
1948.
But for the Second World War he could have been Olympic
Champion in 1940 and 1944. An injury in 1936 meant he did not progress beyond
the heats. His achievements after the War are even more remarkable in that they
came after some had said that he would never run again after a bout of rheumatic
fever.
He was coached by the 1920 Olympic 800 and 1500 metre
champion Albert Hill, and was an inspiration for the next generation of great
British middle distance runners including Sir Roger Bannister, the first man to
break the four minute mile.
He was twice Blackheath Harriers President and in 2000 was
awarded the MBE “for services to Athletics and to Blackheath Harriers” .
Blackheath & Bromley’s Senior Women were just pipped for
the Kent League title in the final match of the year at Tunbridge Wells. They
finished second on the day to tie with Medway and Maidstone on League points for
the season but miss out on the winners trophy on match points.
Jennie Butler won her third race of the season but missed
the overall individual title because she had to miss a race through illness.
Fran Green improved on her previous best position in the League to finish in 4th
place with Bella Clayton 9th and 5th overall for the year. Annie McDonough, who
was 29th on the day finished as 2nd best veteran for the season.
There was again an impressive turn out from the squad and
with all of them steadily improving the Club should feature prominently in the
Championship races in the New Year.
The Junior men finished first on the day, led home by
Andrew Conway in 2nd place and Jonathan Vintner third. Richard Davies, Adam
Atkinson and new boy Sam Hunt also all finished in the top ten and the team were
second for the season. Alistair Cliff was 10th in the under 17's race.
The Under 15 girls were third on the day, just two points
behind the winners, led home by Danielle Critchley in 2nd place with Krystal
Galley 6th and Georgina Naessens in 9th. This meant that the squad finished as
winners overall for the season with Danielle Critchley the top individual.
Andrew York was 4th in the boys race with Hector Kurtyanek 6th.
Numbers were a little thin on the ground in the early
races because of traffic congestion and this meant only Holly Starling finished
in the under 13 girls race. For the boys Robert Yates placed 12th with Anthony
Moore 22nd and Tom Scott 24th to secure third place and third place for the
season.
The under 17 rankings for the 2006 track and field season
have recently been announced with a number of the Club's athletes prominent with
three top of their events. Shaunagh Brown heads the women's discus by over two
metres with a throw of 46.01 and is also runner up in the shot putt. Serita
Solomon is quickest over the 100 hurdles with 14.14 and Chelsea O'Rawe Hobbs
leads the 3000 walk list with 14.45.82 while Holly Williams is 5th in the same
event.
James Alaka is third in both the 100 and 200 metres with
times of 10.73 and 21.68 and another English Schools International, Richard
AlAmeen is 4th in the Hammer with 60.89 a Club Record. Joe Stockton is 8th in
the same event with 55.56. Banke Jemiyo is 14th in the women's event.
Lauren Blackie recovered from injury to place 6th in
triple jump with Isobel Ivy 9th with 11.34. Both are coached by John Blackie as
is Rachel Arnheim who is 7th equal in the pole vault with 3.40, closely followed
by 12th placed Emily Godley with 3.25.
Amy Smith's time of 10.09.16 places her 14th in the 3000
metres and would probably have gone quicker had she had more competition in her
races. Others to feature in the list include AlexBruce Littlewood (19th in the
1500 steeplechase); Catherine Chambers (10th in the 1500 steeplechase) and Sarah
McLellan (12th in the 300 hurdles)
19/12/06
Michael Skinner finished his racing for the year by
defeating European Cross Country champion Mo Farah in the Lotto Cross Cup in
Brussels. The Blackheath & Bromley athlete had a steady start and was around
40th after the first of the 7 lap course. Farah started with the leaders but
then began to slip back through the field while Skinner began to edge upwards.
On the penultimate lap Skinner moved past and went on to finish 16th overall in
the highest standard race this side of Christmas.
He was cheered on all the way by a group of Club members
who had travelled over to spectate and take part in the supporting races.
Shavaun Henry placed 39th in the Senior Women's race and Bryony Proctor
justified her selection for the South Of England team by finishing an excellent
13th in the Junior Women's race.
There was another good run from Alex Bruce Littlewood in
the under 17 men's race where he finished in 8th place while Michellle Fewster
was a fine 6th in her age group. Danny Brewer, Stephen Cavey, Tom Andrew, Philip
Sesemann, Oliver Taylor, Jessica Saville, Sophie Gordon, Sophia Maslin and
Georgina Chew all had useful runs in their respective races.
Club President Ken Daniel was first over 55 in the
accompanying 5km road race.
A number of Club members were in action in the recent
South Of England Inter County Championships at Parliament Hill. Jennie Butler
and Shavaun Henry helped the Kent team to 3rd place in the Senior Women's race
finishing in 15th and 16th places overall.
James Poole continued his good run of form by placing 6th
in the under 23 and under 20 race with Danny Brewer 28th while Bryony Proctor
was 8th in the women's race. Amy Smith had another good run to finish in 2nd
place in the under 17 women's race and Alex Bruce Littlewood was pleased to
place 11th in a high class men's race. Michelle Fewster took 13th in the under
15 girls contest.
Closer to home Peter Tucker took the first prize of a
turkey in the Christmas Caper at Swanley. He timed 22.25 for the 4.2 mile course
and Amy Smith was in action in the women's race placing 3rd despite being an
under 17.
12/12/06
Michael Skinner was part of the Great Britain Senior Men's
team that finished 4th in the European Cross Country Championships at San
Giorgio su Legnano in Italy. The Blackheath & Bromley athlete was the 4th scorer
for the British Team placing 29th overall in 28.54.
Despite his useful placing Skinner was a little bit
disappointed with his run feeling that the uneven course disrupted his natural
rhythm. He was also a little disappointed that the team finished outside the
medals. He will now aim to make the British team for the World Championships in
March.
In America Scott Overall has been named 2006 Horizon
League Cross Country athlete of the year by the Leagues nine cross country
coaches. He won the Horizon League individual title and was 9th in the Pre
National Meet, runner up in the NCAA Great Lakes Regional and was 35th in the
NCAA Division One Championship, the first Briton to finish. He was also Horizon
League Outdoor track athlete of the year as well.
One Significant result which has been missed in recent
weeks came in the British & Irish Masters Cross Country International in
November. Representing England, Dave Taylor edged to victory in the over 40’s
race to win an exciting contest by four seconds from Leeds City’s Darran Bilton.
Taylor had taken an early lead before Bilton caught up and
went past. Taylor got back on his rivals shoulder with 1000 metres to go before
striding clear for victory in the home straight. Taylor’s next goal is the
European Masters Indoors Championships in Helsinki in March.
Alan Camp finished in 8th place in the over 50’s race.
The Club's Under 20 women have already secured a place in
an International competition for 2007. As the top Junior Women's team in the
country they will represent Great Britain in the A Final of the European
Champion Clubs Cup which take place in the Czech Republic next September. This
year the team excelled themselves by placing 3rd in the A final in Moscow, an
outstanding performance against some teams who were in effect Regional Squads of
their countries.
With the joint junior men and women's team being National
Champions it comes as no surprise that a number of the Club's athletes feature
in the National Under 20 rankings that have recently been published.
Despite missing part of the season with a stress fracture
caused by a growth spurt, Stuart Harvey still placed second in the javelin
rankings with a throw of 64.36. It is second also for Victoria Thomas with a
throw of 56.78 in the Hammer closely followed by training partner Rachel Blackie
with 56.74. Second claim member Jade Dodd also places third in the javelin with
a throw of 45.33.
Scott Huggins was another to place highly despite an
injury disrupted season. The talented pole vaulter missed the first half of the
season after missing the landing bed in his first competition of the year. He
bounced back to equal the Club Record with a clearance of 4.70 to place 4th
highest in the country.
Alistair Williamson rank 7th in the Hammer with the 6kg
implement with 61.07 and is 6th using the heavier 7.26kg senior implement with
52.37.
Three second claimers feature in the jumps with Jeremy
Odametey 4th in the triple with 14.89; Southern Champion James Thomas Lindor 7th
in the long (7.17) and Simon Hemmings 10th in the high.
Other field eventers to feature are Florence Clark
(discus), Jade Castell Thomas (triple jump), Emily Martin (long jump) and Marcus
Williams (shot)
Highest placed track athlete is Danny Doyley who is 7th in
the men's 200 with 21.35 just one place above Daniel Haque with 21.40. Danny is
also 10th in the 400 and 11th in the 100.
Also placed 8th are Anike Shand Whittingham in the 100
with 11.96 and Clare Cooper 61.90 in the 400 hurdles. Alex AlAmeen is 9th in the
110 hurdles with 14.48, and Amy Godsell and Rebecca Syrocki are 10th in the 200
and 400 metres respectively. Amy is also 18th in the 100 with Katie Murray 11th
in the 400 hurdles.
The Club enjoyed more success at the Kent Veterans
Championships at Swanley with two sets of team gold, two sets of bronze and an
individual win.
Best individual performance of the day came from Alan Camp
who won the over 50s race by 40 seconds. He timed 35.07 for the 9500 course and
it was team mate Tim Soutar who took second place. With Graham Coates in 13th
place they won the team race.
It was gold to for the women’s over 35’s team who were led
home by Bridget Davey in 5th place with Miranda Porritt 9th and Lisa Page 10th.
Further down the field two athletes dipped their toes in the competitive waters
for the first time in a long while. Perhaps better known as Rebecca and Oliver’s
mum, Amanda Taylor, who once placed in the top 10 in the English Schools Cross
Country Championships, finished in 15th place. In 21st place was former English
Schools 800 metre champion Claire Robinson.
Amanda’s husband, Ian, was part of the Club’s over 40’s
team who won bronze medals. He was 25th with the team led home by former
Portsmouth footballer Neil Ayrton in 5th with Mark Watling 16th and Mick Jones
32nd.
The women’s over 45’s team also picked up bronze medals
with Annie McDonough winning individual bronze. Anne Cilia in 10th and Alison
Jelly 15th completed the scoring. This was the first time the Club has finished
in this race
5/12/06
There was disappointment for Blackheath & Bromley’s Mark
Steinle in the Singapore Marathon. Britain's top marathon runner of this Century
was invited to compete for Great Britain at short notice and with six months of
on off running behind him Steinle felt he would be able to put up a half decent
showing.
However, the high temperatures and humidity took their
toll. By 20km he was starting to suffer from heat stroke and he was reduced to
walking for parts of the second half of the race in between bouts of vomiting.
He eventually finished in 3 hours 16 minutes and only did
so because he was representing Great Britain in the Standard Chartered Greatest
Race On Earth, a four race series of marathons around the Globe.
In a change from routine the Club decided to move its 10
mile Championship to a Sunday morning and despite the atrocious early morning
conditions it was rewarded with an increase in the number of starters. Jamie
Atkinson continued his dominance of Club races this year outkicking training
partner Peter Tucker for victory. John Thorpe finished in 3rd.
Jennie Butler was a runaway victor of the Women's race
finishing 10th overall in 1.09.32 with Rebecca Taylor 2nd and Viv Mitchell 3rd.
The race incorporated the 3rd of the Bennett Handicap
series and it was a clean sweep for the women with Anne Cilia first followed by
Rhiannon Lloyd and Kate Pratten.
28/11/06
It was mission accomplished for Michael Skinner at the
trials for the British team for European Cross Country Championships in
Liverpool. The Blackheath & Bromley athlete finished in second place to secure
automatic selection for the GB team that travel to the Championships at San
Giorgio su Legnano in Italy in two weeks time.
Under the guidance of coach Conrad Milton, Skinner upped
his weekly mileage this Winter in his bid to qualify for the team and he was not
far off actually winning the Trial race as he went on the shoulder of Wells
City's long time leader Frank Tickner in the home straight. However Tickner was
just able to hold off Skinner's late challenge.
Out in the States one Skinner's training partners was also
in top form in the NCAA Division One Championships at Indiana State University.
Scott Overall was the first of a number of Britain's top middle distance winners
to finish in 36th place timing 31.41.6 for the 10000 metre course. Scott was 4th
ranked in Britain over 5000 metres last year and to put his run in perspective
he defeated Andrew Lemoncello, Britain's quickest 10000 runner on the track in
2006 who finished in 43rd just seven seconds behind. (Scott's thoughts on the
benefits of the US Collegiate system can be read on the letters page of the
current edition of Athletics Weekly).
Down in Bristol, Shavaun Henry placed a useful 12th in the
Senior Women's race at the British Milers Club Short Course Races. She timed
15.02 for the 4km course.
Closer to home one of the Club's emerging stars was in
winning form at the latest round of the London Colleges League at Wimbledon.
Running for St Mary's College, Bryony Proctor enjoyed a runaway victory in the
Women's race crossing the line in 18.08 nearly 40 seconds clear of the runner
up. She is currently second in the standings after three races.
A number of the Club's athletes took the opportunity to
run as guests or second claim members in the latest round of the Kent Fitness
League at Meopham. First to finish was Eamonn Prendergast in 7th place with
veteran Neil Ayrton in 8th. There were two significant results further down the
field where Under 17 Amy Smith had an excellent run to get the better of Jennie
Butler who won the opening two races in the Kent League this year. They placed
21st and 22nd. There was more drama further down the field as Junior Team
Manager Brendan McShane had the audacity to outkick President Ken Daniel in the
home straight.
The Club were flattered to be subject of the Athletics
Weekly Editorial this week (here...).
Having visited the Club as a guest at the Annual Dinner, Editor Jason Henderson
declared he had "rarely felt closer to the sport than at the Blackheath &
Bromley dinner. Clubs such as this - and many others - need even more support.
For if they dwindle and die so too will the sport". Fortunately the Club shows
no sign of fading away at present and with athletes such as Skinner, who has
progressed from a 10 year old to a full Senior International, it continues to
thrive providing for a membership that ranges from under 11's to those in their
90s. New members of all standards and all ages are always welcome.
21/11/06
Jamie Atkinson continued his good form over the country at
the 3rd Kent Cross Country League race of the season at Danson Park. The
Blackheath & Bromley Harrier finished runner up in a field of over 180
finishers, the second fixture in a row where he has taken second place.
There was good packing behind with Peter Tucker in 7th and
Alex Gibbins 9th with Jon Thorpe completing the scoring in 19th place to help
the team to second place on the day in the 4 to score contest.
Martin Airey finshed a useful 25th closely followed by
Eamonn Prendergast (30th), Neal Humphreys (31st) and veteran Neil Ayrton (34th).
Steve Hough (67th), Ian Taylor (71st), Matt Hill (72nd) and Mark Ellison (77th)
completed the team in the 12 to score contest in which they finished in the
runner up spot again.
With one match remaining the Club are 4th in the 4 to
score contest and so are unlikely to retain the title they won for the first
time last year. In the 12 to score they are 3rd.
The Senior Women also finished in second place after
winning the first two fixtures. Jennie Butler, the winner of the first two races
had to skip the fixture because of a cold and in her absence the Club’s first
finisher was Fran Green who had one of her best races as a Senior to come a best
ever 6th in a large field.
Bella Clayton (11th) Viv Mitchell (17th), Ella Fisher
(18th) and Lisa Page (20th) were all in the top 20.
Jonathan Vintner was first home for the under 20 men in
7th with Richard Daniel 8th and Richard Davies 9th and the team were second.
Alex Bruce Littlewood continued his good Winter season to
place second in the under 17 men’s race with Alistair Cliff 12th. It was runner
up position also for Rebecca Taylor in the women’s race, her first cross country
of the Winter. Sarah McLellan finished 7th.
The only team victory of the day came from the under 15
girls with Danielle Critchley second, Michelle Fewster third and Krystal Galley
seventh. This means they remain unbeaten this season and with Sophie Gordon 8th,
Jessica Saville 9th and Sophia Maslin 10th the Club had six runners in the top
10.
Stephen Cavey was 4th in the boys race and with Andrew
York 6th and Philip Sesemann 8th the team were second.
Perhaps the most pleasing aspect of the day was the return
to competition of Robert Yates in the under 13s age group after a long period
out injured. He finished in 11th place and help the team to 4th place with
Anthony Moore 26th and Greg Proctor 27th.
Georgina Chew led the girls home in 8th place with Hannah
Cook 9th, Kayleigh Leonard 23rd and Holly Starling 24th. The team finished 4th.
Michael Skinner travels to Liverpool this weekend for the
Trials for the British team for the European Cross Country Championships which
take place in Italy in December.
The Club's Annual Dinner was held last Friday with main
guest being Jason Henderson, the current editor of Athletics Weekly. Pictures
from the event can be viewed here...
7/11/06
Michael Skinner ran the 4th fastest time of the day at the
National Cross Country relays at Mansfield to help the Blackheath & Bromley
men's team finish in 16th place out of well over 120 teams. His time of 14.45.90
over the 5km course was just three seconds slower than Andy Vernon of
Stockport's quickest time and will make him one of the contenders for a place in
the Great Britain team for the European Championships in December.
Skinner's run moved the Club up from 19th to second on leg
two of the four stage event following another good opening run from Jamie
Atkinson whose 15.23.85 on this traditionally high quality lead leg represented
a significant improvement on his time from last year.
Alex Gibbins actually moved the team into the lead for a
fleeting few moments on the third leg but was then swallowed by the chasing
pack. He clocked a very respectable 16.16.65 leaving Peter Tucker to bring the
squad home in 16th on the final stage with 16.41.60
The Senior Women finished in their highest ever position
in this race closing in 23rd from the 82 finishing teams. Shavaun Henry's
11.10.40 brought the team in 40th on the opening stage before Fran Green
(11.40.25) edged up to 36th. Jennie Butler moved steadily through the field on
the closing leg to time 10.50.70.
The Club were able to complete two Junior Men's teams.
Best run here came from James Poole who was 8th on the opening stage. Danny
Brewer and Andrew Conway completed the A team which eventually finished in 29th.
The B team of Jonathan Vintner, Richard Daniel and Richard Davies was 46th.
The Club were unable to field a complete junior women's
team but Bryony Proctor ran a good first leg to time 8.58.95.
Fastest for the Under 17 men was Alex Bruce-Littlewood who
timed 9.47.15 on the second leg. With solid runs from Sam Simpson and Cameron
Ward the team were 29th overall.
Highest placed team of the day were the under 15 girls.
Amy DeMatos brought them in 4th on the opening stage with a time of 7.12.55.
Sophie Gordon slipped back a little on the second stage but, nevertheless,
clocked a very useful 7.48.55 before Danielle Critchley edged the team up to
10th on the closing stage with 7.28.0. The B team of Rebecca Smith, Sophia
Maslin and Jessica Saville were 26th.
The Club also finished two teams in the boys race with the
A team of Andrew York, Hector Kurtyanek and Philip Sesemann 36th and the B trio
of Julian Ayisi, Ross Braden and Will Andrew 69th.
For the under 13s Georgie Gregory, Tom Scott and Greg
Proctor had solid runs to finish in 31st place.
Out in the States two of Blackheath & Bromley's top
athletes were in fine form in the Horizon League Cross Country Championships at
Indianapolis. Running for Butler University, Scott Overall won the race and with
Andy Rayner in 8th place they helped their team finish first.
Overall, one of Britain's fastest runners over 5000 metres
last year, was quickly to the front and held on comfortably to win in 24.53.70
over the 8km course to win by nearly 5 seconds. Equally pleasing was the return
to racing of Rayner who has missed most of the year with injury. He timed
26.09.35.
Closer to home the Club took part in a mass Mob Match at
Petersham to celebrate the 125th Anniversary of Ranelagh Harriers. There was,
however, a disappointing turn out form the Club with only 21 members toeing the
line. The team result was therefore a predictable last from the 5 competing
teams. First man home for the Club was Neal Humphries in 31st with Annie
McDonough first woman in 183rd.
31/10/06
Michael Skinner had to settle for 5th place in the opening
race of this years UK Cross Challenge at Senneleys Park, Birmingham. Winner for
the last two years at this event, the Blackheath & Bromley athlete has upped his
training this Winter and felt tired from the start. Nevertheless, 5th place was
not a bad effort and his main aim is the Trials for the European Championships
in Liverpool at the end of next month.
Oxford University student Eve Bugler placed a useful 52nd
in the women's race while in the men's under 20 race James Poole had a good run
to finish in 12th place.
Jennie Butler maintained a 100 per cent record in the Kent
League this Winter as she won the second race of the series at Somershill Park,
Tonbridge. Bryony Proctor had her usual fast start and was an early leader
before Jennie took control. Bryony finished in 4th and with Bella Clayton in 7th
the Club again won the team race. Fran Green also had a good run in 10th place.
Jamie Atkinson was the Club's first finisher in the Senior Men's race in second
place on the testing course. This helped the team to 4th place on the day. Peter
Tucker (11th), David McKinlay (24th) and Neal Humphreys (45th) completed the
scoring.
Jonathan Vintner was the first home for the Junior Men in
4th place which puts him third in the League for the season. In the under 17's
age group there was another good run from Alex Bruce Littlewood as he placed 2nd
again and was 4th in the combined under 17 and under 20 race. With Alistair
Cliff 10th and Sam Simpson 15th the team placed second. Catherine Chambers was
the Club's sole representative in the women's race finishing in 9th.
Most successful of the Club's youngsters were the under 15
girls who enjoyed a comfortable team victory. Danielle Critchley won the race by
21 seconds from team mate Michelle Fewster and with Sophie Gordon 5th they won
the team race by 11 points. In fact if B teams were allowed to score the trio of
Jessica Saville (7th), Rebecca Smith (8th) and new girl Krystal Gallery (12th)
would have finished as third team. There was also a promising debut for Georgina
Naessens in 14th place with Amy Mitchell just behind in 16th.
The boys finished in 2nd place led home by Stephen Cavey
in 4th and fast improving Philip Sesemann in 6th. Andrew York made a good debut
for the Club in 8th place ably supported by Hector Kurtyanek in 10th.
Hannah Cook led home the under 13 girls in 9th place and
with Georgina Chew 11th and Nancy Carney 16th the team finished in
third. Kayleigh Leonard (24th) and Holly Starling (25th) provided good back up
in thier first races for the Club.
George Gregory was first for the boys in 10th place. Greg
Proctor in 30th and Samuel Jackson 39th, on his Club debut, helped the team to
5th place.
If the course at Tonbridge was tough then the terrain at
the Beachy Head Marathon can only be described as extreme. A large group from
the Club tackled the 26 mile multi terrain course which finishes over the Seven
Sisters in Eastbourne.
First home for the Club was the inform Daryl Hilliar who
placed 10th in 3 hours 21 minutes. Andy Tucker was 35th in 3.42 and Clayton Aves
45th in 3.45. Kate Pratten was the Club's first female finisher in 120th overall
in 4.06 with Justine Eastbury 477th and Alison Jelly 567th
24/10/06
Mark Steinle continued his return to race fitness by
running Blackheath & Bromley's fastest leg at the Nike ERRA National 6 stage
road relays at Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield. The 31 year old timed 17.50 on the
4th stage of the event to help the team to 17th position out of the 73 teams
that finished.
Jamie Atkinson ran a good opening leg of 18.07 to bring
the team in 21st. Joe Mills 18.36 maintained this position on the second stage
and although James Poole slipped to 26th on leg three, his time of 18.53 was a
promising effort from the teenager.
Steinle's run catapulted the team up to 15th before Alex
Gibbins (19.13) and Peter Tucker (18.58) secured 17th spot.
When Scott Overall and Andrew Rayner return from their
studies in the States the team will undoubtedly feature much higher in this
competition.
In the Women's 4 stage event the Club took 31st place out
of the 78 teams that finished and were the leading Kent team to close. Jennie
Butler was the quickest of the Club's quartet timing 15.44 on a very competitive
opening stage. She came 35th and Bryony Proctor moved the Club up to 28th on the
next stage with a very useful 16.08.
Shavaun Henry got the team up to 25th on leg three with
16.21 and Fran Green brought the squad home in 31st. The B team of Clare Lodwig,
Kate Pratten, Gemma Viney and Kirsty Philp were 62nd.
The Nike Young Athletes Relays took place at the same
venue the following day and while the Club did not feature at the sharp end the
squads gained valuable experience of competing in a National competition.
Best run of the day came in the Under 17 men's race where
Alex Bruce-Littlewood came in 6th on the opening leg. Considering he closed in
7th on the first stage in the Southern a month ago this represented a
significant breakthrough. He clocked 12.23. Team mates Sam Simpson and Cameron
Ward battled in the winds and rain to ensure the team came finished in 25th.
Highest placed team of the day were the under 15 girls.
Danielle Critchley came 19th on the opening leg before Rebecca Smith edged the
team up to 17th on leg two. Amy DeMatos brought the team home in 16th. The B
team of Sophie Gordon, Emma Hook and Jessica Saville finished in 45th.
Phillip Sesemann ran a useful opening leg for the under 15
boys for 21st place. Julian Ayisi slipped a little on the second stage before
Stephen Cavey brought the team up to 26th on the final stage. The B team of
James Clack, Ross Braden and Hector Kurtyanek finished in 38th.
In the Under 13 age group the boys team of Greg Proctor,
debutant Tom Scott and George Gregory finished 32nd in the boys race while the
girls squad of Georgina Chew, Nancy Carney and Hannah Cook were 41st.
The Club have just heard the sad news of the death of Past
President Terry Sullivan. He died at the age of 72 after a long illness. Further
details will be placed on the Club website when known.
Good news for the Club this week is that Norman Park track
has been reopened having been shut since the start of June to allow it to be
widened to 8 lanes. This very necessary work has caused great disruption over
the Summer months and it is expected that a return to normality will be a great
boost to the Club and it’s activities.
One of the Club’s leading masters was in action in the
Gillingham Hilly 7.5 mile race. Chris Woodcock placed 70th overall from 182
finishers in the wet and hilly conditions and won the over 60’s race by 4
minutes in 54.08.
17/10/06
Michael Skinner was in fine form in the Cabbage Patch 10
mile road race at Wimbledon. This was the Blackheath & Bromley athlete's first
race over the distance and he was pleased with his time of 49.46 for 6th place
in a strong field. Despite this being a significant increase in his normal race
distance he enjoyed the event and the result will give him confidence as he
prepares for the first UK Cross Challenge in Birmingham in two weeks time His
coach Conrad Milton was at the Clubhouse the same day to host a cross country
day which ran smoothly with a discussion on planning training and some practical
work at nearby Sparrows Den.
Jamie Atkinson continued his winning ways retaining the
Blackheath & Bromley Club 5 mile title at Hayes. His winning margin was not as
great as at the previous weekend's Ashford 10km but the 22 year old still led
from start to finish to time 28.37, nearly half a minute clear of runner up Alex
Gibbins. Third place went to one of the Club's most promising youngsters. Alex
Bruce-Littlewood timed 30.42 for not only a bronze medal but also a gold and a
trophy for winning the Junior Men's race. Alistair Cliff took the runner up spot
with Stephen Cavey third. Jennie Butler was the runaway winner of the women's
race placing 13th overall from the 83 starters. Bella Clayton took second place
with Viv Mitchell third. The junior Women's race was won by 13 year old Michelle
Fewster with Brunel university student Ella Fisher second and another 13 year
old Sophia Maslin third.
The race incorporated the second of the nine Bennett Cup
Handicap races and produced a win for Junior Men's track and field manager
Brendan McShane with Rob Drake second and Martin Blunden third. (Brendan thanks
the opposition “for running so slowly”) Leader of the series is now Bella
Clayton with 78 points with Chris Pike second on 70 and Tony Pontifex third with
68. Nine other athletes have scored 60 points or more so the contest is still
wide open.
Danny Brewer and Amy Smith both began their Kent Young
Athletes League seasons with victories at Capstone Park. Danny took the Junior
Men's race by nine seconds in 14.58 and with Jonathan Vintner 5th and Adam
Atkinson 10th led the Blackheath & Bromley team to victory. Amy enjoyed an
emphatic win in the under 17 women's race finishing over 80 seconds clear of the
runner up in 14.55. With Catherine Chambers 10th and Amy's sister Lauren 14th
the team placed second.
It was second also for the under 17 men led home by Alex
Bruce-Littlewood in second place with with Alistair Cliff 11th and Cameron Ward
16th. Likewise in the under 15s age group where Danielle Critchley had an
excellent run in her first year in the age group to finish third with Michell
Fewster 5th and Rebecca Smith 10th. Stephen Cavey was first home for the boys in
5th place with Hector Kurtyanek 13th and Ross Braden 15th. There was a
worryingly low turn out in the under 13's age groups but the quality was there
with Hannah Cook finishing in 7th place in the girls race. The Club is keen to
attract new members. For further details contact Peter Ward on 01689 853100.
Meanwhile Dave Taylor was in action at Brockwell Park for
his second claim Club Herne Hill. The 42 year old finished in 2nd place beaten
only by Great Britain International steeplechaser Jermaine Mays.
10/10/06
Despite going off course at one point Jennie Butler still
secured victory in the opening Kent Women's Cross Country League fixture of the
season at Capstone Park. The Blackheath & Bromley school teacher was quickly to
the fore with team mate Bryony Proctor and the two opened a gap on the chasing
pack. However, a wrong turning threw the race wide open again as the duo found
themselves back down the field.
Jennie worked her way back through the leaders to
re-establish first place and was then able to kick away in the closing stages.
Bryony who is still a junior was unable to get back to her previous place but,
nevertheless, finished in a fine 6th position in her first appearance in the
Senior age group. Bella Clayton closed in 8th position and Clare Lodwig had one
of her best ever races to place 10th. This excellent packing ensured the Club
won the team race.
Best placed in the men's race was Alex Gibbins who
finished in a very useful 6th position. With Jon Thorpe 13th, Dave Mckinlay 16th
and Martin Airey 27th the team finished 4th. Alan Camp, who is aged 50, placed
29th while another veteran Neil Ayrton finished strongly in 33rd. The Club also
came 3rd in the 12 to score contest.
Full results from the younger age group races have not yet
been received but these did include a excellent win for Amy Smith in the Under
17 women's race and a breakthrough second place for Alex Bruce-Littlewood in the
men's race in the same age group.
Club members have also enjoyed success on the roads. Jamie
Atkinson enjoyed a runaway victory in the Ashford 10km He took the title in
31.35 nearly a minute ahead of the runner up. Just a day after his exploits in
the Kent League Alex Gibbins was back in action in the Nike London 10km. In a
field of thousands he finished in 5th place in 33.25. Also doing back to back
racing was Alex Bruce-Littlewood. After second place in the Kent League on
Saturday he took the runner up spot again on Sunday in the Tatsfield 5. Club
President Ken Daniel finished in 5th place having moved through the field after
a steady start.
Three of the Club's veteran throwers picked up medals at
the British Masters Weights Decathlon Championships at Milton Keynes. As well as
more traditional events such as the shot and discus, the ten throws include the
brick, club and the sling ball. Beatrice Simpson struck gold in the women's over
50's age group with 4193 points while Barbara Terry was second in the over 60's
age group with 4004 points. It was second place also for Gordon Hickey in the
men's over 70's competition.
Conrad Milton coach to a number of top runners including
Hayley Yelling, Michael Skinner and Scott Overall will be holding a coaching day
at the Clubhouse this Sunday at 10.30. All are welcome.
The Club is keen to hear from any youngsters who are
interested in cross country. For further details contact Peter Ward on 01689
853100.
3/10/06
Mark Steinle was a runaway winner of the Wimbledon 10 Mile
Road race. Steinle, who is Briatin's fastest marathon this century, finished in
49.54 nearly five minutes clear of the runner up. He is now set to compete for
the Club in the National Six Stage Road Relay later this month. His girlfriend
Gemma Viney finished in 30th place overall in 70.20 and was the 7th woman to
finish.
Sarah Coombs was one of the youngest competitors in the
Great North Run. The 17 year old schoolgirl finished in a time of one hour forty
six minutes.
Alan Camp was the fastest over 50 athlete at the
Serpentine last Friday of the month 5km timing 17.03 for the distance.
The Cross country season gets underway in earnest with the
first Kent League match of the Winter at Capstone Park. The Club is keen to
recruit new runners particularly in the younger age groups from the age of 11.
For further details please contact Peter Ward on 01689 853100.
