Welcome to the spring edition of the vets newsletter.

A special welcome to new vets to the club and veteran ranks.
So to date
Fred Gibbs is the BMAF XC champion (0/70)
He is the Yorkshire veterans cross country 0/70s champion.
He got silver in the Northern vets XC the following day.
He then gained maximum points at the first English fell championship race at Pendle.
Mike Smith became the 0/65s Yorkshire vets XC champion; the following day at the northern vets XC won the 0/65s with an impressive 9 minute lead.
Ian Holmes has come out of a good winter to lead the English Fell Champs at senior and vet level. He is just getting better.
Dewsbury 10k saw some fine performances from many vets.
Neil Robson won the 0/60s.That man again Mike Smith won the 0/65s.training partner Gerry Bell 3rd 0/55.
Martin Peace was 2nd 0/40, Dave Potter 3rd 0/45.
Sue Becconsall ran a solid race for 1st 0/45, followed by Andrea Dennison.
The Yorkshire XC champs at York saw Richard Harris 2nd 0/35
Stewart Macdonald 2nd 0/40, John Convery 2nd 0/45.
Mike Smith, Bobby Dover and Neil Robson came second 0/60-69s.team.
Over 70s team won by Fred, George Perkins and John Smithurst.
Sarah Jarvis was incredible winning the 0/35s.
Sue Becconsall won 0/45s, Andrea was second and Mary Green won the 0/50s.together they won the team prize.
Then the next day Andrea went and ran the Liversedge half marathon for 1st 0/45!
Huddersfield 10k saw an impressive run from new member Kevin O’Hara who won the 0/60,John Firth 2nd 0/65,Oliver Downing 3rd 0/60 backed up with Mick Long 5th 0/60.
At Congleton cloud 9 Sue Becconsall won the 0/45s.
Ilkley was won by Ian Holmes (v40)

BMAF NATIONAL XC CHAMPS, RUTHIN 21/03/09

Bingley harriers were represented to the highest level.
Sara Jarvis had a very good run.
At the start the leader put in a big sprint start, and then it was a case whoever was strong and fast enough to try and claw her back. Sarah dropped all the other runners and put on a valiant fight. On the first lap I had her 54 seconds behind, at the finish only 38 seconds!
Close behind was Sue Becconsall who ran with great fluidity to gain Bronze medal in the 0/45s.Andrea Dennis worked hard with the team to assist in a gold medal performance
The 0/35 to 49year olds race was one of quality.
Again a very fast start put a good group of runners in contention; Richard Harris had the confidence and speed to hang on to the group finishing 4th 0/35
Andy Peace was slightly adrift but got his head down and worked very very hard by himself to try and claw the gap back. He finished 6th 0/40.
Behind him Stuart Macdonald with John Convery on his shoulder drove through the field determined to push the blue and white hoops to the forefront. In the end the harriers were 2nd team, an agonizing 46 seconds behind the gold medal winners.
Such was the depth of the 0/40s we also came 7th team
Steve Fry, Carey Grey and new talent Marc Teasey all gave a very good account of themselves and did there club proud by an exhibition of determination and fleet of foot.
Gerry Bell was the only 0/50 runner but ran a very strong race and is showing good form
In the 0/60s the men ran a very credible race, winning a bronze medal.
Lacking Les Haynes who is injured. Neil Robson got his head down, followed by club president Bob Dover and Mike Smith, who was recovering from back spasms and depletion after running the Barcelona Marathon.
It was obvious that mike was in great discomfort, but such is his tenacity he still ran a good race.
Mike spirited run ensured the team was complete
Just behind Mike was new member Kevin O’Hara, who is a real prospect for the club and will soon be able to count for us in races.
The o/70s!
Well what can I say; Fred was worried as he left his spikes at home but so fast was the course that he had the right footwear on the day. Fred came away with gold after a battle for first place subsided due to the intelligence and patience of Fred’s racing abilities.
George Perkins put in an absolute sterling performance with 4th to strengthen the Harriers placing. John Smithurst battled with his illness for the first lap then got his cadence and breathing sorted to back his team mates up with a great run, ensuring a Gold medal for team.

UPCOMING RACES

16TH MAY BMAF ROAD RELAYS
Details here
Steve Fry team captain for 0/40s, contact me if interested in all categories.

21st June BMAF 5K CHAMPIONSHIPS, HORWICH
Details here

28th June NVAC 10K Champs Platts field Manchester

19th JULY BMAF10k champs Magor Marsh Gwent
Details here

16th August NVAC 10 mile champs ST ANNES ON SEA

6th Sept BMAF Marathon champs in Kent (details to follow)

11TH October BMAF 10 mile champs Portland
Details here

YORKSHIRE VETS CHAMPIONSHIP

Half Marathon, Sun Apr 26, Sheffield – Entry Details (FILLS UP QUICKLY, YOU’VE BEEN WARNED!)
5k, Wed May 6, Esholt – Entry Form
5 miles, Thu Jun 4, Haworth – Info
10 miles, Sun Aug 9, Askern
10k, Sun Sept 13, Spenborough
Track & Field, Sun Sep 20, Spenborough
15 miles, Sun Oct 25, Holmfirth
Fell, Sun Nov 8, Cop Hill @ Meltham
Road Relay, TBA

Yorkshite vets grand prix

Latest GP Poistions
Mens Team
Mens 35
Mens 40
Mens 45
Mens 50
Mens 55

Womens Team
Women F35
Women F40
Women F45
Women F50
Women F55+

Bradford Millennium way
14th June 2009 - Contact Adrian if you wish to be considered to run.

LATEST NEWSLETTER FROM YVAA HERE

Competition Time...

Name the year, the race and as many Bingley Runners as possible.

Adrian Rushworth - Spring 2009