Andy's birthday returns (From News Shopper)

Andy's birthday returns

7:31am Wednesday 18th January 2012 in Athletics By Pat Calnan

At home at Hayes, Blackheath & Bromley hosted it’s open 10km cross country race which incorporated not only the Clubs Veterans Championships but also mob matches against both Beckenham Running Club and Orpington Road Runners .

Winner of the race was Andy Rayner, who is training for this years London Marathon. Not only did he win the race but it came after he had just completed an 11 mile run. This was obviously ideal preparation for his 30th birthday party that evening.

Under 20 Will Mercer was next home in 5th place with Glen Turner 7th. First woman home was Elaine Murty in 16th place overall with Jane Bradshaw 41st and Andrea Pickup 46th.

These all helped the Club to win both Mob Matches.

Kev May won the over 40s Club Championship with Roy Smith second and Steve Wright third. The over 50s saw a win for Steve Pairman followed by Ian Taylor and Bernie Bater. Graham Coates was first in the over 60s followed by Rob Brown and Jim Phelan.

First over 35 woman was the aforementioned Jane Bradshaw with Andrea Pickup second and Sarah Dowling third. Rosemary Ferguson was first in the over 45s with Susan McKinnon 2nd while Helen Godsell was first over 55.

The race also incorporated the latest of the Bennett Cup races, a handicap series which takes place throughout the Winter months. Winner on this occasion was Steve Wright with Bernie Bater second and Roy Priestley third.

After six races the placings remain tight. Graham Coates leads on 256 points but Steve Pairman and Will Mercer are joint second on 250 points, just one point ahead of Chris Pike, who in turn is just one point clear of Finton Parkinson. With three races left there is still everything to play for as the winner of each handicap race is awarded 60 points.

Many of the Club’s athletes were competing at the Kent Schools Championships at Kent College, Canterbury. Most were representing Bromley but some were competing for Bexley.

Amber Reed finished in 3rd place in the Senior Girls race with Emma Rowland 6th.

It was 3rd also for Kate Curran in the Intermediate Girls race. She led the Bromley team to victory as Janae Galley finished 8th, Bethany Frost 10th, Lucy Sidey 12th, Samantha Leighton 13th and Holly Fletcher 22nd.

For the boys William Fuller was 14th, Will Ruiz 17th, Richard Webb 21st and Joshua Dowling 41st.

Bromley also won the team race in the Junior Girls race where Georgina Taylor completed a Club hat trick of third places. Jessica Keene was 4th, representing Bexley, Niamh Bridson Hubbard 6th, Shannon Riskey 12th, Leah Louise Everson 13th and Joanna Clowes 24th.

Bailey Stickings was 4th in the boys race and there was some encouraging packing behind as Joshua Davidson was 14th, Joss Barber 16th, Niyi Akin Agunbiade 17th, Charlie Davis 19th, Jonathan Court 24th , Thomas Powell 55th and Scott Bulmer 66th. Bromley were third team.

In the Year 7 races, Jake Potter was 4th in the boys competition and Georgina Piper and Yasmin Austridge were 6th and 8th in the girls race.

Elsewhere at the Steyning 15km Walk Shaun Lightman finished in 7th place in 1 hour 30 minutes and 17 seconds with Peter Hannell 10th in 1.32.48. Chris Norris and Ben Cockburn finished first and second in MCC Charity 10km at Norman Park straight after completing a 30 mile bike ride.

Andy Tucker was the Club’s first finisher in the latest Bromley 5km park run at Norman Park. He was 8th in 18.57. Next in and first woman to finish was Hannah Barnes in 20.22, a new best for the course. Youngster Jamie Gosnell was 26th, Iain Swatton 31st, Mike Simms 83rd, Molly Dent 123rd, Chloe Kibblewhite 124th, and Colin Poole 233rd.

Blackheath & Bromley caters for all ages, abilities and disciplines. For further information on your particular interest please e-mail enquiries@bandbhac.org.uk Alternatively leave details on the Club answer phone service on 020 8462 3115.

For all the latest Club news visit the website at www.bandbhac.org.uk