Croydon Switchback 5 mile - Sunday 23 September 2007 - Ian Robinson

I ran with three other badminton players the Croydon Switchback five mile on a lovely sunny morning. I finished in 40:27 which is a 5 mile pb for me.

Faversham 10K - Sunday 16 September 2007 - Ian Robinson

I finished the well organised Faversham 10K on the 16th Sept. in 51:59 and tried attacking the hills. I have been wearing my BVAC vest and hope I have not disgraced myself !!! [Ed: No indeed Ian - keep it up!]

Bewl Water 15 miles - Sunday 1 July 2007 Bridget Weekes

Cool temperatures with rain in the breeze heralded the start of the Bewl Water 15.

It was more or less a shuffle for the first 1/2 mile, then a bottle neck at the first stile (and a complete stop for a few minutes!) After that we got going to very muddy and slippery conditions (with the occasional refreshing light shower). Altogether a very enjoyable race with a great atmosphere.  considering the slip-sliding start of the paths and the long wait to go over the stile, I was pleased with my time; and with the many yummy cakes at the finish!

Bridgit Weekes        2hrs 06 mins 55 secs
Adrian Walters        2hrs 08 mins 17 secs

North Downs 30K - Sunday 10 June 2007 - Chris Young

After a disastrous London Marathon this year I wanted to enter a race and enjoy it without thinking about finishing times.  I chose this one having run it three years ago.  It was, once again, a really hot day but this time I was prepared to take it easy and enjoy it.  The first half of the run the miles just flew by and this was helped greatly by running alongside Katrina Patching and Eric Enoch ( B Vets and Orpington Road Runners).  In fact I only started to feel tired at about sixteen miles when we had the full sun on us and no shade but this didn't spoil my enjoyment of the race and I can honestly say that I really enjoyed it.  Those of you who have done this one before know that it is very tough and could perhaps be compared to a shorter version of Beachy Head but it is definitely one challenge that I would recommend.  The scenery was wonderful as was the friendly marshalling, jelly babies en route, great free cakes at the end and a good quality t shirt ( small ones too).  If you had any energy left afterwards a complimentary swim was available at Cascades Leisure Centre, the race venue.

Mike Turner        2.32.14
Pat Collins        2.58.44
Bridgit Weekes     3.07.16
Chris Young        3.17.04
Katrina Patching   3.24.21

Orpington 10K

Another great BVAC turnout for this annual event, even though a number of our members (being also Orpington Road Runners) were marshalling.

Phil Greenfield 87th 45.01
Clive Walker 141st 48.13
Lynette Walker 143rd 48.15
Bridgit Weekes 174th 49.42
Anne Unseld 265th 54.02
Val Hassett 362nd 61.31
Anne Porritt 372nd 62.35
John Soper 373rd 62.36
Jane Greenfield 383rd 63.27
Pat Morton 413th 67.23
Barbara Pope 414th 67.25
Maureen Farish 424th 68.24

Although too young (yet) to be a BVAC member, Becky Pizer finished in 376th place with 62.40. Claire Unseld, Tony and Anne's daughter finished in 405th place with 65.23.

Beckenham Road Relays - 2 May

Three legs of around 2.7 miles each around the streets of Beckenham. This events has been going for a number of years and BVAC were out in force this year. We were able to field three teams - one mens, one ladies and one mixed. This was not a veterans only event and we managed some excellent positions.

In a terrific result, we came second on the ladies race! The men did exceptionally well to finish 12th and the mixed 4th. There were 29 teams entered in total.

For the full results: click here.

London Marathon - 22 April 2007

We had another fine representation from BVAC in the London Marathon this year. It was the hottest London Marathon ever, so not a great one for new member Terry to tackle his first marathon nor for Phil to attempt it in a pig costume. Like many other runners times of BVAC entrants were well down on the norm. Special congratulations to Colin on his 200th marathon. But well done to all those who took part and we had a great time celebrating with them afterwards at the Greenfield's post-marathon party!

7326th man (965th in age) Mike Turner 3:58:07
1555th woman (156th in age) Bridgit Weekes 4:00:31
1557th woman (65th in age) Alison Wilson 4:01:01
10177th man (1981st in age) Terry McDonald 4:15:55
11555th man (1461th in age) Phil Greenfield 4:23:15
3705th woman (180th in age) Katrina Patching 4:35:21
4184th woman (206th in age) Chris Young 4:42:11
18153rd man (112th in age) Colin Poole 5:02:18
7783rd woman (746th in age) Jane Greenfield 5:30:54
21969th man (471st in age) Sean Lacey 5:36:27
9931st woman (1868th in age) Becky Pizer 6:22:07

Well done also to Becky Hassett (daughter of Val) who - while too young to be a member - trained with us and completed her first marathon in 5:09:54.

Worthing 20 miles – 1 April 2007

660 set out but only 631 finished what turned out to be quite a tough course because of the blustery wind along the seafront. This is four laps of a circuit, so we had to face it four times around! Still you know exactly where you are, you run past your car four times and there are plenty of watering holes.

227th Phil Greenfield 2:46:13
237th Bridgit Weekes 2:46:53
370th Chris Young 3:01:45
528th Jane Greenfield 3:28:04

Paddock Wood Half Marathon – 1 April 2007

A strong turnout from BVAC for the Paddock Wood Half.

360th Mike Abousselam 1:40:02
592nd Katrina Patching 1:48:46
593rd Mike Turner 1:48:47
1003rd Les Humphrey 2:05:38
1158th Val Hassett 2:13:16
1330th Pat Morton 2:32:04

Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon – 25 February 2007

Dame Kelly Holmes set over 1000 runners on their way, with several Bromley Vets in tow! The course was the same scenic loop around Bidborough, Penshurst, Fordcombe and Langton Green as in previous years, but with a new start to reduce initial congestion.

62nd Mike Turner 1.27.53
128th Mike Abousselam 1.33.42
537th Bridgit Weekes 1.50.00
577th Katrina Patching 1.51.42
934th John Soper 2.13.20
975th Linda Kemp 2.17.10

Sussex Beacon Half Marathon, Brighton – 18 February 2007

There were 3208 finishers in this regular event. An estimated 6,000 spectators filled the streets, lanes and seafront under overcast skies to watch the competitors do their bit for the charity Sussex Beacon. The international field - which featured runners from America, Croatia and France as well as home athletes - reflected the city's cosmopolitan vibe as they sped past tourist attractions such as the Royal Pavilion, Brighton Pier and the Lanes.

2610th Jane Greenfield 2.12.32

Brands Hatch half marathon – 11 February 2007 (by Jane Greenfield)

Ann Leverett and I decided to make this race our first half marathon of the year. Whilst Brands Hatch is a very nostalgic place for me (as I used to be the audit manager for the race circuit about 20 years ago), the race is a killer on the legs! For anyone who has not run this race before, it is on the track and the camber has to be felt to be believed.  In places you feel as though you are running on legs of differing lengths and trying to find a spot on the track that is relatively flat is impossible.  The facilities make up for the pain afterwards, with a good number of toilets, coffee bar, parking and a great goodie bag. However, both Ann and I have had leg problems since returning, so although it is a bit of fun to say you have done this race, if you are worried about any injury, this is probably not the best place to be running!

Ann Leverett 422^nd 2.14.13
Jane Greenfield 435^th 2.15.24
(534 finishers)

Canterbury 10 miles – 29 January 2007 (by Jane Greenfield)

This race was our first of 2007 and our start to the training for the London marathon. A new course to both of us, we were not disappointed. Starting just outside of the city we quickly ran into the fields around Canterbury. The views were beautiful and it was a very peaceful route. Although quite hilly in places we both got around in one piece. We met up with Alison Jelly who was running for another club now she has moved. She was very well and sent her best wishes to everyone at the club. Results were as follows:

Phil Greenfield 188^th 1.14.16
Brigit Weekes 403^rd 1.24.23
Anne Unseld 474^th 1.28.17
Jane Greenfield 625^th 1.39.31
(717 finishers)

Keenly joining the warm-up at Orpington ...

Val being chase to the line

... and after

Beckenham Road Relay
(+ Phil taking photo amd Ray gone walkabout)

Lynette hands to Katrina
(as women finish second)

Chris passes to Mike for second leg

Val takes over from Clive

Starters get underway in the Beckenham relays (3 x 2.7-ish miles)

Clebrating Colin's 200th marathon

Some of the other BVAC 2007 London Marathon runners - Terry, Jane, Chris, Bridgit, Phil

Mike & Katrina also display their medals

Jane not put off by Phil the pig!

Images from Worthing 20 courtesy of www.AntBliss.com

Brighton belle - Jane

Runners make their way through the streets of Brighton

Jane at Brands Hatch 2007

Yes, you really run on the track

Jane and Anne after Canterbury 10