BVAC 5-mile Cross Country Race - Sat 1 March

Our cross country race was a very succesful affair all round, though it would be great to see more runners next time. If we're able to run it again soon, lots of people promised to bring additional runners - it's just so long since we organised anything! Although quite a few more had entered, we had 42 finishers (with some not running at all - because of illness, injury or otherwise - and a couple unable to complete the race).

For more details, see race report and photos.

Kent County Vets Cross Country Championships - Sat 8 December

We were able to field a team of three men in the 60+ age category and two ladies (there was only one 45+ category) on Saturday 8 December at Sparrows Den. Chris Marshall was first in category with an excellent time of 18.46 in horrendous conditions including wind and driving rain. With Tony Unseld coming 22nd and Les Humphrey 24th, our team finished a very creditable 4th overall. Bridgit Weekes was recorded in 16th position but had been beaten by Anne Unseld who, unfortunately, was missed off the list of finishers.

Kent Fitness League Cross Country Races - occasional Sundays during Winter

Finale

The season ended with the usual relays and presentations. We fielded one team and came 16th (click here for report). We're proud to say that we also picked up three awards for the season:

• Chris Marshall - leading 60+ male
• Anne Unseld - leading 50+ female
• Pam Woodward - leading 60+ female

General

All events take place on Sunday mornings 11am start. Runs are about 5 miles long on varying off-road terrain. Open to all and everyone welcome. Entry fee £2 on the day. Finishers entered into end of race raffle.

For more information don’t forget to check out the web pages devoted to this league – www.canterburyharriers.org and www.swanleyanddistrictac.org.

The league has confirmed that our members can choose to run either in the old style vests or in the new-style long or short sleeved tops. But Club Colours are imperative.

Individual race dates

Rough Common Canterbury - 14^th October 2007 (click here for report)

Swanley Park, Swanley - 11^th November 2007 (click here for report)

Knole Park, Sevenoaks - 25th November 2007 (click here for report)

Nurstead Court, Meopham - 16^th December 2007 (click here for report)

Avery Hill Park, Eltham - 30th December 2007 (click here for report)

Minnis Bay, Birchington - 13^th January 2008 (click here for report)

Oxleas Wood, Eltham - 3rd February 2008 (click here for report)

Istead and Ifield have kindly offered to host the relay and awards presentation event on Sunday 9th March 2008. The relay will take place within Shorne Woods Country Park (near Gravesend) and the presentation/ buffet will be held afterwards at Cascades Leisure Centre nearby. Full details a bit nearer the time.

Final Tables

Key rules for 2007/2008

• Composition of teams to be 7 men and 3 women (to include one F35, one M40, one M50 with all runners to be 16 or over) No problem there! (There are some separate junior races at various events.)
• Individual Championship in F35, F45, F55 categories and M40, M50, M60 categories
• Elite standard to remain at 34min/38min 10k pace (or equivalent) for men/women but to be consistently policed by club captains (anyone winning the individual championships two years running automatically to be elite).
• In the individual championships, all runners (excluding non-eligible runners and guests) are given a percentage rating for each completed race. This rating is based on their finishing position compared with the total number of finishers. For example if there are 200 male finishers in the race, the winner gets 100%, 50th man gets 75%, 100th male finisher gets 50% and so on. A similar rating calculation applies to the women's race. Runners take their best 5 ratings over the season to calculate their final position, both overall and within each age category. The most improved runners are those who have improved their rating by the greatest amount since last season.

Guest Entrants

The league is contested by members of the affiliated clubs who meet the qualification requirements contained in the Rules and Regulations.  Runners from other clubs and those affiliated who do not meet the qualification requirements are welcome to take part as guests – subject to the following conditions :-

1. Guest runners must register in advance with the League coordinator or one of the team managers giving their full name and pay the guest entry fee of £2.

2. They must wear a distinctive marker on their vest.

3. They shall comply with UKA rules and the rules of the League – completing the full course as set out and as directed by marshals and officials. At no point should their participation in the race impede or hinder the progress of others.

4. At the end of the race, they shall cross the finish line and be recorded in through the finish funnel in the same manner as offical competitors.

5. On receiving their finishing ticket, they shall advise the team manager with whom they registered of their finishing position.

6. Unaffiliated guest runners will normally be permitted to make a maximum of two appearances in a season.  They will then be encouraged to take out First or Second claim membership with one of the affiliated clubs.

Archives:

See also 2006-2007
See also 2005-2006
See also 2004-2005
See also 2003-2004

Les finishes the league season
(having competed in every race)

Oxleas - a little open to the elements!

Assembling for the start at Minnis Bay

Les tackles the final sand bank

... and that's after Jim's bath (in the ditch)

Val enjoys the luxury facilities at Meopham

Anne and Chris compare how cold the watersplash really was

Ray and Les in upbeat mood

It's muddy! (per Adrian)

Well Les, I suppose it's fair enough for him to sit in it as he did buy it
(sit? I was dying)

Anne recommends moderation in pre-race hydration!