Royal Air Force Men and Veterans Secure Inter-Service Marathon Team Honours

By Flt Lt Carl Thompson

Olympic champion Sammy Wanjiru smashed Martin Lel's one-year-old course record to win the 2009 Flora London Marathon in a personal best of 2:05:10 after a gripping battle with Ethiopia's Tsegaye Kebede who finished just 10seconds behind. Three Olympic medallists took all three podium places asKebede, the Beijing bronze medallist, was followed home by Jaouad Gharib,the silver medallist in China, who smashed his PB by more than a minute anda half in 2:05:27. Irina Mikitenko became the first woman since Paula Radcliffe in 2003 to retain her London Marathon title as she held off a spirited challenge from Britain's Mara Yamauchi to win the third marathon ofher career and cement her place as the world number one. This year a total of 35,000 finished the 26.2 mile course. The race was held in warm conditions. The first Briton home was Andi Jones who was 13th in 2:15:20. At the business end of the field athletes from the three Services were competing for Inter-Service honours. The format is three runners to count, the combined time for the three scoring runners is calculated , the least amount of total time wins The Trio of

Cpl Matt Blunden (Air Warfare Centre - Waddington) 2 hrs 34 min 40 sec Sgt Mark Prestwood (Police Flight - Lyneham) 2 hrs 37 min 44 secFlt Lt Tim Artus ( Initial Officer Training Leadership Instructor Cranwell) 2 hrs 37 min 58 sec

Total time 7 hrs 50 min 22 sec -secured a clear 5 min victory margin overthe Army and Royal Navy Teams

Matt Blundens race time of 2 hours 34 min 40 sec secured 94th place overall from over 35,000 finishers.

Matt Blunden " Not my best ever performance - injury setbacks earlier thisWinter eventually paid their price- I could not drop out - I knew I had to just tough it out for Inter-Service team success"

Mark Prestwood - " Conditions could have been a lot cooler - I had to workreally hard to overcome the heat - chuffed to finish within in a minute ofmy all time best - at 40 years of age I have got to be pleased - running 6minute mile pace to finish in 2 hrs 37 min 44 sec " . " I am detached next Sunday to the Falklands for 4 months- so the timing of the event this yearproved ideal."

Tim Artus " Running around in combat kit and boots on the Stanta Training Area last week with the Cadets is not in any normal marathon training schedules"

The Royal Air Force Male Over 40 team also performed well securing the team win by over 20 mins.

Sergeant Mark Prestwood ( Lyneham) 2 hrs 37 min 44 sec Warrant Officer John Siddens ( Waddington) 2 hrs 41 min 57 Flight Sergeant Matthew Stephenson ( MDHU Birmingham ) 2 hrs 46 min 38 sec

Royal Air Force Road Running Team Manager Flt Lt Carl Thompson - (Helicopter Engines Project Team RNAS Yeovilton) was delighted on behalf of the team.

" This type of victory does not come overnight - all of the team without exception just quietly get on with hundreds of miles of hard work through out the Winter months with no fuss, little recognition, no reward and no respite- they have done the homework and passed the exam - I am absolutely delighted"

" This concludes our best Winter season in recent years - the Marathon success builds on our Inter Service 10 km Road Male team win at Honington in Sep 08 and Matt Blundens individual victories at Honington and theInter-Service half marathon 21.1km at Fleet Aldershot. It should be remembered that Matt came within 41 seconds of winning all threeInter-service Road Events. At London the Royal Marine Mark Croasdale was just too strong on the day."

The RAF Ladies also had a significant part to play on the day.

Flt Lt Beccy Screech (DTMA Andover) ran 3 hrs 16 min 53 sec to secure the Royal Air Force Marathon Championship just 2 seconds away from the Army runner in the bronze Inter-Service medal place. This was backed up by Flt Lt Jo Johnson (Halton) 3 hrs 26 min 03 sec and Ladies Team Captain Sqn Ldr Jo Roe (Wittering) 3 hrs 27 min 54 sec. Jo commented " An amazing day- the first time we have been able to assemble a complete Ladies Team to compete with the Army over the marathon distance."

Provisional Results

ST EDMUND HALL RELAYS RACE REPORT- OXFORD UNIVERSITY WED 11 MAR 09

By Flt Lt Carl Thompson

The Royal Air Force Road Racing Team returned to Oxford to make their fourth consecutive appearance in the ”Teddy Hall “Relays. This prestigious road relay event is organised by the Oxford University Cross Country Club and is held at Iffley Road, Oxford. The track where Sir Roger Bannister completed the first ever sub 4 min mile. Roger was on hand to start the 2009 event and also celebrate his 80th birthday.

The race consists of 4 x 3.6 mile legs, each starting and finishing on the Bannister track, taking in Magdalen Bridge, a stretch along the Thames towpath past the college boathouses, over the Donnington Bridge before returning to Iffley Road to finish on the track. Pre-race favourites included defending champions Oxford , Cambridge, London, Bristol, Birmingham and Warwick Universities.

In 2008 the RAF Men were 11th. The top class 2009 starting list consisted of 114 Male teams (4 x 3.6 miles), 37 Ladies Teams ( 3 x 3.6 miles) runners and 42 Mixed Teams (2 male & 2 female x 3.6 miles). A total of 735 runners. The Royal Air Force had mustered a Ladies Team and three male senior teams, imaginatively titled RAF "A", "B" and "C".

Times in Min and Seconds & finishing position in brackets and a few notes as well . “Google” Teddy Hall Relays for full results. Pictures

RAF Ladies 16th from 37 teams

Sqn Ldr Jo Roe LV35 (Wittering) 23.43 (15)

Heather Beattie 28.19 (18) a day before OOA

Flt Lt Beccy Screech LV35 (Andover) 25.02 (16)

RAF Male "A" team. 11th from114 teams

SAC (T) Oz Ellis ( Benson) 19.04 (13)

Cpl Marcus Maxwell (Benson) 19.38 (9)

Sgt Richie Bateson ( Kirton Lindsay) 20. 21(7)

Sqn Ldr Chris Reeson MV40 ( Brize Norton) 20.27(11)

RAF “B” Team 31st from 114 teams

Sgt Nige Bostock MV40 (Cosford) 21.39(47)

SAC Nick Goulder (Wyton) 23.01(50)

Flt Lt Carl Thompson MV40(RNAS Yeovilton) 21.15 (39)

AC Carl Tucker (Honington) 20.14 (31) RAF Regt Training days away

RAF “C “ Team 54th from 114 teams (Note - Many runners compete more than one leg)

Sqn Ldr Chris Reeson (Brize Norton) 23.44 (79) warming up!

Sqn Ldr Nell Tindale (19 Air Assault Brigade) 27.36 (94) Lady runner

SAC (T) Oz Ellis (Benson) 19.47 (66) warming down!

Cpl Marcus Maxwell (Benson) 20.37 (54) warming down!

Winning team was Oxford University Cross Country Club 72 min 29 sec, Cambridge 2nd and Univ of Birmingham 3rd.

Fastest Male Jon Pepper Birmingham University 17 min 28 sec.

Fastest Lady Michelle Sikes Oxford University Cross Country Club 19 min 37 sec.

Finally I would like to thank those RAF Athletes who took the plunge to try this event and would urge those who missed out to consider competing next year. The sub 20 min barrier at Teddy Hall is a pretty good target.

A total of 9 different RAF runners have achieved the elusive sub 20 min. With Marcus Maxwell achieving the hat trick in 2009 and Oz Ellis a same day double! Could you add your name to the list? It really is a great day out and it is always good to see the RAF team compete in the relay format.

Leeds Abbey Dash 2008

Flt Lt Ben Livesey (Kinloss) looking "relaxed" en route way to a 31 min 30 sec time in the Leeds Abbey Dash 10 km Sun 23 Nov 08 In a top class field Ben finished 16th place from over 5000 runners.

RAF 10 Mile Road Race Championships - RAF Henlow 12 Nov

By Flt Lt Carl Thomson

The 56th annual Henlow 10 Mile Road Race was held in ideal cool calm and sunny conditions. The course takes runners on an A to B route from the Old Warden Aerodrome back to RAF Henlow. It follows mainly minor roads and takes in a few challenging hills on the way. A total of 223 runners completed the course comprising of mainly RAF personnel, MOD employees and local civilian clubs including Stopsley Striders, Bedford Harriers and Fairland Valley Spartans. It was also pleasing to note that RAF Aldergrove from Northern Ireland and RAF Kinloss had travelled down from Scotland to compete.

With no real pre-race favourite and last years race winner, SAC Matt Blunden from RAF Waddington unavailable this year the race appeared wide open.

The race winner who only secured the race lead within the last half mile was SAC Sam Mitchell 55 min 31 secs - (Waddington) a real prospect at 21 years of age. Second was SAC Ian Bailey (Aldergrove) 55 min 42 sec. Third SAC "Oz Ellis" (Benson) in 56 mins 59 sec.

First veteran (over 40 years) making a welcome return to the RAF and the Road Running scene was Warrant Officer John Siddens (Waddington) 57 min 19 sec. First Veteran over 50 years old was Group Captain John Lawlor (high Wycombe) 11th overall 59 min 55 sec just nipping under the elusive sub 60 min barrier. First veteran over 60 years of age in 22nd place Mr Bob Wells 64 min 16 sec.

The Male team race with four to score saw RAF High Wycombe team clear winners (Flt Lt Tom Bailey 5th- Sqn Ldr Simon Bell 7th - Group Captain John Lawlor -11th and Flt Lt Chris Reeson - 13th. RAF Waddington secured second place.

The ladies race saw SAC Jenny Collins (Waddington) secure victory 67 min 56 sec (39th overall) second Kelda Spratt 68 min 33 sec (Kinloss civilian) and third SAC Helena Smith (Halton & 2nd RAF lady ) 69 min 42 sec. V Jones - Garden City Runners 3rd lady 71 min 08 sec just pipping Sqn Ldr Jo Roe (Wittering 4th lady & 2nd RAF) 71 min 15 sec.

Other participants included Group Captain Richard Gammage ( RAF Halton Station Commander and RAF Athletic Association Chairman) 67 min 37 sec (37th). More senior participants included Mick Thompson representing Scarborough AC (69 yrs young) he secured 150th place and a time of 83 mins 31secs and Mr P Dadson in the over 70 category 197th in 94 min 41 sec.

GalleryFull Results

Many thanks to the Brampton Wyton Henlow Station Commander Group Captain Colin Smith for supporting and hosting the race, Wing Commander Richard Lushington for his starting duties and presenting prizes, Flt Lt Mark Saggers for coordinating the event and acting as the overall Project Officer, Warrant Officer Carol Staton and the Physical Education Staff for their support, the race marshalls from DISC Chicksands and Brampton Wyton Henlow.

Marathon Matt Delivers Top Class Performance in Amsterdam

Cpl Matt Blunden (RAF Waddington) ran the fastest Royal Air Force Marathon time for some years at the world class Amsterdam Marathon on Sunday 19th October 2008, writes Flt Lt Carl Thompson RAF Road Running Team Manager. Starting and finishing in the Olympic Stadium the race attracted 40 invited elite athletes including Kenyan and Ethiopian professionals. Matt finished 27th from a field of over 6000 runners. Finishing alongside the full time athletes. Reaching half way in 72 mins he maintained outstanding pace and effort hitting 30 kilometres in 1 hr 42 mins before holding on with grim determination to record 2 hrs 28 mins 12 secs. Matt reaped the rewards of his intensive training schedule improving by over 14mins from his previous best marathon performance.

This caps an exceptional season which included victories in Armed Forces Inter Service Cross Country and 10 kilometre Road Race Championships. Matt has also competed with distinction for Notts Athletics Club securing Area and National titles. Recently promoted Matt an avionics specialist is employed within the Air Warfare Centre at Waddington. He manages to train twice a day averaging 90 miles a week without compromising his commitment to operational service life. Be under no illusion the time effort and travel to achieve this level of performance is no easy task.

Prior to joining the Royal Air Force Matt was a recreational runner, after completing trade training he gradually started to progress benefiting from station level events graduating to representing the RAF Athletic Association and is now our leading runner. Backing from the Royal Air Force Sports Board has assisted training costs and enabled Matt to step up to the next level.

Matt’s performance was the highlight of the 2008 Royal Air Force Road Running Team overseas visit which had other impressive results. A total of 5 all time personal best performances were achieved in the Amsterdam Half Marathon Event.Cpl Kieran White (RAF Benson) smashed his personal best by over 2 minutes recording 73 mins 19 secs in the Half Marathon event 13.1 miles. SAC Sam Mitchell (RAF Waddington) at the age of 20 demonstrated his potential 73 mins 59 secs for 11th place backed up by SAC (T) Ellis (RAF Benson) also setting a best time 75 mins 37 secs (16th place).

The Ladies not to be out done also set a high standard SAC Helena Smith (RAF Halton) recorded a life time best 91 mins 01 sec (29th lady) backed up by Sqn Ldr Jo Roe (RAF Wittering) 95 mins 21 secs.

Sqn Ldr Simon Bell (Air Command) was well under the 3 hour marathon mark with 2 hrs 52 mins 45 sec. Securing 19th position in the over 40 category.

Full Results of all races

Picture Gallery

The new Royal Air Force running vest was worn by the team. This definitely promoted the Service profile. The Athletes received lots of encouragement from the Dutch spectators which included many salutes from the Dutch Army race marshals.

All Royal Air Force distance runners now look forward to the next event on the calendar 56th edition of the classic Henlow 10 Mile Road Race.

RAF Road Relays, RAF Wittering - 1 Oct 08

By Flt Lt Carl Thompson

By kind permission of the Station Commander Group CAptain P Higgins ADC MA BA (Hons) RAF, the Royal Air Force Road Relay Championships took place at Royal Air Force Wittering on Wednesday 1 Oct 08.

A total of 9 teams attended the Championships held for the first time at Wittering. The competition looked to be between last year’s winners RAF Waddington and an RAF Benson composite team which included Cpl Simon Almond (RAF Cranwell). The race was held in windy conditions on an accurate 5 km route on the virtually traffic free Wittering airfield perimeter roads. The course followed an “out around a loop and back” format taking in a circuit of Vigo Woods. This gave the athletes some shelter from the wind and also the chance to check there progress against the other teams on the return to the start finish area.

The opening leg saw an epic battle between Lee Athersmith (Wittering) and Steve Frear (Benson) with just five seconds seperating them as they recorded times of 16 min 01sec and 16 min 06 sec respectively. Waddington “A” were in third with a useful 17:57 from evergreen Clive Wintrip(V50). Kieran White (15:56) secured a lead for Benson on the second leg, Andy Fisher (16.58) moved Waddington up into second place from third. The third leg saw Oz Ellis (17.11) consolidate the Benson lead with Waddington remaining in second. Ronnie McWilliam V40 (16:49). Wittering still in 3rd place (Don Dorman 19:34). As the runners set off on the final leg the question was whether Simon Almond ( guesting for Benson ) would retain the lead for the Benson composite team. Simon was successful recording a useful 16:53. Matt Blunden secured second for Waddington recording 15:20 the fastest leg of the day . Mark Saggers (V40) BWH 18:13 guesting for Brize Norton overhauled the Wittering A teram to secure third place for the Brize composite team . The attached results give more detail regarding the status of the composite teams.

RAF Championships Male 4 x 5 km

1. Waddington A. 67 min 02 sec

2. Wittering A. 75 min :39 sec

3. Waddington B. 76 min 51 sec

RAF Championships Ladies 3 x 5 km

1. Coningsby

Thanks to SAC Luke Griffiths Wittering his support team for organising the event and WO Miller MTMS at Wittering for the use of his facilities on the day.

Results

Photos

2008 Inter-Services & Royal Air Force 10km Championships – Help For Heroes RAF Honington – Wed 3 Sep 08

By Flt Lt Carl Thompson

Athletes from the Royal Air Force, Army, Royal Navy and local civilian clubs participated in the 2008 Inter-Services and Royal Air Force 10 km Road Running Championships once again hosted by RAF Honington. A total of 336 athletes completed the course. This compared very favourably with 110 athletes in 2006 and 188 in 2007.

The additional attendance of another 148 athletes probably due to the “Help for Heroes” publicity but even so was a remarkable improvement given the current operational tempo. With only one Royal Navy athlete able to attend this year (well done to Royal Marine Mark Goodrige) the Inter-Service Race the team race was between the Army and the Royal Air Force.

I am also pleased to report that Group Captain Russ La Forte the Honington Commanding Officer once again set a superb example by participating in the race. It should also be noted that this year that the Coldstream Guards were out in force and that runners from as far afield as RAF Aldergrove, Spadeadam and Boulmer had also made the necessary arrangements to compete and represent their respective units.

Mr Stan Cox 87-years –young started the Honington race. Stan, who has lived in Felixstowe for 25 years served in the RAF Regiment and was an Great Britain International from 1939-1956. Stan competed in the London Olympics of 1948, racing on the track over 10,000m and four years later he ran the Olympic marathon in Helsinki. He also represented his country at the Commonwealth Games of 1954, which were held in Vancouver, Canada. Stan has a lifetime marathon best of 2 hours 18 minutes.

The race was held in warm windy conditions. The RAF had assembled a useful squad but was unable to call on the services of Ben Livesey and Tom Bailey – both unavailable but for very good reasons. The Army team was also in a similar position not being able to secure all of their leading runners. So the team race looked to be wide open.

The race commenced at 1400 hrs. The following account relied on first hand experience of Sgt Al Turnbull. (RAF). My view further down the field could not provide this detail! Cpl Matt Blunden (RAF) and Flt Lt Matt Whitfield (RAF) with young SAC Sam Mitchell (RAF) in tow, launched off into the sun with a large group following at 32:30 pace. At 3km Sam Mitchell had slowed and was passed by the following group with Mat Whitfield holding on to Matt Blunden way-out in front. Matt Blunden then pulled away gradually, with the Army making a break at about 3km Major Tim Crossland and Sgt Dave Branfoot working together to get away from the following group. Several surges by the other Army members failed to be sustained as they attempted to get on the back of the Tim Crossland and Dave Branfoot. Cpl Steve Robison (RAF) started to drop off the pace at 5km with his laces undone! This left Sgt Al Turnbull (RAF MV40) to push on in the following group to secure 5th place.

The 2008 race winner was Cpl Matt Blunden (RAF)31 min 51 sec (2007 winner Craig Williams (Army) 32 min28 sec), second was Flt Lt Matt Whitfield (RAF) maintaining his road form after recent fell races in 32 min 12 sec. Major Tim Crossland (Army) third in 32 min 38 sec.

The Inter-Service team race is summarised below:

RAF vs ARMY

• 1st Matt Blunden vs 3rd Tim Crosland
• 2nd Matt Whitfield vs 4th Dave Branfoot
• 5th Al Turnbull vs 6th Craig McBurney
• 10th Steve Robison vs 8th Ian Smith
• 11th Kieran White vs 9th Shane Richardson
• 12th Dave Cole vs 24th Joe Foreshaw

Total 41 points vs 54 points

Good packing by the RAF squad (14,15,1617,18,19,21,22 and 23 places) was the key to securing the first RAF team win since at least 2002.

The leading lady was Mrs Tamara Jordan representing Stowmarket Striders a local civilian club in 37 min 39 sec. The Inter-Service Ladies Champion was Capt Debbie Coslett (Army) 38 min 23 sec The Inter Service Ladies Race was clean sweep for the Army with Gnr Jo Jones second in 39 min 22 sec and third Leanne Haslam 41 min 50 sec.

The Inter-Service Veteran Race 40-49 .

• Sgt Al Turnbull (RAF) 33 min 28 sec
• Wing Commander Dave Cole (RAF) 34 min 19 sec
• Sqn Ldr Simon Bell (RAF) 34 min 45 sec.

Inter Service Senior Vet 50 + Race

• Group Captain John Lawlor (RAF) 36 min 19 sec

I would like to thank the following:

Group Captain Russ La Forte - the Honington Commanding Officer for once again allowing Honington to host the Inter-Services and RAF 10km Road Race Championships.

Group Captain John Lawlor the RAF Athletics Association Deputy Chairman for his support on the day. The Honington Race Organisation Team led by Wg Cdr Paul Sanger-Davies supported by Cpl Steve Robinson. I also congratulate all athletes on the spirit in which they conducted themselves on the day.

The report can not be complete without mention of the retirement from the RAF of the “legend” Warrant Officer Pete Golding. Pete has competed for the RAF on the track, country and road throughout his career. His list of athletic accomplishments is endless, I can not capture them all but I would like to highlight some recent events that reflect his 100% commitment and enthusiasm regardless of circumstances. His final Inter-Service cross country race at HMS Raleigh took place almost immediately on his return from Out of Area Operations. At the wrong side of fifty years he could still turn out a mean steeplechase and he also secured a victory in the Dublin Marathon V50 category (2 hours 41 min). He was well known to all on the Running circuit (Service and Civilian ) for his totally unselfish encouragement of others. Group Captain John Lawlor marked Pete’s RAF retirement with a presentation photo album capturing Pete’s athletic highlights. We wish Pete well and welcome him back at all future events.

Results