Interservice XC Championships - 16 Feb

The Inter-Services Cross Country Championships were held at RAF Halton on 16 Feb. The conditions on the day were by and large fine, with only a slight shower of rain during the veteran’s race. In the men’s Senior race, over 6.5 miles, the RAF team was quite rightly very optimistic about wining the team race. In one of the most exciting Senior men’s races ever the team position changed constantly between the RAF and Army. Straight from the start SAC Matt Blunden (Waddinton) took on the top Army runners. Backing him up, was the RAF Champion Flt Lt Matt Whitfield (Boulmer) and Flt Lt Ben Livesey (Kinloss). Closing out the team places was Flt Lt Tom Bailey (Henlow), FS Steve Neill and SAC Lee Athersmith (Wittering). Wg Cdr Dave Cole (HQ PTC) and the remainder of the team Cpl Kieran White (Leeming) and Cpl Steve Robinson (Honington) provided solid backing. For around 38 mins the race positions fluctuated as everyone jockeyed for position. Eventually, positions began to settle and with a superb performance Ben Livesey secured 3rd place overall and an Inter-Services individual bronze medal. With great runs Matt Blunden and Matt Whitfield finished 4th and 5th respectively. The overall team score was now looking extremely close with the next RAF runner Steve Neill in 8th, Tom Bailey 10th, Dave Cole 11th, Kieran White 20th and Steve Robinson 22nd. The team scored 41 points with fantastic performances by all concerned, but regrettably were beaten at the finish line by the Army by 2 points with 39.

RAFW Team selection had been straight-forward with no late injuries or duty commitments affecting the team and it was with great optimism when the strongest team fielded for many seasons toed the line for the 3rd race of the day. In the early stages of the race it was a delight to see 4 light blue vests mixing with the usual dominance of the Army red as Flt Lt Emma Middleton, competing during her R&R from Kandahar, Fg Off Kelly Garrod (RAF Henlow), Plt Off Helen Taylor (BUAS) and Cpl Jodie Digby (RAF Halton) all committed themselves early. Slightly further back Fg Off Becky Griffith (RAF Brize Norton) and Flt Lt Jo Roe (HQ STC), started the race in a tactically slower manner, but as the race progressed they both picked off opponents. At the mid-way point, Plt Off Taylor was very much keeping herself in contention for a medal position, despite the mass packing of 4 red vests and their intimidating tactics. She displayed supreme talent in not allowing the situation to affect her race and she managed to work and maintain her way into 3rd place until the final 150 metres of the race before she was beaten to the line by 2 seconds by a very strong finish from the 3rd placed Army runner. Nonetheless, her 4th place in 25.36 was exceptional in her first Inter Service Competition.

Despite her lack of recent racing Flt Lt Middleton showed great strength and experience as she fought to stay with the leading pack to achieve her best ever Inter Service position – 6th in a time of 26.25. Continuing with her new found confidence and self belief, Cpl Digby finished the race with a brilliant sprint to the line to overcome the 3rd placed RN competitor in a time of 27.08 to achieve 10th place. A change of positions further down the field, with a fine run by Fg Off Griffith, who has improved with every race, as she completed the team scorers in 12th place in 27.47. Flt Lt Roe in 14th place, 28.38 achieved 1st veterans place and Fg Off Garrod just lost her edge to finish in 28.47. Team Captain Sgt Tara Park (JSU Cheltenham) who has been out of action all season with a long term injury commented ‘The RAF ladies can be proud of their ‘gusty’ display in trying to break down a highly resolute and confident Army team. The potential within the squad is clearly evident and the experience gained from this competition should act as a spring-board for the challenges ahead next season’. Particular mention should be made of reserves Jnr Tech Carrie Ward (RAF Lossiemouth) in this her first season of RAFW running and stalwart Sgt Mandy Meechan (RAF Lyneham) who both supported the team admirably. The pre-race optimism proved to be completely justified as the team achieved 32 points to place second to the Army – the best team result since 1998. With all team members displaying such spirit, determination and commitment, combined with the wealth of potential realised recently at the RAF Championships, and in particular the young and enthusiastic runners at RAF Innsworth and RAF Lyneham, next season looks extremely promising for the squad which can only build on this season’s tremendous performance.

In sum an excellent season for RAFW Cross-Country. A total of 10 new runners have represented the team this season which bodes extremely well for the future.

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RAF CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS – 31 JAN

The weather was again kind and the temperature mild and the ground fairly firm. This year saw an increase in numbers running, with a field of approximately just under 200 competing on the 3.5 mile ladies and 6.5 mile men’s course.

Flt Lt Matt Whitfield (RAF Boulmer) and SAC Matt Blunden (RAF Waddington) took the lead straight from the start and broke away from the rest of the field. Both of these athletes are in excellent form and took each other on for the majority of the course until a spurt from Matt Whitfield, in the later part of the race, allowed him to break away from Matt Blunden and win the Senior Men’s Championship by 6 seconds. This was the 2nd time that Matt Whitfield had won, previously having been crowned Champion in 2005. Behind these athletes Flt Sgt Steve Neill (Vet) (RAF Halton) was returning into a rich vein of form and managed to secure both 3rd place in the Senior race and Ist veteran. Finishing 4th was the veteran Wg Cdr David Cole (RAF High Wycombe) closely followed by SAC Lee Athersmith (RAF Wittering) in 5th. Also coming in to good form Sgt Al Turnbull (RAF Honington) finished 6th overall and took 3rd in the men’s veteran’s race. In the men’s team event RAF Waddington secured 1ST place, thanks to an excellent team that packed a considerable number of runners in the top 30. The Junior men’s race was won by LAC Wasmuth (RAF Boulmer).

After many seasons of RAFW Cross-Country Championship dominance by Cpl Gill Rowlands and for the last 4 seasons, Sgt Tara Park, still sidelined with injury, a new champion was crowned when Cpl Jodie Digby (RAF Halton) won the championship in emphatic style. Under a new coaching regime with FS Steve Neill, Jodie’s outstanding race preparation reaped huge dividends as she led the ladies race from the gun and achieved a richly deserved Championship victory.

In one of the best supported ladies races for many years, several teams were in with a chance of victory. The large RAF Lyneham contingent packed well to achieve 3rd place with 50 points, but ahead of them were RAF Innsworth and RAF High Wycombe both on 40 points, however, the team championship was awarded to RAF Innsworth on count back. Second place and 1st veteran was Flt Lt Jo Roe (HQ STC) with Fg Off Becky Griffith (RAF Brize Norton) in 3rd place. Cross-Country stalwarts Sgt Mandy Meechan, (RAF Lyneham) and WO Bev Childs, (RAF Kinloss) achieved 2nd and 3rd veterans places respectively, showing many of the younger runners a clean pair of heels! At junior level first place went to LAC Lindsay Wellings, (RAF Brampton/Wyton) who achieved an excellent 10th place overall thereby displaying tremendous potential for the future. In sum an excellent day for RAFW Cross-Country which bodes well for the forthcoming Inter-Services Championships and the future.

RAFAA V CIVIL SERVICE V MIDDLESEX (THE SIR SEFTON BRANCKER AND SEAX TROPHY MATCHES) AND RAFAA V FIRE SERVICE V POLICE SERVICE – 17 JAN

The concurrent RAFAA Cross-Country fixture versus The Civil Service and Middlesex and The Fire and Police Services took place at RAF Halton on 18 Jan 07. Despite the atrocious weather forecast, conditions were first-class with the undulating course providing a challenging mix of inclines and muddy patches.

The RAF men’s team was also missing a number of key athletes. Fortunately Flt Lt Matt Whitfield (RAF Boulmer) was in attendance and in very good shape. Straight from the start Matt and a athlete from the Police took the race on and broke away from the main field. Following in another group were Wg Cdr Dave Cole (Vet) (RAF High Wycombe), SAC Lee Athersmith (RAF Wittering) and FS Steve Neill (First year Vet) (RAF Halton). This order prevailed for the remainder of the race with Dave finishing 7th, Lee 10th and Steve 11th. Also for the RAF Sgt Ronnie McWilliams (RAF Waddington) managed another strong run to finish 16th, Cpl Marcus Maxwell (RAF Benson) 19th, Cpl Steve Robinson (RAF Honington) 22nd and in his debut race for the RAF Cpl Steve Frear (RAF Benson) 28th. The RAF won the match against the Civil Service and Middlesex and runners up to the Police in the other match.

Highlight of the day was the excellent performance of Flt Lt Matt Whitfield – a class athlete.

Team selection for the ladies race had proved to be difficult for this fixture – a combination of detachments, illness and injury severely depleted the team however, several late replacement runners were approached and all enjoyed their first RAFW event. This year’s race was a high quality fixture with several county runners in the respective teams and it was left to Cpl Jodie Digby (RAF Halton) to lead the RAFW runners round the course. Running in her usual determined style she ran an excellent race to achieve 14th place overall but 6th place in the Police/Fire match and 9th place in the Seax Trophy match in 27.04. Fg Off Becky Griffith (RAF Brize Norton), who has recently begun her marathon training preparation managed a strong run in 18th place overall – 9th in the Fire/ Police match and 12th Seax Trophy Match in 27.49 with Cpl Mandy Meechan (RAF Lyneham) in her first race of the season in 19th place overall 10th in the Police/Fire match and 13th in the Seax Trophy Match in 29.09. Flt Lt Vicky Webb (RAF Lyneham), in her debut race in RAF colours achieved a highly credible 20th place overall, 11th in the Fire/Police Match and 14th in the Seax Trophy Match in 29.26 and was followed by the remaining debutantes – Cpl Laura McGawn (RAF Halton) 21st place overall – 12th and 15th places in 29.55, Cpl Shirley McCullagh (RAF Innsworth) in 24th place overall, 14th and 17th places in 32.37, Cpl Eve Norman (RAF Lyneham) in 25th place overall 15th and 18th places in 32.50 and Cpl Angie Rees (RAF Lyneham) who unfortunately picked up an injury and had to drop out of the race. Although the team achieved 2nd place in the Police/Fire match and 3rd place in The Seax Trophy Match, the inclusion of so many newcomers to the team bodes well for the future.

CC AIR HQ RAMSTEIN CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS – 6 DEC

In the men’s race the RAF were up against the Polish team, which comprised a number of international runners. The usual cavalry charge prevailed at the start as 48 men jostled for position before descending on to the tank track course. The Poles were in supern form and easily won the men’s individual and team race. However, sterling performances from the RAF men’s team gained some reward. Flt Lt Matt Whitfield (Buchan), who was just returning from injury, led the men’s team and finished 9th, closely followed by Flt Lt Tom Bailey (Henlow). Also in good shape was SAC Matt Blunden (Waddington), close to the first 2 RAF runners. SAC Lee Athersmith Wittering) was the RAF’s 4th runner to count followed by veteran Wg Cdr David Cole (High Wycombe) and SAC Willy Duncan (Marham) completing the team scorers. SAC Dan Lewis (Brize Norton) and Sgt Ronnie Mcwilliam (Waddington) helped ensure that the RAF secured the 2nd team place.

With team captain Sgt Tara Park injured and providing vocal support, the womens team was led by Plt Off Helen Taylor (Bristol UAS) who with Fg Off Kelly Garrod (RAF Henlow) took close order at the front of the field. In tremendous form, Helen quickly established a lead and ended up winning the race by a very comfortable margin in 21.43. Fg Off Garrod continued her excellent form and finished 6th in 23.30 with Flt Lt Jo Roe (HQ STC) in 7th place in 24.16 and Fg Off Becky Griffith (RAF Brize Norton) in 13th place in 24.40 completing the team. Not far behind and ensuring that the second team were pushed back further were Jnr Tech Carrie Ward (RAF Lossiemouth) and Jnr Tech Tettia Ritchie (JSSU Digby), who finished in 14th and 16th places respectively in 24.55 and 25.18. This was a fantastic performance by the team and later in the day they deservedly enjoyed the presentation and celebrations that followed.

RAF V EASTERN COUNTIES V CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY – 28 OCT

RAF Halton hosted this fixture over the now traditional RAF Championship course. Cambridge University again fielded some very strong runners and only Flt Lt Ben Livesey (Kinloss) was able to live with the early pace. Ben eventually finished a very creditable 4th place. Further down, SAC Lee Athersmith (Wittering) was also battling with Cambridge athletes and eventually Lee finished 7th. SAC Matt Blunden (Waddington) produced a sound run to finish 9th and Cpl Steve Robinson (Honington) secured 11th position. Cpl Marcus Maxwell (Benson) and SAC Dan Parry (Halton) were the final team members. Cambridge University easily won the team race and the RAF secured 2nd place ahead of the Eastern Counties Team.

A good turnout of RAFW athletes toed the line, which once again was missing some of the more experienced athletes of the squad, however, as always it was a pleasure to welcome another new runner to the team for this fixture. Jnr Tech Carrie Ward undertook the arduous journey from RAF Lossiemouth to compete for the first time and she achieved a highly commendable result. From the start Cpl Jodie Digby (RAF Halton) once again led the team across the sports fields of Halton and got herself involved in the front runners who were predominantly Cambridge University students. Although suffering in the latter stages of the race, Cpl Digby still maintained her lead position for the RAFW team to achieve 6th place in 24.00. In her first race of the season Fg Off Kelly Garrod (RAF Henlow) made an impressive impact as she led the following group and was exceptionally well supported by Fg Off Becky Griffith (RAF Brize Norton). As the race progressed Kelly and Becky exchanged the lead on several occasions before Kelly’s stronger finish secured her a superb 7th place in 24.07 with Becky in 8th place in 24.18. Jnr Tech Tertia Ritchie (JSSU Digby) and Jnr Tech Ward supported each other extremely well and completed in 10th and 11th place respectively in 25.02 and 25.07. Completing this superb team effort was Cpl Karen Swallow (RAF Aldergrove) and Flt Lt Kirsty Livingston (HQ STC) who achieved 16th and 18th places in 27.07 and 28.00 respectively.

RAF V OXFORD UNIVERSITY V TH&H & VARIOUS CLUBS – 14 OCT

This traditional season starter is always a shock to the system as this course has some difficult climbs to master. Nevertheless a fairly strong RAF team produced some good individual and a sound team result.

The first race of the day was the ladies. With many of the stalwart members of the squad unavailable due to injury, including Team Captain Sgt Tara Park, who 3 days earlier had undergone a knee operation, the emphasis was very much on introducing new squad members to the delights of the cross-county scene. Flt Lt Kirsty Livingston (HQ STC), Cpl Karen Swallow (RAF Aldergove) and SAC Alisha Farmer (HQ STC) all wore the blue vest for the first time. From the gun Cpl Jodie Digby (RAF Halton) tucked in with the 3 frontrunners of the University Team. Although recent injuries had prevented Jodie from maximising her training in recent weeks she nonetheless threw down the gauntlet to the opposition with some excellent racing. Flt Lt Jo Roe (HQ STC), who has enjoyed an excellent summer’s training, led the following group with great determination and grit. Fg Off Becky Griffith (RAF Brize Norton) also put in an excellent race which bodes well for the forthcoming season. SAC Helena Smith (HQ STC) ran with much determination and achieved an excellent result in this her second race in RAF colours. Although the team were firmly placed second in the team event, the results were nonetheless extremely encouraging. The final placings were: Cpl Digby 4th place in 18.34, Flt Lt Roe 6th place in19.25, Fg Off Griffith 9th place in 20.36, SAC Smith 10th place in 22.10, Cpl Swallow 11th place in 26.05 and Flt Lt Livingston 12th place in 26.31. An unfortunate injury prevented SAC Farmer from completing the course.

Straight from the start of the Mens race a group of Oxford University moved away, with SAC Dan Lewis (Brize Norton) and Flt Lt Tom Bailey (Henlow) in close support. The race continued this pattern and Dan eventually finished 5th and Tom 6th. Further down the field a big group of RAF runners packed very well. Sgt Ronnie McWilliams (Waddington), Cpl Steve Robinson (Honington), Marcus Maxwell (Benson) and finished 10,11 and 12th respectively. The overall team event was won by Oxford University and the RAF safely secured 2nd place ahead of Reading AC.