Interservice XC Championships

The Inter Services Championships were held at Tweseldown Race Course on 24 February 2006. There had been a light covering of snow the previous evening and with the temperature being low and a gusting wind it was bitterly cold for the athletes over the undulating course with demanding hills, sand, mud and water hazards. The highlight of the day was coming of age for Willy Duncan who is only 18 years old and won the silver medal in the Senior men’s competition, writes Sqn Ldr Gavin Dalton RAF Team Manager.

The absence of two RAF athletes due to training commitments meant that the Junior team over a distance of 5kms fielded only 4 athletes so it was imperative that they not only perform well but also to ensure they all completed the course to make a scoring team. The race started with no major breaks to front from any Service, which was an encouraging sight, as the Army’s traditional packing looked weak. When the competitors came in to sight, and with half the race complete, Cpl Warren Lewis (Cosford) was only meters away from the leading group. He had paced himself well and progressed in to 4th place over the undulating later stages of the race, supported by the remainder of the team, SAC Ware (Odiham), SAC Goddard (Marham) and LAC Patterson (Honington) in the minor places. The last few minutes of the race were desperate for Warren, he could see a medal in sight, but time ran out as he remained in 4th place. The Army (19 points) just beat the RN (24 points) in the team event with the RAF team in 3rd place with 49 points.

The following race, the Veterans Championships, covering a distance of 9.6 km was enthralling. Quick off the mark was Ch Tech Andy Gibbs (Culdrose), the RAF Veterans team captain, running his very last race for the RAF. After some confusion shortly after the start of the race as to which direction the course took, two Navy runners and one Army runner stuck close to Andy Gibbs with RAF’s WO Pete Golding (Honington) staying in close contact with the leading pack. By the 5 km point, the RN’s Lt Dunn, last years winner, had made a 15 mtr gap ahead of Army runner Cpl Gary Gerrard, followed 10 mtrs behind by Andy Gibbs and Lt Cdr Dai Roberts taking it in turns to lead each other. Only 15 seconds behind this battling duo, Pete Golding was determined to hold off Lt Col Rob Herring and Royal Marine Capt. John Rye, also a former Veterans champion. Sqn Ldr Mark Pattinson, having made the journey over from Oberammergau to represent the RAF, and WO Rob Payne from Brunsuum was fighting for those valuable points needed. A little further behind Rob was Cpl Garry Copeland (Digby) and FS Martyn Underdown (Halton), the remaining RAF team members, both racing hard against several Navy and Army athletes. The race positions of the four scoring RAF runners remained the same until the final 800 mtrs when Lt Cdr Roberts broke away from Andy Gibbs, maintaining the gap to take 3rd place with Andy finishing 4th. Pete Golding, who also had a superb run, came in 5th place. Despite the tremendous effort of Andy and Pete, Mark Pattinson, Rob Payne, Garry Copeland and Martyn Underdown, the RN was the stronger team on the day with the RAF in second place.

In the 3rd race of the day the RAFW team was sadly depleted due to the loss of Flt Lt Emma Middleton and Flt Lt Mary James through injury. From the gun and in her usual style Sgt Tara Park (JSSU Cheltenham) led the RAFW team and mixed in with the sea of red Army vests. The field was quickly dispersed as the race unfolded with Cpl Jodie Digby (RAF Halton) mixing well in the first half of the field. A little further down the field SAC Jo Johnson (HQ STC) raced well and she was followed by Flt Lt Jo Roe (RAF Benson) and Fg Off Kelly Garrod (MOD Southwick Park). Team stalwart Cpl Mandy Meechan (RAF Lyneham) who had been drafted into the team at the 11th hour displayed great determination and strength of character as she battled against the demands of the course. As the raced neared its end, Sgt Park was just 11 seconds behind the 4th placed Army athlete. Not far behind her, Cpl Digby (8th) enjoyed a sprint finish to overcome the 1st Navy runner in a thrilling finish and an invaluable point was secured. SAC Johnson (13th) led the rest of the team home in a very determined manner. The Army convincingly won the team event with 10 pts with the RAF securing 2nd place by one point over the RN. For the first time in this competition medals were presented to the Ladies Veterans, Tara Park with her convincing run in 5th place was awarded 1st veteran prize with Jo Roe 2nd place.

The Senior race was a disappointing result from a team perspective but the RAF had 2 spectacular runs from SAC Willy Duncan (RAF Marham) and Wg Cdr Dave Cole (HQSTC). Willy is 18 years old and a junior athlete and Dave Cole who is veteran and 45 years old both earned their selection in the Senior team by finishing 2nd and 1st respectively in the RAF Championships. The race got off to a fairly quick pace and Willy Duncan, Flt Lt Ben Livesey (RAF Kinloss), SAC Martin Whitehouse and SAC Matt Blunden (both from Waddington) and SAC Lee Athersmith (RAF Wittering) were mixing it up the front with the main Army runners with Dave Cole and Fg Off Tom Bailey just off the pace. After the first of 2 laps the points score was fairly even but unfortunately after an enthusiastic start a couple of the RAF team the light blues were losing ground on the front runners. Cpl Tom Lowe (Army) and Sig Chepkwomy (Army) were dictating the pace with Willy Duncan sticking very close to their shoulders, Sgt Tim Watson (Navy) was a close 4th with Dave Cole making good inroads to the leaders. The Army were packing well at this point and were supporting their front runners well. Tom Lowe made a break half way round the 2nd lap and convincingly drew away from his team mate and Willy Duncan. Dave Cole was now up with Tim Watson and both were moving towards the leaders. Lowe pressed on and won with ease by 36 seconds from Willy Duncan who found a turn of speed and managed to pip Chepkwomy on the line with Watson in 4th place very closely followed by Dave Cole in 5th place a magnificent effort from the seasoned veteran. The Army then packed in very well with their 6th counter in 15th place with Ben Livesey 11th, Martin Whitehouse 12th, Matt Blunden 13th and the final counter Tom Bailey in 16th. The Army convincingly won the team award with 42 pts from the RAF on 59 pts and the RN 78.

Results

RAF XC Championships

The RAF Cross Country Championships took place at RAF Halton on Wednesday 8 Feb 06. The conditions were good underfoot, but unfortunately there were 2 potential Inter Service runners missing due to work commitments, however the rest of the potential Inter Service team were there and with Matt Whitfield, last years winner and current Inter Service Champion, running albeit after coming back from the flu bug there was potential for a new RAF Champion. The race fielded one of the smallest numbers of athletes in the Championships, 113 in total including men and ladies but proved to be one of the most memorable during the past number of years.

Flt Lt Matt Whitfield took the field out on the first small lap closely followed by SAC Martin Whitehouse, SAC Willy Duncan and Wg Cdr Dave Cole with Sgt Steve Neill, SAC Lee Athersmith and Fg Off Tom Bailey just off the pace. Matt Whitfield was starting to feel the effects of his recent bout of flu at the end of the first large lap which left Willy Duncan, Dave Cole and Martin Whitehouse fighting for the medals. Martin dropped of the pace half way through the 2nd lap and Willy Duncan started pushing for home. Dave Cole reacted quickly and the 2 moved to the last 600 mtrs together when Willy Duncan took the initiative and put a gap between him and Dave Cole, Dave Cole didn’t panic but once in the home straight pulled back the young junior and put a gap of 4 seconds between him and Willy. The race was made all the more memorable as Dave Cole is the first Veteran to win the RAF Championships and Willy Duncan achieved the highest placed junior in 2nd place in an RAF Championship. The team event was very hotly contested with RAF Cosford winning with 87 pts, RAF Wittering 2nd with 88 pts and RAF BWH in 3rd place with 90 pts.

The RAF team now goes to Tweseldown racecourse on Friday 24 Feb to contest the Inter Service Championships with high hopes.

Results

SEAX Trophy Match

The RAFAA fixture versus Middlesex and The Civil Service, (The Seax Trophy Match) and versus The Fire and Police Services was held at RAF Halton on Wed 18 Jan 06. On a dry, bright and clear day the going was muddy underfoot – dream conditions for any cross-country runner.

The ladies race of approx 3 miles included a healthy line up of RAFW runners. Making a very welcome comeback after several weeks of injury problems, Flt Lt Mary James (JSU Corsham) displayed her usual grit and determination to work steadily through the field to put in a most impressive performance she achieved 11th place in 26.06. With the Inter Services fixture looming her performance was a very welcome and heart warming return. In her usual style, Team Captain Sgt Tara Park (JSU Cheltenham) led from the front and gave some of the top county athletes a run for their money with her impressive run to achieve 6th place in 25.13. Cpl Jodie Digby running on her home turf established herself with the leading runners from the gun and although she felt a personal disappointment with her performance she nonetheless paced herself well and achieved a highly commendable 14th place in 26.56.

Making her return to wearing RAF colours since her debut race in the equivalent fixture last season Fg Off Becky Griffiths (RAF Brize Norton) looked strong and ran impressively to work her way through the field. Her confidence improved with every stride as her current marathon training showed with her superb race to finish in 21st place in 28.18. Team stalwart Cpl Mandy Meechan (RAF Lyneham) displayed her usual grit and determination to achieve 24th place in 29.30. Jnr Tech Tertia Ritchie (JSSU Digby), Cpl Keri Jones (RAF Innsworth) and Flt Lt Sal Mc William completed the team line up finishing in 26th-28th places respectively in 30.57, 31.48 and 33.24. Fg Off Kelly Garrod (RAF Halton) and Flt Lt Rachel Ellis (RAF Brize Norton)both DNF.

The RAF Mens team was well represented, but unfortunately we had Flt Lt’s Livesey and Whitfield unavailable due to work commitments. However the team performed well with SAC Matt Blunden and SAC Willy Duncan mixing it up at the front with SAC Martin Whitehouse struggling a little after coming off 2 weeks of guard. SAC Lee Athersmith was having a gallant run and seasoned senior Sgt Steve Neill was shadowing Lee Athersmith. Meanwhile Wg Cdr Dave Cole was playing a waiting game and started to move through the field slowly. Steve Ree-Jones from Police was moving away from the main field going into the 2nd lap and unfortunately our top junior Willy Duncan dropped out due to a slight injury. Matt Blunden was having an excellent run and by now Dave Cole had moved through into 3rd place and chasing down Henry Dodwell from Middlesex. Steve Ree-Jones eventually won by 26 seconds from Henry Dodwell who was only 8 sec in front of Dave Cole. Matt Blunden had a positive run in 4th place and Martin Whitehouse rallied well to finish in 6th place. Lee Athersmith displayed a good turn of speed to outsprint Steve Neill to take 9th and 10th place respectively and complete the scoring team.

From a team perspective the RAF senior men won both team events and sets up the athletics team to win the overall Sir Sefton Brancker trophy at the athletics match later this year.

Mens Results

Womens Results

STC and PTC XC Championships

On a wet and windy day, RAF High Wycombe hosted the combined HQ STC and PTC Cross Country Championships on 1 Dec 05. The course, which runs behind the HQ, follows tracks around the surrounding woods and reverts cross country to its traditional roots with arduous climbs and descents and some very muddy paths. After a cautious start Wg Cdr Dave Cole RAF High Wycombe and Flt Lt Ben Livesey RAF Cranwell broke away from the rest of the field. Approximately half way around the first of 2 laps on a steep climb Cole managed to break away and maintained his lead until the end. Livesey continued to press on and finished comfortably in 2nd place. Cpl White from RAF Leeming finished in 3rd. RAF High Wycombe won the STC mens team race and RAF Halton the PTC mens race.

In the ladies race, Cpl Jodie Digby of RAF Halton convincingly won from Capt Shanta Dickinson DISC with Flt Lt Joe Roe, RAF Benson, finishing 3rd. RAF High Wycombe also won the ladies STC team race and RAF Innsworth the ladies PTC team race.

Thanks must be given to race officials and the Command Secs, Flt Lt Leah Middlewick and FS Jon Stevens and WO Phil Kafel who marked the course and organised most of the support.

STC Championships

PTC Championships

Mens Results

Womens Results

CC Air HQ Match

Flt Lt Emma Middleton (BF Episkopi) starred again this year as the only medal winner from the RAF team competing in the 2nd Inter Nations Component Command Air HQ Ramstein Cross Country Championships. For much of the race Flt Lt Middleton looked odds on favourite to achieve 2nd place, but a strong final km of the race from a German athlete meant that she was beaten into 3rd place by 10 seconds.

The RAFW team have an extremely good record in this event and arrived at these Championships with a strong and very enthusiastic squad. After the pomp and ceremony of the opening ceremony held at Sembach Air Base the teams were transported to the course located at Schopp Sportsplatz. The course was probably the most difficult course ever faced by the team; extremely undulating with numerous twists and turns not to mention tree roots and was exceptionally demanding, but team spirits were high as the race commenced. From the gun for the lap of the track out of the stadium, the field was led by Belgium International Cpl Anja Smolders. Her lead was never in doubt but in the chasing pack Flt Lt Middleton, Team Captain Sgt Tara Park (JSSU Cheltenham) and Fg Off Kelly Garrod (RAF Halton) looked strong. Whilst the nature of the course was not to the liking of many, the beautiful weather conditions were totally unseasonal and more akin to the heat experienced in summer races. The RAFW team was completed with Flt Lt Jo Roe (RAF Benson), Jnr Tech Tertia Ritchie (JSSU Digby) and Cpl Mandy Meechan (RAF Lyneham).

As the race unfolded and the second lap was approached, Flt Lt Middleton was still at the front of the field enjoying a battle with the German athlete as the positions changed on numerous occasions as the race drew to a close. Flt Lt Middleton finished in a commendable 20.45. A little further behind Sgt Park, who is not quite back to full fitness after her recent OOA det, battled on bravely with her usual grit and determination. She encountered a ‘chop and change’ of places with 2 of the USAFE athletes and was finally beaten by both in the final stages of the race and finished in 21.44, 6th place overall. By now Fg Off Kelly Garrod was feeling the affects of a recent cold and dropped back from the leading half of the race. However, such was her determination to ensure that every point counted that she demonstrated great strength and strong-willed mentality to continue in the race and finish in 24.09, 14th place overall. Indeed, as the race reached it’s final km she picked off many athletes who by now were walking up the hills!!

In amongst all of this Flt Lt Jo Roe was enjoying the race of her career in RAF Colours. After a quiet start she stormed around the rest of the course and found herself picking off runners and as she began her 2nd lap she was placed as the teams 3rd athlete. She maintained this position until the end of the race and finished in a time of 23.43, 13th place overall. Team stalwart Cpl Mandy Meechan and Jnr Tech Tertia Ritchie both raced extremely hard and did not give up on the demands of the course, despite finding every twist, turn and hill extremely challenging. Knowing that every position counted towards the final result they both raced admirably to finish in 24.56 and 24.33 respectively. Overall the team secured 3rd place in one of the closest finishes in recent years. Mens Report to follow.

Mens Results

Womens Results

RAF vs Cambridge

The second RAFAA Cross-Country fixture was held at Magog Down, Cambridge on Saturday 22 Oct 05. On a bright day with a warm light breeze conditions were good and the course provided a relatively demanding and interesting challenge. The RAFW team, inspired by their impressive performance at the fixture versus Oxford University the previous week displayed great commitment and drive in the warm-up for the race – all too aware that the team selection for the forthcoming Component Command Air HQ Ramstein could hinge on the results of this race. With several newcomers in the squad a mixed feeling of apprehension and nerves were apparent. However, from the gun Cpl Jodie Digby (RAF Halton) and Fg Off Kelly Garrod (RAFC Cranwell), who was making her debut in RAF Colours, ran together at the front of the field. Also making their debut runs for the RAF were Fg Off Biz Griffiths (RAF Wittering), Sgt Kelly Angus (JSSU Digby) and SAC Helena Smith (JSSU Corsham). In this highly competitive race comprising one small lap and one large lap, the team settled into their running and soon established their positions that did not change much as the downhill finish loomed. Cpl Digby achieved an outstanding 5th place overall, in 23.46 which placed her amongst the top Eastern Counties athletes and Fg Off Garrod placed as 2nd RAFW runner home in an impressive 9th place overall in 24.59. 3rd home was Fg Off Griffiths who despite her recent marathon training achieved an outstanding 11th place in 25.18. Cpl Mandy Meechan once again displayed her grit and determination to place 14th in 25.26 and SAC Smith displayed great promise as she achieved an excellent 16th place in 25.41. Flt Lt Jo Roe (RAF Benson) was close behind in a highly competitive finish in 17th place in 25.44 and Sgt Angus also made a highly credible debut finishing in 21st place in 26.21. Making a welcome return to the team after a few seasons absence was Flt Lt Sal McWilliam (RAF Cranwell) who finished in 29th place in 29.34. Mens Report to follow.

Results

RAF vs Oxford

On the 15 October the first cross country race of the season took place at Shotover Oxford, where the RAF team took on Oxford University and several other local clubs. Although scheduled as a cross country race, the conditions on the day were more akin to suiting a road race with temperatures in the low 20’s. However, the course of approximately 2 laps of 2.5 miles is twisty and full of climbs and therefore still proved to be a significant challenge.

The field of approximately 60 runners took off and immediately Flt Lt Ben Livesey of RAF Kinloss took the lead, followed by newcomer LAC Lee Farah, who is currently at RAF Cosford undertaking his initial PTI training. After about 400 metres the field made a 180 degree turn, remaining on the flat for around 800 meters. At this point Wg Cdr Dave Cole, a veteran runner and Sam Aldridge (Reading AC) joined the 2 leading RAF runners and this group proceeded to move away from the remainder of the field. The field then made its way into the woods to begin the undulating and majority of the course. After a good start Farah dropped off the pace leaving Livesey, Cole and Aldridge to move ahead of the rest of the field.

Further down the field SAC Dan Lewis and SAC Marcus Maxwell of RAF Brize Norton were making steady progress. At the front the Aldridge moved ahead of the 2 RAF athletes, who had since been joined by David Bruce (Oxford) a University runner. The race at the front then continued along these lines for the front runners for the rest of the race. The winner, Aldridge (29.29) was followed in by Bruce (29.45) and putting in a remarkable performance for his age (45) Cole finished 3rd in (29.49), Livesey provided close support finishing 4th (29.51) and the remaining counters for the RAF were Dan Lewis (B Norton) in 31.03 Marcus Maxwell B Norton in 31.57 and Rob Hughes (RAF Shawbury) in 32.11.

The team result in the end proved extremely close with the RAF winning on count back. All this augers well for the season and of special mention was the appearance of a number of new athletes who proved that they have potential to make an impact for the future.

In the ladies race, team captain Sgt Tara Park (JSSU Cheltenham) once again led the ladies team in her usual front running style and stayed with the lead pack for most of the race. This was despite having recently spent 7 weeks away OOA when training time and facilities were far from ideal. However, her determined style ensured that she remained with the leading Oxford runners to achieve a superb 4 th place overall. Supported by 5 other RAF runners the race was dominated by the dark blue vests of the Oxford team but some very encouraging results were achieved by the team.

Jnr Tech Tertia Ritchie (JSSU Digby) displayed great early season form and style to stay with the mid packing for most of the 3 mile course. She did extremely well to pull away in the last mile of the race to achieve a highly credible 9th place overall and 2nd for the RAFW Team. Following in close order, the benefits of hard training paid dividends for Cpl Mandy Meechan (RAF Lyneham) who now finds these demanding courses easy compared to her regular training sessions with Swindon Harriers! She was closely followed by Flt Lt Jo Roe (RAF Benson) who is also regaining her form after her OOA. SAC Emma Wright (JSSU Digby) was making her first appearance in RAF Colours for Cross-Country and she ran impressively to achieve 12th place overall in this highly competitive field. Cpl Keri Jones completed the team line up but regrettably withdrew half way round the course due to illness.

Mens Results