Page 44 - BBHAC Winter 2014-15 Gazette web
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42 Athletics Report
Continued
to the youngest 12 (Rowan It was particularly satisfying increase your chances of
Fuss). John Turner took two because he hadn’t taken part having a crack at it. “When you
awards, thus defying the at all in the 2013/14 series. have a lay off and come back” he
handicapper. Of those 124 Not because of injury, but said “you have a better chance”.
taking part in at least one since other commitments
race 51 were under 40 years prevented him from starting So for Will, this winter,
old (41% of competitors). all nine events. He insists that despite the hard slog, was, in
Of these runners 30 were to make it worthwhile you the end, not one of discontent
under 20 years old, that should aim to do as many as but a winter’s tale of a winner
is nearly a quarter of the possible if not all of them or whose running despite the
field. However it could be not do it at all. limitations of time and fitness
argued that of these most, has found new direction.
22 out of 30, ran in only If you run all nine you get a
one or two events mainly special medal for doing so, Wilf Orton
the shorter ones such as the one of distinctive quality.
relays (in almost summer Only 6 runners did all events
conditions) so perhaps cross over six months and a
country is still not attractive total
enough amongst the younger of 56¼
members and more so in the miles (as
20s and 30s. It seems that it is opposed to
particularly competed for by just the one race of
those in their 50s. 26.2 miles) to get one
of those. In some ways
Will declared that he was very it’s more valuable than
proud of his achievement, getting a London Marathon
and didn’t take the winning finisher’s medal.
of the cup lightly. It was
to him very satisfying. A “Could anyone ever win the
change from those elite Bennett Cup three times?”
runners who achieve some he was asked. Well it was
success or landmark but are a very interesting question
still possessed of a sense of but that might defeat the
comparative failure. He’d purpose of the Bennett
never won a race before and Cup which allows runners
prior to this and his winning of all standards to have
the Bennett Cup in 2009 his a chance to win the
only other memorable honour trophy because of the
was once gaining 3rd place in handicap system.
the Vets Championships in But sometimes not
the Club 10km. running in it for one
winter can benefit you
as well and you might
