News
2012 European Championships in Zittau
The online entry system for this summer's European Track & Field Championships in Zittau, Bogatynia and Hradek is now in operation. It is the same system as being used for the Indoor Championships in Finland and can be found here. Please use this system and not the previously available entry booklet.
02/02/2012 12:03:43
Bill Kingsbury 1927-2011
It is very sad that we have to announce that one of the best Veterans/Masters and our dear friend William (Bill) Kingsbury MBE passed away at the age of 84 at the end of November. Bill will be missed by all of us.
This is an appropriate time to reproduce an item from two years ago. At the Welsh Masters’ Annual Awards Dinner of 2009, Bill Kingsbury MBE, announced that he would be retiring from competition, and taking a much less active participation in the sport. Bill made it clear that for a number of reasons, not the least some serious health issues over the summer, he was bringing his participation in his beloved sport of Athletics to a close.
It is difficult to convey in a satisfactory manner exactly what Bill has contributed not only to Masters Athletics, but to Athletics in general, particularly in Wales and specifically to his beloved Rhondda AC. He has produced hundreds of Welsh Champions across all the age groups. However it is clear that from the very beginning of his sporting career as a ‘boy soldier’ and Army PTI, through the dozens of British Masters throwing records along the journey to his current 82 years of age, the nature and depth of the man’s knowledge, his determination, his dedication to his sport and particularly to those he coached, and specifically his belief in the integrity and respect that the athlete should display to others within the sport and to the sport of Athletics itself, were absolutely outstanding. He was particularly concerned that those in our sport should not only recognise special performances of excellence, but that they should also understand and respect the dedication and commitment that such athletes had to devote to their event in order to achieve that level of success. Behind his obvious geniality and natural ability to communicate with anyone, all of these core attributes always shone through
Bill Kingsbury is often described as a legend amongst those within the Welsh Masters fraternity, and within Welsh Athletics generally. While Bill himself might say that this description was inappropriate, as he was more interested in the successes of those around him, it is probably one that few within the sport in Wales would disagree with.
02/12/2011
Last call for outstanding medals
Would any member of a BMAF medal winning team at the World Masters Track & Field Championships who has not yet received their team medal, please contact secretary@bmaf.org.uk as soon as possible.
29/11/2011 11:07:45
Danny Mullane
We are sorry to report the death of Danny Mullane, EAMA treasurer and BMAF 300 club organiser. The funeral service is on Friday 11th November at All Saints Roman Catholic Church, Guithavon Street, Witham, Essex, just off the A12, at 1.45. Refreshments after the service at Kelvedon Institute, just off the A12, a bit farther east towards Colchester. Family flowers only.
He is seen here competing in the European Championships in Poznan in 2006.
08/11/2011 21:54:54
European Safety Officer Seminar
The European Veterans Athletic Association are holding a Seminar in Switzerland on 26/27 November and we have been asked to nominate a candidate to attend, expenses are paid by EVAA Academy. Candidates need to be involved in athletics and have a Medical background. If you are interested in attending, or would like more details, please contact Bridget Cushen as soon as possible.
19/10/2011 12:24:55
ABINGDON MARATHON SUNDAY 16/10/2011
I hope those who have entered now have your race numbers etc. Please remember the early start - 8:45 am. The prize giving for the champs will be at 13-30. I will fully understand if you need to leave. Many of you will have long journeys home and I am sure a warm bath and hot meal will be very tempting. However, please try and find me before you leave as I may have the results and be in the position to present medals to category winners. I aim to be around the prize presentation area from 12:45 onwards.
Walter Hill 9/10/2011
11/10/2011 10:43:12
World Championship Team Medals
The Team and Relay medals from the World Track & Field Championships in Sacramento have now been dropping through letterboxes. If you were a member of one of our Age Group relay teams, Walks or marathon medal winning teams and have not yet received your medal, please contact us.
07/10/2011 14:25:36
BMAF 10 Mile Championship Tynedale - 4th September 2011
BMAF members were entertained with a nourishing bap and jelly when they finished what can only be described as a unique 10 Mile Road Race. Tynedale Harriers had attracted a healthy list of open entry runners and over 70 BMAF members to compete over an undulating, scenic, rural and near traffic free course. When the day was over we once again showed that accommodating BMAF members increases the quality of the field and the final results.
Full results can be found here, and it would be unfair to highlight any particular individual in this race. However, a number of members had competed two weeks ago at Leek and will continue to compete in BMAF races in forthcoming weeks, ie the 10K in Exmouth and the Marathon both in October.
I am in the process of planning for 2012 and I hope you will find time to download a very short questionnaire which will appear in the forthcoming edition of Masters Athletics. Please e-mail it directly back to me at walterhelen@hotmail.co.uk. I will always aim to distribute Championship Races across Great Britain and seek out those races which allow us an opportunity to celebrate members’ achievement at a price which is realistic to all parties.
Walter Hill 12/09/2011
16/09/2011 14:11:52
MASTERS AGE
At the IAAF Congress in Daegu on 23 August, Delegates voted overwhelmingly in favour of recognising athletes (male and female) aged 35 years and over as Masters in all events i.e. all Stadia and all Non Stadia events, thus reversing the decision taken in Berlin four years ago. This rule becomes effective from 1st November 2011. The BMAF applauds this decision.
31/08/2011 14:23:41
IAAF Masters Committee
Bridget Cushen, BMAF Honorary Secretary, was the first British candidate to be re-elected to an IAAF Committee exceeding the average percentage in the first rounds of votes. Two further ballots were needed to elect the remaining 10 candidates.
The BMAF congratulates Lord Coe on his re-election to the IAAF Council and David Bedford, David Littlewood and Peter Marlow on their successful re-elections.
31/08/2011 14:22:51
Forthcoming International Championships
Those who competed in the recent World Championships in Sacramento, as well as those who wished they had been able to attend, will be interested in the dates of forthcoming international events.
Next year, on April 3rd to 8th, the World Indoor Championships take place in Jyvaskyla, Finland, while on the 16th to 25th August the European Outdoor Championships are being held uniquely in three different countries, but in cities no more than 20 kilometres apart, Zittau in Germany, Bogatynia in Poland, and Hradek in the Czech Republic.
In March 2013, the European Indoor Championships will be held in San Sebastian, Spain, in May, the European Road Running/Walking Championships will be at Upice in the Czech Republic. Then from 24th July to 4th August the World Outdoor Championships are in Porto Alegre, Brazil.
In March 2014, the World Indoor Championships go to Budapest, Hungary, then from August 15th to 24th Izmir in Turkey hosts the European Outdoor Championships.
The only venue so far finalised for 2015 is the World Outdoor Championships in Lyon, France.
See the Fixtures page for further details when available.
02/08/2011 14:13:22
Earlier news items
If you have some news you wish to pass on to masters athletes, send an email to webmaster@bvaf.org.uk.