It is with deep regret that we record the death of our 400m runner, Francis Scott,
on 24 February, aged 49.BMAF apologise for the non-appearance of the results of the BMAF Half Marathon Championships held in Bath on Sunday March 16th, and for the fact that medals were not presented on the day. This is due to the failure of organisers to produce a list of championship finishers, despite numerous emails to the Race Director. Medals will be distributed as soon as the recipients are established.
It is with deep regret that we record the death of our 400m runner, Francis Scott,
on 24 February, aged 49.
The BMAF and all its members offer our sincere condolence to his wife Maria and daughters Patrice and Frances.
Due to some difficulties the funeral will be delayed until Friday the 28th March. It will take place at 3.20 pm at The Old Chapel in the Southern Cemetery, where Manchester Crematorium is based. This is situated on Barlow Moor Road (the A5145 near to the Southern part of the M60 Manchester Ring Road).
Maria has asked that instead of flowers you may wish to make a donation to a charity that Fran supported. This charity is called Kidscan (a children's cancer charity) and details can be found on their website. It is based in Salford. Kidscan have asked if you could send any donations by cheque made out to 'kidscan' to Steve Peters, and he will take them forward after the funeral. There is a request from the organisation that you clearly put your name and address on the reverse of the cheque as they very much want to acknowledge donations. You may wish to put the cheque in an envelope addressed to Kidscan. The organisation will then let Maria know of the total donation given.
Any cards for Maria and her two daughters, Patrice and Frances should also be sent to Steve who will take these to her.
His address is 'Newlyn', Crossings Road, Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire. SK23 9RY. Tel 07956 1984 94
Photos from the 2008 Indoors at Pickett’s Lock can be viewed at www.tomphillipsphotos.co.uk and www.rikko2photo.co.uk.
The Annual General Meeting of the Veteran Athletic Association of England will be held at 14.00 in the Quality Inn Hotel, 166-174 Hagley Road, Birmingham, B16 9RY on Saturday 8 March. Members of the BMAF's English clubs are eligible to attend and vote. The VAAE selects England teams for the International Cross Country, Inter Club meeting and Walking events. Come along and have your say.
"The Flying Scotsman" has finally come to a halt. Our oldest competitive athlete, Gordon Porteous, Scottish Veteran Harriers, was laid to rest in Barrhead on 25 January, weeks short of his 94th birthday. His last major race was at Coatbridge in October 2004 when he smashed the M90-94 age category World 10,000m track record, winning in 69min.26.92sec.
He won 23 World and European age group medals, including the marathon, in 2hrs.51min aged 60, at the first ever World Veterans Track & Field, Toronto in 1975. He remained unbeaten over this classic distance by any one of his own age. He returned home from the World Championships in New Zealand in 1981 with four gold medals. He currently holds the following records:
His many friends and admirers will have fond memories of meeting a great amateur athlete and a true gentleman.
Here are details of coaching courses for master athletes.
We are saddened to learn of the untimely death of Cesare Beccalli, President of World Masters Athletics. A charismatic leader, a competitor and a founding member of the European VAA, he made a huge contribution to masters athletics over many years.
Please note date changes for Interland, now on 21 June and BMAF Track & Field championships, now 5/6 July.
This annual event, as fiercely contested as ever, was held in Stormont Estate, Belfast on 17 November. Teams from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Rep of Ireland and Wales enjoyed excellently organised races and wonderful hospitality. The scoring is based on six to run, first four in each 5-year age group to count in the men’s 35 through to 64 categories, and 3 to count in the women’s and men over 65 groups.
Split into three races, the women and men’s age groups 65-69 and 70+ ran together over an attractive 6km course that took them by Stormont Castle, through sheltered woods and back on to flat playing fields. Buffeted by a swirling wind and light rain, all age groups raced proudly and competitively for their country. Wendy Nicholls, a British international, led England’s W35-39 team home in 22.54min. Pauline Curley from the Tullamore club in Ireland took the individual silver and Kate Ramsey, England, finished third. Niamh O’Sullivan of Ireland, a previous winner, came in 4th easily first in the W45-49 category. England provided the individual winners of the W40 group through the current BMAF cross country champion Sharon Orridge, Zina Marchant’s good run in the W55 group, Carol Wolstenholme, who has set World W60 Best over various distances on the road, was well clear and Christine Lee got the W65+ title. There was a big cheer for the local Karen Marshall, the 54-year-old enjoyed an emphatic win in the W50 category for N. Ireland, her ninth age group win. Wales broke England’s winning teams sequence, as they lifted the W65 team. Les Haynes from the Northern Veterans club, spearheaded England in the M65-69 group a minute ahead of Scotland’s Peter Carthwright and Gordon Orme, England. The individual M70 medals went to Walter Ryder, who finished an excellent 57th overall in the race, from Harold Dobson and John Perratt, all of England. Scotland and Ireland took silver and bronze.
The second race incorporating age groups M50-64, ran 8km in the predicted heavy rain. Tipton Harrier Mike Hager, an age group winner on several previously occasions, pulled further and further away to win the race in 29.39min; the M55-59 age group and lead the England team to silver. Mike Weedall, runner up for Wales last year, latched on to 2nd place and first in the M50 race from Scotland’s Ian Stewart. Oxford AC’s John Exley, just turned 60 and striding along with his younger rivals, finishing 32nd overall, took the individual M60 title and led England to an emphatic win.
The 8km course was well churned up and slippery as the men’s age groups 35 to 49 sprinted the first 400m for lead supremacy. Much in form Alan McCullough and Steven Cairns in the N. Ireland colours, Stewy Bell for England and Robert Quinn, Scotland led the charge through the first gap and on to the 4-circuit parkland course. The incessant rain did not cool the pace, with the lead changing as the race progressed. Quinn broke clear racing home in 27.52min as Iain Lockett from the Veterans AC paced himself well for runner up and Cairns held on for 3rd. David Morwood, N Ireland 4th here, ran himself into the history books as he is the first winner of the new M35-39 age category. Good team backing ensured a team silver medal for the host nation. Kieran Carlin, 11th and Pat Byrne of Ireland 12th took the minor individual M35 medals and led Ireland to team victory. Stewy Bell pulled a calf muscle but managed to hold on to 6th place. Just two places behind him Daniel Moore was clear in the M45 group from Neil Thin, Scotland and the consistent England member, Clive Bromhall. England, Scotland and Ireland shared the M45 team medals.Dame Mary Peters CBE, presented the medals at the evening banquet and competitors still managed to dance the night away!
Photos from the World Championships in Riccione taken by the two BMAF accredited photographers can be seen at:
Lesley Richardson can be contacted at richarlg99@aol.com, while Tom Phillips' email address is tomp2@tiscali.co.uk.The BMAF half marathon will be held on 16 March in Bath. Send your entry now. Download from www.runninghigh.co.uk. Give your club registration No.
The Results Booklet from Poznan is now available. SAE 83p stamp to 156 Mitcham Road, Croydon, Surrey, CRO 3JE with your receipt.
Tom Phillips' photos from the Track & Field Championships in Birmingham on July 28/29 can be seen at www.tomphillipsphotos.co.uk (follow the link for “Current Galleries”). Any athletes interested in obtaining copies of these can contact him at tomp2@tiscali.co.uk.
At the WMA General Assembly in Riccione, two cities are bidding to hold the 2011 WMA Track & Field Championships, they are Porto Alegre, Brazil and Sacramento, USA. The BMAF Delegates will check on facilities, climate, hotel rooms etc before voting.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR TUE APPLICATIONS IS 14 AUGUST 2007.
The Chairman of the WMA Medical and Anti-Doping Committee Stan Perkins has advised that the last date for receipt of Therapeutic Use Exemption Applications is the 14 August, 2007, 21 days before the start of competition in the WMA Stadia Championships in Riccione, Italy.
Athletes are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible to avoid a last minute rush that may delay the assessment of their form.
Perkins also reminded athletes that it was strongly recommended that they discuss their medications/ treatments with their medical service provider and determine if there was an alternate treatment available that was not on the IAAF/WADA banned list of medications. Many athletes have found that there are approved alternate medications available to them and, additionally, some athletes have found that they can temporarily suspend their medication to allow them to compete in the championships without impacting upon their health situation.
It should be noted by all athletes that random doping testing will take place during the championships.
Stan Perkins
Chairman Medical and Anti-Doping Committee
WMA
We are advised that 8,900 athletes have entered for Riccione, well above the estimate. Rex Harvey, World Masters Athletics Track & Field, and the Meet Director have informed us that the competition schedule now on WMA and Riccione web sites can only be regarded as a preliminary schedule. The time and venue may be changed. The date of your event will remain as published in the entry brochure. In running events, all competitors must report for the first heat (i.e. even if only 8 have signed in). The Final will be run on the date listed. Keep checking on the web sites for the new schedule.
Maurice Doogan is Team Manager. Assistant TMs are Kevin Dillon, Diane Farmer, Catherine Goddard, Eric Horwill and Brian Worthington. They are also competitors themselves. If this is your first trip, you must go to the Registration Centre, collect your number and Information Pack. This should include a Bus Pass. Read through, check on racing schedule/venues/buses. You can sign your Declaration Sheet the previous evening if you are competing early the next morning. (If you have booked through the BMAF appointed travel agent, WGT Sport, they provide early morning transport to your event).
A Countries' Notice Board is normally in the Registration Centre. Check regularly on the Great Britain Board, Maurice keeps this updated daily. Maurice or his Assistants attend the daily early morning Team Managers meetings and posts any competition changes. If in doubt, please ask as British competitors will point out the Team Managers to you.
The BMAF wishes all our 537 members an enjoyable and successful trip to the World Championships.
The BMAF Annual General Meeting will be held on Saturday 28 July at 18.30 in the Alexander Stadium, Birmingham. All members are welcomed to attend. Agenda items include uniformity of team age groups for men and women, i.e. 35-44, 45-54. Should the BMAF hold a referendum amongst participating clubs in our road relay before implementing any changes? Come to the meeting and use your vote.
On Sunday morning, 1st July, the sport lost a good friend and kindred spirit when Jim Day passed away suddenly.
Jim was a true gentleman and never had a bad word to say against anybody and was generous with his time and support for everyone around him. His friendly nature and his sustained athleticism earned the respect of all. The sport and the pole vaulting community will miss him very much.
The funeral will take place at 12:45 on Friday 20 July at Beckenham Crematorium. Afterwards back at the Clubhouse. Family flowers only, donations to British Heart Foundation c/o Killicks in West Wickham.
Congratulations to Carol Wolstenholme who ran a World W60-64 Age Group Best of 19.27sec and to Steve Charlton, now into his 81st year, who set an M80-84 World Age Group Best in the amazing time of 22.41sec over 5km in Horwich on 24 June. The 3-lap course has an uphill finish.
Congratulations to our 190-strong team who performed yet again with distinction in Helsinki. A total of 2096 athletes from 36 countries entered the 4-day championships. Britain finished 3rd on the medal table behind Germany's 312 competitors and the hugh Finnish contingent of 522.
New World Records were set by the Surrey sprinter, Val Parsons, who lowered her own World 60m mark for the third time since she turned 60 to a magnificent 8.82 seconds. On the final day she blazed around the 200m in a World shattering 29.16sec. It was a World record also for our 4 x 200m M55 relay squad of Tony Wells, Viv Oliver, Alasdair Ross and Bob Minting. Gold and silver in the Men age category 35-39 60metre dash for Mark Dunwell and Darren Scott and for Alasdair Ross, setting a European record 24.42 and Viv Oliver in the M55 group. Stephen Peters continues his unbeaten international record, here taking the M50 with consummate ease. Helen Godsell got a handful of gold in the W50 60m, 200m and relay.
Britain picked up 38 individual medals in the sprints and 8 in the hurdles. The happiest man in the team was Barry Ferguson crossing the line with a huge smile as he handed the indomitable German, Guido Müller, a very rare defeat in the M65 60m hurdles. The complete results can be viewed on www.evaci2007.com. Photographs on http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/movingmountains and www.rikko2photo.co.uk.
A record 579 competitors entered our Indoor Championships at Picketts Lock, North London, on 3/4 March.
Val Parsons, who won the Women's age group 60-64 100m and 200m at the European Veterans Championships in Poznan last July, broke the W60 World Indoor 60 metre record at an Open Meeting in Eton on 7 January. She clocked a magnificant 8.83sec. The record is awaiting ratification.
The British Athletic Supporters Club has awarded Arthur Thompson the Master Athlete of the Year Award for his outstanding walking achievements at the British and European Championships.
Earlier he was elected European Best Male Veteran Athlete for 2006. He has earned this award by setting 3 World Records: 20km Road Walk ( 1.56.44), 30km Road Walk (2.52.47) and 5000m Track Walk (26.01.52). The citation outlines his superiority to other veterans in his age group and the fact that he has outclassed the old records.
In EVACS in Poznan, Poland 2006, in the oppressive warmth (30-35 degrees), Arthur broke his compatriot James Grimwade's classic M70 record for the 20 km Road Walk of 1.58.10 from Malmö 1986 with a phenomenal 1.56.44. In the British Masters Championships in Birmingham, just before Poznan, Arthur broke the 24 year old M70 World Record for the 5000m Race Walk of the Australian T Daintry of 27.02 with 26.01.52. In Poznan he produced a championship record of 26.34.87. In Coventry in August 2006 Arthur set a record of 2.52.47 in 30km Road Walk. The previous record belonged to Albert Sturni of France at 3.05.10 set in 1993.
Arthur was also nominated for World Male Master Athlete of the year, which went instead to the American Bill Collins. Melitta Czerwenka-Nagel of Germany won both European and World Female awards.
Winston Thomas, BMAF Chairman, has issued this announcement
"Following several problems with anti-doping at WMA masters championships, and WMA as well as my comments in the Masters Athletics, the Urine Testing Procedures from the UK sports brochure are being posted on the website (see the Drugs page) for all to be familiar with. In World and European Masters Events the same procedures are (should) be followed, so please make yourselves familiar with these procedures. More and more masters athletes will be subjected to testing, and in future championships there will be far more tests than before, and please bear in mind that as we tend to do very well in these competitions we are liable to be in the firing line.
"For applications for Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) please note that in future all forms MUST go to David Herbert at UKA. More information can be found on the UKA - www.ukathletics.net - and UK Sport - www.uksport.gov.uk - websites.
The 2006 ASDA Horwich Carnival Races were not blessed with the best of weather but nevertheless a truly excellent day’s racing was enjoyed by all. Despite the rain, the enthusiasm of the Carnival day crowds was not dampened as they were thrilled by the top class running events. They started at 11.30 with the On The Run / Puma British Masters 5K Road Running Championships in which Over 40 David Taylor (Blackheath and Bromley Harriers) won in 14.38, this year’s fastest time run by a UK man Over 40, comprehensively beating last year’s Men’s Over 40 course record of 15.09 and the best 2006 M40 time of 14.53 before the race. The first lady to finish in the Masters 5K was Falkirk Victoria Harrier Fiona Matheson (Lady Over 45) who went into second place in this year’s UK rankings for a Lady Over 45, finishing in a time of 17.46. In all the five year age group categories for the men and ladies there were no fewer than seven UK best times run this year. A performance that really stood out in the Masters race was that of Over 60 Carol Wolstenholme (Hallamshire Harriers) who finished in a time of 20.05, a World All Time Best for 5K on the road for the Over 60 ladies’ category.
For further details visit www.horwichcarnivalraces.co.uk.
Please note the 2007 5k Championships will again be held at Horwich, on June 24th.
A group of German athletes, including Rudiger Nickel, a lawyer in Germany, have made a declaration which can be read here. Many of them were very unhappy with the situation regarding testing and the taking of performance enhancing drugs in our sport, and they made this form as a way to show their solidarity against drug taking, and to show we want a clean sport and not having to look at each other and wonder. This of course is outside the realm of drugs for medical purposes which can and are substantiated by the doctors as to a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) application.
In Poznan there will be a talk on Anti-Doping Control. There will also be a talk on the mentioned declaration, and all athletes are welcome to come and listen and take an active part in any questions. Feedback from our masters would be welcome by emailing Winston Thomas, BMAF Chairman.
Following on from this, note that the number of tests that we generally have at championships will now be increased, as we do tend to have a number of tests. All competitors at championships must make sure that they know the procedures on testing, have any relevant TUE where necessary and remember to take a ‘friend’ should they be selected for a test. See the Drugs page.
If you have some news you wish to pass on to masters athletes, send an email to webmaster@bvaf.org.uk.