Antonio Ruiz (661) finishes Ciudad Real 10k

And the winners are – Steve Way (50k), Caroline Rowley (10k), Jacek Cieluszecki and Rob McTaggart (Parkruns)! And one 2nd (Peter Thompson – 20 miles).

16 March 2014 saw BAC athletes in action around the country and abroad.  At Dunsfold Aerodrome Peter Thompson and Manol Dimitrov competed in the Surrey Spitfire, with Peter finishing 2nd in 2.00.42 and Manol 19th (of a total of 765) in 2.11.53.  Nearer home, Caroline Rowley was the first of 94 ladies to complete the (off-road)Ringwood Rabbit 10k run in a time of 48.39, and in the mens’ race Will Price was 88th of 118 men in 57.56.  On the same day, in Spain, Antonio Ruiz completed the Ciudad Real 10k, 61st of 1800 finishers, with a time of 36.34.

The following Saturday, 22 March, Steve Way continued his build-up to his 100k international in May by winning the New Forest 50k (off-road) in 3.20.47, over 32 minutes before the second athlete to finish.  Steve then went on a 9 mile warm-down!  The fact that 74 completed this race shows that ultra running can’t be considered a minority sport.  Earlier that day Jacek Cieluszecki and Rob McTaggart won the Poole and Bournemouth Parkruns respectively, with Billy McGreevy 3rd at Bournemouth in which Jud Kirk, Simon Hunt, Paula Kirk and Steve Cox also ran.  511 finished at Poole and 191 at Bournemouth.

The next day, 23 March, BAC was represented at the Eastleigh 10k by David Long and Robin Copestick, both of whom had excellent runs.  Of a complete field of 2335, David was a magnificient 26th in 32.28, with Robin not far behind, 62nd in 34.10.