Congratulations to AFC Bournemouth on their 2-1 win over Manchester United on Sunday 13 December, and congratulations, too, for a superb BAC performance at the Christmas 10k, Christchurch, earlier the same day! 20 BAC athletes, including Father Christmas, pounded the course in ideal conditions, resulting in team and individual wins, and PBs galore. David Long was the clear winner, and second and third placings by Peter Thompson (in a PB time) and Rob McTaggart ensured that the team prize went to BAC. There were two very encouraging runs by Jacek Cieluszecki and Anthony Clark, both competing for the first time after considerable lay-offs through injury, and they were split by Graeme Miller who ran a PB. PBs were also run by Ross Smith, Gary Woolnough, Tony Hunt and Steve Cox, and BAC totally dominated the prize-giving, as can be seen from the photos below.  So, it has been an excellent two weeks for BAC, following the move out of the Division 1 relegation zone at the Hampshire Cross Country League fixture in Kings Park last week, so let’s hope the momentum can be maintained to ensure we are not relegated, and we fight off what will undoubtedly be stiff challenges from Poole AC and Littledown Harriers in next year’s Dorset Road Race League.  Christmas 10k results (BAC): 1 David Long 32.02;  2. Peter Thompson 32.15;  3. Rob McTaggart 32.28;  6. Jacek Cieluszecki 33.39;  15. Graeme Miller 35.17;  18. Anthony Clark 36.13;  21. Ross Smith 36.23;  35. Sanjai Sharma 37.42;  41. Gary Woolnough 37.58;  61. Simon Hearn 39.45;  64. Jud Kirk 39.58;  75. Paul Consani 41.00;  76. Tony Hunt 41.00;  79. Steve Cox 41.10;  84. Simon Hunt 41.43;  87. Alison Humphrey 42.04;  91. Santa Claus (aka Richard Nelson) 42.16;  115. Ian Graham 43.54;  182. Helen Ambrosen 49.12;  205. Joe Price 50.36.  There were 461 finishers.

More photos (courtesy of Graeme and Carol Miller and Richard Nelson) below…………………………………………….

Unfortunately, the Christmas 10k clashed with the Wessex Cross Country League fixture at Canford School, but nevertheless there was an encouraging level of participation by BAC‘s youngsters, and a win by Nikki Sandell in the Senior Ladies’ race, in which Joy Wright finished second 40-44 lady.  It was necessary to enter separately to qualify in the Dorset County Cross Country Championship, which was included in this fixture, but as the results haven’t been published it isn’t known which of the BAC participants are County medallists, with the exception of Brandon Meredith, bronze medallist, U17 Men – well done Brandon!  BAC Wessex League results are as follows: U11 Boys 27. Sam Farwell 6.06;  30. Isaac Sandell 6.27: U13 Girls 20. Ruby Bowden 14.43;  25. Anya Sandell 15.40: U13 Boys 9. Tom Farwell 12.43: U15 Girls 13. Kate Flynn 17.08: U15 Boys 13. Tarquin O’Sullivan: U17 Girls Poppaea Bramwell-Reeks 18.16: U17 Men 3. Brandon Meredith 16.00: Senior Women 1. Nikki Sandell 16.00: Senior Women (40-44) 2. Joy Wright 19.16.

With all this activity this weekend, BAC participation in the Parkruns was limited to the Bournemouth Parkrun, in which, of 224 finishers, Rob McTaggart, warming up for the Christmas 10k, was 12th, Peter Briant 97th in a PB time, 102nd was Jud Kirk, having a leisurely run before the 10k the next day, and accompanying his wife, Katie, and 168th was Will Price.

Back to the Christmas 10k……………………………….

and the prizegiving……………………………………