Relay teams

The Wessex league provides competing opportunities for u12s through to u20s. With a free coach provided, Isle of Wight matches are always a day to remember. It was a sunny and, even with the windy conditions, there were lots of PBs.

With apologies for any omissions, the team consisted of:

U12s

Emily Brooks

Dylan Everett

Matilda Flay

Seth Jackson

Brody Lock

Alicia Mysliwska

Samuel Ramirez

U14s

Isabella Baptist

Reuben Gates

Sofia Roscoe

Robyn Woolley

U16s

Mikey Bean

Junior Buron

Bella Crawford

Connor Grocott

Fin Hurst-Atkins

Oliver Jennings

Jessica Long

Callum Pearson

Sienna Pope

Logan Potter

Lola Thomasson

U18s

Flo Dootson

Notable performances included:

• Our throwers doing well with strong PB performances for Sophia Roscoe in discus, Logan Potter in shot and Callum Pearson in javelin
• Fin Hurst-Atkins won discus, ran a 1500 PB and also ran the 100m and 4×100 relay
• Sienna Pope with 2 PBs
• And by the officials… Simon almost won with the lap bell, Janet broke records for tripping over the track edge and Dave needs new sellotape for his stopwatch.

Sophie Roscoe discus thrower

Full results can be found on the Power of 10

What the mangers and athletes said:

“Quad kids had new faces today and loads of PBs”

“Great team spirit from all BAC!”

“We may not win but all that matters is we tried our hardest and had fun.”

“I enjoyed the long jump and 75m”

Our officials were:

• Dave Clarke (timekeeper)
• Adie Saunders (field)
• Simon Saunders (track)
• Janet Dickinson (track)
• Robin James (field)

Thanks also to team managers Caleb Buys (u12s), Bernard Buron (u14s) Caroline Pope (u16s)

Well done all!

The next Wessex match will be at Abingdon on Sunday 7^th June.

Somerset and Dorset Combined Events Yeovil

Always great to see our multi-events competing and there were some outstanding results at Yeovil.

• Imogen Pope won Y9 overall and Gold for Dorset
• Sienna Munden was 2^nd overall and Silver for Dorset
• Liberty Batt was 4^th overall in Y8 and Silver for Dorset
• Seni Purnell was 5^th overall in U18 and Gold for Dorset.

London mini-marathon

Allegra Ramirez was selected to run in the mini-marathon for the South West in the u14G category finishing 20^th.

In the YDL Upper (UK Youth Development League) Bournemouth, New Forest Juniors and Salisbury form a composite team of u18s and U20s providing opportunities to meet new teammates. With a free coach provided, the journey to Crawley proved worthwhile with sunny and calm conditions ideal for athletics. While a small team, this proved a good platform to build on with plenty of scope for others as we return to our track.

With apologies for any omissions, the team consisted of:

Oliver Canavan (U18)

Matthew Farah (U18)

Chloe Johnsom (U18)

Isaac May (U18)

William Moss (U18)

Gabriella Pitman (U18)

Alexis Seymour (U18)

Tonaya Welsh (U18)

Elijah Hunt (U20)

Amy Tonkyn U20)

Harry Williams (U20)

There were many PBs and podium places. Notable performances included:

• Winning the U18 mixed relay (Chloe Johnson, Gabriella Pitman, Isaac May, William Moss)
• Amy Tonkyn, who was unable to compete in her own events (sprints) due to injury but made the trip to support the team by throwing discus and shot.
• Elijah Hunt and Matt Farah for each covering several events
• Chloe Johnson, who was one of the top athletes of the match based on points in her 200m

Full results can be found on the Power of 10

A strong group of officials supported the athletes gaining good points (officials get points too!).

• Dave Clarke (BAC timekeeper)
• Adrienne Saunders and Janet Dickinson (BAC field)
• Simon Saunders (BAC track)
• Dave McManus and Tina Wilding (NFJ field)

Thanks also to team managers Richard Hunt (Bournemouth), Kiera Everett (New Forest Juniors).

Well done all!

The next YDL upper match will be at Guildford on Sunday 24^th May.

Stu Nicholas’s first big Spring offering was the Norfolk Marathon

Like a man whose already formidable running arsenal has been given an extra edge, Bournemouth AC’s Stuart Nicholas continued his outstanding run of form with a superb victory in the Norfolk Marathon, storming to success in 2:46:52 and adding yet another impressive achievement to an already distinguished catalogue of performances.

A proven winner long before carbon plates entered his life, Stu has always been a fierce competitor and serial race victor. But since finally embracing the super-shoe revolution a little later than many, he appears to have unlocked an exciting new level — combining his trademark toughness and racing instinct with an extra gear that is now translating into even quicker times.

Stu’s wife Anna was also running the marathon

The signs had been there. Just a week before Norfolk, Stu blasted to a huge 16:03 PB at Poole parkrun, while his excellent 33:22 PB at Stubbington 10k earlier in the year confirmed that he was enjoying arguably the sharpest form of his career.

Anna is always up for doing the races that Stu does

Fresh from his previous marathon triumph at the wonderfully relentless Hampshire Winter Feisty Phoenix — where he conquered ten out-and-backs in 2:53 — Stu arrived in Norfolk full of confidence. His marathon PB of 2:37:31 from Brighton in 2022 remains the gold standard, but this latest success was another powerful reminder that he remains one of the club’s most dependable big-race operators.

Stu Nicholas was head and shoulders above the opposition

If Stu expected a gentle day out on the Norfolk roads, the course soon had other ideas.

Stu Nicholas heads toward the finish, lapping up the applause from onlookers

The opening mile served up a stiff climb, but Stu attacked it with trademark boldness, charging uphill at 5:55 pace and immediately stamping his authority on proceedings. Such was his ambition that only eventual half marathon winner Matt Noble of Hillsborough & Rivelin was anywhere near him in the early exchanges, while the rest of the marathon field were quickly left to battle for minor honours.

Stu approaches the line to take a comprehensive victory

The ascent continued through mile two, but Stu remained unflustered with a 6:09 split before roaring back with a 5:52 third mile. Settling beautifully, he then reeled off six more miles comfortably under six-minute pace, reaching ten miles with a 6:01 split and looking every inch the man in control.

The other competitors had Norfolk in chance when Stu was in town

As the course became more demanding, Stu’s challenge shifted from pure pace to measured resilience.

Stu crosses the line in a winning time of 2:46:52

Splits of 6:18, 6:06 and 6:21 from miles 11 to 13 showed he was still handling the terrain superbly, and another 6:01 for mile 14 reinforced his strength. But the hills kept coming. A 6:35 sixteenth mile and a punishing 6:42 on the eighteenth reflected the growing difficulty, while another incline at mile 20 ensured this was becoming a true test of marathon resolve.

Anna Trehane reaches the finishing straight

Then came perhaps the toughest stretch of all — miles 22, 23 and 24 all climbing steadily, forcing Stu to dig deep as he ground out 7:00 to 7:10 pace. Yet crucially, despite the course’s best efforts, no rival could seriously threaten his lead.

Anna crosses the line in 4 hours 45 minutes

At 24.5 miles, the road finally tipped downhill, and Stu responded like a champion sensing the finish. Finding fresh momentum, he lifted back towards 6:45 pace and powered home to claim victory in 2:46:52 — nearly a minute clear of John Hudson of Norwich Road Runners, who finished second in 2:47:44. Chris Gray took third in 2:49:46, with Ashley Gilbert of Dereham Runners fourth in 2:51:44.

The Town Cryer ensured everyone knew Stu was the winner!

Behind Stu’s excellent front-running display, Emma Burley was first female in 3:08:47, while Matt Noble’s early pace proved worthwhile as he secured the half marathon title in 1:19. Stu’s wife Anna Trehane did the marathon as well, completing the course in 4 hours 45 minutes.

Anna and Stu complete another tremendous running adventure

For Bournemouth AC, though, this was all about Stu — an athlete who was already highly accomplished, but who now seems to be marrying years of racing excellence with a fresh surge in speed.

Stu and Anna replenish those lost calories after the race

The result? More wins, faster times, and an athlete who looks increasingly capable of pushing his already impressive limits even further. Norfolk was simply the latest proof that Stu Nicholas, already a top-class competitor, may still be discovering just how quick he can be.

The first race for Geoff Newton at the European Masters Indoor Championships was the 3000m

On Sunday 22^nd March, like many of you, I watched the World Indoors Athletics Championships at the Torún Arena on BBC television when team GB won three golds. On Friday 27^th of March I found myself in the very same arena running the M80 3000m at the European Masters Indoor Championships.

The Arena had been given a new track and a makeover for the Worlds, so everything had been upgraded and the latest tech installed including many big screens so that spectators could watch all the action no matter where they were sitting.

The M80s assemble ahead of their 3000m race

To their credit the organisers tried to match that for the Masters so that competitors were individually introduced to the spectators beforehand, with close-ups, just like the Worlds. Action was streamed live to who knows where. Everything about the arena is now world class and made for a great experience. There was a decent atmosphere as many of the 3,500 competitors watched a lot of the action when they were not themselves competing.

Geoff was very much hoping to contend for a medal in all his races

Unlike the Outdoor Championships in Madeira last year there were no really outstanding M80 competitors in the Indoors. The 3000m is a new event for me. I am still learning. My only previous foray into this event occurred at a poorly attended British Masters in Cardiff in January. There I was in a race against two classy M70 runners and one fellow M80. Knowing I could easily beat my fellow M80 I tried unsuccessfully to keep up with the M70’s and paid the price with a poor time. The 3000 is on the border between a middle distance and an endurance event. Alas I am no middle-distance runner.

It was a third place finish for Geoff in the M80 3000m race

This time I was up against seven other M80’s and one M65 and one M90. I expected the most opposition from Ake Jonson the Swede and Jerzy Kopta – a Pole. They set the early pace. It soon became obvious that they were setting a pace I could not (and they probably could not) keep up. So, I did not bust a gut trying to keep up. At just over halfway I was caught by Ronaldatus Konduratus a Lithuanian.

Geoff takes his position on the third step of the podium

After a further lap or two I decided to charge for home, despite feeling stretched at the time. The Lithuanian did not respond. I was also making inroads into the gap between me and the two leaders. In the final stages Jerzy Kopta broke free to take gold in 15:30.91 and I just failed in 15:32.09 to catch a spent Ake Jonson (15:30.13) by two seconds.

The podium for the M80 3000m race

The Lithuanian was fourth in 15:51.35. There were two other brits in the race, Michael Johnson and Barrie Roberts who finished 5^th  in 16:10.90 and 8^th in 19:41.63 respectively. With hindsight I should have made my charge a lap earlier.

Geoff sets off in the 5k road race

There was only one day’s rest between the 3000m and the 5K road race. These days I need two days rest between races. It was going to be interesting to see if the others would be similarly affected. As things worked out, the 3000m results were turned on their head and I am sure this had something to do with it.

The race didn’t go completely to plan for Geoff

Things got off to a shambolic start. Originally there were to be three separate starts each separated by 5 minutes, the younger men followed by the older men and then all the women… There was a late decision to send off all the men together, but the change was not well publicised. As a result, I had to cut short my warm-up and Michael Johnson missed the start by two minutes. The weather was very cold and breezy.

I started far more quickly than I should, basically to keep warm and paid the price. After 1km I was struggling. I kept expecting Jonson and Kopta to come past but this did not happen. Instead, it was Konduratus who caught me up at about 2km. At about 3km things got worse. For the first time in over 60 years of racing my bowels decided to leak with messy results, which made the rest of the race unpleasant. Fortunately, my shorts did a good job of hiding this problem. About this time Konduratus got away from me. The rest of the race was a struggle.

Geoff battled it out to earn a second place finish

As I neared the finish, I became aware of Kopta finally catching up with me. A frantic sprint ensued. Ronaldus Kondratus got his pace judgement spot on, and this won him the M80 race in a slow 26.26 with me 2^nd M80 in 26.52 with Kopta one second behind me. Ake Jonson was suffering from the 3000m and was 4^th M80 in 27.44.

The missed start led to Michael Johnson recording 29.50 as 6^th M80. Barrie Roberts was 10^th of 11 M80’s in 38.04. Team results are worked out by cumulative time. The first M80 team was Poland, UK second of two. I was hoping to get inside 26 minutes which would have got 1^st M80 but it was not meant to be this time.

The cross country was Geoff’s third race of the European Masters Championships

We had two days of rest before the cross-country. This was held in a “park” adjacent to the Arena. This was basically hilly / undulating forest, mostly of conifers., with a network of paths, mostly surfaced with fine gravel. The ground was surprisingly dry and “flats” were the order of the day.

The ground was surprisingly dry so Geoff wore his flats

The courses were based on a 2km lap designed to incorporate as many hills as possible. I enjoy this sort of thing. However, the hills mean that it is advisable for most old people to avoid going eyeballs out at the start. The over 70’s ran three laps and younger age groups ran four laps.

It was an undulating course but Geoff enjoys that

I identified the two Irish runners John McMullin and Richard Mullins (both newly into the age group) as the main threats and thought I could handle the other 8 M80’s in the race. I set off at what seemed to be a reasonable pace and found myself just behind John McMullin and clear of Richard Mullins.

Geoff came away with another second place finish

However, John went off at a pace I would not be able to sustain, and he was out of sight by half-way round the first lap. By which time I had caught and passed Ake Jonson who offered no resistance.  Eventually, soon after the start of the 3^rd lap John M came back into sight in the distance, giving me the incentive to press harder.

Geoff collects his silver medal after the cross country race

Whilst he had clearly slowed, he had not blown up either. My pursuit became ever more frantic as the finish came nearer, culminating in a flat-out sprint. I finished just 3 seconds behind John, some helpful person warning him of my approach. He was first M80 and I was 2^nd M80.

Michael Johnson had dipped out of the race and flown home early, so a potential gold team medal was lost. However, Barrie Roberts and me were able to drop down to make up an M75 team with Ron Cattle. Ron finished 2^nd M75 and the three of us finished 3^rd M75 (of 4 teams) and got a bronze medal as some compensation.

Geoff with the other M80 medallists from the cross country race

Glass half full or glass half empty? These days I am permanently on the verge of retirement as in my training my feet hurt and more often than not, I feel knackered. However, the adrenaline in racing overcomes this. So, a haul of three individual medals and two team medals from three races is plenty of incentive to continue.

The downside is that with better pace judgement some of the individual silvers might have been gold and the bronze might have been a silver.

I did not recognise any other BAC members there, although I did see Andrew Ridley who some of you might know. He won an impressive 800m and 1500m double in M60 in 2:07.63 and 4:22.97 respectively.

Geoff with the other team medallists from the M75 category

Of course, competition between 80 year olds is more about longevity and stubbornness than talent. There were several world age group records broken at this event including John Wright of GB setting an M65 World indoor 400m record of 54.92. Even a few big names present including former Olympic medal winning athletes from Poland. Not to mention the controversial Dwayne Chambers.

In the future there will be many more big events here in the Torún Arena, both in professional athletics and with the “Masters”. Torún as a city is a nice place to visit. The walled old town on the banks of the Vistula is separated from the modern city by a ring of parks and is a UNESCO World Heritage site for it’s Gothic Architecture. So I can recommend anyone to take part in the European or World Masters Indoors when they next come back to Torún.

Geoff Newton

Mike Akers headed up north hoping that his legs would hold up okay when he took on the Manchester Marathon

There are marathon days when everything clicks—and then there are days like this.

Representing Bournemouth AC at the Manchester Marathon, Adam Corbin and Mike Akers arrived on the start line with every reason to feel optimistic. Training in the bank, confidence high, and recent form suggesting both were knocking firmly on the door of sub-2:40 performances.

Just three weeks earlier at the Fleet Half Marathon, both had delivered excellent runs. Adam was particularly outstanding, clocking a superb PB of 1:15—clear evidence he was in the shape of his life. Mike followed up with a strong 1:20:51, a time that confirmed he too was in excellent condition and not far removed from sub-2:50 territory.

Adam Corbin had been feeling a little under the weather in the lead up to the race

But as is so often the case with the marathon, the story began to unravel in the weeks that followed.

Mike’s troubles started first, with an issue in his left glute and hip that then developed into a calf problem—never ideal in the final phase of marathon preparation. Adam’s setback came in the form of illness, a heavy cold that severely disrupted his training. In fact, he managed just one meaningful run in the entire week before race week. Far from ideal, and certainly not the preparation his Fleet performance had deserved.

By the time race weekend arrived, Adam was still under the weather and, by his own admission, not especially motivated to race. Were it not for Mike making the trip, he may well have withdrawn. But the pair travelled north together and took their place on the start line, determined to give it a go.

Adam knew he’d be hard pushed to make it all the way round feeling like he did

Adam set off at a steady 6:24 per mile pace, holding that rhythm through the first 10km. He then eased slightly to 6:30 pace for the next few miles before slipping to around 6:40 pace over the following five. As the miles ticked by and the effort began to bite, it became increasingly clear that the illness had taken more out of him than hoped. After a couple more miles at around 6:50 pace, Adam made the sensible but difficult decision to call it a day rather than endure another ten miles in a depleted state.

Adam got up to 16 miles but didn’t feel he could go on for another 10

Mike’s race followed a similarly frustrating trajectory. Moving comfortably between 6:20 and 6:30 pace through the opening nine miles, he looked well set before the now-familiar hamstring issue resurfaced. The same problem that had lingered since Fleet returned with force. He battled on briefly, but the situation quickly deteriorated to the point where he could barely put weight through his left side. From there, it became a long and painful limp back towards the tram—hardly the finish line he had envisaged.

Despite some inury concerns, Mike was determined to give it a go

And so, a day that had promised much ultimately delivered disappointment for both athletes.

As if to underline the challenge, Adam’s ordeal didn’t end with his withdrawal—he still faced a 35-minute walk back to collect his bag, followed by another hour-long trek to the car. Not a day he’ll be keen to relive in a hurry.

Mike managed to make it to 9 miles before a hamstring issue halted his progress

At the sharp end of the race, victory went to Yohan Lidove in 2:15:18, just holding off William Strangeway (2:15:42), with Charlie Brisley taking third in 2:16:04. The women’s race was won by Naomi Robinson in 2:36:56, ahead of Heather Townsend who finished in 2:37:40.

For Adam and Mike, it wasn’t the outcome they had trained for, nor the one their form suggested was possible. But that is the nature of marathon running—unforgiving, unpredictable, and occasionally cruel.

It was destined not to be for Mike on this occasion but he’ll be back

What does remain beyond doubt, however, is their ability. The training, the performances at Fleet, and the resilience shown even in adversity all point in one direction. This one simply wasn’t their day.

There will be others.

His training hadn’t gone according to plan but Ben Collins was hoping he could pull it out of the bag in the Boston Running Festival Marathon

There are times in marathon running when the result sheet tells only a fraction of the story. For Ben Collins at the Boston Running Festival Marathon, this was one of those days where the numbers – stark as they appear – barely scratch the surface of what unfolded.

Back in October, Ben had laid down a clear marker of his capabilities with a superb sub-2:40 performance at the Yorkshire Marathon. That run had been built on consistency, structure and a full training block executed to near perfection. Fast forward to the winter, however, and the script could not have been more different.

A back injury sustained on a pre-Christmas long run brought momentum to an abrupt halt. Forced away from running, Ben turned to cycling in an effort to maintain fitness, only for misfortune to strike again with a crash that compounded his physical setbacks. With options narrowing, he took to the Assault bike in the gym – a far cry from the roads and miles required for marathon preparation, but a necessary means of preserving some form of aerobic base.

When he did return to running, it was from the ground up. One mile at a time became two, then four, then eight by early February. A tentative first interval session followed – his first taste of speed work in months. Gradually, the long runs crept back: 17 miles by mid-February, then 20 by month’s end. Even then, progress was not linear, with another fall – this time involving a head injury – interrupting the fragile rebuild.

By March, with time running short, Ben managed to piece together a condensed but committed block, pushing mileage into the 80–90 mile range before tapering. It was, by any standard, a rushed preparation. The question heading into race day was simple: had enough been done?

Big Ben is never afraid to start aggressive

The Boston Running Festival Marathon course offered a glimmer of hope. Flat and inherently fast, it presents opportunities when conditions allow. Unfortunately, the exposed nature of the route, so close to the east coast, left runners at the mercy of a stiff wind on the day.

Ben’s original ambition – a sub-2:38 and a Championship qualifying time for London – required boldness. And bold he was.

Setting off at a blistering 5:48 for the opening mile, he quickly settled into a rhythm just under six-minute pace. Through 10km in just under 37 minutes and 10 miles in 59:39, the early signs were promising. At halfway, reached in 1:19:43, the target still lingered within touching distance.

The going got tough once Ben turned into the forceful headwind

Then came the turn.

Into the wind, the race changed complexion entirely. What had felt controlled suddenly became a battle. The headwind hit hard, sapping energy and rhythm in equal measure. By 16 miles, the pace had drifted beyond seven minutes per mile, and the slide continued. The 19th mile ticked by at 7:45, the 21st at 8:45. The elastic had snapped.

The closing miles became an exercise in resolve rather than racing, with splits of 9:39 and 9:08 telling their own story. Ben crossed the line in 3 hours 3 minutes, finishing 125th overall – a result that, on paper, falls well short of expectations.

It was a tough outing for Ben and he blew up in the end

Yet this was a performance shaped as much by circumstance as by strategy. The decision to commit early was a calculated gamble, one that might have paid off on a different day, with a different build-up, or in calmer conditions. Instead, it served as a reminder of the marathon’s unforgiving nature.

At the front of the race, David Webster (Dundee Road Runners) claimed victory in 2:34:10, ahead of Mohamed Abdin (2:37:17) and Connor Culham (Braintree) in 2:37:22. In the women’s race, Lizzie Keep (Lewes) led the way with 2:54:22 (49th overall), followed by Katie Latham (2:55:42, 59th) and Elizabeth Joyce (2:56:05, 63rd).

For Ben, the day will sting. There’s no disguising that. But there are performances that build confidence, and others that build character. This was firmly the latter.

With a full, uninterrupted training block, there is little doubt that he will return stronger. The lessons learned here – about preparation, pacing and patience – will not be wasted.

The next chapter awaits in the autumn, and you suspect it won’t take long for redemption to arrive.

Beth Dowbiggin was competing in the Brighton Trail Marathon

It was a memorable day on the south coast as Ashley White and Beth Dowbiggin took on the very different challenges of the Brighton Marathon and Brighton Trail Marathon, both delivering performances that highlighted resilience, determination and a growing strength in endurance events.

For Ashley White, this was very much a step into the unknown. His last appearance in club colours came at the Boscombe Seafront 5k back in September, where he recorded 22:52, and his build-up to Brighton had been far from ideal. Injury had ruled him out of running for six weeks leading into race week, leaving preparation minimal and expectations firmly in the “get round if possible” category rather than any time-based target.

Ashley White last competed for the club at the Boscombe Seafront 5k

The Brighton Marathon course itself offers a mix of city streets, coastal views and crowd-lined energy. Starting in Preston Park, the opening six miles wind through the city centre before heading out towards the cliffs, with gentle undulations at miles 1, 7, 9 and 11. From miles 14 to 19 the atmosphere builds, with packed cheer zones, live music and a carnival feel, before runners pass through Hove between miles 20 and 23 and finish along the seafront promenade.

Ashley set off sensibly and looked comfortable through the early stages, ticking off the first 10 miles at a steady 9:30–9:40 pace. The effects of limited preparation began to show over the next section as his pace eased closer to 10-minute miles, and from halfway onwards it became a true test of endurance. Digging deep, he battled through the closing miles, drawing on determination more than anything else, to cross the line in 4 hours 43 minutes. Finishing 8,621st overall, this was a performance defined not by pace but by perseverance—an effort he can rightly be proud of given the circumstances.

Ashley had to work very hard for his Brighton Marathon medal

At the sharp end, Sam Cook took victory in 2:25:00, with Ryan Deakin (2:29:48) and Aaron Hudson (2:31:59) completing the podium. Mohammed Elbayan (2:33:19) and Ben Short (2:33:25) rounded out the top five. Amy Harris led the women home in 2:49:38, ahead of Flaminia Gold (2:51:42) and Lucy Lavender (2:53:56), with Rosie Reed fourth in 2:55:25.

Beth Dowbiggin had discovered a love for endurance events

Meanwhile, Beth Dowbiggin was tackling the altogether tougher proposition of the Brighton Trail Marathon, a race that blends the scenic beauty of the South Downs with a demanding profile and a lively finish alongside the road marathon runners.

Primarily known as a triathlete, Beth has enjoyed considerable success across disciplines, including winning the New Forest Triple Triathlon Series and qualifying for next summer’s European Championships in Spain after topping her age category standings at the Bournemouth International Triathlon. However, since completing the Run to the Sea 50k in October, she has increasingly discovered a passion for longer distance running and endurance challenges.

The route for the Brighton Trail Marathon was over the South Downs

Her marathon journey has not been entirely straightforward. On her debut over the distance at a Phoenix Running event on Remembrance Day, she suffered knee pain just 10k in, turning the race into a long and testing experience. Despite that, she showed real toughness to finish in 3:49:47 and secure second female—an early sign of her potential over longer distances.

It was a very scenic course with plenty of testing climbs

The Brighton Trail Marathon would provide a very different test. Starting in the woodland of Stanmer Park, the route quickly heads into the rolling and often unforgiving terrain of the South Downs, with a total elevation gain of around 3,240 feet. It’s a course that demands strength, pacing and smart climbing, before eventually joining the main marathon route for the final 6km and that electric run-in along the seafront.

Beth finished 40th female in 4:23:38

Beth handled the challenge superbly. Running strongly throughout, she judged the climbs well and maintained her effort across the demanding terrain to finish in an impressive 4:23:38. This placed her 259th overall and 40th out of 396 female finishers—an excellent result on such a tough course and further evidence of her rapid progression in endurance running.

James Baker led the Brighton Trail Marathon from the outset

The race itself saw a standout performance from James Baker of Chichester, who was the only athlete to break three hours, winning in remarkable fashion and securing his tenth consecutive marathon victory. Many Bournemouth AC members may remember James from his close battle with Rob McTaggart at the Marwell Zoo 10k, as well as his 7th place finish at the Run Bournemouth Half Marathon in 1:11:33, and his M45 title at the British 10k Championships in Chichester with 33:08.

James was the only man able to get round in under three hours

Jamie Signy (3:11:19) and Dan Lawson (3:11:51) completed the men’s podium, while Alice Denning led the women home in 3:39:35, followed by Sophie Biggs (3:46:28) and Hannah Fall (3:51:12).

The route merged with the main Brighton Marathon at the end

All in all, it was a weekend that showcased two very different but equally admirable performances. Ashley White’s determination to overcome a disrupted build-up and reach the finish line, and Beth Dowbiggin’s continued rise as an endurance athlete on a challenging trail course, both reflect the strength and spirit that define Bournemouth AC.

Arthur Riley was looking to see some improvement on his time from last year at the Yeovil Half Marathon

Arthur Riley continued his impressive progression in Bournemouth AC colours with a strong run at the Yeovil Half Marathon, tackling a testing course and competitive field to finish 19th overall in 1:20:51.

Since joining the club, Arthur has quickly established himself as a consistent and versatile performer. His 35:44 at the Lordshill 10k last summer marked him out as one to watch, before he stepped up superbly in distance to record 2:54 at the New Forest Marathon alongside his brother Fergus. He followed that with a sharp 1:19:49 at the Run Bournemouth Half Marathon in October, underlining both his endurance and speed.

The runners gather on the start line of the Yeovil Half Marathon

Perhaps most remarkable, however, was his completion of the Arc 100 at the Arc of Attrition by UTMB earlier this year. Covering 104 miles of the South West Coast Path with over 20,000 feet of elevation, Arthur, alongside brothers Fergus and Hamish, conquered one of the toughest ultras in the UK. In a race where more than half the field failed to finish, the trio showed real grit and determination to complete the challenge in just over 33 hours.

Back on more familiar territory at Yeovil, Arthur faced a half marathon course that was far from straightforward. Starting and finishing in the town centre, the route wound through closed roads before heading into Yeovil Country Park and then out towards Montacute House, returning via quiet but undulating country lanes. With around 800 feet of elevation, pacing was always going to be key.

The lead contenders set off on their way

Arthur set off confidently, settling into a steady rhythm of around 6:05 per mile through the opening five miles. The sixth mile presented the first real test with a sustained climb, which he handled well in 6:20, backing that up with a solid 6:19 for mile seven. Regaining momentum, he posted a 6:06 for mile eight before encountering another incline in the ninth.

The toughest section followed, with consecutive uphill miles of 6:49 and 6:33. Showing good judgement, Arthur managed his effort well over this demanding stretch, ensuring he had enough left for the closing stages.

Arthur in the black top (1055) finds a group to go with

With the terrain finally relenting, he made the most of the downhill run-in, clocking a brisk 5:57 before finishing strongly with a 6:11 final mile to secure his 1:20:51 finish time. His effort earned him 7th place in the highly competitive senior men’s (23–34) category, a commendable result on such a challenging course.

That was an improvement on his time of 1:22:44 from last year so that was pleasing for Arthur as it shows he’s moving in the right direction.

The race itself was won by Steven Reynolds of Truro Running Club in 1:10:48, ahead of George Paton (1:12:13) and Adam Fieldhouse, who took third in 1:12:56 after a close contest. Thomas Addison-Wood finished fifth in 1:13:00, with James Izard sixth (1:13:23) and Johnny Suttle seventh (1:14:25). Duncan Staddon was first veteran, placing eighth overall in 1:15:52 in the 45–49 category.

Arthur was up for the fight and showed hunger for it

In the women’s race, Hannah Blundy produced an excellent run to finish first in 1:18:07, placing 13th overall. Hannah Biggs was second female in 1:28:45, just ahead of third-placed Rose Jones (1:28:52). Agnieszka Phillips took fourth female and first veteran honours in 1:29:35.

A well-supported 10k race also took place, with Lester James of Team Bath taking victory in 32:28. Matthew Adams was second in 34:57, just ahead of Casper Rawbone in 34:58. Sharon Hutchings led the women’s field in 40:44, finishing 25th overall, with Jenny Morgan (41:19) and Rosie Campbell-Barnard (43:35) completing the podium.

It was a pleasing outcome in the end for Arthur

For Arthur, this was another strong and controlled performance, demonstrating his ability to handle varied terrain and maintain composure through the tougher sections of a race. With his blend of endurance from ultra distances and proven speed over shorter events, he continues to be a valuable asset to the Bournemouth AC squad.

Adam Corbin was one of four Bournemouth AC members using the Fleet Half Marathon as a barometer for their marathon training

The Fleet Half Marathon has long held a reputation as a proving ground for spring marathon hopefuls, and this year was no exception. With the London Marathon and Manchester Marathon looming on the horizon, Bournemouth AC’s quartet of Rob McTaggart, Adam Corbin, Mike Akers and Sanjai Sharma arrived in Fleet looking to take stock of their fitness under race conditions.

Rob McTaggart had been putting in the hard yards ahead of the London Marathon

Fleet’s course is rarely straightforward. While it lacks any truly punishing climbs, it offers very little in the way of sustained flat running either, forcing athletes to constantly adjust rhythm and effort. That subtle relentlessness, combined with the knowledge that marathon form is being revealed mile by mile, gives the race its distinctive edge.

Sanjai Sharma was stepping his training up ahead of the London showdown

The 2026 Fleet Half Marathon gets underway

Tag was always likely to be high up the field

Tag was going at a remarkably fast pace

For Rob McTaggart, preparations for London have been both consistent and creative. A win at the Lytchett 10—completed mid–long run—and a runner-up finish at the Bournemouth Bay Half Marathon at the end of a 23-mile effort pointed to an athlete building strength in the right way. At Fleet, he translated that into a composed and high-quality performance.

Tag had managed to get into tremendous shape once again

Tag was on the road to an impressive half marathon time

Opening with splits of 5:13, 5:15 and 5:07, Tag settled quickly into a demanding rhythm. His pacing remained impressively controlled through the middle miles—5:18, 5:20, 5:09—before a particularly strong 5:05 at mile seven suggested he was moving well within himself. Even as fatigue began to creep in over the closing stages, his consistency never wavered significantly, closing with 5:27 and 5:22 to stop the clock at 1:09:07. That earned him 9th place in a high-calibre field, with an average pace of 5:16, and confirmed that his London preparations are firmly on track.

Tag approaches the finish of the race

Tag got round in a lightning quick 1 hour 9 minutes

Adam Corbin’s form had been really good throughout his training block

Adam Corbin’s build-up to Manchester has been less conventional. Balancing training with family commitments, he has leaned more towards shorter, sharper efforts, including a series of strong parkrun performances—most notably an 18:03 at Highcliffe Beach. With his half marathon best of 1:17:26 dating back to 2022, the question was whether he could convert that speed into endurance.

Adam’s prospects of a half marathon PB were high

Adam had the speed and hoped he could find the endurance

The answer, emphatically, was yes. Running with control throughout, Adam produced splits largely in the 5:30–5:45 range to finish in 1:15:01. The performance not only delivered a two-and-a-half minute personal best, but also saw him pass 10 miles in under 57 minutes—quicker than his standalone best at that distance. It marks him out as being in the form of his life and suggests a potential well inside 2:40 for the marathon, provided endurance holds in the latter stages.

A great result was always on the cards for Adam

Adam delivered a superb 1:15 time

Mike Akers was hoping for a faster time than he managed at Farnborough in February

Mike Akers, also Manchester-bound, came into the race off a solid 1:22:46 at the Farnborough Winter Half Marathon and a training block that had included consistent long runs and interval work. His race unfolded in a measured fashion, opening with miles in the 6:00–6:10 range before easing slightly to around 6:15 through the middle section. A closing mile of 6:03 demonstrated that there was still strength in reserve.

Mike was hoping to get close to 1:20

Mike battling it out with Carly Scoble of Ryde Harriers

Mike gave it everything he had on the day

His finishing position of 177th out of 2,501, including 26th in the M40 category, came with an average pace of 6:08. While not quite a personal best, it represents some of his strongest running in recent years and points towards a realistic sub-2:50 target in Manchester.

Mike’s fitness was around where he wanted it to be

Mike makes a break for the finish line

Sanjai Sharma usually looks to get under 1 hour 35 minutes

For Sanjai Sharma, the focus was on building from his 1:36 at the Wokingham Half Marathon earlier in the year. His Good For Age place for London was secured with a 3:26 at the Loch Ness Marathon.

Sanjai ran strongly and stayed composed throughout

His 1:34:01 finish—good for 611th overall and 8th in the M60 category—represented a decent level of fitness. Matching his best form from last season, Sanjai executed a well-judged race that keeps his London preparations firmly on course.

At the sharp end of the race, Adam Clarke of Aldershot Farnham & District took victory in 1:05:43, followed by Chris Davies (1:06:44) and Max Walker (1:06:46). John Hutchins of Woking AC claimed the first M40 prize, narrowly ahead of Tag.

Sanjai finds the energy for a sprint finish

Tobi Loughlin of Team Bath was fourth in 1:08:15, with William Ewens taking 5th in 1:08:20 and Robert Wood sixth in 1:08:45. Further down the field, there were strong performances from local and regional runners, underlining the depth of competition that makes Fleet such a valuable benchmark.

It was a run that confirmed Sanjai was on track with his marathon preparations

Rupert Allison of Twemlow Track Club did well to finish 17th in 1:10:58 and Brian Underwood of Poole AC came 23rd in 1:11:32 and he was first M50. Jack Galloway of Twemlow Track Club took 34th place in 1:12:32.

Sanjai heads toward the line for a 1:34 finish

Chelsea Baker was first female in 1:13:21, which put her in 43rd place overall. Charlotte Purdue was second female in 1:14:30 which put her in 60th place. Lucy Morrison was third female in 1:15:46, which put her in 78th place overall.

Charlie Williams of Egdon Heath Harriers was 88th in 1:16:31 and Chris Wood of Twemlow Track Club came 91st in 1:16:36. Adam Davies of Egdon Heath Harriers finished 126th in 1:18:01.

Sanjai was immediately whisked off on a family holiday after the race

All the signs were positive for Tag after his 9th place finish

For Bournemouth AC, the takeaways are clear. With London and Manchester approaching rapidly, all four athletes demonstrated encouraging form. Tag looks poised for a significant run in London, Adam has unlocked a new level of performance, Mike is trending towards his marathon goals, and Sanjai continues to deliver consistency where it matters most.

Mike showed plenty of fight in his Fleet Half Marathon race

Fleet, as ever, has done its job.