We have just received our allocation of guaranteed places in the London Marathon. Bedford and County have been given 2 places this year, which is excellent as it’s only been one for the last five years or so.

If you are a member of Bedford and County AC and would like one of the two places, please apply as soon as possible, and no later than 16th December.

To apply, contact Tony Forrest:

• Text or WhatsApp: 07769 707651,
• EMAIL: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Preference will be given to members who have already applied unsuccessfully to the London Marathon ballot,  but others can also apply, and will be considered if fewer than 2 applicants satisfy the above criteria. The places will be allocated at the Christmas Handicap on 17th December.  If there are more  names than places then a ballot will be held at the Handicap.

The third round of this season's Chiltern League took place at Stopsley Common, Luton on Saturday 2nd December.  Rebecca Murray chalked up her third win of the season in the Senior Women's Race, and Ed Blythman, Sam Winters, and Michael Harrison came 2nd, 4th, and 5th respectively in the Senior Men's race.  There were also top-ten performances in their respective age categories for Charlie Palmer (M40), Euan Supple (M20), Stuart Sill (M50), Cameron Barnes (M17), Theo Beale (M17), Mackenzie Kotrys (M17), Harry Scott (M15), Sue Bosher (F35), Lily Farr (F17), Rosie Cusack (F11) and Amelia Dawson (F11).

We won the Overall Men's competition, the Under 17 men's competition, and the Veteran Men's competition at Stopsley.  In addition, after round 3 we are:

• 1st in the Senior Men's competition.
• 6th in the Overall Female competition.
• 2nd in the Under 20 Men's competition.
• 3rd in the Veteran Men's competition.
• 1st in the Under 17 Men's competition.
• 5th in the Under 15 Boys' competition.
• 4th in the Under 13 Boys' competition.
• 5th in the F17/F20 competition.
• 5th in the Under 15 Girls' competition 
• 8th in the Under 13 Girls' competition.

Full Bedford and County Results:

Congratulations to Tia Wilson, who has been selected to run for the Great Britain Under 23 team in the European Cross Country Championships in Brussels on the 10th December.  Good luck for the race Tia!

Thaila- Jade Mason took second place at the South of England U17 Pentathlon Championships last Sunday with a score of 3252 points, exceeding her previous personal best by 459 points.
She made an excellent start to her  campaign by taking first place in the 60m hurdles, posting 9.01 sec (previous  PB 9.16 sec.) and then consolidated her lead with a  superb clearance at 1.65 metres – improving her PB by 2 cm.
Following a disappointing shot (8.18M) from a slippery circle, she was still tied for the lead and despite not finding the board was still the best in the Long Jump with 5.46 M and going back into an outright lead.
At this point, the after-effects of a recent bout of tonsillitis and having 15 jumps in the High Jump began to take its toll. She struggled in the 800m losing the lead to her erstwhile rival Estee Norman of  Epson and Ewell.

The Eastern Athletics Association have been invited to send Senior and U20 teams to compete in an Inter-Area match that is being held at the London International Cross Country at Parliament Hill on 20th Jan. Everyone who competes will be automatically entered into the UK World Trial and UK Cross Challenge.

Athletes must have eligibility to compete for one of the seven counties affiliated to Eastern A.A.  (See https://easternaa.com for more information).  Please note that World Athletics age groups apply (anyone who will be 20 within the year of competition shall compete as a Senior).

Athletes wishing to be considered for selection should email Trevor Bunch by Sunday 17th Dec on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

It's that time of year again! Please get your entry in for the 2023 Bedford and County Christmas Handicap which takes place on Sunday 17th December at 10:30 a.m.

To enter, contact Tony Forrest:

• Text or WhatsApp: 07769 707651,
• EMAIL: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Registration before the race and prize-giving after the race will both take place in the Sports Hall at Bedford International Athletics Stadium.  Please enter soon so that Tony can suitably handicap you.

As well as being a lot of fun, the Handicap is run in memory of late club stalwart, Pete Dancer. Pete made a huge contribution to the club over many years, including as an athlete and a coach. There is no entry fee as such, but please make a donation to the Pancreatic Cancer UK charity in memory of Pete if you intend to run. To do this, go to https://www.justgiving.com/page/bedford-and-county-ac-1701624065886?newPage=true - please give generously.

There will be some refreshments and prizes after the race.  The overall winner takes home the Pete Dancer Memorial trophy, and there are also prizes for the fastest man and woman, the best fancy dress, and of course the much sought-after wooden spoons for the last man and woman to finish.  Rumour has it that the Chairman and Treasurer may be battling for these!

The Christmas Handicap poster mentions bringing a wrapped prize with you, but you no longer have to do this as the donation to Pancreatic Cancer UK replaces that requirement.

Please note that all entrants must be 15 or over (this requirement may be waived in certain circumstances).