Inter Service XC Championships - 29 Feb

By Wg Cdr Dave Cole

First race of the day in mild, dry, but windy conditions was the Junior race. A field of 16 runners toed the line and straight away from the start a number of the RAF runners moved to the front to mix it with the predominately Army runners. Throughout the race the RAF runners of SAC Mitchell (Waddington) and SAC Harvey (Honington) kept position at the front and whilst towards the end of the race the Army runner gained enough of a lead to take 1st, behind him a big sprint ensued between the 2 RAF runners and Army and RN runners. Sam Mitchell eventually crossed the line in 2nd and Harvey took 3rd. Whilst the Army secured 1st in the team with 40 points, the RAF junior team ran them very close finishing just 4 points behind. AC McLachlan, SAC Birkin and SAC Palfrey closed out the RAF team. The superb individual performances and close team running were just the start the RAF needed for the Championships.

In the veteran’s race, the RAF had lost their top 2 runners to the RAF senior men’s team. Therefore, the task facing them was daunting. Straight from the start 2 RN runners took the lead and never let it go. However, Sqn Ldr Simon Bell (High Wycombe) started very quickly and continued this form throughout the race to finish 7th overall. Surprisingly, the Army were extremely well placed and it quickly became evident that the team prize would be between these 2. In a close battle the RN took the veterans team prize with 19 points to the Army’s 22 and the RAF secured 44 points. Backing Bell was in his last cross-country race for the RAF WO Pete Goulding (Honington), Flt Lt Carl Thompson (Yeovilton), Sqn Ldr Pattison (High Wycombe) WO Clive Wintrip (Waddington) and Gp Capt John Lawlor (High Wycombe).

As always the ladies team faced the classic David v Goliath situation. Despite being able to field a strong team, the sheer strength and depth of the Army team was just way too much for the team to have the slightest chance of overcoming. Despite this, Team spirit, as always, was buoyant as each and every team member gave their all in this most demanding of courses. From the gun, Plt Off Helen Taylor (Henlow) and Fg Off Charley Fearn (St Mawgan) took to the front of the field with Sgt Tara Park (PJHQ) not far off the pace amid an otherwise sea of Army red vests. This impressive start clearly shook the nerve of the Army team and this superb start was extremely heartening. However, by the time the start of the second lap had been reached the Army team had comfortably secured the first four places and the overall result was never in doubt. The team was completed by Flt Lt Becky Griffith (Brize Norton), Cpl Carrie Ward (Kinloss) and Jnr Tech Tertia Ritchie (Digby). The Army team were 1st with 10, RAF 2nd with 32 and RN 3rd with 50.

The senior men’s race was captivating. Straight from the gun 3 RAF runners were mixing it with a large contingent of Army runners. SAC Matt Blunden (Waddington), Wg Cdr David Cole (V45) (High Wycombe) and Flt Lt Matt Whitfield (Boulmer). The 3-lap race was only a small way into the race and it already looked like it would be a very close race. About half way around the 1st lap an Army runner made a move, which Blunden immediately countered. Going into the 2nd lap Blunden moved away from the Army runner who then fell back into the 2nd pack. In this pack Cole and Whitfield played a tactical game of taking cover from the wind for the next lap. Shortly into the final lap Cole began to make a move, the Army runners tried to counter, but with support from Whitfield they both moved away from them. Almost unbelievably half way around the final lap the RAF had the first 3 positions. As they moved into the final stages of the race, they moved away from the Army runners to secure a historic 1,2,3. Blunden, Cole and Whitfield, with Cole being the first veteran runner to every secure an Inter-services senior men’s individual medal. Behind these 3 sterling support was being provided by Sgt Al Turnbull (V40) (Honington) who sprinted to beat the Army runner to finish 7. Closing out the counting 6 RAF runners were Cpl Dan Lewis (Marham) and SAC Ian Bailey (Aldergrove). Also running for the RAF Flt Lt Tom Bailey (Cranwell) finished 18th, Cpl Kieran White (Benson) 20th and SAC Oz Ellis (Benson) 23rd. After 12 years of the Army victories in the Senior Men’s event the RAF men’s team had finally secured the title with 40 points to the Army’s 45 and the RN 100.

Messages of Congratulation

AVM Peter Dye, RAFAA President

Many congratulations. It gives me some hope for the future (as a veteran)!

David Blore, Previous RAFAA Chairman

Many thanks for the e-mail and telephone call which came hot on the heels (forgive the pun) of a call from Dave Cole with the fantastic news. All these years of waiting and as soon as you (Gp Capt Gammage) become Chairman, victory - it was obviously the right time to handover! More seriously, a brilliant result for the men (check with Hugh Barnfather the last time we took 1 to 3; would have to be in Hackney era but even then I'm not sure we achieved such a comprehensive win) and some really good juniors (just a shame we didn't have the strength in depth). The vets is cyclical and our turn will come again - good to see young Lawlor turn out.

Results

Final Results

RAF XC Championships - 6 Feb

By Wg Cdr David Cole

On the 6 February at RAF Halton the RAF Cross Country Championships were held in dry and sunny conditions. The course, following the sports fields and adjacent wood, proved to be dry and the going fast. The Station Commander Gp Capt Richard Gammage started the race, which was a mass start for both the men and ladies. For the men, 83 completed the race and 25 for the ladies.

In both the men's and ladies races it was a case of the new verses the old guard at the front of the races. In the ladies race, previous Champion Sgt Tara Park (GCHQ) was out to regain her title, but newcomer Fg Off Charlie Fearn (St Mawgan) and Cpl Jodie Digby (Halton) were intent on bringing a new name to the title. In an intense battle all 3 ladies finished within 22 secs, but newcomer Fearn took the title in 22:52 to Park's 23:03 in 2nd and Digby 3rd in 23:15. Park also secured the ladies veteran title. The winning ladies team was RAF Kinloss, justifying their long journey.

In the men's race the new guard of SAC Matt Blunden (Waddington), Flt Lt Tom Bailey (Cranwell) and SAC Lee Athersmith (Wittering) all set off at a cracking pace that dropped the rest of the field by a large margin. However, hot in pursuit were the old guard of Wg Cdr David Cole (V45) (High Wycombe), Sgt Al Turnbull (V40) (Honington) and seasoned RAF runner SAC Dan Lewis (Marham). These 3 overcame both Bailey and Athersmith and eventually Cole broke away from Turnbull and Lewis. As the race moved into the later stages, Cole continued to close down Blunden, but eventually Blunden secured the men's title in 32:36, with Cole finishing 2nd in 32:52 and Lewis taking the Bronze medal in 33:46. Cole also took the veterans title. The winning men's team was RAF Wittering.

Overall, this was a fantastic event watched by many previous Champions and RAF athletes. Credit is due to all involved in the organisation, but especially to Wg Cdr Howard Marsh and his team of officials who ochestrated the event superbly.

Results

Men

Mens Team

Women

Womens Team

Mens V50

Mens V40

Womens V35

Junior Men

Gallery

Air Command XC Championships - 12 Dec

On the 12 December 2007 RAF High Wycombe hosted the inaugural Air Command Cross Country Championships. The course is set in the woods just behind the Headquaters and is the most challenging cross country course in the RAF, with several tough climbs and muddy sections. The ladies race is one lap of approximately 3.5 miles and the men's 2 laps. Despite the sun shining on the day the course remained damp and this added to the difficulty of the event.

WO Phil Kafel, the Clerk of the Course, started the race and immediately to the front went SAC Matt Blunden (Waddington) in the men's race. Behind him a group of runners formed, Cpl Steve Robinson (Honington), Wg Cdr Dave Cole (Vet)(High Wycombe), Cpl Marcus Maxwell (Benson) and SAC Oz Ellis (Benson). Blunden quickly established a good lead and Robinson also pressed on hard to move clearly into 2nd place. Meanwhile, Cole, Maxwell and Ellis jockeyed for position before Cole eventually established 3rd place. Moving into the 2nd lap, Blunden pressed on and was firmly in 1st place, but Robinson and Cole were still battling for 2nd place. Eventually, Cole moved clear over the hills into 2nd and Robinson remained in 3rd. The top 3 positions remained Blunden (41:54), Cole (44:28) and Robinson (45:02). In the team event High Wycombe and Waddington were having a close battle and eventually High Wycombe secured 1st place in the men's team prize with 37 points to Waddington's 41. The High Wycombe winning team was: Wg Cdr Cole, Maj Stuart, Gp Capt Lawlor and SAC Pearson.

In the ladies race, Cpl Jodie Digby (Halton), was in commanding form and from the start she controlled the race to finish comfortably in first place in 25:53. Enjoying a welcome return to form, Fg Off Jo Johnston (Cranwell) set off in pursuit and was in second place for much of the race, holding off the established RAF Runner Sqn Ldr Jo Roe (Vet) (Wittering) up until the last third of the course when the hills and mud took their toll and Jo Roe's greater strength enabled her to push on ahead, with her usual grit and determination to take 2nd place in 27:31. Jo Johnson dug in for the remainder of this demanding course to achieve an excellent 3rd place in 27:51. In fourth place, RAF High Wycombe's SAC Helena Smith led the High Wycombe team to victory with 23 points, with Sqn Ldr Pam Wheeler in 8th place and SAC Sarah Robinson in 11th place completing the team line up.

Overall, a superb day was had by allwho attended, with fantastic performances by Blunden, Digby and the High Wycombe Men's and Ladies' teams.

Results

Mens Individual Results

Mens Team Results

Womens Individual Results

CC Air HQ Championships - Belgium - 29 Nov

By Wg Cdr Dave Cole

The 4th CC Air Cross Country Championships tool place at the Belgium Air Component Air Base Koksijde Belgium on the 29 Nov. The event which is supported by several European Nations and the US is an annual event, which sees men’s and women’s teams competing over 10k and 5k cross country courses. Despite being held on a very flat air base, the hosts nevertheless managed to design a technical and challenging course that even included a sand dunes section. Perhaps given the time of the year and location it was inevitable that it was raining for both races, but with extensive support from the nations, considerable enthusiasm was still in evidence. Supporting the RAF were Gp Capt Richard Gammage (Chairman RAFAA) and Gp Capt (Ret’d) Ian Atkinson (RAF Sports Board).

First off was the women’s 5k race, with the defending RAF Champions facing a tough challenge in holding off the other Nations. The RAF had last year’s defending champion, Plt Off Helen Taylor (Henlow) and despite suffering with a minor injury she was soon up the front with the Belgium athlete and international Anja Smolders. Helen dug in hard over the 2 laps and managed to maintain her 2nd place throughout the race to finish in 20:02, just 31 secs behind the Belgium athlete. In close support was Cpl Jodie Digby (Halton) who ran with impressive confidence brilliantly challenging for 3rd place, until a minor niggle in the 2nd lap caused her to drift back, but in a sprint finish she managed to hold on to 4th place in 21:11.

A little further down the field was Flt Lt Becky Griffith (Brize Norton), who was enjoying her best ever race in RAF colours. Looking strong, she picked off several runners in the 2nd lap to finish 6th in 21:15. The team Championship was now looking promising for the RAF ladie’s team, but they were dependant on their 4th counter, Sqn Ldr Jo Roe (Wittering) finishing high up. Cheered on by RAF management and the men’s team Jo battled through with her usual grit to finish 9th in 22:11. Closing out the RAF team were Jnr Tech Tertia Rithie (Digby), 20th 23:41 and Cpl Karen Swallow (Aldergrove) 23rd 24:32, who held off other nations runners to help secure the team prize. Once the points were counted the RAF ladies team secured the title with 21 points, the German Air Forces were 2nd with 29 and 3rd the Belgium Air Component.

Competing in her first CC Air competition, Cpl Swallow commented: “It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to represent the RAF in this competition. There was a fantastic team spirit and the girl’s made me feel part of the team straight away. I was very proud to be part of the wining team and actually had a tear in my eye when the National Anthem was played at the Medal Ceremony”. The ladies’ can now look forward to a ‘hat-trick’ of successive 1st places in next year’s competition in Poland.

The men’s 10k race shortly followed the ladies’ race. The Polish team lined up with a very impressive team containing a number of International athletes. Also buoyed by being on home turf the Belgium team also had a number of top athletes from their country. The RAF team had number of new athletes along with some stalwarts, but realistically realised that they would be competing for a mid-field team placing. With such a flat course it was inevitable that the start would be fast and from the gun the pace at the front was akin to 30 min 10k road running pace.

Leading the RAF was the RAF Men’s Team Manager and athlete Wg Cdr David Cole (High Wycombe), who despite being 47 showed that age had now barrier to performance. Although known as a strength runner, he proved that he had the pace, for the fast going course, to hold 10th position for the whole race finishing in 34:34. Behind Cole, Cpl Dan Lewis (Marham), returning to good form was battling with Polish, Belgium, German athletes and his own team mate SAC Ian Bailey (Aldergrove) for positions in the teens. Lewis’ strength from his mountain biking training and racing eventually won through and he finished 14th in 35:49. Bailey made a fine debut in RAF Colours and finished in 15th some 18 secs off Lewis. This was a very fine performance in light of such strong competition. Also making their debuts in this CC Air race were Cpl Kieran White (Leeming) and Cpl Marcus Maxwell (Benson). White made the most of Maxwell’s early pacing and in the later stages was able to pull away to finish in 24th in 37:20, with Maxwell in 27th in 37:46. In only his 2nd appearance for the RAF SAC Oz Ellis (Benson) ran very well to finish in 29th in 38:18. RAF veteran’s Sqn Ldr Simon Bell (High Wycombe) and Flt Lt Carl Thompson (Yeovilton) closed out the RAF team finishing in 33rd in 39:07 and 37th in 39:37 respectively. Once the scores were counted unsurprisingly the Polish team were declared 1st with 32 points, the Belgium’s 2nd 62, the German’s 3rd with 114 and the RAF team 4th with 119.

Overall, this was a superb event extremely well organised with the hosts, the Belgium Air Component, looking after everyone extremely well. Honours at the end of the day go to RAF Ladies team for their brilliant 1st place and to Helen Taylor for her individual 2nd place.

Results

Womens Results

Mens Results

Team Results

Womens Team Results

Cambridge Uni vs Eastern Counties vs RAF XC Match - 27 Oct

By Wg Cdr Dave Cole

On Sat 27 Oct the RAF men’s and ladies cross country teams competed against Cambridge University and the Eastern Counties over a course at RAF Barnham, near RAF Honington. The RAF Regt training ground at Barnham is fairly flat and the dry weather led to the conditions on the day being very good and making the race pace in both races fast.

In the ladies race this fixture is always of a high standard and this race was no exception. The unavailability of several key athletes left the mantle firmly in the hands of RAF Halton recruits ACs Tamsyn Rutter and Nicky Thorns. Their running prowess had been identified a few weeks earlier by The Chairman of RAF AA, Gp Capt Richard Gammage whilst on training run with the recruits and they did not disappoint. From the outset the team was led by Flt Lt Emma Middleton (RAF Lossiemouth), closely followed by Cp Carrie Ward who had once again travelled from RAF Kinloss to compete. The team was completed by SAC Helena Smith (HQ Air Cmd). The relatively flat course across the training area was supplemented with several slight rises in the latter part however, with 2 laps to complete; the course was longer than some races.

Going into the second lap AC Rutter was leading the RAFW team closely followed by AC Thorns. Several places behind, Flt Lt Middleton competing in her first race for a while, competed with her usual grit and determination with the much improved Cpl Ward in close pursuit. Final results were: AC Rutter 7th place in 25.39, 10th place AC Thorns in 26.28, 12th place Flt Lt Middleton in 27.26, 13th place Cpl Ward in 27.56 and SAC Smith in 16th place in 30.12.

In the men’s race the RAF fielded 11 athletes against, in particular, a very youthful Cambridge team. As expected at the start many of the young Cambridge runners went to the front, but RAF stalwarts Wg Cdr Dave Cole (Vet) (High Wycombe) and Cpl Dan Lewis (Marham), managed to stay up there with them. They moved away with a fast paced group containing a number of Cambridge athletes. Towards the end of the first of 3 laps, the eventual winner from Cambridge Bristow, moved away and maintained his position to win the race in 34:31. Meanwhile, Cole and Lewis driving each other moved clear away from the other Cambridge runners, with Cole finishing 2nd in 35:29 and Lewis 3rd in 35:38.

Further back, Cpl Marcus Maxwell (Benson) was continuing his recent solid form and finished 12th in 37:53. On his debut for the RAF cross country team, RAF triathlete Sqn Ldr Mark Sagars (Henlow), showed his strength and stamina from cross training by finishing a very credible 16th in 38:50. Shortly behind him was Cpl Steve Robinson (Honington) 39:02, who also should be thanked for his efforts in organising the vent at Barnham. Slightly further back, 2 RAF veterans were battling each other for position, with Flt Lt Carl Thompson (Yeovilton) eventually getting the better of WO Clive Wintrip (Waddington) finishing 21st in 39:39 and 22nd 39:50 respectively. Also making his debut was Cpl ‘Slings’ Slingsby (Halton) who finished 26th in 40:51. The recently appointed Deputy Chairman of the RAFAA, Gp Capt Lawlor (Vet), made a welcome return to RAF running, having first run this race in 1984, a solid performance saw him finish 29th in 41:35 and ahead of many men well over half his age! Closing out the RAF team was Cpl Stu Obree (Kinloss) 32nd in 44:01 and WO Steve Langley (Halton) 35th in 45:51. Despite 2 outstanding places, 2nd and 3rd, from Cole and Lewis, the RAF team finished 2nd to Cambridge University, but well ahead of the Eastern Counties.

Results

Ind Mens Results

Ind Womens Results

Team Mens Results

Gallery

Oxford XC Match - 14 Oct

By Wg Cdr Dave Cole

On the 14 Oct the RAF men's and ladies cross country teams took on Oxford University and various local clubs at Shotover Park Oxford. Although mid-Oct the weather was warm and sunny, with the ground firm and dry. However, the course remained the classic tough Shotover one, with many steep up and down hill sections. The RAF competitors were pleased to see supporting them Life Vice President Air Cdre John De’Ath and the RAFAA Chairman, Gp Capt Richard Gammage.

From the gun, Cpl Jodie Digby (RAF Halton) led the RAFW team, mixing well with the lead runners from the Oxford University Team. Slightly further back, Flt Lt Becky Griffith (RAF Brize Norton) and Sqn Ldr Jo Roe (RAF Wittering) broke the packing of university vests, with determined effort whilst Cpl Carrie Ward (RAF Kinloss), Jnr Tech Tertia Ritchie (JSSU Digby) and Sgt Keri Jones (RAF Lyneham) all worked hard on this demanding course. The outcome of the race was never in doubt with the strong Oxford contingent however, the RAFW team faired well with final placings and times: Cpl Digby, 6th place 19.18, Flt Lt Griffith, 7th 19.28, Sqn Ldr Roe 9th 20.12, Cpl Ward 12th 20.56, Jnr Tech Ritchie 14th 21.44 and Sgt Jones 15th 24.12. Overall the first fixture of the season, combined with the superb weather conditions and hospitality of the students bodes well for the forthcoming season.

In the men's race veteran RAF runner Wg Cdr Dave Cole (Vet) (High Wycombe) and SAC Ian Bailey (Aldergrove) took out the field over the first mile, closely followed by Cpl Marcus Maxwell (Benson) and Sqn Ldr Simon Bell (Vet) (High Wycombe) mixing it with Oxford University runners. Into the 2nd lap and the Oxford runner Kimpton had a small lead over Cole which he maintained until the finish in 28:25. Cole finished 2nd in 28:51 and showing good early form Bailey came in 5th in 29:45. This race saw a number of new and regular RAF runners competing, with SAC Ellis (Benson) 8th 30:32, Sqn Ldr Bell 9th 30:43, Cpl Maxwell 14th (Benson) 31:01, Flt Lt Thompson 20th (RNAS Yeovilton) 31:54, Cpl Wigmore 23rd (Lossiemouth) 32:23, LAC Gray 26th (Halton) 33:00, Cpl Ivory 28th (Southwick Park) 33:12, Flt Lt Austin 29th (Brize Norton) 33:19, Sgt Bostock 30rd (Southwick Park) 33:21, SAC Obree 33rd (Kinloss) 35:15 and Flt Lt Rimmer 36th (High Wycombe) 38:10. Overall in the men’s race Oxford won with 14 points against 22 for the RAF.