RAF CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS – 3 FEB 2010 – WG CDR DAVE COLE REPORTING

RAF High Wycombe hosted for the first time the RAF Cross Country Championships over a 5k course, with the men completing 2 laps and the juniors and ladies one. The Stn Cdr Gp Capt Tony Radcliffe started the race and approximately 100 men and women set off over the National Trust land that HQ Air Command backs on to. The course follows a series of tracks with some very technical assents and descents and areas of mud. It is a traditional cross country course and far removed from the trend to run across open parks and sports pitches. There is no doubt that the technical aspects of the course and the conditions caused anyone running it difficulties and it is not easy. Anyone who completed the course should therefore be justifiably proud of their achievement.

In the men’s race Cpl Rob Bugden (RAF Cosford) was making his first appearance at the RAF Championships and after his recent runner-up spot in the Midlands Championships and with the absence of the 2009 Champion Flt Lt Ben Livesey, his victory before the race had even started was almost assured. From the gun Bugden moved away with an assured confidence of an athlete in considerable form and quickly made his intentions clear. Also in great form Cpl Steve Robinson (Cottesmore) was not deterred by Bugden’s start and used him as a target to drag him clearly away in to the 2nd spot. SAC Lee Athersmith (a regular fell runner) would normally have revelled in the High Wycombe course, but Athersmith simply used one lap of the course to familiarise himself with it for the Inter-Services race and then stopped due to a recent back injury and the need to ensure fitness for the Inter Services. This left the vastly improved, this season, Cpl Kieran White (RAF Benson) to move in to 3rd. The Championship was won by Bugden easily, Robinson 2nd and White 3rd. Wg Cdr Dave Cole (RAF High Wycombe) secured the veterans and Sqn Ldr Mark Pattinson (RAF Brampton/Wyton/Henlow) the Veteran 50. In the team event 1st RAF Lyneham, 2nd RAF Benson and 3rd RAF High Wycombe.

In the ladies race the imperious Cpl Jodies Digby (RAF Halton) simply powered away from the competition and continued her outstanding form easily taking the Ladies Championships title. In 2nd place FS Tara Park (Digby) and now also a veteran proved that she is still capable of putting in a superb performance and she comfortably secured 2nd place and 1st veteran. In 3rd place was Flt Lt Jo Johnson (RAF Halton), who along with Digby and Sgt Mandy Meecham secured the ladies team prize for RAF Halton. RAF High Wycombe was 2nd and RAF Northolt 3rd. The ladies Veteran 50 was won by Sqn Ldr Pam Wheeler (RAF Halton), her 1st Championship Gold and ironically her last race at the Championships!

In the Junior Men’s race AC Carter (RAF Halton) finished 1st, AC Haywood (RAF St Athan) 2nd and SAC Mitchell (RAF Scampton) 3rd.

All eyes now turn to the Inter Services Championships. The Juniors, Ladies and Veterans face a difficult challenge against the Army. However, the Senior Men’s team is the strongest for many years and all top 3 individual places and the team prize are looking strong probabilities.

At the Championships presentation, special mention was made of the outstanding contribution made by the retiring Ladies Team Manager Sqn Ldr Pam Wheeler (RAF Halton and the Veteran Men’s Team Manager WO Phil Kafel. After decades of tireless support to the Association as athletes and management the Deputy Chairman of RAF Athletics Association presented them both with a life time achievement award.

Results