ARCHIVED NEWS 2008

NOVEMBER 2008

24th November

• The team of junior school runners from Mendip who took part in the Inter Area match as part of the Bristol XC races on Sunday did extremely well with both winners in the U11's and team wins . Various familiar  MAC names as well, appear high up in the results . I know a fuller report will be coming from Ian in due course but in the meantime results can be found at http://www.britishmilersclub.com/results/2008/XC_2008.htm
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• The Club has two free London Marathon places allocated to it and these will be awarded at our Christmas Social. If you are interested , and particularly if you have already applied for 2009 and been rejected, contact Ian Humphreys to express your interest.
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19th November

• There is a report on the latest Mendip Junior Schools XC at MENDIP JUNIOR XC LEAGUE  and  full results can be found at  http://www.mendipjuniorathletics.org.uk/.
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• 17th November
• Ian Humphreys has updated our  INTERACTIVE CLUB FIXTURE LIST so please check this and make a note of any relevant dates. I have updated our own 2008 CALENDAR  and 2009 CALENDAR as well. If you have any other dates to add please let us know.
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• Throughout the year, despite frequent requests for more support, it is, by and large, the same group of parents/supporters who turn out for the various events.  A huge vote of thanks to them for the work that they do.  We are therefore very happy to welcome a new recruit, Katherine Robinson, to the committee, who has kindly agreed to take over the role of membership secretary, which will allow Dave Wright more time to spend on key tasks in his final year as Chairman.  Good to have you on board Katherine !

15th November

• Nice article in this week's Central Somerset Gazette featuring Kathy Williams , and her role in Mendip Athletics Club, in the series on 'Somerset People'. Kathy , apart from being a busy working Mum, is also one of our hard working Coaches as well as our Club committee secretary . Thanks Kathy, and all our other unsung helpers, for all you do !
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• The Street 5K race this week saw a 4th place, and 1st Junior, for Tim Attwell just 3 seconds outside his PB but close on his heels and 8th overall with an 18 second PB was U15 Ashley Martin with 18.25. Nice to see Rose Penfold taking 2nd Female overall , again with a PB of 20.43, this time being the same as Josh Timmins. In the junior race young Chloe Martin was first girl home in 4.31 and leads the overall 1K series as first girl. 10th December sees the next running and this will also count as the Somerset Road Race championships, so there should be a good turnout .

12th November

• Apologies for my absence and website not being updated as I have been in Florida supporting Doug at the World Ironman 70.3 championships. A great experience for us both and some world record times - Doug was 46th out of 49 in the MPRO class ( youngest one ) but was also beaten by a lot of extremely fast age-groupers. About 150th overall out of 1500 odd.Temperatures on the day were 80 plus and this really affected those from cooler countries ! Doug's time was still a very respectable 4.16.50 .
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• Further to previous mentions of 'second sports', Ellie Norris has been hitting the headlines with winning goals for her football team, Wells Wasps U13's !
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OCTOBER 2008

28th October

• Well Done to all those who represented MAC in the inaugural Somerset XC Team Relays last weekend, particularly Ashley Martin , who ran twice in two different age groups!  For a report go to SOMERSET TEAM XC RELAYS . For the full results, times and team positions you can find all these on Ian's website at http://www.wessexleague.com/
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• Whilst this was going on, Doug Hall was coming third in the 'Stickler', a 10 miler incorporating 3 big hills in Dorset also helping his team VOTwo take the team prize as they were 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th ! Also running and finishing 10th was Charles Albrow , an ex MAC runner.
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21st October

• Roll up for the new South West cross country relays !!!
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  "A REMINDER that  the inaugural Easy Runner South West Open Cross Country Relay Championships are being held at  at King’s College, Taunton, on Sunday October 26th.
  The event, which replaces the South West League, will comprise races for both male and females at Senior, Under 20, Under17, 15 and 13 level. First race at 12 noon.
  “When it was decided to scrap the league format there was a consensus that a relay would attract more support,” said spokesman Mike Down, who along with Ian Humphreys and Richard Llewellyn-Eaton has been instrumental in launching the event.
  Down confirmed that the seniors and Under 20s will run together and will comprise four runners per teams. For the younger athletes races only three runners will be required.
  For further entry details contact Ian Humphreys on 07985 160526 or email him at: ian.humphreys@freeuk.com "
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20th October

• We have some more dates for your diaries - make sure you buy a 2009 one soon !       I have updated our own 2008 CALENDAR and 2009 CALENDAR but there are various other dates and references to Coaching courses , Squad Development and Combined Events by going to the Somerset Schools Athletic Association site at http://www.somerset-athletics.co.uk/SCHOOLS/diary0809.xls. As we have said before, MAC does not have any direct role in School athletics and YOU have to make sure your P.E. Teacher knows what is going on !
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• At the Shepton Mallet Fun Runs, Mark Bailey and Rebecca Carver were 2nd and 3rd respectively in the 1K race with lots of other MAC athletes involved.  There was a PB for Ruby Kelly in the 5K with 22 minutes exactly and I think Tim Attwell was 1st Junior back, 11th place, in the 10K in a time of 39.15. There are no times listed for the Fun Run but details can be found at http://www.wellscityharriers.org.uk/
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• Further to my recent comments about MAC athletes involved in other sports, Steve Njie , our Senior sprinter was 'showing his pace' recently by scoring a hat-trick, including a penalty for his team, Castle Cary when they won 5-1 !
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11th October

• We know when October comes, it is time for Cross Country and Street 5K ! The first Street evening race saw Nathan Young , now running with our sister club, Bristol & West AC, take first place in 15.47. First MAC runner home was Tim Attwell. 18.38, with Ashley Martin on 18.59, Josh Timmins, 20.45 and Rob Martin, 21.18. Full results on http://wellscityharriers.org.uk/
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• In the recent Mendip Secondary Schools XC League , Becky Carver was second Year 8 girl to Emily Smith, one of her regular rivals, with sister Hayley in 11th place. In the Boys Year 9 race , Kieran Young was also second, behind Sam Bedford of Millfield.
• Just to prove there are other sports out there other than Athletics, I notice from the local paper that MAC girls Hayley and Becky Carver are turning out for Shepton Mallet U13 Girls football team, Lottie McCarthy does the same for Wells U13's and Grant         McConnell recently scored 4 tries in one match for his rugby team ! What else do you do off the track ? Why not let us know........
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SEPTEMBER 2008

28th September

• Last Thursday saw the 6th Annual General Meeting of the Club with an introduction by Chairman, Dave Wright, confirming that we have 148 members of which 120 are active athletic members. For a fuller report go to 2008 AGM .
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• At the A.G.M. Mike Kelly, our Treasurer, reported on the Club's finances which showed a continuing healthy state. Our Bank account is £4000 in credit and whilst there was a small operating loss during the year of £361 , we have not yet received the grant from Mendip District Council in respect of Star Track.
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• The anticipation of the 2008 annual awards was well worth it and all the recipients were worthy winners. Jamil Carse , Alice Grosjean , Nathan Young and Aoife Thorogood retained  trophies they won last year but there were also one or two surprises ! Full details of the Annual Awards for 2008 can be found at ANNUAL AWARDS 2008 
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• Sean Thorogood has made a sensible suggestion in using this website to advise other Club Members if you can offer transport or require a lift when the Club attends events elsewhere. With the XC season almost here, it is a reminder that we can help each other out, ensure the Club gets as many athletes competing as possible and also do our bit to keep petrol costs down ! Our current 'freebie' website does not have an interactive forum facility so send me an e-mail at kenhall@cloverlea.supanet.com  if you are going to an event, have spaces in your car, need a lift or have relevant information to pass on and I will put the information on here !
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• At the North Devon open Hayley Carver finally cracked the 3 minute
  barrier for the 800m distance with a well deserved 2:57.40. Well Done !
• We now have some dates for the Yeovil Olympiads winter meetings - October 16th, November 20th , January 22nd, February 19th and March 19th. Details of times and programmes will be on their website http://www.yeovilolympiads.com  in due course.
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• At last week's Yeovilton 5K , Nathan Young was just 4 seconds off taking the win behind Jon James and MAC had the first four Male juniors home . Times were , Nathan, 15.50, Tim Attwell, 18.21, Ashley Martin 18.57, reversing last month's result over Kieran Young, 19.08, with Rob Martin on 20.57 and Hazel Attwell on 26.30. Full results at the ( new ) YTRRC websitehttp://www.yeoviltownrrc.com/
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• Tim Attwell's consistent performances in the Yeovilton 5K series, ( he took part in all 6 races never coming below 22nd ), has seen him winning the Series award of Overall best Junior Male ! Well Done, Tim !
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• Another successful  MAC Open Meeting saw 25 PB's from 19 different MAC athletes together with a number of  new performances in events that  individuals might not normally do. Well done to Mary-Lou Poore, Agnes Dromgoole, Josh Timmins, Joe Scadden,Cerys Rumley, Tia Lewer, Aoife Thorogood, Ben Millar, Shane Williams, Johanna Carver, Nathan Young, Alice Watkins, George Biddulph and two each for Olivia Lovelock, Ella Felton, Hayley Carver, Amy Reakes, Kieran Young and Somerset Dromgoole.
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• The last SWAL meeting of the year saw us once again propping up the table and it has been a salutary lesson in that promotion can sometimes come too soon ! We will consolidate next year back in Division 2 and  try to ensure that we  have representation in as many races and age groups as we can. The Club would like to think that its members should be looking beyond just training on a Thursday and commit themselves to more regular attendance and support in actual competition . This will be discussed further at the Club's forthcoming A.G.M.  Full results of SWAL 4  are now available at http://www.athleticsdata.com/results/resultslookup.aspx . Even though we only had a small team out there were good performances and PB's for Lauren Hayman, Josh and Luke Timmins, Dan Barker, Dan Robinson and two for Maya Robinson.
• Obviously a lot of action over the weekend starting with the IronKids Junior Triathlon at Sherborne on Saturday morning. The Martin youngsters  had a good morning in their various races with Chloe taking 3rd place in the 9/10 Girls and Erin taking  3rd in the 11/12 girls. Ashley had the fastest bike section in his race and came 4th overall in the 13/14 group but Adele stormed away in the 13/14  girls race and took 1st place. Well done to all of them. Full results at http://www.ironmanuk.com/ ( Junior Duathlon )
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• Tom Derrick was also in action at the Cotswold Sprint triathlon where he came a creditable third behind two more experienced youth triathletes.
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• The triathlon performance of the weekend belongs to Doug Hall competing at the Vitruvian Triathlon where the distances are 1.9 Km swim, 84 Km bike and a 21Km run. This also incorporated the National Middle Distance Triathlon championships and his 4.09.43 time and 11th overall, gave him first place and a National title in the 20- 24 category !
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• At the Ash Excellent 8 races , Nathan Young was first home in the 5 mile race in a time of 27.57, with Tim Attwell 30.58 and Mum Hazel on 45.11. In the 3K Kieran Young was 2nd overall, 13.57, with Rebecca Carver 1st girl home in 14.47. Other MAC athletes were Hayley and Johanna Carver, Christian and Simone Young and Amy Reakes. In the Fun Run James Williams was 1st Junior back with 10.31 with brother Alex on 11.39. Full results can be found at http://www.ashexcellenteight.com/Results2008.htm
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• The previous weekend saw the Baltonsborough races and results for this can be found at http://www.wellscityharriers.org.uk/ . The main race saw Tim Attwell first Mendip athlete home in the 5 miles race with 32.22, Rob Martin posted 34.29 and Hazel Attwell 45.46. In the junior race, 1 and a half miles, Ashley Martin took first in a time of 9.10 with Rebecca Carver in 3rd with 9.53 just pipping Adele Martin , 9.56.
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• 2nd September

• Well done to Nathan Young with his 5th place at the UK School Games in Bath. Not among the medals but a new PB of 4.01.19, breaking his existing Club record, is a great achievement !
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• There is also a report on the BMC meet at Exeter last Tuesday where Matt Norton broke his Hammer PB ( again ! ) to post 51.42 - go to BMC MEET EXETER 26th AUGUST . There were also PB's from Kurtis Gibson and Kieran Young in the 800m races.

AUGUST 2008

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• 19th August
• 14th August
• The usual crop of PB's from the BMC meet at Exeter on the 29th July due to the high level of competition (and the use of pacemakers ) . Best was probably Dan Layton with 4.05 90 in the 1500m but other PB's for Tom Day,Kurtis Gibson,Rose Penfold and last but not least, Ian Humphreys !  These and other recent PB's will be updated shortly. The next Exeter Open and BMC meet is on the Tuesday 26th August . Full results can be found at http://britishmilersclub.com/bmcstorydisplay.aspx?
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• THREE  PB's from Matt Norton at the National Junior League meet on the 27th July in the 100m, Discus and Triple Jump ! Full details at www.bristolandwestac.org.uk  
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• Thanks to Ianfor a report on the recent SOUTH WEST INTER COUNTIES  match .Nine of the 17  MAC athletes came away from Exeter with medals, three of which were gold.
  
• Last night's Yeovilton 5K saw Mendip runners take the first 4 Male Junior spots. Nathan Young was 3rd in 15.59 with brother Kieran in a massive PB of 18.24 just edging out Tim Attwell in 18.30. Ashley Martin ran steadily for his 19.06, Blake Parkinson ( in a Langport vest ! ) made his debut at the distance with 20.25 ahead of Rob Martin, who had a PB  of 20.38 and Ian Humphreys with 20.48.  First lady home was Rebekah Randell of our sister club Bristol and West AC. Full results at  www.yeoviltownrrc.com/
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JULY 2008

• 27th July

• The following is  a pat on the back from the B & W website http://www.bristolandwestac.org.uk/  to all athletes who took part in the NYAL series .
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• National Young Athletes League

  Promotion back to the Premier Division achieved! We have seen many outstanding individual performances including personal bests. These were part of the overall team performance. It was the whole team which secured promotion - athletes and their coaches, managers, officials and all other Club volunteers before and on the days of matches. Every individual who made a contribution can feel proud of this achievement. I include our colleagues in Mendip AC. On behalf of the Management Committee I send congratulations and thanks to you all. Mike Adams, Honorary Secretary

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• 23rd July
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• Are your committee setting up a business in their spare time ?..............
• 22nd July

• Successes for the joint Bristol & West / MAC team at the NYAL match at Yate on Sunday ensured promotion to the Premier Division. Best performance was probably Matt Norton's 50.12 in the Hammer giving him a PB and new MAC Club record. Full report at NYAL YATE 20thJULY  and full results at http://natyal.co.uk/results/yal%20results%202008/midlands/RD5/M1W-Rd5-Yate.pdf.
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• Whilst all that was going on , Doug Hall was taking second place in the Plymouth Olympic triathlon, only surrendering the lead in the last mile....needs more speed work...
• • Just arrived  are the results of the recent Junior Inter Area championships between Mendip ,Yeovil and Langport, where there were PB's for MAC athletes Ellie Norris, Agnes Dromgoole, Annie McConnell, Maddie Williams, Louise Cowling, Erin Martin, Jamil Carse and especially Mark Bailey's 2.28.50 for the 800m which according to

  • www.powerof10.info   is the best time this year for an Under 11 in the UK ! You can find the full results at http://www.mendipjuniorathletics.org.uk/results/mo08/interarea2008.pdf

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  • We now have full results of last Thursday's Open meeting and these can be found at MAC OPEN 17thJULY . I will deal with all the PB's and updates in due course but another fine run by Jamil Carse in the 800m - 2.32.20 which puts him 2nd Under 11 in the UK rankings , only behind MAC 's Mark Bailey !
  • 19th July

  • 16th July

  • A report from Ian following last weekend's National Schools can be found  at ENGLISH SCHOOLS T & F . Full results can be found at the English Schools athletics site http://www.esaa.net .

  • Limited success for Somerset at the National Schools championships and no luck for our own MAC athletes. Dominic Henry was unlucky to only finish third in a slow heat and not make his final though Nathan Young did where the final was slower than the heat ! Nathan was 6th in a very cautious race finishing in 4.07.19. This race was actually shown on Sky and it was interesting to watch all the runners looking for Nathan, rather than just the lead runner !

  • 11th July
  • A wet and windy Yeovilton 5K saw Doug Hall home in 9th place in 17.01 with Tim Attwell taking 19th place and 1st Junior in 18.33. Ashley Martin was 2nd Junior with 18.57 with Dad, Rob further back with 21.04. Frank and Hazel Attwell clocked 26.27 and 26.47 respectively.
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  • 8th July (ii)
  • Performance of the day was Mark Bailey whose time of 5.07.70 for the 1500m is almost certainly the best for an Under 11 in the UK ! Other PB's for Tom Day, Dan Robinson, Tom Derrick, Dan Wright and Steve Njie though there will no doubt be others when I get the full results.
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  • Best of Luck to our MAC athletes, Aoife Thorogood, Dominic Henry, Nathan Young and Matt Norton , who are representing their County at the English Schools championships at Gateshead this weekend.

  6th July

• • Just got back from the Crewkerne AquaCentre where Tom Derrick took 1st Junior and 2nd overall in the Crewkerne Super Sprint Triathlon. Unfortunately a 'wardrobe malfunction' ( where his bike shoe was knocked off the pedal ) caused a delay in transition otherwise he would have been first ! Neil Derrick and Rob and Clare Martin also performed well in the rain a bit further back ! Results will be available shortly on http://www.zen166233.zen.co.uk/Tribor/
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  • Running after the adults, the Crewkerne Junior Aquathon races saw younger MAC athletes in action. Jamil Carse led the Boys 9/10 from start to finish looking impressive to take 1st place. Erin Martin, in the Girls 11/12, was last out of the swim but running steadily picked  off other runners to take a well deserved 2nd place. Elder sister Adele was not troubled, again making up for a slower swim , to haul in the other girls and take 1st place in the 13/14's . Ashley Martin had too much to do, after the swim, to catch the 13/14 Boys winner, but ran steadily to take 2nd place.
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  2nd July

  • A report on the recent NYAL match at Yate can be found at  NYAL22nd JUNE . Best performance on the day was Matt Norton's Hammer throw of 48.28 for a new PB , a new Club Record and qualification for the National English Schools !
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  • Four MAC distance runners travelled to Exeter for the British Milers Club
    meeting last Tuesday, and all four came away with new personal bests over the 800m distance. Nathan Young finally broke the 2 minute barrier, clocking 1:59 exactly in finishing 4th in the mens "A" race. Kurtis Gibson produced a strong finish to grab 2nd in the mens "D" race in a quick 2:07.04, while Rose Penfold also moved through with a finishing flourish to record 2:18.18 for 4th in the women's "B" race. Aiofe Thorogood produced the clubs only victory on the night, winning the women's "C" race in 2:21.71.
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  • In other news, Sara Geary has finished 5th in the South West Schools
    Combined Events championships, scoring a PB 3185 points in the Heptathlon.
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  • The most important birthday is our own ! We are 5 years old on the 8th July ! Hands up all those who were here at the beginning and still going strong !
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  • 
    STOP PRESS !!!!!!!!!!!!   Matt Norton threw yet another PB on Sunday at the UK Challenge "Throws Fest", recording 49.21m in the hammer. Will it be 50m soon ?
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24th June

• Ten MAC athletes attended the NYAL meet as part of the Bristol and West / Mendip team and helped them claim 1st place ! They came back with PB's for Matt Norton, Grant McConnell and Dan Barker for the boys. There were two PB's ( again) for a steadily improving Alice Watkins and one for Jo Callender-Wood and a new Club record for the U15 100m proving that she is over her recent injury and making up for lost time ! Full results at http://www.natyal.co.uk/results/yal%20results%202008/midlands/RD4/M1W-Rd4-Yate.pdf
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• 22nd June
• First places for Nathan Young and Dominic Henry at the South West Schools events . No personal bests but  good performances also from Rose Penfold, Sara Geary, Alice Grosjean, Olly Biddulph and Dan Layton.
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• There were  PB's at the Somerset Schools for Kurtis Gibson, Dominic Henry, Sara Geary and Alice Grosjean with solid performances from other MAC athletes. Full results can be found at http://www.somerset-athletics.co.uk/
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• Masses of PB's from our recent Open Meet - too many to list as there were 41 fom 31 different athletes !  PERSONAL BESTS have been updated to include all these recent results. Please check to make sure we are correct and let me know of any corrections.
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• Following all this activity we have new  CLUB RECORDS set by Dominic Henry in the 800m, beating his existing time and new member Steve Njie ( how do you pronounce that ? ) in the 100m where he took Harry Isherwood's record from 2007.

17th June

• A report of last Thursday's  MAC Open Meet , together with links to the results can be found at  MAC OPEN 12th JUNE . The highlight of the evening was the epic battle between Mark Bailey and Jamil Carse in the U11 800m resulting in them achieving PB's putting them 2nd and 3rd in the National Rankings !
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• The  Somerset Schools championships took place last weekend and there were 7 firsts from 10 MAC athletes, including Dominic Henry securing his place at the National Schools.. For a full report go to COUNTY SCHOOLS CHAMPIONSHIPS . I will update PB's for this and the Open as soon as I find time............
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• Doug Hall took tenth place in the UK Ironman 70.3 championships this weekend  and qualified for the World championships in Clearwater, Florida, USA later in the year ! He was racing as a PRO athlete for the first time and otherwise would have won the 18 - 24 age group. His time of 4:46:31 included a 1.29 half marathon ! Full results at http://www.tri247.com/results_4695.html
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•  Rob Martin at the same event came in with 6:50:57 despite suffering three punctures and a thigh strain caused by football the night before !

APRIL 2008

• 26th April
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• This is a busy weekend with the Somerset Combined events going on , plus an Open meeting at Team Bath and a National Junior League match with B & W for some of you. Let's hope we have some good news to report in the next week !
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• Also there is an Open Meet at Exeter on Monday, one at Taunton on Tuesday, another opportunity for MAC to visit our friends at Bristol and West at Whitchurchon Wednesday and of course our own training on Thursday !
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• 23rd April
• Further to Ian's report there were also PB's for Luke Timmins, David Mosely and Nathan Young (in the Steeplechase). In addition Aoife Thorogood's PB in the 800m was also a Club record for all ages !
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• 22nd April
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• We now have a report , from Ian,on Sunday's first SWAL match of the year at SWAL YEOVIL 20TH APRIL . I will update PB's when I get the full results. Whilst there were some good performances and PB's we suffered from not having competitors in every event. The next fixture is at Exeter Arena on the 25th May when hopefuly we will have a few more athletes out.
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• Whilst all this was going on Doug Hall achieved 10th place in the UK National Elite Duathlon championships held in the cold,wet and blustery Brecon Beacons. His time for the 10K run/40K bike/5K run was 2.09.38, some 8 minutes after the winner who was Phil Wylie who, as we know, teaches at Whitstone School locally!
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• 18th April
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• PB's for Shane Williams and  Kieran and Simone Young at the Bristol and West Meet. Plus Aoife Thorogood missing an 800m PB by 4/100th of a second ! Another interesting result was Ella-Rose Bazley-Jackson who scored 2.22 for both the Long Jump and the 600m ! Full results at BRISTOL & WEST OPEN MEET 16th April
• 14thApril
• This is followed by the first real test for Mendip AC this year with the first of our South West Athletics League Division 1 meetings at Yeovil Arena  on Sunday, 20th,starting at 11.00 a.m. To build on our success of last year it would be great if we could have a large turnout and show the 'big boys' that we are not just there to make up the numbers ! Again, check with your Team Managers as to the events and timings etc. but the more athletes and officials we are able to put out the more points we can accrue .
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• Well done to our  MAC participants in the Flora London Marathon- Sarinder Day who finished in a time of 4.36.28 and Sue Reece in 4.56.29.Those of us who get worn out just watching it on TV think you 're amazing ! No result for Kelly Carse who was supposed to have started ..............any news ?
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• 10th April
• Good run from Tim Attwell at the Yeovilton 5K to come home in 16th place and 1st Junior in a time of 18.20. Other MAC runners were Kieran Young making his debut at this race and achieving an excellent time of 19.50, Ian Humphreys in 20.24 and Hazel and Frank Attwell coming in together in 25.41, which is certainly their best time in recent years ! Full results at http://www.yeoviltownrrc.com/ .
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• 7th April
• A full report of the Somerset Junior Schools XC championships ( Thanks, Ian ) held recently at Montacute can be found at SOMERSET JUNIOR SCHOOLS XC . There is a link to the full results at www.MendipJuniorAthletics.org.uk
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• For those who are into 'blogs' , you can find out more about Doug Hall, our senior triathlete at http://dougvotwo.blogspot.com/ and http://www.votwo.co.uk/votwo2007/coaching/doug-hall.html .
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• Find time to check out POWER OF10 to look at your times for 2007 and what you need to be aiming for to improve this coming season. The website is www.powerof10.info ( and not www.powerof10.com , which is quite a good American Funk band......... )

5th April

• There were a number of CLUB RECORDS broken on the night and congratulations to those concerned : Matt Norton with 9.70 in the U17 Shot and 37.38 in the Hammer, which is also an overall Club Record. In the Javelin, Ashley Martin took the U15 record with 28.25 and Charlotte Scriven the U15 Girls record, also a Club Record ,with 21.79 . The only track record to go was Adele Martin's 12.14.80, U15 girls, in the  3K race although I know she will be the first to thank Nathan Young who acted as her pacemaker !
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• 4th April
• A bright sunny evening saw 85 athletes at the first MAC Open of the season and we were particularly pleased to see 22 athletes from our 'twinned' club, Bristol and West AC. Full results can be found at MAC OPEN MEETINGS .
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• The Somerset Primary Schools XC took place in perfect sunshine at Stanchester and whilst the hills may have surprised some of the athletes , there was a good showing from MAC athletes. Thanks to Ian Humphreys and MAC officials for the organisation and to  Nathan and Kieran Young who acted not only as 'hares' but also as sweepers bringing in the slower runners .  For a report and the provisional results go to http://www.mendipjuniorathletics.org.uk/ .

MARCH 2008

31st March

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• Full details of times, positions etc. at the last Wessex League XC meeting at Avon Heath , Poole can be found at http://www.wessexleague.com/results_page/2007_8/result6.xls
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25th March

• For a report on the Yeovilton races on Easter Monday go to EASTER BUNNY 10K . Well Done especially to Nathan Young, making his debut at 10K coming 5th overall, 1st Junior, and setting a new MAC record ! Ottalie Day was 1st Junior female though she was a little further back but she is also the new MAC ladies 10K champion !............. Full results can be found at http://www.yeoviltownrrc.com/
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• Ian's Report from the UK Inter-Counties can now be found at NATIONAL INTER-COUNTIES XC .
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• 17th March

• Bath Half Marathon update..............Doug Hall was 1.15.54 ( 74th) reducing his PB by 1min 25,  Peter Grosjean, 1.57.17 (  almost 5 minute PB ! ), Sue Reece , training for the London Marathon, clocked 2.06.35 and Shaun Thorogood, 2.18.56. Well Done to you all !
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• There was a sprinkling of MAC athletes at the Sherborne Castles races ( home of UK Ironman runners). In the main 10K event Tim Attwell was 10th home in 38.47, a new PB, and was also 1st Junior. Hazel and Frank were a little more sedate , no doubt enjoying the view, in 1.00.21. Great performance from our Mendip girls in the 2K race where Rebecca Carver came home first of everybody in a time of 5.50 with sister Hayley in 4th, 6.21, and Amy Reakes, 6th, in 6.37. Hope there was a team prize..........

16th March

• We start the weekend round up with early news from the Inter-Counties XC at Nottingham. In the U17 Dan layton was 79th and Nathan Young, running in the U20 age group above his own was 38th. Best performance so far seems to be our 'Athlete of the Month', Aoife Thorogood, who was 29th in the U15 Girls. Further news to follow but I think results will be out shortly on http://www.ukathletics.net/EasysiteWeb/getresource.axd?AssetID=27509&type=Full&servicetype=Attachment
• 15th March
•  
• Street 5K saw more consistent performances from MAC athletes with Nathan Young in 3rd place, 16.36,and Tim Attwell in 8th place with a new PB of 18.02. Other times were Ashley Martin, 19.15, Josh Timmins, 20.54 and Rob Martin ,21.22 . The Series has finished now and MAC were rewarded with the first 3 Male Junior finishers in Tim, Ashley and Josh. In the 2K race Kieran suffered a rare defeat coming 2nd in 7.21 . Other MAC athletes were Adele Martin , 8.08, Christian Young, with a new PB of 8.32, Amy Reakes, 8.38 and Erin Martin, 8.42, equalling her PB. In the 1K race MAC runners were James Williams 3.47, Alex Williams, 4.12 and Chloe Martin, 4.32.
•  
• 12th March
• Our first Athlete of the Month is Aoife Thorogood who followed her success in winning the individual U15 Wessex XC title with an excellent 10th place at the English Schools national championships. If you want to find out more about Aoife go to ATHLETE OF THE MONTH . Will it be you next month ?........

6th March

• As you will see our website colour scheme has changed to something like our club colours - it's amazing what you can do when someone who knows about these things helps you out ! My Thanks to Steve Fouracre of Langport at http://www.fouracrewebdesign.co.uk/ for his advice. My next job is getting to grips with Microsoft Front Page ! Anyone out there with an old FrontPage 98 manual ?
• The final Wessex League XC meeting took place at the weekend and you can read a full report at  WESSEX XC AVON HEATH . Special mention to Aoife Thorogood, who won again and literally 'ran away' with the Under 15 Girls League title, and to Nathan Young who took first place in the SENIOR race on Sunday helping him to the overall Men's Under 20 award for the year.

31st March

•  
• As you all know, our first MAC Open is this Thursday, 3rd April and we look forward to seeing you all there. These meetings always run smoother if we have help with the various events and if you can give some time to rake a sandpit or help marshal athletes we would be very grateful. It would help if you contact Paul Henry in advance on  paul.henry@mbzonline.net , otherwise make yourself known on the night. Thanks !
•  
• Full details of times, positions etc. at the last Wessex League XC meeting at Avon Heath , Poole can be found at http://www.wessexleague.com/results_page/2007_8/result6.xls
•  
• The Battle of Sedgemoor ( Langport ) 10K and its associated Fun Run will take place on Sunday 24th August . We normally have a good MAC presence and entry forms and details are now available at http://www.langportrunners.co.uk/html/battle_of_sedgemoor.html
•  

25th March

• For a report on the Yeovilton races on Easter Monday go to EASTER BUNNY 10K . Well Done especially to Nathan Young, making his debut at 10K coming 5th overall, 1st Junior, and setting a new MAC record ! Ottalie Day was 1st Junior female though she was a little further back but she is also the new MAC ladies 10K champion !............. Full results can be found at http://www.yeoviltownrrc.com/
•  
• Ian's Report from the UK Inter-Counties can now be found at NATIONAL INTER-COUNTIES XC .
•  
• 24th March

• A good site for all you mums and dads and beginners who want to start running this Spring is http://www.runningforfun.co.uk .

19th March

• We now have a report of the final event , and the overall prizewinners , in the MENDIP JUNIOR XC LEAGUE . Click on this link to see your name!
•  
• 17th March
• Bath Half Marathon update..............Doug Hall was 1.15.54 ( 74th) reducing his PB by 1min 25,  Peter Grosjean, 1.57.17 (  almost 5 minute PB ! ), Sue Reece , training for the London Marathon, clocked 2.06.35 and Shaun Thorogood, 2.18.56. Well Done to you all !
•  
• There was a sprinkling of MAC athletes at the Sherborne Castles races ( home of UK Ironman runners). In the main 10K event Tim Attwell was 10th home in 38.47, a new PB, and was also 1st Junior. Hazel and Frank were a little more sedate , no doubt enjoying the view, in 1.00.21. Great performance from our Mendip girls in the 2K race where Rebecca Carver came home first of everybody in a time of 5.50 with sister Hayley in 4th, 6.21, and Amy Reakes, 6th, in 6.37. Hope there was a team prize..........

16th March

• We start the weekend round up with early news from the Inter-Counties XC at Nottingham. In the U17 Dan layton was 79th and Nathan Young, running in the U20 age group above his own was 38th. Best performance so far seems to be our 'Athlete of the Month', Aoife Thorogood, who was 29th in the U15 Girls. Further news to follow but I think results will be out shortly on http://www.ukathletics.net/EasysiteWeb/getresource.axd?AssetID=27509&type=Full&servicetype=Attachment
•  
• Closer to home , a 1-2 for Mendip AC when Matt Parsons won the Cheddar Aquathlon, 32.06 , followed closely by Tom Derrick in 32.41.
•  
• 15th March
•  
• Street 5K saw more consistent performances from MAC athletes with Nathan Young in 3rd place, 16.36,and Tim Attwell in 8th place with a new PB of 18.02. Other times were Ashley Martin, 19.15, Josh Timmins, 20.54 and Rob Martin ,21.22 . The Series has finished now and MAC were rewarded with the first 3 Male Junior finishers in Tim, Ashley and Josh. In the 2K race Kieran suffered a rare defeat coming 2nd in 7.21 . Other MAC athletes were Adele Martin , 8.08, Christian Young, with a new PB of 8.32, Amy Reakes, 8.38 and Erin Martin, 8.42, equalling her PB. In the 1K race MAC runners were James Williams 3.47, Alex Williams, 4.12 and Chloe Martin, 4.32.
•  
• 12th March
• Our first Athlete of the Month is Aoife Thorogood who followed her success in winning the individual U15 Wessex XC title with an excellent 10th place at the English Schools national championships. If you want to find out more about Aoife go to ATHLETE OF THE MONTH . Will it be you next month ?........

11th March

•  
•  

• ATHLETE OF THE MONTH . If you would like to feature as our athlete of the month, or if you would like to nominate someone else, please send us, by e-mail, the following details :

  • Name                                          
  • Age group
  • School
  • Best events
  • Personal best times
  • Special achievements, particularly recently
  • Aims for the coming season
  • Outside interests and hobbies
  • Pets
  • Long term plans / career
  • Photo

6th March

• As you will see our website colour scheme has changed to something like our club colours - it's amazing what you can do when someone who knows about these things helps you out ! My Thanks to Steve Fouracre of Langport at http://www.fouracrewebdesign.co.uk/ for his advice. My next job is getting to grips with Microsoft Front Page ! Anyone out there with an old FrontPage 98 manual ?
• The final Wessex League XC meeting took place at the weekend and you can read a full report at  WESSEX XC AVON HEATH . Special mention to Aoife Thorogood, who won again and literally 'ran away' with the Under 15 Girls League title, and to Nathan Young who took first place in the SENIOR race on Sunday helping him to the overall Men's Under 20 award for the year.
•  

FEBRUARY 2008

25th February

• Seven MAC athletes made the long trip to Alton Towers  to take part in the English National XC championships and we have a report at ENGLISH XC CHAMPIONSHIPS . Full results can be found at http://www.englishcrosscountry.co.uk/
•  
• Nearer to home Matt Parsons was 3rd home and 1st Junior in the Taunton Deane Aquathon , 500m swim and 5K run.
•  
• Meanwhile Doug Hall was coming 9th in a field of over 900 runners in the 10 1/2 mile "Terminator " having cycled 34 miles from Bath University to Pewsey Sports Centre first ! That's extreme training........
• 19th February
•  Tim Attwell produced a personal best time for the Street 5K races when he finished in overall 4th place in last weeks event in 18:05. Ashley Martin was second runner home for the club, clocking 18:48 in overall 8th place and 2nd junior. Josh Timmins just got the better of Rob Martin as the pair finished 23rd and 24th, with Josh clocking a new PB of 20:36 to Rob's 20:42. Kieran Young once again won the 2K event in 7:08, with Adele Martin 4th in exactly 8 minutes. Shane Williams was 5th (8:36) ahead of Erin Martin (8:42), Amy Reakes (8:57) and Christian Young (9:04). James Williams finished 2nd in the 1K race, clocking 3:48, with brother Alex 5th in 4:15 three seconds and three places ahead of Chloe Martin. Tyron Williams clocked 4:57 in 11th place.
•  
•  
• 15th February
• Thanks to Ian for a great report on the South West Schools XC at Cheltenham last week where there was a strong turnout of MAC runners. Go to SW SCHOOLS XC CHAMPIONSHIPS.
• 5th February
• Mendip Area did well to win four of the eight individual titles and four of the team titles at the SOMERSET SCHOOLS XC CHAMPIONSHIPS at Taunton. Twenty members of Mendip Athletics Club ran in the championships with first places for Dan Layton and Nathan Young. Nine were selected to run for the Somerset Schools team in the South West Schools Championships that takes place this weekend in Cheltenham, plus another 6 reserves. Well done to all who took part and best of luck to those running at Cheltenham .
•  
•  

25th February

• Seven MAC athletes made the long trip to Alton Towers  to take part in the English National XC championships and we have a report at ENGLISH XC CHAMPIONSHIPS . Full results can be found at http://www.englishcrosscountry.co.uk/
•  
• Nearer to home Matt Parsons was 3rd home and 1st Junior in the Taunton Deane Aquathon , 500m swim and 5K run.
•  
• Meanwhile Doug Hall was coming 9th in a field of over 900 runners in the 10 1/2 mile "Terminator " having cycled 34 miles from Bath University to Pewsey Sports Centre first ! That's extreme training........
• 19th February
•  Tim Attwell produced a personal best time for the Street 5K races when he finished in overall 4th place in last weeks event in 18:05. Ashley Martin was second runner home for the club, clocking 18:48 in overall 8th place and 2nd junior. Josh Timmins just got the better of Rob Martin as the pair finished 23rd and 24th, with Josh clocking a new PB of 20:36 to Rob's 20:42. Kieran Young once again won the 2K event in 7:08, with Adele Martin 4th in exactly 8 minutes. Shane Williams was 5th (8:36) ahead of Erin Martin (8:42), Amy Reakes (8:57) and Christian Young (9:04). James Williams finished 2nd in the 1K race, clocking 3:48, with brother Alex 5th in 4:15 three seconds and three places ahead of Chloe Martin. Tyron Williams clocked 4:57 in 11th place.
•  
•  
• 15th February
• Thanks to Ian for a great report on the South West Schools XC at Cheltenham last week where there was a strong turnout of MAC runners. Go to SW SCHOOLS XC CHAMPIONSHIPS.
• 5th February
• Mendip Area did well to win four of the eight individual titles and four of the team titles at the SOMERSET SCHOOLS XC CHAMPIONSHIPS at Taunton. Twenty members of Mendip Athletics Club ran in the championships with first places for Dan Layton and Nathan Young. Nine were selected to run for the Somerset Schools team in the South West Schools Championships that takes place this weekend in Cheltenham, plus another 6 reserves. Well done to all who took part and best of luck to those running at Cheltenham .
•  

31st Jan

• The Mendip Junior Schools XC League started off again with 315 runners. There was stiff competition and evidence of a high standard of young athletes coming through. Some of our MAC athletes near the front in their various races were Jo Engledew, 8th, Ella-Rose Bazley-Jackson, 6th and Shane Williams 9th. Full results can be found at http://www.mendipjuniorathletics.org.uk/results/mjl07/provisional%20result%203.pdf. The next meeting is at Oakhill on the 12th February.
•  
• Some of you will be aware that Peter Grosjean, one of our parents and coaches, has been developing his coaching qualifications and building new relationships with the schools in the Mendip Area. As part of this Pete has put a lot of work into  applying for an award under the Norwich Union Athletics 'Join our Team' initiative . Whilst this is not in the name of Mendip Athletics Club it will raise the profile of children's athletics in  Somerset and the Mendip Area particularly and hopefully encourage youngsters to take up athletics with any club that is local to them. We would like all members, parents and friends to check out http://www.joinourteam.com:80/initiative/showinitiative?id=429 and vote for this scheme! There are even chances to vote more than once !
•  
• You should all have received by now your membership renewal forms for 2008. There are some changes but other than small increases in the UK Athletics fee and the Millfield Track Pass, we are not encouraging inflation ! Please try to return these as soon as possible as it helps with setting our budgets for the coming year. If you aware of new members wishing to join , they can find a form at 2008 APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP or contact Dave Wright at dw.wright@tiscali.co.uk
• 29th Jan
• Congratulations to Nathan Young who was 7th in a field of over 600 at the Romsey 5 mile race, in a time of 26.26.
•  
• Just to show that the field athletes are not all hibernating through the winter, Rob Eales threw a PB of 10.85 in the Bath Indoor Open last week !
•  

25th Jan (2)

• MAC athletes dominated the Langport Primary Schools XC championships today with Jamil Carse easily winning the Boys Year 5/6 and Agnes Dromgoole just holding off Erin Martin in the Girls Year 5/6. Agnes' younger brother, Somerset was just pipped by Oli Haywood in the  Boys Year 3/4 race but Chloe Martin led from the start to take the Girls title. Since all of these athletes are at High Ham School, I imagine they had a share of the team prizes as well ! Well done to you all.

25th Jan

• 24th Jan
• Sorry ! with regard to the Childrens Aquathon mentioned yesterday , details can be found at  www.westcountrytriathletes.co.uk . The relative distances should be as follows.

  Aquathlon	Swim	Run
  TriStar Start (8 Years)	50m	600m
  TriStar 1 (9 - 10 Years)	150m	1.5km
  TriStar 2 (11 - 12 Years)	250m	2km
  TriStar 3 (13 - 14 Years)	400m	3km

23rd Jan

• We now have a report of the recent WESSEX XC LEAGUE BOURNEMOUTH  meeting at Bournemouth. Excellent 1st place for Aoife Thorogood and some other good performances.
•  
• If you can swim as well as run, why not try the Cheddar Childrens Aquathon to be held on the 28th June 2008. Various distances and age groups involved and great fun as those of you who have done this in the past will agree.
•  
• Schools XC is now underway and there is a report of the MENDIP SCHOOLS XC CHAMPS last week.The next event on the School XC calendar is the Somerset Championships for all the areas that are held at Taunton Racecourse on February 2nd.If you are involved, good luck ! A high placing here will qualify you for the South West Schools XC champs at Cheltenham a week later on the 9th Feb.
• 15th Jan
•  
• With Christmas now a fading memory, the club's new membership year has
  started. After a christmas break the club's youngsters have been back in
  force with around 40 under 15's at indoor training on Tuesday evening at St
  Dunstans in Glastonbury, twenty plus at Thursday Sportshall at Wells Blue
  School and over 70 at the club's main session at Millfield track at the same
  time on Thursday. This year the club are looking forward to a new
  competition partnership with Bristol & West AC in both the National Young
  Athletes League (under 13, under 15 and under 17) and in the National Junior
  League (under 20's). Some of the older athletes will also be turning out
  alongside Bristol athletes in the Midland Men's and Women's league.
•  
• Well done to Ben Miller, a clear winner in the Year 7 Avon Schools XC championships. In the Year 8/9 girls event Aoife Thorogood was a close 2nd with Ruby Kelly, a year younger, in 8th place. 
  
• Last year was the most successful in the clubs short history, with the club
  awarded the title of "Best South West Junior Club" by England Athletics,
  being crowned Division 2 champions in the South West Track League, and no
  fewer than ten club members being listed in the national top 50 ranking
  lists, with under 13's Grant McConnell (Javelin, Discus), Luke Dowding
  (Javelin, Long Jump), Dan Barker (Javelin, Long Jump), Rebecca Carver
  (1500m), Joanna Callender-Wood (Long Jump) and Becky Garner (70m Hurdles),
  under 15's Matt Norton (Hammer) and Olly Biddulph (High Jump and Pentathlon)
  and under 17's Nathan Young (1500m, 3000m, 5000m) and Dan Layton (3000m,
  5000m). New members are always welcome, please either turn up at Millfield
  track on Thursday evenings at 6pm or contact David Wright on 01749 679061.
• 
   
• We now have a full report of the Inter Counties XC at Bicton - thanks Ian. Click on SW INTER COUNTIES BICTON to find out the details , with the results at http://www.englandathletics.org/south-west/cross-country/sw-cross-country-champs-2008/
•  
• 14th Jan
•  
• Well done to the small, but enthusiastic, group of MAC athletes who contested the latest Wessex League match at Bournemouth. Some good performances , particularly  Aoife Thorogood beating Isla Ness of Taunton . Full results soon, we hope.
•  
• A new running website has come to my attention , and this one is really good with a lot of common sense athletics advice , particularly for the newcomer. Check out http://www.runningforfun.co.uk/ and you can also sign up for a regular newsletter.
•  
• MAC recently helped organise the Somerset teams taking part in the Regional Sportshall competition at Bristol. Maybe Graham or Robin would like to give me a report but in the meantime results can be found at http://www.sportshall.org/VTL/Results_FiA_2007-08.aspx .
•  
• 10th Jan
• Congratulations to Nathan Young in being awarded the Mid Somerset Newspaper Series Junior Sportsman of 2007!  
•  
• Street 5K last night saw a 1-2-3 for Mendip with Nathan a runaway winner, with Doug Hall second and Tom Derrick third. Kieran Young won the 2K race again but with not so much to spare and there was a good turn out of MAC junior athletes. Full results should be at www.wellscityharriers.org.uk  soon

• 8th Jan

  • Some good results at the South West Inter Counties last weekend at Bicton Park where Ben Miller was just pipped for Bronze in the U13 boys. Dan Layton not only got bronze but was the first Somerset runner home. Other MAC athletes were Kieran and NathanYoung, Blake Parkinson, Rebecca Carver, Adele and Ashley Martin, Aoife Thorogood, Emily and Tom Derrick, Ottalie Day, Rose Penfold and Dan Wright. Well Done to you all ! Results can be found at http://www.englandathletics.org/south-west/cross-country/sw-cross-country-champs-2008/
    •  
    •  
    • Congratulations to Kelly Carse, Sarinder Day and Ann Reece who were all successful in the draw for the Flora London marathon places allocated to Mendip AC particularly as Kelly and Sarinder had previously entered and been turned down ! Good luck with your training and we will be looking out for you !
    •  

  1st Jan

  • A very happy and successful New Year to all our athletes, parents, supporters and members of other clubs surfing our website. We hope 2008 brings you what you are looking for and if you can share this  with others , so much the better.
  •  
  • We had a successful Handicap Race followed by the Christmas Social last Sunday, with a surprise in Rebecca Carver being first home in the 5K race, totally confounding the handicapper. Fastest on the day was Dan Layton , not surprisingly. Chloe Martin was first home in the smaller 2K race with Ashley Martin receiving the prize for best costume ( a pink fairy ! ). I know there were one or two cameras about so if you have some photos to share please send them to me by e-mail and we will add them to our PHOTO ALBUM . Full times and positions should be available from Ian shortly. Thanks to all those who helped , particularly to Denise and Ian for organising the Social which included Skittles, lots of lovely food. a Raffle, Secret Santa presents and the now famous Quiz won this year by Kenny and Co. !
  •