The ever reliable Jane Pidgeon (MMAC) got the 134-strong BMAF team off to a golden start when she raced to a decisive victory over an undulating 8km cross-country course to win the individual W45 title on 16 October despite the high humidity. Tracey Gibson (NVAC) followed her home in 6th. In the W50-54 age group Sharyn Ramage (SVHC), Wendy Doxey (NVAC) and Lynn Marr (VAA-NE) got a team bronze.
In arguably one of the toughest races, the M60-64 where 57 seasoned runners from 22 countries battled for supremacy, David Oxland (MMAC) and John Shapland (SWVAC) were well placed 3rd and 4th behind the Russian and Dutch pacemakers for three of the four lap circuit. Shapland in his first ever World Masters Athletics Championships broke away from Oxland in the home straight to take the individual bronze and lead the team to another bronze as David Proffitt (WMAA) gallantly held on to close in 31st. In the first race at 07.00 sharp for the aged 70-plus, Barrie Roberts (WMAA), our lone entrant, finished a gallant 11th.
The first day of the Heptathlon and Decathlon is off to a positive start for the British multi-eventers. M35 Geoffrey Gibbons, M55 John Major are lying 2nd in their Age Category as Thomas Lesson leads with 3868pts in the 19-strong M50 group. Newcomer Maria Henry is battling to retain 3rd position whilst the experienced Gayle Clarke should feature in the medal hunt tomorrow.