Competitions

We compete in East Anglian Track and Field league, Chiltern Cross Country league, Sportshall and QuadKids

East Anglian Track and Field League

The East Anglian Track and Field league or (EAL) usually consists of four league meetings plus a final and it’s part of the LBAC subscription. Athletes can choose which events to enter (run, jump, throw), normally totalling 3-4 events. Coaches try to maintain a level of diversity especially at the younger ages where exposure to different disciplines is strongly encouraged. Thus, we recommend that athletes choose at least a jump, throw and a track event to start with.  Use only max. 6mm spikes on all weather tracks.

For the EAL, U11s can choose a maximum of three events from the following: shot, 600m, long jump and 80m sprint.

A summary of what U13s and above can do is tabulated here (link to T&F table below).  The rule of thumb is to keep trying different events and don’t focus on specialising quite yet, there’s plenty of time for that later. As an older athlete, you may be asked to take part in the YDL, or the Youth Development League. The Club also selects older athletes to enter the County Championships, Eastern County Championships and AAA Championships.

	U13	U15	U17
GIRLS	TRACK 70m Hurdles 75m-100m 150-200m 800m 1200m-1500m 4x100m relay FIELD Shot (2.72kg) Discus (0.75kg) Javelin (400 grams) High Jump Long Jump	TRACK 75m Hurdles 100m 200m 300m 800m 1500m 4x100m relay FIELD Shot (3.25kg) Javelin (600 grams) Hammer(3-4kg) Discus (1kg) High Jump Long Jump Pole Vault	TRACK 80m Hurdles 300m Hurdles 1500m Steeplechase* 100m 200m 300m 800m 1500m 3000m 4x100m relay 4x300m relay FIELD Shot (4kg) Discus (1kg) Javelin (600 grams) Hammer(3-4kg) High Jump Long Jump Pole Vault
BOYS	TRACK 75m Hurdles 100m 200m 800m 1500m 4x100m relay FIELD Shot (3.25kg) Discus (1kg) Javelin (400 grams) High Jump Long Jump	TRACK 80m Hurdles 100m 200m 300m 800m 1500m 4x100m relay   4x300m relay FIELD Shot (4kg) Javelin (600 grams) Discus(1.25kg) Hammer (4kg) High Jump Long Jump Triple Jump Pole Vault	TRACK 100m Hurdles 400m Hurdles 1500m Steeplechase* 100m 200m 400m 800m 1500m 3000m 4x100m relay 4x400m relay FIELD Shot (5kg) Hammer (5kg) Javelin (700 grams) Discus (1.5kg) High Jump Long Jump Triple Jump Pole Vault

 

Chiltern Cross Country League

The Chiltern Cross Country league comprises five meets, all on Saturdays, that start in October and run until February. These are well attended events and all races are part of the LBAC subscription. Depending on the conditions, we recommend that athletes wear 9mm spikes in dry conditions, 12mm in wet conditions saving the 15mm spikes for the most slippery challenges. Spikes are strongly recommended but are not essential.

All of the events are on Saturdays and the fixtures for the 2021/2022 are still to be announced.

The timetable of each ‘match’ is normally fixed to the following race times (either link to these timetables or publish them below):

Match Timetables
The standard timetable at each match is as below.
However always check on these web pages or with your team manager – times may have to be adjusted if the courses cannot accommodate the standard timetable.

11.30 under 11 girls,
11.45 under 11 boys,
12.00 under 13 girls,
12.15 under 13 boys,
12.30 under 15 girls,
12.45 under 15 boys,
13.00 under 20/17 ladies,
13.15 senior ladies,
13.40 under 17 men,
14.00 senior men.

For the final match the senior men’s race starts earlier to facilitate early results presentations:
11.30 under 11 girls,
11.45 under 11 boys,
12.00 under 13 girls,
12.15 under 13 boys,
12.30 under 15 girls,
12.45 under 15 boys,
13.00 under 20/17 ladies,
13.30 senior men,
14.30 under 17 men,
14.35 senior ladies.

Recommended race distances
Senior men                             8000- 10000m
Under 17 men                         5500 – 6000m
Under 15 boys                        4000 – 4500m
Under 13 boys                        2500 – 3000m
Senior ladies                           5500 – 6000m
Under 20/17 ladies                  4500 – 5000m
Under 15 girls                         3500 – 4000m
Under 13 girls                         2500 – 3000m
Under 11 boys and girls           2000m

 

More information on the senior side of Cross Country can be found here

Sportshall and QuadKids

For U11s and U13s, we compete in both the Sportshall Athletics and QuadKids events which are a great fun introduction to competing for the kids.

All U11s are encouraged to consider the Quadkids events that are held throughout the summer and rotated between Leighton Buzzard, Biggleswade and Bedford athletic clubs. Individuals get a position and score for each event and this goes towards the overall team score. There is less emphasis on individual performance to allow all athletes to shine.

Quadkids, as the name suggests, offers four events that comprise:

1. Long jump
2. Howler throw
3. 80m sprint (U11s)/100m sprint (U13s)
4. 600m (U11s)/800m (U13s) long distance

U13s do slightly longer events on the track but otherwise it is the same – we are currently considering our role in the U13s, which may not offered in 2016.

Sportshall is a winter activity that is aimed at the U11s and U13s. In the format, relays (1+1 – 2+2 – Parlauf – Hurdles – Obstacle – Grand Prix – Tag), throws and jumps are offered. In recent times, events have been held at Alameda Sports Hall – Ampthill (head to back of car park behind Parkside Hall near postcode MK45 2HX) between 1300 and 15:30-1600 hours. Please check with coaches concerning competitions for the 2015/16 season. £2 per athlete payable on registration. Incidentally, we have a good record at getting many athletes to the regional sporthall final – to be in with a chance, you must first attend the intra-county events at Ampthill.