Bedford and County Athletics Club celebrated their annual awards evening recently, crowning their 2025 winners alongside retrospective winners from 2019 to 2023 to recognise the achievements of the club’s athletes throughout the Covid years.
The event took place at Bedford International Athletics Stadium on 21 November, with the awards presented by special guest, Great Britain rugby sevens player, Ryan Apps, who was also a club member.
The club did celebrate their 2024 awards in person, but decided to go back to 2019 this time around to recognise the considerable achievements of the club’s athletes in past years.
Read: Bedford and County athletes celebrate first awards evening since the pandemic
Key highlights for the 2019 season through to 2023 included 27 retrospective awards for individual athletes, of whom 14 had won national titles or medals as well as international vests.
The standout winner was Etienne Maughan, winning seven awards on the night, including the 2025 senior female award.
Seven of the 17 award winners from the past season won national medals and/or international vests including international wheelchair racer, Sean Chigumba and Mia Flynn, who is ranked second in the UK Under-15 hammer throw.
Lois Fordham – ranked third in the UK Under-15 pole vault – and the timeless Tennyson James, who won relay gold medal at the European Masters Championships, were also recognised.
Read: Masters medals for Bedford and County athlete at World Indoor Championships
Thaila-Jade Mason was presented with the Bedford Sports Junior Personality of the Year 2024 trophy for her achievements during that year, whilst Allen Adamson received a special award from the English Schools Athletics Association in respect of his 50 years devoted service to schools’ athletics.
“We had 110 different youngsters compete for the club in track and field across the age groups this summer”, said Club Chair, Ewan Wilson.
“We now have just under 500 members, coached by nearly 30 coaches supported by a willing and growing band of parental helpers”, added Ewan.
“Out of our 500 members, over 300 are juniors of which 55% are girls, which I think is a huge positive in an era where young people, and girls in particular, attract criticism for not being active”, he added.
The University of Bedfordshire also attended, promoting sports science degree programmes with plenty of interest from parents and junior members.
