Crowd brought to tears...

The crowd wept and cheered as he sprinted at 3mph down the home stretch of the Cross Country Championships in Cardiff. It was a sporting comeback on parallel with Schumacher, Armstrong and Thorpe; one that proved that talent never dies.

Ben Snowball finished 163rd in the Mens B (best) race, a remarkable performance from a man described by many as an "unfashionable bloke". Indeed his red hoody, which was worn on all three days of the BUCS trip, did little to dispel this rumour. Critics have since said that his green Jamaica jumper might have been a better option to mix things up a bit.

Shooting off at the back of the field, he impressively negotiated the rugby players making up the numbers and started to overtake the chubby kids in worn down trainers. Many spectators stayed to support him for the first 200m before accepting that watching fat kids and Ben battle it out for 250th wasn't the best way to spend the afternoon.

Feeling very perked up by chants of "Go on Loughborough" he made a breakthrough into the top 200. Luckily for him he completely forgot he was wearing a Sheffield vest, and thought he was popular.

Three laps of jogging later and the sprint finish began. The noise was unbearable (there was a Welsh man on the tannoy describing the day's lost property... the crowds had largely dispersed by this point) and every stride bought the prospect of a medal closer.

Ultimately it turned out that medal ceremonies are stingy affairs, with only the top three athletes receiving awards. Snowball's suggestion of having a podium for the top 163 runners was rejected.

A lot of positives emerged from the weekend. 1) He finished with only a mediocre foot injury, 2) he borrowed four safety pins and failed to return them, and 3) pizza express made him a gluten-free pizza for £3...

Snowball's Fitness Dilemma

Ben Snowball is facing a race against the clock to get himself in shape for the forthcoming BUCS Cross Country Championships... as a supporter.

"His energetic style and methods of encouragement require a physique he just doesn't have at the moment," said a spokesman for the amateur footballer.

Upping his training to include three brisk fifteen minute walks to lectures, Snowball has also developed a passion for fighting the sofa.

His university switch from Loughborough to Sheffield has called many to question his allegiance. One insider said Snowball didn't know whether African violet or black and gold was his chosen fashion statement.

"I will be doing my upmost to support both teams," said Snowball at the launch of his new work out DVD - citing the recent Tottenham Hotspur vs Peterborough United FA Cup match as an example of him splitting loyalties.

"I can easily support them both. I managed 16 press ups last night and will complete my set of ten sit ups when I get home [he did five this morning].

Meanwhile, Sebastian Coe supported Snowball's bid to walk the 10km at the BUCS Track & Field Championships at the Olympic Stadium in May.

He said: "If you can't run it then plodding around is the next best thing. I just hope he isn't bullied.

"To be honest I doubt if he could even finish it."

Snowball In Trouble (Again...)

What were you doing at 3am this morning? Sleeping? Dreaming of women you could never get? Maybe embarking on a cheeky toilet trip? All perfectly normal activities. Ben Snowball, however, chose this moment to stumble in from a night out in Nottingham that grabbed the headlines for the wrong reasons.

It was a disappointing end to a week that had started so brightly. Even with Liam Tancock's disapproving glances towards the technique on show in the slow lane, Snowball swam literally metres in both Tuesday's and Thursday's swim sessions. The only low point of these landmark events was his right foot 'accidentally' making contact with a pretty girls face. Somewhat surprisingly she was unaroused by this attack.

Then there was the cycle ride. Not phased by mud or wind Ben, and a companion, set off to conquer the elements. Unfortunately the elements conquered him. Covered in dirt, Snowball resigned himself to the shower, and that was meant to be that for the day. A solid weeks training. Keep it calm. Keep it casual.

His friends had other ideas. Tempting him to Nottingham through subliminal messaging - when watching the cricket his mates would cry 'Night Out' instead of 'Not Out' - and blasting Five's Greatest Hits throughout the housing complex, it would turn out to be a night to forget.

A court ruling in his favour means we can't disclose the details of the night, but a statement from Snowball read, 'My head hurts. I woke up wearing just a belt and some purple socks, that's not cool. I honestly felt that the workout I would get from busting moves would compensate for the alcohol consumed. I was wrong.'

With Sweatshop already rumoured to be contemplating terminating his 10% discount, it may well be the end of the road for the lad. His only hope now is letting his legs do the talking.

But he's injured...

Comeback Announced

Saturday 27th February 2010. The date where I finished with my youth and became a Senior Man. And what a way to do it. 199th/207 at the nationals was a superb end to what has already been described as a 'glittering and astonishing career'. It's also the date I last did any form of meaningful exercise.

On Monday 26th April 2010, two months on after injury struck me down, my world of running starts again. After talking with my coach, who's also me, we (I) decided that the time to dust off the cobwebs from my limbs was now.

I have been labeled my many as a 'no-hoper' and was recently described, after an outstanding three-figure placing in a Birmingham League, as a 'joke'. The fact remains that I am the only person to have a national (team...) gold medal and not moved from the sofa.

The track. A thing of beauty: red (or blue), round(ish) and so many lanes. Every runners fetish involves one. That is what this blog will feature, exciting stories from the world of athletics.

It will take you on my Olympic journey.