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Newsdesk 2004
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RANELAGH HARRIERS E-NEWS # 141 1 JUNE 2004
Web site: www.ranelagh-harriers.com
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HEADLINE NEWS
* Mostly Marathons...and a touch of track
DORKING 10 MILES Sunday June 6th
This is the next race in our road GP, as well as the Surrey championship.
Start time is 10.45am. See www.dmvac.co.uk for details.
A RUN IN THE COUNTRY Sunday June 13th
Chris Owens is organising a Sunday morning social jaunt around West End and
Esher Common starting at 11am with lunch afterwards at the Prince of Wales
pub. Everybody welcome.
CHRIS BRASHER MEMORIAL 10km Sunday June 20th in Richmond Park
Enter at www.chrisbrashermemorialrun.co.uk £7 of the entry fee goes towards
the Petersham Trust to preserve Petersham Meadows behind our club house. Don't
forget too that we have been asked to man a water station for the race.
DYSART DASH 10km Sunday June 27th at Ham 10am start
Get your entries in early please - there may not be entries on the day.
Forms are available on our web site and at the clubhouse.
BRICKMAKERS' ARMS RELAY MARATHON Saturday July 10th at Windlesham 2pm
start
This is a low-key fun event based around a pub. Teams of 10, each running
2.6 miles. Contact Mike Peace if you're interested
(mailto:head@frimley.surrey.sch.uk or Tel: 07711513745).
COOMBE HILL 5 MILES Sunday May 23rd at Kingston
Sonia Rowland won the W45s prize. An interesting competitor finishing a
minute behind Sonia was Diane Tomlinson, now just an occasional runner but
whose performances from the early 1990s still feature highly in our club
ranking lists.
1 J Downes (Lon Irish) 24.30
39 Stephen Instone 31.27
65 Steve Rowland 33.36
76 Pete Warren 34.04
100 Sonia Rowland 36.30
172 John Hanscomb 42.28
PRAGUE MARATHON Sunday May 23rd
Tom Reay writes:
"The course of the Prague International Marathon is almost wholly flat and
goes past many of the city's main tourist attractions, starting in the Old
Town Square beneath the famous Astronomical Clock. The route then follows a
double spiral onto the riverfront, past the National Theatre, along the main
shopping streets, under the Powder Gate and then about 9K along the
riverfront, before doubling back and crossing the river at a distance of
17K. There then follows a long out and back dual carriageway section next to
the river until about 35K. The route then delves into the shadow of the
Castle, across the famous Charles Bridge with its chessmen-like statues and
does a circuit to the finish at 42K.
Before the start I had tried to set myself three goals: 3' 55'' (ok), 3'
50'' (good) and 3' 45'' (fantastic) and was aiming one of these. I started
off fairly well and passed 10K at 51 mins and was feeling good. I passed a
Maidstone Runner and one from Lytham St Annes and was in a group of Czechs,
French and Italians. I still felt good at 17K, but for some reason at about
18K I slowed and found the last 24K were a bit of a struggle. I reached the
Half Marathon in 1' 48 '', 30K in 2' 38'' and eventually got home in 3' 50''
(mat to mat).I really had to convince myself to keep going at times
especially going over the cobbles on the Charles Bridge.
I was very pleased though to have achieved my "good" time with no problems
except feeling a bit tired at the end. I might just (fingers crossed) do
another marathon before the end of the year. Highly recommendable".
ANOTHER WEEK, ANOTHER MARATHON...
Andy Hayward reports:
"As per my usual rushed trip to the USA on business, I managed to sneak in a
couple of marathons. Two weeks after the London Marathon, and the day after
getting off the plane from London, I lined up for the first Potomac River
Run Marathon. This was a new marathon (and half) put on as a successor to
the doomed "Official Washington Marathon", which became the "Un-Official
Washington Marathon" of last year (see my e-news report of this race last
year). It was run on a scenic but undulating bike path along the Virginia
side of the river, across from Washington DC, and because the path was
narrow, and there was also an accompanying half marathon, it was decided
that there would be three starts. It was out and back for a quarter marathon
along the bike path from Alexandria to just short of Mount Vernon; the
marathon did this same route twice. It was a bit unusual - the starts were
6:00am, 6:30am or 7:00am. You could decide beforehand which start you
wanted, and you could elect to register for the marathon but drop out at
half way and still have it recorded as a completed half marathon, rather
than a DNF in the full.
It was warm and humid (75'F), but overcast, so bearable. Ranelagh singlet
was fine. I led for the first half mile of my heat, which whilst not exactly
unique, was a very uncommon experience for me. I was soon overtaken by a
number of athletes, but not knowing who was doing the half as opposed to the
full, I didn't know where I was in the field. At the final turn around, i.e
around 19.6 miles, and allowing for earlier start times things became a
little clearer - but not much. I figured I was fifth in my heat, but
obviously unknown overall. The hills really took their toll on the second
lap, but the main hills are in the last four miles of the quarter, so I knew
that on the return, the last two miles of the race would be fairly flat.
Once hitting the 24 mile mark I pushed on, and overtook two runners
(including first overall lady) in the last mile. I finished in 3:12:12,
coming third in my heat, which translated to sixth overall out of 107
finishers of the full marathon, and won the 45-49 age group overall. They
presented me with a bottle of wine, which as I am a beer drinker, I had to
carry around for the next two weeks.
Six days, six cities and 1500 miles later, I was in Eagle River, Wisconsin.
This is a small town (population 1485 according to the sign) in the
northwoods close to Lake Superior. There is an airport, but the flights are
are every Tuesday! I flew to Rhinelander, 25 miles south but with a daily
(sort of) flight schedule, and drove up to Eagle River. The course was point
to point with an 8:00 am start, which meant getting on the school bus from
the finish at 7:00am. Being that much further north, the weather was a lot
cooler. The temperature at the start was 33'F and drizzling, but as it was
still quite humid, it didn't feel too bad. Ranelagh singlet was just about
adequate, although a lot of runners were in full winter gear. Again, there
was also a half marathon here as well, but as this was point to point, it
started thirteen miles closer, and an hour and twenty minutes after the
marathon start. The first thirteen miles of the course were extremely hilly,
on paved road through National Forest lands, so the half marathoners, with
the benefit of local knowledge, were probably very wise! The second thirteen
were undulating, but very much easier than the first half. As some people
were walking the half, the marathoners started overtaking them from about
their second, our fifteenth mile. They were, though, all very encouraging of
the full marathon runners. With all the support (of the half marathoners if
not of spectators) whilst tempting, it was difficult to ease off.
I finished according to my watch in exactly the same time to the second as
the race six days earlier - 3:12:12 - eighth place overall of 139 finishers
in the full marathon, and third 45-49 age group. It was difficult to compare
the runs for performance, but whilst most of the hills in the second race
were in the first half, it definitely seemed a tougher course. This time
they presented me with a plaque, and were very accommodating, taking my
award out of order to allow me the time to drive back to catch the 4:07
plane, which was the last one out of Rhinelander that day, so I could get
back to start the second week of my business trip. They were pleased to have
an "international" runner at their event and asked me to say a few words at
the presentation. Again it shows what a small world we runners inhabit - the
brother of a Thames Hare and Hounds member (an ever present at London) who
lives in Chicago and has a holiday home in Eagle River introduced himself to
me afterwards, and sent his regards back".
2nd May 2004 Potomac River Run Marathon, Alexandria, Virginia
1 John Piggott 2:42:10
6 Andy Hayward 3:12:12 (3:12:12 net)
8th May 2004 Journeys Marathon, Eagle River, Wisconsin
1 Wayne Dalton 2:44:52
8 Andy Hayward 3:12:14 (3:12:12 net)
VARSITY GAMES
Alice Beverly reports from Oxford:
"I competed in the Oxford / Cambridge Inter-Varsity Athletics match last
Saturday and thought I'd let you know how I got on.
First up was the 2nd team mile - very intense as there were, by tradition,
only 4 people in the race (2 Oxford, 2 Cambridge) and it was rumoured that
the little-known Oxford miler, a bloke called Roger Something, was in the
stands!
I stuck behind the "Tab" for the first lap then ran quite aggressively for
the next 3 laps, pulling further and further away - and savouring the
atmosphere - I haven't enjoyed a race so much for years! I got two PBs in
the race - approximately 4:51 (I guess) going through 1500m, and 5:11 for
the mile. Well, not quite a sub-4 effort, but I won my race by a big margin
and was very pleased.
The 5000m, only 2 hours later, was a different matter - I slogged round a
very boring 12 and 1/2 laps, running steadily until I felt I'd "recovered"
from the mile! With about 4 laps to go, I thought I'd better get a move on,
and ran into 2nd place - unfortunately not quite catching the Cambridge
girl. Not a great time but still a PB (18:47) but I had fun splashing the
officials with the water they kept offering us every lap!
Oxford won by a large margin which was brilliant. All in all, a great day
though I did get some fairly disapproving looks from Roger Bannister's wife
as I cavorted in my Oxford kit around the track after my race holding a can
of that famous Isotonic, nutrient-rich health drink... Stella Artois".
MASTERS TRACK LEAGUE Monday May 24th at Battersea Park
Margaret Auerback reports:
"Another warm evening at Battersea and a much improved result for us. We
finished third on the night and in third place overall, somewhat behind
Hillingdon and Serpies but well worth making a good effort in the next two
matches.
Some good results again - Mary Nash won the W45 long jump with 3.31m, a new
p.b, and made an amazing debut at the shot, throwing 6.49 for fourth place
against some very strong opposition including Vilma Thompson, a regular at
world champs. Julie Naismith was called in at literally the last minute to
run the W45B 200m and finished third just getting passed in the last couple
of strides. Louise Piears ran a new p.b in the 3000m and Marion Rayner
improved on her last season's time and won her 3000 having already run in
the 200m and 800m.
We covered all but three events this time and it was good to see all those
red and white vests out there on the track and field. The next match is 21st
June, put it in the diary now please! Plenty of time for us all to get a bit
fitter and faster and to perfect our triple jump".
200m 35A 2 Julie Drummond 35.7
45A 2 Marion Rayner 34.7
45B 3 Julie Naismith 40.6
800m 35A 4 Julie Drummond 3.12.5
35B 3 Janet Turnes 3.25.2
45A 2 Marion Rayner 2.58.3
guest Julie Naismith 3.49.0
3000 35A 4 Louise Piears 13.21.5
35B 3 Julie Drummond 14.14.9
45A 1 Marion Rayner 12.15.2
LJ 35 4 Louise Piears 2.42m
LJ 45 1 Mary Nash 3.31m
Shot 35 3 Margaret Auerback 6.18m
45 4 Mary Nash 6.49m
Discus 35 5 Margaret Auerback 11.10m
TUESDAY NIGHT TRAINING
7pm from the clubhouse:
8th June 4 x Spankers Hill, 2 x Queens Ride
15th June 1500m time trial + 4 x 3mins
22nd June Sand hills: 3 x (2 short + 1 long)
SUMMER TRAIL CHALLENGE
South London Orienteers and Wayfarers (SLOW for short) are organising a
series of trail runs during the summer. Their description sounds as if they
fall somewhere between cross-country races and orienteering events, so they
might prove a challenge for anyone looking for something a little different.
The first, in Richmond Park, has already taken place. The next is on Tuesday
June 22nd on Ham Common (HQ is the Hawker Centre, Lower Ham Road) and the
last is on Wimbledon Common (Roehampton Vale playing fields) on Tuesday July
20th. There's a choice of 10km and 6km events, start 7.30pm. Entry £3 in
advance, £4 on the night. See www.sloweb.org.uk for
more details.
GEOFFREY SMITH
Bill Bird writes:
"Geoffrey Smith, a great supporter of the club in its battle to get the new
club house locally, died recently. He was a useful and very active influence
with the locals, most of whom were not that supportive. He was a very active
churchwarden and until being declared bankrupt about 10 years ago he lived
in the church house just down the passageway off Petersham Road. Geoffrey's
major claim to fame was beating George Brown of Harold Wilson fame in a
by-election against all the odds. His views were considered to be very
right-wing but as far as the club was concerned one could not have had a
more helpful and considerate person".
NEXT...
The 2003/04 fixture list, together with details of the 2004 Ranelagh Road
Grand Prix, can be found on our web site.
More details of the following from Andy Bickerstaff (07966 552302 /
mailto:andy@norris-hobs.co.uk ) or Anna McLaughlin (07971 606521 /
mailto:anna.mclaughlin@itv.com ).
Sunday June 6th Dorking 10 miles. Ranelagh Road GP race
5 and Surrey 10 miles Championship. Start 10.45am. Forms available from
www.dmvac.org.uk
Sunday June 20th Chris Brasher Memorial 10km in Richmond
Park. See www.chrisbrashermemorialrun.co.uk for details.
Thursday June 24th Summer Junior Handicap Series 2km race 3.
7pm at the Hawker Centre, Kingston. All under 17s welcome.
Sunday June 27th Dysart Dash 10km. Ranelagh Road GP race
6 and Surrey 10km Championship. Start 10am in Meadlands Drive, 5 mins from
our clubhouse. Forms available from our web site.
Steve Rowland
e-mail: srowland@calor.co.uk
Tel: 01926 318734
Fax: 0870 4006901