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Newsdesk 2005
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RANELAGH HARRIERS E-NEWS # 175 13 APRIL 2005
Editor: Steve Rowland
mailto: steverowland@ranelagh-harriers.com
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HEADLINE NEWS
* Good luck to all in the London Marathon this Sunday
* Marathon Aches and Pains Party at the Wych Elm on Sunday evening
* Ed Whitlock runs 2.58 at Rotterdam
* Ian Grange wins the Baker Cup
* Lots of PBs in Paris
* Julian and Sarah to wed on Saturday
WHAT'S COMING...
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The fixture list for the 2004/05 winter season, can be found on our web site.
More details of the following from
Andy Bickerstaff (07966 552302 / mailto: andy@norris-hobs.co.uk ) or
Phil Aiken (07739 035189 / mailto: phil.aiken@rnid.org.uk ) or
Anna McLaughlin (07971 606521 / mailto: anna.mclaughlin@itv.com ).
Saturday April 16th Ranelagh Bushy Park Time Trial 5km. 9am
start
Sunday April 17th London Marathon incl Winter Cup and
Brasher Bowl club championship and women's championship.
Saturday April 23rd Ranelagh Bushy Park Time Trial 5km. 9am
start
Sunday April 24th Sam's Run 10km. 10.30am in Bushy Park.
See below.
Saturday April 30th Ranelagh Bushy Park Time Trial 5km. 9am
start
Sunday May 1st Sutton 10km. Ranelagh Grand Prix Race 3.
Saturday May 7th Ranelagh Bushy Park Time Trial 5km. 9am
start
Sunday May 8th Hogsmill Women's 5 miles 10am start at
West Ewell.
Saturday May 14th Ranelagh Bushy Park Time Trial 5km. 9am
start
Sunday May15th Richmond Half Marathon. Ranelagh Grand
Prix Race 4.
LONDON MARATHON Sunday 17th April
The very best of luck to all Ranelagh starters on Sunday, and especially to
our two ever-presents Mike Peace and John Hanscomb. They are two of only 29
men who have completed all 24 races to date. John claims that this, the
silver anniversary event, will be his last. We'll see!
This year we'll have two runners in the elite women's field - Lauren Shelley
and Marie Synnott-Wells. They are set off at 9am from the blue start at
Blackheath, 45 minutes ahead of the main field. As usual Ranelagh supporters
will gather first at the Blue and then at the Green starts before heading
across Greenwich Park to the 6 miles mark just before the Cutty Sark. From
there we'll head under the foot tunnel to the 17 miles point on the Isle of
Dogs. Do join us. Then in the evening...
LONDON MARATHON ACHES AND PAINS PARTY
From 7pm at Janet Turnes's pub, the Wych Elm in Elm Road, Kingston. All
runners, spectators and telly-watchers welcome. Paris marathoners too!
ED WHITLOCK
Ed was a welcome visitor to the Dysart on Tuesday 5th en route to the
Rotterdam Marathon. President Brian Chard took the opportunity to present Ed
with the club honours he had been awarded last year in recognition of his
2.54 marathon at the age of 73. See below for details of Ed's Rotterdam
performance.
WEDDING OF THE MONTH
I believe some little ceremony took place at Windsor last weekend but the
major event is without doubt this Saturday at Ansty in Warwickshire. Sarah
Seal and Julian Smith are to tie the knot and we send them our very best
wishes for a long and happy future together. Sarah writes:
"Julian and I would just like to say a big thank you for the party on
Tuesday night, and also for our wedding gift and the lovely wedding card and
all your good wishes. It was very generous of you, and was quite unexpected
and we were very touched. We shall have the card with us on Saturday as
Ranelagh Harriers - if it weren't for the club we would never have met! By
the way (Sonia and little helpers), we managed to drive all the way home on
Tuesday night with the balloons flying from the car".
2005 RANELAGH ROAD RUNNING GRAND PRIX
Sunday's London Marathon is race 2, followed by the Sutton 10km on May 1st
and the Richmond Half Marathon on May 15th. Full details can be found on our
web site.
GREEN BELT RELAY Saturday May 21st and Sunday May 22nd
There's room for a few more runners in our teams - all you marathon runners
should be fit enough to take in in your stride! You can find lots of info at
www.greenbeltrelay.org.uk. If you're interested please contact me or Anna
McLaughlin (details above) or Bev Ali (mailto:bev.ali@blueyonder.co.uk) as
soon as possible.
SAM'S RUN
Many people will remember Sam Haughian, one of Britain's most promising
young runners who was tragically killed in a road accident in South Africa
last year. Sam was a second-claim member of Ranelagh for a while as a
teenager. Some of his friends have got together to organise a one-off
memorial 10km run which will take place on Sunday 24th April at 10.30am in
Bushy Park. All proceeds will go into a trust fund that has been set up in
Sam's name to assist young runners of potential.
RANELAGH RICHMOND HALF MARATHON Sunday 15th May
We are introducing chip timing this year, and entries and results will all
be handled by Sports Systems. It's important therefore that if you are
thinking about running the race you should get your entry in early. It may
not be possible to slip late entries in, even if they are from Ranelagh. In
fact, with so many races reaching their entry limits nowadays it's advice
that applies right across the board. Details and forms are at
http://www.sportsystems.net/ranelagh/Scripts/default.asp.
WHAT'S HAPPENED...
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BAKER CUP 3 miles road handicap Saturday 2nd April
Ian Grange has a way to go before he catches up with the record of that
master of handicaps the late Alf Pearce, but he's well on his way. A second
consecutive Baker Cup win was his fourth handicap victory in six years,
while most Ranelagh members think themselves lucky if they get a sniff of
one win in their whole careers!
Leaving aside guests and Molly Smith who started too early, Ian's main
targets were Deborah Blakemore and race-walker Mike Rowland. This pair led
the field around the last turn, but Ian was running a well-judged race and
eased past both to a comfortable victory. His time of 21 minutes dead was
nearly a minute faster than last year, an improvement he attributes to extra
training for the Paris Marathon.
Jonny Rowan was closing fast and passed Mike on the home stretch but Deborah
just held on for the silver medal, leaving Jonny with the bronze. Sarah Seal
and Trevor Maguire were battling each other home half a minute back, and
they were rewarded with 5th and 3rd fastest times of the day. Sarah's 17.37
was a new course record in her last race as Miss Seal.
Fastest time of the day went to Jordan Mungovan with 16.47, seven seconds
faster than Marcus Gohar.
BAKER CUP SUPPER Saturday 2nd April at the Hawker Centre, Ham
A sizeable crowd of a hundred or more sat down to a good feed, clapped at
the prize presentations and boogied to a band. Thanks go to Marina Quayle
and Jo Turner for a nicely organised event.
As always, the array of trophies made a very impressive sight and most of
their new owners were on hand to take them away. Trophies Steward Alan
Hedger and President Brian Chard orchestrated the presentation and kissed
the girls. No one individual dominated this year, though the name Doyle
seemed to crop up on a regular basis. Paul was also presented with club
honours in recognition of his high standard of achievement throughout the
season.
Ranelagh won the Surrey Ladies Cross-Country League for the first time ever
this year and special mementos had been obtained for the eleven women who
made the scoring team in at least one of the races. These were presented to
those who were in attendance and the rest should receive theirs in the near
future.
The Points Prize, McLeod Cup and Women's Performance Award are season-long
competitions which were decided with the Baker Cup race. Mike Peace won the
Points Prize (for consistency in handicaps) with 21 points ahead of Kathy
Mallett on 15 and Phil Aiken on 14. The McLeod and Women's Perfomance
competitions are based on points scored in all club races throughout the
cross-country season. Marcus Gohar won the McLeod with 1654 points, clear of
Mike Peace with 1309 and Andy Bickerstaff with 1253. The Women's Performance
award went to Kathy Mallett on 1163 points, ahead of Sarah Seal on 992 and
Sonia Rowland on 941. Full score sheets can be found in the stats section of
our web site.
BUSHY PARK TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 2nd April
There was a new record of 51 runners, despite the clash with the Baker Cup
and Towpath 10 keeping down the Ranelagh numbers a little. Nick Wright ran
strongly to break 18 minutes in 3rd place.
1 Paul Graham (Strag) 17.19
3 Nick Wright 17.53
19 Darren Wood 20.36
22 Adam Wright 20.54
34 Sue Ashley 22.08
39 Luke Wilson 23.58
41 Gill Wilson 24.25
44 Chris Hunton 24.55
45 Sam Hunton 24.56
50 Bruno Wilson-Betancor 31.56
51 Roger Wilson 31.56
THAMES TOWPATH 10 miles Sunday 3rd April at Chiswick
The clash with the Baker Cup and an early closure of entries probably kept
our numbers down a bit but we still had 17 runners in the field. Paul Doyle
had planned to run, but a slight injury kept him from a probable second
successive victory. Instead our first man home was Stephen Instone down in
29th place. Louise Dunn was our leading woman and she and Stephen thereby
establish an early lead in the 2005 Ranelagh Road Grand Prix. Pete Warren
was our only prize-winner as the first over 60.
BUNGAY BLACK DOG MARATHON & HALF MARATHON Sunday 3rd April
Marathon
1 S Smalls (Colchester) 2.47.11
117 Simon Tyler 4.07.52
Half Marathon
1 P Dobson (Springfield) 74.13
38 Clive Beauvais 92.33
KINGFIELD CANTER 2.85 miles handicap Wednesday 6th April at Woking
1 D Foster (Barlows) 25.26 (actual time 23.26)
6 Sonia Rowland 26.06 (20.36)
20 Alan Davidson 26.49 (18.34)
BUSHY PARK TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 9th April
A second successive sub-18 minutes 3rd place by Nick Wright but he had to
run a few seconds faster than last week to stay ahead of Andy Bickerstaff
and Rob Stillwell. Darren Wood's 22nd appearance out of 28 BPTTs keeps him
at the top of the regulars list, two ahead of Gill Wilson.
1 J Hotchkiss (Sigma) 16.42
3 Nick Wright 17.46
4 Andy Bickerstaff 17.49
5 Rob Stillwell 17.49
13 Stephen Instone 20.09
15 Simon Lawrence 20.26
18 Darren Wood 20.36
19 Adam Wright 20.40
22 Roger Wilson 21.30
27 Karen Broadbent 23.11
31 Wally Garrod 24.25
32 Gill Wilson 25.10
33 Teresa Segovia 25.15
34 John Hanscomb 26.14
ROTTERDAM MARATHON Sunday 10th April
The amazing Ed Whitlock broke the 3 hours barrier again with 2.58.40,
thereby setting a world age 74 record. He had been invited to Rotterdam for
a showdown with local runner Joop Ruter, who had run just outside 3 hours
last year at the age of 70. But Ed was in control all the way, going through
10km in 41.37 already over a minute clear of Ruter. By half way in 1.28.36
Ed's advantage had extended to two and a half minutes and by 30km in 2.06.16
it was nearly five minutes. Ed kept his relentless pace going to complete
the second half only 88 seconds slower than the first, while Ruter faded to
a final time of 3.12.22.
PARIS MARATHON Sunday 10th April
A fuller account of what seems to have been a highly successful weekend
should follow in a later edition. For now, here is the Simon Burrell version
of the results:
1 S Kipsang (Kenya) 2.08.04
930 Neil (where are the rest of the Ranelagh crowd?) Walford 2.56.41 (chip
pos & time 897th 2.55.49)
9055 Simon (I can't feel my legs any more) Burrell 3.43.38 (7817th
3.34.27) - PB by 13 mins
9938 Julia (how early is breakfast?) Langensiepen 3.47.17 (9610th
3.41.02) - PB
11517 Eleonora (is John eating again?) Gavin 3.52.52 (11272nd 3.46.40) -
PB
11518 John (have I got time for another crepe?) Gavin 3.52.52 (11271st
3.46.40)
11703 Ian (is this the Baker cup?) Grange 3.56.21 (12377th 3.50.39)
14108 Simon (iron man) Tyler 4.03.19 (14507th 3.57.05) - 2nd of 4
marathons in a month
16626 Sally (bet you I can get under 4 hours) Meekley 4.12.07 (15400th
3.59.19) - first marathon
18967 Bernadette (let's shatter my PB) Weber 4.22.24 (18812nd 4.12.51) -
PB by a significant margin
21162 Marina (you can see my old apartment from here) Quayle 4.32.56
(21437th 4.23.47) - PB
21166 Clodagh (where are the energy drinks?) Fahy 4.32.56 (21440th
4.23.48) - first marathon
22913 Derek (the craic) Bieniek 4.41.54 (23309th 4.32.46) - first
marathon
25123 Jane (did I put waterproof mascara on?) Martin 4.56.03 (24954th
4.43.15) - PB by 19 mins
26456 Simon (where did I put my phone?) Quayle 5.08.00 (26732nd 4.58.50)
WIMBLEDON PREMIER 10km Sunday 10th April
1 P Wicks (Belgrave) 30.29
435 Jacqui Reid 50.03
600 John Hanscomb 54.23
638 Alan Meaden 55.16
650 David Meaden 55.38
COOMBE GIBBET TO OVERTON 16 Miles Sunday 10th April
1 M Jones (Thames H&H) 1.36.48
49 Clive Beauvais 2.00.56
FLITWICK 10km Sunday 10th April
Pete Warren was first over 65.
1 S Tanui (Kenya) 30.12
154 Pete Warren 43.30
PAFOS (CYPRUS) 10km Sunday 6th March
1 H Steffny (Austria) 37.21
82 John Hanscomb 56.28
FOUR MARATHONS CHALLENGE
Simon Tyler writes:
"I am running four marathons in a month to help raise money for an operation
my daughter Olivia needs. Olivia has Cerebral Palsy and is currently unable
to walk. Specialists were confident that she would walk at the expected age
but Olivia now 8 still cannot stand and is dependent on others for her
mobility. She spends much of her time in a wheelchair.
Olivia requires constant physiotherapy and her future now depends on an
operation in New Jersey USA. Pioneering surgery by Dr. Roy M Nuzzo could
give Olivia the chance of a much more independent future. Fundraising for
the 'Help Olivia Walk' appeal is going really well and people have been
incredibly supportive.
The four races are:
3rd April Bungay Black Dog Marathon
10th April Paris Marathon
24th April Shakespeare Marathon at Stratford Upon Avon
1st May Three Forts Marathon at Worthing
I ran the first race on Sunday 3rd and really enjoyed the two lap course.
Despite an undulating start, I paced myself around the Suffolk villages in
glorious sunshine. Although I've run quicker races, this it wasn't about
speed and took the last few miles fairly slowly preparing myself for foreign
climbs in a few days".
You can see more information at http://www.paulsh.speedy.uk.net/olivia.html.
TRAINING
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Tough Tuesdays continue as normal, with speed work for various groups and
Wally's beginners' club, at 7pm from the clubhouse. Full details are on our
web site, the next session is shown below.
Robin Drummond's "Improvers Sessions" continue on Thursday nights at 7pm
from the clubhouse, concentrating on speed and technique.
As an alternative on Thursday nights, Margaret Auerback and Frances
Ratchford are holding Strength and Conditioning coaching sessions at 7.30pm
in the free-weights room at the gym at St Mary's College, Waldegrave Road.
Coaching at the gym on other days is negotiable. For more information
contact Frances at mailto:grapevineproductions@compuserve.com.
Also Wednesdays at 6.30pm and Sundays at 10am at the clubhouse for a steady
run in the Park.
Tuesday sessions. Each also includes a steady run warm up and warm down.
Apr 19th 2 x (3mins, 2 mins, 1 min, 2 mins, 3 mins efforts) + 4 x 30 secs
(except for marathoners!)
TRACK AND MASTERS (AKA VETERANS)
Margaret Auerback writes:
"We are starting track training this Thursday, 14th April at Barn Elms at
6.30 and then possibly moving to St Mary's in the future. It will be a
gentle start so if like me you've hardly been near the track all winter you
can get back into it gradually.
We also have the dates for the Masters League and for the Southern League.
The Masters League fixtures are all at Battersea Park and are held on Monday
evenings starting at 6.30. They are for women of 35 and over and men of 40
and over. There are usually events for three different age categories i.e
women aged 35+, 50+ and 60+, men 40+, 50+ and 60+. The emphasis is on fun
and enjoyment although we do also like to win sometimes! The first fixture
is Monday 9th May which gives us time to get fit.
If you competed last year I'm sure you'll want to be there this year, but if
you are new to track and field events don't be afraid to come and give it a
try. We had several first timers last year and they all did well not only in
the running events but also in jumps and throws and race walking.
More details a bit nearer the time and for details of Women's Southern
League which is for junior and senior women contact Steve Hook on 020 8977
8742. or on Sunday mornings at Barn Elms".
CONGRATULATIONS...
...to Sue and Alastair Sinclair on the arrival on 23rd March of their second
son, Finlay Alastair.
FINALLY
You'll have seen the abbreviation 'PB' denoting personal best several times
in this e-news. Vice President Jack Ellicock was a welcome visitor at the
Baker Cup and he reports that a researcher for the Oxford English Dictionary
has been trying to trace the earliest written use of 'PB'. It seems that the
earliest reference they can find was in an Achilles Club newsletter from
1971, edited by Jack's son John Ellicock of the Achilles Club and Ranelagh
Harriers...