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Newsdesk 2005
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RANELAGH HARRIERS E-NEWS # 185 3 August 2005
Editor: Steve Rowland
mailto: steverowland@ranelagh-harriers.com
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HEADLINE NEWS
* Wedding Day 7km - women's team and "mob match" wins
* 2nd places for Marie Synnott-Wells in the Wedding Day race and Mick Lane
at Elmore
* One race to go in Ranelagh Road Grand Prix and Surrey Road League
* Thomas Cup to take place on September 3rd
SEE HERE
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BUSHY PARK TIME TRIAL Saturday 6th August 9am in Bushy Park
It's a special one this week - we are promised bubbly and birthday cake to
celebrate John Hanscomb's 70th birthday. Many happy returns John! John is
also hosting an afternoon birthday party at the Hawker centre from 2pm to
6pm and would be pleased to see anyone who can make it.
MILLAND VALLEY TRAIL RACES Sunday 7th August at Milland, nr Liphook
A few intrepid RH are planning to visit this scenic off-road event in West
Sussex. There's a 21km event at 10.30am or a 6 miler at 11.15am. Entries
will be taken on the day. For more info see
http://www.liss-runners.org.uk/17663.html.
SURREY 5km Sunday 14th August at 10am in Wimbledon.
This is the final race in both our Grand Prix series and in the Surrey Road
League. See below for the current standings in these competitions.
125th SEASON OPENING RUN and THOMAS CUP HANDICAP Saturday 3rd September in
Richmond Park
This is the traditional start of our "winter" season. September 3rd seems
unconscionably early but our preferred date two weeks later has been ruled
out because the Park is being taken over for the London Duathlon.
It would be great to see as many members as possible for the annual club
photograph which will be at about 2.45pm. We hope then to have a 2 miles
junior race at about 3pm before the main handicap race over 3.8 miles. All
welcome!
CABBAGE PATCH 10 MILES Sunday 16th October at Twickenham
It seems a long way away yet, but entries are reportedly flooding in already
and the limit seems likely to be reached well before the advertised closing
date. So if you are thinking of running, get your entry in now. Details
here: http://www.cabbagepatch10.com/Scripts/default.asp
HORTON COUNTRY PARK RELAY Tuesday 9th August at 7.30pm.
This is a relay for teams of four, each leg being 1.3 miles. If anybody is
interested in taking part please contact Phil Aiken (details below).
WHAT'S COMING...
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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 August 6th Ranelagh Bushy Park Time Trial 5km. 9am
start
Sunday August 7th Milland Valley trail races 10.30am at
Milland nr Liphook. See above.
Saturday August 13th Ranelagh Bushy Park Time Trial 5km. 9am
start
Sunday August 14th Surrey 5km. 10am at Wimbledon. Ranelagh Grand
Prix Race 10 and Surrey Road League event. See above.
Saturday August 20th Ranelagh Bushy Park Time Trial 5km. 9am
start
Saturday August 27th Ranelagh Bushy Park Time Trial 5km. 9am
start
Saturday September 3rd 125th season Opening Run: club photo, junior
race and Thomas Cup handicap from 2.45pm in Richmond Park. See above.
Ranelagh Bushy Park Time Trial
5km. 9am start
Saturday September 10th Surrey Road Relays for men and women at Wimbledon
Park from 12 noon.
Ranelagh Bushy Park Time Trial
5km. 9am start
CANCER RESEARCH RACES - HELP REQUESTED
Bev Ali writes:
"Cancer Research is holding a series of 10k races for fund raising later in
the summer/autumn. If you would like to help the cause but are weary of
asking your friends to sponsor you yet again, why not volunteer to help make
the event run smoothly so that others can pester their friends and
relations!
Hampton Court will be the venue for one of the races on Sunday 4th
September, and I would like to enlist a group of at least 20 helpers to give
them a hand. The day would start at 9:30 am and likely finish sometime after
1 pm. High vis gear and 'snacks' will be provided. Events like this are
usually quite rewarding to help at, and no special skills would be required.
Please contact me, Bev at bev.ali@blueyonder.co.uk if you would like to
help - or give me your name in person on a Tuesday night".
RANELAGH ROAD GRAND PRIX 2005
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With only one event still to come the destinations of most of the trophies
are already decided. The only question marks are over the Open category
where Marcus Gohar could be overhauled by Nathan Mills and the women's over
50 section where Corinne Bishop has just four points over Kathy Mallett.
No less than 124 Ranelagh Harriers have competed in at least one of the nine
races so far, which I believe must be a record. There is a full score sheet
on our web site at http://www.ranelagh-harriers.com/gp.html. Here's the
leader board:
Open
Marcus Gohar 61 Nathan Mills 52 Paul Doyle 48 Marie Synnott-Wells 43
Stephen Whitehead 40 Trevor Maguire 37 Dave Powell 34 Stephen Instone 25
Noel Stoddart 24 Mark Middleton 22
Men Over 40
Marcus Gohar 35 Chris Read 17 Simon Lawrence 17 Stephen Logue 17 Mick
Lane 11 Clive Naish 8
Men Over 50
Dave Powell 40 Mike Peace 30 Stephen Instone 24 Pete Warren 21 Chris
Owens 12 Alan Craig 10
Women
Marie Synnott-Wells 34 Anna McLaughlin 19 Anna-Maria Plaza 12 Kathy
Mallett 11 Liz Kipling 10 Karen Broadbent 10
Women Over 40
Marie Synnott-Wells 36 Janet Turnes 21 Sonia Rowland 10 Teresa Segovia 8
Michele Gibson 8
Women Over 50
Corinne Bishop 22 Kathy Mallett 18 Pat Hewlett 9 Frances Ratchford 6
Celia Beverly 6
SURREY ROAD LEAGUE 2005
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This competition too has just the one race to come - the Surrey 5km at
Wimbledon.
Team-wise, Belgrave seem to be in the driving seat in the men's competition,
though SLH could still snatch the title. We are safely ensconced in 3rd
place and seem certain to remain in that position. The women's table shows
Stragglers with a clear lead over Ranelagh at the moment, but if we can win
the team event at the 5km then we would overhaul them - so there's
everything to run for!
In the individual reckoning, Paul Doyle will take the men's title unless
SLH's Stuart Major wins at Wimbledon. Anna McLaughlin stands in second place
in the women's competition behind Becky McNicholas of Herne Hill. Anna's
only realistic hope of moving into the top position will be if McNicholas
misses the final race.
The men's over 40 section looks like a showdown in the final fixture between
Marcus Gohar and Chris Phelan of SLH, but the men's over 60 title will
almost certainly go to Pete Warren provided he runs the final race.
Similarly Marie Synnott-Wells will probably win the women's over 35 title if
she runs at Wimbledon.
WHAT'S HAPPENED...
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ELMBRIDGE 10km Sunday 23rd July at Walton
Times were generally good as everyone revelled in the first cool and damp
morning for weeks, though conditions were still quite humid. Belgrave were
out in force, providing the first three home. Paul Doyle finished a solid
5th: "I ran the first half of the race very slowly and left myself too much
to do, although it wasn't a particularly bad run. The official result has me
one second behind Stuart Major".
Behind Paul there were some very encouraging performances, especially from
Mark Middleton who ran a personal best 34.10. Another relative newcomer
Nathan Mills also broke new ground with 36.38 while the old hands Marcus
Gohar and Chris Owens showed they were still capable of mixing it. Marcus
was 5th over 40 home and Chris was the leading over 50. Steve Whitehead
finished a few seconds ahead of Marcus, Andrew McLauchlan a few seconds
behind Chris.
Marie Synnott-Wells was the 5th woman home and second veteran.
Dave Powell's 38.30 earned him 3rd place amongst the over 50s and Chris Read
was delighted to crack the 40 minutes barrier for the first time at the age
of 41.
WEDDING DAY 7km Friday 29th July in Bushy Park
We had 47 finishers in this year's Wedding Day race, and after several years
of near misses we finally won the Father Onn trophy for the club with the
greatest number of finishers. Apparently we won by one runner! Well done
all. It was great to see so many Ranelagh vests on parade.
There was also a trophy for our women's team of Marie Synnott-Wells, Liz
Kipling and Clare Gutch who won the "Added Value Vase". Marie was 2nd
overall but leading veteran and Liz, though 5th overall, was rewarded with
the prize for the second senior, three of those ahead of her being vets.
The men's team race was four to score and our leading quartet were not far
off making it a double team win. But in the end they fell 13 points short of
Thames Hare and Hounds. Noel Stoddart led the team with another strong run,
half a minute clear of Steve Whitehead. The fast-improving Nathan Mills was
next, getting the better of Marcus Gohar for the first time. Adam Tapley
supported the team effort close behind Marcus, and these two were 5th and
6th amongst the over 40s.
Dave Powell was 3rd over 50 home and Kathy Mallett 2nd over 45.
It was good to see Kevin Jacques and Keith Firkin returning from injury and
there was a surprise for some older members in the shape of Ian "Fossie"
Foster, who hasn't been seen in a race for the best part of 20 years but got
round the course in good order. Hopefully we'll see some more of him.
Unfortunately not many of our prize winners were present at the
presentation, leaving the obliging Ken Powley to stagger home with bottles
of wine, vouchers, plaques and trophies.
SUMMER EVENING 10km Wednesday 13th July at Reigate
Mick Lane was 2nd over 40 on one of those courses euphemistically described
as "undulating".
1 A Moses (Reigate P) 34.02
8 Mick Lane 36.58
ELMORE 7 MILES Saturday 16th July.
Another good road run from Mick Lane. He writes:
"I didn't fancy another dose of heat and hills after High Wycombe the week
before, so I wasn't going to run Elmore. However, I'd booked the afternoon
off specially and anything had to be better than being at work!
The final mile was quite eventful as I caught up first one, and then
another, of the leading bunch of three. With only Chris Phelan (SLH) left in
front we entered the final 400. The lead motorcycle had pulled over and
Chris had to navigate the final stretch on his own. However, he took the
wrong final left turn and ended up in someone's front garden in the kid's
paddling pool! Just in time he managed to turn round, re-join the correct
route and reach the line in front. Oh well.......
One of the most obvious but nonetheless useful pieces of advice anyone has
ever given me about racing is, when racing on a new course for the first
time, warm up over the last half mile, rather than the first, since that is
where the race is frequently won or lost".
Pete Warren was 3rd over 60.
1 C Phelan (SLH) 40.29
2 Mick Lane 40.39
24 Clive Beauvais 46.09
92 Pete Warren 52.48
189 John Hanscomb 64.44
193 Corinne Bishop 65.32
204 Alan Meaden 66.45
225 David Meaden 70.01
235 David Rowntree 71.19
BUSHY PARK TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 23rd July
Stephen Instone reports on yet another course pb, pulled around by Gordon
Whitson on a flying visit from Athens :
"Graeco Gordon enthralled the crowd in Bushy Park on Saturday. Easing past
silly Steve Instone after half a mile by the playground, to the sound of
hysterical cries from child spectators at the sight of such a muscular
Hellene leading the lad with the limp, wily Whitson held on to his advantage
to wipe out at last those tormenting memories of that crushing defeat
inflicted on him by the limper last century in the Chigwell 10.
Although the man from Athens claimed afterwards he could have run about a
minute faster, many were left wondering why in that case he hadn't, and
judging from how many Rice Krispies and slices of toast were needed to bring
him round afterwards before slumping onto a sofa to watch the Test Match, it
was clear that to gain this famous victory he had pushed himself, like Lance
Armstrong, to the very limits of human endeavour".
1 R Reeder (Stragglers) 16.43
4 Gordon Whitson 18.21
5 Stephen Instone 18.28
6 Duncan Gaskell 18.32
17 Darren Wood 20.11
18 Chris Hunton 20.15
24 Alan Davidson 20.31
32 Joanne Muirlittle 22.32
33 Dympna McNally 22.43
35 Jo Turner 22.53
BUSHY PARK TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 30th July
Darren Wood evidently hadn't seen enough of Bushy Park in the Wedding Day
race the night before and, well warmed up, he missed his BPTT personal best
by only six seconds. Darren also holds a convincing lead in the new BPTT
points table, ahead of Stephen Instone.
1 J Storms (Unatt) 17.27
5 Darren Wood 19.32
6 Chris Read 19.38
23 Adam Wright 22.16
26 John Hanscomb 26.46
27 Gill Wilson 27.34
RON WHEELER 2.8 miles handicap Wednesday 29th June at Wapping
1 A Barnes (Bk of Eng) 12.54 (actual time 19.24)
6 Chris Read 15.36 (actual time 20.36)
LAST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH 5Km Friday 29th July in Hyde Park
1 E Macrae (Belgrave) 15.21
90 Alan Davidson 20.05
101 Pete Warren 20.22
228 John Hanscomb 26.51
KINGFIELD CANTER 2.85 miles handicap Wednesday 3rd August at Woking
1 A Del Giudice (Craw) 25.13 (actual time 18.13)
22 Sonia Rowland 28.01 (actual time 21.31)
EDINBURGH MARATHON Sunday 12th June
1 Z Kihara (Kenya) 2.15.26
134 Iain Wilson 3.05.29
TRAINING
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TRACK
Frances Ratchford writes:
"The track at St Mary's College is now open and even better we can use it.
The track has been designed for endurance runners not sprinters so you will
find it a little kinder to your legs. There will be training on Wednesdays
and Thursdays from 7.30 with Frances & Margaret.
The cost is £2.50 per session, or £10 per month. If you are coming along
bring a cheque made out to St Mary's College and a passport photo. St Mary's
College is on Waldegrave Road, Twickenham. Enter by the white gate and the
track is straight in front of you. Changing room and showers are available.
If you are under 18 and a member of Ranelagh there are training sessions on
Saturdays at 10.30am. Contact Frances
(mailto:grapevineproductions@compuserve.com) for details".
GENERAL
Tough Tuesdays continue as normal, with speed work for various groups and
Wally's beginners' club, at 7pm from the clubhouse. The next few sessions
for the fast group are shown below. More details are on our web site.
Robin Drummond's "Improvers Sessions" continue on Thursday nights at 7pm
from the clubhouse, concentrating on speed and technique.
Also Wednesdays at 6.30pm and Sundays at 10am at the clubhouse for a steady
run in the Park.
Don't forget the Bushy Park Time Trial every Saturday morning at 9am. It's a
timed 5km run on the cycle track and grass in Bushy Park, starting and
finishing at the big car park by the Diana Fountain. All are welcome - no
need to enter in advance, just turn up and run.
Tuesday sessions
9.8 4 x Pen Ponds & White Lodge loop (1.2 miles)
16.8 7 x Queens Ride loop in pairs
FINALLY
"I always loved running...it was something you could do by yourself and
under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you
wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just
on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs".
Jesse Owens.