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Newsdesk 2006
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RANELAGH HARRIERS E-NEWS # 204 25 January 2006
Editor: Steve Rowland
mailto: steverowland@ranelagh-harriers.com
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HEADLINE NEWS
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* 81 runners turn out against Blackheath & Bromley Harriers
* We win the Pelling-Ratcliffe Cup by 3008 - 4416
* Peter Haarer wins the Wynne Cup club championship
* Paul Doyle and Julian Smith 2nd and 3rd
* Stephen Roberts wins the sealed handicap
* Reunion of eight of our 1981 Centenary Match team
* Jamie Taylor-Caldwell wins the Junior Points Prize Race 3
* Becky Withycombe, Lucy Edmunds, Rebecca Clayden, Taylor Nunn and Alfie
Purdue lead age groups
* Liz Kipling wins Modern Pentathlon National Selection competition
SEE HERE
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SURREY LEAGUE FINAL RACES Saturday 4th February in Richmond Park
We had a great turnout in the Park last Saturday - can we ask for another
one on February 4th? This time the occasion will be a celebration of what
might be three Surrey League titles coming to Ranelagh. The women hold a
clear lead in Division One of their League and look odds-on to retain their
championship. The men are so far ahead in their Division Two campaign that
you couldn't even get odds on their losing. And the Under 13 boys have a
good lead which we hope they will be able to maintain. For the icing on the
cake we're in the running for one or two individual titles too.
It would be a great finale to the League season if we can pack the races
with plenty of blue vests and pack the course with plenty of support! The
timetable is: 12.30pm senior women, 1.15pm under 20 / under 17 girls, 1.45pm
under 15 / under 13 girls, 2.30pm under 17 / under 15 / under 13 boys, 3pm
senior men. It's our home courses with the start beside Sidmouth Wood, near
Pembroke Lodge.
Bev Ali takes over:
"I think we would all agree that both the women's and the men's 'A' teams
and the juniors have performed exceptionally well this year. This was done
with a great deal of dedication, time, hard work, and not least, talent on
the part of the runners, coaches and steadfast supporters. This set of races
on the 4th February are the final Surrey League fixtures for the year. I
think it would be a tangible demonstration of our support, loyalty and
appreciation for those in the front line if we came out in force to run or
help - for however much time we can spare.
This is a home fixture for us, so marshals and start/finish officials will
be required. There will be tea and rolls/cake at the clubhouse after each
race, so catering assistance would be welcome.
We get points for every runner, no matter how slow, and the distances (6km
for women and 5.5 miles for men) are manageable for most uninjured runners
of all speeds, so let's get a 'C', 'D', and 'E' team out there and show a
sea of blue vests!
Marshals will be required from 12 noon until about 1:15 for the women's
race, for the interim time for the junior races, and then from 2:30 until
3:30 for the men's race. If you can help for any or all of the races, please
let me (mailto:bev.ali@blueyonder.co.uk), Alan Hedger, Frances Ratchford or
any member of the committee know, preferably beforehand, but all comers will
be welcome. Marshals still get a free cup of tea afterwards!
Catering help would be useful before the races from about 12:30 for sandwich
making, and anytime after the first race for serving and washing up. It is a
great way to warm your hands up after a cold race! If you plan to run,
please be at the start at least an hour in advance to pick up your numbers.
If you will not have the chance to do any of the above, but you can spare a
few minutes, please come along (bring the kids) and cheer our fantastic
athletes!"
Andy Bickerstaff adds: "Everyone is most welcome to run the race as a lap of
honour. Another turnout of 80 would be nice! Everyone is also invited for
the clubhouse tea and celebration afterwards in the Dysart". The Dysart will
be laying on some early-evening food for us, at about 6.30pm.
SOUTH OF ENGLAND CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS Saturday 28th January at
Bicton College nr Exmouth
We will be represented in both senior races on Saturday. Details here:
http://www.bictonxc2006.co.uk/.
BUSHY PARK TIME TRIAL - ROAD CLOSURES!
Paul Sinton-Hewitt reports:
"I have received notification from The Royal Parks that Bushy Park will be
closed on 30th January for four weeks for road reconstruction. Bushy Park is
closed for vehicular traffic only. Pedestrian access still being maintained.
The Time Trial will continue to be run on Saturdays at 9am but I advise you
to either jog to the park or leave your car at the perimeter of the park".
LONDON MINI MARATHON
As usual the London Marathon on April 23rd will include a Mini Marathon for
juniors over the final 4km of the course. Each borough can enter a team in
each age group and the trial for the Richmond teams will take place in
Richmond Park on Sunday 5th February. The course is over two laps of
Sidmouth Wood, the circuit we use for our Henty Relay and Junior Points
Prize events. The timetable is: girls 13/14 and girls 15/16/17 at 10am, boys
13/14 and boys 15/16/17 at 10.30am, girls 11/12 at 11am and boys 11/12 at
11.30am. Entry deadline is Friday 27th January. There are forms at the
clubhouse or you can call the Richmond Sports Development Group on 020 8831
6133.
ROAD RACES
Our club 20 miles road championship will be with the Finchley 20 at Ruislip
on Sunday 12th March - an ideal buld-up race for London marathoners. Details
here: http://www.hillingdonac.co.uk/. A second possibility for marathoners
is the MABAC League Cranleigh 21 miles (with a 15 miles alternative) on
Sunday 26th March. Details: http://www.mabac.org.uk/cran2006entryform.pdf.
The 26.2 RRC Valentines 10km is being held at Chessington on Sunday 12th
February:
http://www.26point2.co.uk/unsorted/downloads/public/10kRace/2006Race/2006Val
entines10kEntryForm.pdf. Fancy a fast flat 10km? A new event is being
organised at Dunsfold Park Airfield near Guildford on Sunday 5th March.
Details: http://www.209events.com/event.php?event=27.
The ASICS Kingston Breakfast runs ( 8 or 16 miles) are on Sunday 2nd April:
http://www.humanrace.co.uk/breakfast/index.html. The popular Thames Towpath
10 miles will take place on Sunday 9th April. Details here:
http://west4harriers.org/TTT.htm. On the same day is the Reading Half
Marathon, details here:
http://racepayment.mirrorservers.co.uk/readinghalfmarathon/.
THAMES TURBO JUNIOR SERIES
The Thames Turbo triathlon club are holding a series of junior races (runs
only, not triathlons!) on Saturday mornings from the Cricket Club near
Hampton Hill Gate in Bushy Park. Dates are 28th January, 25th February, 25th
March and 29 April, starting at 9am. There are five races at each event for
ages from 8 to 16.
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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 28th January South of England Championships at Bicton College,
Exmouth
Bushy Park Time Trial 5km. 9am start.
Saturday 4th February Sweatshop Surrey League Div 2 in Richmond Park from
2.30pm.
Surrey Ladies League in Richmond Park
from 12.30pm.
Bushy Park Time Trial 5km. 9am start.
Sunday 5th February Junior Mini-Marathon Trials in Richmond Park from
10am.
MABAC League 5 miles at Farley Heath.
11am start. Details: http://www.mabac.org.uk/.
Saturday 11th February Bushy Park Time Trial 5km. 9am start.
Saturday 18th February v Bank of England and others in Richmond Park
(Roehampton Gate). 2:30pm start.
Bushy Park Time Trial 5km. 9am start.
WHAT'S HAPPENED...
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PELLING-RATCLIFFE CUP MOB MATCH v BLACKHEATH HARRIERS Saturday 21st January
in Richmond Park.
We had a terrific 81 starters, our best mob match turnout for several years.
Not all of them made it round the two laps but nevertheless it gave us a
distinct advantage over the 'heathens who did well themselves to bring over
63 from the wilds of Kent.
It was a cold day but bright and conditions for running were pretty good. In
the team scoring we were ahead all the way with six Ranelagh in the first
ten finishers and twenty in the first thirty. Individually Peter Haarer held
a small lead early on but Blackheath's Alex Gibbins was always in contact
and after they had run stride for stride over most of the second lap it was
Gibbins who had the faster sprint finish. Peter was disappointed to miss the
victory but had the considerable consolation of winning the Wynne Cup club
championship. Last year's champion Paul Doyle was isolated in third place
and Julian Smith saw off the attentions of Rob Stillwell and Nathan Mills to
be the third Ranelagh finisher. Close behind Nathan there was an excellent
run from Matt Taylor to complete the top ten.
Mick Lane, Andy Bickerstaff and Peter Weir finished close together in the
early teens and then came John Barnard, who won the Harry Sheer trophy as
the first over 50 to finish. Marie Synnott-Wells and Kristina Semple were
the leading women and not far behind it was good to see 2002 Surrey under 20
champion Zoë Vail again. The sealed handicap went to Stephen Roberts, ahead
of Clive Naish and Sandra Foot.
Hidden amongst the crowds there was a small reunion going on. 25 years ago,
as the flagship event in our Centenary celebrations, Ranelagh had played
host to teams from the English Cross-Country Union, Surrey County AA, Oxford
and Cambridge Universities and Thames Hare and Hounds. Our team of nine that
day has dispersed far and wide but Bill Harvey managed to re-assemble eight
of them to take part in the mob match. The only one missing was Simon
Hedger, 11,000 miles away in Sydney, but of course dad Alan was on hand to
represent Simon, if not to run in the race! Gavin Jones flew in from Rome,
Gordon Whitson from Athens and Paul Keen, Kevin Harrison, Simon Collingridge
and David Wright travelled from various quarters of England to join locals
Bill Harvey and Jim Forrest.
Whale watching traffic delayed Bill and Gordon's arrival and in fact Gordon
gave the whole field some 14 minutes start. Happily he managed to catch some
of the back markers including Kevin - who has barely run a step for some
time and showed great spirit in completing the course. He had been the first
Ranelagh man home in 1981 and a sprint in the finishing straight showed us
the Kevin of old, even if only for five metres! Fastest on the day was the
baby of the original team Gavin Jones who showed an impressive turn of speed
in finishing 19th. Paul Keen and David Wright followed and then a few
minutes further back Simon Collingridge in his first race for a few years.
Bill Harvey and Jim Forrest, as the senior members of the original team,
showed due deference to their juniors but got round in good order. At the
evening's meal plans were mentioned for their next reunion 25 years hence...
Captain Bicks adds: "I'd just like to say a huge thank you to all those who
turned out on Saturday. To get more than 80 starters was a great turnout.
Thanks to each and every one of you. Well done to Blackheath for bringing
over 60 and making it a great occasion. Many another home match would have
been lost to such opposition. Special congratulations go to the 'centenary
8' who all made it round the course. Judging by the times in 1981 it must
have been only one lap in those days".
JUNIOR POINTS PRIZE RACE 3 Saturday 21st January in Richmond Park
Jamie Taylor-Caldwell made his Points Prize debut and ran away from the
field to record a clear win with a time just inside 8 minutes. Another
first-timer Morgan Evans was runner-up, just ahead of the leading under 13,
Taylor Nunn. Taylor is now the only runner in the competition to boast a
100% record in the three races to date. He was hard pressed, however, with
Joshua Keisler, Matthew Wilson and Joss Moran all finishing less than half a
minute in arrears.
Also in the chasing pack was the leading girl, Stephanie Espinosa. Stephanie
had dropped out of the League race last week with a knee injury but bounced
back to set a new under 13 girls competition record of 8.40. Georgia
Miansarow was the top under 15 just a few seconds behind Stephanie and then
came a stream of personal bests from Amelie Hunton, Arabella Skinner, Becky
Withycombe, Emily Johnston and Eve Edmunds.
Eve's big sister Lucy didn't manage a PB this time, but retains her overall
lead in the Under 15 age group. Becky Withycombe is top of the table in the
under 13s, and Rebecca Clayden and Alfie Purdue are top of the under 17
girls and under 15 boys respectively.
Full points tables are on the junior web site.
OXFORDSHIRE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Apologies to Peter Haarer, who finished 8th representing Ranelagh, not
Headington Road Runners as I wrote last week.
BUSHY PARK TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 21st January
Another third place for Sam Perkins, and another improvement on his PB for
the course. A new best too for Clare Gutch, who was the first woman home.
1 T Haughian (WSEH) 16.08
3 Sam Perkins 16.26
21 Clare Gutch 18.44
26 Stewart Ward 19.18
31 Stephen Instone 19.31
36 Darren Wood 19.53
57 Adam Wright 21.49
61 Chris Wright 21.54
76 Chris Hunton 22.55
103 Robin Drummond 25.01
110 Gill Wilson 25.40
143 Janet Turnes 28.51
MODERN PENTATHLON NATIONAL SELECTION COMPETITION Saturday 21st and Sunday
22nd January at Bath
Liz Kipling, a former Modern Pentathlon international, is making a comeback
at the sport this year and won the year's second National Selection
Competition with 5150 points.
FINALLY...
Deborah Young sends the following:
"Maybe this is a bit too girl-oriented for a mixed audience but it might
just help you fill a slot in a future eNews:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4607642.stm.
It includes several interesting facts such as this curious mix of metric and
imperial measurements: '...as a woman runs a mile, her breasts bounced 135
metres'."