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Newsdesk 2007
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RANELAGH HARRIERS E-NEWS # 242 7 February 2007
Editor: Steve Rowland
mailto: steverowland@ranelagh-harriers.com
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HEADLINE NEWS
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* Blackheath win centenary mob match
* Sam Perkins wins BUSA 'B' race
* Final Surrey League fixtures this Saturday in Richmond Park
* Richmond Mini-Marathon trial on Sunday in Richmond Park
* Mick Lane nationally top-ranked M45 over 20 miles
SEE HERE
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SURREY LEAGUE FINAL RACES Saturday 10th February in Richmond Park
Mark Middleton writes:
"This Saturday is the final Surrey League and it's at home (which you all
know, unless you've been on a different planet for the last two months!).
I'm also sure you're aware that the guys are a mere 30 odd points behind the
mighty Belgrave and third place...If we were to get this, it would equal
Ranelagh's highest ever placing in the Surrey League, such opportunities
don't come around every day!
The Surrey Leagues are open to everyone (not just the fast guys & girls), so
we need everyone at Richmond Park on Saturday, either running (men & women)
or supporting and/or marshalling- as Clare said at Tuesday training we need
a sea of blue...".
The women's team is in second place and looks set to stay there. Despite our
clawing back 20 points on Belgrave in the last race, the Belles hold a
virtually unassailable 69 points lead. It would take a major disaster for
them to be dislodged, but a Ranelagh win on the day will send the message
that the trophy is definitely only leaving us on loan! In addition our 'B'
team is in second place amongst the 'Bs', just 11 behind SLH, so there's
everything to run for.
Timetable is:
12.15pm Senior women
1.15pm Girls under 17 and Under 15
1.45pm Girls under 13
2.30pm Boys Under 17, Under 15 and Under 13
3pm Senior men
RICHMOND HALF MARATHON
You might have noticed that our website is already showing links for entry
to our Half Marathon in May and our Dysart Dash 10km in June. We need plenty
of help for both, but especially for the Half Marathon. If you aren't going
to run, please put the date in your diary anyway, and volunteer. Carol
Barnshaw writes:
"I am helping to organise the Ranelagh Harriers Ricmond Half Marathon which
will take place on Sunday 13th May starting from outside the clubhouse at
8.30am. The half marathon has a reputation of being well organised and
friendly. In order to keep up this reputation I need to recruit people to
help. We need people to marshall, to help organise on the day, to help at
the water stations and to help with catering.
Please contact me if you are able to help - hopefully the weather will be
kind to us and it's a great event to be part of. You can call me on 8547
6600 in office hours, 8898 9285 at home or by email on
mailto:c_barnshaw@yahoo.com. Thank you in anticipation!"
STREET O Tuesday 13th February at the clubhouse - start any time between
7pm and 8pm.
Your chance to try something new as a change from the normal Tuesday night
sessions! Street O is Street Orienteering. But you don't need any
Orienteering skills or equipment to take part. It's more of a cross between
Orienteering and a treasure hunt: great fun, as well as providing a good
hour's fartlek training.
The way it works is this: you start at 30 second or one minute intervals.
You will be able to start any time between 7pm and 8pm. As you start you are
given a map and a clue/answer sheet. The map will be a large scale one of
the Richmond area, but it will show only roads, footpaths and other
significant linear features like railways and rivers. Road names are NOT
shown. The start and finish (i.e. the clubhouse) will be marked with a
triangle. Also marked will be 30 to 40 numbered circles. These are the
control points. The controls will be valued at either 10, 20, 30 or 40
points - generally the ones further away are worth more. Typically the
controls numbered 1 - 19 are worth 10 points, 20 - 29 are 20 points, 30 - 39
are 30 points and 40 - 49 are 40 points. On your clue/answer sheet will be a
description of what you need to identify at each control. These are always
straightforward enough to see once you get to the right place. They might be
things like the name of a pub or shop; the colour of the door at number 38;
the number on a lamp post, the height restriction on a bridge etc etc. You
have to write the answer on your sheet.
You have one hour to visit as many controls as you can (in any order), amass
as many points as you can and get back to base at the clubhouse. BUT you are
penalised if you get back over the hour - you lose 20 points per minute or
part of a minute late.
So, you spend the hour running as fast as you can between controls and then
having a break while you identify the control and write down the answer. As
I said, a good fartlek session, but at the other extreme you can still take
part by just jogging or even walking round.
The only equipment you need is a pen or pencil, and a watch so you can keep
track of the time remaining. A small hand or head torch is useful too, but
it's not vital as everything is on lit roads. Most people run singly but
anyone nervous of going alone can run in pairs or threes (though you do have
to keep together - sending one person off to one control while the other
person goes to a different control isn't allowed!).
BAKER CUP SUPPER
Jo Turner writes:
"The Baker Cup supper and annual prize giving is going to be at the Orange
Tree pub in Richmond on Saturday 31st March. This is opposite the train
station and there is a car park (Old Deer Park) behind it which is free from
6.30 onwards.
There will be a finger food buffet and tickets will cost £12.50.
Unfortunately, we can only have 60 people so the first come first served
system will be in operation. Put the date in your diaries."
Book your places with Jo or Marina on Tuesday nights or contact either of
them at mailto:joturner_45@hotmail.com or mailto:marina_quayle@hotmail.com.
RICHMOND MINI-MARATHON TRIAL Sunday 11th February 2007 in Richmond Park
As usual we are jointly hosting the trials for the Richmond team to take
part in the London Mini-Marathon. The course is two laps of Sidmouth Wood
(opposite Pembroke Lodge) and the timetable is: 10am Girls 13-14 and 15-17;
10.30am Boys 13-14 and 15-17; 11am Girls 11-12; 11.30am Boys 11-12.
LONG TRAINING RUNS UPDATE
Next on Clive Beauvais's menu is on Sunday 11th: the 'Punchbowl Marathon',
another LDWA event with 20 miles or 30 miles options. "Beautiful scenery and
great facilities including hot meal at the end," writes Clive. HQ is at
Witley Village Hall, on the A283 south of Godalming, grid ref 948394.
You can enter on the day and you should aim to be there for an 8.30am start.
More info on the LDWA website: http://www.ldwa.org.uk/surrey.
Sunday February 18th 24 miler in Windsor Great Park. 4 x 6 mile laps -
ideal for getting your marathon race drinking needs sorted out - opportunity
to place drinks every 3 miles.
ALTERNATIVE MARATHON TRAINING...THE ADIDAS RUN
Carola Richter writes:
"I joined the adidas team for a run in Bushy Park this Sunday morning. I
really recommend the event for every first time marathon runners. It's very
well organised. The run usually starts with some advice for beginners and
advanced runners alike followed by a run with pacers through Bushy Park and
ends with free Lucozade drinks, coffee and biscuits afterwards. The good
thing is you never run alone. There is always someone you can talk to. Don't
be put off by the low mileage. It will increase soon (as I said it's for
beginners) but if you feel you need to do more mileage just run another
loop".
ATHLETICS DATA
The http://www.athleticsdata.com/ web site has ambitiously attempted to
assemble national ranking lists for all track and road events for all age
groups. These are I think based on results that appear in Athletics Weekly,
so will inevitably be incomplete...but in the 2006 lists we have one claim
to fame in that Mick Lane is ranked top in the M45 age group at 20 miles
with 2.00.09. His 2.42.06 Marathon ranks 8th and his 57.26 10 miles ranks
37th.
Those making the 2006 overall top hundreds include: Jo Ronaldson (49th at
Half-Marathon with 79.13), Anna McLaughlin (72nd at Half-Marathon with
80.32), Marie Synnott-Wells (72nd at 10 miles with 61.59 and 81st at
Marathon with 2.58.50) and Fari Shams (87th at Marathon with 2.59.56).
In the veteran lists, apart from Mick we have: Jo Ronaldson (W35: 9th at
Half-Marathon with 79.13 and 19th at 10km with 36.33), Marie Synnott-Wells
(W40: 13th at Marathon with 2.58.50, 25th at Half-Marathon with 84.31, 12th
at 10 miles with 61.59 and 27th at 10km with 38.07), Tim Woods (M50: 18th at
Half-Marathon with 77.09, 32nd at 10km with 35.06), Ken Fotherby (M50: 32nd
at Marathon with 2.56.26), Pete Warren (M65: 47th at 10km with 42.50),
Marcus Gohar (M45: 52nd at Half-Marathon with 77.43), Iain Wilson (M50: 54th
at Marathon with 3.00.02), Kerrie O'Connor (W35: 62nd at 10 miles with 66.42
and 90th at 10km with 38.53), Hugh Jones (M50: 72nd at 10km with 35.59),
Chris Owens (M50: 75th at 10 miles with 62.21), Clive Beauvais (M60: 81st at
10km with 40.33) and Sonia Rowland (W50: 87th at 10km with 45.36).
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WHAT'S COMING...
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More details of the following from
Andy Bickerstaff ( 07772 111491 / mailto: andy@norris-hobs.co.uk ) or
Mark Middleton ( 07725 119649 / mailto: markjmiddleton@yahoo.co.uk ) or
Phil Aiken (07739 035189 / mailto: phil.aiken@rnid.org.uk ) or
Anna McLaughlin (07971 606521 / mailto: anna.mclaughlin@talk21.com ).
Saturday 10th February Surrey League Division 1 (men and women) in
Richmond Park. See above.
Sunday 11th February Valentines 10km at Chessington. Details:
http://www.valentines10k.co.uk/.
Mini Marathon Trial from 10am in
Richmond Park. See above.
Tuesday 13th February Street O event from the clubhouse. See above.
Saturday 17th February v Bank of England, Herc Wimb, Ealing and others
(incl Hec Petersen Trophy). 5½ miles in Richmond Park (Roehampton Gate - the
Bank's course, not ours!). Start at 3pm, not 2.30pm as shown in the fixture
card.
Saturday 24th February Clutton Cup 10 miles handicap in Richmond Park.
2.30pm start.
Every Saturday Bushy Park Time Trial: 9am start at the Diana
Fountain car park.
Wimbledon Common Time Trial: 9am start
at the Windmill car park.
See http://www.bptt.net/ for details.
WHAT'S HAPPENED...
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MOB MATCH v BLACKHEATH HARRIERS Saturday 3rd February at Hayes (Kent)
Two years ago, on our last visit to the 'heathens, we had a moderate 29
starters but Blackheath only fielded 40-odd themselves, and we came within a
whisker of pulling off a rare away win. Cap'n Bicks was hoping that with a
bigger turnout this time we might just retain the Pelling-Ratcliff Cup that
we easily won at home last year.
Well, we did have a bigger turnout, but only by two - a bit disappointing
really, on a lovely bright winter afternoon. But as it turned out we would
have needed a lot more to make a match of it. The 'heathens, stung by losing
all four of their mob matches last winter, were out to make amends and there
were over 70 black vests on the starting line. There was quality as well as
quantity, and their top three pretty quickly cleared off from the rest of
the field.
After some early resistance from Paul Doyle it was left to Peter Haarer to
lead the Ranelagh contingent and after a long struggle against a youthful
'heathen Peter eventually had to settle for 5th place. Mark Middleton was an
isolated 7th and Paul Doyle, storming through the final road section, was
next across the line in 8th. We had five more in the top twenty, but
thereafter Blackheath's weight of numbers really began to tell. Only five of
the next twenty home were Ranelagh, and Blackheath were well on their way to
a convincing victory.
The actual size of the victory is open to debate: the number to score is
normally based on the size of the smaller team minus three (to allow for
drop-outs). The Blackheath results team did not realise we had two late
arrivals, and they based the scoring first of all on 27-a-side and then
adjusted it to 26-a-side. As we actually had 31 starters, the scoring should
have been 28-a-side. But's it's all academic - they won anyway!
Only 30 of ours made it to the finish: the unlucky Phil Aiken took a heavy
fall early on, badly gashed his knee and bruised his ribs. Painful, but
fortunately no lasting damage.
Some consolation for losing the main trophy was provided by Chris Owens, who
won the Harry Sheer Memorial Trophy as the first over 50 to finish. Chris's
name will thus go onto the trophy for the fourth time. Clive Beauvais points
out that we had a clean sweep of the men's vet categories,as Paul Doyle was
the leading over 40 and Clive himself was the first over 60.
According to Bill Bird's researches this race was in fact the centenary of
the first-ever true mob match, which took place between Blackheath and
Ranelagh on the 'heathens' course on 12th January 1907. They won that one
too.
There are lots of photographs on the Blackheath web site:
http://www.bandbhac.org.uk/ranelagh%203-02-07.html#photos. Some of those
stile techniques could use a bit of work!
BRITISH UNIVERSITIES CHAMPIONSHIPS Saturday 3rd February at Bath
Such is the strength of the Birmingham University squad that Sam Perkins
couldn't secure a place in the team for the 'A' race. But in the 'B' event
he seized the opportunity presented, and raced to a one second victory.
Birmingham Uni teams won both titles.
Sam reports: "I was really pleased with the run. Probably my best
performance to date. I really enjoyed the firm bouncy conditions. I was very
pleased that I thought about the race tactically as it went on. I pushed the
pace on 3k out to leave it with a lead pack of three. I then relaxed a
little before attacking on the penultimate long drag about 1000m from home.
Then I was just running scared with the Loughborough guy only a couple of
paces behind".
Behind Sam, Jordan Mungovan finished 49th for Nottingham.
1 Sam Perkins (Birm U) 23.16
49 Jordan Mungovan (Notts U) 25.47
The meeting also incorporated the trials for the World Cross-Country
Championships, and our second-claim member Wendy Jones finished in an
outstanding 5th place. David Wright reports: "Wendy's run effectively made
her first reserve for Kenya but rather than make her go through the motions
of having to have all the malaria jabs and the warm weather acclimatisation
trip to South Africa (she wouldn't have minded that!), on the off chance of
getting a run, they are not going to name a reserve. Instead she's been
picked to run for GB in the Ekiden relay in Yokohama, Japan, on 25th
February".
BUSHY PARK TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 3rd February
Nathan Mills led the Ranelagh contingent in his first BPTT, but the only PB
came from Martin Harrison.
1 P Edmondson (Tipton) 16.03
11 Nathan Mills 17.29
47 Jonny Rowan 20.06
54 Chris Hunton 20.19
55 David Rowe 20.25
92 Adam Wright 21.27
122 Martin Harrison 22.37
145 Paul Bisping 23.23
191 Roger Wilson 24.56
213 Alfie Purdue 25.58
222 John Hanscomb 26.20
226 Luke Wilson 26.34
239 Bea Purdue 27.18
270 Holly Wilson 29.11
271 Gill Wilson 29.12
276 Wally Garrod 29.34
CHICHESTER 10km Sunday 4th February
David Rowe reports:
"This was the 16th running of this race and the day began with bright
sunshine and very little wind. About an hour before the start it clouded
over and there was a threat of rain which didn't materialise. The weather
was cold, but ideal for this fast 10k run in the historic city of Chichester
in West Sussex.
Ranelagh runners David and Sharon Rowe were part of the field of over 1,400
and both managed PB's. David finished 292nd (out of 907 men) with an
official time of 43:32. In the ladies Sharon, running her second ever 10k,
was 506th (out of 560) with an official time of 67:00, smashing her previous
PB from the Goring, Woodcote and District Lions 10k in January.
A longer write-up including photos from David and Sharon can be found
http://rowerunning.co.uk/?p=32 and http://rowerunning.co.uk/?p=35".
Men
1 T Lambert (Alton) 30.22
292 David Rowe 43.32
Women
1 L Spencer (Chich) 34.39
506 Sharon Rowe 67.00
KINGFIELD CANTER 2.85 miles handicap Wednesday 7th February at Woking
1 D Fishlock (Surrey Uni) 24.32 (actual time 21.17)
15 Sonia Rowland 26.50 (actual time 20.35)
FINALLY...
Bev Ali spotted this in the advertising for this year's Prague Marathon:
"It's not uncommon for runners to carbo load with beer and pasta before a
big race. It's certainly not uncommon for runners to quench their thirst
with a cold beer afterwards. But beer during the race? That's new. Yet here
in the city that makes what is arguably the world's best beer, they're going
to give it a try at this year's Volkswagen Prague Marathon, to be run May
13, 2007. Race partner Staropramen will be offering (alcohol-free) beer to
runners at designated refreshment points along the course. In addition,
regular refreshment points along the course will provide the usual
assortment of water, fruit and isotonic beverages. Asked how many runners he
thought would opt for the beer, race director Carlo Capalbo responded, "I
don't have a clue. But it's a fun idea, isn't it?"
If you're interested, visit www.praguemarathon.com.