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Newsdesk 2007
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RANELAGH HARRIERS E-NEWS # 243 15 February 2007
Editor: Steve Rowland
mailto: steverowland@ranelagh-harriers.com
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HEADLINE NEWS
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* Women's team runners-up in the Surrey League
* Men's team finish fourth
* Anna McLaughlin, Clare King and Phil Killingley in top ten finishers
* Rebecca Clayden individual Under 17 bronze medallist
SEE HERE
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BANK OF ENGLAND RACE Saturday 17th February in Richmond Park
This is a low-key race against the Bank and a handful of other clubs. It is
in Richmond Park, but on the Bank's 5˝ miles course, which starts near
Roehampton Gate. Changing, showers and tea will be at the Bank's sports
ground a quarter of a mile from the gate in Bank Lane. Start is at 3pm, all
welcome.
MABAC LEAGUE and CRANLEIGH 15 / 21
Bev Ali writes:
"Ranelagh organises our own MABAC race to be held in Richmond Park on the
4th March 2007. You won't find it on our fixture list, but we still need to
have 10 to 12 volunteers to marshal, and would like to encourage as many
runners as we can to race. As with most MABAC races, there is no entry fee,
the race starts at a very civilised 11 am Sunday morning, and the race is
one or two laps (you choose on the day) of an approximately 2.5 mile route
that is different from any of our cross country routes. If you cannot run
and would like to help, please contact Ann Murray (mailto:annmurray@f2s.com
or 0794 0292624), Deborah Blakemore (mailto:deboraheblakemore@yahoo.co.uk)
or Bev Ali (mailto:bev.ali@blueyonder.co.uk).
MABAC has a 15 or 21 mile (you decide which on the day!) open race on the
25th March in Cranleigh. Last year it was full almost a month before the
race, so if you want to run it as part of your preparation for a spring
Marathon, or just because, the entry forms are available here: and enter as
soon as possible.
It is a very friendly race, with a scenic and undulating course, on mostly
country roads, and the entry fee is a very reasonable Ł7 - a bargain these
days!"
JUNIOR POINTS PRIZE FINAL RACE
The last Junior Points Prize event will be on Saturday 24th February at 2pm.
Start as usual at Sidmouth Wood, opposite the Pembroke Lodge car park. All
under 17s welcome.
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 Ł12.50.
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.
RANELAGH RICHMOND HALF MARATHON
Our own Half Marathon takes place this year on Sunday 13th May, starting
from the clubhouse at 8.30am. We will need lots of help on the day -
officials, marshals, helpers at water stations and so on. Please contact
Carol Barnshaw if you are able to help on 020 8547 6600 in office hours, 020
8898 9285 at home or by email on mailto:c_barnshaw@yahoo.com".
One specific job that needs to be filled is setting out the mile markers.
Wally Garrod writes:
"Brian Chard and I have put out the markers for several years. This year we
are not available. You need a car, strings, scissors, hammer and time! Time
to orientate the route before hand and before and after the race. We enjoyed
our time and now need two volunteers. Please see me either Tuesday or
Wednesday evening or give me a ring on 020 8390 1676".
LONG TRAINING RUNS UPDATE
This Sunday (February 18th) is the last of Clive Beauvais's long runs for
the time being, as he and Sue are off for some sunshine. It's a 12, 18 or 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. 9.30am start at the Bishopsgate entrance.
THAMES TURBO JUNIOR SERIES
Cindy Croucher is organising a series of junior races in Bushy Park on
Saturday mornings starting at 9am: all age groups from 8 to 16, and entry is
free. Dates are 17th February, 17th March, 28th April and 26th May. Register
at the cricket club near the Hampton Hill entrance.
BRITISH 10K
We have been sent the following appeal:
"Equipment Necessary to Help End Torture = One Pair of Favourite Running
Shoes.
Join the REDRESS team in a race to eliminate torture and earn a place in the
British 10K. We have six charity places available for runners raising funds
for REDRESS to participate in the July 1st 2007 British 10K. The money you
raise from sponsorship will help us fight for justice for survivors of
torture. For more information call 0207 793 1777 or email nell@redress.org".
ROOM WANTED
New member Shane O'Rourke writes:
"I'm looking to rent a room until the end of May at least. Ideally somewhere
around Twickenham/Richmond that's near to a train station (I have to get to
Staines every day) and near to the club. I'll only be around two weeks of
every month, so won't be under anyone's feet too much. So if anyone wants to
rent a room out and is looking for a friendly, tidy runner to share with,
I'd be ideal! I can be contacted at mailto:shane.orourke@gartner.com if
anyone is interested".
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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 17th February v Bank of England, Herc Wimb, Ealing and others
(incl Hec Petersen Trophy). 5˝ 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 Junior Points Prize Race 4 in Richmond Park. 2pm
start.
Clutton Cup 10 miles handicap in
Richmond Park. 2.30pm start.
Saturday 3rd March Inter-club 3.8 miles in Richmond Park. 3pm start.
Sunday 4th March MABAC League 5 miles in Richmond Park. 11am
start - all welcome. See above.
Saturday 10th March National Cross-Country Championships at Sunderland
Saturday 17th March Ranelagh Cup schools race in Richmond Park. 2.30pm
start.
Sunday 1st April Kingston Breakfast Runs 8m or 16m.
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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SURREY LEAGUE FINAL RACES Saturday 10th February in Richmond Park
A few forlorn and grubby snowmen were all that remained of the white blanket
that had covered the Park two days earlier. A rapid thaw and heavy overnight
rain left the Park with what the horse racing fraternity would call "soft
going".
The women's race started the proceedings, with the Ranelagh team facing a
task of Everest proportions to catch the club who were to be the afternoon's
bęte noire for us, Belgrave Harriers. We had won the league title two years
in a row, and it was Belgrave who had been victorious the year before that.
Now it was their turn again. A weak team in the second race back in November
had effectively done for us in the overall reckoning, but a win on our home
turf would have ended the season with a flourish. Alas the fates were
against us again, and a heavy cold kept Jo Ronaldson at home. Jo would
surely have been in contention today for her first individual victory.
Anna McLaughlin it was who led the team in 8th place, just staying ahead of
Clare King, who - discounting two guests - made the top ten for the first
time. Marie Synnott-Wells was close behind in 13th, and then at 26th came
Kerrie O'Connor, just back from injury and working her way steadily through
the field after a slow start. Closing in the scoring team was newcomer
Bonnie Webster in 30th place, but she had Yvonne Hill, Sara Grosvenor and
Liz Kipling chasing her home within half a minute.
It was a close result, but Belgrave had the edge on us today by just six
points and secured the League title by a clear 75. Our 'B' team ended the
season as runners-up too, finishing 45 behind South London Harriers.
Rebecca Clayden was our only junior in action today and her 4th place in the
Under 17s race secured her the overall individual bronze medal.
Belgrave Harriers were the target for our men's team too. They stood in the
way of our equalling our best-ever result in Division One of the Surrey
League, which was 3rd place back in 1985. We had 39 points to make up, but
we had taken 59 off them in the last race so with a strong team it was
certainly a possibility. A three-line whip went out, and a strong team duly
assembled - not quite the "dream team" perhaps, but pretty good.
Unfortunately for us, the Bels decided it was time to flex their muscles. On
paper they are one of the strongest clubs in the country but have not been
showing well in the League at all this year. However, today there were six
claret-and-golds home in the top twenty - enough to win on the day and keep
us back in fourth place overall. This was still our best Division One
finishing position since 1999, so certainly nothing to be ashamed of. We
were in fact the first club to close in ten runners today, and our 11th,
12th and 13th men - Andy Bickerstaff, Alyn Morgan and Marcus Gohar - were
the top three non-scorers.
Just as in the last League race it was Phil Killingley who led the Ranelagh
team home, with David Benton never far behind. Paul Doyle in 27th was our
third man and twenty seconds back there was another fighting finish between
Peter Haarer and Duncan Bell, with Peter coming out on top this time. Pancho
Gonzalez-Diaz just stayed ahead of Hugh Jones - when was the last time Hugh
was 7th Ranelagh man home? - and the ten was completed by Jordan Mungovan,
Mick Lane and Ed Barker.
David Benton was the first over 40 to finish, Hugh the first over 50 and
Clive Beauvais the first over 60. It's interesting to note that Hugh
finished over a minute clear of SLH's Barry Attwell, who had won the silver
medal in the South of England over 50 championship the week before.
For some mind-boggling statistics on consistency and what-have-you in League
races on our course, see Will Cockerell's Skipper's Corner on the Belgrave
Harriers website.
In the Stranelagh Cup, the unofficial B team competition between ourselves
and Stragglers, we scored our best total of the season to win on the day by
821 to 1099 and overall by 4218 to 5055.
At the bottom end of the table, Reigate Priory pulled off a miraculous
escape trick at the expense of the Stragglers, who will be relegated to
Division Two along with the outclassed Dulwich Runners. Coming up in their
places will be Hercules Wimbledon and Wimbledon Windmilers. This means that
four of the nine Division One clubs will be Wimbledon Common-based. Must be
something in the air...
PHOTOS
There was almost as much photographic talent in the Park on Saturday as
running talent!
These are from Richard Xerri:
BUSHY PARK TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 10th February
1 C Payne (Cranleigh) 16.20
13 Nick Wright 18.36
35 David Rowe 20.21
38 Darren Wood 20.29
72 Adam Wright 22.09
122 Roger Wilson 24.45
147 John Hanscomb 26.42
175 Wally Garrod 29.18
182 Sharon Rowe 30.34
WIMBLEDON COMMON TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 10th February
1 T Solomon (unatt) 17.52
9 Stephen Instone 20.32
24 Jo Turner 23.48
RICHMOND MINI-MARATHON TRIAL Sunday 11th February 2007 in Richmond Park
130 juniors turned out for the Mini Marathon trials, with the top eight in
each age-group to qualify for the Mini Marathon itself on London Marathon
day. Joss Moran won the Boys 11-12 race in an impressive time of 17.20 for
two laps of Sidmouth Wood. Full results can be found on the junior section
of our web site.
WOKINGHAM HALF MARATHON Sunday 11th February
Wokingham is one of the better quality half marathons by today's standards,
with the top seven inside 70 minutes. Nathan Mills was a little outside his
best, running 78.24 for 35th place, and Liz Kipling found 90 minutes only
good enough for 28th amongst the women. There was another big personal best
for Evelyn Joslin.
1 W Chinhanhu (Poole R) 64.52
35 Nathan Mills 78.24
47 Ed Barker 80.17
241 Liz Kipling 90.38
256 Chris Read 91.16
396 Evelyn Joslin 95.48
1249 John Hanscomb 119.09
VALENTINE'S 10km Sunday 11th February at Chessington
1 G Price (Shafts B) 31.34
114 Pete Warren 43.49
255 Simon Burrell 49.24
398 Gill Wilson 54.46
402 Janet Turnes 54.58
414 Geoff Bell 55.18
544 Alan Meaden 60.12
569 David Meaden 61.27
671 Deborah Blakemore 68.21
TAUT 10km Sunday 11th February at Sandown Park
1 A Whitcombe 35.56
36 Stewart Ward 43.09
STREET ORIENTEERING Tuesday 13th February
It was a pity that we had a wet evening for the Street O event organised by
Matthias Mahr and Abi Weeds on behalf of the South London Orienteers, but a
good number of Ranelagh Orienteering novices decided to give it a go.
Despite the plastic bags provided, maps and answer sheets soon got soggy,
but most people knew Richmond to some extent, so search parties were not
called for!
Duncan Bell brought an army mate along, and together they finished in second
place overall with 520 points, though a clear 100 behind the winner. Andy
Bickerstaff rashly bet Anna McLaughlin a tenner that he would score 25% more
than Anna. Some hope. Competitive spirit raised, Anna went on to record the
top women's score of the day, 460 points. Sonia Rowland was joint 3rd with
410 and Sanna Eriksson joint 5th with 390.
Most people seem to have enjoyed the event, despite the rain. For those who
would like to try Street O again, there are two more events in SLOW's winter
programme: Tuesday 13th March at Dorking and Tuesday 17th April at Raynes
Park. Full details of these will be posted nearer the time on the SLOW website,
where you will also very soon find the results of the Richmond event.
FINALLY...
Ian Milne writes:
"On the subject of beer during a race, I'm afraid that there is nothing new
in that for the Prague marathon. Back in the 70s, when we got involved in
the London to Brighton race, the boys from Tipton used to regularly drink
cans of beer from about half way onward, and this was not alcohol free.
These were not also rans, either, but included the Bentleys. If my memory is
correct Ron Bentley was a worthy winner on more than one occasion, doing in
the region of 6 to 6˝ hours".