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Newsdesk 2007
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RANELAGH HARRIERS E-NEWS # 245 15 March 2007
Editor: Steve Rowland
mailto: steverowland@ranelagh-harriers.com
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HEADLINE NEWS
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* Sam Perkins 9th in National Junior
* Peter Haarer and Estelle Damant win Roffey Salver and Aotearoa Trophy
* Another World Record for Ed Whitlock
* Jo Ronaldson 2nd in Fleet Half Marathon
* Tim Woods first vet in Wimbledon 10km
* Hugh Jones first over 50 in Hastings Half Marathon
* Ranelagh wins Inter-club against Hercules Wimbledon
* Successful home MABAC League race
* Book now for the Baker Cup Supper on March 31st
* Green Belt Relay - runners needed!
SEE HERE
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BAKER CUP 3 miles road handicap Saturday 31st March in Richmond Park
The traditional closing of the "winter" season is on Saturday 31st March,
the Baker Cup 3 miles road handicap. This is one of the few events on the
calendar that is suitable for absolutely everyone in the club, young and
old, fast and slow. It's only three miles and it's on traffic-free roads in
the centre of the Park. The start and finish are beside White Lodge, near
the Pen Ponds car park. Start is 3pm. You don't have to enter in advance,
just turn up on the day - preferably at the clubhouse (no later than 2.30pm)
or else at the start.
It's followed by...
The Baker Cup Supper and Prize Giving at the Orange Tree pub in Richmond
(opposite the train station), at 6.30pm for 7pm. This is the occasion when
all the trophies for the season go to their new owners. If you have won a
trophy or a medal, please try to come along to collect it. All members and
families are welcome. There will be a finger food buffet and tickets cost
£12.50. Tickets are still available but we have to confirm numbers by 24th
March, so please book now!
Parking is nearby at Old Deer Park, which is free after 6.30pm. 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 incl SURREY CHAMPIONSHIP
Entries are now arriving for our Half Marathon on May 13th - 173 of them so
far, including a dozen or so from Ranelagh. Don't leave it too late to get
your entry in!
If you're not running and can spare a couple of hours, we will need lots of
help on the day - officials, marshals, helpers at water stations and so on.
The race starts at 8.30am. 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.
RANELAGH'S ROAD GRAND PRIX 2007
See our web site for the full list of ten races that will be forming our
2007 Grand Prix, plus details of the rules, scoring and so on, here:
The first event is the Thames Towpath 10 on 15th April.
SURREY ROAD LEAGUE
The five events that form the Surrey Road League all also feature in our
Grand Prix. They are as follows: Sutton 10km (May 6), Dorking 10m (June 3),
Dysart 10km (June 24), Elmbridge 10km (July 15) and Belgrave 5km (August
12).
GREEN BELT RELAY
This event takes place over the weekend of May 19th and 20th. We are the
reigning champions in both the veterans' and the women's categories. Most of
you have some idea what the GBR is all about, but for the benefit of
newcomers it's a relay covering a 220 mile circle around the London green
belt. The route is off-road where possible, very scenic, and is divided into
22 stages. The average length of each stage is therefore 10 miles, though in
fact they vary from 5.7 miles to 13.8 miles. The first 11 stages are run on
Saturday, starting at Hampton Court and finishing at Blackmore in Essex. The
race then resumes on Sunday morning to complete the circle, finishing at
Ham. Teams comprise 11 runners, and each member of the team has to run once
on Saturday and once on Sunday. You have the option of following the race
either in whole or in part (we stay overnight in Essex) or else just running
your own stage and then going home.You can see lots more information on the
race website here:
We are not sure yet how many teams we will enter - it depends on how many
people want to take part! But entries do have to be made soon, so if you are
interested, please contact me, Andy Bickerstaff or Anna McLaughlin (contact
details below) as soon as possible.
TUESDAY TEAS
Bev Ali writes:
"We have all missed Wally's teas on Tuesday evenings after running, but none
of us so far has been willing to make the commitment that he did to brew and
wash up every week. However, our group has enough willing hands to commit to
organising after-running teas for the last Tuesday of each month. All are
welcome; a small (20p?) donation would be requested to cover the cost of the
tea and milk and whatever snacks are provided. The 27th March is the next
'last Tuesday'."
VOLUNTEER WANTED
Carola Richter writes:
"I'm a student at St.Mary's College studying Sports Science. One of my
modules this semester requires me to undertake a research study on a female
athlete over 18. Ideally this person should compete at national or
international level. The later one is probably hard to find. The research
involves a one-off interview and will take place in a location that ensures
privacy and confidentiality. The interview will be tape recorded so that it
can be transcribed later. Results will be analysed and findings will be
presented as part of my module assessment.
The topic is in Sports Psychology: Social Physique Anxiety (SPA). To
translate this: SPA is the concern that others are negatively evaluating one
's body or physical appearance. In terms of distance running can you be too
thin for the sport. I wonder if we have one female athlete at Ranelagh who
would be interested in my research project. I would give further information
before the interview.
Unfortunately, I don't have much time left as the hand-in of the first draft
is by the end of March. I approached a few athletes already but they are all
out of the country in their training camps.
P.S. Coffee and cake would go on my bill!"
You can contact Carola on 07810 877286 or mailto:carola@pampellone.com.
JOHN ATKINSON...
...writes from Canada:
"As well as proudly representing Ranelagh in this year's London Marathon,
I'm also trying to raise a few quid for the charity my Mum's associated
with, the Dystonia Society. So, if any club members would like to donate a
few bob to the cause it would be very gratefully received. Easiest way to
make a pledge is online at my fundraising page:
http://www.justgiving.com/jma. Thank you kindly and I look forward to
bumping into a few familiar faces when I return to the club for Tuesday
training on April 10th, after flying in from Vancouver on Easter Sunday."
THE FRIENDS OF RICHMOND PARK
"The Friends of Richmond Park is a voluntary group dedicated to protecting
Richmond Park as a place of natural beauty and public pleasure. We want
anyone who cares about the Park to continue to visit it, enjoy its beauty
and tranquility, and to learn about its diverse animal and plant life". A
number of Ranelagh members are already also members of the Friends, as is
the club itself. At only £6 per year it's a bargain, and anyone who cares
about the future of the Park should consider joining. Details:
For those interested in a more hands-on approach, the British Trust for
Conservation Volunteers Richmond branch regularly undertakes conservation
work inside the Park and in other parts of the borough. For more information
call 020 8831 6150 or e-mail mailto:richmond@btcv.org.uk.
BUILDING FUND DRAW
The "Christmas" draw belatedly took place recently, with the following
winners: Carol Barnshaw (£125), Archie Taylor (£52) and Bill Bird (£31). The
draw costs only £10 a year and provides valuable income to help cover the
maintenance costs of the clubhouse and future projects. If you'd like to
join in, contact Peter Trainor at mailto:peter.trainor@btinternet.com.
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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 March Ranelagh Cup schools race in Richmond Park. 2.30pm
start.
Sunday 18th March Finchley 20 miles at Ruislip. 9.30am start.
Saturday 31st March Baker Cup 3 miles road handicap. 3pm start in
Richmond Park (near White Lodge).
Sunday 1st April Kingston Breakfast Runs 8m or 16m.
Sunday 15th April Thames Towpath 10 miles at Chiswick. Ranelagh GP
race.
Sunday 22nd April London Marathon. Ranelagh GP race.
Sunday 6th May Sutton 10km. Ranelagh GP and Surrey Road League
race.
Sunday 13th May Ranelagh Richmond Half Marathon. Ranelagh GP race.
See above.
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.
WHAT'S HAPPENED...
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NATIONAL CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS Saturday 10th March at Sunderland
Andy Bickerstaff reports:
"This year the English Nationals, the traditional climax of the domestic
cross country season, were in Sunderland. Since this is a five hour drive
from London it was unsurprising that most southern clubs didn't get many to
the start line. Not daunted by this a few intrepid Ranelaghites did intend
to toe the line. Unfortunately I went down with a seriously unpleasant cold
the day before so was relegated to a spectator's role.
We got there in time to see Sam Perkins in the Junior race. Lana ventured
out to the course, and five minutes later declared Herington Country Park
far too windy and retired back to the car for the duration of the afternoon.
Good idea!
Back in the howling gale Sam was having another great run: one of many
during a pretty awesome winter. Unlike at the Inter Counties he was able to
run as he wanted without the pressure of finishing in a particular position.
9th was an excellent result with a very strong finish after a hilly and
windswept 10k of effort. Great to see a Ranelagh vest mixing it with the
best juniors in the country. Post race Peter Haarer and I congratulated Sam
on his run but made a dignified retreat when he was surrounded by a bevy of
adoring young girls. I think I know whose congrats were more welcome. On a
salutary note it was interesting to find out when I enquired where Sam's
training partner Jon Pepper was, that he had a stress fracture. And to find
out he was running up to 100 miles a week! Are these things connected?
The next race with Ranelagh interest was the Senior Women. In the race we
had recently signed second-claimer international Wendy Jones and also
Estelle Damant. My attention was not surprisingly focused on the head of the
field but I did notice the only Ranelagh vest having a strong run and very
good sprint finish.
At the front Liz Yelling shot off the line and established a gap over
sister-in law Hayley in the first 800m with the rest including Wendy
(advised by our own Dave Wright) in a small pack of five or six behind.
Driven by the relentless pace up front the pack then began to break up with
Wendy showing well in about 6th. Despite a wobble in the second half she
rallied well to outsprint a bunch of three girls she had dropped back to
during the race and finish an excellent 6th.
Buoyed by two top ten finishes I instructed our only representative in the
Senior Men to repeat the feat. Sadly he never quite got into the top ten.
The speed at the front was such that I got quite tired watching. Frank
Tickner looked effortless and Dominic Bannister in 4th showed what can be
done by the more mature runner. Back in 1996 he won this race whilst an even
then mature specimen had his best ever national in 226th. 11 years later he's
lost 3 places and the mature specimen was a mere spectator. as Lana says
'why do you bother?' I really don't know and today I didn't".
Sam adds:
"I was really pleased with my National debut. I thought it was a very solid
run. It was an interesting race. The first 800m were pretty quick. Then it
slowed down and sped up and slowed down and sped up. I think this is because
it was so windy. I had the peverse situation of moving quickest up the hills
because they were most sheltered from the wind. After 4k the first 15
started to string out a bit. I found myself in 9th and that's where I
stayed. It was pretty isolated. No-one really changed position. I passed
nobody and nobody passed me. The last half was pretty dull. I was closing
down on 8th at the end with 10th closing me down but it was all academic as
it was big gaps in between us, maybe 40m or so".
As our only runners in the senior events, Peter Haarer and Estelle Damant
enjoyed "walkovers" for the awards for the first club finishers: the Roffey
Salver and the Aotearoa Trophy respectively. Peter's name will thus go onto
the Roffey Salver for the sixth consecutive time.
Junior Men
1 K Deighton (Bridlington) 32.12
9 Sam Perkins 33.15
Senior Men
1 F Tickner (Wells) 37.31
190 Peter Haarer 43.45
Senior Women
1 L Yelling (Bedford) 28.56
6 Wendy Jones (Ciren) 30.33
126 Estelle Damant 36.28
ANOTHER WORLD RECORD FOR ED
From the Track & Field News message board comes this news: "Ed (Whitlock)
did it again...breaking his own M75 World Record in the 3000m at Saturday's
Ontario Masters Championships with a stunning 11:17 mark. His 'old' record
was 11:28, set just after his 75th birthday at the meet last year".
INTER-CLUB 3.8 miles Saturday 3rd March in Richmond Park
Only Hercules Wimbledon turned up to provide opposition in this very low-key
end of season event. Fortunately their team was strong enough to make a race
of it and scoring seven a side we came out only narrowly ahead.
16 year-old Alex Littlewood - who had finished 4th for Blackheath in our mob
match against them last month - was first home and there were two more HW
vests in the top four. Only Paul Doyle was able to get amongst them, and
actually led the way in the early stages. But then we provided the next six
finishers, headed by Hugh Brasher and Niall O'Connor, and this proved
sufficient to secure the victory.
MABAC LEAGUE Sunday 4th March in Richmond Park
"The day started grey and damp and progressed to grey, wet and windy!
Underfoot was boggy at best, ankle deep mud and slime at worst. And to cap
it all off, Runner's World was conducting 1,000 runners on two laps of the
park, which translated to a very full parking lot at the time that MABAC
runners were arriving for the race. Despite all of this, the team managed to
stage a well organised, friendly event that saw 128 runners finish two laps,
25 joggers/walkers finish one lap and a hardy 9 juniors finish one lap! Many
thanks to all the helpers, especially Carol Barnshaw, Peter Saw, Alison
Cullen, Pat Hewlett, Eileen Woodley, Lorna Smith, Mick Angles, Juliette
Chan, Jo Turner with Ruby & Dylan, Paul Sinton-Hewitt, Cindy Croucher, Simon
Burrell, Deborah Blakemore, Ann Murray and Bev Ali - all of whom, in
addition to other contributions, also braved the elements to stand and guide
and cheer on the participants".
1 C Richards (Pyrford) 30.26
44 Phil Aiken 39.26
80 Roger Wilson 45.38
102 Dawn Bates 49.11
106 Corinne Bishop 49.44
109 Molly Smith 51.10
113 Natasha Taroghian 51.40
119 Jan Choudhury 56.26
One lap
11 Rochelle Butler 34.40
BUSHY PARK TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 3rd March
Another PB for junior Edward Smith, just missing the 20 minutes barrier.
1 R Stannard (Belgrave) 16.06
26 Marc Snaith 19.16
28 Darren Wood 19.23
40 David Rowe 19.46
45 Edward Smith 20.02
110 Wyn Williams 22.27
139 Adam Wright 23.30
155 Ray Smith 24.15
162 Paul Bisping 24.32
214 John Hanscomb 27.25
219 Frances Pennycook 27.36
245 Roger Wilson 29.33
262 Steve McClune 30.45
266 Sharon Rowe 31.48
WIMBLEDON COMMON TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 3rd March
1 W Clark (Epsom & E) 16.29
7 Andrew Forth 18.24
15 Kerrie O'Connor 20.07
19 Stephen Instone 20.35
KINGFIELD CANTER 2.85m handicap Wednesday 7th March at Woking
1 S Potter (Redhill) 24.29 (actual time 20.29)
26 Sonia Rowland 27.48 (actual time 21.18)
BUSHY PARK TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 10th March
But this time Edward Smith improved to 19.35, and there was a first time
inside 30 mins for Sharon Rowe. Kerry Anley and Bonnie Webster were 2nd and
4th women home in a field that topped 300.
1 J Adams (Unatt) 16.49
6 Alyn Morgan 17.50
29 Darren Wood 19.23
33 Edward Smith 19.35
34 David Rowe 19.42
39 Kerry Anley 19.53
49 Bonnie Webster 20.19
113 Phil Aiken 22.54
186 Paul Bisping 25.13
210 Frances Pennycook 26.42
215 Stephanie Croucher 26.51
230 Danielle Croucher 28.06
257 Steve McClune 29.29
268 Sharon Rowe 29.48
276 Roger Wilson 30.23
WIMBLEDON COMMON TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 10th March
1 W Clark (Epsom & E) 16.07
18 Stephen Instone 20.34
41 George Coates 24.48
FLEET HALF MARATHON Sunday 11th March
An excellent run from Jo Ronaldson, who took some 40 seconds off her
personal best to finish in 2nd place less than half a minute behind the
winner. Her 78.24 clocking advances her to 3rd place in Ranelagh's all-time
ranking list.
Jo writes:
"The Fleet course is quite lovely, especially in Sunday's uplifting
sunshine, though rather more undulating than I had been led to believe. I
stuck in behind a group that included Jo Kelsey for the first 6 miles or so
but then caution took hold and I dropped back a little. I regret not being
braver as the gap that opened remained about the same and I ended up
battling the wind on my own for a few miles, fortunately an unsuspecting RAF
chap caught up and I mercilessly sheltered behind him for the remaining
distance! Training has been going well and I was ambitiously hoping for a
sub 78 min run, but you can never be unhappy with a PB... next time!"
1 M Miles (Belgrave) 66.05 (chip time 66.03)
41 J Kelsey (Win - 1st W) 77.56 (77.53)
46 Jo Ronaldson 78.24 (78.21)
136 Ed Barker 86.51 (86.46)
324 Simon Lawrence 95.16 (94.56)
363 Stephen Logue 96.21 (95.47)
WIMBLEDON AUDI 10km Sunday 11th March
"A lovely day but I had forgotten just how hilly Wimbledon is," reflects Tim
Woods. Nevertheless, Tim ran fast enough to be not only the first over 50 to
finish but also the first over 40.
1 J Sumpter (Unatt) 32.01 (chip time 32.01)
14 Tim Woods 35.41 (35.40)
28 Chris Jones 37.33 (37.30)
650 David Meaden 61.44 (61.15)
HASTINGS HALF MARATHON Sunday 11th March
Hugh Jones ran his first Half Marathon for some time, finishing 32nd and
first over 50 in a field of nearly 4000. However, he missed jumping to the
top of our over 50s ranking list by one second. That honour still belongs to
Ken Fotherby senior, who ran 76.35 back in 1984. Kerrie O'Connor's 90.03
ranks her 9th in our over 35s list.
1 P Gitia (Kenya) 63.22 (chip time 63.22)
32 Hugh Jones 76.36 (76.35)
164 Andrew Forth 88.12 (88.02)
223 Kerrie O'Connor 90.03 (89.53)
718 Chris Camacho 101.21 (100.08)
752 Phil Aiken 101.48 (100.06)
1830 Louise Piears 117.44 (115.57)
2064 Lorna Smith 120.47 (118.19)
2326 Julie Naismith 125.02 (124.00)
BANBURY 15 miles Sunday 11th March
"The race was well organised but we felt it was a tough course despite
perfect weather" writes Chris Read.
1 N McGuiness (NER) 1.22.49
89 Chris Read 1.51.55
120 Evelyn Joslin 1.56.52
194 Karen Broadbent 2.05.46
MILTON KEYNES HALF MARATHON Sunday 11th March
1 J Clarke (New & EB) 71.22
479 Liz Kipling 99.55
G3 10km SERIES Newlands Corner, Guildford
This was a series of 10km off-road races, each on a slightly different
course but all starting and finishing at Newlands Corner on the North Downs,
and each more than a little hilly! Bonnie Webster clocked up one 2nd and two
3rds in the women's section, and Alyn Morgan scored two 6ths and an 8th.
6th January
1 E Robson 44.37
6 Alyn Morgan 48.29
40 Bonnie Webster 56.38
3rd February
1 S Gardener 43.43
6 Alyn Morgan 46.18
26 Bonnie Webster 53.04
3rd March
1 S Padget 45.23
8 Alyn Morgan 48.29
25 Bonnie Webster 54.17
BUSHY PARK TRAIL RUNS Sunday 25th February
Roger Wilson reports:
"After a rule change from previous years the junior team award was based on
three rather than the previous four runners, Ranelagh won the junior team
shield. The team was Sam Hunton (1st), George Inman (2nd) and Luke Wilson
(5th)".
SUSSEX BEACON HALF MARATHON Sunday 18th February at Brighton
Louise Dunn reports that it was not in fact she who ran at Brighton. John
Pratt was the second over 60 to finish.
FINALLY...
"It seemed to me a great pity that just as this grand season was drawing to
a close one of our well-known sports writers should choose to bring up again
that old question of whether our women athletes should run more than a
furlong. He gave his opinion that girls 'should not attempt athletic
performances for which they were never constructed'. He spoke of 'the sight
of a girl with hair in rat tails, eyes staring out of her pallid face, and
obviously at the end of her tether'. He used the word 'degrading'. Well, I
ask you. Regular followers of athletics will, I am sure, agree with me that
instances such as the above are very rare indeed. Of course our women
athletes sometimes appear exhausted after a gruelling race. So do the men. A
perfectly natural reaction. And only a momentary one."
R.A Oliver writing in "Athletics Weekly", 24th October 1953.