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Newsdesk 2007
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RANELAGH HARRIERS E-NEWS # 252 17 May 2007
Editor: Steve Rowland
mailto: steverowland@ranelagh-harriers.com
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HEADLINE NEWS
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* Very successful Richmond Half Marathon on Sunday
* Paul Doyle and Estelle Damant both 4th but county bronze medallists
* Howard Gleave and Tim Woolmer win county M50 and M60 golds
* Men's and women's teams both win county silvers
* Peter Haarer wins Oxon county 10km track championship
* Thames Turbo Junior Series - overall wins for Holly Clemens, Stephanie
Croucher, Luke Wilson and George Inman
SEE HERE
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GREEN BELT RELAY Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th May.
We are running two teams of eleven in this year's Green Belt Relay - a
women's team and a men's vets team. These are the two classes we won last
year, so no pressure then! The first stage starts in front of Hampton Court
Palace at 8.30am on Saturday morning, so early arrivals for the Bushy Park
Time Trial might like to see our teams on their way. The finish is at the
Hawker Centre in Ham on Sunday afternoon, with the first finisher expected a
few minutes before 6pm. Everybody is welcome to join the teams there too.
DORKING 10 miles Sunday 3rd June
This is the next race in the Ranelagh Grand Prix series. It is also the next
event in the Surrey Road League and the Surrey 10 miles championship. The
organisers have introduced a new course this year, comprising one short lap
and one long.
DYSART DASH 10km Sunday 24th June at Ham
Over 150 entries have already been received for our second "home" race, so
don't delay too long in getting your entry in! It would be great to see even
more Ranelagh runners in this than the 50-odd we had in our Half Marathon
last Sunday.
TRAIL CHALLENGE Tuesday 19th June in Richmond Park
We have agreed to host another event for SLOW - the South London Orienteers
and Wayfarers. This time it is one of their summer series of Trail
Challenges. These events are designed - like the Street O we hosted in
February - as gentle introductions to orienteering. In fact they are best
described as a cross between orienteering and a cross-country race. You are
given a map and you have to visit a series of controls, but all the
competitors start together, so for the inexperienced there is plenty of
scope for following others! There is a choice between a 10km (starting at
7.30pm) and a 6km (starting at 7.40pm). Our event will be entirely within
the confines of the Park. Entry is £4 in advance or £6 on the day. Full
details are on the SLOW web site: www.sloweb.org.uk/trail/Index.htm
BUILDING FUND DRAW
Peter Trainor writes:
"The result of the May draw was as follows:
Angela Smith £125
George Sheffield £52
Dave Taylor £31
Thank you for your continued support for the Building Fund Draw this season.
The total amount of prizes won for the season was £624, with a similar
amount going into the Club's Building Fund. For those who are not already
paying by standing order, it's now time to pay your annual £10 per entry for
the 2007/08 season's Draw, which you may send to me - payable to RANELAGH
HARRIERS BUILDING FUND - or arrange with me to pay by standing order, or pay
to me by cash or cheque when you next see me.
Thanks again for your support. My contact details are below".
Peter Trainor
30 Hatch Place
Kingston upon Thames
Surrey KT2 5NB
Phone: 020 8541 3579
E-mail: peter.trainor@btinternet.com
CAPTAINS' COMINGS AND GOINGS
Our men's Vice-Captain Mark Middleton is off to Canada and we wish him bon
voyage with all best wishes for the future. Meanwhile our women's Captain
Anna McLaughlin is to be married to John Scally on June 23rd.
Congratulations to both!
FOOTPATH
Work has just been completed on a new gravel-surfaced footpath linking
Petersham Gate with Ham Gate, where it will link with the existing "Tamsin
Trail" cycle/pedestrian path that circumnavigates the Park. The Friends of
Richmond Park opposed its construction but to no avail. The path may be of
benefit but it does seem a shame that it has taken a direct line from
Petersham Gate (opposite our clubhouse) and thus defaced that lovely green
slope with a livid red scar.
SUBSCRIPTIONS...
...for 2007/08 are now due. Rates are unchanged this year and will cover the
new £3 affiliation fee required by UKA:
Juniors £6, Seniors £30, Over 60 AND retired £5, Family £60, non-running,
second claim or "country" members £10.
Cheques should be payable to Ranelagh Harriers. See Chris Owens at training
nights or send your cheque to the clubhouse in an envelope marked
"Membership Secretary". Address is Ranelagh Harriers, 135A Petersham Road,
Richmond, Surrey TW10 7AA.
SPONSORSHIP
Bev Ali writes:
"My daughter, Jessica, also a part-time Ranelagh runner, is taking part in
the Project Brazil - 6th to16th October 2007 - to raise money for Bobby
Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK, and would really welcome your support.
This is a once in a lifetime ten day trip to renovate a remote school and a
football pitch, leaving a lasting legacy for the local community. This will
give the children and their parents in the local community the chance to
continue their education in their own village, close to their families,
rather than being obliged to move away. Jessica will be travelling to a poor
and remote village in the beautiful Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park,
where she hopes her efforts will make a change for the better.
She has to raise £3,200 by August to be able to attend! It's very easy to
support Jessica online - just go to her page at the web address below where
you can make a donation. Any amount will be gratefully received.
If you have a problem accessing the above link or prefer to donate over the
phone then there is a local rate telephone number - 0845 021 2110. All
donations are secure and sent electronically to Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer
Research UK. If you are a UK taxpayer, Justgiving will automatically reclaim
28% Gift Aid on your behalf, so your donation is worth even more. Please
join us in supporting Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK and a fabulous
cause.
Thanks and best wishes on behalf of Jessica".
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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
Anna McLaughlin (07971 606521 / mailto: anna.mclaughlin@talk21.com ).
Sat 19th / Sun 20th May Green Belt Relay. See above.
Sunday 3rd June Dorking 10 miles. Ranelagh GP race and Surrey 10m
championship. See above.
Tuesday 19th June Trail Challenge 10km or 6km in Richmond Park. See
above.
Sunday 24th June Dysart Dash 10km at Ham. Ranelagh GP race and
Surrey 10km championship. 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.
Details:
RANELAGH ROAD GRAND PRIX
Current leaders after four events are (Open) Paul Doyle and Trevor Maguire
24 points, (Men Over 40) Paul Doyle 12 points, (Men Over 50) Martin Clark
and John Hanscomb 8 points, (Women) Mandy Westlake 10 points, (Women Over
40) Lynne Barber and Lorna Smith 10 points, (Women Over 50) Jane Wyatt 11
points. There are already 84 different names on the score sheet.
Full details
SURREY ROAD LEAGUE
After the first race (Sutton 10km) Ranelagh's men are in 3rd place and the
women are 12th. But we have three individuals leading their classes: Paul
Doyle (M40), Clive Beauvais (M60) and Kerry Anley (SW).
WHAT'S HAPPENED...
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RICHMOND HALF MARATHON incl SURREY COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS Sunday 13th May
Carol Barnshaw was the new organiser this year and put together an efficient
team to ensure another successful event. We received over a thousand entries
and there were 781 finishers. Carol writes: "Thank you to all the marshals -
on the Runner's World review their cheerfulness was mentioned by just about
everyone".
The marshals and officials did well to be cheerful, because the weather
certainly did not favour them. It was dry at the start but a light drizzle
set in within a few minutes and this gradually turned into a steady heavy
rainfall. Perfect conditions for the runners, though, and personal bests
were set throughout the field.
New veteran Jason Simpson of South London Harriers set his stall out early
on and was clear of the field within a couple of miles. Only Epsom's Will
Clark tried to chase and he paid the penalty later, finishing a very tired
5th. Simpson extended his lead to a good half a mile and his time of 68.58
was a record for this course. Paul Doyle was in a small group contesting
third place early on but found himself out of the prizes in 4th place at the
finish as Belgrave's Padraic Buckley - running the distance for the first
time - put in a strong last mile to move into the runner-up position ahead
of Shaftesbury's Peter Stainer. However, Stainer was ineligible for the
Surrey championship so Paul collected the county bronze medal. Paul writes:
"I thought the conditions were good, not too hot. Over the next few years
some very fast runners will turn 40. The young men need to train harder! I
wouldn't rate my run as good, I've lost focus a bit and am eating too much
cake. I was in a good group but lost contact at 9 miles". There was a silver
to come too for Paul in the county team race where he was backed up by Mick
Lane, a good 15th in 76.54, and Peter Weir 23rd. Golds went to South London
and they won the open team race too. Ranelagh was second again, but this
time the third scorer was Irishman Shane O'Rourke, who finished 20th but
could not count for the Surrey race.
Martin Halvey was next in, just over the 80 minutes mark, with Howard
Gleave, Nathan Mills and Paul Sheridan following close behind. Howard was
delighted to find that he was the first over 50 finisher and also won the
county gold for that age group. Tim Woods might have deprived him of the
title, and was actually our second runner in the early stages, but he was
obliged to pull out with Achilles tendon problems. Martin, Howard, Nathan
and Paul all reached the finish close in the wake of the leading woman,
Thames's Naomi Warner, who recorded 80.18. Estelle Damant ran a personal
best 85.48 for 4th overall, but just like Paul in the men's race she had one
non-Surrey runner in front of her and thus qualified for the county bronze.
And just like Paul she led the Ranelagh squad into second place in the
county team championship, backed up by Mandy Westlake - a PB of 92.22 just
three weeks after the London Marathon - and Sandra Prosser. "Tim Woolmer
invited me to run with him at 7.30 minute miles" writes Sandra, "We pushed
each other along really well, I don't think I would have dared to be so
ambitious straight from the start. We started right at the back and spent
the whole race overtaking people whilst being cheered on by the marshals".
Sandra finished a minute ahead of Tim, but Tim's reward was the county over
60 title. "This will go into the 'hard to believe' drawer!" writes Tim.
Estelle adds: "I was well pleased. It was so well organised, I can't believe
how many people ran and how happy and cheerful all the soggy marshals were!"
It was good to see no fewer than 49 Ranelagh Harriers in the results,
including 17 women. Almost as many must have been out on the course as
marshals, water station attendants and officials at the finish - a great
club effort all round. To finish, here's one of the Runner's World reviews:
"Everything about this race shows that it's run by a proper running club who
know what they are doing. As mentioned elsewhere, the marshals are great,
the course offers definite PB potential and you get to run alongside the
Thames".
BUSHY PARK TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 12th May
There were two women in the top four finishers this week, including
international Faye Fullerton, so Clare King's 19.13 was only good enough for
5th. Mick Lane was the leading Ranelagh man, warming up for the following
day's Richmond Half. John Hanscomb had been alarmed the previous week to
read in the e-news that his fellow septuagenarian Wally Garrod had run
25.54. Luckily for the well-being of John's heart, this should have read
27.46.
1 A Bodin (Belgrave) 16.15
9 Mick Lane 17.36
19 Marc Snaith 18.55
25 Clare King 19.13
55 Darren Wood 20.43
56 David Rowe 20.43
59 Chris Camacho 20.47
123 Phil Aiken 22.37
130 Paul Bisping 22.49
250 John Hanscomb 27.13
311 Sharon Rowe 30.02
347 Karen Broadbent 33.35
WIMBLEDON COMMON TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 12th May
1 S Edwards (Unatt) 16.10
20 Stephen Instone 20.01
THAMES TURBO JUNIOR SERIES RACE 4 Saturday 12th May in Bushy Park
The final race in the series saw the fourth straight win for Holly Clemens
and George Inman. Luke Wilson and Steph Croucher also took the overall
titles in their age groups. Roger Wilson reports: "Luke won the series by
finishing 1st, 1st, 1st and 2nd in the four races. In the last race he was
beaten by a faster, older runner and suffered a bit of stitch but still
managed a PB of 12.57 for 3k. These races are an excellent introduction to
running for youngsters aged 5 and upwards - athletes compete between 1 and
3.5 km depending on their age in laps on a safe course around Hampton Hill
Cricket Club in Bushy Park".
Thames Turbo are also organising a junior aquathon (swimming and running) on
24th June at Lady Eleanor Holles school.
Girls 11/12 2.5km
1 E Cottington 10.34
2 Nina Harding 11.57
3 Alice Clemens 12.03
4 Danni Croucher 12.24
Boys 13/14 3km
1 M Otradovec 12.09
2 Luke Wilson 12.57
Girls 13/14 3km
1 Holly Clemens 13.26
3 Bea Purdue 15.02
Boys 15/16 3.5km
1 George Inman 15.04
KESWICK HALF MARATHON Sunday 6th May
Bob Beatson reports:
"I've run the Keswick Half 20+ times, and the weather has very rarely been
as chilly, wet and windy. However, it suited me, and I ran my best time for
the course since before 2000. It was my best as a vet by well over a minute,
despite having a problem with my shoe laces, after forgetting to tighten
them and double the bows at the start. One came undone between 10 and 11
miles, and the other shortly before 12 miles, but I knew I was going well,
and I wasn't going to stop. I don't think it slowed me down much, except
perhaps on the finishing loop around the rugby ground, so a very satisfying
result, despite my brain failure! Chris Read had a very good run too. He
managed a course PB by about 10 seconds. With first timers Louise Dunn and
Alison Cullen, and regulars John Hanscomb and Dave Rowntree, six Ranelagh
runners wasn't a bad turnout for a race 300 miles from home!"
Louise adds:
"A brilliant run with great views, though the weather was shocking. Plenty
of large hills to warm up on over the first 6 miles then numerous
'undulations' (Keswickian language for smaller hills) leading to a cheery
finish where digestive biscuits were provided. I suspect that my time was
improved by wanting to get out of the intense rain and wind and, of course,
the enormous roast lunch waiting back at the house..."
1 S Potts (Sunderland) 1.15.42
76 Chris Read 1.32.40
143 Bob Beatson 1.37.16
361 Alison Cullen 1.59.38
366 Louise Dunn 2.00.10
402 John Hanscomb 2.04.06
479 David Rowntree 2.17.55
HALSTEAD AND ESSEX MARATHON Sunday 13th May
Neil Myland reports:
"What a great race! Such a shame that it clashes with our own half marathon
(please forgive me for not attending). I ran Halstead in the hope of burying
this year's London demons and it turned out I wasn't the only one, given the
number of red laces I saw among the 400 or so of us who started. Although I
was aiming for sub 4-hours, I was delighted with my time given the
circumstances - I over cooked it a bit in the first 20 miles and was
vomiting blood for the last 6 and lost a bit of time over a challenging
course that is quite undulating and includes an off-road last mile through a
sticky field. The medal and the t-shirt at the end were great and the
organisation was fantastic. If next year this race doesn't clash with the
Ranelagh half, I'd recommend this to anybody who misses London, or just
fancies making the most of their London training and having another run
out".
1 N Hodges (DMV) 2.38.49
214 Neil Myland 4.06.39
OXFORDSHIRE TRACK CHAMPIONSHIPS Wednesday 9th May at Banbury
Peter Haarer reports:
"The time was as dismal as the weather, and continued the downward trend of
recent years. This was matched only by the number of competitors who
ventured to Drayton School, Banbury, for this ever decreasingly popular
event, and indeed this year saw record numbers - three male athletes and one
U20 lady, setting a county record for her age group. But if someone has to
take the title..."
1 Peter Haarer 34.17
FINALLY...
Another of the Runner's World reviews of Sunday's Half Marathon was from a
lady named Genna who ran "for around 4 or 5 miles beside John, a 71year old
man who participated in all London Marathons and has run for 54 years! Of
course he left me behind on the last 3 miles. But I felt honoured with such
a presence and to me the race was worth it mostly for that. And the grand
finale was to have John waiting for me on the finish line asking me 'what
happened?'". Hmmm, can't think who that could have been...