Home
Newsdesk 2007
****************************************************************************
RANELAGH HARRIERS E-NEWS # 257 19 July 2007
Editor: Steve Rowland
mailto: steverowland@ranelagh-harriers.com
****************************************************************************
HEADLINE NEWS
*********************
* Cindy Croucher wins the Coad Cup
* Sam Perkins runs the fastest time
* Paul Doyle and Peter Haarer in top ten at Elmbridge 10km
* Paul Doyle, Chris Owens and Marie Synnott-Wells all second in their age
groups
* 2nd places in the WCTT for Darryl McDonald and Sara Grosvenor
* 3rd place at the BPTT for Jamie Taylor-Caldwell
SEE HERE
*************
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Tuesday 10th July at the Clubhouse
The AGM was well attended, with many of the 70+ who had earlier taken part
in the Coad Cup race staying on for the meeting. The proceedings themselves
set a new record for brevity, being brought to a close in little over 45
minutes - maybe everyone was too tired to argue! The only changes to the
club officers are Marie Synnott-Wells taking over as Women's Captain and
Karen Broadbent as Kit Steward. Nathan Mills has been appointed as Men's
Vice Captain. Frances Ratchford made a number of President's prize awards -
to Sam Perkins for his outstanding performances on the country last winter,
to Sarah Smith for her work on coaching and to Jo Turner and Marina Quayle
for theirs on the social events.
RICHMOND PARK TIME TRIAL
Paul Sinton-Hewitt's time trial concept has caught on to a remarkable
degree, and the three events already in existence are likely soon to be
joined by more. Most significant amongst these for us is that Paul plans to
launch a Richmond Park Time Trial probably in October. He has already spoken
to the Park authorities who are fully supporting the idea. It will be based
at the Pembroke Lodge car park and the format will be the same as for the
other time trial events - a free 5km run every Saturday morning at 9am.
It is important that Ranelagh members support this new venture too - not
only by taking part but by adding your name to the list of volunteers to
undertake one of the officiating jobs. The time trials all rely on volunteer
help for their existence. The jobs are not onerous and by no means do you
have to commit yourself every week - but if you can help occasionally please
do so. Contact Paul at mailto:p.sintonhewitt@btinternet.com
WEDDING DAY 7km Friday 27th July in Bushy Park
This Friday evening race has become very popular and usually sells out in
advance. Nearly 500 entries have already been received, so if you're
planning to run don't delay.
*********************
WHAT'S COMING...
*********************
More details of the following from
Andy Bickerstaff ( 07772 111491 / mailto: andy@norris-hobs.co.uk ) or
Marie Synnott-Wells (07956 431319 / mailto: nandmwells@aol.com ).
Monday 23rd July Final Masters Track meeting for this season at the
Millennium Arena, Battersea Park from 6.30pm
Tuesday 24th July Ham Riverside Trail Run. 7.30pm start at the
Hawker Centre.
Friday 27th July Wedding Day 7km in Bushy Park. 7.30pm start.
Tuesday 7th August MABAC 5 miles on Wimbledon Common. 7.30pm start.
Sunday 12th August Belgrave 5km at Wimbledon incl. Surrey champs. 10am
start.
Sunday 19th August MABAC 10km Pairs Relay at Leatherhead. 11am 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.
Banstead Woods Time Trial: 9am start off
B2219 Park Lane, Chipstead
More details at www.parkrun.com
RANELAGH ROAD GRAND PRIX
There are now just two events to go in the 2007 GP: the Wedding Day 7km in
Bushy Park on Friday 27th July and the Belgrave 5km on Sunday 12th August.
Full details.
SURREY ROAD LEAGUE
The final League race is the Belgrave 5km on Sunday 12th August.
WHAT'S HAPPENED...
***************************
COAD CUP 5 miles handicap Wednesday 10th July in Richmond Park
Handicapper Mike Rowland writes:
"What an evening! At 6:45, there were about two dozen names on the list of
runners. By 7:15, there were 78! I haven't worked that hard for a long, long
time. But how good to see so many runners competing. It was just like the
old days when I used to run in all the handicaps (and moaned about the
handicapper, of course). I think I remember over 100 starting a Thomas Cup
once.... and Ken managed to get about 80% finishing within 2 minutes. Now
that's handicapping. He's one hell of an act to follow. Congratulations to
first-home Karen O'Hara and to the actual Coad Cup winner, Cindy Croucher.
And of course to the fastest on the night, young Sam Perkins. What a
prospect he is".
Cindy adds:
"I spent all day yesterday waiting for someone to call or email me to say
that there had been some mistake because I can't actually believe that I
won! I haven't won anything for 20 years and then it was the 100 metres. I
knew that I'd have a really good handicap and I knew that I'd got a bit
faster since my last one as I've lost a bit of weight (and trained hard of
course) so if I was ever going to win anything it was now or never! The
weather was glorious, the course was great and not too hilly (I had
forgotten about that bit that goes up to the Isabella though - I don't like
that bit much) and I just kept going - Wally would be proud as I didn't chat
to anyone! It was lovely to see all the groups represented and I think
everyone enjoyed it (afterwards anyway) and all the ladies who run with Bev
and I did really well and should be proud of themselves - they were
terrified beforehand. I spent the evening feeling like a fox just waiting to
be caught by the pack - too scared to look back, just listening for the
heavy breathing. Sam stormed round like a steam train in 27:37 nearly half
the time it took me, and Marie in 32:08. Bev Walsh came in second place
breathing down my neck and Roger Wilson ran amazingly fast to come in
third - I hear working from home is good for his training. Everyone looked
like they ran their hardest with lots of red faces and heavy breathing - a
wonderfully inclusive club event!
I'd like to thank Mike for all his number crunching and calculating the
handicaps - please be kind to me next time (I don't think I'll be quite so
lucky in the Thomas Cup) and to Ken, Alan, Carol and the other people whose
names I don't know who helped organise the run. My kids don't really grasp
that I could be 66th out of 76 and win when I crossed the line second and I
have heard a few cruel jokes from my work colleagues about disabilities and
handicaps - they just don't understand!"
Sam Perkins was fastest by half a minute from Darryl McDonald, with Jonathon
Stacey third and a surprising Chris Jones fourth. Marie Synnott-Wells was
easily the fastest woman in her last race before shouldering the burden of
Captaincy, while her predecessor Anna McLaughlin ran her first race as Mrs
Scally. Anna's time might have been pedestrian by her standards but she and
John had only returned from honeymoon that morning! I'm sure we should not
read anything into the fact that John finished last...
ELMBRIDGE 10km Sunday 15th July at Walton-on-Thames
It was bridesmaids' day for Ranelagh today, with a clutch of second and
third places but no top honours. Peter Haarer led the Ranelagh charge in the
early stages, but Paul Doyle put in a strong second half to dispose of Peter
and several others before finishing 5th overall in 33.39, only 11 seconds
outside his fastest time as an over 40. He might have hoped that would be
good enough to win the vets' category, but the ubiquitous Jason Simpson was
at the head of proceedings running unconscionably fast for a man of 40.
Peter held on for 10th, half a minute behind Paul, and our next finisher was
Nathan Mills with a new PB of 35.45. Mick Lane was close behind and in 30th
place came Chris Owens who was involved in a mighty scrap for the position
of leading over 50. Chris had to settle for 2nd place as only six seconds
covered the first three. Chris was also the second Elmbridge resident behind
the former Olympian Sonia O'Sullivan. Peter Weir finished right behind
Chris.
Our next finisher was Marie Synnott-Wells, whose 38.46 was good for 5th
place overall in the women's race, and second over 35 behind O'Sullivan.
Trevor Maguire and David Rowe followed on inside 39 minutes - a PB for
David - then came Clive Beauvais, the 3rd over 60 to finish, and right
behind him Chris Read just back from a sojourn down under. Mandy Westlake,
Evelyn Joslin, Carola Richter, Karen Broadbent and new member Leigh Pedersen
all made the top fifty amongst the women.
Unusually the men's team race was six to score and we finished - of course -
second. The women's event was four a side and we were placed third.
YATELEY 10km Wednesday 4th July
This was the second event of a three-race series and Mick Lane notched up
his second victory in the M40 class.
1 G Robinson (Sand J) 33.33
8 Mick Lane 35.20
BUSHY PARK TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 7th July
There was a very fast run by junior Taylor Nunn and it was good to see
organiser Paul Sinton-Hewitt finding time for a run.
1 J Goulis (Stragglers) 15.51
16 Taylor Nunn 17.41
21 Marc Snaith 18.05
30 David Rowe 18.41
53 Darren Wood 19.42
68 Sam Hunton 20.25
71 Edward Smith 20.37
72 Joss Moran 20.38
96 Luke Wilson 21.23
156 Roger Wilson 22.42
157 Paul Sinton-Hewitt 22.43
163 Sophie Spink 22.58
170 Paul Bisping 23.14
218 Alan Craig 25.04
220 Stephanie Croucher 25.07
239 Gill Wilson 25.57
266 John Hanscomb 26.50
301 Juliette Chan 28.18
318 Sharon Rowe 30.08
335 Penny Merrett 32.44
WIMBLEDON COMMON TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 7th July
It was first time under 17 minutes for Darryl McDonald in finishing in 2nd
place, a feat emulated in the women's section by Sara Grosvenor.
1 K Quinn (Real Runners) 16.35
2 Darryl McDonald 16.47
25 Sara Grosvenor 19.35
26 Stephen Instone 19.39
54 Kathy Mallett 23.51
BANSTEAD WOODS TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 7th July
1 A Collins (SLH) 17.56
55 Brian Chard 29.36
CLAYGATE COUNTRY 5 miles Sunday 8th July
An interesting competitor was Steve Pautard, one of Ranelagh's leading
runners from the 1980s, when he twice ran 2.19 for the marathon. Steve
finished 47th in 34.47.
1 T Doran (Elmbridge) 27.02
60 Alan Davidson 35.50
119 Jim Forrest 38.59
231 John Hanscomb 44.46
REIGATE SUMMER 10km Wednesday 11th July
Clive Beauvais won the over 60 class by almost five minutes.
1 T Elsey (Herne Hill) 34.46
30 Clive Beauvais 41.27
BRIDGES 2.3 miles handicap Wednesday 11th July at Westminster
1 T Matthews (Wimb W) 13.22 (actual time 13.22)
2 Simon Hedger 14.26 (14.26)
18 John Hanscomb 20.49 (19.50)
22 Alan Davidson 21.09 (16.10)
BUSHY PARK TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 14th July
There was an excellent run in 3rd place by junior Jamie Taylor-Caldwell.
1 J Trapmore (Shaft B) 15.55
3 Jamie Taylor-Caldwell 17.39
13 Andrew Forth 18.31
37 Darren Wood 20.05
38 David Rowe 20.09
50 Peter Wright 20.52
71 Phil Aiken 21.32
93 Adam Wright 22.15
110 Sophie Spink 22.53
119 Roger Wilson 23.23
152 Alan Craig 24.29
200 Gill Wilson 26.06
208 Heather Martingell 26.38
222 John Hanscomb 27.19
268 Paul Bisping 30.27
269 Sharon Rowe 30.46
WIMBLEDON COMMON TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 14th July
1 I Higgins (Thames H&H) 17.56
7 Stephen Instone 19.45
BANSTEAD WOODS TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 14th July
1 R Ward (Belgrave) 16.29
55 Brian Chard 28.38
POWERTROPHY 10 miles Sunday 15th July at Wimbledon Park
1 R Desaix-Chin (Aust) 49.21
44 Sorcha O'Connaill 83.18
St DOMINIC'S SCHOOL 10km Sunday 15th July at Hambledon
Alan Davidson reports on one that was well worth missing:
"After about 3k of the St Dominic's school 10k taking in sand, muddy
bridleways, nettles and brambles, we reached Hambledon Church and were sent
on a circuit round the Hydons Ball beauty spot. Arriving back at the church
the marshal obviously didn't know the correct course as he tried to send the
runners back round Hydons Ball! Some wandered off into the countryside to
try and find some direction arrows but I with the rest of the leading group
decided it was sensible to go back to the village and the school by road.
The race was declared null and void. Much later heading for Witley station
over Hambledon Common groups of runners kept coming up to me saying they
couldn't find any arrows and asked me to tell them how to reach the school.
I was told the mugs for the race hadn't arrived but wondered if we were
them! More fun than Elmbridge 10k".
NEAR AS DAMMIT 10km Thurday 28th June at Coulsdon
Clive Beauvais was the leading over 60.
1 C Phelan (SLH) 36.47
24 Clive Beauvais 42.52
THAMES TURBO JUNIOR AQUATHLON Sunday 24th June at Lady Eleanor Holles
School
Roger Wilson reports:
"The Smith family of Edward, Olivia and Rory made their multisport debuts at
the Thames Turbo Junior Aquathlon. Rory Smith came a creditable 4th in the
8-year-old boys, while Olivia finished 15th in the girls 11-12 years.
Putting on t-shirts after the swim was a novel challenge to swimming and
running races.
Edward Smith ran a strong third in the run leg of the aquathlon boys 13-14
year-olds to finish in 8th position overall. Luke Wilson also ran strongly
to finish in 12th position. The event was held at LEH school, starting in
the swimming pool and then 500m laps of the playing fields offering
opportunities for supporters to shout encouragement. The best performing
school overall was the swimming squad from the German School based in
Petersham".
Boys 8 years 50m swim / transition & 500m run
1 A Anderson (Hamp SC) 3.28 (1.09 / 2.19)
4 Rory Smith 4.49 (1.36 / 3.13)
Girls 11 - 12 years 250m swim / transition & 2km run
1 A Lufkin (Elm SC) 13.13
15 Olivia Smith 18.48 (6.10 / 12.38)
Boys 13 - 14 years 350m swim / transition & 3km run
1 P Rooprai (Houns SC) 16.50 (4.36 / 12.14)
8 Edward Smith 19.45 (7.10 / 12.35)
12 Luke Wilson 21.14 (7.36 / 13.38)
FINALLY...
"Jogging is very beneficial. It's good for your legs and your feet. It's
also very good for the ground. It makes it feel needed".
Snoopy.