*************************************************** RANELAGH HARRIERS E-NEWS # 280 21 April 2008 Editor: Steve Rowland mailto: steverowland@ranelagh-harriers.com *************************************************** HEADLINE NEWS ************* * London Marathon - Steve Whitehead and Fari Shams win club marathon championships * Mike Peace and John Hanscomb still ever-presents * RPTT win for Ben Matthews * Latest Half Marathon news * Top UKA coach coming to the clubhouse SEE HERE ******** RANELAGH RICHMOND HALF-MARATHON - Sunday 11th May 2008 at 8.30am Entries now exceed 1000 including more than 50 from Ranelagh. It seems likely that entries will close well before the date. If you are thinking of running, get your entry in now! If you are not planning to run, please read on for Niall O'Connor's latest update: "It looks like we'll have a record number of entrants for the Ranelagh Half-Marathon on 11th May so we need plenty of on-course marshals. So far I am short about 20 marshals but am hoping that close-up views of lycra-clad runners, each dripping sweat and panting, will entice prospective volunteers to contact me. Marshals will be required for about 90 minutes, placed somewhere convenient for them, and will be rewarded with tea, coffee and various edible goodies back in the clubhouse afterwards. There will also be some drinks on the Tuesday afterwards in the clubhouse for marshals, as well as energy bars for during the race (to tease the runners with). As the race begins at 8:30 you will still have the day ahead of you to attend to domestic duties. If you are available to marshal please let me know on niall_o_c@hotmail.com or phone/text 077 9597 3198. Also if anyone has a Ranelagh marshal's bib at home can they drop it back to the clubhouse (unless they need it again this May 11th)". TOP UK COACH COMES TO RANELAGH - FREE SEMINAR Phil Killingley writes: "Nick Anderson - GB Endurance and Cross Country Coach at UK Athletics - is coming to the Ranelagh clubhouse on Wednesday 14th May, 7.30pm-9pm, to talk to us about Endurance Running. The seminar is suitable for runners of all speeds looking to run distances between 5km and marathon. Nick may also bring a celebrity runner, but this is still to be confirmed. His style is interactive, so bring questions! Nick will mention Full Potential, his business offering online/telephone coaching, warm weather training camps, and UK training weekends (www.fullpotential.co.uk/). The seminar will be free of charge. Spaces are limited - book yours now - email philipkillingley@hotmail.com. SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE NOW DUE Chris Owens writes: "The new rates are: Senior subscription £40 Under 20 or Student or unwaged £10 Family subscription £70 Second Claim £20 Retired and over 60 £20 Non-running member £10 This is the first increase for seven years, includes registration with England Athletics, and represents excellent value for money. Please make cheques payable to Ranelagh Harriers, and send to Membership Secretary, Ranelagh Harriers, 135a Petersham Road, Richmond, Surrey TW10 7AA. Please consider paying by standing order - there is a form on the website which you can fill in and send to your bank. This saves us and you lots of hassle". SUTTON 10km This Surrey Road League fixture takes place on Sunday 4th May at 10.30am. GREEN BELT RELAY The GBR is being held this year on the weekend of 17th and 18th May. It's eleven runners per team, and we have entered three teams, one men's, one women's and one mixed. The route is a complete circle around London's Green Belt, much of it off-road, totalling about 220 miles. It's divided into 22 stages, and each runner has to run one stage on Saturday and one on Sunday. For lots of info about the race, see the website www.greenbeltrelay.org.uk/index.htm. If you're interested in taking part please contact Marie or Andy - contact details in What's Coming below. POINTS PRIZE and PERFORMANCE TROPHIES These competitions reached their conclusion at the Baker Cup. The Points Prize for consistency in handicap races was won by Jo Turner, whose 8 points for finishing 6th in the Baker Cup leapfrogged her past Chris Brook with a total of 21 points to Chris's 17. Roger Wilson's 10 points in the Baker took him up to third place overall on 16. Full scoresheet:. The performance awards are based on results in all club events during the winter season. In the men's section for the McLeod Cup Chris Brook again had to settle for the runner-up position, though well behind winner Niall O'Connor. Niall totaled 1338 points, Chris 1209 and third-placed Captain Bicks 1039. The women's competition also saw the Captain in third place. Marie totaled 991 points but the clear winner was Sandra Prosser with 1358 points, and second was Sonia Rowland on 1133. Full scoresheets:. PAAVO NURMI The great Finnish runner - who won a total of nine Olympic gold medals between 1920 and 1928 - was the subject of Matthew Parris's "Great Lives" program on BBC Radio 4 last week, with Steve Cram and sports historian Richard Hymans the principal contributors. It should be available via the "Listen Again" facility until this Tuesday: www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/history/greatlives/index.shtml. LONDON AFTERTHOUGHT Mike Rowland writes: "A further thought on the London Marathon... well, the 2009 version actually. I wonder if everybody is like me in thinking that this online entry system is totally and utterly DAFT! By 10pm on Monday 14 April (i.e. the day after this year's race), 80,000 applications for the 2009 race had been made and they'd closed the books. There will be space for a further 35,000 applications from 9am Monday 21 April and I suspect they'll be taken by midday. There are only 5000 spaces available for the old-fashioned paper entries (you have to 'phone in to have a form sent to you). Three thoughts on all this: (1) Every year, thousands of people watch the London Marathon and think to themselves 'I can do that'. I know because that's how I began running just after the 1981 Marathon. Virtually all of those people will have given up the idea after a few weeks and a couple of crippling 1 mile runs! But these will be the people who have taken a great percentage of the 80,000 applications that came in on Monday. Under the old paper form system, you had until October to make up your mind and the over-ambitious ones would have decided against it. (2) Many of those who finished on Sunday would want to apply for the 2009 race. On Monday, many would be in bed all day or travelling back to all corners of the United Kingdom! (3) Many people of my age-group and above do not (and do not want to) have access to a computer and so would have to rely on the tiny number of paper applications. I suspect this is going to lead to a much smaller field in 2009!! I wonder what other members think?" *************** WHAT'S COMING... *************** More details of the following from Andy Bickerstaff ( 07772 111491 / mailto: andy.bickerstaff@goodrunguide.co.uk ) or Marie Synnott-Wells (07956 431319 / mailto: nandmwells@aol.com ). Sunday 4th May Sutton 10km. See above. Sunday 11th May Richmond Half Marathon. See above. Sat 17th / Sun 18th May Green Belt Relay. See above. Sunday 1st June Dorking 10 miles. Time Trials, every Saturday at 9am Bushy Park Diana Fountain car park Richmond Park Pembroke Lodge car park Wimbledon Common Windmill car park Banstead Woods Car park off B2219 Park Lane, Chipstead More details and registration at www.parkrun.com WHAT'S HAPPENED **************** LONDON MARATHON Sunday 13th April Ranelagh numbers were on the up for this year's London, with at least 40 members on the starting line and plenty more out on the course giving freely of their support and encouragement. The day was probably slightly more comfortable for those in action than for those on the sidelines - cool and breezy, with heavy showers that included some hail drenching all and sundry after about two hours, then again at four hours and once more at six. The women's elite race was first away at 9am and we were represented by Fari Shams and Kerrie O'Connor. Fari had just slipped inside three hours last year but preparation had been hampered this time by injury. Nevertheless she set off on schedule for another sub-three, passing the half-distance inside 1.29 before fading to 3.08 at the finish. She declared herself disappointed with this, but it proved good enough for her to retain the Brasher Bowl club women's championship. Kerrie finished five minutes back in 3.13. Here's her account: "I had planned to run 4.25 kilometres but basically ran the first 20km in 4.15s which I was not fit enough to do! Felt fine until my I started having stomach problems around 10 miles. Four loo stops later I felt a bit better, but then the rain started around 20 miles. It was always risky going out fast but I think with more training and smarter racing that elusive sub 3 may be in reach!" The elite men and the masses were set on their way at 9.45am. The race at the front was perhaps the fastest ever in depth, and Kenyan Martin Lel's sprint finish to victory would not have shamed a club quarter-miler. The first two Ranelagh members on the road were actually both second claimers, first Phil Killingley who ran a well-judged even-paced race on his way to an outstanding 2.29 and then Danny Norman who recorded 2.40 after passing half way in 77 minutes. Not far behind Danny the race for the Winter Cup club championship was resolving itself into a three-way battle between Steve Whitehead, Mick Lane and Martin Halvey. They were never much more than a minute apart, with Mick leading the way at first, then Steve. Steve proved the stronger over most of the second half of the race, though it was Martin who was finishing fastest. Steve crossed the line in 2.44 to win the Winter Cup club marathon championship, well deserved after the disappointment of having to drop out of last year's race with injury. A little over a minute behind, Mick and Martin charged down the finishing straight. They crossed the line in that order, just a few metres apart, but owing to London's decision to issue only chip times it is Martin who has been given the better finishing position. Steve Whitehead writes: "I'd had a mixed preparation and in the last month had a chest infection and shin pain which restricted my training somewhat. With that in mind, I had targeted 6:15 min mile pace with an overall target of 2:45. Words of encouragement from Mick Lane at 15 miles helped out and despite a very painful last six miles, I was happy to crack the 2:45 barrier. Thanks to all of the shouts of support for 'Ranelagh' on the way round, it really does help to have such backing. I hope Phil got similar support with his incredible sub 2:30 finish". Here's Martin Halvey's view: "Another London marathon completed and the weather conditions were a little different to last year, but the celebs still turned up at the green start with all the attendant extras they are entitled to. I think we should launch an invasion of the celeb tent next year, tie them up, gag them and then see if anyone would miss them. Recently they tend to dominate the race, while the real trojans are the runners who have run all 28 London Marathons, the youngsters dispensing water, the marshals and all the other runners who run for pleasure and causes close to their hearts without seeking any undue publicity. The spectators were once again full of encouragement. They, the bands and the sound systems give everyone a lift especially in the built-up areas when the various sounds reverberate off the buildings creating a dynamic effect. There was a time when I thought the idea of runners printing their names on their vests as being of little value. Supporters who genuinely knew the runner were not recognisable as everyone shouted the name. Great for the spectator, great for the runner but if the individual was in your company mile after mile and all you could hear was 'Come on Alex', then Alex entered one ear and instead of exiting the other ear, decided to lodge somewhere in the skull causing my little brain to curdle and lose concentration especially when energy levels are running low. Now, however, I've learned to cope. If the runner benefits that's good enough for me! It was a puzzle as to why Buster Martin was placed in pen one at the green start. As the race got under way he, surrounded by all the plumbers in Pimlico, brought us, running behind him, to an almost complete stop. The comments and suggestions shouted at him were not too pleasant, the main one being that he should xxxx off to the back. The puzzle was solved later as we discovered he wasn't 101 years old but a sprightly 94, so being in a younger age bracket entitled him to be placed at the front. The six African warriors were also up front but they got no abuse. Maybe the six sharp edged spears had something to do with it. The generosity of spirit among the runners was shown when I forgot to take on water at the 10 mile mark. I turned to the athlete next to me to ask for his bottle, but as I was about to ask he threw it away. 'Sorry mate', says he. 'Can you go back and pick it up', says I. 'Sorry again mate,' says he, 'But I'm running a marathon at the moment. But I tell you what, if you're here at the same time next year I will be more than happy to give you the bottle'. I managed to finish the race and crossed the line proudly wearing the Ranelagh vest". A mile or so behind the three-way contest for the Winter Cup, Ed Barker was achieving his sub-3 target: "I really enjoyed this one!! I am sure mainly due to doing some proper training, but I was comfortable the whole way, so much so that my last 6.2 miles were my quickest in 39.45 (unlike last year when it took me 61.16!!). In fact I ran a good negative split this year - so maybe there is actually more in the tank yet...". Iain Wilson and Trevor Maguire also made it inside three hours. Here's Trevor: "My third time running London and it is still a strange day. Friends and family actually know the name of the race and the distance - very rarely does anyone ask about the tricky 3 miles of the Baker Cup or the grinding hills of the mob match away at Orion! The crowds at the start and getting up to race pace can pose a few problems (how do a few thousand runners get around a group of Masai warriors armed with spears without upsetting them - slowly and very carefully is the answer) but as ever the crowds are fantastic and it is a great experience from start to finish. The weather was good for most of the race with the infrequent, albeit heavy, showers affecting the crowds more than the runners. My own race went fairly well. I had the honour of warming up with the great Mike Peace - one of our two ever-presents who again entered and completed London. From the look of Mike's shorts and vest I think they are ever-presents as well! I also had the good fortune to run with and be overtaken towards the end by Iain Wilson and Ed Barker. I think they both had a great race and paced it well and will be delighted at finishing well under three hours. For my part I faded badly and suffered the toughest finish I ever want to experience but I needn't have bothered pushing myself, as I had five seconds in hand to get under three hours. I also notice from the results a lot of good times throughout the field from Ranelagh runners, both first and second claim, so I look forward to hearing the tales behind all of these successes. The look of satisfaction on Phil Killingley's face after the race with his sub 2 hr 30 is one I expect to be replicated by many others. Finally, I think we are a very lucky club to have so many people willing to come out and shout 'Come on Ranelagh' around the course from first to last; I'm sure all of us runners really appreciate this support. My evening ended at the Wych Elm with a few other finishers and lots of supporters with the happy donation of 26 pints from Fullers. As I stated earlier; a strange day but one that seems worthwhile in the end". Patrick Wallis and Charlie Pedlar were frustratingly close to three hours and sixteen more made it inside four, including seven women from the mass start headed by Kath Phillips. A few minutes outside four hours was Ian Grange, just seven days after completing the Paris Marathon in 3.44. As Trevor mentioned, Mike Peace and John Hanscomb maintained their London ever-present status. There are now only 22 men who have completed all 28 races. John, of course, claims this will be his last! At the other extreme, there were the first-timers. Here's Deborah Blakemore: "9.45am on 13th April and I'm lining up for my first marathon. As I cross the line I see my supporters club led by Simon yelling and waving at me and I think 'Oh blimey, I'm running the London Marathon!'. What followed was one of the best experiences of my life. How can I sum it up in a few words? Here goes - singing along to the bands, cold rain (twice!), being offered jelly babies & chocolate, being passed by seven men in a dog costume and a liquorice allsort, complete strangers shouting encouragement at me, realising at mile 24 that I was actually going to do this and most important of all, seeing the best supporters club in the world four times round the course. The moment I turned the corner and saw the finish line is one I will never forget, never mind tired legs, I crossed the line with my arms in the air and a big grin on my face. I was chuffed to bits with 5.13. The perfect end to a perfect day in the Wych Elm that evening - thank you Janet. Thank you Simon & all my supporters. The London Marathon - I loved it!" Half an hour behind Deborah, Mike Rowland walked in: "Met John Hanscomb at Charing Cross, going for his 28th London... and not looking good. Abcess on his tooth, face swollen, I thought 'Every time your feet hit the ground, it's going to hurt!! Poor bloke'. Beautiful warm sunshine at Blackheath, perhaps it'll be OK but those clouds are bubbling up a bit. Had a chat with Tim Woolmer at the wpf charity photo-shoot. Pleasant half hour listening to the steel band - every year they play, very relaxing. Off we go, I'm last off the Heath as usual. Nice clear road to get into my rhythm. There's Buster Martin. Is he really 101? So what if he's not. If he's 81, he's still brilliant. Here come all the runners from Greenwich Park, seem to be loads more slowies than from Blackheath. More crowded now, have to watch where I'm walking. A lady on stilts?? Didn't think they allowed things like that. Oh blast! Here comes the rain..and the wind... and it's freezing!! Yuk! Martin Lel's just finished and I'm nowhere near Tower Bridge yet. 2:05:15! What a time on a day like this. I'm still feeling strong and the mile times are very consistent. This is going well. Don't seem to be so many stragglers as usual. I usually get badly impeded from about 16 miles on: desperately tired runners who are now walking much slower than me. It's usually so tiring trying to thread your way through but not so bad this year. Nearly there now, always a welcome sight, the London Eye. Into The Mall and there's Steve and Sonia. How did they get in the grandstand again. 5:44:28, nearly 7 minutes up on last year. Nice to (temporarily) halt the age decline! Now for a nice shower and a cup of tea back in my office (I work opposite Victoria Station) Oh yes... must remember to enter the 2009 race tomorrow". The evening's get-together at the Wych Elm was well attended, though more by spectators than runners. Thanks as always to Janet Turnes for hosting the party and laying on food. There was the added interest this year of Fuller's offer of 26 pints of London Pride for four Wych Elm customers who had completed the marathon. In the event only five runners made it to the pub and they all received vouchers for the beer. Fari generously used hers to buy drinks for the house. Cheers! In the mini-marathon, held over a lengthened course this year, Ranelagh had representatives in the Richmond and Kingston teams. Best result came from Edward Smith, 13th in the Boys 13-14 section, and his time, 17.33, was also our fastest of the day. Josh Keisler, Eve Edmunds and Anna Mallett all made the top fifty in their respective groups, BRIDGES 2.3 miles handicap Wednesday 9th April at Westminster 1 C Sinim (unatt) 19.05 (actual time 16.05) 6 Alan Davidson 20.31 (16.05) 19 John Hanscomb 21.14 (20.42) BUSHY PARK TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 12th April Darren Wood was resting up for the following day's marathon and consequently lost his overall lead in the points competition. Martin Clark set a new course record for over 70s. 1 J Hutchins (Bas & MH) 15.35 60 Chris Camacho 20.53 64 Chris Hunton 20.56 89 Roger Wilson 21.48 90 Alan Davidson 21.48 103 Martin Clark 22.08 140 Adam Wright 23.06 141 David Ready 23.07 206 Gill Wilson 25.26 267 John Hanscomb 27.17 311 Stacey Barber 29.23 317 Christine Goodsell 29.54 RICHMOND PARK TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 12th April 1 R Gregory (Unatt) 17.21 3 Ben Matthews 17.37 5 Niall O'Connor 18.36 22 Andy Woodhouse 21.16 23 Stephen Instone 21.23 37 Paul Bisping 24.05 49 Jenni Kruse 26.58 58 Janet Turnes 28.30 WIMBLEDON COMMON TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 12th April 1 V Maughan (HHH) 16.43 90 Catherine Carthy 28.01 TURIN MARATHON Sunday 13th April Gavin Jones reports: "I did 2.53 at the Turin Marathon on Sunday, which i was very pleased with (even beat Olympic champ - from 1988 - Gelindo Bordin!). I ran whole race much more cautiously than in Rome and it paid off - and I got the Rome debacle out of my system. Still think I can do a bit better, though not much under the kind of training I've got time for these days, so like I said I'm more than satisfied and can go back into semi-retirement - at least for a few months!" 1 S Kibiwot (Kenya) 2.10.12 77 Gavin Jones 2.53.47 DORNEY LAKE 10km Sunday 13th April at Windsor 1 C Beechan (unatt) 32.42 112 Nick Lawrence 47.11 RICHMOND PARK TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 19th April Another win and another PB for Ben Matthews. Stephen Instone retains a clear lead in the points competition. 1 Ben Matthews 17.21 10 Burkhard Fehsenfeld 19.33 12 Sean Paynter 19.55 15 Chris Read 20.25 18 Stephen Instone 21.00 26 Sandra Prosser 22.22 27 Kath Phillips 22.37 31 Wiebke Kortum 22.58 35 Loanne Turner 23.26 38 Paul Bisping 23.53 39 Martin Clark 23.58 BUSHY PARK TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 19th April 1 J Johnson (unatt) 16.50 27 Darren Wood 19.22 29 Duncan Mallison 19.25 36 Sam Hunton 19.52 37 David Rowe 19.52 57 George Inman 20.48 84 Amelie Hunton 21.50 85 Ian Grange 21.55 98 Roger Wilson 22.11 137 David Ready 23.18 200 Gill Wilson 25.27 212 Heather Martingell 26.22 232 John Hanscomb 27.05 237 Janet Turnes 27.23 275 Daniel Hobbs 29.29 305 Deirdre Inman 32.05 LEWES 10km Monday 24th March 1 R James (Lewes) 33.52 50 Clive Beauvais 43.47 162 Alan Davidson 52.36 FINALLY... Here's twice world snooker champion Ronnie O'Sullivan, interviewed in 'The Times': "I do between 30 and 50 miles a week when I am at home and I know that if I were to go out drinking I would have to give up the running. And that ain't going to happen. Running is the main staple of my life now, it is the thing that holds me together. It is, like, totally cleansing, as if you are putting your body through some really healthy pain. It takes a mile before you can warm up and then all of a sudden your body is relaxed, your hips are moving, your legs are ticking over and it is more of a rhythm thing then. It is the most important thing in my life. If there was a choice between snooker and running, it might sound disrespectful, but I would choose running every time".