Home
Newsdesk 2008

*************************************************** RANELAGH HARRIERS E-NEWS # 291 7 October 2008 Editor: Steve Rowland mailto: steverowland@ranelagh-harriers.com *************************************************** HEADLINE NEWS ************* * Opening Surrey League races this Saturday * Women 13th and men 56th in the SEAA road relays * Hannah Ebelthite wins Page Cup * Fastest times in the 'Page' by Richard Gregory and Marie Synnott-Wells * Time Trial wins by Danny Norman and Rachael Holmes * King's Cup Schools race win by Ralph Street * Marie Synnott-Wells runner-up in New Forest Half Marathon * Richmond Park Time Trial first anniversary this Saturday SEE HERE ******** SURREY CROSS-COUNTRY LEAGUES The men's and women's Leagues both kick off on Saturday 11th October - the men on our course in Richmond Park (2.30pm for under 18s, 3pm for seniors) and the women at Nork Park, Banstead Venue: The senior women's race starts at 12.15pm with the junior races following. All are welcome to run (just turn up and register on the day), but anyone with half a chance of making the scoring team should try to make it if at all possible. The men's race is 10 to score, the women's is 5 to score. Marc Snaith writes: "First Surrey XC League is on October 11th and for a change the first meeting is hosted by Ranelagh so it would be great to start off with as many running as possible. Richmond Park is currently rock hard so unless the weather dramatically changes I doubt it will be 15mm spikes and mud up to your armpits. So you can't use the excuse that you don't like cross country because it will feel like an easy trail run. The start is at 3pm and there will be tea and cakes afterwards at our clubhouse. Last year we finished fourth for the second consecutive year and have been gradually closing the gap on Belgrave. At the southern road relays they debuted a few new 'signings' which would make our task to overhaul them even tougher. The fast improving Hercules will push us both all the way for third place and we can't count out South London Harriers or Stragglers. Both teams have shown on the road that they will be competitive with us in the Surrey League. Last year Wimbledon Windmilers finished bottom and there were even some races where their first scorer wouldn't have been in our scoring team. Despite this they continued to field the biggest teams at each meeting whereas our team was always one of the smallest. So let's turn up in big numbers this year and push each other to run harder and faster and get that third spot from Belgrave!" RICHMOND PARK TIME TRIAL This Saturday sees the first anniversary of the RPTT. Karen Weir writes: "I know Surrey League is priority, but that doesn't stop others coming out to support and anyone not doing Surrey League is welcome to run. It's a 'Bring and Share' party, Ranelagh-sponsored points prize trophies being presented by Frances and a raffle where everyone has the chance to win a prize". SURREY VETERANS CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS Saturday 18th October in Richmond Park As usual we are hosting the county vets championships. There are two races: 6km for women at 2.30pm and 10km for men at 3pm. All over 35s (women) and over 40s (men) who live or were born in Surrey or SW London are eligible to compete. Medals are given in 5-year age groups for individuals and in 10-year age groups for teams. Although entries will be accepted on the day at £5, it is preferable that you enter in advance - it's cheaper (£3) and entries on the day are ineligible for the team scoring. Marc Snaith writes: "If you want to run, let me know that you are interested and I'll enter you then chase you up on the day for the entry fee. If you do this can you please let me or Marie or Niall OconnoN02@cpwplc.com know that you have entered so we can put your name onto the team declaration sheets. CABBAGE PATCH 10 Over fifty Ranelagh Harriers have entered for this race which takes place on Sunday 19th October on the usual course from Twickenham, but entries are now closed. However, they do need some volunteer marshals...see below. MARSHALS NEEDED FOR THE CABBAGE PATCH Andrew Lane of the Stragglers writes: "Hello everyone, yes it's that time of year again when I am looking for help with the marshalling duties at the Cabbage Patch 10. The race is on October 19th this year and we need somewhere in the region of 80/85 marshals to successfully cover the course and the finish area. So if you can spare the time please can you contact me and indicate your availability. If you haven't marshalled before don't worry we will tell you exactly what is needed and what to expect. Naturally there will be the usual additional incentive with the offer of the traditional long sleeve T shirt, a free beer and a free two course meal after the race to all who assist with the race. Bring your friends and family. You will be most welcome". If you can help, e-mail Andrew at andrewghlane@aol.com or keithhaworth@aol.com BUILDING FUND DRAW Winners of the draw held after the Page Cup were: John Herries (£118), Rachel Rowan (£50) and Julian Smith (£30). It's just a tenner a year to take part: send a cheque (payable to Ranelagh Harriers Building Fund) to Peter Trainor at 30 Hatch Place, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT2 5NB. ENGLAND ATHLETICS REGIONAL AWARDS Simon Burrell writes: "I attended the recent England Athletics (London Region) awards ceremony knowing that Steve Rowland had been nominated for the 2008 'Volunteer of the Year' award. Despite stiff competition from about half a dozen other very worthy candidates, Steve's services to athletics clearly shone through, and I was immensely pleased to pick up the award on Steve's behalf. His name will now be entered for the equivalent national award, to be announced on 18th October. Many people will know Steve as the editor of our excellent e-news publication, but few know quite how much Steve has done and continues to do for the club, the county and athletics in general. I had to twist Steve's arm severely to get him to agree to publish this information as he is certainly not one to bask in the limelight. For a sense of Steve's history with the club, thanks go to his brother Mike and to Ken Powley for providing the information below. Steve joined Ranelagh Harriers in 1965. His organisation and leadership qualities were quickly noticed by the committee and he was made Junior Captain, the first of a long list of duties he has performed for the club. He has been Captain, club handicapper, membership secretary, editor of the Club Gazette twice and is now a Vice President (and Life Member). Steve produced the Club Newsletter, quarterly from 1982 to 2001, when it was superseded by his electronic 'E-News'. With the spread of e-mail as a form of communication, Steve soon realised how this medium would be a great way of keeping members up-to-date with club news. He has been producing an 'E-News' more or less fortnightly ever since, from the first edition in August 2000 and also has regular articles published in the local press, describing the successes of Ranelagh members. Steve is also the official club archivist. He spent many hours researching to update the club history, first produced to honour the club's centenary in 1981. An update was published in 2006, the date of the club's 125th anniversary. It was Steve's idea to have a Ranelagh Road Grand Prix series during the summer months, and he also suggested the revised rules for the McLeod Trophy and Women's Performance Award. Steve has been a regular member of the club's first team at major cross-country championships and surely would have achieved even more in his own running career had it not been for a series of crippling injuries. He was the inspiration behind the Dysart Dash 10k and also organised the the Ranelagh, now called Richmond, half-marathon for some years. He has also been involved in race organisation at county level. All of this devotion to club and county athletics has been performed with the minimum of fuss and no complaint. Steve is rewarded simply by feeling he has put back into athletics what it has given to him. He is an example to us all, an example of all that's best about British sport". MARGARET IN NEPAL An update from Margaret Nilsen Fehn: "Hi to all. A month into Nepal and I am moving on from the charity work. I have spent the last week in Kathmandu going to previews and meeting artists. I went to a live performance of Trikaal - Nepal's cross-cultural music ensemble. It was electric. A mixture of traditional Nepali music and western. Very well known - they have just done a big tour. There is a pizza restaurant here in Thamel called Fire and Ice - run by Italians. Forget Pizza Express - it's the best. I plan to go to Darjeeling soon and hope to get to Pokara in November. It's the best month for photographers. Many trekkers and climbers are arriving in Kathmandu waiting for clear skies". WHAT'S COMING ************* More details of the following from Marc Snaith (07717 213035 mailto ( mdsnaith5@hotmail.com ) or Marie Synnott-Wells (07956 431319 / mailto nandmwells@aol.com ) Saturday 11th October Surrey League Division 1 (men) in Richmond Park. Surrey Ladies League Division 1 at Nork Park, Banstead. See above. Saturday 18th October Surrey Veterans Championships in Richmond Park. See above. Sunday 19th October Cabbage Patch 10 miles Saturday 1st November Lee Cup Mob Match v Orion Harriers at Chingford (Epping Forest). Parkruns every Saturday at 9am Bushy Park Diana Fountain car park Richmond Park Richmond Gate 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 *************** SOUTH OF ENGLAND ROAD RELAYS Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th September at Rushmoor Arena, Aldershot Marie Synnott-Wells reports: "With the weather ideal, this year we fielded two teams at the SEAA 4 stage road relays held in Rushmoor Arena, Aldershot. The event attracts club and international athletes from all over the South of England and the competition can be particularly tough. With this in mind both teams were up for the challenge. The A team of Jo Ronaldson, Estelle Damant, Marie Synnott-Wells and Sara Grosvenor were placed 13th overall, one place down on last year's 12th. We had good runs from Jo and Estelle, both achieving best ever times on this course, with Sara marking her return to the fold. Our B team also had good runs and comprised Kerrie O Connor, Daniela Mingham, Sandra Prosser and Kath Phillips. Michelle Beaumont ran a solitary first leg, as we were unable to field a complete C team on the day. Michelle's deliberation on the day was 'she was pleased with her run and surprised herself with her time' and 'happy that she forfeited her Sunday afternoon for the event'." Stats corner: Jo Ronaldson ('I'm so pleased to be back running again') ran 13.58, the fifth fastest by a Ranelagh Harrier on this course although only eight seconds outside the fastest, which still stands to Kristina Semple from 2004. Estelle's 14.18 was a good half-minute faster than she has run before and places her eighth in the list. The team ran 33 seconds faster than last year despite finishing one place lower - but they were some way outside our fastest on the course, which was 2006's 56.50 for ninth place. Aldershot were so far ahead of the rest this year that their coaches had to keep their interest up by urging them on to chase the course record - unsuccessfully as it turned out. The women's race was on Sunday afternoon and the previous day had seen the men in action. They too were some way outside our fastest on this course. Quite a long way outside, in fact! With many of our top men missing it was an opportunity to give a few of the others a first taste of this kind of event. Ben Matthews ran the fierce opening stage and finished 66th out of about 90 teams that started. Howard Gleave gained a few places on stage two and thereafter we occupied a place around 60th or just inside for the rest of the race, thanks to Niall O'Connor, Marc Snaith, Chris Brook and Ed Barker - who ran our fastest time of the day with 21.03. PAGE CUP 5 miles handicap Saturday 4th October in Richmond Park It was ladies' day on Saturday for the 117th running of the Page Cup handicap. Hannah Ebelthite, Kirsty Bangham and Michelle Beaumont took the official first three places, with just for good measure Daniela Mingham - competing as a guest - finishing a stride ahead of Michelle. Hannah's handicap mark of 21.40 made her the third starter, and only the two who set off ahead would have seen anything of her as she swept past them en route to a victory by over half a minute. Kirsty was chasing hard but never got close to Hannah and had to settle for the silver medal. Another half a minute back there was a sprint finish for third place between Michelle and Daniela who had never been more than a few seconds apart throughout the race. Daniela made it across the line first by a stride but as a guest she was not eligible for the bronze medal which went instead to Michelle. Wyn Williams started twenty seconds behind Michelle but could never quite make up the ground and led the rest in fifth place. Fastest time of the day was an impressive 26.59 by Richard Gregory, followed by Jonathon Stacey's 27.36 and Ed Barker's 28.50. Marie Synnott-Wells topped the women's list on 33.06, ahead of Michelle Beaumont on 36.45 and Daniela Mingham on 36.54. Alan Howard and Martin Clark continued their campaign to re-write all the club's Over 70 records and both finished over two minutes inside the old mark. Pride of place, though, again went to Alan with a time of 38.00, well clear of Martin's 38.33. NEW FOREST MARATHON and HALF MARATHON Sunday 21st September at New Milton Marie Synnott-Wells finished second in the women's half marathon. Half Marathon 1 L Rodriguez (Poole) 73.31 (chip time 73.31) 48 Marie Synnott-Wells 88.28 (88.24) 125 Steve Grout 94.42 (93.56) Marathon 1 K Russell (Reading) 2:39.35 (chip time 2:39.35) 67 Grant Hibbert 3:27.49 (3:27.36) HOVE PROM 10km Sunday 21st September Yet another first M60 prize for Clive Beauvais. 1 J Baker (Chichester) 32.03 54 Clive Beauvais 39.30 LAST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH 5km Friday 26th September in Hyde Park 1 O Edwards (Shaft B) 15.26 82 Michael Bull 20.40 112 Alan Davidson 21.47 187 Mike Rowland 26.45 200 John Hanscomb 28.00 BUSHY PARK TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 27th September Danny Norman, representing Stragglers, was first in. 1 Danny Norman 16.57 15 Nick Wright 18.27 20 Jonny Peacock 19.04 25 Darren Wood 19.23 43 Andy Woodhouse 19.53 49 Adam Wright 20.03 80 Ian Grange 20.59 94 David Ready 21.30 121 Michelle Beaumont 22.08 122 Phil Aiken 22.08 148 Joanne Turner 22.41 150 Kirsty Bangham 22.43 175 Michael White 23.19 218 Johanna Scheuer 24.27 225 Jonathan Billington 24.34 256 Hannah Ebelthite 25.34 294 Louise Gill 27.16 301 John Hanscomb 27.31 332 Sharon Rowe 29.09 RICHMOND PARK TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 27th September Thick fog added a novel dimension to this week's RPTT. 1 C Assmundson (SMR) 16.49 5 Andy Bickerstaff 18.57 10 Stephen Instone 19.22 16 Chris Parsons 21.02 37 Kathy Mallett 22.58 49 Wiebke Kortum 24.48 56 Lorna Smith 26.47 57 Janet Turnes 27.11 62 Francene Leaversuch 28.11 67 Julie Naismith 28.43 74 Pat Hewlett 30.57 WIMBLEDON COMMON TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 27th September 1 A Robinson (TH&H) 17.20 102 Catherine Carthy 28.27 HORSLEY 5km Sunday 28th September 1 C Hogg (Blackheath) 18.59 5 Steve Rowland 20.35 BERLIN MARATHON Sunday 28th September Carola Richter reports: "It's September again and time to approach the Berlin Marathon for the third time. I really like Berlin as it is a fast course ideal for PB's. Just look at Haile Gebrselassie. I trained all summer very hard and thought I put enough training and effort in to run a sub 3:30 marathon. The weather conditions in Berlin were perfect at around 19C although it was rather chilly in the morning. However, a few hiccoughs occurred on Saturday as my friend (where I was supposed to stay) rung me in the morning to inform me that I couldn't stay at her house because of a nasty stomach and flu outbreak in her family: something I really didn't fancy catching either before or after the race. This didn't really stress me out as I was optimistic about finding a hotel room. What I didn't know was there were two big conferences in town on top of a marathon. However, I finally managed to find a 4 star hotel (would recommend, top service) at 7pm. Being overly cautious I left my ID (passport) at my parents' place. Wrong move. In Germany you have to carry an ID with you all the time and it's obviously essential for checking in at hotels. But the nice receptionist showed a soft spot after a ten minutes explanation what I was going through all day. After a nice hot bath I finally got some sleep and breakfast was served from 5:30 onwards (Germans really know how to serve breakfast). Heading to the start line you get to chat to so many people it's unbelievable. I also saw Haile Gebrselassie thirty minutes before the start, which gave me a big buzz. He seemed rather happy to sign race numbers and chat to people and didn't seem nervous at all for someone who wanted to break his own world record. The race itself was almost perfect. My first half was well paced, although by around 10 miles I knew I had to go for a pit stop, which would (and did at the end) have cost me extra time. By 20 miles I was still in good condition and thought that I will go from there. I knew I could run under 3:30 by kilometre 39 and started to race. Unfortunately, the way the course is structured over the last 3k slowed me down a bit. Spectators were too close to the runners not allowing them enough space to overtake and there was a water station at 40km! (you only have another 2 km to go). How silly, that slowed everybody and me down. But, I did my best to run strong right to the finish line. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough for a sub 3:30: 25 seconds too slow but I'm more than happy with this time as I now know that 3:28:00 was in for me. So, officially I ran 3:30:25 but for my own peace of mind I can well say that I ran 3:28:02 (without the pit stop). Where do I go from this? Well, with good coaching, preparation and motivation I know I can achieve a lot and 3:20:00 is my next goal. London, I'm coming! But for now I will have a well deserved break from racing". 1 H Gebrselassie (Eth) 2:03.59 (chip time 2:03.59) - World Record 6775 Carola Richter 3:35.07 (3:30.25) CROYDON SWITCHBACK 5 miles Sunday 29th September Phil Aiken reports: "Lloyd Park in early January - bleak, windy, grey, muddy. The memories are not kind. So to arrive there in late September under sun-drenched, clear blue skies, with no mud to be seen made a pleasant change. Though, in the manner of a southern hemisphere Christmas in the middle of summer, it did seem rather odd. The Switchback 5, a small, low-key but increasingly popular 5 mile multi-terrain race around Lloyd Park and Addington Hills, is a rare event - an open cross country race. Starting a little further back from the usual League start, the course climbs immediately up onto the ridge and follows the 'inward' side, avoiding the notorious camber. At the furthest point, it leaves the park and crosses the road into the woods, where it gets interesting. Addington Hills is to Lloyd Park what the Thames Wimbledon Common course is to Belgrave's, with one section - a sequence of four continuous short, sharp descents followed by equally short and sharp ascents - recalling The Butts. Leaving this section, a left turn continued the climb up to where the photographer cheerfully recorded our anguished expressions. What goes up must come down of course but discretion won out over valour - I wasn't prepared to risk my ankle here. Returning to Lloyd Park and retracing our outbound steps there was the usual frantic dash back along the ridge, down through the fields to the start and along to the finish at the end of the opening straight. Post race refreshments were served back in the Striders' clubhouse, where £1 bought a cup of coffee and probably the biggest slice of cake I've ever eaten. It was almost enough to overshadow a rare top 50 placing". 1 B Makuwa (unatt) 28.26 49 Phil Aiken 38.58 50 Alan Howard 39.36 KINGFIELD CANTER 2.85 miles handicap Wednesday 1st October at Woking 1 P Gristwood (Mole V) 23.57 (actual time 21.57) 15 Andy Bickerstaff 26.35 (16.35) 17 Sonia Rowland 26.40 (21.10) 21 Dan Parsonage 26.49 (19.34) 27 Louise Piears 27.09 (21.39) 31 Steve Rowland 27.39 (19.09) 33 Alan Davidson 27.55 (20.25) 38 Sioned Morgan 28.46 (22.31) KING'S CUP SCHOOLS RACE 4.5 miles Wednesday 1st October on Wimbledon Common Representing Tiffin School, Ralph Street ran to an excellent 20 seconds victory in 24.47. RAVENS QUARTERLY 5km Thursday 2nd October at Wapping 1 M Bridgeland (Chelms) 16.46 12 Andy Hayward 20.14 BUSHY PARK TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 4th October Over 500 runners finished the BPTT's fourth anniversary event. Here is the Richmond and Twickenham Times' story: 1 O Laws (Newham & EB) 15.55 13 Nick Wright 17.50 39 Darren Wood 19.07 100 Sarah Lintern 20.50 143 Phil Aiken 21.43 170 Ian Grange 22.15 261 Johanna Scheuer 24.01 394 John Hanscomb 27.55 RICHMOND PARK TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 4th October Rachael Holmes was first woman home. 1 A Vandenberg (unatt) 17.02 5 Vaughan Ramsay 18.45 9 Peter Weir 19.29 10 Stephen Instone 19.32 25 Rachael Holmes 21.40 33 Simon Burrell 22.22 48 Wiebke Kortum 24.29 63 Lynne Barber 26.10 72 Louise Gill 27.45 74 Francene Leaversuch 27.55 78 Christine Goodsell 29.18 79 Penny Merrett 30.12 81 Pat Hewlett 31.01 88 Lorna Smith 35.04 WIMBLEDON COMMON TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 4th October 1 H Shields (THH) 17.46 74 Catherine Carthy 27.47 WIMBLEDON 10 MILES Sunday 5th October Phil Aiken sums the race up in one word: "Wet!" 1 A Rayner (Black & B) 52.49 41 Andy Bickerstaff 69.19 81 Phil Aiken 78.35 DULWICH CHARITY 10km Sunday 5th October 1 A Gibbins (Black & B) 33.51 374 Alan Meaden 61.06 387 David Meaden 63.01 ENDURO PEDESTRE DES SABLES 14km Sunday 31st August at Agon-Coutainville 1 G Hakizimana (Rwanda) 45.45 700 John Keep 78.06 863 John Hanscomb 89.02 885 David Rowntree 100.19 FINALLY... "Ask yourself: 'Can I give more?'. The answer is usually: 'Yes'." Paul Tergat (former holder of the world record for the Marathon)