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*************************************************** RANELAGH HARRIERS E-NEWS # 295 9 December 2008 Editor: Steve Rowland mailto: steverowland@ranelagh-harriers.com *************************************************** HEADLINE NEWS ************* * All runners needed for home mob match v SLH in Richmond Park this Saturday * Victory in mob match v Thames Hare and Hounds * Club vets trophies go to David Wright, Chris Owens and Clive Beauvais * Marie Synnott-Wells wins club women's and vets championships * Team and individual medals for Ranelagh women at the South of the Thames 5 * Ralph Street 2nd in Bushy Parkrun * Florence Marathon - Phil Killingley and Richard Gregory in 2:30s and Martin Halvey first over 50 * Jo Ronaldson 4th in Nene Valley 10 * Still a few Christmas Party places left * London Marathon draw for club places to be made at the Christmas Party SEE HERE ******** CATCHING UP... Apologies for the size of this edition. My broadband connection was out for nearly two weeks (thanks a lot, BT), so this is the first e-news since November 14th. Consequently there's a lot of catching up to do! STUBBS CUP MOB MATCH v SOUTH LONDON HARRIERS Saturday 13th December in Richmond Park Niall O'Connor writes: "Our third mob match of the season is this Saturday (13th) on our home course. It is fitting that this coincides with the BBC Sports Personality awards weekend as in our most recent mob match we defeated the club of the 1954 winner (Thames & Chris Chataway) and our next match is against the great Gordon Pirie's (and 1955 winner) club - South London Harriers. Historically SLH have 'shaded' these matches with an impressive 70 wins to Ranelagh's total of 18 and won last year's race comfortably when a minimal 17 Ranelagh Harriers made the trip south. This year SLH have competed strongly in the Surrey League with their ladies topping the table and their men leading us by 19 points. We're in for a battle on Saturday but if we can maintain the impressive turnouts we've acheived for the first two mobs of the year we have a chance to put them under pressure. This match doubles as the club championship with the winner taking home the Wynne Cup. Last year's winner, Peter Haarer, is rumoured to have been spotted in Oxford with a pronounced limp so there may be an opportunity for a new name to be added to the impressive list of winners. In case you missed the note in the previous newsletters on what a 'mob match' is, here's a brief recap: consisting of about 80-100 runners and covering a distance of 7.5 miles these races are not as daunting as they sound. They are more like a 'good run in the countryside', or an extended version of the Saturday morning time trials. This is perfect for anyone who has run a 10k and wants to step up to either 10 miles or a half-marathon. There is no fee to enter and it's perfectly acceptable to use it as a training run if you don't feel like racing. Everyone on the start line contributes to the scoring so the more Harriers in attendance the better our chances are. Saturday's race begins at 2:30 so register at the clubhouse before 2pm. It will begin from near King Henry's mound and is two laps of the same course as the recent mob match against Thames. This race was first run in 1909 so come along and represent Ranelagh in a historical race against a famous London club on a scenic course!" CHRISTMAS PARTY Ranelagh's Christmas Party takes place this Saturday 13th December from 7pm in the Promenade Suite at the Dukes Meadow Golf Club, Dan Mason Drive, Chiswick. There are still a few tickets left, so if you want to come please contact Michele Gibson without delay at micheleagibson@hotmail.com. Tickets are £28. You will have seen details of the appeal for Sri Lankan runner Neel De Alwis that was recently launched by David Rowntree which we hope you will support. At the Christmas Party we will also be running a raffle in support of David's appeal fund and have obtained a year's membership at the of the Golf Club which we will be putting up for auction. DRAW FOR LONDON MARATHON PLACES Simon Burrell writes: "We have just had our allocation of five club places for the 2009 London Marathon, for which in time-honoured tradition, names will be drawn out of a hat at the Ranelagh Christmas party on the 13th December. Please let me know, preferably by email (simon_burrell2000@yahoo.com) or alternatively by phone (07753 834231), if you would like your name to be included in the draw. To qualify you must: * have been a fully paid up first claim club member (on 15th November 2008) * have been rejected through the normal ballot process and be able to provide evidence of this if requested * have provided your name by Friday 12th December I will leave a note in the clubhouse, but please also check with anyone else you know who may be looking for a place, in case they haven't received this message". SMITH ISLAND EXPEDITION LECTURE, SLIDES AND VIDEO In memory of our friend Alan Craig and to raise funds for the Stroke Charity I.N.S. Many of you will have read in previous editions of the e-news accounts of Angus Cater's sailing expedition to Antarctica in late 2007 and early 2008. A member of the crew for one leg of the trip was Alan Craig, who tragically died of a stroke just a few weeks after returning home. Angus has now prepared a lecture with slides and video of the expedition, and any interested Ranelagh members are invited to attend at the Barn Church, Atwood Avenue, Kew TW9 4JE on Saturday 13th December at 6pm. The timing is to allow for attendance both at this and at the club Christmas Party which takes place later the same evening. In memory of Alan, the lecture will also raise funds for INS - Integrated Neurological Services (INS) is a charity dedicated to providing long term therapeutic and social support to people in the local community with neurological conditions. It is based in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames but also serves clients from neighbouring boroughs: www.ins.org.uk. If you would like to support this charity please bring a cheque on the day or visit www.justgiving.com/anguscater. There will be refreshments before and after (for those who don't have to dash off to the Christmas Party). In order to plan for catering and drink please let Angus or Tim Woolmer know as soon as possible if you plan to attend: angus.cater@sfs-group.co.uk or tim.woolmer@virgin.net. HENTY RELAY This is our Christmas fun relay, open to all members, friends and family. Anyone who can run a mile and a bit, in fact. It's for teams of three (which are drawn on the day). Each team consists of one "fast" runner, one "medium" and one "slow". The relay is over six 2km laps of Sidmouth Wood - the "fast" runs three laps, the "medium" two and the "slow" one lap, in any order. The race starts at 12 noon, but you MUST come to the clubhouse to register by 11.30am, in order to be allocated to a team. CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS The county (Lloyd Park, January 3rd), South of England (Hillingdon, January 24th) and National (Parliament Hill, February 21st) championships are all open to all club members but entries must be made in advance. If you'd like to experience taking part in one of the big championship races (and it IS quite an experience) contact one of the Captains as soon as possible. MABAC - CRANLEIGH 15 / 21 miles Sunday 29th March These are popular "pre-London" events and usually fill up well before the closing date. Details: ENGLAND ATHLETICS AFFILIATION Chris Owens writes: "We now have details of everyone registered as first claim to Ranelagh with England Athletics. Using your number will allow you to enter races at lower cost and brings some insurance cover. If you come to the SLH Mob Match next Saturday (start time 2.30pm, so be at the club 1.30pm latest), you can get your registration number then. Please also check that your postcode and email address, listed with the registration number, are correct. Details are all in a blue folder, which will be next to number collection on Saturday afternoon, and after the race. This makes sure that your registration card goes by post to the right place. The mailing will include an ID and password to allow you to log onto the EA site and check or change your details (address/email/DoB). We have the registration numbers now, but don't expect any personal mail this side of Christmas (all those Christmas cards...). If you still have problems, contact EA at affiliation@athleticsservices.org.uk". CONGRATULATIONS... ...to Anna and John Scally who are expecting their first child in the Spring. RONALD PERCY KEAY TROPHY Rodney Oliver writes: "I have to report that I have the perfect alibi for not running in the 5 mile race on 6th December. I am to be the starter for the annual Gordon Pirie Ladies 10 mile race at Farthing Down, Coulsdon for South London Harriers and to present to the winner the Ronald Percy Keay Trophy which I have presented to the club. It is in memory to my step-father who was a Vice-President of SLH for over 60 years and was himself a champion runner before and after the Second World War. He died aged 96 in October 2007 at Canford Cliffs, Poole, and was very instrumental in enthusing me after leaving school to continue my running whilst I trained as a lawyer in London and recommended that I join Ranelagh, which I did in 1956". ALEXIS GOHAR We are very sorry to learn of the death last month of Marcus Gohar's brother Alexis at the age of 45. Like Marcus, Alexis was an international canoeist and latterly a successful and highly regarded coach at the Richmond Canoe Club. Alexis was also a Ranelagh member at one time, but following treatment for a brain tumour in 1993 he lost much of his eyesight and was obliged to give up competitive running. However, he was able to continue paddling and as recently as 2007 he completed the Devizes to Westminster canoe race. Earlier this year a second tumour was diagnosed and he died on November 21st. Our condolences go to Marcus, Eliete and family. 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 13th December Stubbs Cup Mob Match v South London Harriers 7.5 miles in Richmond Park starting at 2.30pm. See above. Saturday 20th December South of the Thames 7.5 miles championship on Wimbledon Common Saturday 27th December Henty Relay - our Christmas special, all members and guests welcome. See above for more details. 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 THE THAMES 5 MILES CHAMPIONSHIP Saturday 15th November at Lloyd Park, Croydon Marie Synnott-Wells reports: "The conditions were favourable, the course was slightly damp, but mainly dry underfoot, (not as damp as it could be), with patchy areas of mud and plenty of undulations to keep us on our toes, working hard all the way round! We managed to get silver in the Ladies team event, sandwiched between South London Harriers A and B teams, with silver and bronze for the Ladies individual events. Not a bad day's work for a visit to Croydon on Saturday, avoiding the shoppers. The scoring team was myself, Estelle, Carola and Sandra, with individual silver and bronze awarded to me and Estelle, by a close margin!! I would like to also add a very special acknowledgement to Sarah Lintern, a XC virgin, whom embraced one of the most challenging XC courses with the strength of a true harrier and a mud lover, to the tune of 'I will be back'!" Niall O'Connor led our men's contingent, overhauling Andy Bickerstaff in the later stages with Vaughan Ramsay and Marc Snaith completing the scoring team of four and Phil Aiken backing up as long stop. LONDON CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS Saturday 22nd November at Parliament Hill The championship was incorporated with an ECCA Challenge event, bringing in quality runners from beyond the M25. Parliament Hill was unusually dry underfoot which must have come as a surprise to those accustomed to the mid-winter Hampstead Heath mud bath. We only contested the women's championship, in which Jo Ronaldson led the team: overall she finished 23rd, but in the London Championship she was placed 15th and 5th veteran. Marie Synnott-Wells was 31st overall, 23rd and 8th veteran in the London Championship. Sandra Prosser, Liz Kipling and Kathy Mallett completed the team which was placed 10th overall but 8th in London. 1 J Heslop (Clapham) 20.07 23 Jo Ronaldson 22.19 31 Marie Synnott-Wells 23.08 64 Sandra Prosser 24.54 76 Liz Kipling 25.35 86 Kathy Mallett 26.07 Teams (4 to score) 1 Winchester 58 10 Ranelagh 193 MOB MATCH v THAMES HARE & HOUNDS Saturday 29th November in Richmond Park If ever an object lesson were needed to demonstrate how a mob match can be won against the odds, this was it. With twelve Thames runners home in the top thirteen, no self-respecting bookie would have given odds against anything other than a heavy defeat for Ranelagh. But there's the bottom line: 1 Ranelagh Harriers 1526, 2 Thames Hare and Hounds 1637. Ken Powley writes: "I think they were under the impression that all they needed to do was to bring a few fast people along to win. They had arrived with only 42 runners, three of whom dropped out, which meant that they all had to score. We had over 60 on the starting line. The old adage that it is numbers that count in mob matches proved to be true in this case". Niall O'Connor continues: "For only the second time in 18 years we defeated our neighbours, Thames Hare and Hounds, in a mob match. They were without their Olympians of recent years - Yamauchi, O'Sullivan and Johnson - but did call on their other big guns. Included were McMullan, a runner-up in the most recent Surrey League match and Major, who placed 6th in the same race, along with the former Belgrave captain and Athletics Weekly journalist, Will Cockerell. Make no mistake, on that cold, grey Richmond day, they came to win. The list of top 10 finishers showed their determination with only a good run in 8th place by the youngest Ranelagh Harrier in the field, Ralph Street, breaking the flow. The next Harrier to cross the line was the venerable Dave Wright in 14th place. It was in the middle order that we earned our win with 30 of the 40 finishers between positions 16 and 56th wearing blue. This win was achieved without many of our top runners (how come Thames can get their top order out but we cannot?) but it was satisfying to see many others don the blue singlet for the first time. In particular our ladies outnumbered the opposition with 16 bodies against just a pair of saltires. Thanks to Marie and Deborah for all their efforts to get people out". Ken resumes: "51 year-old Dave Wright took the Hastings Cup club veterans championship. Where were all the fast Over 40s? Dave also won the Richard Clay-Jones Memorial Pint, as the leading over 50 in the race. However, the McDowell Salver for the club over 50 champion goes to Chris Owens - Dave wasn't allowed under the rules to win all the trophies. Clive Beauvais won the Maslin Mug as first Over 60, whilst Martin Clark knocked over eight minutes off John Hanscomb's Over 70 course record. Trevor Maguire ran really well to win the vets' sealed handicap, from Kevin Jacques and Clive Naish, who incidentally was running in his 100th mob match. He will be celebrating his 100th consecutive mob match at Blackheath in January, that is, if he manages to avoid the Dave Wright syndrome!". Niall again: "The ageless Marie Synnott-Wells led the ladies home followed by Sandra Prosser and Carola Richter, whose strong running in Berlin is translating in the cross-country season. Captain Marc's record for the season now looks a respectable one win and one loss (he has finished ahead of Marie once and behind her once). Thanks to everyone who ran and marshalled. The mob matches are the few occasions where we run together as a club and where everyone contributes to the win (er...or loss). Long may they continue!" The evening's fish and chip supper in the clubhouse was a great success, helped in no small part by the free Fuller's beer provided by Michael White. Thames's irrepressible John Bryant was in good form as usual. David Rowe's excellent photos are here: DYSART CUP 4 miles including club women's championships Saturday 6th December in Richmond Park Marie Synnott-Wells was untroubled in winning both the Hugh Jones Salver for the club women's championship and Trish's Trophy for the women's veterans championship. Overall she finished in 4th place as Clare Grima led Hercules Wimbledon to victory for the first time in the Dysart Cup team race. There was a good battle for second and third places in the championship, with Sandra Prosser just getting the better of Kath Phillips by a couple of seconds, and Daniela Mingham not far behind. Wiebke Kortum completed the Ranelagh team which finished in third place. Only 23 seconds covered the first six in the handicap, the top spot being shared by Kath Phillips and Michele Gibson. ELLIS CUP 5.5 miles Saturday 6th December in Richmond Park As has become usual, the Ellis Cup was more of a service to other clubs than a serious team effort on our own behalf. With mob matches, leagues and championships all clamouring for our attention at this time of year, perhaps this is just one race too many. Our mixed bag of a team finished in fourth place, the trophy returning fairly comfortably to the holders, Serpentine. Howard Gleave, Marc Snaith and Chris Brook were our only finishers in the top fifty. In-form Martin Clark defeated his rival in the over 70s age group Alan Howard and set a new club best time for the age group. BUSHY PARKRUN 5km Saturday 15th November 1 P Tulba (Basingstoke) 15.44 81 David Ready 21.06 113 Layla Smith 21.57 127 Ian Grange 22.15 196 Michael White 23.57 217 Jose Scheuer 24.36 222 Roger Wilson 24.45 326 John Hanscomb 28.20 366 Daniel Hobbs 31.01 RICHMOND PARKRUN 5km Saturday 15th November 1 N Stoddart (SMR) 17.58 11 Stephen Instone 19.56 24 Rachael Holmes 21.11 28 Michael Cawley 21.33 29 Alison Dicks 21.40 86 Pat Hewlett 31.31 87 Annemarie Goodridge 31.58 93 Beverley Ali 36.01 WIMBLEDON COMMON PARKRUN 5km Saturday 15th November 1 F Marsh (Herne Hill) 16.50 37 Martin Clark 22.28 BRIGHTON AND HOVE PARKRUN 5km Saturday 15th November 1 Danny Norman (Strag) 17.23 40 Kirsty Bangham 24.13 BANSTEAD WOODS PARKRUN 5km Saturday 15th November 1 M Chapman (SLH) 17.43 132 Tanya Allen 30.24 BROOKS BRIGHTON 10km Sunday 16th November 1 J Blackledge (Bels) 30.25 (chip time 30.25) 10 Phil Killingley (Win)32.09 (32.06) 58 Danny Norman (Strag) 36.00 (35.54) 249 Kerrie O'Connor 40.46 (40.42) 997 Kirsty Banhgam 50.32 (49.23) 1082 Janet Turnes 51.35 (51.16) 1222 Julie Naismith 53.12 (52.02) EPSOM 10 miles Sunday 16th November "Pleasant undulating course," writes Phil Aiken. Pete Warren was second over 65. 1 B Whitby (Herne Hill) 53.18 104 Lee Davies 74.00 167 Michelle Beaumont 79.06 184 Melissa Glackin 80.22 185 Pete Warren 80.22 196 Phil Aiken 81.20 316 John Hanscomb 102.09 HELL DOWN SOUTH 11 miles Sunday 16th November at Longmoor Camp 1 W Clark (Epsom & E) 1:04.19 (chip time 1:03.09) 687 Louise Piears 1:41.23 (1:39.35) BUSHY PARKRUN 5km Saturday 22nd November Junior Ralph Street finished in an impressive second place. 1 M Trees (Belgrave) 16.23 2 Ralph Street 16.32 5 Howard Gleave 17.21 17 Marc Snaith 18.24 46 Darren Wood 19.42 157 Paul Bisping 22.45 224 Chris Wright 24.33 227 Kirsty Bangham 24.42 303 Gill Wilson 26.48 304 Roger Wilson 26.48 343 John Hanscomb 28.29 357 Wally Garrod 29.03 RICHMOND PARKRUN 5km Saturday 22nd November 1 S Evans (unatt) 17.24 6 Vaughan Ramsay 18.36 11 Stephen Instone 19.38 21 Chris Read 20.31 23 Michael Cawley 20.55 37 Alison Dicks 21.57 60 Sioned Morgan 23.57 77 Wiebke Kortum 27.09 78 Sharon Dooley 27.27 92 Penny Merrett 30.00 95 Pat Hewlett 30.50 99 Beverley Ali 35.23 LAST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH 5km Friday 28th November in Hyde Park 1 P Whitelam (Hallam) 15.29 49 Michael Bull 20.21 BUSHY PARKRUN 5km Saturday 29th November 1 M Trees (Belgrave) 16.28 28 Darren Wood 19.40 186 Jose Scheuer 24.38 201 Ivan Boggis 25.06 284 Wally Garrod 28.38 295 Daniel Hobbs 29.11 RICHMOND PARKRUN 5km Saturday 29th November 1 N Aitken (Clapham) 17.07 12 Stephen Instone 20.14 19 Rachael Holmes 21.08 20 Michael Cawley 21.12 62 Lorna Smith 28.10 75 Pat Hewlett 30.39 76 Annemarie Goodridge 30.42 VETS AC 5.8 miles Saturday 29th November on Wimbledon Common Alan Howard was the leading over 70. 1 B Attwell (SLH) 34.18 24 Alan Howard 46.31 FLORENCE MARATHON Sunday 30th November There were good performances from Phil Killingley, Richard Gregory and Martin Halvey. Phil was out to repeat his sub 2:30 clocking in London and was on target until 35km before slowing a little in the final few kilometres. It was a similar story for Richard, who ran steadily for much of the way and actually recorded his fastest 5km split between 25km and 30km. But he too slowed in the closing stages to finish in 2:37. Martin started fast and still had Richard in sight at 10km. He held on well to finish in 2:47 and was the first over 50 home. Kerrie O'Connor also started, accompanied by her husband Andrew Forth, with a 3:05 target in mind. But it was not Kerrie's day and after passing half way in 98 minutes they decided to abandon the race. 1 J Kiprono (Kenya) 2:12.37 (chip time 2:12.34) 18 Phil Killingley 2:32.48 (2:32.45) 38 Richard Gregory 2:37.44 (2:37.29) 98 Martin Halvey 2:47.03 (2:46.48) KINGFIELD CANTER 2.85 miles handicap Wednesday 3rd December at Woking 1 D Williams (Herc W) 22.52 (actual time 21.52) 20 Louise Piears 26.54 (20.54) 37 Steve Rowland 29.41 (22.41) BUSHY PARKRUN 5km Saturday 6th December 1 R Lazell (Unatt) 17.08 25 Darren Wood 19.23 50 Simon Collingridge 20.13 85 David Ready 21.24 168 Jose Scheuer 24.26 270 John Hanscomb 27.44 RICHMOND PARKRUN 5km Saturday 6th December 1 N Stoddart (SMR) 17.13 13 Peter Weir 19.46 15 Stephen Instone 20.09 28 Alison Dicks 21.58 37 Paul Bisping 22.48 46 Tony Appleby 24.00 60 Chris Wright 25.39 63 Louise Reeder 26.34 86 Penny Merrett 30.21 87 Annemarie Goodridge 31.12 NENE VALLEY 10 miles Sunday 7th December at Peterborough Jo Ronaldson finished in 4th place in the women's section. 1 S Haines (Harboro) 60.07 4 Jo Ronaldson 63.15 DUBLIN MARATHON Monday 27th October Ranelagh had at least one more representative in the Dublin Marathon, besides those mentioned in this last e-news. This was Marie Synnott-Wells, who finished 347th in a very respectable 3:06.00 (chip time 3:05.43) and took 4th place in the W40 category. RICHMOND STREET ORIENTEERING Tuesday 11th November Only a handful of Ranelagh Harriers took up the invitation to take part in this event, part of a monthly series organised by South London Orienteers and Wayfarers (SLOW). Matthias Mahr usually finishes at or near the top but on this occasion he and Abi Weeds were the course setters and so could not take part. The winner was Nick Barrable of SLOW and Tonbridge AC, who racked up 680 points in the 60 minutes allowed. Rachael Holmes (also a SLOW member) was the second-placed woman in 15th place with 450 points, Steve Rowland was 21st with 400, Sonia Rowland 27th (6th woman) on 370 and Tim Hodkinson 35th on 260. The next two events (Tuesdays Jan 13 and Feb 10) are also quite local - Wimbledon and Kingston respectively. If anyone fancies giving them a try and would like further information please contact me. ALAN IN CYPRUS Alan Davidson reports: "I arrived in Cyprus as storms were sweeping through the Med with lightning round the bay, gales and heavy rain. Luckily the next day the strong winds were accompanied by warm sunshine (22C-25C for the remaining 10 days). As I had just completed physio treatment four days earlier, I switched from the Paphos Aphrodite Half Marathon to the 5k and ran 21.02 for 9th. The half had an Ethiopian leader who went off-course when the lead bike turned off before the finish and retraced his steps to come 3rd furiously arguing with the Hungarian winner (who also won last year) and the organisers (the result stood). Amazingly the 2nd female, a Brit, ran 1.44 for a 500 euro prize! Four days later the two day Keo Challenge in the Limassol (Amathus area) had a 4.5 mile chalk hills race on day 1 (a dry course with a nearby dam empty as Limassol had water supplies one day on and two days off with tankers delivering water from Greece) and I was 4th in 35.21 - a small field. Day two it was 5.5 miles on road and prom, and I finished 2nd in 39.43. It was tight between two of us for 2nd place overall for the two races with the other runner beating me by 20 seconds in race 1 and I beating him by 20 seconds in race 2! The only excitement left for the trip involved a walk in the mountains, bumping into John Hanscomb on the prom, and Thomson causing a five hour flight delay getting me home at 2am!" ROGER IN BELFAST Roger Brankin writes: "I'm now living in Belfast and have been running with a local club - Dub Runners - since I came over. I was persuaded to enter a 5 mile Vets race organised by the NIVAA in Ormeau Park on 22 November. From memory it was my first race since the Henty in 2000 or 2001. It went quite well".: 1 E McGinley (Annadale)25.38 66 Roger Brankin 33.23 FINALLY... "In those days, of course, I ran like a gazelle. I mean I finished every race on all fours". Andy Blackford, "Running on Empty".