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Newsdesk 2001
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RANELAGH HARRIERS E-NEWS # 31 12 JUNE 2001
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As expected, last Saturday's re-arranged Clutton Cup 10 miles handicap in
Richmond Park attracted a pretty small field. In fact there were only a
dozen finishers, which must have made for some lonely running - not least
for limit runner Bev Ali who had hung onto the lead until well into her
ninth mile, and winner Corinne Bishop who at the finish had a good half-mile
in hand over her nearest challenger. Mike Peace just got past John Hughes to
take second place, and these two were also second and third in the speed
order, behind Andy Bickerstaff's 62.35. No disrespect to Andy, Mike and
John, but it must be some while since 62 minutes was the fastest time in the
Clutton and 70 minutes good enough for third fastest! Quickest woman was
Sue Healey on 81.29.
Mick Lane finished 28th (and 4th over 40) in the Silverstone 10km on May
15th in a time of 34.53.
DYSART DASH...
Our annual open 10km race in Ham approaches rapidly! It's on Sunday June
24th, starting at 10am. All members are welcome to run if you want to. There
will probably be a field of over 300 of all standards so don't be afraid to
give it a try, especially all you new members.
But if you don't want to run, we also need helpers on the day to marshall
the course, man the water station and so on. If you can help, Alan Hedger is
the man to contact (01372 740626), or you can e-mail me and I will pass it
on to Alan.
If you're planning to run, get your entry in before the day if possible - it
will save you a quid and ease congestion at the late entries desk. Entry
forms can be downloaded from the home page, or again you can e-mail me and I
will send one on to you. Entries on the day will be taken at the clubhouse
up to about 9.45am. The start is in Meadlands Drive, a short jog from the
clubhouse.
...OR TRACK
Any men not running the Dysart might like to give our sister club Richmond
and Twickenham AC a hand on the previous day (Saturday June 23rd). Both
their A and B teams have been struggling in the Southern League so far this
season, and the word is that they will be very thin on the ground in the
middle and long distance events this time. It's a home fixture for both
teams - at the Barn Elms track near Barnes Common. If you fancy having a try
at a track 1500, 5000 or steeplechase you will be most welcome. More details
from Julian Smith (smithj@bp.com).
Chris Spink competed in the Stockholm Marathon last Saturday:
"I flew to Sweden on Thursday 7 June to run the Stockholm Marathon, which
was to be my 11th, although my second since joining the club. I was a little
apprehensive as it was still fairly close to London - where I ran a pb (3h
36mins) and my mileage had pretty much stayed around 30-40 per week. At
registration I was warned about the Västerbron bridge which crosses the sea
as the road winds into the old city. It climbs 50 metres rather steeply and
although I'd done a hilly marathon before I was not expecting this in a
city. I made a point of checking this out on the Friday morning on a gentle
trot.
I awoke at around 10am (the race didn't start until a very civilised 14:15)
with a niggling pain in my foot, this added to my concern that my Nikes were
still a bit new. I got my kit bag away, and made my way to the start. There
were no obvious pens, just pace runners and the one closest to me was the 4
hour man. I tried my best to push forward, but this was made impossible by
sheer weight of people. Myself and a German chap decided to dart around a
building and re-join the masses.Marco led the way, and we found ourselves in
front of the 'Kenyans' so we were quickly ushered back a bit!! He was on his
15th marathon and was on for a sub 3hour time so we parted company wishing
each other luck.
My strategy was to hit each K at 5mins which would bring me in at 3h 30mins
(my London target) although I'd have been happy with 3h 30-45. I started
well and was very consistent. I ran a little way with two Brits, identified
to me by their Union Jack shorts! They were both on their first marathon,
although they'd run several halves. When I learned they were hoping for a 3h
15-20 I decided to try and stick with these guys. Sadly they'd fallen by the
wayside by 25km, so I plodded on at my steady pace.
Ulrika, my supporter was to supply me with vaseline for my fat thighs at the
30km mark.This was gratefully received and I suggested she looked out for
the Union Jacks. At around 35km I met a friendly Swede (John Doe!) who was
also on for a 3h 30 time. He was very encouraging but I started to think I'd
missed it as fatigue kicked in. We pushed hard for 2kms and he pulled ahead
of me. I got my second wind and quickly caught him up and gave him a bit of
push.
At 39kms some refreshing rain began to fall. Refreshing rain quickly became
a thunderstorm and I was glad of my long-sleeved top.
I caught up with and passed a very sad looking Marco who was in all sorts of
trouble and struggling to walk. As the thunderstorm became a hailstorm I
realised I had a chance of pb if not sub 3h 30mins. I pushed hard, and as I
entered the Olympic stadium to run the last 250 metres I was not overtaken.
My splits were:
10km 00:48:03 place 1588 average Km pace 4:48
Half M 01:44:46 place 2077 average Km pace 5:06
30km 02:30:25 place 2008 average Km pace 5:07
Mar 03:30:46 place 1487 average Km pace 4:56
Chris 'Forrest' Spink
P.S I have a place in the Grand Union Canal Race next May and would
appreciate any tips/ training advice anyone may have, my email address is
spink@cjes.fsnet.co.uk.
I have recently joined the Road Runners Club which is a postal awareness
club for events over 10miles. I will run their London to Brighton in October
which will be my first ultra."
THE BAND
Andy B tells me that he has been inundated by a request to know when the
club band - now mercifully re-christened the PB Junkies - will be playing
their next gig. So you have advanced warning it's on Friday 13th July at the
King's Head, Acton High Street. Be there or be somewhere else.
A WARM WELCOME...
to new members Eileen Gricuk, Lucy Ronda, Frances Pinn, Gillian Hughes,
Joanne Shearsmith, Nicola Barraclough, Stephen Stuart, David Blackall and
Alberto Simon.
COMING UP
More details of all the following from Paul Graham (0796 7788945 /
paulgraham28@hotmail.com) or Sarah Seal (020 8995 2380 /
sarah.seal@haynet.com).
Sunday June 24th Dysart Dash 10km. Surrey county championship and Ranelagh
Grand Prix race 5. 10am at Ham (3 mins from the clubhouse). Entries £5
payable to Ranelagh Harriers to Dysart Dash, 2 Sapte Close, Cranleigh,
Surrey GU6 7HA. Forms can be downloaded from :
http://www.surreyweb.net/rharriers Entries on the day £6.
Sunday July 1st Harry Hawkes 8 miles. Ranelagh Grand Prix race 6. 10am at
Thames Ditton. Entries £7 payable to Harry Hawkes 8 to 17A Guildford Road,
Fleet, Hants GU13 9ES. Forms can be downloaded from
http://members.aol.com/tdcc1234/hh2001.htm
Saturday July 7th Brickmakers Arms Marathon Relay 2.30pm at Windlesham.
Teams of 10, each running 2.6 miles. A not-too-serious relay for all
standards. We'll probably be entering two or three teams, so all are
welcome. More details from Mike Peace (admin@frimley.surrey.sch.uk).
Sunday July 22nd Elmbridge 10km. Ranelagh Grand Prix race 7. 10.30am at
Elmbridge Leisure Centre, Walton-on-Thames. Entries £5 payable to Elmbridge
Road Runners to Paul Westbrook, 2 Elgin Avenue, Ashford, Middlesex TW15 1QF.
Forms can be downloaded from http://www.elmbridgeroadrunners.co.uk. Entries
on the day £6.
FINALLY
An 11-year-old Canadian called Nigel Sharp finished 29th in the Edmonton
Journal Festival Marathon last month in a time of 3.03.12. This beat his pb
of 3.14 set when he was nine...
Steve Rowland
Tel: 01926 318734
Fax: 01926 318718
e-mail: srowland@calorgas.co.uk