*************************************************** RANELAGH HARRIERS E-NEWS # 310 1 July 2009 Editor: Steve Rowland mailto: steverowland@ranelagh-harriers.com *************************************************** HEADLINE NEWS ************* * Successful Dysart Dash last Sunday * Jo Ronaldson and Darryl McDonald lead Ranelagh runners * Jo second woman overall and Ranelagh women win team race * Summer BBQ at the clubhouse this Saturday * Sam Perkins 6th in the Southern 5000m and 7th in the England Under 23 5000m * parkrun win for Ralph Street and second place for Darryl McDonald * Brasher Ponds Run on 7th July * Coad Cup handicap and AGM on 14th July SEE HERE ******** SUMMER BARBECUE THIS SATURDAY!!! Look at the weather...it's barbecue time! Come along to our summer barbecue this Saturday (4th July) at the clubhouse. Price £15 includes food AND drink...beer, cider, wine and soft drinks all available. 7pm start. You can just turn up on the day (though it will cost you an extra couple of quid) but if possible please let Michele Gibson know if you are coming. Email:- Micheleagibson@hotmail.com Phone:- 07703 518 956 CHRIS BRASHER PONDS RUN Tuesday 7th July in Richmond Park You get a break from normal Tuesday night training for our annual tribute to the late Chris Brasher, who was for many years an enthusiastic club member. We'll divide into groups and try to visit all - or as many as we can - of the twenty ponds to be found in Richmond Park. This was a favourite run of Chris's. Details, including a suggested route and some historical info about the ponds, are on our website: 20ponds09 COAD CUP 5 miles Handicap Tuesday 14th July in Richmond Park ...and the following week is our summer 5 miles handicap...all members are welcome to take part. Be at the clubhouse by 7pm for a 7.15pm start. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Tuesday 14th July in the clubhouse The club's AGM will follow as soon as possible after the handicap race, probably no earlier than 8.30pm. Notice and agenda will be distributed shortly. WEDDING DAY 7km Friday 31st July in Bushy Park This is an always-popular event that uses reaches its entry limit well before the closing date. It's a good flat 7km mostly on road but with a section of grass: a fast course but also ideal for novices. RANELAGH'S ROAD GRAND PRIX The Dysart Dash 10km on Sunday was sixth of nine races in our Road Grand Prix and there are a couple of changes at the top of the scoreboard. Trevor Maguire retains his lead in both the Open and Men Over 40 categories, but Jonathan Robinson is now only one point behind in the Open class. Jonathan has a clear lead in the Men Over 50 list, and Sara Grosvenor remains at the top in the Women's, Jo Ronaldson has edged past Gill Wilson in the Women Over 40 category and in the Over 50s Penny Merrett is joined at the top by Michele Gibson. Next race is the Elmbridge 10km on Sunday July 26th, then the Wedding Day 7km in Bushy Park on Friday July 29th and finally the Belgrave Bolt 5km at Wimbledon on Sunday 8th August. Full details and scores to date here: BRIGHTON MARATHON Brighton resident Neil Walford draws our attention to this new event which takes place on Sunday 18th April 2010, one week before the "London". Neil adds: "If you look on official website www.brightonmarathon.co.uk/ front page, top right corner, you will see a certain runner in a Ranelagh Harriers vest leading a group past the Brighton Pavilion :) ". SEVERN AC Mike McDowell writes: "Visitors to the West country might be interested to know that my local club Severn A.C. have a 4 mile "fitness run" on the first Thursday of each month sponsored by Lloyds (the timekeeper is high up in Lloyds). It takes place at Hardwicke, near Cheltenham, starting at 7.30pm. In previous years we have had 40 runners, this year we are getting 100. The cost is £2, and you cannot run if you do 4 miles faster than 24 minutes." UPDATE ON NEEL'S TSUNAMI FUND David Rowntree writes: "Last year I made an appeal to members to help secure funds to build a kitchen for Neel De Alwis, a talented Sri Lankan runner whose home was destroyed in the Tsunami. Through the generosity of a number of members, a raffle at the Ranelagh Christmas Party and other sponsorship events that I organised I was able to send £1600 to start the construction. I returned to Sri Lanka in March of this year and visited Neel's home to check on progress. If I had any doubts about the worthiness of this appeal these were quashed immediately. The cooking facilities they currently have are a very rough makeshift shack very open to the elements and I suspect totally unusable during the monsoon season. There is also no bathroom and limited sleeping accommodation. I was amazed at the progress that had been made from the money that was sent. As I mentioned in an earlier appeal the foundations had already been laid with funds from the Sri Lankan Athletic Association. From the funds sent, the shell of the building had been completed in terms of walls and the roof which has been fully tiled. The building when finished will provide a kitchen, bathroom and additional living accommodation. I am continuing with the fund raising to complete the project. This will require plastering to the walls, finish to the floor, window frames and equipment for the kitchen and bathroom. In support of this I owe a vote of gratitude to Bev, Carol and others who have continued to support the fund by selling refreshments on Tuesday evenings. I wish to give my thanks to those members who have generously supported this appeal which has gone a long way to helping a runner in need. I have some photographs which I will gladly email anyone who is interested. Please let me know by contacting me at Davidcjrowntree@yahoo.co.uk . If you would care to donate to the fund please also send an email to the same address". WHAT'S COMING ************* More details of the following from Marc Snaith (07717 213035 mailto ( mdsnaith5@hotmail.com ) or Marie Synnott-Wells (07983 430264 / mailto nandmwells@aol.com ) Tuesday 7th July Chris Brasher Ponds Run in Richmond Park Tuesday 14th July Coad Cup 5 miles summer handicap in Richmond Park followed by AGM in the clubhouse Sunday 26th July Elmbridge 10km. Friday 31st July Wedding Day 7km in Bushy Park. 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 Bedfont Lakes Bedfont Lakes Country Park, Ashford, Middlesex Other venues, more details and registration at www.parkrun.com WHAT'S HAPPENED *************** DYSART DASH 10km Sunday 28th June at Ham Wow, we do pick them don't we! It always seems to be hot for the Dysart Dash and this year was no exception. Temperatures were well up into the mid-20s even at 9am and there was very little breeze to cool the 450-odd starters. The towpath offers a little shade but for the return along Riverside Drive there was no escaping the sunshine. Last year's winner Stuart Major was back, with some Thames Hare & Hounds colleagues for company, but the pre-race favourite was probably Belgrave's new Kenyan signing John Kimaiyo. He at least should have felt at home in the conditions, but surprisingly he was unable to match the pace of Major and Andy Weir. The Thames pair built up a clear lead on the second circuit and in the end it was Major who retained his title - his fifth win altogether in this event. He recorded 32.36 - six seconds faster than in 2008 - twelve seconds clear of Weir with Kimaiyo a further twenty seconds in arrears. Weir's consolation was first place in the Over 40 category. The "Flash" Gardner Trophy was on offer for the first Ranelagh finisher, and this was expected to go to Jonathon Stacey. But Jonty was one of many who stopped after one lap, leaving the road clear for Darryl McDonald. Darryl finished 13th in 35.08 which also secured him second place in the Over 40s. Steve Whitehead, Nathan Mills and Ed Barker were our next three home, just ahead of the race for first place in the Over 50s. This category has provided close finishes in all the Surrey Road League events this year, and Jonathan Robinson has more often than not found himself beaten to the top spot by a handful of seconds. Not so this time, as a strong finish took him past not only Martin Halvey but also two other contenders. Only thirteen seconds covered the four of them at the finish but Jonathan was in front and this will have rendered him well-nigh uncatchable in the Over 50 League competition. Trevor Maguire came next, maintaining his scant lead in our own Road Grand Prix series, and then it was Jo Ronaldson, second overall in the women's race in 39:05 and first Over 35. Jo had been unable to match Stragglers' Jess Petersson who was first woman home, just as she had been in our Richmond Half Marathon in May. Jess recorded 37:17. Jo led three more Ranelagh Harriers into the top eleven with Marie Synnott-Wells finishing 5th (and 3rd Over 35), Sara Grosvenor 10th and Liz Kipling 11th. Jo, Marie and Sara won the team race. As usual the race incorporated the Surrey county championship, and a few county medals came our way. Jo Ronaldson received individual silver and Over 35 gold, plus another gold with Marie and Sara for the team championship. We had 43 finishers in all, congratulations to them and to all those involved in the organisation of another successful event. For main organiser Bev Ali, this was the last year in the hot seat: "The Dysart Dash on Sunday went off with no serious hitches in most part due to the efforts of - in no particular order - Sandra Prosser, Bob Beatson, Sharon Dooley, Hugh Jones, Carol Barnshaw, Kirsty Bangham, Jo Turner, Dylan Turner, Ruby Turner, Phillipa Metherell, Penny Merrett, Chris Wilson, Simon Burrell and nephew and neice, Heather Martingell, Pat Hewlett, Maree O'Donoghue, Marc Snaith, Alan Hedger, Frances Ratchford, Michael Brandon, Chris Owens, Bill Bird, Steve Rowland, Ivan Boggis, Evelyn Joslin, Lorraine Clifton, Deirdre Inman, Michael White, Lynne Barber, Wyn Williams, Andy Bickerstaff, Clive Naish, Niall O'Connor, Andy Woodhouse, Ann Murray, Ken Powley, Carola Richter, Joe Ali, George Coates and Mick at number 22...and other random helpers and supporters who showed up and pitched in. I will be forever grateful for your support this year, and in many cases for your support over the last six or seven or however many years it has been. I am sure that I have forgotten someone, and if that is you, please forgive me and accept my thanks. I cannot actually give any kind of a race report, being a little too close to the action, but we had quite a few very good performances on a day that was a bit too hot for comfort, and we had no reported first aid cases. Anybody with any suggestions for improvement, please do pass them on to me or to Niall or to any member of the committee (sorry, we cannot do anything about the weather!)". Some of David Rowe's excellent photographs are on our website, and you can see the rest here:. SOUTH DOWNS WAY RELAY Beachy Head to Winchester Saturday 6th June Niall O'Connor reports: "On Saturday 6th June, like a celtic band of brothers (and one sister) we ventured south towards Beachy Head for the start of our annual assault on the South Downs Way relay. In previous years we have suffered self-inflicted wounds (i.e. getting lost, and getting disqualified) and were determined that 2009 would be the year of the dog. 6 runners on 18 stages over 100 miles means this is a tough race but with the improved logistics of a single vehicle and a dedicated driver we fancied ourselves to be competitive. If the relay were a football match Kenneth Wolstenholme would sign-off a description of our efforts on the first stage with 'They think it's all over' and the end of the second stage with 'It is now'. Being 15 minutes behind after 10% of the race meant we were chasing pride, with nine hours of running still to go. Furthermore being a handicap race, and seeded to start in the final wave of teams, meant that we were also delaying the marshals from going home. Battling on we dragged ourselves back into the race and began to catch a few of the weaker teams that started 30 minutes or an hour before us. A final fatal navigational error at the halfway mark cast us to the back again. At this point our dedicated driver's dedication was waning and he suggested heading back to London. Inspired by Andy's words, some fine running from Phil K, who was the overall fastest on his three legs (explains why he's so quick), and a fired-up trio determined to make amends for earlier transgressions, we clawed our way back into the pack with a final leg to go. Chris had posted the fastest time of the day on leg 14 and finished the final leg, 18, with a sprint that saw us place 7th overall - a commendable fightback on a scenic, tough race. There was Ranelagh success in the Veterans team prize with our south coast exile, Neil Walford, winning with Brighton. I'm sure he contributed to the gap of 18 seconds between our 7th place finish and Brighton's 8th. Despite the frustrations of the day plans are already underway for 2010's attempt. If you fancy one of the great team races (competitive and hilly, with navigation required), keep Saturday June 5th 2010 free - let the race begin!" 1 Steyning AC 10:47.47 7 Ranelagh H 11:38.57 (Phil Killingley, Chris Owens, Niall O'Connor, Martin Halvey, Iain Wilson, Marie Synnott-Wells, driver Andy Bickerstaff) RICHMOND parkrun 5km Saturday 20th June 1 D McNeely (Serp) 17.29 12 Luke Wilson 19.26 14 Andrzej Bockowski 19.31 15 Stephen Instone 19.37 47 Alison Dicks 22.06 65 Clive Naish 23.09 72 Roger Wilson 23.34 98 Gill Wilson 26.40 102 Sally Bamford 27.11 103 Lorna Smith 27.23 146 Pat Hewlett 38.15 147 Bev Ali 38.19 BUSHY parkrun 5km Saturday 20th June A clear win for Ralph Street and a PB by one second. 1 Ralph Street 16.11 20 David Rowe 18.34 22 Marc Snaith 18.38 40 Darren Wood 19.14 246 Peter Fordham 24.15 267 Phil Aiken 24.45 269 Wally Garrod 24.49 418 John Hanscomb 29.08 BANSTEAD WOODS parkrun 5km Saturday 20th June 1 M Bristow (Brighton) 16.19 29 Chris Read 20.33 50 Andy Woodhouse 21.51 80 Karen Weir 24.17 103 Heather Martingell 26.02 131 Sharon Dooley 27.26 WIMBLEDON COMMON parkrun 5km Saturday 20th June Second place for Darryl McDonald. 1 C Blackburn (Serp) 16.32 2 Darryl McDonald 17.02 24 Marie Synnott-Wells 19.44 BEDFONT LAKES parkrun 5km Saturday 20th June 1 T Haughian (SMR) 17.26 10 Graham Quick 19.11 64 Daniel Hobbs 28.19 SOUTHERN COUNTIES TRACK CHAMPIONSHIPS Sunday 21st June at Watford Sam Perkins is running into good form on the track. After the disappointment of being knocked out in a slowly-run heat in the BUCS championships at the beginning of May he has bounced back with a series of good performances and personal bests. On June 3rd at Birmingham he cracked 4 minutes for 1500 metres for the first time, recording 3:59.83 and then four days later at Sheffield , representing Enfield and Haringey in the British Athletics League, he ran his fastest 5000 metres to date with 14:50.60. On June 21st at Watford he finished 6th in the Southern Counties 5000 metres championship in 14:53.59 and then one week later at Bedford he placed 7th in 14:58.96 in the England Under 23 championships 5000 metres. VETERANS TRACK AND FIELD LEAGUE Monday 22nd June at Battersea Park A number of Ranelagh Harriers turned out for St Mary's Richmond. Liz Kipling was a clear winner of the W35 1500m in 5:02.7, Bev Ali finished 3rd in the W50 discus (13.03) and 5th in the W50 javelin (9.24), Penny Merrett finished 6th and 7th respectively in the same two events (8.10 and 5.87), and Christine Goodsell placed 5th in the W35 discus (7.23) and 6th in the W35 javelin (5.41). The next event is at Battersea Park on Monday 13th July. LAST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH 5km Friday 26th June at Hyde Park 1 O Edwards (Shaft B) 15.44 83 Michael Bull 21.37 86 Alan Davidson 21.44 196 John Hanscomb 30.56 BASINGSTOKE parkrun 5km Saturday 27th June 1 D Meacock (Bas & MH) 17.10 20 Darren Wood 19.31 41 Andy Woodhouse 21.37 58 Heather Martingell 23.29 63 Kirsty Bangham 24.14 87 Sharon Dooley 26.58 BUSHY parkrun 5km Saturday 27th June 1 J Killip (SMR) 17.13 4 Nick Wright 18.06 10 David Rowe 18.30 87 Simon Rothwell 21.29 108 Chris Camacho 22.10 185 Alison Salmon 24.11 187 Paul Martingell 24.13 204 Jose Scheuer 24.31 215 Chris Wright 24.49 252 Phil Aiken 26.04 310 Gill Wilson 27.43 371 John Hanscomb 30.10 385 Sharon Rowe 31.02 426 Peter Martingell 35.13 RICHMOND parkrun 5km Saturday 27th June 1 R Ward (Belgrave) 16.48 5 Jerym Brunton 18.50 6 Peter Weir 18.56 11 Bill Neely 19.24 17 Stephen Instone 19.53 37 Christopher Parsons 21.40 38 Alison Dicks 21.42 47 Alan Davidson 22.40 50 Jar O'Brien 23.07 60 Michael White 23.43 106 Louise Reeder 28.52 107 Gareth Davies 28.53 116 Michelle Meadows 30.20 133 Wiebke Kortum 40.21 HAMMERSMITH RIVERSIDE 3.3 miles handicap Tuesday 30th June 1 D Cox (WG & EL) 18.17 2 Alan Davidson 22.49 7 Alan Howard 25.01 KINGFIELD CANTER 2.85 miles handicap Wednesday 1st July at Woking 1 T Yesli (unatt) 23.16 (actual time 23.16) 17 Sonia Rowland 27.42 (21.27) 19 Steve Rowland 27.48 (19.18) 20 Alan Davidson 27.58 (20.58) 21 Louise Piears 28.11 (21.41) BALA MIDDLE DISTANCE TRIATHLON Sunday 14th June David Rowe reports: "In 2008 this was my first real middle-distance (round about half-Ironman distance) triathlon. It's a beautiful location (although very hilly) in and around Snowdonia National Park in North Wales: 2km open water (lake) swim, an 82km bike ride and a 20km run. With a freshening breeze the lake swim wasn't much fun as there was lots of wind-blown waves but the fun of the downhill parts on the bike course more than make up for it (if you ignore the climbing parts!). The run was relentless and continually up/down/ up/down etc. After a few mechanical issues on the bike in 2008 and lots and lots of training this year my overall time was over 30 minutes faster. Getting sub 5 hours in a middle distance race was a great confidence booster for me as I start to ease back the training in preparation for Ironman Swizerland in mid-July. My training the last few months explains my lack of attendance on Tuesday night sessions. I'll be back soon. Finally, being made redundant in January has been superb in respect of being able to train more. Having a supportive wife also helps a lot too!" 2k swim, transition 1, 82k bike, transition 2, 20k run 1 M Stenning 3:58.17 (27.07, 1.08, 2:14.16, 0.51, 1:14.57) 109 David Rowe 4:51.58 (38.22, 2.25, 2:36.50, 1.33, 1:32.45) Full results here:. The usual long long blog about the race can be found here: THAMES TURBO SUMMER AQUATHLON Thursday 25th June at Hampton David Rowe reports: "Three Ranelagh members took part in this 5km run in Bushy Park ending with a 426m swim in Hampton Pool. The weather was lovely and just over 60 people set off together for the 5k race to the pool for a refreshing 'dip'." 1 P Rooprai (Thames T) 24.52 (19.04, 5.48) 8 David Rowe 27.26 (19.46, 7.40) 22 Karen Weir 31.57 (23.15, 8.42) 39 Kirsty Bangham 36.53 (26.43, 10.10) ANNACURRA HILL RACE Saturday 14th February at Wicklow One that escaped the net - Marie made her mountain running debut with a clear win in the women's section of this race in the Wicklow Mountains south of Dublin. 1 E Keith (Boards) 36.45 22 Marie Synnott-Wells 41.54 WALLY v JOHN One-lap Wally Garrod writes: "Oh dear I missed my moment of glory!!! My Dorney Dash time beat John Hanscomb's best as an over 70 by over one minute so he now owes me £5. Now hear this, is he a betting man?? Double or quits I can beat your 10 miles time!! Are you up for it??" FINALLY... Seen on a t-shirt: "I'm with the bomb squad. If you see me running, try to keep up".