*************************************************** RANELAGH HARRIERS E-NEWS # 320 2 December 2009 Editor: Steve Rowland mailto: steverowland@ranelagh-harriers.com *************************************************** HEADLINE NEWS ************* * Marie Synnott-Wells 4th scorer for Surrey in SEAA inter-counties, and also 4th in Epsom 10 * parkrun win for Peter Weir * Dysart Cup including club women's championships this Saturday, followed by Ellis Cup men's race * Vital League races on December 12th * Tuesday Night Christmas Do after training on December 15th SEE HERE ******** DYSART AND ELLIS CUPS Saturday 5th December These events are open races for women and men respectively in Richmond Park and all members are welcome to take part. It's a particularly important race for the women as it incorporates the club's women's championship for the Hugh Jones Salver and the club women's veterans (over 40) championship for Trish's Trophy. Marie Synnott-Wells is the current holder of both. There is also a sealed handicap. Several other clubs will be taking part and the Dysart Cup goes to the winning team (five to score). Start time is 1.45pm and the distance is 4 miles. Register at the clubhouse on the day. Following on at 2.30pm is the Ellis Cup, which is a men's inter-club race over 5 miles. It's ten to score. Again, all are welcome: register at the clubhouse or at our usual start opposite Pembroke Lodge. SURREY LEAGUE Saturday 12th December sees the third Surrey League race, this time on our home course in Richmond Park. It is an absolutely vital race for the men's team especially. A poor result here will almost certainly guarantee that we will find ourselves in Division Two next year. We can definitely avoid the drop but it needs EVERY potential member of the scoring ten to be on the starting line. It's a 2.30pm start. Earlier than usual. The women's team currently stands in 4th place but very close behind 2nd and 3rd. They have every chance of leapfrogging their rivals and moving into the runners-up position. The women's start is at 12 noon. CHRISTMAS PARTY and LONDON MARATHON DRAW...and LOST PROPERTY Sixty-something members, family and friends enjoyed a great evening in the historic part of St Mary's University in Strawberry Hill. Many thanks to Social Sec Michele Gibson for all her work organising the event. Seventeen names went into the hat for the draw for the five guaranteed London Marathon places we are allocated. The lucky winners were Penny Merrett, Danny Hobbs, Kirsty Ivison, Christian Vaughan and Chris Wilson. Congratulations - get training! A couple of items were left behind: 1. Lady's burgundy coloured cardigan with hood. Contact Michele at micheleagibson@hotmail.com. 2. Man's Yves St Laurent jacket: one belonging to Chris Nilsen-Fehn was taken by mistake and a similar one was left in its place. Contact Chris at margaretfehn@yahoo.com. TUESDAY NIGHT CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS Marie Synnott-Wells writes: "Jollies for Christmas on Tuesday the 15th December at the clubhouse after training! Please bring along some goodies to share. I will post a list in the clubhouse next Tuesday to see what people will bring along, so that we don't get too many mince pies and not enough of everything else!" CLIVE BEAUVAIS Our President Clive Beauvais has been in isolation at East Surrey Hospital in Redhill. We all wish him a speedy return to health. FINAL MOB MATCH Niall O'Connor writes: "Our final mob match of the season is on February 20th against Blackheath and Bromley Harriers in Richmond Park. While we haven't beaten BBH at their home in Hayes, Kent since 16th Jan 1971 (even Clive and David W didn't run in that one) we have tended to hold our own at home. A couple of years ago at Richmond park we led the charge to the finish with a 1-2-3 (Peter H, Phil K & Wendy) on our way to a win. However, if BBH manage to call on their team that finished 2nd in the men's National XC Relays in October (or their two probable starters for the GB cross-country team for the forthcoming European championships in Dublin), we will face a real battle for the Pelling-Ratcliff Cup. In light of this we need as many blue vests as possible on the start line so please put the date in your diaries. After our first away win away against Thames for 20 years it would be great to finish the mob match season in style. Our record attendance for a any mob is 106 Ranelagh runners - let's try to beat this number. After the race there will be the usual tea and cakes in the clubhouse and then we will retire to The Roebuck on Richmond Hill for further refreshments. There is nothing formal organized just a 'pint in the pub'. On February 20th turn out for your club in a classic race against a famous rival and afterwards let's celebrate the finish of another season of 'mobs'. More details will follow closer to the date." FREE SPORTS MASSAGE Cindy Croucher writes: "Free sports massages are available at St Mary's University College on the following weekends: 5/6 December, 9/10 January, 23/24 January, 6/7 February and 28 February at 10am in R112 which is on the first floor of the sports centre. They are carried out by students who are all qualified holistic masseurs training to be sports masseurs and are supervised by a qualified member of staff. They are at 10am until 11am and are first come first served." CHECKING IN Here's a request from our race officials: if you drop out of one of our races in the Park, please let the officials at the finish know, if you possibly can. We have had one or two instances recently of runners going straight off home or to the clubhouse, leaving the officials unsure of whether there was still someone on the course or lost in the Park. CHRIS BRASHER - CAN YOU HELP? John Bryant writes: "Anyone who has ever run, or dreamed of running in the London Marathon will be fascinated by the man who got it all started at the Ranelagh Harriers headquarters with his friend John Disley and others back in 1981 - Chris Brasher. Anyone who is a real fan of athletics will know of his Gold Medal in the Olympics in Melbourne in 1956 and the fact that he towed Roger Bannister around for the first couple of laps in that historic 4-minute mile in 1954. Anyone who has tramped around the hills and fells of Britain will wonder if their feet might have been more comfortable in the much-hyped 'Brasher Boot'. I have written a number of books, and many articles about sport. I hope that some of you will have enjoyed them. I have met many of you, and as a Thames man I am considered something of a fixture at the Mob Match. Now I have been commissioned to write a biography of Chris Brasher, and I hope that Chris's many friends at Ranelagh may be able to help. I am, of course, in touch with Dave Bedford, John Disley and all the usual suspect at the Marathon office, the charities, the BBC and the Observer and many of the other varied contacts who weaved in and out of his life. My take on Chris Brasher is that he was a great achiever in many areas of his life, but often a man whose character seemed ragged with inconsistencies. You will have run with him, drunk with him, been regaled by his crazy enthusiasm and will have witnessed Chris through the many ups and downs of his life. Ranelagh members, above all, will have been acutely aware of his influence over a period of years. I would be most grateful to hear from you your take on what you made of him. Everyone, I suspect, has a great Brasher story to tell. His personality and approach to life and its obstacles spawned plenty of anecdotes. I'd be really delighted to awaken old memories - good and bad! Brasher was a man who made many friends, brimming with enthusiasm, but his abrasive, sometimes even 'bullying' go-getting attitude could also make a few enemies. Again, if you can remember any of these incidents where Chris's aggressive tactics trod on people's toes, I would be grateful. Similarly, if someone comes to mind who I should contact, do let me know. I'd be delighted to learn when and where you first meet Chris? What were the circumstances? What impression did he make on you - and you on him? All would help, and really assist me in giving a rounded picture of the man. Any Ranelagh Harriers who would like to contact me can find me via the e-news editor Steve Rowland. I'd be delighted to use some of your material to share with you memories, warm and outrageous, of the man who made the London Marathon such a fixture. So think about it while you're out there running through these dark, damp winter nights, and please drop me a note or an e-mail." SERPENTINE TRIP TO CLUB LA SANTA IN LANZAROTE 11th - 18th March Sioned Morgan writes: "Serpentine has a group outing organised each year to Lanzarote and have some spare places that they would like to fill. They wondered if anyone from Ranelagh would be interested. The deadline is the middle of next week. For anyone who hasn't been before, Club La Santa is a purpose built training facility with a 50m outdoor pool, a lagoon for open water swimming or running around, a running track, a volcano to run round, and miles of quiet roads for cycling, with many challenging climbs for the more advanced cyclists. Aside these activities there are fitness classes, tennis, a gym and countless other activities, most of which are included in your accommodation package. It's a great opportunity to meet new people, both during the day and later on in the bar or restaurants. Serpentine will be providing coaches on the trip, for swimming, cycling and running. There will be a series of improvers bike rides so if you're looking to develop your group riding skills here's the perfect opportunity. And for those who are more advanced you will have plenty of hard training opportunities in the pool and a choice of bike rides from 40k to 180k each day. Plus of course there will be at least a couple of running sessions each day from gentle runs, to track sessions, to a 20 mile run for those finishing off their marathon training. There's also a number of running or multi-sport races for you to take part in. All the details can be found at here: including the booking form and details to enter online." WHAT'S COMING ************* More details of the following from Marc Snaith (07717 213035 mailto ( mdsnaith5@hotmail.com ) or Marie Synnott-Wells (07983 430264 (After 5pm Weekdays) / mailto nandmwells@aol.com ) Saturday 5th December Dysart Cup 4 miles women's race including club women's champs in Richmond Park. 1.45pm start. See above. Ellis Cup 5 miles men's race in Richmond Park. 2.30pm start. See above. Sunday 6th December MABAC League 5 miles at Wisley Common. 11am start. Details:. Saturday 12th December Surrey League Div 1 in Richmond Park: women at 12 noon, men at 2.30pm. Note earlier start times. 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 *************** MOB MATCH v THAMES HARE & HOUNDS Saturday 21st November on Wimbledon Common We can congratulate ourselves again on another good mob match turnout...and make it a double congratulations because this time we got the result as well! 60 Ranelagh lined up at the start, an excellent mob for an away match, albeit not very far "away" - just across the A3 on Wimbledon Common in fact. What was surprising was that Thames mustered only 34 runners, conceding us a considerable advantage even before the race had started. It was a dark and gloomy afternoon, and the rain timed its arrival to douse any over-enthusiasm at the start. Despite lots of heavy rain in recent weeks, the Common was surprisingly dry. There were only a few muddy patches, notably at the notorious Butts - that series of short sharp hills cunningly placed to bring you to your knees before the final run down to the finish. As befits the club that currently leads Division One of the Surrey League, Thames dominated the front of the race, with the individual win going to Italian Cambridge University student Paolo Natali. Chris Illman was the first Ranelagh man in 4th place and he was followed home in 7th place by fellow Cirencester native Adrian Williams. Niall O'Connor was the only other Ranelagh runner to finish in the top ten. A few seconds behind Niall came John Shaw but he was pursued by two more Thames runners, giving our opposition nine of the first thirteen finishers and a comfortable early lead in the scoring. Thereafter, however, our weight of numbers began to tell. Blue vests filled every finishing position between 14th and 24th. Four Thames men sneaked in next but we countered with eight of the next eleven. Again there followed a small Thames pack and again we hit back with eight in eleven. With 31 a side to score, Louise Piears in 54th place was our anchor whereas the final Thames scorer was right down in 84th. Our depth more than cancelled out Thames's early advantage and we were declared winners by 905 points to 1152. This represented our first "away" mob match victory for twenty years! Emma Tomlinson ran another very strong race and was first woman to finish in 32nd place. Sandra Prosser was 3rd, Lee Coole 8th, Bronwen Fisher 9th and Kathy Mallett 10th. Thames hosted us in the evening at the Telegraph pub on Putney Heath, only a few hundred metres from our own original home at the Green Man. Once again we convincingly outnumbered our hosts: at least twenty Ranelagh sat down to an excellent meal with only about half a dozen from Thames. However, Thames's irrepressible John Bryant was of course unmatched in the after-dinner entertainment! BRIDGES 2.3 miles handicap Wednesday 11th November at Westminster 1 D Brock (unatt) 18.30 (actual time 13.50) 5 John Hanscomb 20.24 (22.54) 23 Alan Davidson 23.11 (17.41) LONDON CHAMPIONSHIPS and SEAA INTER-COUNTIES Saturday 21st November at Parliament Hill Marie Synnott-Wells was the fourth scorer for the Surrey county team, and was the first over 45 to finish. 1 J Bleasdale (Hill) 21.14 57 Marie Synnott-Wells 24.36 BUSHY parkrun 5km Saturday 21st November 1 W Cockerell (Belg) 16.28 9 Nick Wright 18.11 39 Darren Wood 19.48 254 Phil Aiken 25.40 369 Wally Garrod 29.31 395 Sharon Rowe 30.24 399 John Hanscomb 30.42 RICHMOND parkrun 5km Saturday 21st November 1 G Corcoran (King & P) 17.59 6 Jerym Brunton 18.54 10 Luke Wilson 19.23 25 Ben Shore 20.35 45 Roger Wilson 22.42 49 Andrew Brown 23.00 84 Johannes Prosser 25.52 102 Janet Turnes 27.07 109 Gill Wilson 27.36 BEDFONT LAKES parkrun 5km Saturday 21st November 1 K Armstrong (Elm) 18.23 21 Sharon Dooley 24.05 EDINBURGH parkrun 5km Saturday 21st November 1 A Douglas (Inv'clyde) 15.23 7 Marc Snaith 16.57 JOHN COCK EPSOM 10 miles Sunday 22nd November Marie Synnott-Wells finished 4th in the women's section. 1 J Simpson (SLH) 54.06 33 David Rowe 67.17 35 Marie Synnott-Wells 67.27 133 Wiebke Kortum 79.52 231 John Hanscomb 118.29 LAST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH 5km Friday 27th November in Hyde Park 1 C Lamb (Rugby) 16.09 201 John Hanscomb 30.39 RICHMOND SCHOOLS CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS Friday 27th November in Richmond Park Roger Wilson reports: "Luke Wilson qualified to represent Richmond Borough Under-17s in the Middlesex County Schools Cross-Country Champs next February at Harrow. Last Friday he came 4th in the Richmond Schools Champs in an unofficial time of 15:55 for nearly two laps of Sidmouth Wood in Richmond Park, approximately 4.3k. Edward Smith also qualified in 2nd place in the same race." SOUTH OF THE THAMES 5 MILES CHAMPIONSHIP Saturday 28th November at Sparrow's Den. 1 J Morwood (AFD) 27.20 98 Andy Bickerstaff 35.01 175 Phil Aiken 42.26 BUSHY parkrun 5km Saturday 28th November 1 J Goulis (Strag) 16.49 27 Steve Elswood 19.07 32 Darren Wood 19.18 71 Chris Hunton 20.39 96 Roger Wilson 21.25 193 Peter Fordham 23.27 203 Chris Wright 23.39 240 Jose Scheuer 24.17 332 Ivan Boggis 26.38 RICHMOND parkrun 5km Saturday 28th November 1 B Osborn (Strag) 16.54 42 Karl Garvey 21.56 45 Andrew Brown 22.12 59 Bronwen Fisher 23.01 70 Phil Aiken 24.16 81 Philippa Shaw 25.30 96 Johannes Prosser 27.05 107 Jar O'Brien 27.38 109 Alison Dicks 27.41 132 Pat Hewlett 32.33 BEDFONT LAKES parkrun 5km Saturday 28th November A win by over a minute for Peter Weir. 1 Peter Weir 18.25 7 Duncan Mallison 20.53 14 Chris Read 22.15 17 Karen Weir 22.44 20 Chris Spink 23.27 24 Michael White 23.48 30 Sharon Dooley 24.28 31 Sophie Spink 24.32 49 Danny Hobbs 27.44 READING parkrun 5km Saturday 28th November 1 R Brookling (unatt) 17.46 53 Heather Martingell 25.06 59 Kirsty Bangham 25.55 SOUTH MANCHESTER parkrun 5km Saturday 28th November The first Ranelagh representation at another new parkrun... 1 K Brydon (Trafford) 19.26 8 David Rowe 21.11 66 Sharon Rowe 32.05 ALAN IN CYPRUS Alan Davidson reports: "Leaving the storms of Britain for 10 days of 22-24C sunshine was no hardship. The Aphrodite 5k had a flat course in breezy weather and I was 15th of 106 in 21.18. The half marathon last year was won for the third year in a row by Zolst (Hungary) when the leader went off course. He went the right way this time but after verbal and physical exchanges with a Cyprus-based Ethiopian heading for the line he cut up the African who then vigorously pulled Zolst back by the vest so he could outsprint him (many euros at stake). The organisers gave them the choice of the result standing or both being disqualified...no choice there! The Keo Challenge by Limassol Amathus ruins (didn't see John Hanscomb) comprised two races over two days of 4.5 miles and 2.25 miles on the prom with runners guessing what their run times would be and leaving off their watches. Unfortunately we didn't get our times as the organiser's results sheets blew away! I did however run the longer course solo at a later date to get a time to judge what it might have been, recording 29.58. All that was left was a surprisingly sunny walk in the Troodos mountains and a not surprising return to horrible conditions at Gatwick." KINGFIELD CANTER 2.85 miles handicap Wednesday 2nd December at Woking 1 J Pennifold (WMFS) 25.10 (actual time 21.25) 11 Alan Davidson 27.01 (19.46) 15 Louise Piears 27.13 (20.13) 22 Jim Forrest 27.46 (22.01) 23 Steve Rowland 27.50 (19.20) FINALLY... Paul Martingell draws our attention to this on the BBC News website - Running can slow ageing process