*************************************************** RANELAGH HARRIERS E-NEWS # 330 7 May 2010 Editor: Steve Rowland mailto: steverowland@ranelagh-harriers.com *************************************************** HEADLINE NEWS ************* * London Marathon - Trevor Maguire and Marie Synnott-Wells win club championships * Steve Whitehead sub 35 in Sutton 10km * parkrun placings for Michelle Davies, Sally Dell and Lee Coole * Richmond Half Marathon on Sunday 16th May SEE HERE ******** RANELAGH RICHMOND HALF MARATHON Sunday 16th May 2010 There is still time to enter our Half Marathon which takes place on Sunday 16th May starting at 8.30am. Details:. However, if you are not planning to run, PLEASE volunteer to help. It's a complicated course which requires plenty of marshals and we need absolutely everyone we can get. Race director Heather Martingell writes: "Marshals will be required for about 90 minutes placed somewhere convenient for you, and you will be rewarded with tea, coffee and various edible goodies back in the clubhouse afterwards. There will also be some drinks on the Tuesday afterwards in the clubhouse for marshals only, as well as energy bars for during the race (to tease the runners with). We also need a couple of people to undertake simple catering duties at the clubhouse. If you are available to help in any capacity please contact me ranelaghhalfhelpers@hotmail.co.uk ." ROAD GRAND PRIX The next Grand Prix event is the Richmond Half Marathon on 16th May (see above), followed by the Dorking 10 miles on 23rd May Details:. The Richmond and Dorking races also feature in the Surrey Road League Details: and both double as county championships. Full details of our GP are available on our website here:. RANELAGH'S ROAD RACES As well as the Richmond Half Marathon, entries are also open for the Richmond 10km (formerly the Dysart Dash) on Sunday 20th June. This is on a new course, similar to the old one but now on tarmac all the way. The start and finish will both be on the grass at the end of Riverside Drive (where the finish used to be) and the race HQ will be at the Kew FC clubhouse adjacent to the start. AZALEAS It's azalea and rhododendron time in the Isabella Plantation. The colours are spectacular - don't miss them! Until the end of the month, the Wednesday night training runs from the clubhouse will take in the Isabella, so come along for a guided tour - 6.30pm start. Andy Hayward and Michele Gibson are also heading for the Isabella on Tuesday nights and would welcome anyone who doesn't fancy the structured Tuesday sessions to join them. CAR STICKERS Please show the club name on your car! There is a supply of stickers on the table in the clubhouse, or if you prefer e-mail me your address and I will send you one. SUBSCRIPTIONS... ...were due on April 1st. Please be prompt! Rates remain unchanged: Seniors £40; Under 20 or student £10; Family membership £70; Retired and over 60: £20; Second-claim £20; Non-running £10. You can pay by cheque (payable to Ranelagh Harriers and sent to Membership Secretary, Ranelagh Harriers, 135a Petersham Road, Richmond, Surrey TW10 7AA) or you can download a standing order form from our web site here:. CONGRATULATIONS... ...to Hugh Brasher on the arrival of a daughter, Skye Alexandra. 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 ) Sunday 9th May MABAC League 5 miles. 11am start at Peaslake in the Surrey Hills. Register on the day. Sunday 16th May Richmond Half Marathon. Sunday 23rd May Dorking 10 miles. Sat 22nd & Sun 23rd May Green Belt Relay 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 Kingston The Hawker Centre Other venues. WHAT'S HAPPENED *************** LONDON MARATHON Sunday 25th April Several days of warm, sunny weather in the lead-up to the race promised tough conditions for the 37,000 starters, but thankfully race day dawned cool and damp. The sun did break through later in the day but most of the finishers enjoyed relatively benign conditions. Ranelagh representation was fairly low this year, with barely more than twenty lining up at Greenwich or Blackheath. Well ahead of the rest all the way - albeit in the colours of his first-claim club Winchester - was Phil Killingley. Phil ran a great race, passing 10km in a nifty 34.15, half way in 73.19 and hanging on to record a personal best of 2:28.06. Amongst those in Ranelagh vests, the top six passed 10km within a minute: Trevor Maguire, Duncan Mallison, Fari Shams, Marie Synnott-Wells, Ed Barker and Peter Weir. Both Trevor and Fari had experienced problems getting to London because of the volcanic eruption in Iceland. Trevor had been delayed in the States for an additional week following a business trip and Fari had difficulty finding a flight from her current base in Dusseldorf. Both only arrived on Saturday, and to add to her problems Fari was late getting to the start on Sunday morning. The result was that she never settled into the race and retired at about 15 miles. Trevor was comfortable, though, and at the halfway point he went through in just inside 87 minutes with a couple of minutes to spare over Duncan and Peter. Marie was half a minute back and Ed was just outside 3 hours pace at 90.39. Trevor kept the pace going well with a second half of 89.12 to record a personal best of 2:56.04. Here's Trevor: "Another really enjoyable London for me, only tempered by a slower time than I had hoped. My fourth time running in the last five years means that there is a really pleasant routine to the day - catching up with a few Ranelagh runners and spectators on the trains on the way to the start; the relative quiet of the start area; the squash until after the Cutty Sark; the excellent support from Ranelagh members, friends and family throughout the course; having a chat with a few runners before the pain sets in; the final push along the Embankment with noise levels increasing; the relief of finishing; swap a few war stories with anyone who is interested; grab a bite to eat with my family on the Strand; then finish the day off in the Wych Elm with a few pints and tales of marathons past and present. A day spent immersed in running folk, what could be better? I thoroughly recommend it to everyone!" Ed ran an impressive negative split of 88.36 for the second half to scrape inside three hours, while Marie slowed a little to record 3:04.48, a best for the London course. With the expected challenge from Fari not materialising, Marie retained the Brasher Bowl club women's championship ahead of Rachael Holmes on 3:34 and Jo Sinton-Hewitt on 3:56. Trevor took the Winter Cup club marathon championship ahead of Ed and Peter, who had been obliged to stop for medical assistance at about 17 miles and never really got going again.. Duncan, meanwhile, was enduring a torrid second half: "When I started my training back in October I really wanted to push myself and aimed to break 3 hours. The training went really well and I think I only missed about three training sessions in total over the six months. During February and March I completed six races - I took over 5 minutes off my half marathon PB and 17 mins off my 20 mile PB - I thought my target was possible. What I now realise is that trying to run a marathon 39 minutes quicker than I had done previously was unrealistic and my God what a painful lesson to learn. As ever the atmosphere and excitement of the race was fantastic. This was my third London and despite the rain at the start of the race the crowds and the noise all the way round were amazing. I think at every mile there was a familiar supporting face or just someone shouting 'Come on Ranelagh'. I started well and felt good - steady 6.40 mile pace for the first 6 miles. Through 10 miles in 1hour and 7 on target and then over Tower Bridge and on to halfway in 1:28:51. Perhaps a little quick but I was feeling good....for another mile. It was somewhere between 14 and 15 miles where something started to feel not quite right and those negative thoughts started to hit my mind, the legs just started to feel heavy. A few jelly babies and gums were taken and I hoped it would pass. I was still knocking out sub 7 min miles: 14 - 6.47, 15 - 6.53, 16 - 6.51. I had 1 hour 12 to complete the last 10 miles in order to break 3 hours, but then it started to hurt. Now I had slipped to 7 min miles and 19 was a 7.10 but I pushed on and went through 20 miles in 2.16, hurting but sub 3 was still on. Then it went wrong - 21 was a 7.34 mile, 22 was 7.59, 23 was 8.24. Then it was the end, the legs simply did not want to run anymore...I tried to get them moving but they weren't having it. Mile 24 was hell - I ran when I could but mainly power walked! Mile 25 was worse, I had given up running. I walked it - 3 hours was now long gone and 3.15 was disappearing fast with a 14 minute mile!! Mile 26 I mainly stumbled through another 14 minute mile. There was no way I was walking across the finish line and somehow I managed to do something that resembled running for the last 300 meters. Finished in 3.27.30 - a 12 minutes PB. Usually I would be ecstatic with a PB but this was different. I wanted so much more. Was I disappointed? No - I was angry. Why? Because I pride myself on being a sensible runner - until Sunday I had never got a race this badly wrong. Trying to take 39 minutes off a PB was a stupid target and I now know it was unrealistic. It's not that I don't think I can break 3 hours, I think I can but to do it from a 3.39 PB was madness and I paid for it. More sensible would have been to aim for 3.15 (and qualify for Boston) and to have a go at Boston, but that's now gone and I need to rethink. As usual I had the Steve Redgrave moment on Sunday evening 'Shoot me if I ever try this again' but as David Rowe also said 'There is some unfinished business here'." By contrast, Bill Neely enjoyed the experience: "I'd never done a marathon before so I was a bit daunted by the prospect. But what a day! I loved it. The crowds were awesome. Deafening at times. I hardly noticed the first ten miles pass. I wore a pace band for 3:20 and was rigorous about sticking to it. The result was, and I couldn't recommend this highly enough, that after 20 there was no wall. I felt I could push it and began to pass so many people who were struggling. Brilliant." Nick Hucker: 'Why can I do a half marathon in 1.32 and not a marathon in 3.30? I found it a hard run, but a great day, and I look forward to being back there for the 2012 marathon, and hopefully achieving that elusive 3.30'. Sharon Dooley's preparations were restricted: "My 144 miles in January was banked, thankfully as metatarsalgia/neuroma (nasty nerve in foot because I had my laces too tight) accompanied by Plantar Fascita tightening up to protect it (also rather unpleasant and inhibiting) saw two feeble miles in February, lots of hopping on my right leg in frustration and eventually a trip to a nice physio with mean knuckles but nice lasers...a couple of weeks later I was allowed to try a 3 mile run and with Fleet that weekend I enquired if I could run three then what did she think of me doing 13...thankfully physio was also a marathon runner who had suffered the same a year ago and replied 'I wouldn't do any more than 13 and only do it if you are prepared not to race and to walk at any point'. I ran most of it, walking a mile and a half, physio was not very pleasant the next day, but I was still determined to run both Brighton and London marathons...a couple of weeks later, walking the last 3 miles of the Cranleigh 15 as my foot seized up I decided that I would do London but Brighton would be foolish and unenjoyable....I couldn't run much so I spent time practising balancing and strengthening hips and the like and other exercises I'd learned through Pose running technique. Even horse riding was difficult as my foot kept swelling when I took weight on it... I focussed on being positive and imagining running the last 10k of London and just didn't let go of the idea of running it, although as the days went by and the foot still hurt I started to waver. My physio remained positive and zapped it with laser, dug her knuckles in and kept telling me it would go in the taper...at the last physio session I was apprehensive but the physio was determined she wouldn't need to see me again after the marathon, I was now not so confident but sure enough after a final run on the Wednesday my foot was relaxed and pain free. So I stood on the start line with the decision of running relaxed and comfortable being the best that I could be on the training I'd had and to see what would happen. I wasn't going to hold back on pace in case the injury reared its ugly head again, I wanted to be as far into the course as I could be, in case I had to hop to the end. I got a shout from Tony at the Cutty Sark which gave me a real boost and at half way I was flying (by my standards), comfortably and this continued to mile 17 when I started to feel tightness and lactic acid building in my legs. I carried on, I knew this part of the run well from when I worked in the Wharf, I searched the crowd for inspiration and spotted Simon, Dawn and Lorna, stopped for a hug with friends at mile 19, coming out of the wharf I soaked up the music of the drums, I was now finding it tough but I was still moving and on such little training I was still on for a PB, I focussed on just keeping moving everything forwards, don't waste any energy, stay strong and forwards, pull your feet up....mile 22 and a big wave and cheer from 'Fetch' gave me another boost but I made the mistake of jumping up to high-five a chap and thought I was going to be stuck there as my hamstrings threatened to seize up. Mile 23...a 5k anyone can do a 5k you're on the home straight, Blackfriars tunnel approached and I made a deal that I would take a Lucozade, use the tunnel to stretch my legs and consume the whole bottle and come out running. I got my Lucozade from Liz Yelling which was great, made sure I was out of sight and strode out through the tunnel, but five strides before the end I started up again...Pat shouted me from the Embankment which gave me enough to get to Westminster to my pals and then it was St. James's Park and the never ending Mall...I always sprint for the finish but this time my right leg cramped and had me hopping on my left, ironic given how much I'd hopped around on the right foot in February! I was thinking not now, so near the finish, I shook it out and it eased enough to run the last few strides...I crossed the line a minute quicker than Dublin the year before in 4hr38.25 but on only 2 miles in February, 47 in March and 58 in April...not quite the 40-60 mile weeks I normally get up to but my left foot is still injury free and other than some evil blisters I am walking around and thinking about my next marathon and a new PB. With each marathon I learn a new lesson. Sunday taught me that I don't yet know what I'm capable of and I'll only find out by pushing the boundaries a little further than I think I can every now and again....but for now a little rest is in order." Here's Martin Wolfson: "Lots of people wonder why I did the marathon. I am now 60. I want to show that everyone, even 'pensioners' like me can get fit. By doing so they end up with less medical problems, live longer but most of all they feel better and happier too. My training has already proved this to me and there are good scientific reasons too. Something to do with endorphins. Finally over the last two years and with the encouragement of my work colleagues and fellow members of Ranelagh, I have come to love running. I now run more than 13 miles every Sunday morning. Watch out for me on the towpath from Surbiton to Kingston and from there around Richmond Park. Please say 'Hello' when you see me. I am now doing something I enjoy for a cause that I really believe in. I am now doing 20 miles most Sunday mornings and so far have not collapsed. The marathon has been and gone. Something of an anti-climax now it is all over. I must express a bit of a disappointment in my time. I had hoped for 3hrs 30min. but was never on schedule after 30 minutes despite meeting my co-runner from the Kingston Breakfast Run, Ed, purely by chance. What are the odds on this? There were only 35,000 runners! I did not feel good from the beginning and was soon slipping back on my schedule and had to let Ed run on. After 16 miles it really became a strain then I found myself in incredible pain. I was determined not to walk and pushed on, my pace falling from 8 minute miles to 10. I felt so awful I never saw any of my supporters except one from the club. Apparently I looked so awful going past Temple with a mile to go that my wife and daughter burst into tears! When I got to the 600 yards to go marker, I did not know how I would run the last bit. I finished in 3hrs and 49mins." As usual Mike Rowland race-walked the marathon after starting at the very back: "How worried were we all on Saturday with the temperature creeping up above 20 degrees Centigrade and more of the same forecast for Sunday. This after a winter of training in the Arctic Circle! But the clouds came to our rescue and indeed, it was positively chilly waiting for the start on Blackheath, especially when the rain came down. I really was the last away this year which gave me a nice clear road for the first 5k until we met the Red start guys at Woolwich. It's very important for race-walkers to get into a rhythm and that I was able to do with the result that I had a fairly even pace throughout. I started to lose the plot at around 20 miles - listening to Villa v Birmingham on the radio didn't help, what a dull match. But I gave myself a good talking to and actually began to go faster over the last 2 or 3 miles. Up front, what a run by Kebede! Was that the easiest ever winner of a London? I thought Mara Yamauchi ran superbly to finish tenth after that epic journey to get back to GB. And what a run by Andrew Lemoncello to finish eighth (who's he???). Well done to all the Ranelaghs who finished, especially, of course, to dear old Mike Peace. That's thirty out of thirty for Mike and I think almost every one of those thirty was faster than my fastest ever marathon (3:31 about 400 years ago). Ho hum!! But I have to say that it wasn't quite the same without seeing the name of J Hanscomb amongst the finishers. And me ... well, my 'strong' finish helped me to a time 7 or 8 minutes faster than last year and that put me a little bit under 6 hours. But more importantly, I finished in one piece with no blisters or strains at all which is all that really matters. I just had this severe cramp in my fingers later on in the evening. It happens every year - does anybody else have that problem? BIG thanks to Carol Barnshaw. Each year there have been people who I know that have a husband or wife or son or daughter or somebody running that they are coming up to London to cheer and that they will give me a cheer if they see me. But, of course, they don't because they have to go to work on Monday morning and can't wait for me!! So it was really nice to see Carol at one of the drinks stations giving me a big smile and some words of encouragement. Thanks, Carol, it helped. Thanks too to everybody who sponsored me. I'm up around £800 for Water Aid now and it's not too late to sponsor me if you wish. The Justgiving page is open for a few days yet. I think of it this way. I've just walked 26 miles, been given free water every mile and then I'm treated like some kind of hero at the end. Crazy! There are women all over the poorer parts of the world who are walking distances like that every day just to get water for their family. My page is still open on original.justgiving.com/mikerowland. Modern technology never ceases to amaze me. I finished at just after 4pm. At about 5.15, I was looking at my result, with full 5k breakdowns, on the London Marathon website! How do they do that so quickly!! " A different view from Andy Hayward: "Overslept and missed the start - every runner's nightmare! However, raced downstairs and switched on the telly, hoping I had not taken too much out of myself too early for the long day ahead with this initial burst of speed. Thankfully the BBC's coverage had me up with the leaders fairly quickly - resolved to pace myself evenly through the rest of the run. Disappointed to see the weather was overcast and drizzly - great for the runners, but not so good for spectating. Michele and I left home when the leading men were around ten miles. An easy warm up jog to Turnham Green Station on the District Line, and got off at Westminster. Got to the 25 mile mark just ahead of the leader, feeling a little uncomfortable by this stage (trying to balance my coffee and applaud at the same time) but settled into a rhythm, Michele holding the coffee for me when necessary. Thankfully finished the coffee before any Ranelaghs came through. Saw Phil Killingley going well, on for a sub 2:30 (albeit in his first claim Winchester AC vest). Next was Trevor Maguire running solidly and looking fairly comfortable, followed by Ed Barker looking strong, just under 3:00 pace. Marie Synnott-Wells was 'in the zone' and looking determined. Peter Weir waved but looked like he couldn't wait for the finish line, and Bill Neely seemed to be going well. Mike Peace, the ever present, was ever smiling, blowing kisses to the crowd, and enjoying himself (should have run harder Mike!). We waited around for quite a while after that, but as the numbers increased and it became difficult to spot people, we decided to head off. We got back on the District Line, but got off at Hammersmith and ran the last six miles home (the last six miles are always the toughest!). Went out for a few beers in the evening to celebrate a good day!" There are two special mentions this year. The evergreen Mike Peace retained his London ever-present record, smiling and waving his way round as usual. Mike is one of now only twenty men who have completed all thirty 'Londons' since the first back in 1981. The ever-presents have their own web site: www.everpresent.org.uk/ and you can also see a full list of Mike's performances (plus John Hanscomb's, who was also an ever-present up to 2008) on our web site here:. The second mention is for the indefatigable Ian Grange, who completed his third marathon in as many weeks. After running 3:47 at both Paris and Brighton, Ian was on for the same again before fading a little in the final miles to record 3:53. Anna Mallett, Laura Wells, Luke Wilson and George Inman all ran well in the Mini Marathon for four different boroughs! Finally, thanks to Janet Turnes who as usual welcomed everyone on Sunday evening to the Wych Elm for a few beers, a few stories and a groaning table of food which she and Manuel most generously lay on for us each year. Thanks Janet! SUTTON 10km Sunday 2nd May This was the third event in the Ranelagh Road Grand Prix, as well as the first event in the Surrey Road League. Steve Whitehead led the smallish Ranelagh contingent with a great run to beat 35 minutes for the first time. Steve writes: "My target for the summer was a sub 35 minute 10k and I had been told by some far better runners than I'll ever be that the best way to achieve this would be to 'race' a fast 10k course and the pace will pull me through. I was fortunate to have someone running at a good pace through to 5k and then two other runners kindly took up the pace at 7k through to the end. The only time I was aware of the time was with the finish line in sight and the clock reading 34:50 - luckily I was able to put in a final burst to break the 35 minute barrier by a second! Some very kind cheers shouts of encouragement from Marc Snaith were very welcome on the way round." Paul Doyle's return to fitness continued with a 36 minutes effort and Trevor Maguire and Duncan Mallison both performed well only a week after the London Marathon. Paul jumps to the top of the Grand Prix scoreboard, ahead of last year's runner-up Trevor. Full scores are on our website here:. TWO OCEANS 56km Saturday 3rd April in Cape Town, South Africa Derek Mason completed his 13th Two Oceans in 5:37.43. The winner, M. Lebopo from Lesotho, finished in 3:06.18. THAMES TOWPATH 10 miles Sunday 18th April at Chiswick Here are some photos of the Ranelagh runners, courtesy of Dave Bell. VIENNA MARATHON Sunday 18th April 1 H Sugut (Kenya) 2:08.40 2093 Wiebke Kortum 3:45.20 (gun time 3:55.09) COMBINED MARATHON RESULT Any spring marathon counts towards our Road Grand Prix. Here is the combined result, so far as we are aware. It's based on chip times, and where anyone has run more than one race, only the fastest is shown. If any results have been missed, please let us know as soon as possible. 2:39.57 Gavin Jones Rotterdam 2:48.50 Paul Doyle Rotterdam 2:50.07 Martin Halvey Barcelona 2:56.04 Trevor Maguire London 2:59.15 Ed Barker London 3:04.48 Marie Synnott-Wells London 3:07.35 Chris Bundhun Paris 3:19.05 Peter Weir London 3:23.48 Bill Neely London 3:25.36 Mike Peace London 3:27.30 Duncan Mallison London 3:31.07 Carola Richter Paris 3:34.18 Rachael Holmes London 3:45.20 Wiebke Kortum Vienna 3:47.02 Ian Grange Paris 3:48.48 Heather Martingell Washington 3:49.10 Martin Wolfson London 3:53.25 Steve Mountain Paris 3:54.21 Nick Hucker London 3:56.48 Jo Sinton-Hewitt London 3:58.29 Darren Wood London 4:02.33 Alison Dicks London 4:20.50 Tamsin Burland Brighton 4:26.26 Marina Quayle Paris 4:38.25 Sharon Dooley London 4:58.18 Lynne Barber London 5:34.32 Deirdre Inman London 5:56.41 Mike Rowland London RICHMOND parkrun 5km Saturday 24th April Sally Dell made an impressive parkrun debut as the second woman to finish, just a pace ahead of Lee Coole. 1 D Agustus (Scarb) 15.49 28 Sally Dell 21.07 29 Lee Coole 21.08 32 Chris Read 21.13 42 Andy Woodhouse 21.49 49 Tony Appleby 22.22 50 Alan Davidson 22.26 62 Karl Garvey 23.07 64 Karen Weir 23.13 65 Katherine Mercer 23.14 93 Philippa Shaw 24.49 101 Aiah Songu-Mbriwa 25.40 154 Val Lowman 29.19 157 Molly Smith 29.24 162 Annemarie Goodridge 30.25 165 Livvy Ricketts 30.41 166 John Ricketts 30.42 168 Peter Lowman 30.58 172 Bronwen Northmore 31.38 175 Pat Hewlett 31.50 183 Clementine Smith 34.35 186 Yvonne Howie 36.23 BUSHY parkrun 5km Saturday 24th April 1 Unknown 16.04 23 Simon Collingridge 19.13 94 David Ready 21.28 130 Peter Fordham 21.59 339 Jose Scheuer 25.44 372 Wally Garrod 26.09 419 Danny Hobbs 27.04 548 John Hanscomb 30.30 BEDFONT LAKES parkrun 5km Saturday 24th April Michelle Davies was the leading woman for the second week in a row, while Duncan Mallison warmed up for the following day's marathon by completing his 100th parkrun. 1 R Hamilton (Harrog) 18.09 8 Lee Davies 21.41 13 Michelle Davies 22.14 17 Paul Martingell 23.18 19 Duncan Mallison 23.39 28 Paula Sheridan 24.53 32 Kirsty Bangham 25.52 KINGSTON parkrun 5km Saturday 24th April 1 J Byrne (unatt) 18.59 5 Chris Camacho 20.53 26 Holly Wilson 26.20 27 Roger Wilson 26.20 28 Gill Wilson 27.00 33 Janet Turnes 27.53 WIMBLEDON COMMON parkrun 5km Saturday 24th April 1 A Robinson (TH&H) 16.39 104 Jar O'Brien 25.46 105 Alison Dicks 25.47 SOUTHERN WOMEN'S ATHLETICS LEAGUE Saturday 24th April at St Mary's Liz Kipling, Estelle Damant and Kate Brook each contributed a hatful of points to Richmond St Mary's winning total in their opening Division 2 fixture. Liz finished 2nd in the A string 1500m and 3000m with a pair of personal bests, 4:51.2 and 10:16.8. Liz also threw the hammer 15.42 for 4th place in the B string but was excused her usual pole vaulting duties! Estelle won the B string 1500m and 3000m with 5:01.3 and 10:41.6, while Kate won the A string 400m hurdles with 69.2 and was runner up in both the A string 100m hurdles and long jump with 16.1 and 4.82. Kate and Liz completed a busy afternoon by running stages in the winning 4x400m relay team. HAMMERSMITH RIVERSIDE HANDICAP 3.3 miles Tuesday 27th April 1 D Cox (WG&EL) 18.10 6 Alan Davidson 23.07 9 Alan Howard 24.40 LAST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH 5km Friday 30th April in Hyde Park 1 N Torry (Serp) 15.08 27 Mick Lane 18.45 42 Simon Hedger 19.32 94 Alan Davidson 21.48 199 John Hanscomb 31.20 RICHMOND parkrun 5km Saturday 1st May 1 R Berry (West 4) 17.35 5 Jerym Brunton 18.29 12 Bill Neely 19.34 21 Stewart Anderson 20.29 33 Andy Woodhouse 21.03 34 Jar O'Brien 21.09 65 Karl Garvey 22.45 94 Tony Appleby 24.11 113 Johannes Prosser 24.58 114 Jo Sinton-Hewitt 24.58 115 Alison Dicks 25.02 118 Philippa Shaw 25.10 124 Rob Kitchen 25.27 163 Lynne Barber 27.48 178 Val Lowman 28.36 183 Louise Reeder 28.46 190 Christine Goodsell 29.03 210 Peter Lowman 31.46 213 Pat Hewlett 32.34 214 Lorna Smith 32.39 221 Andrew Brown 35.51 223 Bev Ali 36.38 BUSHY parkrun 5km Saturday 1st May 1 A Jackson (Sitting) 16.30 35 David Rowe 19.31 84 Adam Wright 20.50 95 David Ready 21.06 103 Simon Rothwell 21.19 142 Kate Brook 22.00 155 Peter Fordham 22.22 338 Kirsty Bangham 25.30 353 Vicci Randle 25.43 561 Teresa Segovia 30.54 BEDFONT LAKES parkrun 5km Saturday 1st May ...and a third consecutive win for Michelle Davies. 1 P Rooprai (Thames T) 18.25 6 Duncan Mallison 20.30 11 Lee Davies 21.48 13 Michelle Davies 22.33 23 Paul Martingell 24.24 37 Gill Wilson 27.12 38 Roger Wilson 27.13 WIMBLEDON COMMON parkrun 5km Saturday 1st May 1 S Wurr (TH&H) 15.56 129 Danny Hobbs 27.30 FRIMLEY LODGE parkrun 5km Saturday 1st May 1 G Robinson (Sand J) 16.57 9 Darren Wood 19.49 KINGSTON parkrun 5km Saturday 1st May 1 R Ward (Belgrave) 16.47 4 Chris Camacho 21.01 15 Phil Aiken 25.45 SOUTHERN MEN'S ATHLETICS LEAGUE Saturday 1st May at Reading Marc Snaith and Chris Brook were in the St Mary's Richmond team for the opening league fixture. They each finished third in the 400m hurdles (Marc 65.4 in the A string and Chris 68.0 in the B), Chris finished 4th in the A string 400m flat (63.8) and Marc was 4th in the A string 3000m steeplechase in 10.55.6. KESWICK HALF MARATHON Sunday 2nd May Chris Read reports: "A Ranelagh team consisting Bob Beatson, John Hanscomb, David Rowntree and me ran the Keswick Half Marathon on 2 May 2010. The race route had been changed from previous years as one of the bridges we normally run over had been washed away in the winter floods. The hills were as steep and the scenery as beautiful as ever. With the exception of the results the race was well organised. By my watch my time was 1.36.57, which would have put me in 100th place but for some reason I was omitted from the official results." 1 P Winskill (Keswick) 1:15.43 Chris Read 1:36.57 146 Bob Beatson 1:40.51 566 John Hanscomb 2:49.54 567 David Rowntree 2:52.34 ESHER CHURCH SCHOOL 10km Monday 3rd May 1 P Wright (Tadworth) 37.12 40 Aidan Bruyneels 47.19 KINGFIELD CANTER 2.84 miles handicap Wednesday 5th May at Woking 1 R Thevenet-Smith (Wok)25.37 (actual time 19.52) 5 Steve Rowland 26.23 (18.38) 6 Sonia Rowland 26.25 (20.55) 9 Alan Davidson 26.35 (19.35) FINALLY... "When I run, I think about everything: physics, family problems, plans for the weekend. I haven't made any big discoveries on a run, but it does give me time to think through problems. Some solutions are obvious, but they are only obvious when you are relaxed enough to find them." Wolfgang Ketterle, Nobel prizewinning physicist, MIT.