*************************************************** RANELAGH HARRIERS E-NEWS # 337 17 September 2010 Editor: Steve Rowland mailto: steverowland@ranelagh-harriers.com *************************************************** HEADLINE NEWS ************* * Peter Lowman wins the Thomas Cup * Fastest times by Trevor Maguire and Marie Synnott-Wells * Ranelagh women win silver medals in the Surrey Road Relay * Women Over 35 and men Over 50 win bronzes, senior men finish 7th * Marie Synnott-Wells wins the Harry Hawkes 8 miles * Paul Doyle wins Surrey track 10,000m veterans title * parkrun placings for Rachael Holmes, Donna Mason and Sean Paynter SEE HERE ******** FIXTURE LIST The fixture list for 2010 - 2011 is now available on our website here:. It shows all the winter cross-country fixtures plus a few events later in 2011. You can download a pdf version for printing. Also available is a version which you can import into your calendar / iphone / blackberry etc. For this, please contact Fixtures Sec Heather Martingell at heathermartingell@hotmail.co.uk. SURREY LEAGUE I hope I don't need to remind all potential first team runners of the importance of getting a good start to the Surrey League campaign. After an injury-hit season last year the men find themselves down in Division 2 and the target of course is to get into the top two places and earn immediate promotion back to the top flight. It's ten to score, so it's not just a question of the fastest men performing well, it's also vital that they have the necessary backup. Everyone can run if they wish, there's no limit to the numbers. Register on the day. The first race is at Lloyd Park, Croydon, on Saturday 9th October starting at 3pm. Don't miss it. The women are safely in Division One of their competition but a good start is equally vital if they are to emerge as championship contenders again this year. The women's League is only five to score but there are B, C and D teams too, so again anyone can run, the more the better. The opening race is on familiar territory in Richmond Park, at the Kingston Gate end: Saturday October 9th, 12 noon. PAGE CUP Our second handicap race of the season is the Page Cup 5 miles on Saturday 2nd October in Richmond Park. All members are welcome, register on the day. SURREY VETERANS CHAMPIONSHIP We are again hosting the Surrey Veterans Championship in the Park on Saturday October 16th. There are separate competitions for over 40s, over 50s and over 60s (men) and over 35s, over 45s and over 55s (women). The women's race is 6km (2.30pm start) and the men's is 10km (3pm start). Entries must be made in advance! For the women's race, contact Marie, for the men's contact Marc - see What's Coming below for contact details. CABBAGE PATCH 10 miles Sunday 17th October at Twickenham There's still time to enter for the popular and fast Cabbage Patch 10, though they already have over 1,600 entries, so don't delay, details here:. MOB MATCHES Niall O'Connor writes: "Our first mob match of the season is on the 23rd October in Richmond Park. It's time to get training! In case you're unsure of what a 'mob match' is, here's a brief description: these races attract 80-100 runners (though February's mob v Blackheath attracted 123 runners), cover a distance of 7.5 miles (two laps of our course - comparable to a lap of Richmond Park with the hills still included) and are great fun - tough, but fun. Effort-wise they probably take a bit less than a 10 mile road race. This is perfect for anyone that 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. Many Ranelagh runners haven't experienced these great races, which are a strong part of our club tradition. We compete as a club and all standards are gratefully welcomed. They are definitely worth running in - some have been 'going' for 100 years! There will be specific details in the next newsletter plus details on how the scoring works. For now just put Saturday October 23rd in your diaries. South London Harriers have had a good record against us in recent years and we'll a lot of blue vests at the start line." QUIZ NIGHT We're planning to hold a quiz night at the clubhouse after the South London mob match on October 23rd. The plan is to start the quiz at about 6.30pm with a break for a fish and chip supper (or veggie alternative) at about 8pm. The cost will be a tenner per head to include the supper. Maximum four people per team - either make up your own team or link up with others on the day. Please contact Andy Hayward (andrewhayward@catalinare.com or at the clubhouse) to reserve a place. A FOND FAREWELL... ...to Carola Richter, who has left the UK for Melbourne, Australia. DANNY WAKEFORD and DENNIS MOFFATT We are sorry to report the recent deaths of Danny Wakeford and Dennis Moffatt. Obituaries will follow. WHAT'S COMING ************* More details of the following from Marc Snaith (07717 213035 mailto ( mdsnaith5@hotmail.com ) or Marie Synnott-Wells (07956 431319 (After 5pm Weekdays) / mailto nandmwells@aol.com ) Sunday 26th September South of England Men's Road Relay Championships at Rushmoor Arena, Aldershot Saturday 2nd October Page Cup 5 miles handicap in Richmond Park. 3pm start. All members welcome, register on the day. Saturday 9th October Surrey League - men (Division 2) at Lloyd Park, Croydon, women in Richmond Park (Kingston end). See above. Saturday 16th October Surrey Veterans' Championships in Richmond Park. See above. Sunday 17th October Cabbage Patch 10 miles at Twickenham. 10am start. See above. 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 Old Deer Park Pools in the Park on the A316 Other venues, more details and registration at www.parkrun.com WHAT'S HAPPENED ************** OPENING RUN and THOMAS CUP 3.8 miles Handicap Saturday 4th September in Richmond Park It was good to see a turnout of about 80 members for the annual club photo executed as usual by Ken Powley (see the evidence here:). Just over 60 took part in the race, with Deirdre Inman the 'limit' runner with a start of 22.30 and Ed Barker the day's scratch man off 2.10. Deirdre had Pat Hewlett starting only ten seconds behind her but it wasn't long before she was out of sight not only of Pat but of the rest of the field too. She held onto the lead until the final hill but Peter Lowman, off 19.10, was doggedly chasing and moved into the lead as the final corner approached. It wasn't over yet, though, as Jar O'Brien was closing rapidly. Jar passed Deirdre but couldn't get close to Peter who held on to win his first club trophy by a margin of fifteen seconds. Jar took the silver medal and Deirdre the bronze before the stampede began. Thirty runners crossed the line within three minutes of the winner, another good job by the handicapper. Trevor Maguire's 23.08 was the fastest of the day, ahead of Ed Barker (23.22) and Niall O'Connor (23.26). Marie Synnott-Wells was the fastest woman on 25.30, followed by Sandra Prosser (28.05 in running through to 5th place) and Alison Dicks (30.02). Winner Peter Lowman writes: "I was delighted and surprised to win the handicap race on Saturday but what a brilliant experience. The chance to win gave me extra energy and motivation. It was a tough challenge for me but it gave me an insight into what I am capable of. At the age of 64 this is the first running race I have won so I am doubly pleased. I took up running about 5 years ago as part of my triathlon training. I found it hard and could only run short distances. My wife Val suggested I join Ranalagh as we could train together in a structured way. The Tuesday evenings have worked well for me with steady progress - thanks Cindy. I've also had one season last year attending the Thursday training which helped improve my technique - thanks Frances. All round the club has been a great experience for me and I look forward to many more training sessions and races." Back in the clubhouse after the race, Ken Powley was dragged away from his computer to receive a stop-watch shaped cake (good work, Heather) and a hearty "Happy Birthday to You" to mark his impending 80th birthday. Many happy returns, Ken! SURREY ROAD RELAY CHAMPIONSHIPS Saturday 4th September at Wimbledon Park It was almost a case of déjà-vu in the Surrey Road Relays as we came away with medals in the same three classes as last year - though instead of one set of each colour we had to settle this time for one set of silvers and two sets of bronze. The silvers went to the senior women. There were a few unavoidable absences with the result that the team declaration was being re-jigged until the very last moment. Sandra Prosser was thrown into the first team leaving Sonia Rowland to replace her on the opening stage for the over 35s team at about two minutes' notice! Estelle Damant, who has been in great form at a variety of distances this summer, took the responsibility for getting the first team off to a flying start and did not disappoint. She ran her best time on this course and the second-fastest ever by a Ranelagh woman with 16.47. Only Jo Ronaldson's sizzling 16.30 in 2004 stands ahead of Estelle in the rankings. It wasn't quite enough to come in first, though, as South London had put out their "big gun" on the opening stage in the shape of Georgie Bruinvels. It's reasonable to assume that South London had anticipated a clear lead at the end of the stage and would have been surprised to find that there was no more than 16 seconds in it at the finish on the Wimbledon Park track. Bruinvels's 16.31 and Estelle's 16.47 survived as the fastest two times of the afternoon. Jo Ronaldson took over for the second stage. A fully-fit Jo would have made short work of the deficit, but this was her first race in more than nine months owing to injury. Her 18.14 kept us well in contention. Next up was Sandra Prosser who ran her hardest to hang on to second place only to be overtaken in the final strides. On the last lap was skipper Marie Synnott-Wells and she quickly moved back into second place and set about chasing down the South London anchor runner. She reduced the gap but there just wasn't enough time and at the finish there was still almost half a minute between the teams. And so silver medals it was. Sonia Rowland brought the Over 35 women's team home in 5th place on the opening stage, and after Louise Piears and Michele Gibson had run laps two and three they still occupied that position. Then Jo Ronaldson, on her second lap of the day, brought them up to 4th at the finish. As one team ahead of them was ineligible for the county championship, they were rewarded with bronze medals. Jo's 18.55 was the third fastest recorded in the over 35 category. The second set of bronzes went to the over 50 men, who also actually finished 4th but were elevated one place in the championship. John Shaw ran an outstanding 17.03 opening stage to come in 2nd, Steve Rowland and Andy Hayward covered the middle two laps before Chris Owens ran a fine 17.56 anchor despite nursing a sore hamstring. The senior men could not get into the medal reckoning at the finish but showed up well to finish 7th in the championship. Phil Killingley ran a fine opener and was within four seconds of winning the stage. His 14.47 was only six seconds outside his best on the course, which is also the best ever Ranelagh time. Richard Gregory set off on stage two with a pack of runners on his heels and did well to lose only two places with a 15.44 lap. Nathan Mills slipped two more on lap three despite running his best time on the course of 16.16. Ed Barker's 16.31 kept us in 6th place but the competition was still hot and after Chris Bundhun's 18.09 and Marc Snaith's 17.16 we found ourselves back in 9th place overall, though close behind 7th and 8th. For the championship we moved up two places. We mustn't forget reserve Ted Mockett who ran a good 17.19 on the opening stage. Senior Men 1 Belgrave H 90.02 9 Ranelagh H 98.43 (7th in county championship) Phil Killingley 2 14.47 Richard Gregory 4 15.44 Nathan Mills 6 16.16 Ed Barker 6 16.31 Chris Bundhun 7 18.09 Marc Snaith 9 17.16 nf Ranelagh H B Ted Mockett 19 17.19 Men Over 50 1 South London H 67.47 4 Ranelagh H 76.30 (3rd in county championship) John Shaw 2 17.03 Steve Rowland 4 20.22 Andy Hayward 5 21.09 Chris Owens 4 17.56 Senior Women 1 South London H 73.15 2 Ranelagh H 73.43 (2nd in county championship) Estelle Damant 2 16.47 Jo Ronaldson 2 18.14 Sandra Prosser 3 20.32 Marie Synnott-Wells 2 18.10 Women Over 35 1 Thames H&H 76.07 4 Ranelagh H 83.33 (3rd in county championship) Sonia Rowland 5 21.06 Louise Piears 4 21.11 Michele Gibson 5 22.21 Jo Ronaldson 4 18.55 SURREY TRACK 10,000 METRES CHAMPIONSHIP Saturday 28th August at Tooting Bec Paul Doyle finished 4th and first veteran, though the 34.14 time may be flattering - Paul maintains he only ran 24 laps instead of the prescribed 25. 1 B Wilder (Herne Hill) 31:35.1 4 Paul Doyle 34:14.8 12 Marc Snaith 37:47.9 14 Alan Davidson 45:42.0 RICHMOND parkrun 5km Saturday 4th September 1 E O'Connell (Serp) 17.28 5 Sean Paynter 18.47 14 Bill Neely 19.38 19 Jerym Brunton 20.02 59 Michael Cawley 22.38 86 Gareth Davies 24.13 117 Louise Reeder 26.36 123 Alison Dicks 26.57 139 Lynne Barber 28.09 146 Christine Goodsell 29.13 166 Gill Clay-Jones 32.05 167 Stacey Barber 32.14 175 Bronwen Northmore 34.15 BUSHY parkrun 5km Saturday 4th September 1 M Trees (Belgrave) 16.25 71 Luke Wilson 20.31 216 Ian Grange 23.19 333 Roger Wilson 24.52 341 Michelle Davies 24.56 456 Mike White 27.04 627 Marina Quayle 30.37 647 Jo Sinton-Hewitt 31.11 706 Teresa Segovia 33.23 OLD DEER PARK parkrun 5km Saturday 4th September 1 R Ward (Belgrave) 17.02 17 Chris Wright 25.29 26 Sally Bell 28.05 27 Mary Hickson 29.07 KINGSTON parkrun 5km Saturday 4th September 1 S Donaghy (HHH) 18.43 11 Chris Camacho 20.15 37 Janet Turnes 33.50 FRIMLEY LODGE parkrun 5km Saturday 4th September 1 D Symes (unatt) 17.51 17 Darren Wood 20.49 BRISTOL HALF MARATHON Sunday 5th September A good performance from Richard Gregory in a high-quality race. 1 E Kipyego (Kenya) 1:03.08 46 Richard Gregory 1:14.21 6527 Sue Camp 2:03.08 RICHMOND RIVER RUN 10km Sunday 5th September Lee Coole was fourth woman and first over 50. 1 C Sweeney 34.12 (chip time 34:11) 64 Lee Coole 45.58 (45.14) 73 Zoe Gavars 46.35 (46.17) 212 Denis Horellou 53.29 (52.54) SURREY BADGER HALF MARATHON Sunday 5th September at Dorking 1 T Elsey (Herne Hill) 1:15.17 24 Simon Hedger 1:27.55 BRIDGES 2.3 miles handicap Wednesday 8th September at Westminster 1 A Davies (SLH) 18.43 (actual time 13.43) 11 John Hanscomb 21.17 (24.17) 12 Alan Davidson 21.20 (16.50) SELF-TRANSCENDENCE 10 miles Saturday 11th September at Battersea Park 1 F Del Valle (Serp) 54.24 16 Paul Nicoll 64.00 RICHMOND parkrun 5km Saturday 11th September Sean Paynter was third home and Rachael Holmes and Donna Mason were first and third women. 1 J Stead (Herne Hill) 17.49 3 Sean Paynter 18.50 28 Tony Appleby 22.03 32 Rachael Holmes 22.26 48 Donna Mason 23.16 50 Zoe Gavars 23.20 51 Karen Weir 23.21 94 Philippa Shaw 25.35 118 Lynne Barber 27.17 134 Jo Knight 28.40 141 Christine Goodsell 29.23 163 Stacey Barber 32.23 170 Penny Merrett 33.47 172 Bronwen Northmore 34.02 177 Pat Hewlett 35.34 BUSHY parkrun 5km Saturday 11th September 1 C Bolt (AFD) 16.08 74 Adam Wright 20.32 259 Gill Wilson 24.23 268 Kirsty Bangham 24.32 278 Roger Wilson 24.35 312 Danny Hobbs 25.25 413 Wally Garrod 27.29 570 John Hanscomb 31.55 KINGSTON parkrun 5km Saturday 11th September 1 A Del Nevo (Croydon) 18.29 5 Chris Camacho 20.03 13 Mike White 23.01 19 Julie Naismith 25.49 FRIMLEY LODGE parkrun 5km Saturday 11th September 1 J Flood (Stragglers) 16.29 23 Darren Wood 20.25 BRUETON parkrun 5km Saturday 11th September 1 J Jennings (Knowle) 17.03 18 Andrew Brown 22.21 READING parkrun 5km Saturday 11th September 1 M Bristow (Brighton) 16.46 83 Jo Sinton-Hewitt 24.25 86 Chris Wright 24.40 118 Mary Hickson 26.42 OLD DEER PARK parkrun 5km Saturday 11th September 1 D Afshar (West 4) 18.07 7 Jar O'Brien 22.48 9 Wyn Williams 23.05 21 Sally Bell 27.58 HARRY HAWKES 8 miles Sunday 12th September at Thames Ditton Marie Synnott-Wells was on the roads again the day after the road relays and, nicely warmed up, won the women's race. 1 J Trapmore (Shaft B) 43.26 14 Marie Synnott-Wells 52.16 127 Pete Warren 66.27 159 Melissa Glackin 69.59 260 John Hanscomb 87.20 MABAC LEAGUE 5 miles Sunday 12th September at Lightwater 1 J Barry (Pyrford) 32.24 28 Sandra Prosser 41.01 ALICE HOLT 10km Sunday 12th September at Farnham 1 J Manning (Denmead) 34.34 (chip time 34.28) 368 Alan Meaden 64.40 (64.18) 378 David Meaden 65.56 (65.32) RICHMOND PARK DUATHLON Sunday 12th September Roger Wilson reports: "I was happy to finish the Ultra Race of London Duathlon in Richmond Park on Sunday 12th - I believe it's the largest duathlon in the world. It was a slow time since I was not really in shape and have been battling a sore Achilles and a bruised rib all summer. However, nutrition of honey sandwiches, bananas and energy gels backed up by taking on water at every station worked well, so I moved up a few places on the second run to finish 127th out of 160 starters. Distances were 20k run, 77k bike including seven times up Broomfield Hill, 10k run in 5:57:25 hrs. Some other Ranelaghs did the Challenge Race 10k run, 22k bike, 5k run.". Ultra 1 D Vaughan 4:01.16 (run 1:12.38 / bike 2:08.05 / run 38.26) 127 Roger Wilson 5:57.25 (1:51.22 / 2:58.37 / 60.48) Challenge 1 S Guynan 1:30.12 (run 35.03 / bike 36.13 / run 16.42) 53 Peter Weir 1:45.52 (39.16 / 43.48 / 18.59) 121 Jerym Brunton 1:50.16 (42.49 / 44.32 / 19.58) 151 Simon Burrell 1:52.13 (45.29 / 41.55 / 21.49) 276 Jar O'Brien 1:56.22 (46.41 / 43.09 / 23.44) 407 Karen Weir 1:59.34 (46.59 / 46.01 / 22.42) FINALLY... We have previously mentioned in this spot the 1813 book "Pedestrianism" by Walter Thom. A good part of the book deals with the extraordinary career of the celebrated Captain Barclay Allardice, including his most famous exploit which took place between 1 June and 12 July 1809 at Newmarket, during which he walked one mile in each of 1000 successive hours to win a wager of 1000 guineas. More of this another time. Burning the candle at both ends was apparently a way of life for Captain Barclay. Here is another extract: "It may be mentioned that, merely for his amusement, he performed a most laborious undertaking in August this year (1808). Having gone to Colonel Murray Farquharson's house of Allanmore, in Aberdeenshire, he went out at five in the morning to enjoy the sport of grouse-shooting in the mountains, where he travelled at least thirty miles. He returned to dinner to the colonel's house, by five in the afternoon, and in the evening set off for Ury, a distance of sixty miles, which he walked in eleven hours, without stopping once to refresh. He attended to his ordinary business at home, and in the afternoon walked to Laurencekirk - sixteen miles - where he danced at a ball during the night, and returned to Ury by seven in the morning. He did not yet retire to bed, but occupied the day by partridge-shooting in the fields. He had thus travelled not less than one hundred and thirty miles, supposing him to have gone only eight miles in the course of the day's shooting at home, and also danced at Laurencekirk, without sleeping, or having been in bed for two nights and nearly three days."