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Newsdesk 2001
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RANELAGH HARRIERS E-NEWS # 34 25 JULY 2001
Web site: http://www.surreyweb.net/rharriers
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Last Wednesday, on a typically glorious English summer's evening, we held
the Coad Cup 5 miles "summer" cross-country handicap. Mike Rowland
reports:
"My return to cross country racing after years of wiggling my behind on
the race walking circuit. And what an evening to choose. The heavens
opened just as Danny Wakeford called me and Eileen Church to the start
line. And as Eileen disappeared into the mist and rain after only a mile,
I knew there would be no glorious comeback for me. I'd forgotten just how
tough cross country racing can be... and so did my legs. Couple of miles
to go and the first hint of an onset of cramp. Up that long, final hill
and both calves went. I didn't know how painful cramp can be. It nearly
knocked me over. Still, I finished and didn't keep Alan, Danny, Will and
the other noble officials waiting too long.
I suppose my pre-race favourite was Ken Powley and he certainly started
like he meant business. How I would have loved for dear old Ken to win. He
deserved it after all those years of faithful service as club handicapper.
But it wasn't to be. He had to be content with runner up as Terry Marks
was too good on the night and many congratulations to him.
And me? Think I'll stick to race-walking. But wait!! I'll have a decent
handicap next time after such a poor run. Perhaps Will Graves didn't know
I had cramp. See you at the Thomas!!"
Handicapper Will actually gave Ken a more generous start, but, noble
fellow that he is, Ken insisted on taking two minutes off it. "I didn't
want to win," says Ken, "I just wanted to break the over 70 record, which
was my main reason for running cross-country after five years in
retirement."
Fastest were the flying footballer William Storey and Sarah Seal.
We had a dozen or more at the Elmbridge 10km on Sunday, led by Peter
Haarer and Mick Lane. We managed to avoid troubling the organizers at the
prize presentation, though we did finish as second team and Pete Warren
was 2nd over 60. Best run was from Corinne Bishop, who cracked 50 minutes
for the first time. Corinne's effort also propelled her to the head of the
women's GP rankings after seven races, with two to go. In the open and
over 40 categories Stephen Instone continues to hang on with the tenacity
of Pheidippides. We await the inevitable.
Leading Grand Prix scores after seven races:
Open: Stephen Instone 59, Mick Lane 57, David Wright 40, Giles Marshall
38, Mike Peace 36, Alan Davidson 24, Darryl McDonald 24, Peter Haarer 24,
Clive Naish 23, Chris Owens 21, Marlene Pautard 19, Milos Dusek 18, John
Hughes 18, Martin Clark 16, Graeme MacFadyen 12
Over 40: Stephen Instone 30, Mick Lane 30, David Wright 19, Clive Naish
11, John Hughes 10, Chris Owens 10, Ken Fotherby 6
Over 50: Mike Peace 24, Alan Davidson 22, Martin Clark 21, John Hanscomb
14, Tim Woolmer 14, Pete Warren 6
Women: Corinne Bishop 18, Marlene Pautard 18, Carol Barnshaw 15, Sonia
Rowland 14, Eleanor Grey 10, Sarah Seal 10, Eliete Nascimento 7, Rachel
Dixon 6, Margaret Auerback 6, Pat Hewlett 5, Catherine Gadd 5, Sue Healey
5
I haven't yet seen results of the Brickmakers Arms relay at Windlesham
from a couple of weeks back. Can anyone help?
On July 14th Mick Lane finished 8th in the Elmore 7 at Chipstead in 40.21.
Peter Warren was busy winning the over 60s category in the Tesco 10km at
Perivale on June 17th in 41.19 and finishing 2nd over 60 in the Datchet
Dash a week later in 41.49.
Ed Whitlock's feats continue to defy the imagination. Ed writes on his
return from competing in the over-70s category at the WAVA world vets
championships at Brisbane:
"I had a successful meet, particularly as I have not been on top form
recently. I had a great race from the spectator's point of view in the
5000 metres, winning by a bit more than a second in a sprint up the
finishing straight in 18m33.4s. I won the 10000 more comfortably in
38m04.2s. Both were world records, the first I have ever set in outdoor
track, so I am quite elated."
Ed didn't see Simon Hedger there - did you run, Simon?
AGM
The club AGM on July 11th was quiet bordering on the somnolent. Only about
30 members attended and there was little controversy. The two proposed
rule changes (affecting club honours and family membership) were duly
passed. More worryingly the evening ended with several official posts not
filled. The club Captaincy was one of them, though I understand this may
by now have been resolved. But following the tragic death of Bill Day and
the stepping down after several years of excellent service by John Brett
we currently have no Premises Manager or Catering Steward.
The Premises Manager is responsible for the day-to-day maintenance (but
not cleaning) of the clubhouse, and ensuring the supply of such vital
items as loo paper and light bulbs.
The Catering Steward is responsible for the provision of refreshments at
our home fixtures.
Neither of these posts need be filled by a single person on his or her
own. In particular, the Catering Steward could be a team working on a
rota. If you think you can help, please don't wait to be asked but
volunteer to Bev Ali or Mike Peace.
Best wishes to Clive Beauvais who goes into hospital for a knee op this
week.
Julie Drummond writes:
"A thank you is due to Ranelaghites who turned out for the Race for Life
last weekend to course mark and marshall. And especially for those who
turned out again this weekend at 7am for the Nike 10k at Kew and who
incidentally each earned £25 for Ranelagh for their efforts. 16 marshalls
= £400!"
News from David Benton in Barcelona:
"Thought you might like a quick up-date on our progress in Barcelona.
Allison and I are getting settled in after interminable weekends doing DIY
and battles with the Spanish authorities. We have managed to find a good
group to train with and are looking to join a club called Fila Domingo
(Fila as in the running kit - yes they're sponsored!). The main reason for
joining is that they tell us the club president is the biggest boozer in
Barcelona (so totally unlike Ranelagh then!) and they train at 7.30pm, so
Allison can make it after work!
There is a pretty big road racing scenre in Barcelona, so we've been out
sporting our Ranelagh vests. The first race we did was a 10k, two weeks
after the Baker Cup, called the "Bombers de Barcelona" and had more than
5000 finishers. Despite the name, the race wasn't organised by the local
branch of ETA, but by the fire brigade (Bomber is Catalan for fireman) -
Allison as third V35 lady won a lovely trophy of a fireman's helmet! The
sharp end of the race was world class, with African athletics taking home
big pay cheques (the men's winner ran 28.24, the woman's 32.33!). I
managed 31.51 for 21st position, and Allison 39.24 for 19th woman.
Next up was the "El Corte Ingles" race (El Corte Ingles is a big
departmental store in Barcelona - a bit like Harrods, but without the
kitsch memorial to the owner's son's bird). This was essentially a fun
run, claiming over fifty thousand runners, many of whom seemed to join in
from side streets in the first kilometre! The race started in the centre
of Barcelona, climbed up to Montjuic where we ran a lap of the Olympic
Stadium, before coming back down into the centre of town. The race was
billed as 12k, but was nearer 11. No results were published, you only
found out your time and position when you collected your commemorative
certificate from the department store 3 weeks later. (I was 16th and
Allison was 4th "chica")
Best yet was our local race, the 10k of Vila Olympica. Conditions were
excellent (cool for Barcelona), the course was flat and on good roads.
(Worth noting that every race we've done has been on closed roads with
full police escorts. Even major roads get closed). I finished 4th in 31.15
(a "recent" p.b.), about 30 secs down on the winner. Allison ran 39.14 and
got another tasteful trophy for 4th woman.
Unfortunately, the best was not saved for last. We did another 10k last
weekend, which was over hardest road course I've ever run! Very VERY hilly
and in over 30 degrees of heat (at 10.00 in the morning!). I almost gave
up and walked the last hill but there were people watching! I'm not
telling you how slowly we ran either. But hey - we both picked up trophies
again, me for 8th and Allison for 6th place. We are thinking of moving to
a bigger apartment..."
SUNDAY IN THE COUNTRY
Next Sunday, July 29th, we'll be having another Sunday morning jaunt in
the Surrey Hills followed by a pub lunch. The venue will be the usual one
at Coldharbour near Leith Hill, with different groups to cater for all
standards. Aim to arrive no later than 10.30am. More details from Chris
Owens (chris.owens@unilever.com).
COMING UP
Friday July 27th Wedding Day 7km. Ranelagh Grand Prix race 8. 7.30pm at
Bushy Park (Hampton Hill end). Entries £4 payable to The Stragglers to
Wedding Day 7km, 32 Wick Road, Teddington, Middlesex TW11 9DW. Forms can
be downloaded from http://www.stragglers.org. Entries on the day £6 but
arrive early!
Sunday July 29th Sunday in the Country. See above.
Sunday 12th August Surrey 5km incorporating Surrey championships.
Ranelagh Grand Prix race 9 (the final event). 10am at Wimbledon. Entries
£2 payable to Surrey County AA to Derek Crookes, 209 Lynmouth Avenue,
Morden, Surrey SM4 4RX. Entries on the day £3.
FINALLY
There was just one competitor in the "Over 100" age category at the World
Veterans Championships in Brisbane. 101-year-old Australian Les Amey won
the 100 metres and, when told his time, said "74 seconds? I thought I was
much slower than that..."
Steve Rowland
Tel: 01926 318734
Fax: 0870 4006901
email: srowland@calorgas.co.uk