*************************************************** RANELAGH HARRIERS E-NEWS # 345 21 January 2011 Editor: Steve Rowland mailto: steverowland@ranelagh-harriers.com *************************************************** HEADLINE NEWS ************* * Estelle Damant and Liz Kipling 2nd and 3rd in Surrey Championships * Third straight Surrey League Div 2 win for Ranelagh men * Individual League victory for Ralph Street, with Duncan Bell, Peter Haarer and Phil Killingley in the top six * Liz Kipling finishes 4th in women's League race, the team 7th * parkrun placings for Michelle Davies, Trevor Maguire, Sarah Doe, Wiebke Kortum and Mark Herbert SEE HERE ******** LAST MOB MATCH OF THE WINTER Niall O'Connor writes: "Our fourth and final mob match of the season see us travel to Hayes, Kent to race on Blackheath and Bromley's course on Saturday 26th February. After a winning start v SLH, we lost our last couple of fixtures against Thames and Orion. More important than breaking even for the season is 2011 marking the 40th anniversary of our last away win v BHH. There have been some close races, notably in 2005 when we lost by 3 points (scoring 26 a side) and in 1987 when there was a draw (well, snow caused a cancellation). This season Blackheath, led home by their British international Mike Skinner, fielded 71 runners in a comprehensive win against Orion. If he and another of their internationals (ex-Ranelagh Scott Overall) run they will have a strong line-up at the front so we need masses of blue vests on the start line to counteract their advantage. Every Ranelagh runner contributes to the result! The course has stiles, gates, woods, spectacular views (useful) and the occasional field of horses. It is definitely a countryside course except for the last 800m, most of which is tarmac and provides a quick finish. Remember - this February 26th more than just the Pelling-Ratcliff trophy is at stake. Pull on your Ranelagh vest and let's make an effort to bridge the gap to 16th January 1971!". Start time is 2.30pm and you should allow ten minutes to jog there from the Blackheath clubhouse in Bourne Way (near Hayes railway station). Check our website nearer the time for more details. We'll have a minibus leaving from the clubhouse at 12 noon. RUNNING LEADERSHIP COURSE We'd like to see more people coaching at the club, and we'd particularly like to see a few more men getting involved. Marc Snaith writes: "The South West London Network (of which Ranelagh is a member) have arranged a Leadership in Running Fitness training course for its members on Sunday 27th February at St Mary's College, Strawberry Hill. This is, to quote their literature, 'A one-day Leadership Training course which qualifies and insures leaders to deliver safe and fun running sessions, suitable for Running Club Leaders and Run in England Group Leaders.' The normal cost for the course is £90 but this is going to be covered by the network. This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in becoming a group leader or coach. Let me know if you are interested and I'll send you the attendance form." Marc's contact details are in "What's Coming" below. THAMES TOWPATH 10 miles Our 2011 Road Grand Prix will as usual kick off with the Thames Towpath 10 miles at Chiswick on Sunday 10th April, starting at 9.30am. Entries are now open via Sportsystems: ThamesTowpath10. RICHMOND HALF MARATHON Our Half Marathon takes place on Sunday 8th May starting at 8.30am. Entries are already open - indeed over 500 have already been received. If you plan to run, get your entry in soon; otherwise please reserve the date and volunteer to help in some capacity on the day. It's a course that needs plenty of marshals. Details:. LONDON & BRIGHTON MARATHON CHARITY PLACES AVAILABLE This comes from the Lymphoma Association: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Lymphoma Association has three guaranteed places available at short notice for this year's London Marathon on 17th April 2011. If you are interested in a place and would like further details, please contact Adele Matthews by email a.matthews@lymphomas.org.uk or by telephone 01296 619413." And this from the Princess Alice Hospice: "Princess Alice Hospice still have ten places in the Brighton Marathon on 10th April and we are really needing to fill them before the end of this month. We ask for a minimum sponsorship of £500. I would be grateful to hear from anyone. Contact Emma O'Hara emmaohara@PAH.org.uk or 01372 461958." Martin Wolfson adds : "This is a great cause and I will sponsor anyone who takes up the offer - £100!" KILIMANJARO Ted Mockett writes: " Between 23rd and 28th January I'll be attempting to conquer Mount Kilimanjaro and hoping to raise £4,000 for Help For Heroes in the process. At 5,895m (19,341ft), Kilimanjaro is the world's highest free-standing mountain and is the fourth most prominent mountain in the world. Help for Heroes provides practical direct support to those servicemen and women wounded in the line of duty in the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. With your help we can make a difference to those members of the forces that have returned from Operational tours with injuries and aid them in their rehabilitation. If anyone would like to sponsor me, my fundraising page is www.justgiving.com/tedmockett and I also hope (technology permitting) to update the site with my progress." RICHMOND PARK ON YOUTUBE This comes from "The Richmond and Twickenham Times": "Fans of Richmond Park are to be given a 21st Century access route to their beloved green space with the launch of The Royal Parks' official YouTube channel. The dedicated channel features short films on activities, events and wildlife in London's eight Royal Parks, as well as exclusive behind the scenes footage of life in the parks. Richmond Park is currently featured in Sightline 1710, a new film by artist Caroline Jones to mark the tercentenary of the historic view from the park's King Henry's Mound across to St Paul's Cathedral. Chris Travers, director of strategy and communications for The Royal Parks, said: 'We welcome 37 million visitors each year, and the YouTube videos will capture some of the many reasons why. Our aim to is to encourage park visitors to check the channel regularly to find out what's new and learn more about their favourite park.' Check out the channel by visiting www.youtube.com/user/theroyalparks." BILL SNELGROVE We were sorry to hear of the recent death of our friend from Thames Hare and Hounds Bill Snelgrove. He was 54, and suffered a stroke while in Australia following the English cricket team. Bill was a regular in Thames - Ranelagh mob matches, twice finishing 3rd. On a steamingly hot day In 1992 he won our half marathon, then held at Effingham, in 73.25. Our condolences go to his family. 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 ) Saturday 22nd January 5 miles v Bank of England and others in Richmond Park (the Bank's course). 2.30pm start near Roehampton Gate. This race will now incorporate the Hec Petersen Trophy race against Ealing, Southall and Middlesex AC. All welcome, register on the day at the Bank's sports club in Bank Lane, a quarter mile from Roehampton Gate. Details:. Saturday 29th January South of England Cross-Country Championships at Parliament Hill. Women's 5 miles starts at 1.50pm, men's 9 miles at 2.50pm. Sunday 6th February MABAC League 5 miles at Farley Heath. 11am start, register on the day. Details:. Saturday 12th February Final Surrey League races - men in Richmond Park (3pm), women at Putney Vale (12 noon). Saturday 19th February National Cross-Country Championships at Alton Towers Saturday 26th February Pelling-Ratcliff Cup mob match v Blackheath and Bromley HAC at Hayes (Kent). 7.5 miles. 3pm 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 The 2km junior parkrun for under 15s takes place at 11am on the first Sunday of each month from Bushy Park's Teddington Gate. WHAT'S HAPPENED ************** SURREY CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS Saturday 8th January at Lloyd Park, Croydon The Surrey Championships came once again to Croydon's Lloyd Park - not everyone's favourite venue, though the ease of access from Wimbledon via the tram has its advantages. The Surrey Athletics website is, incidentally, inviting offers of alternative venues for 2012. Lloyd Park was muddy in parts and quite testing. Last year, Liz Kipling had a great run to take the silver medal. The e-news reported: "Liz surpassed all her recent results with a fantastic second place, again showing great strength in the later stages in holding off a group of pursuers. This was Ranelagh's best ever individual result in the county senior women's championship, putting into the shade the bronze medals won by Sarah Smith and Jo Ronaldson in 2004 and 2006." 2011's result surpassed even this. Liz was in the line-up again, and Estelle Damant, who has been running so well of late, was also expected to do well. Few could have forecast, however, that both Estelle and Liz would be taking home individual medals. The start was swift, too swift for many, as it turned out. The pace of the first mile was one that only the eventual winner Emily Wicks would be able to maintain. Estelle and Liz showed cool judgement in sitting off the pace, Estelle running in 6th place and Liz 10th. As the first lap unwound Estelle forged her way through to 3rd and Liz to 6th. Naomi Lenane of Aldershot in 2nd place was clearly tiring and half way round the second lap Estelle passed her and moved into the runner-up position. Liz, though, was still some way off the medals. As the runners turned into the home straight the Ranelagh supporters were delighted to see Estelle safe in the silver medal position and even more delighted to see that Liz had moved through to bronze. She had a pack of pursuers at her heels but just like last year Liz held them off and followed Estelle through the finishing funnel and onto the podium. Heartiest congratulations to both. Marie Synnott-Wells was our third finisher in 23rd and behind her there was little to tell throughout the race between Sandra Prosser, Daniela Mingham and Kathy Mallett. Sandra it was who completed the four-to-score team but they missed bronze medals by eleven points. In the men's race Nathan Mills and Niall O'Connor were always around 50th place, with Nathan prevailing by about half a minute despite the onset of an injury which was to keep him out of the following week's League race. Niall enjoyed one of his best cross-country runs to date in finishing 58th. Ted Mockett, Peter Faull, newcomer Nick Gracie and Mike Peace completed the scoring six with Aiah Songu-Mbriwa also fighting his way through to the finish. 2XU SURREY LEAGUE DIVISION 2 Saturday 15th January at Newlands Corner We were back at the dramatic surroundings of Newlands Corner on the North Downs for the third of the season's four men's League races. Picturesque it might be, but it's a challenging course with a good deal of mud in the wooded sections after the recent rains. We had won the first two League races...could we make it three in a row? Captain Marc Snaith takes up the story: "Another superb Surrey League performance. Our team weakened by the afflicted and unfit performed excellently to not only increase our lead over second place Clapham Chasers but more importantly we have now established a well over 300pts lead over Guildford & Godalming in third. Division One racing next season looks guaranteed, we just need to finish off the season in style by winning our fourth successive meeting in Richmond Park on 12th February. Ralph Street led the way, showing great judgement in ignoring the over-fast starts of some of his opponents and then working his way through to take the lead at the start of the second circuit. This was his first cross country win in Ranelagh colours. He now has three weeks to prepare for the Universities Championships and then will compete as a Junior for the final time at the National at Alton Towers. There was a welcome and much needed return to club colours for Duncan Bell in fourth, just ahead of Peter Haarer in fifth and Phil Killingley with a very impressive sixth following a two month injury lay off. Phil started very cautiously and was probably running as fast as anyone in the closing stages. What's the secret Phil? Gareth Craft saved his best cross-country race of the season for when it mattered and was just outside the top twenty. Ed Barker, another whose training is curtailed by injury, ran solidly in 31st and then the blue shirts came thick and fast. First was Ted Mockett who, spurred on by marathon training, made his scoring debut. Ted outsprinted John Shaw, who is another on the comeback trail. John was seconds ahead of a fast finishing Chris Bundhun who is becoming the team Mr Consistent with another finish in the low 40s. Top forty for you next time! The team was completed by Trevor Maguire running his first race since a post Orion mob match injury. Well done to all who ran. If any of our top five hadn't run we would have finished second so we need everyone available to run in the final meeting at home on February 12th." Our team scores so far have been very consistent, 239 this time after 248 and 247 in the first two races. The emphasis of course is on the team results so it's easy to forget that there are individual competitions in each age group too. With one race to go Ranelagh runners are leading every category except the over 60s: Phil Killingley (seniors), Peter Haarer (over 40s), John Shaw (over 50s) and Alexander Fordham (under 20s). Peter, John and Alexander pretty well only have to get round the last race in reasonable order to win their categories. It's not quite so clear cut for Phil, but another place in the top six would certainly clinch it. SURREY LADIES LEAGUE DIVISION 1 Saturday 15th January at Ham Fields The Surrey Ladies League came to Ham Fields for the first time. Inevitably it's an almost entirely flat course, but to make up for that the distance was stretched to 5 miles. There were muddy patches but overall the going was pretty fast. Once again we were unable to field a full strength team, but we were able to retain our mid-table position with one race to go. Three runners swiftly detached themselves from the pack and they went on to fill the first three positions at the finish. Liz Kipling was amongst those fighting for the lead amongst the rest and she characteristically showed great strength in the closing stages to secure fourth place in division one. Marie Synnott-Wells was our second runner just inside the top twenty for much of the race, but Iona Robertson gradually hauled her in and overtook on the second lap. Iona went on to finish in 18th place, twelve seconds ahead of Marie. Sandra Prosser was our fourth runner throughout, while just behind Sandra Louise Piears and Wiebke Kortum fought out the final spot in the scoring team. Geraldine Brennan made a promising league debut half a minute behind Louise and Wiebke, and Kate Brook, Sharon Dooley, Philippa Shaw, Kirsty Bangham and Heather Martingell completed the Ranelagh representation. CABBAGE PATCH BOXING DAY 4 miles Sunday 26th December at Twickenham Roger Wilson writes: "David Rowe and Kirsty Bangham had already run in the Black Park parkrun earlier that morning." 1 A Villard (Strag) 23.22 9 Paul Sinton-Hewitt 26.09 15 Chris Hunton 27.39 17 David Rowe 28.18 28 Karen Weir 30.07 29 Peter Weir 30.07 39 Jo Sinton-Hewitt 32.17 41 Roger Wilson 32.47 42 Paul Martingell 33.16 54 Kirsty Bangham 37.36 55 Heather Martingell 37.38 HANGOVER 5 miles Monday 3rd January at Worthing Up to Cissbury Ring hill fort and back! 1 T Owens (Shettle) 27.42 97 Steve Rowland 40.33 113 Sonia Rowland 41.26 MABAC LEAGUE 8 miles road Sunday 9th January in Windsor Great Park It was a beautiful sunny morning in the picturesque surroundings of Windsor Great Park but a very cold night had left patches of ice on the roads to catch the unwary. Steve Rowland and Alan Davidson qualified for the "beat your age in minutes" certificates on offer. 1 D Cairnie (Runnymede) 45.14 28 John Ricketts 53.20 56 Steve Rowland 57.31 81 James Barber 60.17 83 Alan Davidson 60.41 106 Katherine Mercer 62.28 152 Tom Reay 70.24 172 Lynne Barber 73.40 190 Christine Goodsell 83.33 195 Penny Merrett 85.39 198 Bev Ali 92.00 RAVENS QUARTERLY 5km Thursday 13th January at Wapping Alan Davidson writes: "I sometimes get some remarks made by youths when I am running races usually along the lines of 'Hurry up grandad', but yesterday I got a rather witty one about two-thirds into the Ravens 5k as I chased 20 yards behind Andy Hayward. The youth shouted to me 'My money is on you', unfortunately I had to shout back 'Sorry but you will lose your money'. An odd exchange later as I was about to get off the train at Haslemere a woman I didn't know said to me 'Did I see you walking along the shores of Lake Garda ten years ago?' I was somewhat surprised by this but told her she was right, I was there! The Ravens race represented four personal worst results in six days but Chris Read did say at least I was consistent." 1 L Armitage (Kent) 17.03 15 Andy Bickerstaff 19.37 21 Chris Read 20.55 26 Andy Hayward 22.02 27 Alan Davidson 22.18 PERCH 10km Sunday 16th January in Nonsuch Park Bill Neely was third over 50. 1 L McDonagh (26.2) 38.01 13 Bill Neely 40.48 201 Tom Reay 57.53 215 Lynne Barber 60.12 218 Wally Garrod 61.06 246 Alan Meaden 65.26 253 Christine Goodsell 66.38 265 David Meaden 69.27 276 Cindy Croucher 71.12 277 Penny Merrett 71.12 280 Deirdre Inman 72.13 282 Bev Ali 73.35 287 Tanya Allen 74.50 BUSHY parkrun 5km Saturday 8th January 1 Unknown 16.59 9 David Rowe 18.53 78 Sean Paynter 21.31 233 Kirsty Bangham 24.45 317 Gill Wilson 26.16 325 Roger Wilson 26.40 376 Danny Hobbs 27.31 382 Mary Hickson 27.39 410 Wally Garrod 28.33 550 John Hanscomb 33.35 579 Sharon Rowe 35.16 RICHMOND parkrun 5km Saturday 8th January 1 R Carol (Clapham) 17.39 6 Ian Kenton 18.56 39 Chris Read 21.39 62 Yvonne Rice-Oxley 23.02 66 Karen Weir 23.13 67 Peter Weir 23.13 68 Alexander Fordham 23.16 97 Rachael Holmes 24.35 101 Karl Garvey 24.46 111 Jennie McGrath 25.33 125 Zinny Gavars 26.22 131 Philippa Shaw 26.43 132 Rob Kitchen 26.43 152 Louise Reeder 28.05 173 Peter Lowman 29.31 175 Sue Camp 29.43 194 Zoe Gavars 31.57 202 Christine Goodsell 32.49 205 Lynne Barber 33.18 BEDFONT LAKES parkrun 5km Saturday 8th January Mark Herbert and Michelle Davies were both 3rd. 1 M Curtis (Andover) 19.49 3 Mark Herbert 21.05 9 Neil Dickens 22.28 12 Lee Davies 22.49 13 Michelle Davies 22.54 59 Cindy Croucher 34.26 KINGSTON parkrun 5km Saturday 8th January Sarah Kim Doe and Wiebke Kortum finished 2nd and 3rd in the women's section. 1 R Reeder (Stragglers) 18.34 6 Chris Camacho 21.00 10 Sarah Doe 21.31 15 Wiebke Kortum 22.48 OLD DEER PARK parkrun 5km Saturday 8th January Second place for Trevor Maguire. 1 T Morgan (Thames T) 19.48 2 Trevor Maguire 20.47 16 Jo Sinton-Hewitt 32.07 FRIMLEY LODGE parkrun 5km Saturday 8th January 1 R Brookling (unatt) 17.13 5 Darren Wood 19.14 BROCKWELL parkrun 5km Saturday 8th January 1 P White (unatt) 17.44 10 Paul Sinton-Hewitt 20.51 RICHMOND parkrun 5km Saturday 15th January 1 E O'Brien (WSEH) 18.03 6 Peter Weir 19.15 9 Bill Neely 19.38 10 Mark Herbert 19.47 17 John Ricketts 20.20 33 Chris Read 21.25 61 Steven Mountain 23.01 70 Karl Garvey 23.22 73 Alan Davidson 23.37 83 Rob Kitchen 23.56 85 Chris Wright 23.59 94 Jennie McGrath 24.21 123 Zinny Gavars 26.31 127 Suzie Wall 26.36 133 Michael Sikora 27.09 134 Louise Reeder 27.13 142 Mary Hickson 27.48 151 Romina Oxborough 28.20 153 Sue Camp 28.23 184 Stacey Barber 31.59 194 Jo Knight 33.28 212 Pat Hewlett 35.40 215 Bronwen Northmore 36.36 BUSHY parkrun 5km Saturday 15th January 1 R Ward (Belgrave) 16.02 14 David Rowe 18.38 169 Adam Wright 23.28 187 Ian Grange 23.42 294 Peter Fordham 25.42 395 Danny Hobbs 27.45 536 Annemarie Goodridge 31.13 565 Julie Deller 32.32 581 John Hanscomb 33.10 BEDFONT LAKES parkrun 5km Saturday 15th January Michelle Davies was the leading woman. 1 J Durrant (Runnymede) 19.25 9 Michelle Davies 22.47 13 Lee Davies 23.57 28 Mike White 26.20 30 Roger Wilson 26.39 OLD DEER PARK parkrun 5km Saturday 15th January 1 M Holden (West 4) 19.55 13 Wyn Williams 24.29 33 Lynne Barber 29.17 36 Si Martin 30.01 41 Christine Goodsell 32.25 48 Jar O'Brien 34.17 50 Alison Dicks 34.40 60 Tamsin Burland 36.11 83 Duncan Mallison 44.22 FRIMLEY LODGE parkrun 5km Saturday 15th January 1 M Rix (Arena 80) 18.21 4 Darren Wood 18.53 KINGSTON parkrun 5km Saturday 15th January 1 O Garner (WSEH) 18.45 10 Chris Camacho 20.37 BRUETON parkrun 5km Saturday 15th January 1 A Kaar (Birchfield) 16.55 13 Andrew Brown 21.52 NEWCASTLE parkrun 5km Saturday 15th January 1 D Graham (Gosforth) 15.57 40 Paul Sinton-Hewitt 21.21 99 Jo Sinton-Hewitt 24.24 CANNON HILL parkrun 5km Saturday 15th January 1 S Brookes (unatt) 17.23 13 Sean Paynter 20.23 FINALLY... From "The Sunday Times": "After two days, ten runners and 216.9km, all that was left between Natsuki Terada and a victory for his university team was one city block..." here:.