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Newsdesk 2013
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RANELAGH HARRIERS E-NEWS # 410 10 October 2013
Editor: Steve Rowland
mailto: steverowland@ranelagh-harriers.com
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HEADLINE NEWS
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* Janet Turnes wins the Page Cup
* Fastest times by Ted Mockett and Marie Synnott-Wells
* Mark Herbert 2nd in the Bournemouth Half Marathon
* Ranelagh juniors finish 3rd in Stragglers' handicap series
* parkrun placings for Michelle Davies, Polly White, Ben Shore, Cathy
Jones, Duncan Mallison, Wiebke Kortum and Livvy Ricketts
* Possible traffic problems reaching Richmond or Wimbledon
* Volunteer needed to join our Half Marathon organising team
* Book for the Quiz Night on Saturday 26th October...
* ...and for the Christmas Party on Saturday 7th December
ATTENTION PLEASE
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SURREY VETERANS CHAMPIONSHIPS Saturday 12th October in Richmond Park
Pre-entries have closed. On the day entries will be accepted at our
clubhouse at £5 a head but will not qualify for the team events. There are
two races: all women over 35 and men over 60 run together over 6km starting
at 2.15pm (NOTE earlier time than originally shown in our fixture lists).
Then at 3pm the men 40-59 race over 10km. There are individual medals in
5-year age groups and team medals in 10-year age groups. We could use a
couple more volunteer marshals - please contact Andy Bickerstaff
andy.bickerstaff@goodrunguide.co.uk if you can help.
2XU SURREY CROSS-COUNTRY LEAGUE DIVISION 1 Saturday 19th October on
Wimbledon Common
The opening League race for our men's team starts at 3pm on Saturday 19th
October on Wimbledon Common. Last winter we regularly cleared 30 runners in
the League races, and it would be great to see similar turnouts this year.
The arrow on this map indicates the start and finish:.
There is a junior race (all age groups) at 2.30pm.
SURREY LADIES LEAGUE DIVISION 2 Saturday 19th October at Lightwater Country
Park
Our women's team will be in action at Lightwater Country Park, close to
junction 3 of the M3. The senior race starts at 12 noon, followed by under
17, under 15 and under 13 events. Location:.
CABBAGE PATCH 10 miles Sunday 20th October at Twickenham
Entries are closed but we have a substantial presence in the 2000+ entry
list.
JUNIORS MOB MATCH Sunday 3rd November
Colin Brett writes:
"Our Juniors have a mob match arranged against Runnymede Runners at the
Savill Gardens 2k Junior park run on Sunday 3rd of November. Start time is
9.30am. Any members with children 4-14 would be very welcome to join our
regulars. I have put details up in the club house. We are also competing in
the World Marathon Challenge on Saturday 26th October in which we hope to
get up to 21 children completing the Marathon distance in 200m sprints in
Richmond Park."
TRAFFIC CHAOS
We have received the following alert from Thames H&H:
"The road bridge over the A3 at the bottom of Coombe Hill is going to be
closed every weekend, apparently for the next five weeks. This is causing a
lot of tail backs on all the other local approach roads into Kingston and
around Richmond Park. There are also some nasty road works on Parkside. If
you are planning to drive to the upcoming races in Richmond Park or
Wimbledon Common I strongly advise you leave a lot of extra time, or if you
can travel on the train/by foot or cycle."
CLUB SPORTS THERAPY - TASTER SESSIONS FOR RANELAGH HARRIERS MEMBERS!
Alex Horne writes:
"Would you like a functional check up, want to get rid of a persisting
injury or just a rub down?
My name is Alex and I'm a chiropractor who has just moved and is working in
the Richmond area. I will be providing taster sessions to members both
before (6pm-7pm) and also after Tuesday training sessions for anyone with an
injury, or who just wants a friendly chat! I am a keen sportsman with a big
interest in rugby but have been running for years and working with lots of
different sports teams, so don't be shy, pop over and just ask me anything!
Feel free to get in touch with any queries:
alexhornechiropractic@gmail.com."
QUIZ NIGHT Saturday 26th October in the clubhouse
We'll be holding a quiz night in the clubhouse after the Orion mob match on
26th October. It's £10 a head to include a supper of fish and chips (or
veggie alternative). Make up your team of four or just come along and we'll
sort out teams on the night. Start time 6.30pm. Please contact Andy Hayward
andrewhayward@catalinare.com to book your place.
CHRISTMAS PARTY Saturday 7th December
Our Christmas Party will take place at the Richmond Hill Hotel on Saturday
7th December starting at 7pm. It will include a three-course meal plus wine,
followed by a DJ and (optional!) dancing. The price is £45 if you book
before October 22nd, otherwise £50. To reserve your place contact Michele
Gibson micheleagibson@hotmail.com or put your name on the list at
the clubhouse. Please indicate your choice of food - see the menu at the
clubhouse or PAGE 4 of the brochure:. Please ensure you choose from the right menu - there are
several in the brochure but we are using the one on page 4.
RANELAGH RICHMOND HALF MARATHON Sunday May 4th 2014.
Race Director Sandra Forrest writes:
"The Half Marathon Team needs a replacement for Philippa Kitchen, who is
expecting a baby in March (congratulations Philippa and Rob!). Philippa is
responsible for permissions, hiring the loos, hiring the man with the van,
and luggage. She'll take care of as much as she possibly can before that and
she'll make the transition to a new person as easy as possible
organisationally." Could anyone interested in joining the team please
contact Sandra forrests@marymountlondon.com or Philippa
philippakitchen@gmail.com .
Follow Ranelagh on Facebook.
WHAT'S COMING
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More details of the following from the men's Captains ( e-mail Phil, Duncan
or Trevor ranelagh.men@gmail.com or the women's Captains
( e-mail Estelle, Becky or Phil ranelagh.women@gmail.com )
Saturday 12th October Surrey Vets Championships in Richmond Park.
Women over 35 and men over 60 6km at 2.15pm, men 40-59 10km at 3pm.
Saturday 19th October Surrey Ladies League 6km at Lightwater
Country Park, 12 noon start
Men's Surrey League on Wimbledon
Common, 3pm start
Sunday 20th October Cabbage Patch 10 miles at Twickenham. Entries
are now closed.
Saturday 26th October Lee Cup mob match v Orion Harriers, 7.5 miles
in Richmond Park. 2.30pm start. Incorporates club veterans' championships.
Followed by Quiz Night.
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
Crane Park Near the Hospital Bridge Roundabout
on the A316 in Twickenham
Other venues, more details and registration at www.parkrun.com
2km junior parkruns for under 14s take place on the first Sunday of each
month from Bushy Park's Teddington Gate (11am start) and from Savill Garden
car park, Windsor Great Park (9.30am start).
WHAT'S HAPPENED
***************
PAGE CUP 4.95 miles handicap Saturday 28th September in Richmond Park
Angus Cater framed his second handicap and produced a pretty close result
overall but with one or two "runaways" at the front. Unfortunately some
course marking flags were removed, resulting in a few competitors unfamiliar
with the course going astray. Amongst these was Anna Reichwald who actually
crossed the line several minutes clear of the rest. There was no question
mark over the Cup winner, though - this was Janet Turnes who put in a great
effort and crossed the line almost as far ahead of the next finisher as Anna
had been ahead of Janet. Louis Randall and Karen Weir were fairly isolated
in the minor places before Peter Weir led the charge.
Fastest time, and the only one inside the half hour, was Ted Mockett's
29.56. Peter Faull recorded 30.22 and Rick Jenner 30.29. Fastest woman once
again was Marie Synnott-Wells on 35.03 ahead of Karen Weir with 36.55 and
Sandra Prosser 37.11.
WORLD ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS 10th - 18th August in Moscow
We have neglected up until now to note that former Ranelagh Harrier Lauren
Shelley made the Australian team for the World Championships Marathon in
Moscow in August. Lauren ran with us during the 2004-5 season and went on to
finish 8th in the 2006 Commonwealth Games Marathon in Melbourne. In Moscow
Lauren, who boasts a personal best of 2:33.42, was one of many to suffer in
the hot and humid conditions. 24 of the 70 starters failed to finish, but
Lauren plugged on to place 40th in 2:55.40.
STRAGGLERS JUNIOR HANDICAP FINAL RACE Thursday 29th August at the Hawker
Centre, Ham
The sixth and last of Stragglers' junior handicap series took place at the
end of August. 36 youngsters took part in the two races, bringing the total
number who had run at least one race up to above 100. After Afrah Sait had
been the first girl home in the Minis' 1km, it was newcomers Campbell and
Ciara McLaren who were to the fore in the main event, finishing 4th and 6th
respectively in the handicap. Kabir Sait was our fastest on 8.27, just 8
seconds outside his PB. Jonny Brook followed Kabir home with brother Charlie
not far behind. We just failed to overhaul St Mary's for second place in the
team reckoning.
Minis (1km)
1 N Bond (Strags) 2.48
4 Afrah Sait 3.00 (1st girl)
Juniors (2km)
1 S MacLeod (unatt) 15.12 (actual time 9.42)
4 Campbell McLaren 16.58 (11.58)
6 Ciara McLaren 18.25 (13.25)
19 Kabir Sait 19.57 (8.27)
21 Jonny Brook 20.01 (9.01)
27 Charlie Brook 20.30 (12.00)
Final team scores
1 Stragglers 238
2 St Mary's Richmond 125
3 Ranelagh H 120
OSLO MARATHON Saturday 21st September
Tom Reay reports:
"The Oslo marathon course consists of three circuits, all starting at the
large square outside the Town Hall adjacent to Oslofjord. The first circuit
is 10km long, in and around the city centre. The second circuit is a repeat
of the first but with a hilly kilometre addition. The final 21km is a long
flattish loop out to the suburb of Skoyen, returning to the centre alongside
the fjord. It is not a flat route, there are several long inclines, a
steepish hill (run twice) and cobbled sections (run three times). It is
however a memorable route and enjoyable to run.
Tomas, Simon, Deborah, Lorna, Wiebke (plus husband Dirk) and Tom came from
London. Elin lives in Oslo and is a club member. Simon was recovering from
a shoulder op and did not run. Deborah, Tomas and Tom ran the marathon,
Wiebke and Lorna the half, and Elin the 10km - all three races being held on
the same day. After the races Elin had booked a table for us all at a bistro
she knows in the lively area of Grunerlokka. The meal was very enjoyable and
we all had a lovely evening. The day after the race some of us did some
sightseeing and visited the Viking Ship Museum and we later met Elin for
lunch. We spent the afternoon relaxing in a park and later had coffee in the
Opera House, an architectural icon. Before returning home we went to the
National Gallery and saw the Munch 150 exhibition.
I would highly recommend the Oslo Marathon. There is a real party
atmosphere and although food and drink are expensive, it's worth the
effort. We were fortunate, however, to have such a wonderful host as Elin."
Marathon
1 A Myrhe Sjurseth 2:24.52
52 E Schiefloe 2:53.54 (1st woman)
1571 Tomas Sterner 4:11.01
1772 Tom Reay 4:23.28
2063 Deborah Blakemore 4:45.11
Half Marathon
1 U Buta 1:03.28
34 A Bersagel 1:14.52 (1st woman)
1340 Wiebke Kortum 1:39.27
5227 Lorna Smith 2:03.33
10km
1 H Naess 32.17
23 H Bjornara 35.40 (1st woman)
243 Elin Berstad Mortensen 42.45
IPSWICH HALF MARATHON Sunday 22nd September
Chris Read reports:
"On Sunday 22 September 2013 I ran the Ipswich Half Marathon. My brother and
his family live in Ipswich, which ensured the enthusiastic support of my
nephew and the quieter support of other family members. The weather was
good, with early mist clearing to reveal a pleasant autumn day. I soon
discovered that, although in Suffolk, Ipswich is quite hilly. The course
wound around Christchurch Park and other areas of central Ipswich. It was
easy for spectators to see the runners several times by moving short
distances. I recommend this course, although it is a bit too hilly for a
fast time."
1 B McWhirter (unatt) 1:11.42 (chip time 1:11.40)
216 Chris Read 1:43.43 (1.43.24)
RAVENS QUARTERLY 5km Thursday 26th September at Wapping
1 J Wilson (Kent) 16.47
23 Chris Read 21.23
28 Alan Davidson 23.48
LAST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH 5km Friday 27th September in Hyde Park
1 C Leak (unatt) 14.58
141 Alan Davidson 23.04
EALING HALF MARATHON Sunday 29th September
1 M Kimutai (Kenya 1:04.33 (chip time 1:04.33)
679 Phil Jackson 1:41.14 (1:40.33)
1094 Phil Roberts 1:47.45 (1:46.54)
2126 Pete Warren 2:01.26 (1:58.59)
2127 Melissa Glackin 2:01.26 (1:59.00)
2224 John Herriott 2:02.44 (1:59.42)
2377 Peter Gatley 2:04.55 (2:03.05)
2389 Hannah Doyle 2:05.15 (1:59.15)
2390 Heather Martingell 2:05.16 (1:59.16)
2640 Tamsin Burland 2:09.21 (2:03.20)
2884 Sally Yau 2:13.52 (2:06.42)
BERLIN MARATHON Sunday 29th September
Simon Martin reports:
"On Sunday 29 September I ran my fourth road marathon and my first in Berlin
which is a fast course and well supported. Weather conditions could not have
been better - it wasn't hot or humid and it was sunny. I was injury free and
my training had gone to plan - albeit with more focus on endurance for
ultras than Ranelagh training sessions. Colin Brett had kindly advised me
that when he did the race in 2012 his GPS watch measured the course to be
somewhat long, so I factored this into my target race pace. I wanted to get
a Good For Age time. This meant shaving substantially more off my PB than
was achieved by Wilson Kipsang when he broke the world record that day. Was
this ambitious? Was I punching above my weight? What could possibly go
wrong?!
I started near the front of the 3.15-3.30 wave and the first 15k or so
involved a substantial amount of weaving in and out to overtake hundreds and
hundreds of slower runners from the 3.00-3.15 wave. Nevertheless my pacing,
at least for the first half, was extremely consistent. Unfortunately I lost
a few minutes in the second half as I was plagued with cramp, as in my
previous marathons, from about 30k. It seems that I'm better suited to going
more slowly over longer distances!
Overall I had a very comfortable race from a fitness perspective. My ultra
training paid off and I still had plenty of energy at the end of the race
(this is probably just as well as I am doing my first 100 miler, the Winter
100, at the end of November!). Thankfully I had done just about enough, even
though my watch measured the course to be 42.94k, and I got my GFA with
almost a minute to spare. London 2015 here I come!"
1 W Kipsang (Kenya) 2:03.23 (chip time 2:03.23)
3266 Simon Martin 3:18.06 (3:14.14)
SWITCHBACK 5 miles Sunday 29th September at Lloyd Park, Croydon
1 N Reissland (Coll) 29.17
57 James Barber 38.47
100 Lynne Barber 47.09
118 Christine David 54.56
120 Stacey Barber 55.27
KINGFIELD CANTER 2.85 miles handicap Wednesday 2nd October at Woking
1 M Coxhead (Windle V) 25.14 (actual time 22.44)
6 Alan Davidson 26.13 (21.43)
Also
Sonia Rowland (21.20)
Steve Rowland (23.03)
BOURNEMOUTH HALF MARATHON Sunday 6th October
Mark Herbert writes:
* "The most unforgettable race I have competed in at Bournemouth Half
today. Led out the field for 4 miles before the winner showed some class.
Comfortably finished in 2nd place and a 40 second PB of 1:20:41. Thank you
Vaughan and Marie for the company. Very happy indeed :0))". Marie was 4th
woman overall and 1st over 45.
1 M Dimitrov (Bourn) 1:18.41
2 Mark Herbert 1:20.41
36 A Kerr (unatt) 1:29.05 (1st woman)
65 Marie Synnott-Wells 1:32.10
ROYAL PARKS HALF MARATHON Sunday 6th October in Hyde Park
Andy Hayward writes:
"I finished in 1:48:28 (watch time) which is probably a PW but was about the
best I could hope for on current form. I went through 10 miles in 1:24:30,
which I calculated then would have put me at the finish at around 1:50:30.
Spurred on by this thought I managed to push on a little from 10 - 12, and
then push on again for the last mile, so in the circumstances I was pleased
to finish well inside 1:50. A great course in perfect conditions - overall a
very nice (if somewhat slow) run."
Club names are not shown on the results, so the list below is most probably
incomplete. Rob was on 2 hours pacing duty.
1 R McKinlay (Highgate) 1:09.07
38 Paul Doyle 1:19.57
51 C Hoyte (Arena 80) 1:20.57 (1st woman)
2547 Amrut Sharma 1:45.04
3408 Andy Hayward 1:48.27
6575 Rob Curtis 1:59.17
MABAC LEAGUE 5 miles Sunday 6th October at Nonsuch Park
1 C Coomber (Pyrford) 29.04
9 B McNicholas (Eps O) 32.36 (1st woman)
73 Alan Davidson 43.37
RUN RICHMOND PARK Sunday 6th October
Gill Wilson ran the 10km in 64.11 (chip 63.20) while Roger walked the 5km
event in 50.02 (49.00).
RICHMOND PARK parkrun 5km Saturday 28th September
1 J Raso (HHH) 16.06
12 F Cole (Belgrave) 19.17 (1st woman)
27 Bill Neely 20.27
39 Steve Aikin 21.19
63 Polly White 22.42
65 Christopher Parsons 22.48
122 Simon Taylor 25.08
125 Michael Sikora 25.16
171 Andrew Brown 27.33
176 Tomas Sterner 27.36
182 Alberto Esguevillas 27.42
263 Waldron Slaughter 33.37
282 Lexi Slaughter 36.45
285 Pat Hewlett 37.56
CRANE PARK parkrun 5km Saturday 28th September
Michelle Davies was the leading woman for the third week in a row while
Duncan Mallison finished second overall.
1 G Brook (Strags) 18.01
2 Duncan Mallison 18.22
13 Kevin Kearey 21.10
15 Michelle Davies 21.22 (1st woman)
19 Tom Kearey 22.19
24 Lee Davies 22.48
29 Steven Mountain 23.06
49 Mike White 26.38
54 Lynne Barber 28.11
58 Mary Hickson 28.51
61 Janet Russell 29.11
64 Josie Kearey 29.31
69 Ann Kearey 30.06
72 Christine David 31.08
73 Tanya Allen 31.15
78 Deirdre Inman 31.59
79 Cindy Croucher 32.03
80 Rachel Allen 32.03
89 Allison Peach 33.08
95 Tracey Small 36.02
97 Chris Wright 36.48
BUSHY PARK parkrun 5km Saturday 28th September
1 M Trees (Belgrave) 15.58
10 T Jones (Belgrave) 16.48 (1st woman)
13 Ian Kenton 17.15
25 Trevor Maguire 17.52
166 Simon Rothwell 21.27
274 Ian Grange 22.57
509 Kirsty Bangham 25.42
908 John Hanscomb 35.59
WALTHAMSTOW parkrun 5km Saturday 28th September
Ben Shore was first overall and Cathy Jones was runner-up in the women's
section.
1 Ben Shore 20.02
6 L Mitchell (unatt) 22.21 (1st woman)
10 Cathy Jones 23.07
OTHER parkruns (Saturday 28th September)...
Bedfont Lakes: 22 John Scally 22.00
Gunnersbury: 54 Chris Read 22.03, 188 Juliette Chan 31.08
Old Deer Park: 17 Stewart Anderson 23.35, 18 Fiona Forbes 23.39, 53
Deborah Blakemore 33.32
Poole: 14 Paul Sinton-Hewitt 18.59, Jo Sinton-Hewitt 25.04
Bradford: 7 Rick Jenner 18.50
Banstead Woods: 48 Phil Jackson 22.34
Darlington: 94 Nigel Coombes 27.28
Kingston: 25 Chris Camacho 21.49, 84 Philippa Kitchen 28.25, Jackie
Dunkley 29.38
RICHMOND PARK parkrun 5km Saturday 5th October
1 S Shaw (unatt) 17.04
10 Peter Faull 18.39
26 Bill Neely 20.09
31 A Dolinska (unatt) 20.27 (1st woman)
51 Chris Read 21.35
61 Alberto Esguevillas 22.15
66 Eugenio Carmo 22.30
68 Christopher Parsons 22.31
75 Gemma Cory 22.49
78 Steven Mountain 22.52
124 Colin Rogal 24.38
133 Michael Sikora 24.46
166 Sally Yau 25.55
173 Rob Kitchen 26.13
223 Andrew Brown 28.03
253 Jenny Rogal 29.33
270 Claire-Louise French 30.39
271 Deepa Sharma 30.40
280 Philippa Kitchen 31.16
CRANE PARK parkrun 5km Saturday 5th October
...and number 4 for Michelle Davies.
1 G Brook (Strags) 18.17
10 Michelle Davies 21.29 (1st woman)
13 Tom Kearey 21.57
30 Emily Kearey 26.21
36 Lynne Barber 27.20
38 Josie Kearey 27.35
40 Heather Martingell 27.38
45 Janet Russell 29.01
52 Christine David 31.16
63 Tamsin Burland 34.29
BUSHY PARK parkrun 5km Saturday 5th October
1 A Jackson (Sitting) 15.59
31 Sean Paynter 18.42
70 R Hutton (SLH) 19.45 (1st woman)
154 Simon Rothwell 21.30
187 Christine Palmer 22.04
208 Nick Wright 22.24
209 Adam Wright 22.24
347 Ian Kenton 24.11
373 Neil Surtees 24.30
453 Chris Wright 25.18
523 Kirsty Bangham 26.04
637 Jo Sinton-Hewitt 27.26
779 Ed Josey 29.44
780 Jackie Dunkley 29.44
875 Mary Hickson 31.44
962 John Hanscomb 36.22
OLD DEER PARK parkrun 5km Saturday 5th October
Junior Polly White was the leading woman..
1 S Beaton (unatt) 19.51
7 Polly White 22.04 (1st woman)
9 Phil Roberts 22.20
18 Tomas Sterner 23.20
33 Lorna Smith 27.09
46 Natalia Slattery 28.58
47 Paula Maguire 29.05
KINGSTON parkrun 5km Saturday 5th October
Wiebke Kortum was third woman home.
1 A Hughes (Strag) 18.34
8 J Grogan (unatt) 19.58 (1st woman)
10 Bruce Mclaren 20.23
15 Wiebke Kortum 21.05
24 Chris Camacho 22.03
87 Annemarie Goodridge 30.00
CROSS FLATTS parkrun 5km Saturday 5th October
Duncan Mallison was the winner up in Leeds.
1 Duncan Mallison 18.52
BUSHY JUNIORS parkrun 2km Sunday 6th October
PBs today for Euan, Lydia, Arthur and Eilidh.
1 E Traynor (Tiffin Sch) 6.51
5 F Thomson (Thames T) 7.19 (1st girl)
34 Euan Sinclair 8.01
42 Lydia Louw 8.10
83 Kabir Sait 8.40
143 Finlay Sinclair 9.38
148 Arthur Louw 9.41
167 Mungo Harding 10.01
251 Eilidh Sinclair 11.33
SAVILL GARDEN JUNIORS parkrun 2km Sunday 6th October
Livvy Ricketts was the second girl to finish and there were PBs too for
Juliet, Campbell, Ciara and Connor.
1 E Traynor (Tiffin Sch) 6.51
3 H Hodgkinson (Wyc P) 8.03 (1st girl)
12 Livvy Ricketts 8.48
21 Juliet Ricketts 9.23
51 Campbell McLaren 12.11
62 Ciara McLaren 13.19
75 Connor Scally 18.21
OTHER parkruns (Saturday 5th October)...
Bedfont Lakes: 18 Rob Curtis 21.25
Bournemouth: 14 Peter Weir 20.35, 47 Karen Weir 23.41
Southsea: 90 Alan Davidson 23.16
Gunnersbury: 286 Lexi Slaughter 35.58
Walthamstow: 25 Ben Shore 25.07
Roundshaw Downs: 34 Phil Jackson 22.57, 61 Peter Fordham 26.49, 62 Nick
Fordham 26.58
Killerton: 52 Sonia Rowland 23.28, 82 Steve Rowland 26.31
Eastleigh: 153 Penny Merrett 36.00
FINALLY...
From Dave Cocksedge via Pete Mulholland:
World's slowest Olympic marathon finisher?
Kanakuri Shizo (1891-1983) must be the slowest finisher to an Olympic
Marathon in history. Competing for Japan in the 1912 42.2 kilometre race in
Stockholm, Sweden, he and his rivals encountered torrid conditions - 40
degrees Centigrade in the Sollentuna district of the city, where the race
was held. Suffering from heat exhaustion, Shizo stopped for some water
around the 25km mark, and found that his legs had seized up completely. So
he dropped out, and took a train ride back to the Olympic village. He then
left Sweden the next day without informing race officials, and was listed as
missing.
In 1966, a Swedish TV company invited him back to complete the race from the
exact point he stopped in 1912. Shizo duly did so, getting an unofficial
time of 54 years, 8 months, 6 days, 8 hours, 32 minutes and 21 seconds for
the 42.195 kilometres distance. In fact, Shizo had competed for Japan in the
1920 Olympic Marathon in Antwerp, Belgium, after World War 1, placing 16th
in 2:48:46. He also ran in the 1924 Olympic Marathon in Paris but failed to
finish that race as well. Of his 1912 race, Shizo said, "It was a long trip.
Along the way I got married, and had six children and ten grandchildren."