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Newsdesk 2014
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RANELAGH HARRIERS E-NEWS # 419 12 February 2014
Editor: Steve Rowland
mailto: steverowland@ranelagh-harriers.com
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HEADLINE NEWS
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* Surrey League final races - Ranelagh women finish 2nd on the day, 2nd
overall in Division 2 and win promotion
* Ranelagh men finish 5th on the day and 6th overall in Division 1
* Our teams led by Gill Sanders and Richard Gregory
* Another M80 world record for Ed Whitlock
* parkrun placings for Ted Mockett, Trevor Maguire and Nick Wright
* Final mob match v Blackheath & Bromley H&AC at home this Saturday at
2.30pm - all needed
* Extra race at RMA Sandhurst on February 22nd but immediate registration
required
* MABAC League race this Sunday is cancelled
* "An evening with Hugh Jones" after the mob match this Saturday
* Book now for the Baker Cup supper and presentations evening on Saturday
29th March
* Assistant Race Director wanted for the Richmond 10km in June
ATTENTION PLEASE
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FINAL MOB MATCH THIS WINTER - THIS SATURDAY
On Saturday 15th February it's our final mob match of the season against
Blackheath Harriers and Bromley AC on our home course in Richmond Park
starting at 2.30pm. Incorporated is the club championship for the splendid
Wynne Cup. We've pulled off two outstanding away wins in mob matches this
season, let's finish up by winning one at home! In mob matches all runners
count towards the final result so weight of numbers is crucial. If you can
be there, don't miss it. The winning team takes home the Pelling-Ratcliff
Cup. The FB Thompson Medal goes to the individual winner and the Harry Sheer
Trophy to the leading Over 50. Details:. In the evening we welcome
Hugh Jones - see below.
AN EVENING WITH HUGH JONES
Hugh Jones has been a Ranelagh member since the age of 15. He became
Britain's leading Marathon runner during the 1980s, famously winning the
London Marathon in 1982 in a time of 2:09.24. He represented Britain in the
1984 Olympics, the 1983 and 1987 World Championships, the 1986 European
Championships, the 1981 European Cup and the 1991 World Cup. He also
represented England in the 1980 and 1982 World Cross-Country Championships.
Injuries have restricted his running in recent years and so apart from
visits to measure the course or ride the lead bike at our road races, his
appearances at the club have become rare. I'm very pleased to say,
therefore, that Hugh has agreed to come along to the Roebuck on the evening
of our mob match with Blackheath & Bromley (15th February) and give a talk
about his life, career, training and so on, followed by a Q&A session. The
venue will be the Roebuck's upstairs room and Hugh's talk will begin at
about 7.30pm. All are invited to come along, either just for the talk or to
eat at the pub first.
MABAC LEAGUE CANCELLED
Unfortunately it has been necessary to cancel the MABAC League race due to
have taken place in Richmond Park this Sunday (February 16th). Thanks and
apologies go to all those who had volunteered to help. MABAC League details:.
BAKER CUP SUPPER and PRIZEGIVING
You are invited to our annual presentations supper. All are welcome,
especially if you have a trophy or medal to collect.
Date - Saturday 29th March @ 7.00pm.
Location - The Roebuck Pub (upstairs)
130 Richmond Hill, TW10 6RN
Tel 0208 948 2329
Dress - Smart Casual
Price - £23.00 per person - includes welcome drink, free beer (while stocks
last) and buffet dinner.
Places are limited to 60 people, so please reserve your place early!!! Your
glass of sparkly awaits you!!
R.S.V.P.
Please Contact:- Michele Gibson:-Email:- micheleagibson@hotmail.com,
Mobile:- 07703 518 956
Cheques payable to :- Ranelagh Harriers and posted / handed to Ms Michele
Gibson, c/o Baker Cup Supper, 107 Elm Road, New Malden, Surrey KT3 3HN or
leave in the club safe with the name Michele Gibson on the envelope.
Cash:- payable to Michele Gibson @ the Club - Tuesday & Wednesday nights.
NATIONAL CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS Saturday 22nd February at Nottingham
Entries for the National at Wollaton Park, Nottingham, closed several weeks
ago and we'll be well represented in the men's and women's races.
EXTRA FIXTURE AT RMA SANDHURST Saturday 22nd February - but immediate
registration required!
For those not going to the National Championships at Nottingham on 22nd
February, we have been invited to take part in a 6 miles race at the Royal
Military Academy at Sandhurst starting at 2.15pm. This used to be a regular
feature of our fixture list until security concerns caused it to be
discontinued. If you've never been to Sandhurst it's worth a visit, and the
course is a testing one. Security is very tight! We have to give them a list
of possible runners and supporters a week in advance plus their vehicle
details. You don't have to commit yourself, but if you think you might go it
is VITAL that you reply to Andy Woodhouse andrew-woodhouse@hotmail.co.uk
by Thursday 13th February with the following information: car make, colour
and registration number plus the names of all likely passengers.
In addition, you must bring photo identification - passport or driving licence.
Entrance to the RMAS is from the A30 opposite the Premier Inn at Camberley.
Be warned - if your name is not on the list held by the guards at the front gate,
or if you have no photo identification, you will not be admitted.
ED WHITLOCK...
...writes from Canada:
"This link ontariomasters.ca/ shows me setting a new indoor M80
mile world record (Ranelagh vest included). My performance wasn't really
that great, I should be able to run faster than that, after all ten and a
half years ago I ran a marathon at a faster pace than that - must train
harder. I saw John Atkinson the previous weekend, he was running an 8K road
race in -15 to -20C temperature. He did 29:20, 3rd M40. I did not run in
that race."
Ed also sent a copy of a newspaper cutting from 1949 showing the results of
the National Junior Cross-Country Championships. Ed finished 17th, three
places behind his then-clubmate at Walton AC Chris Chataway. The UK's top
distance runner for many years during the 1950s, Gordon Pirie of SLH, was
12th.
RACE MEDICALS
Dr Martin Wolfson writes:
"I have been approached several times recently by runners who have needed
medical certificates in order to run in a particular race, often abroad.
They have had problems with their own doctor asking for silly fees, £80
-£120, per person and/or have been unable to fix a suitable time before the
race. I am happy to do these medicals for Ranelagh and other runners at a
suitable time, usually afternoons or evenings at my surgery in Surbiton. My
fee will be £20 donation to the club, which can be Gift Aided to increase
its value to the club and may help your tax, plus a bottle of malt whiskey
for me. The medicals usually take about half an hour including paperwork.
Please contact me by email if you would like to take advantage of this
offer." Contact Martin martin.wolfson2000@gmail.com .
RUNNING TECHNIQUE WORKSHOP
Karen Weir (one of our coaches) is holding a Running Technique Workshop on
Sunday 6th April, from 2-4pm. Running is a skill that can be learned! Learn
how to improve your running form and to run more efficiently. Not only will
this reduce your risk of injury, once you have mastered the techniques you
will also improve your running performance. Spaces are limited to ensure
everyone gets individual feedback and video analysis. The cost is £25
(payable in advance), to reserve your place or for more information, please
contact Karen@runwithkaren.com. The workshop is not too onerous in terms of
running and will focus more on drills and exercises, so do not worry if you
have done your long run in the morning or are tapering for your spring
marathon. Workshop location: lululemon athletica, 19 Duke Street, Richmond,
TW9 1HP.
CHRISTMAS PARTY UPDATE
I omitted to mention a couple of things in relation to our Christmas Party
back in December. The first was to give heartfelt thanks to Angus Cater who
most generously paid for the champagne to celebrate his forty years of
Ranelagh membership. Congratulations Angus!
The second was to note the honorary club membership awarded to Ron Berryman.
Andy Hayward writes: "Ron is a local historian who lives almost next door to
the Roebuck. He loves everything local which has been there a long time! He
scours the web for Ranelagh items and has presented both Michele and me with
old Ranelagh silver medals he found (and bought) on e-bay. We see him in the
Roebuck often and he enjoys the contact with the club, especially the older
members. He has come to the last three Christmas parties, and this year even
arranged his own 80th birthday celebration to coincide with it. He was
delighted to be made an honorary member."
BRIGHTON MARATHON
Brighton resident Neil Walford writes:
"Let me know if any Ranelagh runners want me to collect their number from
the expo on Saturday, they can then collect either from my house on the
morning (c1 mile jog from the start) or at the start of the race." Contact
Neil njwalford@aol.com .
RANELAGH JUNIORS
We are reviving our club junior championships this year. The Lotinga Cup
will go to the overall club junior champion, male or female, and the Camilla
Cup will go to the club junior women's champion. Both are open to under 18s.
The trophies will be contested at the inter-club 3.8 miles race on Saturday
1st March. See the Ranelagh Juniors website for more info here:.
FINCHLEY 20 miles road race Saturday 9th March
This long-established race - in Ruislip despite the name - incorporates our
club 20 miles championship for the Spendlove Cup and could be of interest to
spring marathoners as a warm-up trial run. www.hillingdonac.co.uk/f20/index.html.
THAMES TOWPATH 10 miles Sunday 27th April at Chiswick
Entries are now being taken for the always popular Thames Towpath 10.
Details:.
RANELAGH RICHMOND HALF MARATHON Sunday 4th May
The entry limit has been reached and on-line entries via Sportsystems have
closed. If you're not planning to run, reserve the date anyway - as ever
we'll need plenty of help on the day. Details:.
RICHMOND 10km
Race Director Niall O'Connor writes:
"The Ranelagh Harriers Richmond 10k will 'run' on Sunday 22nd June at 9am.
The same course and start/finish (Riverside Dr - Ham/Kew FC clubhouse) as
per the last four years will be used. Entry is here:
please advertise to your friends.
Closer to time I'll be seeking marshals etc so be prepared for emails from
me, however for now I'm seeking an assistant for specific help on the day.
Briefly, the role will involve collecting a hire van (which race will
arrange and pay for), collecting the necessary kit from the clubhouse
(tables, beakers, bananas, mugs, Mars etc) and driving all to the start, and
then returning all to the clubhouse after the race. You will be able run the
race if you wish. In previous years I've used Streetvan which has worked
well and there will be assistance with loading/unloading. If you could help
with this please drop a line to niall_o_c@hotmail.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 15th February Pelling-Ratcliff Cup mob match v Blackheath &
Bromley including club championship for the Wynne Cup. 2.30pm start in
Richmond Park
Saturday 22nd February National Cross-Country Championships in
Nottingham
Inter-club at RMA Sandhurst.
2.15pm start, see above.
Saturday 1st March Inter-club 3.8 miles in Richmond Park,
including club junior championships (see above). 3pm start.
Sunday 9th March Finchley 20 miles road race at Ruislip. See
above.
Saturday 15th March Ranelagh Cup Schools Race in Richmond Park
Sunday 16th March Clutton Cup 10 miles handicap in Richmond
Park. 10am start.
Saturday 29th March Baker Cup 3 miles road handicap in Richmond
Park. 3pm start.
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), and also every Sunday at 9.30am
in Wimbledon Park.
WHAT'S HAPPENED
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FINAL SURREY LEAGUE RACES Saturday 8th February at Lloyd Park, Croydon
(women) and Richmond Park (men)
We had much to celebrate after the final Surrey League races of the 2013/14
season. Both our men's and women's teams had achieved their aims for the
season in fine style. The women finished in second place in Division 2 of
their League and so comfortably won promotion back to Division 1 after the
shortest of stays in the lower ranks. Meanwhile, the men had to fight tooth
and nail to hold onto their place in the highly competitive Division 1.
Going into the final race on a very wet course in Richmond Park only 38
points covered the teams in fifth to eighth places, with one of them doomed
to join tailed-off Walton in Division 2. All four clubs would make a great
effort to hang on - but who would take the fall?
Captain K writes:
"The resounding consensus on Facebook was that we would beat each of the
three other relegation threatened teams and finish fifth. However, the
captain and his team felt a good deal less optimistic on a packed and muddy
start line as our very own Alan Hedger and Ken Powley prepared to start the
race. Clapham looked lean and mean, out in numbers and were very vocal, as
were SLH. And the first 200 yards was a quagmire.
Relegation went to Clapham in the end, a penalty perhaps for too many of
their runners wearing lycra in a cross country race. They join Walton for
the drop. Belgrave turned out their international superstars to get
positions 1, 3 and 5 and that pretty much sealed their safety - we can't
compete with that (yet). Ranelagh had a great race, ousting SLH and Clapham
on the day, as well as Walton and Hercules Wimbledon. Plaudits to Richard
Gregory for leading us home again. Boosted by my son sleeping through the
night for the first time (he knew!) I improved on the last fixture and Eirin
McDaid was snapping at my heels. The gale forecast meant that David Benton
gave up on the Chichester 10km and ran for us instead - he was our fourth
scorer on the day. Sam Perkins in fifth wins the prize however for scoring
in each of the four races, which no-one else managed. Carl Selya, Peter
Haarer, Nick Twomey and Paul Doyle battled the mud to reach scoring
positions too. And the Anchorman trophy went to vice-captain Trevor Maguire,
who gets to keep the trophy for 8.5 months until the next fixture. Canny
lad!
As captain, I would like to thank everyone who has run this year, whether
they've scored or not, for their contributions to an immense team
atmosphere. It's been hugely enjoyable and our improvement through the
season bodes very well for next year. There have been some brilliant
courses, with more mud than the roadies would have liked. There have also
been some fantastic individual performances, but with no runner scoring
higher than 15th in any race, this has been a true team effort. WELL DONE
ALL!"
Ken Powley adds the following note: "A great day for Ranelagh to stay in
Division 1 but almost a disaster for me. The computer timing for both races
was useless, a major problem was only averted by the officials who did such
a grand job. I am indebted to Alan Hedger on the hand timer, and to Steve and
Sonia, and Claire-Louise French and Juliette Chan, who did a magnificent job
in recording the numbers, with such a large competitive field. Big thanks also
to Andy Bickerstaff and all the marshals for their efforts in ensuring everyone
stayed on course, and finally to Carol Barnshaw and her team for the post-event
teas. In all a really great team effort."
Here are Stephen Logue's photos of the men's race:
Ranelagh 2XU Richmond Park 8 Feb 2014.
As for the women, here's Anna Scally's take on the conditions at Lloyd Park:
"I'm not sure what I did in life to deserve a race like that, that was
horrendous...mud, more mud, mud up hills, mud downhills and aquaplaning
across a puddle on the first lap was apparently what is fun about xc, but I
somehow got to the finish and survived!"
Becky Hall takes up the story:
"An amazing race win from Gill, followed closely behind by the always
improving Megan and a welcome return to cross-country for Jo, another
fantastic run from 'I run once a week' Anna and a sneak into the A team from
me meant we got our best score of the season of 55! Still not low enough to
beat Guildford's 37 on the day, but I hope it gave some of the Division 1
teams something to think about for next season.
In addition, our B team (headed today by Marie - when did she last miss
making the A team? Ed) came out 7th overall this season. We really have been
packing in the good scores, considering we couldn't get a team of five out
every race last season, we've made enormous progress. I just can't say
enough how exciting it has been to see so many of you enjoying the mud over
the XC year. Well done to all of you.
Our juniors continue to chase the women, with new member Olivia and ever
present Livvy both doing well in the under 13s race.
Finally, I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks to Phil Aiken for doing
all of the entries, faff and standing around in the cold, wet and mud again
this season. I do wonder about his sanity at times when he is soaking wet
struggling to get the flag to stay up, but he really is an asset to the
team, often sacrificing his own running so we can be organised and on the
start line to run. Cheers Phil!"
The Surrey League Facebook comments suggest that mudlark Gill Sanders's
overall win by half a minute today might well have been the first ever by a
Division 2 runner. She was over three minutes clear of the second placer in
Division 2!
Promotions and relegations: in the men's League, Reigate Priory and Croydon
Harriers come up to the top flight replacing Clapham and Walton. In the
women's, Dorking & Mole Valley, Ful-on Tri and Woking take the drop to
Division 2 to be replaced by Guildford & Godalming, Ranelagh and 26.2 RRC.
LAST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH 5km Friday 31st January in Hyde Park
1 T Richardson (Bas) 15.49
33 J Locker (Walt) 18.45 (1st woman)
168 Alan Davidson 24.12
BUCS CHAMPIONSHIPS Saturday 1st February at Stirling
Women
1 G Taylor-Brown (Leeds) 21.27
77 Estelle Damant 25.48
BOOKHAM 10km Sunday 2nd February
1 M Rolfe (DMV) 41.52
38 H Lambert (unatt) 51.35 (1st woman)
226 Tom Reay 71.55
CHICHESTER PRIORY 10km Sunday 9th February
1 P Wylie (B&W) 30.23 (chip time 30.23)
35 J Andrews (AFD) 33.55 (33.54 - 1st woman)
725 Alan Davidson 51.02 (50.21)
RICHMOND PARK parkrun 5km Saturday 1st February
1 Unknown 16.26
11 L Custance (Clapham) 19.06 (1st woman)
12 David Lawley 19.15
22 Michael Everard 19.50
23 Craig McLellan 19.52
60 Steve Aikin 21.47
90 Ellen Clague 23.09
98 Steven Mountain 23.34
104 Michael Beverly 23.46
112 Amrut Sharma 23.57
153 Wiebke Kortum 25.15
171 Eugenio Carmo 26.00
219 Alberto Esguevillas 27.46
220 Ally Salisbury 27.49
224 Sue Camp 27.56
242 Leeanne Bryce 28.33
268 Louise Atkinson 29.11
283 Andrew Brown 29.38
295 Peter Lowman 30.19
305 Val Lowman 30.35
310 Michael Sikora 30.45
311 Deepa Sharma 30.45
331 Jackie Dunkley 32.02
338 Katie Walton 32.42
357 Bronwen Northmore 33.35
361 Martin Clark 34.05
385 Pat Hewlett 39.52
CRANE PARK parkrun 5km Saturday 1st February
1 G Brook (Strag) 18.26
16 Sacha Kennedy (SMR) 21.08 (1st woman)
23 Tom Kearey 22.12
76 Lynne Barber 27.29
83 Michael White 28.26
92 Janet Russell 29.38
95 Christine David 30.16
101 Kevin Kearey 30.52
102 Josie Kearey 30.56
104 Cindy Croucher 31.26
105 Ann Kearey 31.31
109 Deirdre Inman 32.19
110 Tracey Small 32.26
112 Tanya Allen 32.50
117 Su Clark 34.51
120 Danny Hobbs 38.47
BUSHY PARK parkrun 5km Saturday 1st February
This was another small step to recovery for Fiona Ford, who sustained
serious injuries in a biking accident more than eighteen months ago.
1 A Jackson (Sitting) 16.16
15 Marc Snaith 18.38
56 David Rowe 20.35
66 P Adams (unatt) 20.54 (1st woman)
81 Fiona Ford 21.16
114 Simon Collingridge 21.52
293 Kirsty Bangham 24.46
820 Sharon Rowe 33.50
890 Wally Garrod 39.20
OLD DEER PARK parkrun 5km Saturday 1st February
Top spot for Trevor Maguire.
1 Trevor Maguire 18.38
7 L Marchant (26.2) 21.32 (1st woman)
16 Phil Roberts 23.47
32 Lorna Smith 28.18
42 Deborah Blakemore 33.05
ASHFORD parkrun 5km Saturday 1st February
Ted Mockett was the winner with a startling 17.02.
1 Ted Mockett 17.02
8 C Costiff (SLH) 19.46 (1st woman)
BEDFONT LAKES parkrun 5km Saturday 1st February
Nick Wright finished third.
1 P Piper (West 4) 17.18
3 Nick Wright 18.42
21 Adam Wright 23.03
22 T Callen (unatt) 23.04 (1st woman)
BUSHY PARK JUNIORS parkrun Sunday 2nd February
1 J Killip (WSEH) 7.12
7 A Uren (unatt) 7.57 (1st girl)
14 Euan Sinclair 8.17
19 Lydia Louw 8.31
61 Arthur Louw 9.45
100 Eilidh Sinclair 10.34
159 Mungo Harding 11.50
OTHER parkruns (Saturday 1st February)...
Bexley: 10 Paul Sinton-Hewitt, 56 Peter Fordham 26.41, 61 Jo Sinton-Hewitt
26.57
Kingston: 23 Andy Bickerstaff 23.39, 25 Chris Camacho 23.53, 68 Janet
Turnes 31.00
Tilgate: 80 Becky Hall 28.49, 84 Rob Curtis 28.55
York: 89 Phil Jackson 22.52
Darlington South: 104 Nigel Coombes 26.18
Preston Park: 60 John Pratt 23.05
Banstead Woods: 123 Tom Reay 27.14
RICHMOND PARK parkrun 5km Saturday 8th February
1 J Congdon (unatt) 18.27
10 Craig McLellan 20.03
16 Stewart Anderson 20.38
24 L Broughton (Rich CC) 21.29 (1st woman)
30 Steve Aikin 21.47
36 Daniel Chiechi 22.02
47 Chris Read 22.27
69 Stephen Logue 23.15
78 Eugenio Carmo 23.38
82 Tomas Sterner 23.48
96 Amrut Sharma 24.11
129 Steven Mountain 25.45
134 Simon Taylor 26.21
173 Sue Camp 27.33
188 Leeanne Bryce 28.04
245 Michael Sikora 30.12
268 Deepa Sharma 31.21
275 Jackie Dunkley 31.45
294 Bronwen Northmore 33.09
328 Pat Hewlett 41.52
332 Bev Ali 42.56
334 Penny Merrett 43.32
OLD DEER PARK parkrun 5km Saturday 8th February
1 D Miller (Barnes) 20.35
6 Simon Burrell 23.03
8 G Munro (Old Deers) 23.24 (1st woman)
10 Phil Roberts 23.48
29 Mel Davison 27.24
35 Paula Maguire 29.13
37 Lorna Smith 30.07
43 Deborah Blakemore 32.54
45 Clare Hulacki 38.35
CRANE PARK parkrun 5km Saturday 8th February
1 Unknown 18.37
15 Sacha Kennedy (SMR) 21.36 (1st woman)
19 Tom Kearey 22.17
20 Kabir Sait 22.20
25 Kevin Kearey 22.30
28 Adam Wright 22.33
77 Lynne Barber 27.26
93 Josie Kearey 28.40
94 Emily Kearey 28.40
111 Christine David 31.20
116 Tracey Small 32.20
124 Su Clark 35.30
BUSHY PARK parkrun 5km Saturday 8th February
1 A Jaksevicius (unatt) 17.06
8 S Saller (Ox Uni) 18.46 (1st woman)
71 David Ready 21.21
93 Rachel Rowan 21.50
415 Paul Sinton-Hewitt 26.50
458 Jo Sinton-Hewitt 27.17
533 Neil Surtees 28.20
572 Nic Evans 29.05
707 David Meaden 31.33
847 John Hanscomb 39.16
850 Wally Garrod 39.59
ROOT 44 parkrun 5km Saturday 8th February
Nick Wright finished second at Stellenbosch in South Africa.
1 J Raubenheimer (unatt) 18.21
2 Nick Wright 18.26
6 D-M Steyn (unatt) 23.11 (1st woman)
OTHER parkruns (Saturday 8th February)...
Kingston: 13 Chris Camacho 23.43
York: 94 Phil Jackson 23.16
Alice Holt: 212 Danny Hobbs 43.57
Beckton: 10 Peter Fordham 27.23
Brueton: 97 Andrew Brown 25.08
Edinburgh: 299 Ally Salisbury 27.09
Fish Hoek: 5 Lloyd Camp 23.28
Gunnersbury: 113 John Herriott 26.40
Little Stoke: 100 Mike White
Preston: 94 Dave Taylor 30.21
Walthamstow: 6 Ben Shore 24.29
Woodley: 162 Louise Atkinson 31.21
Wormwood Scrubs: 14 Pete Warren 27.41
FINALLY...
Last week's Wimbledon Guardian featured a story about a Jack Russell cross
terrier named Bella, owned by Hercules Wimbledon runner Steve Sinnott. The
dog disappeared into the bushes near Pembroke Lodge while on a Sunday
morning run in Richmond Park. "Owner Stephen Sinnott searched desperately
for the dog with jogging partner Darryl McDonald for half an hour...the
search continued throughout the afternoon, but to no avail." At 4.30am the
following morning "...the family woke to sounds of scratching at the front
door and were astonished to find their lost pet waiting to be let in. She
had made the 15-mile journey home, successfully navigating the A3 and the
rail lines that stood between Richmond Park and Merton Park. Mr Sinnott said
'She is no stranger to running long distances but how she did that and did
not get killed I do not know'. Mr McDonald said: 'How she got across the
A306 or A3, it blows my mind. It is like there were angels watching over
Bella.'
Nice one Darryl...shame about the "jogging partner" bit.