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***************************************************
 RANELAGH HARRIERS E-NEWS # 456             14 August 2015
 Editor: Steve Rowland
 mailto: steverowland@ranelagh-harriers.com  
 ***************************************************

 HEADLINE NEWS
 *************
 *  Nick Twomey and Megan de Silva lead 90 Ranelaghs home in the Wedding Day
     7km. 
 *  Ranelagh wins both team prizes plus the mob match trophy
 *  Jake Waldron finishes 2nd in the Wimbledon 5km and Megan de Silva is 5th
 *  County 5km championship medals for Marie Synnott-Wells and Sonia Rowland
     (silvers), Steve Whitehead, the men's team and the women's team (bronzes)
 *  Surrey Road League titles for the men's team, Megan de Silva and Marie
     Synnott-Wells
 *  League seconds and thirds for the women's team, Steve Whitehead, Peter
     Fordham and Phil Killingley 
 *  Ranelagh Road Grand Prix winners: Ted Mockett, Kris Davidson, Paul Rider,
     Megan de Silva, Ellen Clague and Marie Synnott-Wells    
 *  Ralph Street just misses a bronze medal in the World Orienteering
     Championships
 *  Ian Kenton finishes 3rd in the Last Friday 5km in Hyde Park
 *  Good support for MABAC League on Wimbledon Common 
 *  parkrun placings for Carl Assmundson, Euan Sinclair, Sacha Kennedy,
     Rebecca Northmore, Fiona Ford, Luke Maguire, Richard Gregory, Jonny Brook,
     Nick Wright and Tom Bradley
 *  Order your mob match t-shirt by 27th August

 ATTENTION PLEASE
 ****************
 MOB MATCH T-SHIRTS - ORDER BY 27th AUGUST
 To celebrate our unprecedented four mob match wins last winter, we have
 commissioned a special t-shirt. It's long sleeved featuring a map of the mob
 match venues, each being swamped by the "blue wave". Options are white
 t-shirt with blue writing and gold map, or yellow t-shirt with blue writing
 and white map. Cost is £20. Please contact Andy Hayward
 andrewhayward@catalinare.com  to order yours, stating colour and
 size. Order deadline is 27th August, for distribution at the Thomas Cup on
 12th September.

 FIXTURE CARD 2015-16
 Fixtures for the 2015-2016 season have been finalised, and printed fixture
 cards are available at the clubhouse. If you can't get to the clubhouse and
 would like one posted to you, please reply to this e-news giving your postal
 address. If you'd like a pdf version just e-mail Fixtures Secretary Andy
 Woodhouse andrew-woodhouse@hotmail.co.uk . A full fixture list is
 also now on our website. 

 2015 ROAD GRAND PRIX
 Our summer Road Grand Prix ended with last Sunday's Perseverance Wimbledon
 Dash 5km. There were ten races in all, and each member's best eight scores
 were counted. Many thanks to Ken Powley for maintaining the scoreboard which
 can be found  here:. Most categories
 had clear-cut winners but the women's competition and the men's over 40 both
 had only a single point in it at the end. Congratulations go to winners Ted
 Mockett, Kris Davidson, Paul Rider, Megan de Silva, Ellen Clague and Marie
 Synnott-Wells. No fewer than 174 members completed at least one of the ten
 races - easily a new record.

 Leading scores: (Open) Ted Mockett 79, Phil Killingley 68, Steve Whitehead
 60, Nick Twomey 59, Kris Davidson 48, Jonathan Smith 47; (Men Over 40) Kris
 Davidson 36, Steve Whitehead 35,  Stewart Anderson 30, Steve Aikin and
 Duncan Mallison 12; (Men Over 50) Paul Rider 39, Bill Neely 21, Stephen
 Logue 19, Simon Burrell 17, Mick Lane 16; (Women) Megan de Silva 42, Marie
 Synnott-Wells 41, Becky Hall 29, Julia Bailey 13, Carol Aikin 12; (Women
 Over 40) Ellen Clague 34, Wiebke Kortum, Tanya Allen and Mel Davison 12,
 Colette Doran 11; (Women Over 50) Marie Synnott-Wells 48, Carol Aikin 24,
 Deborah Blakemore 18, Sonia Rowland 15, Sally Bamford 11.

 2015 SURREY ROAD LEAGUE
 The Surrey Road League also concluded with the Perseverance Wimbledon Dash
 5km. We came away with three League titles, our best result since 2009. Our
 men's team had their competition already sewn up with a race to go, taking
 the title for the first time since 2003. Our women's team last won only two
 years ago, but this time had to settle for second place, just two points
 behind holders Guildford and Godalming AC. Also retaining the title she won
 in 2011 and 2014 in the W45 individual category was Marie Synnott-Wells
 while our third title went to Megan de Silva in the senior women's
 competition. Silver medals were won by Steve Whitehead (M40) and Peter
 Fordham (M60) while bronzes went to Becky Hall (senior women) and Phil
 Killingley (senior men). There were a few near misses too - top ten paces
 went to Ted Mockett 4th, Nick Twomey 8th and Jon Smith 10th senior men, Kris
 Davidson and Stewart Anderson 5th and 10th M40s, Paul Rider and Stephen
 Logue 8th and 10th M50s, David and Alan Meaden 5th and 6th M60s and Deborah
 Blakemore 7th W45.

 Full details are on the Surrey Athletics website here:.


 RATCHFORD RELAY Tuesday 25th August in Richmond Park
 This is a women only relay, suitable for all speeds - register on the night.
 The start is at 7.15pm across the road from the clubhouse. 

 SURREY ROAD RELAYS  Saturday 5th September at Wimbledon Park. 12 noon start
 This is on a similar course to the Wimbledon Dash 5km. All classes start
 together but the senior men's race is for teams of six, each running a 2.9
 miles lap, the senior women, W35s, M40s and M50s have teams of four and the
 W45s and M60s only three. If you're interested in taking part contact as
 follows: (all women) Phil and Becky ranelagh.women@gmail.com ,
 (senior men and M40s) Trevor Maguire trevor.maguire@bt.com , (M50s
 and M60s) Peter Fordham peter_fordham@yahoo.com . 

 135th SEASON OPENING RUN and THOMAS CUP 3.8 miles HANDICAP
 Looking further ahead, our 135th season kicks off as usual with the Thomas
 Cup handicap in Richmond Park on Saturday 12th September. All members are
 welcome. The annual club photo will be taken at about 2.45pm in the Park
 opposite the clubhouse and the handicap will get under way as soon as
 possible afterwards.    

 MARA YAMAUCHI
 London Club and Coach Support Officer Julia Bailey recently arranged for
 former Marathon star Mara Yamauchi to come to the clubhouse on a flying
 coach visit. Here's the story on the London Athletics website here:

 KEN POWLEY
 Congrats to our webmaster and stats guru Ken Powley who is 85 on Monday 14th
 September. Wally Garrod writes: "Some of us will cut the cake at 8pm at the
 Rose of York on the following day, Tuesday 15th". All welcome".

 BBC RADIO 5 LIVE
 As part of the current discussions about how to get more people involved
 with sport, Mr parkrun Paul Sinton-Hewitt was interviewed by Nicky Campbell
 on Tuesday 4th August's BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast show. You can hear it
 here:. Paul's interview starts
 about 2 hours 10 minutes in.  

 parkrun NEWS
 Ranelagh junior Finlay Sinclair is featured in the 5th August junior parkrun
 News. You can read it here:
 (scroll down to 5/8/15 junior parkrun news):

 STRENGTH and CONDITIONING SESSIONS
 Head coach Karen Weir writes:
 "The Ranelagh coaches will be putting on monthly strength and conditioning
 sessions on a Tuesday evening after training. These consist of a few short
 but very specific exercises for runners, that can then be repeated at home.
 If the weather is good we'll be outside where there is a little more room,
 however if it's wet we'll try and cater for as many people in the clubhouse
 as possible. Sessions will start at 8.30pm and be led by different coaches
 each month. Remaining date is 25th August with Karen ". 

 THURSDAY NIGHT TRACK TRAINING AT OSTERLEY
 The club is continuing to subsidise track sessions on Thursday evenings at
 the Osterley track. All groups and all abilities are welcome. The sessions
 are  every Thursday 7.30-8.30pm.  Link to the map is here:.

 THROWING THE....??? ANSWER...
 OK, the clue I gave about China being a militaristic society during the
 cultural revolution set a few people on the right track. So congratulations
 to Tony Clark, John Herries, Lloyd Camp, Clive Beauvais and Mick Lane, who
 all came up with the right answer. Just to remind you, the question was
 this:
 During the Cultural Revolution in China in the 1960s, which new throwing
 event was added to the domestic athletics programme?
 The answer was throwing the hand grenade. These were of course dummy
 grenades, thrown for distance. "Sounds frightening," Mick remarked, "but I
 suppose the Greeks turned spear throwing into an Olympic event and didn't
 Henry VIII make archery part of the compulsory Tudor curriculum?"

 GIG IN THE GARDEN
 Andy Bickerstaff writes:
 "On Saturday 23rd August from 3pm - 8pm, a whole host of great bands will be
 playing free in aid of the Stroke Association. Bring a bottle, picnic,
 dancing shoes, friend, and donation! Towards Kingston on the towpath from
 the Hawker Centre, near the half mile tree. More details from Andy
 andy.bickerstaff@goodrunguide.co.uk ."

 ROYAL PARKS HALF MARATHON
 Alexander Woods writes:
 " I currently work for a charity called Starfish Greathearts Foundation; we
 are a charity working to alleviate poverty and disadvantage amongst South
 African children who have been orphaned or made vulnerable as a result of
 HIV/AIDs. We have places in the upcoming Royal Parks Half Marathon, a 13.1
 mile route through Central London that starts and finishes in the stunning
 Hyde Park and takes in the spectacular sites of the city and the beautiful
 Royal Parks. We were wondering whether you would be able to pass the details
 on to the members of Ranelagh Harriers who might like to participate in the
 run on Sunday 11th October. Our registration deadline is on 15th August. For
 more information, click  here:  to visit the Starfish website."

 FACEBOOK
 Follow Ranelagh on Facebook. 

 RANELAGH JUNIORS
 Check out what's happening in our junior section at
 ranelagh-harriers-juniors.com/. 

 STRAGGLERS JUNIOR HANDICAP SERIES
 The junior handicap series is held on Thursday evenings between April and
 August at the Hawker Centre off Lower Ham Road in Kingston. The final race
 is on Thursday 27th August - Registration 7 p.m. for 7.30 p.m. start.


WHAT'S COMING
*************
More details of the following from the men's Captains ( e-mail Phil, Duncan
or Trevor ) ranelagh.men@gmail.com
 or the women's Captain / Team Manager ( e-mail Becky or Phil ranelagh.women@gmail.com  )      

 Sunday 23rd August          MABAC Pairs Relay. 11am start at Matthew Arnold
 School, Staines. 11am start, register on the day.   Details:. 

 Tuesday 25th August        Ratchford Relay in Richmond Park at 7.15pm. Women
 only - see above.

 Thursday 27th August         Stragglers Junior Handicap series - final race.
 7.30pm at the Hawker Centre

 Saturday 5th September    Surrey Road Relays men and women at Wimbledon
 Park. 12 noon start.

 Saturday 12th September  Thomas Cup handicap in Richmond Park. 3.8 miles 3pm
 start preceded by annual club photo. 

 parkruns every Saturday at 9am
 Bushy Park                            Diana Fountain car park
 Richmond Park                      Richmond Gate
 Wimbledon Common             Windmill car park
 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 and at 9am at Moormead Rec, Twickenham.  

 WHAT'S HAPPENED
 ***************
 WEDDING DAY 7km  Friday 31st July in Bushy Park
 Nick Twomey reports:
 "The annual Wedding Day 7km took place on Friday evening in Bushy Park and
 conditions couldn't have been better...a pleasant temperature with a slight
 breeze and the scene was set for the Blue and Gold Army to battle once again
 for the largest mob status. There were 90 of Ranelagh's finest completing
 the course which is commendable for a Friday evening event. 

 There were several Ranelagh members out supporting along the course which
 always helps to boost morale and supercharge a runner for the final sprint
 to finish line glory!

 Second claim Ranelagh runner Jake Waldron crossed the line in 22:40 narrowly
 missing out on the podium to finish in 4th place. Top Ranelagh ladies runner
 Megan de Silva had more success with the podium finishing in 2nd place in a
 time of 26.54 behind Zoe Vail Smith of Belgrave Harriers who was just too
 good on the day finishing 28 seconds quicker. The top spot of the podium was
 achieved in the V60 category by Chris Owens in a time of 28.40, showing that
 he is still a force to be reckoned with!

 After some success in the individual awards Ranelagh then took over the show
 for the team awards! The fastest couple award was won by a country mile by
 Jake Waldron (22:40) and Julia Bailey (29:25), very well done! The ladies
 won the team award with the top three runners from each club to score; the
 team made up of Megan de Silva (26.54), Marie Synnott-Wells (28.47) and
 Becky Hall (29.24) held the plaque aloft. A special mention for Julia, who
 missed the scoring team by 1 second and Suzy Whatmough (29.49) who missed
 out by 25 seconds.

 The men had similar success, with four to score, they defended their title
 to make it a back to back victories...can they make it three in a row next
 year? The team was made up of Nick Twomey (24.01), Ted Mockett (24.17), Dave
 Lawley (25.00) and Mark Herbert (25.02) all of whom PB'd to make the scoring
 team. It was a nervy affair though as Thames Hare & Hounds had their top
 three runners finishing in 2nd, 8th and 10th, compared with our 9th, 11th &
 17th. However we shouldn't have feared as our 18th place (for our 4th and
 final scoring runner) was too strong for their 582nd place (Thames Hare &
 Hound's 4th and final scoring runner). A special mention for Kris Davidson
 (25.07), who missed the scoring team by 5 seconds. Kris was part of the
 winning team last year but the ever improving running of Dave Lawley took
 his place in the team despite a PB from Kris. None of the times from the
 scoring team last year would have made the team this year; going to show
 just how much the standard of running has improved for the men...it is
 believed to be down to track sessions! 

 Daniel Chiechi won a spot prize and then the final award was the plate for
 the largest mob (excluding The Stragglers due to them hosting the event).
 The Blue and Gold Army once again collected the award, out-mobbing everybody
 including Stragglers (Ranelagh 90, Stragglers 86). I believe we have won
 this award for a number of years in succession...perhaps we should let
 Stragglers count towards the award just so we can have some competition!

 The race was followed by a BBQ and picnic on the cricket green and a real
 sense of team spirit was present in the Ranelagh camp which only went to
 confirm that if Carlsberg made running clubs it would be Ranelagh Ranelagh
 Ra Ra Ra!"

                                                  
 PERSEVERANCE WIMBLEDON DASH 5km  Sunday 9th August in Wimbledon Park  
 The race begins with a lap of the Wimbledon Park running track before
 heading out for a loop roughly following the Park's perimeter before
 re-entering the Park and finishing with another 300 metres on the track.
 This includes the very tough climb from the tennis courts up to the village.
 A group of six had broken clear before the first circuit of the track had
 been completed, prominent amongst them Jake Waldron. Jake had finished 2nd
 in the Elmbridge 10k and 4th in the Wedding Day race representing Newham and
 Essex Beagles, but this was his debut in a Ranelagh vest. Hovering towards
 the front of the chasing pack was Phil Killingley then Jordan Mungovan and
 Steve Whitehead. As the runners approached the stadium again Guildford's
 John Sanderson had broken clear while Jake was hanging on like grim death to
 second place. That's how they finished, with Phil working his way through to
 6th place only 12 seconds behind Jake. Jordan and Steve dipped inside 17
 minutes and the Rocket Man was not far behind. Megan de Silva was again our
 leading woman in 5th place overall, ahead of Marie Synnott-Wells, Becky
 Hall, Julia Bailey and Suzy Whatmough. 

 Phil takes up the story:
 "A great Ranelagh turnout despite the fact that this is a paying race over
 the same distance as the ubiquitous free parkrun. Personally I think it must
 be the sound system at the start that attracts the crowds.  Scorchio just
 about summed it up, with the sun beating down on the runners and causing a
 fair few fairer runners to turn a shade of Reigate Harriers (yes, red
 vests).  

 Ranelagh picked up a whole host of medals in both the Surrey 5km champs and
 the seven race Surrey Road League, of which this was the last event. 
 - Megan won the overall ladies title for the League and Becky was third -
 that's what I call podium domination.  
 - Marie was first in the League W45 category and won the silver medal in the
 5km champs..
 - the ladies' team finished in second place overall in the League, losing
 out to Guildford, but won bronzes in the county championships.
 - the men's team also placed third in the county championships but won the
 League, having wrapped up the victory with a race to spare. 
 - In the individual League competitions I snuck onto the podium for senior
 men in third, and Steve Whitehead and Peter Fordham went one better for
 silver in the V40 and V60 categories.
 - Steve Whitehead won the M40 county champs bronze, and Sonia Rowland took
 home the W55 silver 
  
 All that made it quite a bling medals ceremony today, and several people
 were nearly hospitalised from the glare factor.  

 The race didn't quite produce the pbs of Elmbridge, but given conditions and
 that hill, it's not surprising. The nervous wait for Ken percentages went
 well for some - Stephen Logue seems always to perform well in this event at
 71.7%, and I had my best % ever on the road for Ranelagh - 81.1%.
 Meanwhile, for the ladies, Sonia Rowland also got her best ever Ken % for
 road, passing 80% for the first time in her illustrious career with 80.1%,
 picking up the category silver - congratulations!"  

                                                      
 LAST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH 5km  Friday 31st July in Hyde Park
 Ian Kenton ran well for 3rd place.

 1   N Aitken (Clapham)     16.05
 3   Ian Kenton             16.50
 72  Andy Bickerstaff       20.58
 130 Alan Davidson          24.03     

 WHEATSHEAF and PIGEON 5.25km  Saturday 1st August in Staines
 Andy Hayward reports:
 "Thanks very much to all those who came over for this race and for making it
 such a great day. According to the written results (which we had to rescue
 from the bin outside the pub later that evening!!!!) there were 26
 finishers. 20 of those were either Ranelagh or Ravens as a direct result of
 my plea to both clubs to come and support the race. So without all of you,
 there would have been eight runners (two of us would still have done it!).
 The landlady Becky was thrilled at the turnout, and the quality - her
 comment to me before the start was priceless - 'Blimey - there's people
 warming up!'.

 A nice flat course but with two sharp turns, and a few ruts and roots in a
 couple of places to slow you down (or trip you up!). Slightly long, but with
 PB potential if correctly measured some time (maybe we can persuade Hugh
 Jones to come and measure it for us next year!). I came comfortably mid
 table, but really enjoyed the run. Actually I would have finished two
 further down the field but for one Raven taking a tumble and Rob Curtis
 stopping to help him. 

 I'll leave it to others more used to working out results as to who won the
 informal mob match and by how much, but it looks like a Ravens comfortable
 win. All three podium places went to Ravens, with Stu Fraser winning the
 race, while Becky Hall and Sonia Rowland were first and third ladies".

 1   S Fraser (Ravens)      18.13
 4   Roy Reeder             20.21
 6   Becky Hall             21.27  (1st woman)
 9   Ian Doyle              23.00
 10  Paul Sinton-Hewitt     23.00
 12  Sonia Rowland          24.20  
 13  Louise Piears          24.27
 14  Andy Hayward           26.47
 20  Rob Curtis             28.36
 21  Steve Rowland          30.31
 23  Suzanne Doyle          33.32
 24  Alexandra Doyle        35.36
 25  Bev Ali                42.33
 26  Joe Ali                42.33

 SELF-TRANSCENDENCE 5km  Monday 3rd August in Battersea Park
 1   J Franklin (Serp)      15.23
 19  Steve Whitehead        16.57
 47  S Johnson (TVH)        17.56  (1st woman)
 189 Deepa Sharma           26.43
 195 Ellie Lawley           28.17       

 MABAC LEAGUE 5 miles Tuesday 4th August on Wimbledon Common 
 As usual, the Tuesday evening MABAC League on Wimbledon Common attracted
 more Ranelagh runners than all the other MABACs combined. 25 Ranelagh
 completed the two-lap full distance while another five opted for the one-lap
 alternative. Simon Burrell was our leading man and Carol Aikin led the
 women. 

 1   M Nutt (Wimb W)        27.07
 46  Simon Burrell          34.46
 62  Steve Aikin            36.06
 66  Lloyd Camp             36.24
 79  Paul Wapshott          37.22
 96  Thomas Fincham         38.18
 107 James Barber           39.12
 135 Carol Aikin            42.12
 149 Sue Camp               44.02
 159 Lorna Smith            45.19
 161 Lynne Barber           45.29
 165 Rachel Allen           45.59
 170 Deepa Sharma           46.30
 184 Christine David        49.29
 192 Deborah Blakemore      50.49
 193 Tanya Allen            51.57
 194 Cindy Croucher         52.05
 196 Bronwen Northmore      52.35
 198 Tracey Small           53.05
 200 Louise Wapshott        53.23
 202 Wendy Fisher           53.54
 204 Katie Walton           54.26
 207 Penny Merrett          54.44
 208 Waldron Slaughter      55.37
 211 Bev Walsh              57.38
 212 Bev Ali                63.48

 1 lap                
 1   M Daniels (Wimb W)     21.25
 2   Amut Sitarma           22.18
 4   Luke Ficham            26.01
 11  Lexi Slaughter         33.52
 15  Pat Hewlett            37.32
 28  Margaret Nilsen-Fehn   46.47   

 WORLD ORIENTEERING CHAMPIONSHIPS  31st July - 8th August at Inverness
 Ralph Street ran the anchor stage for the British team in the relay event.
 After two stages Switzerland were well clear and Britain and France were
 battling it out a minute or so clear of the rest. Ralph took over in second
 place with France close behind...but tracking them both down was the
 Norwegian anchor man. The Swiss third-leg runner made no mistakes and
 finished nearly two minutes clear but it was the Norwegian - running the
 fastest stage time - who appeared next. France took bronze and pushed Ralph
 and the British team out of the medals into 4th place - but less than a
 minute behind 2nd. It must have been frustrating to have been so close to
 the medals, but this was a good performance for Britain and was the best
 home result of the championships. You can see TV coverage of this race and a
 couple of the other events  here:. Coverage is
 provided by BBC Alba, with commentary partly in Scots and partly English.  

 The following is adapted from Ralph's blog:  
 "We had quite a lot chat during the week about how we would set the team up
 and we decided to go with Scott Fraser, then Graham Gristwood and then
 myself. We didn't really discuss as a team what we thought we could achieve
 because we all knew that we had the possibility of a medal. I think in the
 end we are happy with 4th place because we all did good races but of course
 disappointed to have got so close to a medal. 

 Going out I had very little idea of how close anybody was to me, except for
 France, so it was not so much of a surprise when the Frenchman Frederic
 Tranchand caught me. We had different options at one point but came back
 together at the common control. During the next section I was about 5
 seconds behind him after I took a lower line into one the controls. Going
 through the options point for the second time I think I lost a little bit of
 time but not much, and on the way out of it I saw Magne Daehli of Norway and
 managed to catch a little bit of time to him through to the common control.
 We then had one final forking, which Frederic missed, and then we were
 almost all together into the final common section. I was trying to hold the
 distance to them but after crossing the marsh I just completely filled up
 with lactic acid and tiredness and struggled my way to the finish."
 
 1   Switzerland            101.40
 2   Norway                 103.30
 3   France                 103.52
 4   UK                     104.29
 33 teams finished

 WORLD MASTERS STADIA CHAMPIONSHIPS  4th - 16th August at Lyon, France
 Alan Davidson reports:
 "I have been running poorly all year and flew to Lyon to add to my p.w.
 collection (I did!), but a smart aparthotel enabled me to survive by making
 gallons of tea. The cross-country for M60-M90 was run at 8am to avoid the
 heat at one of the four far-flung race venues requiring a combination of
 metro + tram/trolley or bus + walk, but oddly we got thundery and humid
 conditions. There was no signage and several runners asked me if I knew
 where the toilets were (except for an American who asked for the bathroom!)
 I asked an official where the race started and he said by that car in the
 middle of the field (world championships?). An Argentinian surprisingly
 asked if he could take a photo of the GB group. Basil Fawlty came to mind.
 Chip mats appeared in the grass (refreshments a cup of water post race, nowt
 else) and we started and finished on rough sports fields with four laps in
 woods with some very sharp turns over tree roots. My 8k took 41.22 the Dutch
 winner 29.53.

 The track 5,000 metres was at another venue and luckily the metro was very
 quick and efficient, also popular with beggars and accordion players. We had
 39C heat, but on each lap two sprays to run through, although I had to try
 and shield my glasses each time...one runner threw his glasses to an
 official. My p.w. was 25.15 but at least unlike a number I did finish. The
 Dutch winner ran 18.23. Vowing not to do the 10,000m in three days time, I
 had train trips to Chambery and Vienne but next race day, as the temperature
 was down to 29C I decided to not be a DNS but a possible DNF. Thankfully
 there were no track sprays and I managed not to be a DNF, slogging round in
 53.18 (Dutch winner again in 37.02). An Australian lapping me viciously dug
 his elbow into my GB vest perhaps revenge for the Ashes result. Our fairly
 similar language probably enabled him to understand my epithets!  

 It was surprising to find large numbers of runners from places such as
 Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Bolivia, Puerto Rico etc and one each
 from Iran and Zimbabwe. GB&NI had 585. Next there was a coach trip to
 Perouges but I found a notice stuck on a post in the car park saying trips
 on each of three days were cancelled.  Luckily I got there by train to see
 the wonderful 13th century village. It was hot for the 1500m - qualifying
 heat this time. Sadly not competing were the two Canadians I had been
 grateful to in the 5,000m and 10,000m for giving me runners to lap! I was
 amused at the start as just as we had been lined up a Brazilian athlete
 stepped out of the line to shake the hand of all the other runners! 6.40 for
 me. Heading home, the main station Part-Dieu had a piano for waiting
 passengers to play - though the standard of playing left something to be
 desired. The flight promised for 70 minutes also (understandably) had 75
 minutes sitting on the runway waiting for agreement to take off after storm
 conditions to the north had eased. Home to find I had lost 9lbs in weight."

 BUSHY PARK 10km  Sunday 9th August
 1   T Martyn (Hunters BT)  32.42  (chip time 32.42)
 5   Lars Lundqvist         38.09  (38.08)
 9   G Tindley (Hunters BT) 39.11  (39.08 - 1st woman)
 29  Daniel Chiechi         44.30

 MOORMEAD JUNIOR parkrun 2km  Sunday 19th July
 This was the inaugural Moormead junior parkrun in Twickenham. It's to be a
 weekly event. Sacha Kennedy was second overall and first girl, while Jonny
 and Charlie Brook and Luke Maguire filled the next three places.

 1   K Desmond (Strag)       7.33
 2   Sacha Kennedy           8.09  (1st girl)
 3   Jonny Brook             8.28
 4   Charlie Brook           9.05
 5   Luke Maguire            9.32  

 MOORMEAD JUNIOR parkrun 2km  Sunday 26th July
 Euan Sinclair was first home in the second Moormead junior parkrun.

 1   Euan Sinclair           7.51

 WIMBLEDON PARK JUNIOR parkrun  Sunday 26th July
 1   B Palmer (unatt)        8.17
 5   R Liu (unatt)           9.15  (1st girl)
 10  Matthew Beal            9.50
 19  Oliver Beal            10.37 

 RICHMOND PARK parkrun 5km  Saturday 1st August
 1   Unknown                16.06
 4   Lars Lundqvist         18.19
 8   Peter Faull            19.00
 38  C Hewitt (unatt)       21.58  (1st woman)
 39  Steve Aikin            22.01
 70  Marcus Gohar           23.23
 79  Alberto Esguevillas    23.58
 92  Matt Aikin             24.31
 99  Simon Taylor           24.56
 111 Michael Sikora         25.51
 112 James Rushby           25.56
 139 Livvy Rickatts         27.11 
 140 John Ricketts          27.11
 143 Carol Aikin            27.23
 159 Rachel Allen           27.56
 160 Daniel Rushby          27.57
 165 Sam Rushby             28.15
 166 Maia Rushby            28.17
 200 Deepa Sharma           29.33
 232 Ann-Marie Harvey       31.16
 243 Annemarie Goodridge    33.18 
 246 Penny Merrett          33.23    
 255 Martin Clark           36.00 

 CRANE PARK parkrun 5km  Saturday 1st August
 1   P Bowden (Strags)      18.07
 5   C Bond (Strags)        20.21  (1st woman)
 9   Daniel Chiechi         21.09
 12  Eric Plue              21.38
 13  Duncan Mallison        21.47
 63  Mike White             27.21
 66  Prelini Chiechi        28.14
 78  Nathaniel Bond         30.09
 83  Tanya Allen            30.44   
 92  Waldron Slaughter      33.31  

 OLD DEER PARK parkrun 5km  Saturday 1st August
 1   M Callaghan (Dul R)    18.52
 5   Tom Bradley            19.43
 12  S Hutton (unatt)       21.54  (1st woman)
 21  Luke Maguire           24.42
 26  Francesca Baty-Symes   26.20
 27  Paula Maguire          26.55
 28  Julian Holden          27.03
 38  Lorna Smith            29.17
 57  Katie Walton           36.43 

 BUSHY PARK parkrun 5km  Saturday 1st August
 This was John Hanscomb's last run as a 79 year-old. Happy 80th Birthday! 

 1   A Jaksevicius (Belg)   16.12
 4   E Pallant (AFD)        16.41  (1st woman)
 21  James Whistler         18.31
 26  David Ready            18.57
 242 Paul Sinton-Hewitt     23.10 
 577 Claire Warner          28.01
 639 Teresa Segovia         28.57
 952 John Hanscomb          44.01 

 KINGSTON parkrun 5km  Saturday 1st August
 Nick Wright was third finisher.

 1   S Davies (unatt)       17.37
 3   Nick Wright            18.31
 17  S Rose-Innes (unatt)   20.59  (1st woman)
 19  Chris Camacho          21.07
 46  Chris Cato             23.18
 59  Rachel Revett          24.36
 96  Ashleigh Ferris        28.55 
 97  Mel Davison            28.55

 BEDFONT LAKES parkrun 5km  Saturday 1st August
 1   J Escalante (C&C)      18.15
 14  R Pharaoh (Walton)     21.34  (1st woman)
 41  James Barber           23.51
 82  Becky Hall             27.14
 83  Rob Curtis             27.14
 114 Lynne Barber           29.22
 130 Christine David        32.05
 137 Tracey Small           33.17

 OSTERLEY parkrun 5km  Saturday 1st August
 Rebecca Northmore was second woman home.

 1   S Jacobs (unatt)       19.06
 9   J Watt (Ealing E)      21.41  (1st woman)
 22  Rebecca Northmore      23.36

 OTHER parkruns  (Saturday 1st August)
 Wimbledon Common: 70 Matt Sowton 21.16
 Croxteth Hall: 36 Peter Wright 23.28
 Woking: 192 Wyn Williams 35.31
 Gunnersbury: 167 Colette Doran 26.28
 Northallerton: 53 Phil Jackson 24.01
 Parke: 32 Mike Peace 24.27
 Bracknell: 246 Deirdre Inman 34.25
 Southwark: 58 John Pratt 23.16
 Poole: 112 Adam Wright 21.47
 Claisebrook Cove: 78 Dianne Oliver 24.49
 Reigate Priory: 162 Jo Knight 39.23
 Colby: 84 Tamsin Burland 30.11 

 MOORMEAD JUNIOR parkrun 2km  Sunday 2nd August
 Luke Maguire finished second.

 1   B Welbourn (unatt)      8.36
 2   Luke Maguire            8.53
 4   E Bowden (unatt)       10.18  (1st girl) 

 BUSHY JUNIOR parkrun 2km  Sunday 2nd August
 Euan Sinclair was third in and Poppy Jensen was first girl.

 1   J Poncia (SMR)          6.51
 3   Euan Sinclair           7.16
 6   Poppy Jensen            7.29  (1st girl)
 42  James McLauchlan        9.16
 64  Eilidh Sinclair        10.04
 69  Charlie McLauchlan     10.13
 117 Isla Sinclair          12.11 

 SAVILL GARDENS JUNIOR parkrun 2km  Sunday 2nd August
 1   S March (Slough J)      7.01
 13  P Walters (Woking)      8.54  (1st girl) 
 99  James Ricketts         14.11
 114 Connor Scally          15.19  

 BUSHY PARK parkrun 5km  Saturday 8th August
 Fiona Ford was the second female finisher. This was Kirsty Bangham's 401st
 parkrun - sorry we omitted to report on the 400th a couple of weeks ago.

 1   H Pearce (Tonbridge)   15.24
 32  Andrew Forth           19.09  
 34  T Hardcastle (unatt)   19.11  (1st woman)
 38  Peter Faull            19.21
 59  Fiona Ford             20.02
 89  Richard Kennedy        20.52
 158 Sacha Kennedy          22.15 
 171 Chris Wright           22.27
 172 Sophie Spink           22.29
 292 Rachel Revett          24.00
 336 Ashleigh Ferris        24.35
 434 Ellen van Keulen       26.01   
 435 Ted Mockett            26.02
 571 Kirsty Bangham         27.51
 702 David Meaden           30.00
 728 Hannah Doyle           30.22
 742 Mary Hickson           30.36
 930 Duncan Bell            36.54
 978 John Hanscomb          41.50 

 CRANE PARK parkrun 5km  Saturday 8th August
 1   M Kunwar (unatt)       17.53
 9   Duncan Mallison        20.32
 12  Daniel Chiechi         20.55
 15  A Doyle (unatt)        21.36  (1st woman)
 28  Paul Wapshott          24.03
 66  Christine David        30.39
 71  Tracey Small           32.22
 72  Louise Wapshott        32.30
 75  Tamsin Burland         33.49
 81  Lexi Slaughter         38.08
 83  Su Clark               40.13 

 RICHMOND PARK parkrun 5km  Saturday 8th August
 1   S Shaw (unatt)         17.24
 9   Simon Beal             19.31
 26  C Bradburn (unatt)     21.27  (1st woman)
 36  Andy Bickerstaff       22.27
 40  John Ricketts          22.34
 64  Marcus Gohar           23.40
 92  Daniel Rushby          25.24
 96  Simon Taylor           25.33
 97  Maia Rushby            25.34
 116 Michael Sikora         26.05
 134 Carol Aikin            26.31
 138 Sue Camp               26.39
 154 Deepa Sharma           27.29
 177 Rob Kitchen            28.27
 190 Val Lowman             29.03
 209 Andrew Brown           29.54
 238 Oliver Beal            31.47
 239 Louise Beal            31.48
 245 Katie Walton           32.33
 268 James Rushby           38.03
 274 Bev Ali                39.33
 284 Pat Hewlett            61.31

 OLD DEER PARK parkrun 5km  Saturday 8th August
 Tom Bradley was third finisher.

 1   C Pablo (unatt)        18.22
 3   Tom Bradley            19.15
 6   Si Martin              20.16
 16  Phil Roberts           22.27 
 20  N White (unatt)        23.04  (1st woman)
 33  Renato Congias         25.09
 35  Mel Davison            25.18
 40  Paula Maguire          26.38
 44  Sandy Clark            26.57
 71  Kevin Knowles          37.02
 74  Wyn Williams           38.44

 WIMBLEDON parkrun 5km  Saturday 8th August
 Richard Gregory finished 2nd.

 1   R Wilson (Lincs W)     16.29
 2   Richard Gregory        17.04
 26  L Blazey (unatt)       19.42  (1st woman)

 BURGESS parkrun 5km  Saturday 8th August
 Carl Assmundson was first home.

 1   Carl Assmundson        16.36
 10  K Hainsworth (Dul R)   19.15  (1st woman)

 OTHER parkruns  (Saturday 8th August)
 Banstead Woods: 43 Simon Hedger 22.36
 Bedfont Lakes: 38 Rob Curtis 23.43
 Kingston: 22 Chris Camacho 21.32, 89 Chris Cato 29.42, 94 Jar O'Brien 32.42
 Eastleigh: 116 Colette Doran 27.12
 York: 106 Phil Jackson 23.16
 Parke: 37 Mike Peace 25.02, 124 Hilary Thomson 33.54
 Bracknell: 107 Deirdre Inman 50.44
 Cuerden Valley: 13 Paul Sinton-Hewitt 21.29
 Brockwell, Herne Hill: 6 James Whistler 18.43
 Plymvalley: 8 Craig Maclellan 18.52
 St Albans: 31 Lydia Louw 19.54
 Horsham: 186 Mike White 28.12
 Osterley: 46 Jo Sinton-Hewitt 26.52
 Bognor Regis: 41 David Rowe 23.36
 Burnham & Highbridge: 38 James Barber 22.56, 96 Lynne Barber 28.26, 119
 Stacey Barber 30.02

 FINALLY...
 "If you think a minute goes by really fast, you've never been on a
 treadmill".