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Newsdesk 2002
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RANELAGH HARRIERS E-NEWS # 51 23 JANUARY 2002
Web site: http://www.surreyweb.net/rharriers
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This Saturday sees the Southern Counties Cross-Country Championships at
Parliament Hill. The action starts with junior events at 11am, the senior
women are off at 1.50pm followed an hour later by the senior men.
Andy Bickerstaff reports from the South of the Thames "Senior" championship
at Wimbledon last Saturday:
"Ranelagh launched a two pronged attack on the trophies on offer at the
South of the Thames Senior on Saturday, a plan hatched bleary eyed and
slurringly spoken between me and Marcus at the Thames mob match supper last
November. Injuries to key personnel meant we left empty handed in both the 6
and 12 to score competitions still it was a great turnout.
Thanks to you all for coming and racing...when the remants of the team got
kicked out of the pub (1am ish) we'd sucessfully forgotten our lack of
pots...in fact forgotten almost everything. Shout of the day: 'Come on
you're only 16 places behind Mick'. Thanks to Jim Forrest for that one and
thanks to Jim, Ken, PG and Clive for good support."
Full results from the Serpentine New Year's Day 10km:
1 S Wurr (Thames H&H) 31.22
3 Hugh Jones 32.50
13 Chris Owens 36.04
39 Alan Davidson 39.21
44 Stephen Instone 40.00
50 Pete Warren 40.49
105 Margaret Auerback 44.25
107 Ray Auerback 44.42
192 John Hanscomb 49.11
212 Simon Burrell 50.29
HUGH JONES
takes me to task for suggesting that the Barbados event was his only
marathon last year. In fact Hugh ran two in a week in April (he should know
better!), recording 2.39 in Turin on the 1st and 2.29 in Paris seven days
later.
A WEEKEND IN DENMARK....
Niels Andersen is organising a club trip to a relay in Denmark, the 1900
Stafetten in Aarhus on Sunday 28th April. This is 10 x 10 km (men/women), 5
x 10 km (women) and 5 x 10 km (over 60 men/women). Niels writes:
"This race offers an excellent opportunity for those who did not run the
London Marathon, or who need a good post marathon run to get their legs
going again. It is classified as the toughest relay race in Denmark, and
attracts runners from the Danish elite, as well as runners for whom this
will be the only race they run all year. The race has been organised for the
past 27 years by Aarhus 1900, which is one the three leading Athletics clubs
in Denmark and usually wins the men's race. More than 2500 runners usually
take part distributed over about 250 men's teams, 60-70 women's teams, but
very few veterans' teams.
The course is on well-trodden forest paths along the coast and running
conditions are usually good with the odd mud hole along the way (more muddy
and slippery conditions will prevail on a rainy day, but I have only run
this race on magnificently sunny days). The total climb of the course is 250
metres (not bad considering the highest point in Denmark is 190 metres!),
which is distributed over 23 hills. The only flat stretches are reached
about half way, along the beach, and on the final 800 metres.
For a more detailed profile of the course see:
http://www.aarhus1900.dk/stafet/kurver.htm, and the course is shown on a
detailed contour map on: http://www.aarhus1900.dk/stafet/Rutekort.htm
The course record is just over 32 mins, set by someone who would do 28 mins
something on the track. The average time for the winning teams in the three
categories last year were 35:28 mins (men), 41:50 mins (women), and 45:11
(veterans). However, the fifth placed men's team last year completed the
course in an average of 38:03 mins, while the second placed women's team
recorded an average of 45:18 mins. So, we have all chances of coming away
with some good results. For full results from last year's race visit:
http://www.aarhus1900.dk/stafet/1900StafetResultat2001.htm
One Ranelagh team is already taking form, so if you are interested in
forming part of this or other teams for this year's race, please contact
Andy Bickerstaff, or myself, Niels Andersen. We will need to have an idea of
how many teams to enter by mid February.
It is possible to travel to Aarhus by flying RyanAir from Stansted, and
accommodation in Aarhus is likely to be B&B or equivalent. Aarhus is the
second city of Denmark, and is actually a nice place worth a visit!"
...AND ANOTHER AROUND LONDON
The Green Belt Relay is on the horizon again. This year's event will take
place over the weekend of May 11th/12th. For the benefit of newer members
who weren't around when we last took part, this is a 20-stage relay taking a
scenic 200 miles+ circular route right around the fringes of London. This
makes the average stage length about 10 miles. There are ten stages on
Saturday and another ten on Sunday, with a mass start for each stage. Teams
comprise 10 runners and each has to run one stage each day.
You can see more details, including route descriptions, maps, results,
photos etc on the race website at www.greenbeltrelay.org.uk.
Last year's event was cancelled due to foot and mouth restrictions but two
years ago we fielded four teams and scored a clean sweep of the major
trophies - first overall, first vets and first women's. It was certainly the
highlight of the year in most people's estimation.
We'll run four teams again if there's sufficient interest (or more....?).
You don't have to give up the whole weekend: stay with the race by all means
if you can spare the time, but otherwise you can run your stage and go home.
We'll need logistical help with driving etc too, so even if you don't run
you can still be part of the team. Please let me know if you think you'd
like to take part in any capacity (mailto:srowland@calorgas.co.uk).
COMING UP
More details of all the following from Andy Bickerstaff (07966 552302 /
norris.hobs@ndirect.co.uk) or Sarah Seal (020 8995 2380).
Saturday January 26th Southern Championships at Parliament Hill
Saturday February 2nd Surrey League Div 1 final fixtures, women (12 noon)
and men (3pm) both at Farthing Downs, Coulsdon
Saturday February 9th Pelling-Ratcliff Cup mob match v Blackheath Harriers
at home in Richmond Park, incorporating our club championship for the Wynne
Cup. 2.30pm start. Our last chance to win a mob match this season!
Sunday February 10th Richmond Mini Marathon trial in Richmond Park,
incorporating the Ranelagh junior women's championship for the Camilla Cup.
ON THE ROAD
Looking further ahead, the Camberley Half Marathon on March 3rd incorporates
the Surrey county championship so might be a good pre-London choice. Entry
forms in the clubhouse or from www.camberleyathleticclub.co.uk. The Thames
Towpath 10 miles at Chiswick on March 17th will again be the first event in
this year's Ranelagh road Grand Prix. Entry forms in the clubhouse.
Steve Rowland
Telephone: 01926 318734
Fax: 0870 4006901
e-mail: srowland@calorgas.co.uk