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Newsdesk 2002
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RANELAGH HARRIERS E-NEWS # 57 14 MARCH 2002
Web site: http://www.surreyweb.net/rharriers
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There's nothing doing at the clubhouse this Saturday, but a good few
Ranelagh vests will be present at the Thames Towpath 10 at Chiswick on
Sunday or, for those in serious marathon training, at the Cranleigh 15 /
21 miles.
The week after, Saturday March 23rd, will be the Baker Cup 3 miles road
handicap in Richmond Park. It's only three miles and it's road so we'll be
hoping for a good turnout of all ages and speeds.
In the evening at the Rose of York, Petersham Road, will be the annual
Baker Cup supper and prize presentation. This year it will be dedicated to
the memory of Bill Day and it will be FREE of charge to all club members.
Guests will have to pay a fiver. We're limited to 65 places, so early
booking is advised. When you book please state your menu selection, which
you must then keep to! No changing your mind on the night. Book with Bev
Ali at the club on Tuesday and Thursday nights or mailto:bev.ali@fluor.com
or mailto:bxali@hotmail.com; you can also book with Mike Peace on
Wednesday nights or mailto:admin@frimley.surrey.sch.uk; or just add your
name to the list on the clubhouse noticeboard. Menu choices are: (Starter)
Eggs Mayonnaise or Pate and Toast or Prawn Cocktail or Mixed Salad; (Main
Course) Roast Chicken or Roast Beef or Lasagne or Vegetarian (tba).
Desserts can be selected on the night.
99 young men and one young woman, representing 11 schools, turned out for
the Ranelagh Cup schools race on Saturday. Gale force winds brought even
the leader to a virtual standstill on the last hill, hence the relatively
slow times. Many of the schools were also missing their top runners at the
English Schools championships and this was probably the reason that
Winchester just failed to retain the trophy they have come to regard as
their property. Despite having six in the top 14 they were pipped by one
point by Charterhouse whose four scorers were home in the top ten.
1 J Hogan (Winchester) 22.39
2 G Gristwood (RGS Guildford) 23.29
3 J Worcester (Lancing) 23.39
(Scoring 4)
1 Charterhouse 31
2 Winchester 32
3 RGS Guildford 48
When the scholars had disappeared to consume large quantities of tea and
buns in the clubhouse and the inevitable lost laggard had found his way
back, we were finally ready to start our 10 miles handicap for the Clutton
Cup. Only 21 started, making some of the starting intervals very big
indeed. As they came past the shivering and windswept officials at half
way the clever money was on Sue Ashley; and the clever money was proved
right.
First across the line by a country mile (the country in this case being
the Czech Republic) was new member Jaroslav Hajny, but he was guesting.
Much later Sue appeared, hotly pursued by Paul Doyle; and then a minute
later Mike Peace outsprinted Kevin Jacques for third. But never could
there have been three more reluctant prize winners. Sue didn't want to win
the Cup (for the second time, too!) because she felt that she hadn't run
enough in Ranelagh races this year. Paul did his best to run Sue down, but
didn't really want to win because he'd won one handicap already this
season. Mike battled all the way with Kevin but cursed when he found he'd
finished third: he's currently the leader in the Points Prize, and the 10
points on offer for finishing 4th would have secured him that trophy.
Third place bags a bronze medal but no points.
Paul, Kevin and Mike secured the three fastest times too, and Sue was the
fastest woman, so the prizes were spread very thinly. Mike found some
consolation for his meagre return of two bronze medals by literally
running into Hugh Grant as he warmed down. The "News of the World" has the
full story.
We had three runners at the Bramley 20 miles on 24th February. Lucy Facer
reports:
"It was well attended since it was part of the Runners World Team in
Training event. I was fearful of following the pacers after hearing
reports from the Richmond Park Training Run where the pacers went too fast
by all accounts.... I basically took it steady at my own pace and was
pleased with my time".
1 R Bentley (Wessex) 1.51.29
315 Stephen Stuart 2.33.00
340 Alberto Simon 2.33.37
538 Lucy Facer 2.48.22
Lizzie Clifford ran an excellent 92.19 for 10th in the Petersfield Half
Marathon on March 10th, while in the Team Solent 5km on the same day Allan
Lang secured another victory in the over 60s section in 19.43.
GREEN BELT RELAY
on May 11th and 12th. Fuller details of stages etc to follow next week. We
have to decide how many teams to run by the end of the month, as entries
close on April 8th. So if you're interested in taking part and haven't
already contacted me please do so as soon as possible
(mailto:srowland@calorgas.co.uk).
NEXT...
More details of the following from Andy Bickerstaff (07966 552302 /
mailto:norris.hobs@ndirect.co.uk) or Sarah Seal (020 8995 2380 /
mailto:sarahs@walker.co.uk).
Saturday March 23rd Baker Cup 3 miles road handicap in Richmond Park.
3pm start for the shortest handicap race of the year. In the evening will
be the club supper and prize-giving. See above for details.
ON THE ROAD
Our club 20 miles championship will be held with the Worthing 20 on March
24th. The next road Grand Prix event after this Sunday's Thames Towpath 10
will of course be the London Marathon on April 14th.
Steve Rowland
Telephone: 01926 318734
Fax: 0870 4006901
e-mail: srowland@calorgas.co.uk