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Newsdesk 2020
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RANELAGH HARRIERS E-NEWS # 576 2nd October 2020
Editor: Steve Rowland
mailto: sandsrowland@btinternet.com
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LONDON MARATHON TO BE A BEACON OF LIGHT SAYS HUGH BRASHER (from AW)
This Sunday the greatest marathon runners in the world will battle it out on a bio-secure
course in St James’s Park in London while elsewhere 45,000 ordinary runners will
simultaneously tackle their own virtual 26.2-mile challenge from home. It is happening
against all the odds and Hugh Brasher, the race director of the Virgin Money London Marathon, hopes it will be a “beacon of light in the darkness”.
“I am really proud that we’ve been agile enough to put this race on and have been given
the support to do it,” said Brasher, referring to the problems caused by the coronavirus pandemic. “I hope we can be a beacon of light in the darkness and that this event will
show the power of the family of mankind coming together which was a value that my father
(Chris Brasher) and John Disley set out in 1981.”
On the eve of the 40th race this weekend, Brasher said: “When I go for a run, I go past
my dad’s grave every now and again. And I had a quiet little chat with him recently where
I told him how crazy this is, but this is what we’re doing’.” Brasher admitted his one-way
conversation with his father from beyond the grave is “an odd story” but it typifies an
unusual year and, following the postponement of the original race in April, he added his
team were “delighted to be able to hold this event with the world’s greatest athletes and
at the same time with 45,000 in the largest ever virtual marathon in the world, doing it
their way, from their homes. “It will be a 40th race that we believe will live long in the
memories for being ‘different’ but for being appropriate for the world that we live in. And
even though those 45,000 people are doing that race apart, they are still doing it as one community.”
Speaking five days before the race, Brasher also revealed the elite fields had lost
their first athlete, Degitu Azimeraw, due to coronavirus. The 21-year-old, who ran the
second-fastest debut marathon in history and a course record of 2:19:26 to win in
Amsterdam 12 months ago, tested positive in Ethiopia before travelling to London.
Ethiopian coach Haji Adilo, who advises London Marathon competitors Alemu Megertu and
Shura Kitata, also tested positive before travelling but he had not had contact with
his athletes in the previous fortnight so they are still safe to race.They are the first
casualties of a stringent system that sees athletes and event staff tested firstly in
their country of origin, followed by a further test at their hotel on arrival in London
and again 48 hours before the race on October 4. Organisers will be hoping there are no
more positive tests. But nothing is being left to chance with athletes and organisers
this week wearing Bump technology – a gadget that buzzes if someone gets too close to you.
Whatever happens now, London looks certain to be the only race in the Abbott World
Marathon Majors series to take place this autumn. “We have a quick course,” says
Brasher, on a St James’s Park loop that takes place next to Buckingham Palace and
which was almost chosen for the INEOS 1:59 Challenge last year. “And you cannot be
in a more iconic location in the world.”
The elite races are set to be shown live on an unprecedented 8hr 20min worth of BBC
coverage on Sunday. This includes wheelchair races where an innovation includes
mid-race sprints to earn bonus prize money and to “ignite” the races in a similar
style to those seen in cycling races over the years. “We need to see something that’s
going to entertain and inspire us,” says Brasher, “and running, cycling and walking
are things people are doing more now as a result of Covid-19.” In addition to the
televised races and 45,000 runners tackling a virtual marathon, there is also a
virtual Virgin Money Giving Mini London Marathon with 150,000 primary school children
running 2.6 miles this week. “It shows the power of the brand and the inspiration,”
says Brasher.
40th LONDON MARATHON – VIRTUALLY
Mike Peace writes:
Some of you may know that I will be running - well trying to - my 40th consecutive
London Marathon (virtually) on Oct. 4th.This year’s event, for the first time, will
not be in London, apart from the elite 30 to 40 runners who will be running multiple
laps of St James’s Park. The official London Marathon on the 26th April was postponed
until 4th Oct and subsequently cancelled as a result of the continuing concerns about
coronavirus. As a consequence The London Marathon organisation have arranged a virtual
event to represent the 40th race and people around the country and beyond our shores
will be completing 26.2 miles on a course of their choosing, probably near to home or
at least on familiar territory.
In the process many will be hoping to raise money to support the many charities that
have suffered a huge loss of income due to the current pandemic. I will be completing
the challenge - at a leisurely pace - to support our local Rowcroft Hospice and hope
to raise as much as possible to help their valuable work. If you want to shout abuse,
offer sustenance or throw money (preferably not coins!) at an old jogger (I used to be
a runner) then please see below. ALL TIMES ARE APPROXIMATE. Sunday 4th Oct - start in
Moretonhampstead 09.00. Cycle path to Lustleigh (9.40 ish). Parke/Bovey (10.15). Chudleigh
Knighton via footpaths (10.50). Clay Pits Way cycle path Kingsteignton (11.20) Newton
Abbot racecourse (11.45) Stover path (12.00+) Bovey Tracey/Parke (13.00+) Lustleigh (13.30)
Online donations: - Virgin Money giving; Michael Peace 40th London M virtually.
Please share with anyone who may be interested. If you’ve read all this - ‘Thank you’.
If you’re thinking of donating ‘Thank you very much’. If you’ve donated already, well
done and ‘Thank you very much indeed’. Anyone wishing to join in - cycling, running or
walking (watching!) is very welcome. Post run drink - in the pub circa 14.30 (hopefully).
Mike Peace (see above, Michael for donations)
VIRTUAL LONDON MARATHON
The weather forecast for Sunday’s Virtual London Marathon is anything but promising,
so the best of luck to all those taking part.
PAGE CUP 5 miles VIRTUAL HANDICAP Friday 25th to Sunday 27th September
Suzy Whatmough and James Ritchie report:
This weekend was the final club handicap race for 2020, the Page Cup. As has become
the norm nowadays, it was held virtually with 43 of you running it at some point between
Friday morning and Sunday evening. Most of you made it to Richmond Park to run the course
(or your own versions of the course, not necessarily intentional)! Meanwhile Simon Taylor
and John Scally both creatively ran their own versions of the Page Cup further afield.
This course is the same as the Coad Cup, though this time round it certainly felt a lot
cooler, and it was a bit blowy out there this weekend. Hopefully you didn’t all get that
headwind on the return around Sidmouth Wood!
In the handicap, Lloyd Camp won the virtual Page Cup with a clear victory, just under
40 seconds ahead of the next runner. Sally Bamford was second, and Sarah Palmer was
chasing close behind in third.
Gary Armstrong once again set a strong lead for the men, which nobody could beat over
the weekend. Jonny Smith came in second place, followed by James Riley. For the women,
Sarah Palmer took the lead, beating her Coad Cup course time and earning herself a place
in the overall top 10 speed order (as well as bronze in the handicap). She was followed by
Clare Fowler in second, and Suzy Whatmough in third.
Whilst a couple of you set PBs (well done Andy Starr and Claire Warner!), others were
taking it relatively easy in preparation for marathons this weekend. Good luck to all
racing in the inaugural virtual London Marathon!
As yet we’re not sure whether we’ll be doing more virtual races, or if/when actual races
will resume. Stay tuned for more updates and in the meantime, stay safe and happy running!
Podiums:
Handicap:
?? Lloyd Camp 26:34 (38:24 actual)
?? Sally Bamford 27:12 (42:02)
?? Sarah Palmer 27:18 (33:18)
Women:
?? Sarah Palmer 33:18
?? Clare Fowler 35:04
?? Suzy Whatmough 35:18
Men:
?? Gary Armstrong 28:30
?? Jonathan Smith 28:59
?? James Riley 29:42
Full results
Hcap Hcap Actual Speed
Pos. Name Time Allow Time Order
1 Lloyd Camp 26.34 11.50 38.24 24
2 Sally Bamford 27.12 14.50 42.02 31
3 Sarah Palmer 27.18 6.00 33.18 9
4 Alberto Esguevillas 27.21 8.20 35.41 17
5 Jeremy Day 27.23 11.40 39.03 27
6 Jarryd Hillhouse 27.46 6.00 33.46 10
7 Claire Warner 27.47 14.10 41.57 30
8 Amrut Sharma 27.48 10.20 38.08 23
9 Jonathan Smith 27.49 1.10 28.59 2
10 Ed Smith 27.54 8.30 36.24 20
11 Marcus Atkins 28.03 7.50 35.53 18
12 Wiebke Kortum 28.04 8.50 36.54 21
13 Clare Day 28.05 15.00 43.05 33
14 Richard Willoughby 28.14 5.40 33.54 11
15 David Lawley 28.16 2.20 30.36 6
16 Andy Starr 28.28 1.50 30.18 4
17 Gary Armstrong 28.30 0.00 28.30 1
18 Clare Fowler 28.34 6.30 35.04 12
19 Alison Targett 28.38 17.30 46.08 35
20 David Ready 28.39 1.50 30.29 5
21 James Russell 28.39 7.00 35.39 16
22 Gordon Whitson 28.40 9.20 38.00 22
23 Felix von Schubert 28.41 10.50 39.31 28
24 Fiona Pugh 29.01 15.30 44.31 34
25 Gareth Williams 29.02 1.10 30.12 3
26 Rebecca Bissell 29.12 9.20 38.32 25
27 Ed Forbes 29.15 2.20 31.35 7
28 Alex Ring 29.25 6.10 35.35 14
29 Sue Camp 29.46 17.30 47.16 36
30 Suzy Whatmough 30.08 5.10 35.18 13
31 Cecily Day 30.18 8.20 38.38 26
32 Marianne Malam 31.22 9.10 40.32 29
33 James Ritchie 31.37 4.40 36.17 19
34 Dave Kew 31.44 17.00 48.44 37
35 Neil Rae 31.47 3.50 35.37 15
36 Ed Perry 32.23 0.50 33.13 8
37 Becky Northmore 33.27 9.10 42.37 32
38 Simon Lawrence 34.06 15.00 49.06 38
Also , not on Page course:
James Riley 29.42, Ben Shore 35.50, Simon Taylor 41.01, Janet Turnes 52.25, John Scally 54.35
VIRTUAL WATER MARATHON RELAY Thursday 17th to Sunday 27th September
This was organised by The Stragglers to replace the River Relay which normally takes place
at this time of the year. We and 26.2 RRC were invited to join in but in the end only eleven teams took part,
seven of them from Ranelagh.
Obviously with the current restrictions this was not a relay in the true sense of the word.
Teams of five each ran a distance which together totalled the full marathon. Most competitors
elected to run a little over 5 miles / 8km, but each run had to be partly alongside water, be it a river or a lake.
As usual in these virtual events Garmins or some such were used to
measure the distance run. Ten days were allowed to run and register each performance.
It turned out to be a very successful event for Ranelagh – first and second men’s team,
first, second and fourth mixed team, first women’s team and first mixed vets team. Nick
Impey recorded the fastest time of 28.55 for the men’s A team, with Gareth Williams and
Ed Perry also inside the half-hour. Richard Kimber and James Riley both recorded 31.17
for the men’s B team. James Whistler was slightly faster for the mixed A team with 30.41,
while that team’s female representation Kathy Henry and Natalie Haarer ran 37.40 and 37.50 respectively.
In the actual women’s team fastest were Suzy Whatmough 34.39 and Nicola Douglas 34.50.
In the mixed B team fastest man was Ed Forbes on 33.30, while fastest woman was Cecily
Day with 38.29. In the mixed vets team Wiebke Kortum set a time of 38.32 and Richard
Willoughby ran 34.50. Finally bringing up the rear was the mixed C team headed by Carol
Aikin on 45.06 and Dave Kew on 49.18.
1 Ranelagh A 2:28.45 (1st men’s team)
Nick Impey 28.55 distance run 8.5k
Gareth Williams 29.44 8.43k
Ed Perry 29.46 5.24m
Gary Armstrong 30.08 8.44k
Tony Barreda 30.12 8.5k
2 Ranelagh B 2:37.22 (2nd men’s team)
Andy Starr 31.40 5.24m
Dave Lawley 32.15 5.24m
Richard Kimber 31.17 5.24m
Pete Smith 31.29 5.24m
James Riley 31.17 5.24m
3 Ranelagh Mixed A 2:47.59 (1st mixed team)
Kathy Henry 37.40 8.44k
Natalie Haarer 37.50 5.26m
James Whistler 30.41 5.24m
Rick Jenner 30.57 5.24m
Ross Macdonald 30.51 5.26m
4 Ranelagh Women A 2:56.21 (1st women’s team)
Clare Fowler 35.57 8.45k
Nicola Douglas 34.50 5.21m
Sally Minchella 36.18 8.45k
Sarah Palmer 35.22 5.24m
Suzy Whatmough 34.39 8.46k
5 Stragglers Women 2:59.02 (2nd women’s team)
6 Ranelagh Mixed B 3:01.36 (2nd mixed team)
Ed Forbes 33.30 5.24m
Phil Roberts 38.30 5.24m
Neil Rae 36.00 5.24m
Cecily Day 38.29 5.24m
Rebecca Bissell 40.07 5.26m
7 Ranelagh Mixed Vets 3:10.41 (1st mixed Vets team)
Sally Bamford 43.45 5.24m
Wiebke Kortum 38.32 5.26m
Marcus Atkins 37.34 8.45k
Richard Willoughby 34.50 5.24m
John Shaw 36.00 5.25m
8 26.2 Mixed 3:27.52 (3rd mixed team)
9 Stragglers Mixed Vets 3:33.58 (2nd mixed vets team)
10 Stragglers Mixed Vets B 3:42.12 (3rd mixed vets team)
11 Ranelagh Mixed C 3:51.41 (4th mixed team)
Ria Woodfield 45.50 5.24m
Carol Aikin 45.06 5.24m
Clare Day 45.54 5.24m
Alison Targett 46.18 5.27m
Dave Kew 49.18 5.26m
KEW GARDENS 10k Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th September at Kew Gardens
We missed some good performances from the results listed in the last e-news, including several PBs. Well done all!.
Saturday
28 Ed Perry 35.02
1037 Andrew Brown 58.00
1094 Adrian Coates 58.56
1292 Jo Marshall 62.33
1422 Narissa Vox 64.56
Sunday
17 Gareth Williams 35.13
40 Pete Smith 37.18
465 Paul Gilbert 48.52
809 James Old 54.25
1216 Colette Doran 62.10
Ed Perry writes on Facebook:
Oh how we’ve all missed RACING!
And this was the week the the blue and gold most certainly came roaring back to the
start lines, and what a joy it was!
From personal experience, down at the Kew 10k, I think the first thing that should be
said is a massive thank you to all race directors, marshals, volunteers and no doubt
countless others who have overcome obstacle after obstacle to bring racing back in a safe
environment for all of us. And well done to everyone attending, who seemed to be just
overwhelmingly grateful for the chance to race again, and abided by the extended list
of rules and regulations to ensure everyone was safe and well - long may that respect last!
It was exhilarating to experience the pre-race camaraderie from all assembled as we all
found our way in this same-but different world. To feel once more that pump of adrenaline
on the start line and the relief as the waiting ended and the race began.
As those familiar and much missed feelings of racing hard, chasing others, being caught,
dropped, pushing on against body and mind, overtaking, and the exhilaration of crossing
that finish line and starting the debrief came flooding back - it was as if one much missed
building block of normality had returned. What a weekend!
BEWL WATER MARATHON Saturday 19th September
Andy Freeman finished 3rd in 3.18.
NEW FOREST MARATHON Saturday 19th September
Nick Twomey finished 8th in 3.08.46 and Jon Lear was 282nd in 4.57.32.
BOSTON MARATHON
Of course, this should have been the rescheduled Boston Marathon - and so back in
Virtual world a crew set off from Windsor to Richmond to complete it. Congratulations
to Bruce McLaren, Kathy Henry, Richard Gurd and Simon Martin - and to all those who
supported them. 4 Hours was the goal - well accomplished! Wear your finisher tops with
pride!
FARNHAM PILGRIM HALF MARATHON Sunday 13th September
While all that was going down, in deepest darkest Surrey another Ranelagh crew was gearing
up to tackle the Farnham Pilgrim Half. With 1000ft of elevation, beautiful scenery and excellent
signposting - it was obviously the trail-runners choice for the weekend.
1 R O’Neill (unatt) 1:25.47
24 D Mangan (Fleet) 1:47.00 1st Woman
30 William Griffin 1:48.25
33 Jarryd Hillhouse 1:48.52
50 Rebecca Bissell 1:55.11
65 Lloyd Camp 1:59.10
71 Amrut Sharma 2:01.32
82 Aoife Kilpatrick 2:05.52
88 Marie-Anne Duncan 2:07.51
103 John Hillhouse 2:12.31
104 Gavin Hillhouse 2:12.32
138 Sue Camp 2:21.48
158 Tamsin Burland 2:26.43
194 Michelle Hillhouse 2:43.16
195 Robert Hillhouse 2:43.17
EXMOOR 10k Saturday 12th September
Eirin McDaid was a clear winner in 46.36, with Keeley Phillips 38th in 85.51.
SOUTH LONDON ATHLETICS NETWORK FINAL CHANCE MEETING Saturday 26th September
Tom Armstrong ran 53.01 for 3rd in the junior 400m.
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JOHN OFFLEY
We are sorry to report the death last month of John Offley. Although a first-claim member
of Thames Valley Harriers he was for many years a Ranelagh member while he was living in
Richmond. Ultras were his speciality and with Ranelagh support he twice attempted to set
a new solo record for the 267 miles Pennine Way. Luck was not with him on either occasion.
His first attempt coincided with an exceptionally hot weekend and he fell 96 minutes short
of the record. Twelve months later he tried again, only to turn his ankle badly on the first
day, Our commiserations go to his wife Beryl who was also a Ranelagh member and a successful Orienteer.
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