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Newsdesk 2021
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RANELAGH HARRIERS E-NEWS # 591 5th September 2021
Editor: Steve Rowland
mailto: sandsrowland@btinternet.com
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THOMAS CUP 3.85 miles HANDICAP
Saturday 18th September in Richmond Park.
This is the traditional opener for our "winter" season. It's over one lap of our
"mob match" course, 3.85 miles starting and finishing by Sidmouth Wood opposite
Pembroke Lodge. Entry is free but you must register in advance. The closing date for
registration is midnight on 14th September. Details and registration here:
HELP NEEDED FOR SURREY LEAGUE RACES Saturday 16th October
Ranelagh is hosting the first Surrey Cross Country League fixture for Divisions 1 and 2
Women and Division 1 Men on Saturday 16 October 2021. This will require a big effort from
the club.
The first race which is for Division 1 Senior Women starts at 11.00, and is followed at
12.00 by U15/17 girls and at 12.30 U13 girls and then the Division 2 Senior Women's
race at 13.00. These will then be followed by U13 and U15/17 boys' races and finally
the Senior Men Division 1 Race at 15.00. The start and finish area will be located close
to Sheen Cross in Richmond Park. The course covers an area between the top of Queen's Ride,
Pen Ponds and the Ballet School.
Marshals are needed to provide cover either in the morning from a 10.30 briefing until
after the final Women's race at around 13:30; or from 13.00 (briefing) until almost
16.00 when the final men's race finishes. Any marshal wanting to cover both the women's
and men's races may of course do so.
In addition we mustn't forget that we also need good representation from the club in
the races. Anyone who wishes to run should do so. It may be possible for some to double-up
racing and marshalling!
Marshalling is an excellent way to support the club, cheer on Ranelagh's runners and
contribute to a successful Surrey X Country League fixture. We really need as many as
possible so please sign up if you are able to come along. We also need members to assist
at the start area and particularly at the finish of the men's races in the afternoon.
Any member wanting to act as Marshall and/or to help out at the start and finish area
should contact Gordon Whitson at ranelagh.hon.secretary@gmail.com
DAVE'S CRAZY TRACK MEET
Crazy Track Meet, Sunday 22nd August 2-6pm at Osterley Track
Dave Lawley reports:
A long time in the making, Rick Jenner and I had been talking about a crazy, fun, and
family Ranelagh social track meet for a while. Over a few beers, the ideas and events
inevitably flew wildly beyond the realms of possibility, but we knew we were all overdue
some fun and with Ranelagh resuming track sessions why not give it a go? Several dates
changes and venue swaps later we finally had the green light.
The loose idea of the meet was to combine some 'serious' more traditional track events
and distances with some more untraditional /crazy ones .... Michael Fish even lived up to
his reputation of getting the weather forecast hopelessly wrong, as we were blessed with
lovely sunshine and not the rain forecast
With just over 50 entrants, everyone was split into coloured teams and between the
individual (serious) events there were points up for grabs in the team events such as:
Team relay (Skipping, hurdles, bat & ball, basketball bounce, ball between the
knees and dizzy sticks for hilarity - David Ready spectacularly ran in all 6 lanes
whilst trying to navigate to the finish line)
3 -legged race
Partner carrying ask Rick!
Backwards 100m Amrut Sharma impressively running just as fast backwards as
he did forwards
4x200m(?) relay
There were also some field events in the form of Long Jump, Nerf Throwing and the hotly
contested, and ultimately decisive, Slippy-slide. The Blue team, consisting of: the Perry
family, Ellie Lawley, Ross Macdonald and Obi Morris came out victorious on the day,
although the Purple team actually dominated but only managed a paltry 1m on the
Slippy-slide compared to the Blue team's world record equalling 36.3m.
On the traditional side of things there were some excellent performances.
Vaughan Ramsay proving his track pedigree and experience with not only the
quickest 400m (63s) but also the quickest 100m (13.8s). Word to the wise: don't
leave it to a sprint finish with this veteran but feel secure in his abysmal elimination
race tactics.
Ross Macdonald's 9.38 3k
Hadi Khatamizadeh's all-round excellent form (5.45 mile, 71s 400m, 11.48 3k)
and sinking a few large Budweiser's for good measure at the end.
Nice to see Becky Curtis-Hall back at it (5.54 mile) and Rebecca Northmore (88s
400m, 6.56 mile)
We were amazed to see Mark Herbert fresh (!?!?!) from running an incredible 1.18
Big Half marathon to then show up and win the elimination race, run a 10.39 3k and drink
a few beers quicker than anyone else at the end. Thirsty work, I am sure.
We saved the best for last with the elimination mile races think track cycling elimination
racing, and if we do it again next year (hopefully) we will include more events like this.
There were three races, and each were quite different and made for great spectating. Mark
Herbert bolted for the line on the last bend (of course he did), leaving David Ready for
dust, in race one. Bruce McLaren was solid and had sound tactics to hold off Hadi in race
two, Becky Curtis-Hall and Ann Kearey devastated to be knocked out early doors too, and
Gareth Williams strolled to victory in race three.
By all accounts it was a really fun day, especially seeing friends and family new and old,
and we definitely hope to do it again. Thanks to those who have given us some excellent
feedback too, gratefully received.
Speaking of thanks, huge kudos to everyone for offering a very welcome hand but especially:
The club for supporting the event,
Gordon Whitson for giving up his afternoon to officiate and time-keep,
Olly Pareja and Katie Walton for sorting the results and her millionaire shortbread
(OMG!) giving Ann Keareys brownies a run(!) for their money,
Ellie Lawley for providing the tuneage and being a good all-round egg
Results & Photos:
For a full list of the results click here:
Photos, courtesy of Narissa Vox: here:
SUBS AND REGISTRATION
You will have seen a number of reminders in the e-news regarding the payment of Ranelagh
subscription fees which were due on 1 April 2021 for the 2021/22 season. For those of you
who have not got round to paying yet, there are a couple of important dates approaching.
The first is 31 August 2021 which is the deadline imposed this year (normally it is 30 June)
by England Athletics for payment of the £15 registration fee for 2021/22, after which an
athlete's registered status lapses. Ranelagh pays the registration fee to EA on behalf of
club members but only once a member has paid his or her annual Ranelagh subscription fee.
The second date is that of 18 September 2021, the day of the Opening Run/Thomas Cup handicap.
The Club Constitution and Rules states that a member may be deemed ineligible to compete
in club events if the subscription fee is unpaid at the date of the Opening Run. So I would
encourage all who have not yet paid to do so soon.
Subs are £50 for seniors, £20 for second-claim members, £25 for those who are retired
and over 60, £20 for under 20s and students, and £10 for non-running members. There is
also a £90 family membership. Preferred method of payment is by Bank Transfer: our
account is at HSBC, sort code 40-23-29, account number 81109847; please add a message,
for example SubscriptionJSmith.
A Standing Order form is available from our website here:.
Alternatively post a cheque to Membership Secretary, Ranelagh Harriers, 135a Petersham Road,
Richmond, Surrey TW10 7AA or leave it in an envelope at the clubhouse. For any queries,
e-mail the Membership Secretary aachrisowens@yahoo.co.uk.
I would like to remind you all again that any member who is struggling in the current
difficult financial environment to find the money to pay the subscription fee but who
wishes to continue enjoying the benefits of club membership is encouraged to contact
either the Membership Secretary or one of the Club's Welfare Officers, Clare Fowler or
Rob Curtis.
Gordon Whitson
Hon.Sec.
RESULT
Ratchford Relay Tuesday 17th August in Richmond Park
Gordon Whitson reports:
We were very pleased that Frances Ratchford, the Surrey CAA Chairman, was able to attend
and help organise the annual Ratchford Relay event. Women's captain, Suzy Whatmough, did
an excellent team selection job as all 9 teams of 3 runners taking part closed in within
1 min 54 secs. The overall standard of the race was higher than in recent years with 5
teams finishing inside 26 minutes.
Competition for the first three places was fierce. As is usually the case with this form
of relay race, the result was determined by the performance of the "slow" runner. Recently
joined junior, Amelia Grossman, selected as a "slow", proved to be a real dark horse as
she carved through the field on the 4th lap and handed Ann Kearey a lead that she and Maggie
Allen hung on to all the way to the finish. Their finishing time of 25.02 was just 8 seconds
faster than the 25.10 recorded by the Louisa Scott, Jo Kingston and Jackie Dunkley combo in
second place, with the third placed team of Kathy Henry, Lorena Galvani and Matteus closing
in shortly after in 25.31.
The timekeepers were unable to separate Steph Tindall and Cecily Day on lap 1. Both clocked
3.29, a time which proved to be the fastest of the evening. Special mention goes to junior
Maya Lepine who ran three swift laps for her team and Ben Rushby who totally outsprinted
his mum at the end of his second lap.
1st Team
7 Maggie Allen 3.54 3.54
7 Ann Kearey 8.20 4.26
4 Maggie Allen 12.24 4.04
1 Amelia Grossman 16.36 4.08
1 Ann Kearey 21.04 4.28
1 Maggie Allen 25.02 3.58
2nd Team
5 Louisa Scott 3.46 3.36
1 Jo Kingston 7.40 3.54
1 Louisa Scott 11.31 3.51
4 Jackie Dunkley 17.19 5.48
3 Jo Kingston 21.17 3.58
2 Louisa Scott 25.10 3.53
3rd Team
9 Kathy Henry 4.08 4.08
9 Matteus 8.56 4.48
5 Lorena Galvani 12.49 3.53
2 Kathy Henry 17.05 4.16
2 Lorena Galvani 21.13 4.08
3 Kathy Henry 25.31 4.18
4th Team
2 Cecily Day 3.29 3.29
4 Clare Corkish 8.00 4.31
8 Bronwen Northmore 13.52 5.52
5 Cecily Day 17.26 3.34
5 Clare Corkish 21.57 4.31
4 Cecily Day 25.34 3.37
5th Team
6 Maya Lepine 3.49 3.49
6 Rebecca Northmore 8.17 4.28
7 Narissa Vox 13.16 4.59
3 Maya Lepine 17.15 3.59
4 Rebecca Northmore 21.44 4.29
5 Maya Lepine 25.52 4.08
6th Team
4 Sarah Palmer 3.43 3.43
3 Alison Lepine 7.53 4.10
2 Sarah Palmer 11.32 3.39
6 Wendy Fisher 17.40 6.08
6 Alison Lepine 22.24 4.44
6 Sarah Palmer 26.14 3.50
7th Team
1 Steph Tindall 3.29 3.29
5 Ben Rushby 8.08 4.39
3 Steph Tindall 11.47 3.39
9 Anne Marie Goodridge 18.30 6.43
9 Ben Rushby 22.52 4.22
7 Steph Tindall 26.29 3.37
8th Team
3 Andrew 3.37 3.37
2 Susan Ritchie 7.43 4.06
9 Katrina Roche 14.10 6.27
8 Andrew 18.25 4.15
8 Susan Ritchie 22.47 4.22
8 Andrew 26.54 4.07
9th Team
8 Wiekbe Kortum 4.06 4.06
8 Rachel Revett 8.44 4.38
6 Wiekbe Kortum 12.58 4.14
7 Lara Hughes 18.05 5.07
7 Rachel Revett 22.43 4.38
9 Wiekbe Kortum 26.56 4.13
Dash For The Splash 10k Sunday 15th August on Wimbledon Common
…the splash being the crossing of Beverly Brook.
20 Michael Morris 46.16
43 Steve Aikin 51.37
80 Marie Synnott-Wells 57.40
88 Carol Aikin 59.42
89 Ann Kearey 59.43
131 Alan Meaden 75.34
133 David Meaden 79.18
Wimbledon Common Trail Race Series Race 3 Wednesday 1st September 5 miles
This was the last for this year of Andy Bickerstaff's popular evening 5 miles races
on Wimbledon Common. Fulham and Clapham dominated as usual but a few podium slots were
filled by Ranelagh Marie Synnott-Wells and Sally Bamford 1st and 3rd FV55s (with
Carol Aikin 4th), and Rebecca Bissell 3rd FV45.
38 Ed Smith 34.46
49 Nick Fordham 35.56
82 Rebecca Bissell 39.30
109 Marie Synnott-Wells 42.25
125 Sally Bamford 44.17
131 Carol Aikin 44.56
143 Ciaran O'Donnell 47.39
154 Peter Fordham 51.14
Surrey County Road Relays Saturday 4th September at Wimbledon Park
We had only a token presence with both our men's team and our women's team finishing
13th.
Senior men
Ross Macdonald 17.03, Chris Bundhun 17.48, Mike Thomas 18.37, Neil Rae 17.44, David Lawley
16.19, Gareth Williams 16.03
Senior women
Suzy Whatmough 18.53, Marie Synnott-Wells 23.04, Rachel Revett 22.44, Wiebke Kortum 20.53
Senior women B
Rebecca Bissell 21.16, Alison Targett 24.51
River Relay Sunday 5th September Boveney – Ham
This relay along the Thames requires mixed teams of five people. There must be at least
one woman, the others can be a woman, a male Veteran (over 40) but there must be not
more than three Senior Men. The route runs from Boveney to the Hawker Centre at Ham,
a total distance of 26.6 miles. There are five stages. Ranelagh's first team (the
Rockets) were always well placed and were holding second place after two legs, before
coming in 5th. Our other two teams - the Radicals and the Rapids - finished 22nd
and 40th out of 59 finishing teams. There were several good individual runs including
Suzy Whatmough who was the fastest woman on stage 4.
1 Elmbridge RR 2:44.41
5 Ranelagh Rockets 2:59.35
22 Ranelagh Radicals 3:29.33
40 Ranelagh Rapids 3:47.52
Stage 1 5.6m 3 Steph Tindall 36.19
28 Maggie Allen 43.22
52 Aoife Kilpatrick 53.45
Stage 2 4.4m 2 Mike Morris 29.11
27 Carol Aikin 38.44
42 Ann Kearey 35.01
Stage 3 6.5m 6 Jarryd Hillhouse 43.43
29 Rebecca Bissell 50.21
43 Rachel Revett 54.33
Stage 4 4.9m 5 Phil Andrews 36.06
16 Suzy Whatmough 34.03
38 Gavin Hillhouse 39.02
Stage 5 5.2m 5 Vaughan Ramsay 34.16
22 Clare Warner 43.03
40 Sally Bamford 45.31
VITALITY BIG HALF MARATHON Sunday 22nd August in London
Another huge central London race. Nick Impey ran an excellent 71.52 in 38th place despite
breathing problems.
38 Nick Impey 1:11.52
218 Mark Herbert 1:18.44
386 Bob Tinsley 1:20.32
453 Paul Doyle 1:23.16
705 Jarryd Hillhouse 1:26.59
874 Bill Neely 1:28.53
1201 Alex Ring 1:32.37
3422 Ciaran O'Donnell 1:50.18
4629 Fiona Pugh 1:57.38
MORE RESULTS
Just a week after his nifty Half Marathon in London Nick Impey was out again at Dorney Lake
where he won by a clear minute and a half in 72.07. A first place was also nabbed by Mick
Lane who was the leading over 60, finishing 49th in 90.06.
There was another win for Ranelagh at the Thorp and Egham 10k on 22nd August.
This was Jimmy Whistler who ran 36.29. In the accompanying Half Marathon Natalie
Haarer was 10th woman in 99.19.
Running in the colours of her first claim Abingdon AC, Cordy Parker ran 18.08 at
the Run Through Battersea Park 5k on 18th August.
The long standing Last Friday of the Month 5k in Hyde Park is back in action.
On 27th August Paul Doyle ran 18.57 and Carol Aikin 25.03.
The London Spitfire 10k took place on Saturday 28th at the RAF London Museum.
Shaun Griffith finished 6th in 42 minutes dead.
Clare Fowler was 3rd FV40 in 91.36 in the Olympic Park Half Marathon on 5th September.
On the same day Paul Doyle visited Paddock Wood where he ran 83.44 in their Half Marathon.
NEXT
TEAMER
Teamer is the app we use to confirm attendance at races. It's pretty self-explanatory once
you sign up. Join the group and see what it's all about.
Men: Men's Teamer Group Women: Women's Teamer group.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED AT RICHMOND RUNFEST - SUNDAY 12th SEPTEMBER
The Richmond RUNFEST is a two day running event with many volunteer roles including course
marshals, baggage, finish line, water station and directional volunteers.
Volunteer benefits: a technical running tee and invite to the Volunteer VIP tent where
food and drinks celebration awaits! Volunteers can enjoy a free beer, food and soft drinks
at the finish in Old Deer Park in front of the live bands. Volunteers also receive a free
entry into one of our events the following year. For more information please go to
https://www.richmondrunfest.co.uk/get-involved/volunteer-us/
UP AND RUNNING
This comes from Ricky Wood of Up and Running.
I'm writing to inform you of an Assistant Manager position that has become available
at our East Sheen Branch of Up & Running, Please can you pass this information on
to your runners, and should anyone be interested they should contact the store via
email to eastsheen@upandrunning.co.uk Thank You.
Ricky Wood, Store Manager.
LONDON MARATHON Sunday 3rd October and CABBAGE PATCH 10 miles Sunday 17th October.
Good Luck to all those who are taking part.
Harry Hawkes Half Marathon Sunday 26th September at Thames Ditton. In recent years
this has been a 10mile race but for this year and for one year only it's happening as
a half marathon.. Details:.
HARRAC GOES SOUTH
Angus Cater writes:
I don't know if any Ranelagh members would be interested but my story about my 18,500
miles trip around South America in my classic yawl, Harrac, has just been published,
featuring several Ranelagh members. Reviews and the opportunity to purchase, if you so
choose, can be found on anguscaterltd.co.uk
Sue Ashley writes: A tale of adventure by Angus Cater
Back in 2005, I answered an invitation from Angus Cater to members of Ranelagh Harriers
to join him in running the Alderney half marathon (for those who have never done it,
it is a beautiful race giving you a complete tour of this small Channel Island).
Transport to and from the island would be provided by Angus's 45ft wooden yacht, Harrac.
I applied and, despite having no sailing experience and not even being a first claim
member of Ranelagh, Angus welcomed me as a member of the crew, taught me some of the
sailing basics and, ever the gentleman, let me beat him in the race. I returned for the
repeat trip the following year and it was during our post-race dinner that Angus
mentioned his plans for a much more ambitious expedition. This would involve sailing
from the UK across the Atlantic, through the Panama Canal, down the west coast of South
America and across the notoriously stormy Drake passage to reach Smith Island (just off
the Antarctic peninsula).
The aim here was to land two crew members, who were experienced mountaineers, on the
island where they would scale Mount Foster a 6900ft totally ice clad
peak. Harrac would return to pick up the mountaineers and the journey home to the UK would
begin.
To put this voyage in perspective, whilst sailing to Alderney took around 12 hours, the
proposed trip was likely to involve eight months of sailing. The expedition was on a par
with circumnavigating the globe - think of Francis Chichester or Ellen McArthur!
You have to ask why Angus would want to attempt such a challenging journey that was likely
to involve eight months of sailing across sometimes treacherous and stormy waters, in
cramped conditions and with little sleep. The answer is that it was "unfinished business".
Thirty years earlier, Angus's friend and fellow sailor, Simon Richardson, attempted the
same journey on his yacht, En Avant; amongst his crew was Bill Tilman, the legendary
mountaineer of the Mallory Irving era and now in his 80th year. Angus himself had
turned down an invitation to join the crew because his wife was expecting their first
child. Somewhere after leaving South America, the yacht and all hands were lost; no
trace was ever found. Angus's expedition, which set sail from Hamble in September 2007,
was a tribute to his friend.
Obviously Harrac and her crew(s) did not suffer the same fate as En Avant but you will
have to read the book, "Harrac Goes South" to find out what did happen. It is beautifully
written and remains humorous in describing the relationships between crew members (including
three other members of Ranelagh: Tim Woolmer - Canaries to Grenada,
Alan Craig and Sally Meekley - Grenada to Callao, Peru) and the difficulties and dangers
that they experienced. Note that you do not need to be a sailor or to know your 'storm
jib' from your 'spinnaker' to enjoy the book; footnotes explain everything necessary.
KEEP IN TOUCH
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FINALLY
From The Times ...
Robot that taught itself to run (slowly)
It is unlikely to beat you in a race but a two-legged robot called Cassie has set the
standard by running 3 miles - albeit in a sedate 53 minutes (3.5mph). Cassie, which has
a small torso and looks like a creepy ostrich without a head, has delighted engineers at
Agility Robotics by travelling the distance outdoors without assistance and on a single
battery charge. Toddlers learning to walk find running on two legs is a complex business.
Recreating that skill in robots is tricky as it requires "Dynamic balancing in which a
robot can shift positions while moving without falling over. Researchers said Cassie
taught itself to run by constantly making subtle changes to its stature to stay upright
while moving due to a "deep reinforcement learning algorithm". Cassie is way behind her
four-legged rivals: China's Unitree Gol robodog, which runs at 6mph; and the Cheetah bot
made by Boston Dynamics, which reaches 28mph.
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