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Newsdesk 2021
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RANELAGH HARRIERS E-NEWS # 592 26th September 2021
Editor: Steve Rowland
mailto: sandsrowland@btinternet.com
website: www.ranelagh-harriers.com
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PRESIDENT'S LETTER
Dear Ranelagh
Some 18 months after our 2019/2020 season was cut short by Covid, the 2021/22 cross-country
season got underway on a glorious sunny day with our traditional opening race, the Thomas
Cup, which saw a strong turn-out of 57 runners. Well done to Paula Maguire who was first
over the line to collect the trophy, and also to our fastest female and male runners,
Cecily Day and Mark Leyshon, with Mark finishing over a minute ahead of his nearest rival.
Simon Martin, our handicapper, also had a good race with the first 25 runners crossing the
line within just 2 minutes and 90% of runners within 4 minutes of each other!
Next weekend sees the Page Cup on Saturday with the London Marathon on the Sunday (good
luck to all those running), with the Surrey XC Masters championships the following weekend.
After that on 16th October, our attention turns to the Surrey XC League which we are hosting
in Richmond Park. For many of us, the Surrey League races are one of the highlights of the
season and both the men and women are competing in division 1 after the men gained promotion
from division 2. It's very competitive and both our men and women will have to be at their
best; even managing to avoid relegation will be a challenge.
If you've never run in a Surrey League fixture then you're missing out as it's great fun,
very friendly and inclusive and, if anything else, it's a really good training session.
You may be thinking that you're not fast enough to run in a Surrey League race but, as well
as the main team competition, there is also the "B Team" competition so you can still count.
Post-race, I'm sure a number of us will be heading to a local pub for some well-earned
refreshments and a catch-up. So please, come along and run if you can as you could well make
a difference and we need all the runners we can on the day.
As well as runners, being a home fixture, we need a number of marshals to ensure the races
go smoothly. If you're not running, please consider helping out even if it's just for part
of the day. If you (or any willing partners/family) can help, please get in touch with
Gordon Whitson at ranelagh.hon.secretary@gmail.com
Lastly, a special mention to Nick Impey who came 51st in today's Berlin Marathon in an
incredible time of 2:28:11, a PB of over 20 seconds! Well done, Nick.
Ted
COMING UP SOON pre-entry required
PAGE CUP HANDICAP
Saturday 2nd October at 3pm in Richmond Park.
It's a one-lap course of 5 miles starting and finishing by Sidmouth Wood opposite Pembroke
Lodge. Entry is free, all members are welcome but you MUST register in advance.. The closing
date for registration is midnight on Tuesday 28th September.
More information about how handicaps work, plus details, maps and registration, are here:
Start is at 3pm. Numbers must be collected at the start so please arrive in good time.
The clubhouse will be open for tea etc after the race.
SURREY MASTERS (aka veterans) CHAMPIONSHIPS
Saturday 9th October from 1.45pm in Morden Park SM4 4SF
Meeting information supplied by Surrey County AA here:.
Entry here:.
ENTRY FEE £8.00 per athlete but see below
ENTRIES CLOSE 12 NOON Monday 4th OCTOBER 2021
NO LATE ENTRIES. NO ENTRIES ON THE DAY. CLUB VESTS MUST BE WORN.
NOTE you can either enter yourself and pay the £8 OR you can give your details to
ranelagh.hon.secretary@gmail.com (men)
or ranelagh.women@gmail.com (women) and the club will pay for you.
Athletes must have a current EA registration and must be Surrey qualified - to check,
see www.surreyathletics.uk/qualification/index.php.
There are two races:
1.45pm Women & Men M60+, 2 laps, approx. 6.3Km
2.45pm Men M40 & M50, 3 laps, approx. 9.3Km
Collect your number from the registration desk in good time on race day.
There are no changing facilities, but Portaloos will be provided.
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 Marshal and/or to help out at the start and finish area should
contact Gordon Whitson at ranelagh.hon.secretary@gmail.com
CHRISTMAS ALREADY!
Social Secs Rebecca and Hadi write:
Autumn is upon us and time to start thinking about the festive season and a long overdue
Ranelagh party. 2020 was a bit of a DNF on the social front so we plan on making up for
it with the 2021 Christmas party. We would love to see as many of you there as possible.
We have booked the restaurant area at The Anglers in Teddington (on the River by Teddington
lock) on Saturday 11 December from 6pm onwards. As we have most of the downstairs restaurant
area (and some outside space for the hardy folks) where we can have our own music, food,
drinks and most importantly fun (Christmas outfits strongly encouraged).
We will send a link around soon where you can confirm your attendance, select your menu
choices and make payment (2 Course £31.00pp / 3 Course £36.00pp).
RESULTS
Top Kudos goes to our winning women's team in the Middlesex Road Relay Championships at
Minet Park on 12th September. Steph Tindall ran the opening stage and came in with a clear
lead, after which they were never headed. Steph's 10.47 was the fastest time of the day.
Izzy Atkins recorded 12.04 on stage 2 and then Cecily Day brought the team home with an
11.09 clocking.to cross the line in 38.02, over 4 minutes clear of the rest. It was a small
field but hey ' you can only beat who's there!
At the other end of the distance scale Gareth Williams and Bruce McLaren finished a mighty
good 1-2 in the Thames Path Challenge 100k.
Stop Press! Nick Impey's 2:28.11 this morning in the Berlin Marathon certainly warrants
adding here!
THOMAS CUP 3.85 miles HANDICAP
Saturday 18th September in Richmond Park.
Gordon Whitson reports:
The Club's traditional Opening Run, incorporating the Thomas Cup Handicap took place in dry
and warm conditions on Saturday, 18 September 2021. The handicap was contested by 51 eligible
members and a further six recently joined members ran as guests. I think everybody was pleased
that a sense of normality was reasserted in the Club's calendar after all the disruption of
the previous 18 months, caused by the Covid pandemic.
The on-line pre-entry system and allocation of handicaps introduced for our virtual races last
year has been retained, with runners collecting their race numbers at the start.
These organisational changes enabled the race to get underway exactly on schedule at 15:15
when Annemarie Goodridge and Allan Lang were sent on their way. The race also marked a
changing of the guard with a team of "youngsters" dispatching the runners and recording
finishing times and places, though under the critical gaze of Messrs Hedger and Powley.
After an interval close to that foretold by the Handicapper, the leading runner hove into
view and this proved to be Paula Maguire. Second home and 17 second adrift was Phil Roberts
who in turn was 10 seconds clear of a fast-finishing Cecily Day. A large majority of the
field finished within 3 minutes of the winner, putting a complaisant smile on the face of
the Handicapper. Marc Leyshon recorded the fastest time of 21.39, with Dave Lawley second
in 22.41 and President Mockett third in 23.04. Cecily Day was the leading women in 25.41,
one second ahead of Stephanie Tindall, running as a guest. However, Stephanie was one of a
number of runners who managed to run off course either round the back of the Ballet School
and/or on the drag up from Pen Ponds, so times were somewhat distorted.
Winner Paula Maguire adds: "When I was getting tired coach Deborah's words came into my
head ' Make running shapes'. That got me through the tough bits"
After a pandemic-enforced closure of nearly 18 months, the changing facilities of the
Clubhouse were open again following a thorough cleaning by Carol Barnshaw and Clive Naish.
Teas were served by Carol after the race, However, it was noticeable that a good number of
runners went directly to the start prior to the race and either directly home or to the
Roebuck for rehydration afterwards.
H'cap H'cap Actual Speed
Time Allow Time Order
1 Paula Maguire (L) 20.24 16.20 36.44 43
2 Phil Roberts 20.41 8.00 28.41 17
3 Cecily Day (L) 20.51 4.50 25.41 8
4 James Ritchie 20.54 11.20 32.14 35
5 Katrina Roche (L) 20.58 22.20 43.10 50
6 Simon Lawrence 21.04 16.20 37.24 44
7 James Russell 21.12 6.20 27.32 14
8 Duncan Brown 21.14 10.30 31.44 32
9 Claire Warner (L) 21.16 10.30 31.46 33
10 Ann Kearey (L) 21.20 9.50 31.10 29
11 Gavin Hillhouse 21.25 8.10 29.35 24
12 Jeremy Day 21.28 7.40 29.08 21
13 Peter Fordham 21.31 16.40 38.11 45
14 Alex Ring 21.33 5.10 26.43 13
15 Marc Leyshon 21.39 0.00 21.39 1
16 Rebecca Bissell (L) 21.43 7.40 29.23 23
17 Rich Kimber 21.47 1.20 23.07 4
18 David Lawley 21.51 0.50 22.41 2
19 Stephen Aikin 21.54 6.30 27.24 16
20 Owen Bowden-Jones (G) 21.59 3.50 25.49 10
21 John Shaw 22.04 3.50 25.54 11
22 Clare Day (L) 22.10 11.20 33.30 37
23 Wiebke Kortum (L) 22.15 6.40 28.55 19
24 John Tovell 22.19 9.30 31.49 34
25 Ted Mockett 22.24 0.40 23.04 3
26 Simon Taylor 22.29 8.40 31.09 28
27 Susan Ritchie (L) 22.30 9.30 30.10 27
28 Alan Davidson 22.35 20.40 43.15 49
29 Sally Bamford (L) 22.37 10.30 33.07 36
30 Jackie Dunkley (L) 22.44 17.20 40.04 47
31 Neil Rae 22.47 2.00 24.47 6
32 Marie Synnott-Wells (L) 22.53 8.40 31.33 31
33 Marianne Malam (L) 22.56 8.30 31.26 30
34 Stephen Hurton 23.58 6.20 29.10 22
35 Chris Bundhun 23.05 1.00 24.05 5
36 Annemarie Goodridge (L) 23.08 25.00 48.08 55
37 Mike Peace 23.21 10.50 34.01 38
38 Sarah Palmer (L) 23.40 2.20 26.00 12
39 Bronwen Northmore (L) 23.44 18.40 42.24 48
40 Clive Naish 23.46 21.30 45.16 51
41 Amrut Sharma 23.48 6.10 29.58 26
42 Carol Aikin (L) 24.10 11.00 35.10 40
43 Katie Walton (L) 24.27 23.00 47.27 54
44 Julian Holden 24.29 21.10 45.38 52
45 Lloyd Camp 25.38 8.30 34.08 39
46 Wendy Fisher (L) 25.52 20.50 46.42 53
47 David Kew 26.03 12.40 38.43 46
48 Paul Rider 26.59 9.30 36.29 41
49 Allan Lang 27.06 25.00 52.06 57
50 Jonathan Smith 27.48 0.20 28.08 15
51 Sue Lear (L) 32.44 18.20 51.04 56
G Henry Fagan (G) 22.32 2.50 25.22 7
G Stephanie Tindall (L)(G) 23.22 3.30 25.42 9
G Ciaran O'Donnell (G) 22.01 6.40 28.41 18
G Daragh Fagan (G) 22.08 7.00 29.08 20
G Richard Pender (G) 29.41 0.00 29.41 25
G Dave Glanville (G) 24.30 12.00 36.30 42
Great North Run Half Marathon at Newcastle
Over half a dozen Ranelagh competed in the 40th running of the GNR, including guide Colin
Brett leading Roger Wallace. Joe Gomes was our leading man in 1:17, while Louisa Scott
clocked up a huge 20 minutes PB with 1:32. The organisers claim their 57,000 finishers
make this the biggest Half Marathon in the world. Congratulations to all RH especially
to those who got good exposure for the club vest on the television coverage!
100 Joe Gomes 1:17.10
220 Bob Tinsley 1:21.30
914 Alun Thomas 1:31.20
996 Louisa Scott 1:32.08
7849 Karl Garvey 1:55.34
10764 Roger Wallace 2:01.55
10765 Colin Brett 2:01.55
21847 Kathy Henry 2:30.33
Richmond Runfest - all sorts of distances!
Sundown 5k on Friday 10th September
Chris Lepine, Andy Starr and Simon Martin were 1st, 2nd and 4th in the men’s over 45s,
while Alison Major Lepine was 3rd in the women's over 45s..
3 Chris Lepine 17.58
7 Andy Starr 18.41
9 Shaun Griffith 19.57
19 Simon Martin 21.51
28 Richard Goddard-Jones 22.39
42 Alison Major Lepine 23.46
117 Matthew Beale 28.41
118 Simon Beale 28.41
119 Oliver Beale 28.41
.
Kew Gardens 10k on Saturday 11th September
Chris Read reports:
'On Saturday 11th September 2021 I ran the Kew Gardens 10k. which was part of the Richmond
Runfest. As always Kew Gardens was a fine venue, with a good running surface, mainly wide
paths and a wide variety of plants. For me the first half of the race went well but I slowed
down significantly in the second half. Old age is catching galloping up to me. I list below
the Ranelagh times I am aware of. As the results do not list the club it is likely to be
incomplete.'
44 Andy Starr 37.30
324 Michelle Beaumont 47.53
328 Kirsty Steel 47.59
336 Melanie Thomas 48.06
603 Chris Read 53.11
1635 Narissa Vox 70.44
1636 Kelly Thomas 70.45
1754 Louise Wapshott 73.53
1828 Wendy Fisher 75.49
1972 Becca Ireland 83.54
Richmond Half Marathon and Richmond Marathon
Two Half finishers that we know of: Gerry O'Callaghan was 36th in 1:22.59 and Shaun Griffith
was 335th in 1:39.42. In the full Marathon Mark Herbert finished 7th in 2:50.55. Men's
Captain Rich writes: I was privileged to run some of the second half with Herbie, and he left
me for dead at 24 miles with an inspiring run for a big PB of 2:50.55 and 7th place overall.
Phil Collins ran a very comfortable-looking 2:56.53 on his marathon debut. "Never again" were
his immediate words - we'll see about that. Colette Doran finished in 2:17.12..
Family Mile
Siena Lepine ran 5.08 and Maya Lepine 5.31.
OTHER HALVES and MARATHONS
Nick Impey knocked a few seconds off his best in the Berlin Marathon today with a 2.28.11
performance... Ryan Hogan was one of those hoping for a good time in his first Marathon at
Brighton - only to find afterwards that the course was over-distance by 568 metres! Ryan
finished 20th in 2:54.41 ... Jonathan Smith finished an excellent 3rd in the Reigate Half
Marathon on September 19th in 1:15.37. ... Possibly one of the toughest, prettiest trail
half marathons in the UK," say the organisers of the Farnham Pilgrim Half Marathon . “It
is set to be one of the must-do events of the year! The route is challenging and hilly –
after all it is the Surrey Hills! This is no ordinary Half Marathon"... Liam Griffin
finished in 1:49.11, Rebecca Bissell in 1:51.30, John Tovell in 2:03.23 and Aoife Kilpatrick
in 2:21.38 ... At the Hampton Court Palace Half Marathon on 19th September our first finisher
was Andy Freeman in 1:22.16 (third place in the over 40s). Ted Mockett ran 1:25.49 and Gavin
Hillhouse in 1:55.14 ... Si Martin ran 1:44.45 and Kirsty Steel 1:53.47 in the Windsor Half on
September 26th ... In the two-day New Forest running festival Nick Twomey ran into second place
in 16.52 in the preliminary 5k event as a warm-up for the following day's Half Marathon
which he won in 1:21.22.
Harry Hawkes Half Marathon at Thames Ditton on Sunday 26th September
Three podium places for our six runners: Nick Wright 2nd M40, Rebecca Bissell 2nd W45 and
Janet Turnes 2nd W65,
7 Nick Wright 1:23.26
70 Rebecca Bissell 1:46.51
92 Gavin Hillhouse 1:53.23
111 Lloyd Camp 1:57.39
147 Carol Aikin 2:05.58
197 Janet Turnes 2:31.05
Ealing Half Marathon on Sunday 26th September
386 Richard Pender 1:42.11
549 John Hobson 1:47.06
860 Ann Kearey 1:55.53
1220 Michael Osborne 2:03.56
1309 Aoife Kilpatrick 2:04.48
1611 John Herriott 2:15.45
AND YET MORE
Becky Curtis-Hall won the women's 5k option in the Surrey HM at Woking on 26th September,
recording 20.37. Rob Curtis ran 24.55 ... Mick Lane was 2nd over 60 in 19.47 in the Last Friday
of the Month 5k in Hyde Park…Carol Aikin ran 25.50 in the 5km at the Great North Run on
Friday 10th September, and was back home in time to run 44.55 two days later in the Second
Sunday 5 miles on Wimbledon Common, where Steve Aikin recorded 40.32…Alan and David Meaden
ran the Ashtead 10k on 19th September in 72.03 and 74.28 respectively ... Steph Tindall took
part in the Beat the Boat 10k at Eton on Sunday 12th September, finishing 12th in 39.21 and
leading woman first time first time sub 40 minutes ... in the Bedford Runfest 20 miles Sarah
Palmer finished 16th and third woman in 2:18.46 ... Popeye Doyle ran the Vets AC track 10k on
15th September at Wimbledon Park in 38.58 ... Marian Malam recorded 53.55 in the Windsor
Women's 10k in the Great Park.
NEWS From the Ranelagh Ultra Crew
We provided an impressive 1st and 2nd finishers in the Thames Path Challenge 100k on
Saturday 11th. Gareth Williams led the field in 9:27.57 ahead of Bruce McLaren in 10:24.35.
Sally Minchella and Suzy Whatmough ran the UTS 100k in Snowdonia featuring nearly 7000m of
elevation. After starting at 4am on Saturday they crossed the line in 29:22.32 and 30:29.39
respectively. Suzy managed to add to her broken wrist by falling and breaking a finger on
the same hand but said she "Loved running at dawn / dusk, and scrambling stupid things in
the dark with a head torch".
Vaughan Ramsay opted for the 50k alternative in Snowdonia and finished 11 seconds outside
13 hours.
Fancy this Ultra lark? Read Alex Ring's note below.
NEXT
MASS MOB MATCH at Farthing Downs, Coulsdon on Saturday 30th October
To celebrate their forthcoming 150th birthday, South London Harriers are hosting a "Mass
Mob Match" from their HQ in Coulsdon on Saturday 30th October. The following comes from
South London's website: "We will be racing against all our mob match adversaries at the
same time. SLH vs. Blackheath, Orion, Ranelagh and Thames Hare & Hounds. For those unaware
of how mob matches work, the race is scored based on the lowest number of runners in a team
(less 3), for example in the SLH v. Blackheath mob match, if SLH have 150 runners and BBHAC
have 130 runners, the first 127 of each team count towards the score, and the lowest score
wins (1st place is 1 point and so on).
Therefore it is vital that we get as many members racing as possible, as any and all runners
can make a difference by pushing the opposition down a few places and therefore increasing
their score.
There are usually four mob matches per year, so each one will be scored separately within
the same race as well as mob matches being run between the other clubs.
Race starts at 3:00 p.m. and everyone returns to the clubhouse for tea and cake, prize giving
and no doubt the bar will be opened to round off the celebration."
Most of the above applies equally to us! The bottom line is that we need as many Ranelagh
runners on the start line as possible. More info plus maps etc nearer the time. Reserve the
date!
SURREY CROSS-COUNTRY LEAGUE. We are hosting the opening Men's and Women's Leagues in
Richmond Park on October 16th. We need a strong team of runners and an equally strong team
of marshals and officials. More detail to follow and via Teamer etc. The next fixture for
both the men's and women's Leagues will be on Wimbledon Common on November 13th
CALLING ALL ULTRA RUNNERS - EXPERIENCED OR NOVICE!
Would you be up for the iconic Race To the Stones across the Ridgeway from Lewknor to Avebury
stone circle in July 2022?
https://www.thresholdtrailseries.com/events/race-to-the-stones/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lwRG2b0q6I
I am looking to hear from anyone who is interested in entering Race To The Stones in July 2022.
The inspiration behind this (other than the challenge itself) is to provide support for our
fellow Ranelagh runner, Kathy Henry, who will be running her debut ultra-marathon. Some of
you may know, Kathy had to defer her 2021 entry due to the cancer diagnosis for her husband
Nick.
Kathy is (so far!) planning to take on the 100km non-stop in 1 day option. There are options
to do a single 1 x 50km route in 1 day, or 2 x 50km route over 2 days.
Optional camping/glamping packages are also available.
It is likely that we will have participants of mixed speed and abilities, so don't be put
off. You would be very welcome to run along with the core Kathy support group, or to do your
own thing at whatever pace works best for you and your goals. There is no obligation to
fundraise. Non-charity early access entries for the 1 day 100km event start at £145 rising
to £160 for general entry. Please see the link below for the 1 day 50km /2 day 100km +
camping/glamping package options
https://www.thresholdtrailseries.com/events/race-to-the-stones/packages/
However, it would be wonderful if anyone interested in entering the event might consider a
charity entry for Macmillan Cancer Research UK (both charities are important to Nick and Kathy).
Of course, you are welcome to support a charity of your own choice if you prefer.
Charity entries offer a reduced entry fee of £50, with a minimum fund collection of £450
per entrant for the 1 day 100km event.
https://www.macmillan.org.uk/fundraise/charity-walks-and-hikes/race-to-the-stones
Alternatively, I would also like to hear from anyone who may be interested in providing
logistic support/cheer duties on the day. If you would like to get involved, please drop
me an email at alexr@sky.com , or text/whatsapp on 07879 498191 and I will add you to our
team whatsapp group.
LONDON MARATHON Sunday 3rd October and CABBAGE PATCH 10 miles Sunday 17th October.
Good luck to all those who are taking part.
FINALLY
British endurance runner Nick Butter completed a 5,240 miles run round Britain’s coastline
last month, arriving back at the Eden Project in Cornwall in record time. He had set off on
April 17th, aiming to cover 52.4 miles per day over 100 days, starting at 6am and running
for about 11 hours a day. He had intended to be back at the Eden Project in St Austell on
July 26th but had to take rest days because of injuries including to his knee cartilage and
stress fractures to his shinbone. The first person to complete the full lap of Britain in
2016 took ten months. Butter took10.5 million steps, burnt one million calories, wore
through 12 pairs of trainers and lost two stones in weight despite taking on 5,000 calories
a day, describing himself as a "bag of bones".
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