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Newsdesk 2002
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RANELAGH HARRIERS E-NEWS # 60 17 APRIL 2002
Web site: http://www.surreyweb.net/rharriers
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LONDON MARATHON
was the big event this week of course, but I'll hold our report over until
next week to allow a bit more time to collate results and impressions.
Suffice it to say for now that Marcus Gohar and Lizzie Clifford were out
first man and woman home and will be suitably rewarded with the Winter Cup
and the Brasher Bowl respectively, Mike Peace and John Hanscomb maintained
their 100% records and Bev Ali beat 5 hours!
CHEDWORTH ROMAN TRAIL RUN
Julian Smith reports from this race on April 7th:
"At Dave Wright's invitation, a small and select etc. etc. band travelled
down (up? over?) to Cirencester for a 10 mile multi-terrain race in the
heart of the Cotswolds. First however we had to survive the night before,
a trawl around a bitingly cold Cirencester in search of proper beer, which
proved surprisingly elusive, although not sufficiently so to prevent the
Captain from downing substantial quantities (I limited myself to 6 pints.
I think). Highlight was when our leader was accosted in one bar by a very
fresh-faced young man called Spartacus (really) who thought Andy had a
"great coat" (the one he uses as a tracksuit), and who was clearly in awe
of such a guitar legend being in Gloucestershire.
As for the race, well it was wonderful. A mixture of empty roads, paths
through open spring woodland, bright green fields full of lambs, plenty of
hills, and a stream to be crossed 3 times in a mile, all of this under a
dazzling blue sky. Peter Haarer soon disappeared into the distance chased
by a lone pursuer, and was never seen again. Your correspondent spent 7
miles digesting breakfast before eventually setting off after Peter's lone
pursuer, whilst Chris spent several miles tussling with the lead woman and
was third man in our winning team. Andy began to wonder whether his band's
name is getting too close for comfort, and Louise enjoyed being a
pacemaker. Dave Wright, he marshalled...
All in all an excellent 24 hours, and many thanks to Dave, Claudie and the
engaging Natalie for their generous hospitality".
1 Peter Haarer 59.56
2 Julian Smith 61.47
12 Chris Owens 65.10
22 Andy Bickerstaff 67.45
213 Louise Piears 87.46
OVERSEAS
Not far overseas, but Lucy Facer finished an excellent 3rd in 54.04 in the
Newport to Ryde 7 miles on the Isle of Wight on Easter Saturday.
Marina Quayle missed getting into the London Marathon but instead ran the
Paris version on April 7th. She finished in an official time of 4.35.43,
with an actual time some 10 minutes faster.
Neil Walford reports on his run in the Two Oceans Marathon in South
Africa:
"The World is Never Enough (but 56 kilometers will do for now).
Briefing -December 10th, 2002
Well looks like 007 has been captured by Spectrum, so its down to you
00pless (think about it...) to achieve the mission , codename 'Pointless'
and run up and down in a big circle until you fall over or everyone else
decides to go home. Yes, I know it sounds stupid, but apparently the South
Africans do a lot of this ultra running, and they have gold, diamonds,
platinum and lager at 45 pence a pint, so we had better investigate.
The 35 miles Two Oceans run seemed a logical one to do considering:
1. I hadn't trained properly for about 6 years.
2. I had only ever run over 22 miles once before - a marathon in 1992 that
I ended up walking.
3. No one else I knew was doing it and
4. I could think of about 100+ better things to do with a 3 month gap
between jobs than train in the cold and wet of the English winter.
However, the 45 pence a pint lager convinced me otherwise and so I headed
off to show the 'Dutchies' how to run long distances. A minor pork pie on
the entry form overcame the need to have run a marathon in the previous 12
months, and a family illness meant that I missed doing a 20 mile race as
part of my training (or even a half marathon come to think of it), but
hey, it's only a case of putting one leg after the other so no worries
there.
The race itself lived up to its billing as one of the most beautiful runs
in the world, with some spectacular views and really good organisation and
support. The day itself was lovely and sunny (if you weren't running that
is) and Amanda dragged herself out of bed to drive me to the 6.00 am
start. The first 20k was flat and went down to and around the coast at
Fishhoek. Being a total novice to ultra distance, I took advantage of this
to charge through the field, overtaking other runners who were going
'ridiculously slowly' and positioned myself on the shoulder of the fourth
placed female athlete - this was going to be a doddle. I should have taken
the hint after 25k when in addition to water and sports drinks, they were
handing out oxygen masks, and the teams of Ghurkas that normally run UK
marathons seemed to have been replaced by teams of Sherpas - the ascent
of Ou Kaapseweg had begun.
This was a climb of 315 metres, made worse by a short downhill in the
middle of it, but the crowd at the top was very impressive - it was like
the Tour de France crowds on the Alp d'Huez, handing out water, sweets and
body bags. All the distance climbed was immediately lost in a really steep
downhill that really took its toll and having gone through halfway (28k)
in 2 hours 10, by the time I reached the 42k marathon mark I had taken 3
hours 28. The final 9 miles i.e. the 'ultra' bit of the ultra marathon
were really painful as by now the sun was fully up, the field had thinned
out, the final large climb (Southern Cross Drive) had begun and I was
getting dehydrated and was being overtaken by all those experienced Ultra
marathon runners I had 'burned off' in the first part of the race - it
wasn't so much fun now and my speed dropped to not much more than a slow
jog. Still I managed to avoid walking and kept a nervous eye on my time -
cursing those ex-work colleagues whose sponsorship depended upon finishing
in under 5 hours. I looked around the crowds to see where Amanda was,
looking for some encouragement, but couldn't find her.
I got my second wind around 50 k (perhaps this race was too short for
me...) and managed to finish with a flourish- despite nearly getting
flattened by a 6 foot Ostrich in the finishing sprint (I am not sure who
had the better running style). I found Amanda at the finish and asked her
where she had been watching: 'Well, to be honest I went back to bed and
didn't watch you race - it was really early you know', and to add insult
to injury she proceeded to scoff the tin of ice cold lager that I had been
given on finishing, while I sat down and was unable to stand up again.
Still I had finished in 4.52, coming 1118th out of 6,600 finishers and
enjoyed about 45 of the 56 kilometres.
Overall, a beautiful race and there was also a half marathon run at the
same time, and some shorter races the day before. In view of the great
scenery, climate and cheap food and beer - a possibility for a future
Ranelagh outing?"
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Robin Drummond writes:
"Just a reminder that membership subs are now due. Please send your
cheques to the Membership Secretary - Robin Drummond, The Studio, 1 Church
Street, Hampton, Middx. TW12 2EB, or alternatively you can hand your money
to Mike Pearce if you see him at the pub. Rates are Senior Members (over
20) £30, Students/Juniors £6, Family Membership £60, Country Members £10,
Retired Members £5".
OUT AND ABOUT
Chris Owens is hoping to see some of you for a Sunday morning run and pub
lunch next Sunday (April 21st):
"I'm suggesting we go to a nice area between Esher and Weybridge, known as
West End. This has the typical English village ingredients of a duck pond,
cricket pitch, access to very nice tracks and trails around the Esher
Commons, and a pub with good food and a big garden. West End is about
20mins drive from the Richmond area.
I suggest people park near the ponds, where it indicates West End, not
where the P for parking is on the map. I'll use this to indicate some
routes when people get there.
As before we'd aim to start running in small groups of similar ability
from about 10.45-11.00ish, so that people can have a run and be ready for
lunch around 12noon - so we can be first in the queue ! Ground conditions
are in general similar to Leith Hill - may be muddier than Richmond Park,
so a change of shoes and extra layers for lunch are a good idea. Outside
in April can range from nicely warm to quite chilly. Please let me know if
you're likely to be coming (mailto:chris.owens@unilever.com). This is
mainly to let the pub know if we are likely to appear with 25 people".
GRAND UNION CANAL
Chris Spink writes:
"On the 1st & 2nd of June 2002, I will attempt to run the Grand Union
Canal Race. This race is 145miles (6 marathons back to back) and you've to
finish in under 45 hours. The route is Birmingham to London via the Canal
tow path.
I'm raising money for the children's Hospice in Winchester, Naomi House
where my sister is a nurse. I've raised money for this charity before
running marathons and the London to Brighton in October 2001. I am
passionate about this charity and I am sure that I'll complete this
challenge.
This is not only an appeal for sponsorship but also for support however
you could offer it. I'm trying to put together a support team: driver,
masseur, nutritionist, and a team of runners for moral support..."
Contact Chris direct if you're prepared to sponsor him or can help for all
or any of the run itself (mailto:chriss@fulham.hphc.co.uk).
COMMITTEE
The next meeting will be on Tuesday 23rd April. It will take place in the
clubhouse at 8.30pm.
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).
Sunday April 28th 1900 Stafetten Relay in Aarhus, Denmark
Saturday May 11th / Sunday May 12th Green Belt Relay
Sunday May 19th Ranelagh Richmond Half Marathon at Old Deer Park, 8am
start (yes, really!).
Sunday June 9th Dorking 10 miles road race (note the date is the
9th, not the 2nd as originally thought). 10.45am start. Entry form can be
downloaded from www.dmvac.org.uk.
Entry forms for both the Half Marathon and the Dysart Dash 10km on June
30th can be downloaded from our web site.
FINALLY
The recent debates on the future of fox-hunting led several newspapers to
run stories on possible alternatives, such as the bloodhound packs that
track a human quarry. One such foxy fellow described his pre-hunt routine:
the week before the meeting he would go for a long run in the clothes he
planned to wear for the hunt. On finishing he would immediately seal them
in a plastic bag and leave them there for the whole week to stew. The
smell of them when he put them back on a week later would be strong enough
for the most nasally-challenged bloodhound to follow.
Does that sound like anybody's kit you know....?
Steve Rowland
Telephone: 01926 318734
Fax: 0870 4006901
e-mail: srowland@calorgas.co.uk