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Newsdesk 2002
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RANELAGH HARRIERS E-NEWS # 68 18 JULY 2002
Web site: http://www.surreyweb.net/rharriers
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COAD CUP 5 MILES HANDICAP Wednesday July 17th
Revenge is a dish best eaten cold, so somebody said. 25 years ago former
Australian cross-country champion Jim Langford came out on top in an epic
duel on our mob match course with the young Hugh Jones. Hugh went to minor
achievements like winning the London Marathon and running in the Olympics
and World Championships but has evidently only been waiting all this time
for the opportunity to exact his revenge on Jim.
This finally came in our summer cross-country handicap for the Coad Cup.
Jim was visiting the UK with his wife Margaret en route for the world
Rogaining championships in the Czech Republic (it's a sort of
long-distance orienteering). Now 58, Jim is still pretty sprightly and
even dug out his old Ranelagh vest for the occasion. He was given a four
minute start over Hugh and having run through most of the field must have
thought himself safe as the finish approached. Then came that moment we
all know so well - the red-headed streak flashes past as if you are
standing still. Jim could only watch as Hugh crossed the line ten metres
to the good. Just wait until 2027!
Ahead of this drama, Janet Turnes showed a surprising turn of speed to
secure a comfortable victory over Bob Beatson with Bert Grieco taking the
bronze medal behind guesting new member Jenni Kruse. Jenni set the fastest
women's time of the day and Hugh Jones of course was the fastest man by
nearly three minutes over Gordon the Greek. Nearly 40 took numbers on a
warm and sultry evening.
BRICKMAKER'S ARMS MARATHON RELAY Saturday July 6th
The only road relay where you have to carry batons! It's based on a
pleasant 2.6 miles lap near Windlesham, nine runners in each team covering
a lap each and the opening leg runner covering an additional loop to make
up the full marathon distance.
We have won in the past and could have done so again this year. In a way,
we did: we crossed the line first, but having mustered only eight runners
we had had to send two men out for a second circuit and so incurred a 20
minutes penalty for their pains. Our women's team was similarly
short-footed, even after borrowing a couple of runners for the afternoon,
and was similarly penalised.
But as Will Storey said, after leading the pack home on both the opening
and closing stages: "It's better to win unofficially than to lose
officially". Will was the team's star, his 14.15 on his second time around
being bettered by only three men all afternoon. Andy B was our only other
man inside 15 minutes, though President Peace ran two consistent laps just
outside.
For the women it was Eileen Church and a resurgent Clare Nicholson who
were fastest, and of course they were duly punished by having to run a
second lap.
Afterwards most of us repaired to the eponymous and crispless Brickmaker's
Arms where we watched the silverware fly to British Airways and Sandhurst
Joggers Ladies.
Stage finishing positions shown below are of course before the penalties
were added.
1 British Airways 2.37.53
2 Blackwater Valley R 2.38.38
5 Ranelagh 2.57.53 incl 20 mins penalty
1 Will Storey 15.15 (2.8m)
3 Bob Beatson 17.11
4 Jonny Rowan 16.25
3 Mike Peace 15.10
3 Chris Read 17.35
3 Andy Bickerstaff 14.58
3 Paul Graham 16.03
1 Steve Rowland 15.48
1 Mike Peace 15.13
1 Will Storey 14.15
15 Ranelagh Lassies 3.39.35 incl 20 mins penalty
11 Clare Nicholson 19.13 (2.8m)
14 Frances Ratchford 21.57
13 Eileen Church 18.22
13 Carol Barnshaw 20.14
15 Lesley Courtney 21.35
14 Louise Piears 19.23
13 Sonia Rowland 19.57
14 Barbara ? 20.13
13 Clare Nicholson 18.59
13 Eileen Church 19.42
Results from the Harry Hawkes 8 miles at Thames Ditton on June 30th:
1 A Weir (Thames H&H) 42.17
33 Alan Davidson 51.54
36 John Hughes 52.40
352 Walter Wickham 75.04
412 Mei Fei Wickham 87.34
and from the Jim Braben 10km on Wimbledon Common on July 14th:
1 S Stevens (Herne Hill) 34.10
6 Mick Lane 35.42
114 Tom Reay 47.26
154 John Hanscomb 50.40
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Wednesday July 10th
Bev Ali reports: "About 45 or so intrepid club members met for this year's
AGM....... and fun and frolic was had by all.........
Congratulations to Steve Rowland on his election to Life Membership, and
to Robin Drummond on his election to Vice Presidency - and a vote of
thanks to both for their continuing hard work that we all benefit from.
The main changes to the Committee are:
President - Mike Peace continues with unanimous approval, but expressed
the intention of seeking a replacement in the next few months.
Honorary Secretary - Frances Ratchford
Honorary Treasurer - although having given notice of his intention not to
continue, Dave Rowntree was convinced to take on two apprentice treasurers
- Brian Chard and Chris Read - for the next few months with a view to
handing over to either one or both of them, or to continuing with
vice-treasurers.
Finance Committee Rep - Chris Read
Running Committee Rep - Sophie Timms
Women's Vice Captain - Clare Nicholson
Women's B team/Veterans' team Captain - Margaret Auerback
Other posts remain unchanged and thanks go to all of the holders for
agreeing to continue.
There were several items of discussion that were deferred to the Committee
to take action on:
A discussion of the rule for determining eligibility for winning a
handicap race (Rule 3.3) resulted in the proposal that the committee
shall discuss and formulate a revision to the constitution, and take
whatever steps are necessary to have it in place before the opening of the
new season in September. The main point in question was regarding our
young runners who have been representing Ranelagh in Surrey league races
(and bringing a lot of credit to the club) but who had never run in a
handicap race before the Baker Cup. According to rule 3.3, they were not
eligible to win. This seemed patently unfair, and was quite discouraging
to the youngsters who had worked so hard and accomplished so much all
year. If you have any suggestions or opinions on how the rule
could/should be modified, please either contact a member of the committee
with them - preferably in a written form to avoid ambiguity - or attend
the next committee meeting on Tuesday, 6 August 2002, 8:15 pm sharp.
The apparent loss of revenue in Kit sales will precipitate a revamping of
the way in which kit sales are handled. A written proposal was tabled and
will be discussed further by the committee.
Frances Ratchford gave a report on the results of our Clubs:future
questionaire, and detailed the steps we are taking to move forward as a
club. We already have a women's beginners course which attracts new
members every year.
Similarly a men's fitness course based on running and circuit training,
for which we will need a ££ grant from Richmond Borough, and a cross
country course for young men are planned.
A further footnote: A rough head count by the Honorary Secretary put
attendance numbers at roughly 40-45, but the attendance sheet only listed
31 members. If you were there, but didn't sign in, and wish your presence
to be recorded, please let either Frances or Bev know about it in the next
few days".
CROP TOPS
Margaret Auerback writes: "You may have noticed the new Ranelagh crop tops
as worn by some of the team at the Dysart Dash. If any of you would like
to order one - they are made individually - please e-mail me at
margaret.auerback@virgin.net