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Newsdesk 2002

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 RANELAGH HARRIERS E-NEWS # 69               24 JULY 2002
 Web site: http://www.surreyweb.net/rharriers
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 ELMBRIDGE 10KM   SUNDAY JULY 21st
 We had a pretty good turnout for the other towpath 10km (besides our own,
 that is), headed up by the usual suspects Messrs Gohar, Doyle and Lane.
 This time it was Marcus who came out on top in 4th place after another
 spirited struggle with Paul who finished just 5 seconds down. These
 battles with Marcus are obviously ageing Paul rapidly - the result sheet
 shows him as an over 40. Mick was a minute back in 13th place and with
 four to score for the team race it was Adam Tapley who rode shotgun to
 ensure we pipped the Puma TVH club for the top prizes, 81 points to 84.
 Further back Mike Peace gallantly escorted Liz Kipling across the line
 again (people will start to talk!), but Liz just missed out on the prizes
 in 4th place and again when the team of herself, impressive newcomer Jenni
 Kruse, Sue Healey and Bridget Cuthbert were announced as runners-up to
 that same Puma TVH outfit.

 While the rest of us were plodding around the Coad Cup 5 miles on July
 17th, Marlene Pautard was busy winning the Reigate Priory 10km in 41.39.

 AGM
 One further new face on the Committee, omitted from last week's round-up,
 is that of Will Storey as a running rep.

 SOUTHERN ROAD RELAYS
 Marcus Gohar writes: "This highly prestigious event takes place at the end
 of September. The seniors' race has six stages and the veterans' four, the
 elite runners usually doing around 17 - 18 minutes, the Ranelagh elite a
 little slower.
 The chances of us getting anywhere near the senior medals are
 non-existent. However, we can still put out a reasonable team that should
 take us close to qualifying for the national six stage relay. We have done
 this on two occasions, 1997 and 1998. This is the highest standard race in
 terms of depth which most of us could ever hope to run in.
 Last year high hopes for a top 10, even top 5 spot in the V40 event were
 dashed as key runners got injured or were unavailable, and those who did
 make it ran well below par, (apart from President Peace who put in a
 highly competitive V50 performance. Pity the rest of the team were V40s).
 Last Sunday a Boxhill (remember them?) runner commented that we seemed to
 have very good veterans but never did anything with them. He had a point.
 If we really made an effort we could turn out possibly two good V40 teams.
 On last year's form we need to average about 20.30 per stage to get in the
 medals. Without Hugh, (Berlin Marathon that weekend), it's a long shot,
 but we could improve considerably on last year's 17th place. Mike Peace
 and Steve Rowland could get the V50s off to a reasonable start, and with
 the likes of Bill Harvey, Martin Clark, Pete Warren and Allan Lang, the
 V60s would also be very strong.
 If we treat the event as a priority and even - gasp - train for it, that
 is to say do training appropriate to a 20 - 25 minute road race, we could
 surprise ourselves. Furthermore, relays are good fun to do and watch,
 they're good for club spirit, and good results raise the profile of the
 club. If we qualify for the nationals that would be even better!
 If in September everyone could arrange to be fit and injury free, Paul
 Doyle could keep improving, Will Storey could put his money where his
 mouth is, overseas (or over the border) members could be in London, we
 could have a splendid start to the season".

 RICHMOND PARK
 This comes from Stephen Instone:
 "Last week's Richmond and Twickenham Times has an advert put in by The
 Royal Parks.  They want comments on four proposals: 1) to close Robin Hood
 Gate completely to motor traffic, 2) to close Pen Ponds car park, 3) to
 reduce the speed limit in the Park to 20mph, 4) to investigate the
 possibility of road charging.
 Written comments to The Park Manager, Holly Lodge, Richmond Park, Surrey
 TW10 5HS, or e-mail to richmond@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk.  Deadline September
 28, 2002.
 Members of Ranelagh might have views, and I wondered if you'd like to give
 it a mention in the Newsletter.  Personally, I'm against all four - (3) in
 particular as my regular sub-3-minute-miling sessions would have to stop".

 FOUNDERS' CHALLENGE - SUNDAY 20 OCTOBER 2002
 Peter Saw prefers walking to running but that doesn't stop him racking up
 more miles than most of us! He writes:
 "The Founders' Challenge is a non-competitive twenty-six mile walk through
 the Surrey Hills, visiting places associated with the founders of the
 LDWA. A route description is provided, but there are no marker flags.
 There will be three checkpoints serving refreshments and a light meal will
 be served at the finish, all included in the entry fee of £4.50. A
 certificate will be presented to all who finish within the time limit of
 nine and a half hours. The median time last year was around seven and
 three quarter hours whilst the fastest was about four hours and twenty
 minutes. Start from Peaslake Memorial Hall at 9.00 a.m. (runners at 10:30
 a.m.). Entry limit 250.
 Further information is available through the LDWA web site
 (www.ldwa.org.uk) or direct from the organiser, Bill Thompson at 86 Lynton
 Road, London, W3 9HW (phone: 020 8992 0991, e-mail:
 bill.thompson@which.net).

 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).

 Friday July 26th      Wedding Day 7km at Bushy Park, Teddington. Grand
 Prix race 7. 7.30pm start. The latest news is that entries have now closed
 and there will be no entries on the night.

 Sunday August 11th     Surrey 5km at Wimbledon. Grand Prix race 8. 10am
 start. Entry forms in the clubhouse: £3 to Derek Crookes, 209 Lynmouth
 Avenue, Morden, Surrey SM4 4RX.

 Tuesday August 13th     Ratchford Relay in Richmond Park. Women only! 7pm
 start.

 Steve Rowland
 Telephone: 01926 318734
 Fax: 0870 4006901
 e-mail: srowland@calorgas.co.uk