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Newsdesk 2003
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RANELAGH HARRIERS E-NEWS # 88 29 JANUARY 2003
Web site: www.ranelagh-harriers.com
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SURREY LEAGUE DIVISION ONE Saturday 1st February, women at Lloyd Park,
Croydon, men at Farthing Downs, Coulsdon. These are the final Surrey League
races of the season. It's a pity the men and women are not at the same venue
but Coulsdon is only a few miles down the road from Lloyd Park, making it
quite possible for the men to give our women's team some support at 12.30pm
before travelling on to their race at 3pm - and vice-versa of course.
The women currently stand second overall and with a 46 point gap to leaders
SLH it's unlikely they'll be able to catch up. But retaining second place
would equal our best ever. Our 'B' and 'C' teams also stand second to SLH so
they'll have their own targets! In the junior races our under 20 and under
13 teams both lead the league by 34 and 9 points respectively and
individually Alex Hook will be aiming for her third straight win in the
under 13 age group. Others with a chance of individual medals include Anair
Beverly and Estelle Damant.
The men lie in 5th place with little realistic prospect of gaining any
places and with Aldershot on their shoulders ready to push them back to 6th.
But they are safely out of relegation danger and will live to fight another
first division day. The Under 17s are in 4th place and the under 13s 3rd.
Individually Ben Gateley may be within reach of a medal in the under 13 age
group.
Start times are - women: 12.30pm (senior), 1.15pm (U20/U17), 1.45pm (U13);
men: 2.30pm (U17 & U13), 3pm (senior).
PELLING-RATCLIFF CUP MOB MATCH v BLACKHEATH HARRIERS Saturday February 8th
at Hayes (Kent).
The season's last mob match, on a tough but scenic COUNTRY course. 7.5
miles, starting at 2.30pm. Try to be there! The Blackheath HQ is in Bourne
Way, close to the junction of the A2022 and A232 and near Hayes station. The
start is a 10 min jog away, off the A2022 near the church. This should take
you to a map: Street Map
SOUTHERN CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS at Exmouth Saturday 25th January
Louise Piears reports:
"Having been on other week-ends away with Ranelagh (Durham Nationals &
Bristol Nationals), I was expecting the usual freezing conditions, dubious
accomodation and urban surroundings. However, this proved to be a much
different type of week-end.The course, although with one nasty hill, was not
a great stuggle and suprisingly short, and the weather was just amazing for
January.
The men's event was 3 equal laps and in the Ranelagh race Pete soon shot
into the lead, followed by Andy, Mick and Kevin. Everyone seemed to be
having a good to reasonable race, except for Julian who was obviously not
well and it showed. Halfway round Andy was spurred on when someone was heard
to shout to a runner close behind 'Surely you can overtake that guy with the
blonde wig'. Not surprisingly Pete held onto a good place for Ranelagh
(60th) followed by Andy, Mick, Kevin, Julian, Rob, Niels and Clive.
Afterwards, we all made our way to Branscombe where we were staying which
turned out to be a lovely Devon village by the sea. The food at the Mason's
Arms (Devon's dining pub of the year 2002 no less) was impressive
(especially the size of my duck), and then we moved onto the Fountain Inn to
join up with T.H.H. and Herne Hill Harriers for the rest of the boozy
evening.
The next morning there were two running groups with slightly different
mentalities who set off to run along the very scenic coastal path starting
only 1/2 mile from the village - number one leaving at 7.30 before breakfast
and number two stuffing full English breakfast down first and leaving at
11.30 am! Unfortunately John and I didn't manage either - having to get back
for the kids (it's a good excuse sometimes) but we did manage a quick stroll
to the beach and very nice it was too".
I've not received an account of the proceedings in the women's race, but the
team finished in a respectable 15th place, headed by Sarah who like Julian
was feeling a bit under the weather. Funny, that. Clare followed at a
respectable distance and it looks as if Bridget and Margaret had a good
sprint finish together to close in the team, with Louise not too far behind.
Anair and Alex were our only competitors in the junior events and both
achieved excellent results in the 20s.
MILOCARIANS TERRY LEWINS TROPHY 6 miles at Sandhurst Saturday 18th
January
Bob Beatson reports:
"After many years of meaning to run the Sandhurst race, I finally made it
this year, and was very glad I did. The weather was kind, and apart from
some wet & muddy tracks in the early stages, I thought the well drained
sandy soil gave us pretty good running conditions. In races, my first mile
is usually a bit quicker than the rest, but that's nothing compared to the
way many of the cadets set off. I'm used to getting overtaken by a few
people after a brisk start, but in this race I seemed to be overtaking
cadets all the way. I'm sure that helped my time. After the race, we enjoyed
the impressive free tea generously provided by our Milocarian hosts, and I
hung around to try to capture the results. After emptying my usual litre
bottle of cold dilute Ribena, I was getting a bit chilly, so I started on
the free tea and coffee, which I don't normally drink. That was a decision I
regretted later.
The results were slow to appear, and the times weren't merged with the
finishing order on the day. I'm rather dubious about the time I ended up
with. I didn't stop my watch until a few seconds after I finished, but I
reckon my time was about 44:50, and certainly not as fast as the 44:05 in
the results. Also, I finished just ahead of the first lady, after passing
her on the final run in, so the gap given of 38 seconds doesn't seem right.
I suspect the times have got out of step with the finishing order, but
that's not going to spoil my enjoyment of the race. The most uncomfortable
part of the day for me was driving back to Putney. I got stuck in a traffic
jam on the South Circular, and all that Ribena, tea and coffee were having a
predictable effect. Fortunately, I had that empty litre bottle to hand, but
perhaps the less said about that the better!"
Elly Grant adds: "After the race I could not walk properly for three days. I
had to go down steps sideways! Still, it was great fun and I would do it
again".
I think we can take it that the course was as tough as usual. I seem to
remember vertical hills...
Mick Lane made a rare appearance in Met Police colours and trounced the boys
in blue, as it were.
FARAWAY PLACES...
Bermuda International 10km Saturday 18th January
Sonia and Steve both got into the prize list in this surprisingly hilly
event, 2nd over 40 and 3rd over 50 respectively.
1 D Maximov (Russia) 29.59
42 Steve Rowland 41.17
70 Sonia Rowland 45.29
Raheny 5miles in Dublin Sunday 26th January
Paul Doyle reports:
"In Ireland 5 mile road races are the norm. I was a late entry to this high
profile event, sponsored by the post office. A nice finisher's plaque and a
goodie bag were worth more than the entry fee. There were prizes for the
first 10 seniors, prizes also for vets in 5 year groups up to over 75s. The
race was reported in the national papers. The day kicked off with a kiddies
1 mile race and children as young as 5 put on a good show. For the rest of
us, a reasonably fast one lap course with a stretch along Dublin Bay
beckoned. The men's course record of 22.39 (Gerry Curtis 1987), was never
in danger, though the women's winner Maria McCambridge's 26.36 was a great
run in windy conditions. A highly recommended 5 miler".
1 M Keneally (Ireland) 24.14
31 Paul Doyle 27.42
CLUBHOUSE SECURITY
As some of you will already know only too well, we suffered some more thefts
from the clubhouse last Tuesday night. Frances Ratchford writes:
"We have now had two thefts at the clubhouse both causing the maximum of
inconvenience and upset to everyone so we have decided to be fairly strict
about security. We have changed the locks and only a limited number of
people will have keys: Clive Naish, Chris Owens, Wally Garrod, Frances
Ratchford, Sarah Seal, Julian Smith and Alan Craig. We have also changed
the code on the door and again we have limited that information to a few
people.
We are also going to buy a safe, which will hold people's valuables when
they are out running".
TRIATHLON TRAINING
Chris Spink writes:
"I have set up a triathlon course at Holmes Place in Fulham (Lillie Road).
It is a 5 week course run once weekly, it costs £40.00 for the whole thing
and there are 3 BTA coaches including myself & Bill Black - responsible for
Spencer Smith's Olympic gold medal in triathlon!
It's Thursday nights (so we don't clash!!) 1930-2100 and you need to bring
gym kit (no vests-men), swimming kit & a water bottle".
For more information contact Chris at chris.spink@holmesplace.com.
LONDON MARATHON
Regrettably we have no guaranteed club places this year as our application,
though posted in time, apparently arrived a day late. We appealed for some
flexibility but to no avail.
BATH HALF MARATHON
Correction! The e-mail address for anyone wanting to contact Ian Webster
regarding the Bath Half is ian@jmrsoftware.co.uk.
TUESDAY & THURSDAY NIGHT TRAINING
Details are forthcoming sessions can now be found on our web site via About
Us/Training Sessions. Brief details of the next few:
Tuesday 4th Feb: 3 x 5 mins effort + 3 x 3 mins.
Tuesday 11th Feb: 3 x Nightingale Lane hill (lower part), 4 x top part, 3 x
lower part
Tuesday 18th Feb: Efforts of 7 mins, 5 mins, 3 mins, 2 mins and 3 x 1 min
Tuesday 25th Feb: Surprise paarlauf!
Thursdays are steady runs of 5-6 miles with some shorter efforts or strides
incorporated.
All are welcome, starting from the clubhouse at 7pm.
Wednesday night training continues as usual of course, with steady runs
starting at about 6.30pm.
GREEN BELT RELAY
...is looming on the horizon! It takes place over the weekend of May 10th
and 11th and we'll try to accommodate all club members who would like to
take part. Last year we had five teams of ten in the race and topped and
tailed the result sheet. I won't go into a lot of detail here about the race
- full details, including lots of photos of jolly Ranelagh Harriers, are
available on the web site at www.greenbeltrelay.org.uk
. Suffice to say that it's a very enjoyable and
challenging weekend. I know it seems a long way away but I'd better start
asking now for interested parties to drop me an e-mail at your earliest.
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 ).
Saturday February 1st Final Surrey League fixtures - men at Coulsdon,
women at Lloyd Park. See above.
Sunday February 2nd Richmond Mini Marathon Trial in Richmond Park
starting at 9.30am. Anyone who can spare an hour or two to help with the
organisation of this, please come along (go straight to Sidmouth Wood).
Saturday February 8th Pelling-Ratcliff Cup mob match v Blackheath
Harriers at Hayes (Kent) starting at 2.30pm. See above.
Saturday February 15th v Bank of England, Hercules Wimbledon etc at
Roehampton (Richmond Park) starting at 2.45pm.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"If you want to become the best runner you can be, start now. Don't spend
the rest of your life wondering if you can do it". Priscilla Welch.
Steve Rowland
e-mail: srowland@calorgas.co.uk
Tel: 01926 318734
Fax: 0870 4006901