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Newsdesk 2003
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RANELAGH HARRIERS E-NEWS # 97 23 APRIL 2003
Web site: www.ranelagh-harriers.com
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GREEN BELT RELAY - WANTED URGENTLY...
Two or three more runners to complete our fourth team. Any speed, but you
must be able to run a stage of about 10 miles on both days of the event -
Saturday May 10th and Sunday 11th. The race follows a big circle around
London on scenic paths and roads. I can't do better than to quote Sarah's
sales pitch: "'I'm assured that it's going to be a great weekend weather
wise and we won't be able to stop ourselves having fun! Most of the legs
are very scenic and so time will just fly by - you'll pass cows in the
meadow, horses munching hay, birds singing in the green trees, gurgling
streams, oh and the fresh country air... and a few glasses of wine (or beer
if to your liking) at the end of it all!"
The race continues from morning to evening so you can pick a time and / or
venue to suit you. You don't have to stay with the race - you can just run
your stage and go home if you wish. It'll be a doddle for you marathon
runners. Have a look at the web site www.greenbeltrelay.org.uk for lots
more information. And contact me (mailto:srowland@calor.co.uk ) if you
can fill one of those blank spaces on our team sheet!
LONDON MARATHON Sunday April 13th
Incorporating the Winter Cup and Brasher Bowl club men's and women's
marathon championships.
The big story of course was the performance of the quite astounding Paula
Radcliffe, a world record and faster by two minutes than any British man.
And she was faster by 27 minutes than any Ranelagh man - sorry Peter!
We had our smallest ever club representation in the race: not so much an
indication of declining interest as of increased difficulty in securing
entries. Nevertheless we had 20 or so lining up, including Mike Peace and
John Hanscomb who are part of the exclusive elite of London Marathon
ever-presents now numbering little more than 30 hardy souls.
At the other end of the scale of experience came Peter Haarer, favourite for
the Winter Cup despite this being his first marathon. Peter ran a fairly
speedy 35.17 first 10km but then settled into a six minute miling pace which
should have brought him home in the 2.30s - until, like many before him, the
dreaded "wall" blocked his path and he struggled on to the finish in
2.42.14. Cautious Ken Fotherby, meanwhile, was conducting his usual master
class in pace judgement and after an opening 10km of 37.58 he ran splits of
39.27, 39.32 and 39.33. He was catching Peter rapidly towards the end of
course, but at 2.44.52 never quite got him in sight.
And that was it for sub-3 hour performances. Grant Lemke ran 3.15 as our
third finisher, five minutes ahead of the President and another five ahead
of Jay Rowden.
In the women's event Marlene Pautard was making her last appearance in
Ranelagh colours before switching to her local club Lingfield. Sadly she too
had a rough time in the closing stages but persevered to record 3.42 and
take her final club championship. Jackie Alderton and Thérèse Panetta were
the runners up.
The official results show the "chip" times, i.e. the times from each runner
crossing the start line rather than from the gun. This leads to some
anomalies between times and finishing positions!
London Boroughs Mini-Marathon
We were as usual well represented in the Richmond team for the
mini-marathon, best results coming from Alex Hook, 11th in the Girls 11-12
event, and Anair Beverly and Jessica Harvey 12th and 23rd in the Girls 15 -
17. Jessica was 23rd last year too!
Girls 15 - 17
12 Anair Beverly 16.59
23 Jessica Harvey 17.38
166 Laura Ball 22.23
Girls 13 - 14
74 Emily Ball 19.12
Girls 11- 12
11 Alex Hook 18.02
59 Victoria Elbourne 19.36
92 Alex McKenna 20.21
Boys 15 - 17
60 Jordan Mungovan 15.12
134 Richard Sim 16.34
Boys 13 - 14
66 Ben Gately 16.16
113 Dan Jermy 17.00
124 Matt Hirschler 17.14
TWO OCEANS 56 KM Saturday 19th April in Capetown, South Africa
I'm promised a full account of the proceedings when our party returns from
South Africa, but the result shows Chris Owens to be our first man home in
the main event. A well-paced run seems to have drawn him gradually clear of
Kevin Jacques as they both passed Andy Bickerstaff who looks to have
struggled in the closing stages.
In the accompanying Half Marathon Clare Nicholson was our first finisher, a
remarkable performance for someone the offical results describe as an
82-year-old "Female Great Grandmaster". You wear it well, Clare.
MAIDENHEAD 10 MILES Good Friday 18th April
John Hanscomb apologises for bringing our team position down to 20th but
pleads that it was only five days after the London! Darryl claims he should
have run faster but "was having too much of a good time".
1 J Downes (Lon Irish) 52.10
5 Darryl McDonald 55.04
23 Mick Lane 59.07
483 John Hanscomb 86.52
EVENING TRAINING
Tuesday sessions start at 7pm from the clubhouse. Full details for the next
couple of months are on the web site but here is a brief run-down of the
next few:
April 29th 1500 metres time trial + 3 x 3 mins.
May 6th 25 mins continuous paarlauf
May 13th Pyramid: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 min efforts.
On Wednesdays there are steady runs in the Park starting at 6.30pm and on
Thursdays there are track sessions at Barn Elms.
RICHMOND HALF MARATHON Sunday May 18th
Robin Drummond reports that entries are hotting up for our Half Marathon,
which this year also doubles up as the Surrey championship. Over 300 have
already been received and Robin warns that if the limit is reached there may
not be entries on the day. So if you want to be sure of running, get your
entry in now! Forms can be downloaded from our web site.
CYCLE SRI LANKA
New member Simon Hill writes:
"I thought you would be interested in a fantastic opportunity to take part
in an amazing adventure - to spend a week starting 19th September cycling
across Sri Lanka from coast to coast to raise money for the International
Childcare Trust.
Are you looking for the experience of a lifetime? This is a challenge trip
not for the faint hearted. Sign up for just £250, raise the minimum
sponsorship and all flights, food, accommodation and expert guides are
included.
Just 30 people are being recruited for this fantastic adventure - so hurry
as places are going fast! For more details check out the trip's website at
http://www.cyclesrilanka.com or call (020) 7354 5700.
So, what are you waiting for? Get on your bike - or please pass this email
on to someone who will!"
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 May 4th Sutton 10km. Race 3 in the Ranelagh Grand Prix
series 2003. Start 11am at Beddington Park. Entry forms in the clubhouse.
Sat/Sun May 10th /11th Green Belt Relay. See above.
Sunday May 18th Richmond Half Marathon. Race 4 in the Ranelagh Grand Prix
series 2003. Start 8.30am at Old Deer Park. Entry forms in the clubhouse or
from our web site.
Sunday June 8th Dorking 10 miles road race. Race 5 in the Ranelagh
Grand Prix series 2003. 10.45am start. Entry form can be downloaded from
www.dmvac.org.uk
FINALLY
Robin Drummond has been laid up recently after having his second bunion
taken care of. Daytime television evidently proved too much for him. He
writes:
"I was bored. It's my only excuse.
211 members share a birthday with at least one other member. 20 members
(including Hugh Jones) share a birthday with three other members and 78
share a birthday with two other members. Our oldest member is 89, our
youngest is 2.
PS I share a birthday with Paula Radcliffe!"
Steve Rowland
e-mail: srowland@calor.co.uk
Tel: 01926 318734
Fax: 0870 4006901