************************************************** RANELAGH HARRIERS E-NEWS # 272 16 January 2008 Editor: Steve Rowland mailto: steverowland@ranelagh-harriers.com ************************************************** HEADLINE NEWS ************** * Silver medals for women's team at Surrey championships * Rebecca Clayden wins Under 20 bronze at Middlesex championships * Women's team extends lead in Surrey League * Men's team fourth again in Surrey League * Jonathon Stacey and Bonnie Webster 3rd in RPTT SEE HERE ******** JUNIOR POINTS PRIZE The third race in the series takes place this Saturday on the usual course around Sidmouth Wood starting at 2pm. All under 17s are welcome - come to the clubhouse by 1.30pm or go straight to the start opposite Pembroke Lodge. SOUTH OF ENGLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS These are taking place on Saturday 26th January at Parliament Hill (Hampstead Heath). The timetable begins with the Under 15 boys race at 11am. The senior women run at 1.50pm and the senior men at 2.50pm. full schedule The best way to get there is to use the North London line from Richmond or Kew Gardens to Gospel Oak, which is within sight of the start. PELLING-RATCLIFF CUP MOB MATCH v BLACKHEATH and BROMLEY HAC The last mob match of the season (and our last chance to win one!) is on our own course in Richmond Park on Saturday February 2nd starting at 2.30pm. It's seven and a half miles and as ever in mob matches it's weight of numbers that counts. It's a three line whip for anyone who can manage the distance please to make the effort to come along and help us see off the 'heathen hordes. The race incorporates the Wynne Cup club championship (holder: Duncan Bell) and the various club veterans' championships - the Hastings Cup (holder: Andy Bickerstaff), the McDowell Cup (over 50s - holder: John Barnard) and the Maslin Mug (over 60s - holder: Clive Beauvais). FINAL SURREY LEAGUE DIVISION 1 RACES The men's and women's Surrey League seasons reach their climax on Saturday February 9th. We are the hosts so we will have home course advantage for our efforts. As you will read below, our women hold a clear lead after last Saturday's penultimate fixture and must now be considered odds-on to clinch the title. It would be nice to win in style with a victory in the last race. There's no trophy for the winning B team, but we are also ahead in that competition, so let's aim for the double! There's room for all standards in the league and a tide of blue vests in the race would be a great boost to those fighting it out at the front. The men are in fourth place after three fixtures. We are well clear of fifth placed Hercules Wimbledon - though HW, one of the leading clubs in the country back in the 1970s, are enjoying quite a revival of fortunes and cannot be entirely discounted. Our target is third-placed Belgrave. We are 103 points behind, so it's a big ask for us to overhaul them, but unless they produce some of their big guns it is possible. We beat them in the last race despite a depleted team. There will also be an exciting fight for the title, with Thames Hare and Hounds carrying a lead of just 27 points over holders Herne Hill. The fun starts with the senior women's race at 12.15pm and the senior men run at 3pm, with all the junior events in between. If you can't run, come and give our teams some support! RICHMOND MINI-MARATHON TRIAL The trial for the Richmond team for the London Mini-Marathon will be held on Sunday 3rd February, jointly organised by the Richmond Council Sports Development team, St Mary's Richmond AC and ourselves. All those aged between 11 and 17 on London Marathon day (13th April) who live or go to school in Richmond are eligible to take part. The top eight finishers in each age group (11-12, 13-14, 15-17, boys and girls) will be selected for the team. Entries must be made by Friday 25th January. More details and an entry form can be obtained from the Richmond Sports Development website: here: CLUB KIT UPDATE Karen Broadbent writes: "I have extended our Ranelagh Harriers kit range and I now have very smart windproof/showerproof jackets and fleeces in Ranelagh colours available for purchase and order. The jackets are royal blue with yellow flashes on the back and a reflective strip. They have a full-length zip and two zip pockets. They are priced at £40 each. The fleeces come in a ladies' (more fitted and shorter in length) version and a men's (slightly looser fit and longer length) version. Both have a half length zip neck and two zip pockets on the front and are royal blue with a yellow Ranelagh logo. Fleeces are £27 each. I have a small supply of each of these in 'medium' size for purchase but also for people to try, so they can determine their size before placing an order. I will be placing a bulk order in a few weeks for people that would like to order any of these items in different sizes. Due to the relative expense of these items I do not intend to keep a large stock of them, but I can place special orders as and when there is sufficient interest. Please see me and the kit samples on a Tuesday night. Also due to popular demand, the club has managed to get a new supply of reflective armbands. These are also on sale from me for £3.50 per band. And don't forget we have good supply of long sleeve and short sleeve training tops and vests available. So if you require any kit, please see me on a Tuesday or drop me an email Karen.broadbent@ubs.com". BUSHY PARK TRAIL RUN Roger Wilson writes: "Sunday 2nd March 2008 - Bushy Park Trail Run (not Time Trial!). Cross-country 4.8 miles, Juniors 2 miles. Ranelagh Juniors are the holders of the Junior Team Prize. Ideal for novice and advanced runners alike, from Hampton Wick Royal Cricket Club (the one you run past on the BPTT). HAS ANYONE SEEN THE BUSHY PARK TRAIL RUN JUNIOR TROPHY? Apropos the above, Roger adds: "Has anyone seen the Bushy Park Trail Run Junior Shield? It was in the clubhouse last March, inscribed with Ranelagh Harriers as the 2007 winners. Has anyone seen it in the clubhouse (maybe put away during the current renovations), or maybe taken it home? We need to return it for the race on 2nd March, any sightings, please let Roger Wilson know (tel 07767 774383). Many thanks". ALETSCH HALF MARATHON Peter Fordham writes: "Run The Aletsch Half Marathon at Bettmeralp Switzerland 26-30th June 2008. As a Ranelagh member, I am offering the first option to members for a trip to run in the spectacular Aletsch Half Marathon. I am offering this trip through my alpine sports company, whose main focus will be mountain running, and will make use of my wide experience of races in Austria, Switzerland and Italy. The race takes place within the only UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in the Alps. The trip group will be kept quite small to ensure success. Starting in the car-free village of Bettmeralp, the race includes the ridge of the longest glacier in Europe, with views of 4000 metre peaks. Having run this race three times, I believe it represents the perfect introduction to mountain running, and takes place in truly beautiful surroundings and fresh air! I have also selected it because of my knowledge of the area, and the good contacts and negotiations made with the race organization, the hotel, and the Swiss Travel Centre. Trip price of £599 includes: • Stay at the 3 star Hotel Alpfrieden in Bettmeralp - four nights with half board. • Scheduled protected flights from Heathrow to Geneva (booked through The Swiss Travel Centre who have full affiliation with ABTA, ATOL and IATA). • Transfer by rail, cog railway and cable car to hotel. • Race entry fee and full support at destination. • Personal insurance and travel within the UK is NOT included. I feel this could open a new dimension for Ranelagh, that could result in an annual club Alpine event. The trip group will be kept quite small to ensure success. If there is sufficient early interest; this trip could be Ranelagh/linked club only. Please indicate your interest by mail/phone, or on the list at the clubhouse. I shall have a briefing in late January / early February. Please note that this is the same weekend as the Dysart Dash. Contact Peter at 07799 072307 or peter_fordham@yahoo.com". AUGUSTE LESPINAS Members who remember our regular summer visits to Coutainville in Normandy for the "Enduro des Sables" race will be sorry to hear that our old friend Auguste Lespinas, who founded the race, died from pancreatic cancer on January 14th. Would anyone wishing to contribute towards flowers please contact Bill Harvey at bill.harvey@kcl.ac.uk *************** WHAT'S COMING... *************** More details of the following from Andy Bickerstaff ( 07772 111491 / mailto: andy@norris-hobs.co.uk ) or Marie Synnott-Wells (07956 431319 / mailto: nandmwells@aol.com ). Saturday 19th January Junior Points Prize race 3 in Richmond Park. 2pm start. Saturday 26th January South of England Championships at Parliament Hill. See above. Saturday 2nd February Mob match v Blackheath Harriers incl Wynne Cup club championship, 7.5m in Richmond Park. 2.30pm start. See above. Sunday 3rd February Richmond Mini-Marathon trial in Richmond Park. See above. Saturday 9th February Final Surrey League races in Richmond Park. See above. Time Trials, every Saturday at 9am Bushy Park Diana Fountain car park Richmond Park Pembroke Lodge car park Wimbledon Common Windmill car park Banstead Woods Car park off B2219 Park Lane, Chipstead More details and registration at www.parkrun.com WHAT'S HAPPENED **************** SURREY CHAMPIONSHIPS Saturday 5th January at Lloyd Park Our women's team has a pretty impressive record in recent Surrey championships - champions in 2005 and 2006, silver medallists in 2004 and 2007 - and this year's team looked to be in with a reasonable chance of making the medals again despite absences through injury and illness. The course was two laps of the Lloyd Park circuit, wet but not as muddy as might have been feared after all the recent rain. However, prospects plummeted within a few minutes of the start when Anna Scally - 6th and 8th in the last two years - succumbed to the stomach trouble that has been troubling her in recent weeks and dropped out of the race. This left Estelle Damant leading the Ranelagh blues and she ran strongly for 10th place, her best ever result in this event. Kerrie O'Connor and Yvonne Hill both made steady progress after cautious starts and finished in the low twenties while Emma Tomlinson, after a fastish start, held on for 34th to complete the scoring team. Solid results all round but unlikely to make the podium, was most people's opinion. But as it turned out, many of the more fancied clubs failed even to finish a full team and to everyone's surprise we secured another set of silver medals. Our men mostly chose to save themselves for the following week's League race and so Ranelagh kept a low profile, so low in fact as to be almost invisible. Only five started and Andy Bickerstaff, just off his sick bed, called it a day after one lap. Marc Snaith followed suit after two, leaving Burkhard Fehsenfeld with the glory of leading the Ranelagh team. Mike Peace and Mike Doust followed at respectful distances. Victoria Elbourne was our only junior in action and she finished 19th in the Under 17s event. MIDDLESEX CHAMPIONSHIPS Saturday 5th January at Trent Park Frances Ratchford reports: "Trent Park is undulating if you want to give a kind description but a more truthful portrayal is very, very hilly. The routes chosen for all the cross-country championship races were more uphill than down and the finish was placed at the top of the hill so it was not a course for wimps. But the good news was it didn't rain - last year it finished in a valley, which became a stream very quickly. Rebecca Clayden finished sixth last year but made the Middlesex team and this year she was determined to finish higher up. This year she was racing as an Under 20 for the first time but some of her rivals had moved up with her. Her tactics were to hang on to one runner who beat her last year and pass her if possible. The U20 women and the U17 men ran the 6k course together, two large and demanding laps. On the first lap Rebecca was looking very determined and in a strong third place. She overtook some of the men and in the second lap not only held on to her medal place but managed to cut the distance between her and the young woman in second place. Rhian Lewis ran in the U17 race and she too kept up the pace all the way round. It was her first championship race and she worked hard all the way". Under 20 1 A Concannon (Harrow) 28.43 3 Rebecca Clayden 31.06 Under 17 1 L Lattimore (Harrow) 20.28 17 Rhian Lewis 33.17 SURREY LADIES CROSS-COUNTRY LEAGUE Saturday 12th January at Reigate At first sight, Reigate Park gave the appearance of a building site. Gone is most of the green sward that used to greet arrivals from the town centre; in its place are embryonic tennis courts, adventure playgrounds and the like. Fortunately the cross-country course was little affected, minor adjustments to the start and finish being all that was necessary. Much more of an inconvenience was the absence of conveniences. It has been a peculiar season in the women's league. Title holders Belgrave have been strangely subdued, failing even to complete a full team of five in the last two races. South London and Thames have both registered victories, but poor results in the opening fixture have left them out of contention. It is Ranelagh's consistency that has proved to be our strength. Solid if unspectacular performances in all three races have left us on the top of the table with a buffer of 74 points over Herne Hill going into the final race, which is on our home course in Richmond Park on February 9th. Barring disasters, we should be able to celebrate the league title coming back to the Dysart for the third time in four years. Today, Estelle Damant led the Ranelagh team from the gun. She was placed just outside the top ten for most of the way, and behind her Clare King worked her way through after her customary steady start to get onto Estelle's shoulder as the race progressed along the top of the ridge for the second time. However, in the steep descent from the ridge and the final charge round the field Estelle broke clear and eventually placed an excellent 9th, which I think is her best-ever finish in the league. Clare was 50 metres back in 13th and Marie Synnott-Wells - still recovering from a chest infection - was not far behind in 16th. Anna Scally's recent problems with a cramping stomach have been traced to a locked joint in her neck, though more physio is needed to effect a cure. She showed great spirit in fighting the pain to finish 19th, and the scoring five was completed by Emma Tomlinson in 45th. This turned out to be good enough for second team place on the day and a doubling of our overall lead. Kath Phillips made a promising league debut, tracking Emma all the way to lead our B team in 54th. Sandra Prosser, Fari Shams, Sonia Rowland and Louise Piears completed the team, with Sharon Rowe backing up. They were third-placed B team on the day but hold an overall lead in the B team competition - though only 33 points cover the first three teams. Victoria Elbourne finished 8th in the Under 17s race, her best result of the season so far. You can see David Rowe's photos (including "before" and "after" shots of Fari's new spikes!) here: SWEATSHOP SURREY CROSS-COUNTRY LEAGUE Saturday 12th January at Reigate Marc Snaith reports: "A depleted and beleaguered men's team put in an excellent performance amidst demanding conditions and the best quality Surrey League field this year as Herne Hill Harriers put out the big guns in an attempt to catch league leaders Thames Hare & Hounds. The majority of our team had suffered injury or colds since the last Surrey League meeting so it was a relief that thirteen of us made the longest journey of the season to tackle the mud and hills at Reigate. We needed some season's best performances to remain in touch with third placed Belgrave and Duncan Bell and Justin Webb did just that. Duncan's overnight trip from Belfast was rewarded with his best run in Ranelagh colours as he led home our team in 25th place, just ahead of Phil Killingley and Peter Haarer. Justin continued his return from injury with a superb 41st place, finishing merely seconds behind Darryl McDonald. Mick Lane made a welcome return to the team to help Ed Barker and Jonathon Stacey to beef out our middle order. Chris Owens returned to the scoring team and is now only eleven places behind Julian Smith in the club Surrey League scorers table. Be warned Chris, Julian claimed before the race that he will be on the start line in Richmond Park, let's hope he also crosses the finish line. Final mention goes to me, for my first scoring effort! We knew that the final two scoring places were open for Bixie, Niall, Chris and myself but having dropped out at the start of the third lap of last week's Surrey Champs I wasn't too sure what condition I would be in and was quite surprised to discover that Ken judged my run to be my best away performance for the club. The challenge will be scoring again when - fingers crossed - we'll field a stronger team in the final Surrey League meeting at Richmond Park in our attempt to overhaul Belgrave for third place. Congratulations also to Luke Wilson who ran well against older opposition in the boys/colts race and for convincing his Dad - Roger - to put his spikes on for the first time this season in the Surrey League". BUSHY PARK TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 5th January Sam Perkins, on the way back to fitness after an injury which kept him out of the Euro Cross trials, jogged round with his former coach and mentor (and Olympian) Dave Clarke. 1 J Harrison (Unatt) 16.55 10 Charlie Pedlar 18.17 13 Hugh Brasher 18.33 22 Darren Wood 19.42 24 David Rowe 19.49 26 Duncan Mallison 20.03 41 Nick Wright 20.50 52 Sam Perkins 21.18 55 Roger Wilson 21.30 109 Adam Wright 23.17 137 Luke Wilson 24.13 173 Holly Clemens 24.59 209 Gill Wilson 26.21 254 John Hanscomb 28.19 271 Sharon Rowe 29.00 RICHMOND PARK TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 5th January Another returnee from injury, Jonathon Stacey, finished 3rd, and Bonnie Webster and Kath Phillips were 3rd and 4th amongst the women. 1 N Houlton (UK Net) 17.34 3 Jonathon Stacey 18.10 12 Stephen Instone 20.34 14 Chris Read 20.35 25 Bonnie Webster 21.41 26 Kath Phillips 21.50 38 Pete Warren 23.06 45 Martin Clark 23.49 46 Joanne Turner 23.52 62 Paul Bisping 25.09 65 Louise Reeder 25.39 85 Tanya Allen 30.40 MABAC 8 miles Sunday 6th January in Windsor Great Park 1 J Harris (Pyrford) 46.29 59 Alan Davidson 58.27 138 Lynne Barber 73.50 141 Anne Baker 74.39 153 Tanya Allen 78.57 164 Cindy Croucher 89.59 TADWORTH 10 miles Sunday 6th January Pete Wright reports: "On a gloriously clear winter's day six Ranelagh Harriers made the short trip to Epsom Downs to take part in the 25th Tadworth 10. The race starts high on the downs (great views), plunges down a steep grassy slope before joining a 'road', well farm track, for an interminable climb back up to the top. Then real tarmac past a duck pond if memory serves, another sharp descent down an icy road, another long climb to those great views again.....then repeat as you're only halfway! A Personal Worst course if ever there was one. I came badly unstuck on the second lap, I expended so much energy going up that farm track again (I swear it was much longer second time around) that I was virtually stationary on top. The Ranelagh vest in front of me receded into the distance, lots of others went streaming past, even the red rag (white rag?) of a Thames Hare and Hounds vest failed to elicit a response from my stiffening legs. I finished with a new 'PW' and a belated new year's resolution to do more hill training. Still, those views and the great organisation of Tadworth AC should be enough to tempt me back in 2009". 1 B Whitby (WSEH) 54.12 98 Steve Grout 72.09 108 Pete Wright 72.59 114 Gideon Cook 73.28 215 Roger Wilson 79.21 449 Tom Reay 91.05 568 John Hanscomb 100.10 GORING, WOODCOTE and DISTRICT LIONS 10km Sunday 6th January at Woodcote 1 M Maxwell (Woodstock) 35.06 11 Jonathan Robinson 38.45 30 David Rowe 40.56 341 Sharon Rowe 60.01 BUSHY PARK TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 12th January 1 D Norman (Stragglers) 17.04 6 Iain Wilson 18.25 9 Darren Wood 18.55 17 Sam Hunton 19.45 28 Nick Wright 20.30 43 Simon Rothwell 20.58 67 Grant Hibbert 21.48 71 Chris Hunton 21.53 72 Amelie Hunton 21.54 101 Adam Wright 22.32 134 Paul Sinton-Hewitt 23.10 187 Ivan Boggis 24.37 248 Gill Wilson 26.13 249 Roger Wilson 26.14 336 John Hanscomb 29.31 RICHMOND PARK TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 12th January 1 R Ward (Belgrave) 16.09 4 Vaughan Ramsay 18.59 12 Sean Paynter 20.06 14 Stephen Instone 20.40 15 Graham Quick 20.45 35 Martin Clark 23.03 37 Wiebke Kortum 23.15 41 Paul Bisping 23.36 74 Karen Broadbent 27.29 82 Janet Turnes 28.42 95 Tanya Allen 30.39 97 Penny Merrett 31.19 98 Cindy Croucher 31.33 STUBBINGTON GREEN 10km Sunday 13th January in Windsor Great Park John Hills made his running comeback...at the age of 75! 1 T Lambert (Winch) 30.29 674 John Hills 66.00 BOX HILL KNACKER CRACKER Tuesday 1st January at Dorking 1 D Rollins (AFD) 44.57 121 Simon Burrell 72.55 HEREFORD NEW YEAR'S DAY 10km Tuesday 1st January 1 A Davies (Brecon) 33.12 21 Chris Brook 39.05 PUB TO PUB 7.3 miles Thursday 27th December at Horndean "Pub to pub...no drinks just a very steep hill!" writes Alan Davidson. 1 J Baker (Chichester) 39.43 52 Alan Davidson 55.07 71 Michael White 60.36 CHRISTMAS SCHOOLS PAARLAUF Wednesday 12th December at St Paul's School Roger Wilson reports: "Belated news: Edward Smith and Luke Wilson, two club members running for Hampton School U14 Cross-Country team, won the Christmas Schools Paarlauf at St Pauls School on 12th December. Ben Chapman, an U13 SMRAC member, made up the three-man team. The race consisted of running as many 1.2k laps as possible for a period of 24 minutes, with handovers allowed anywhere on the course. The Hampton team beat around six other schools in the U14 event, winning medals and goody bags. Their school coach is Dave Clarke, whom they were happy to see featured as a 'cross-country legend' in last month's Running Fitness magazine". FINALLY... THE RANELAGH TEXT This first appears in the Ranelagh Harriers Gazette of February 1910, attributed to "Clodhopper", the pseudonym of Frank Paul: The "Novice" who newly enters, The "Crock" both stale and set, The "Flier" who does such wonders, Are learning this lesson yet. 'Tis a text that all can follow, 'Tis a truth that all must own, "Run, and the world runs with you, Stop, and you stop alone". Not only in sport and pleasure, But in the sterner paths of life, 'Tis a motto that e'er with us Shall nerve us for every strife. For many a weary moment In a hard-fought race alone, "Run, and the world runs with you, Stop, and you stop alone".