*************************************************** RANELAGH HARRIERS E-NEWS # 290 23 September 2008 Editor: Steve Rowland mailto: steverowland@ranelagh-harriers.com *************************************************** HEADLINE NEWS ************* * Sam Hunton wins the Thomas Cup * Peter Haarer and Marie Synnott-Wells run fastest times * Women's team 3rd and men's team 8th in Surrey Road Relays * Darryl McDonald wins WCTT * Kath Phillips second in RPTT SEE HERE ******** HELP TO SHAPE RANELAGH'S FUTURE... Evelyn Joslin writes: "A small group of us have been beginning to look at how we may want Ranelagh to develop in the future. As a part of this work, we want to get together a broad cross section of members to help define the vision of where we want to be in the future and identify some actions we can take to start on this journey. We'll be setting up a session on a Saturday or Sunday in Sept/Oct to work through this. It will last about 3 hrs and will be fun. If you are interested in learning more or helping shape the future of our club, please email me joslinem@yahoo.com MOB MATCHES Vice Captain Niall O'Connor writes: "Being unsure of what precisely a vice-captain does (apart from shelter behind the captain looking officious) I thought I'd write a note on a longstanding tradition of Ranelagh's - the 'mob matches'. These are four great races on classic, scenic running courses that Ranelagh competes in each year. However the participating number of Ranelagh runners has been declining over the last few years meaning that many Ranelagh runners haven't experienced these great races. They are definitely worth running in - some have been 'going' for 100 years! A 'mob match' is not a daunting as it sounds, it's more like a 'good run in the countryside', or an extended version of the Saturday morning time trials. Only two clubs takes part in each race - Ranelagh and one of Thames Hare and Hounds, Orion Harriers, Blackheath Harriers or South London Harriers. This year we are 'away' to Orion in Chingford and Blackheath in Hayes, Kent, while Thames and South London visit us in Richmond Park. There's nothing to be won but club pride and each race will have about 80-100 runners. The distance covered is roughly 7.5 miles, usually in 2 laps, which is perfect for anyone that has run a 10k and wants to step up to either 10 miles or a half-marathon. The races are for all standards (60min 10k runners won't finish last!) and both sexes, and, in general, the club with the most representatives wins the cup that goes with each race. One great aspect of these races is that everyone counts towards the overall score, so if you are one of the many (including me) that struggles to feature among the Ranelagh 'counters' at races this is a great chance to don the Ranelagh vest and contribute to the scoring. My favourite course is the Blackheath one in Hayes which takes us through fields, along cobbled tracks, into forest and then the pub by the train station. We visit there in late January - so bear it in mind! Our first match is on November 1st in Chingford, followed by our two home matches in Richmond Park on November 29th and December 13th. These races are on beautiful, scenic courses, make for great training runs if you're not feeling competitive (there's no entry fee), and are an integral part of Ranelagh's tradition - give them a go this season!" SURREY CROSS-COUNTRY LEAGUES The men's and women's Leagues both kick off on Saturday 11th October - the men on our course in Richmond Park (2.30pm for under 17s, 3pm for seniors/U20s) and the women at Nork Park, Banstead. The senior women's race starts at 12.15pm with the junior races following. All are welcome to run (just turn up and register on the day), but anyone with half a chance of making the scoring team should try to make it if at all possible. The men's race is 10 to score, the women's is 5 to score. CABBAGE PATCH 10 The entry limit has very nearly been reached for this popular 10 miler which takes place on Sunday 19th October on the usual course from Twickenham. Fifty Ranelagh Harriers have already entered and if you want to join them you'd better act quickly. WIMBLEDON 10 MILES The Geoff Moulden Wimbledon 10 - to give it its full title - takes place on Sunday October 5th at 10am from Wimbledon Park. There is an impressive prize list this year, including £100 for the winning men's and women's teams (3 to score). HORSLEY 5km Louise and John Piears and Andy Bickerstaff help to organise this charity event at the village of West Horsley. It takes place on Sunday 28th September starting at 1.30pm. Details and entry form here: GREETINGS FROM NEPAL Margaret Nilsen Fehn writes: "Hi all at Ranelagh. I'm three weeks into my stay in Nepal. I am working for the Esther Benjamin Trust who release girls who have been trafficked into Indian circuses. It is nearing the end of the monsoon period and I am waiting for the Himalayas to appear above the clouds. The skies should get clearer from now on. I am staying in Godawari a town up and away from Kathmandu which is rather a hellhole. The pollution hovers above the city! I have started to brave it into Kathmandu and wonder at the outset if I will arrive alive. It's the Kathmandu Marathon on Saturday. After my hard day's work I am sitting in a rather plush hotel sipping a dry martini and tonic. My ONLY treat! Enjoy Richmond and don't moan about anything in England. See you at Christmas. Best wishes and good running. PS This morning I noticed an earthquake alarm in the house!" WHAT'S COMING ************* More details of the following from Marc Snaith (07717 213035 mailto ( mdsnaith5@hotmail.com ) or Marie Synnott-Wells (07956 431319 / mailto nandmwells@aol.com ) Saturday 27th September South of England Road Relays (men) at Rushmoor Arena, Aldershot Sunday 28th September South of England Road Relays (women) at Rushmoor Arena, Aldershot Saturday 4th October Page Cup 5 miles handicap in Richmond Park. 3pm start. All members welcome, register on the day. Sunday 5th October Wimbledon 10 miles road race. See above. Saturday 11th October Surrey League Division 1 (men) in Richmond Park. Surrey Ladies League Division 1 at Nork Park, Banstead. See above. Parkruns every Saturday at 9am Bushy Park Diana Fountain car park Richmond Park Richmond Gate 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 *************** OPENING RUN and THOMAS CUP 3.91 miles handicap Saturday 6th September in Richmond Park The first Saturday in September seems to have become the regular date for the Opening Run of our winter season. One would think that this is far too early to be thinking about winter, but on this occasion - the opening of our 128th season - the weather did its best to make it seem appropriate. The day was cool and damp, though by lucky chance the club photo - efficiently executed by Ken Powley - and the race itself both took place in between the heavy showers that regularly blew over. Perhaps because of the weather numbers were a little down on recent years - 56 took part, compared with over 70 in 2007. Deirdre Inman was the first runner set on her way, soon to be followed by Cindy Croucher and Corinne Bishop. It was Corinne who took over at the head of the field, but her moment of glory did not last long as a host of blue vests bore down on her. Michael White and Alan Howard were amongst the first to catch and pass Corinne, with Michelle Beaumont and Clive Naish not far behind. Clive must have fancied his chances of putting his name on the historic trophy - which was first won by the great Sid Thomas in a 10 miles match race in 1891 - but he did not reckon with the youth versus experience battle that was developing behind him. From a mark of 5.40 15 year-old Sam Hunton had made a blazing start, forging past those immediately ahead. By mid-race Sam's progress had slowed a little, and it was here that he caught up with soon-to-be-50 year-old Kevin Jacques. Sam passed Kevin, Kevin passed Sam. But the younger man had the scent of victory in his nostrils and pulled away up the final hill to win by 15 seconds. Kevin took the silver medal and Clive Naish hung on for the bronze just a few seconds ahead of the fast finishing Chris Brook. Niall O'Connor finished fifth, catching Alan Howard on the line, with 17 year-old Ralph Street making an impressive Ranelagh debut just another stride behind. They came in thick and fast thereafter, an indication of a good job by the handicapper - 30 home within two minutes of the winner and 43 within three minutes. Peter Haarer and Darryl McDonald were the joint scratch men on the day and they enjoyed a race-long battle which was eventually won by Peter, 21.41 to 21.54. These were the fastest times of the day, followed by Ralph Street on 22.28. Marie Synnott-Wells's 25.57 was the leading time by a woman ahead of Sandra Prosser's 28.09 and Kate Brook's 29.51. 71-year-old Alan Howard's 30.47 in 6th place shattered the course record for over 70s, but it might have been a very short-lived record indeed. Back in the pack Martin Clark was also gunning for the old mark. It was not until we were back in the clubhouse and Ken's computer had done the maths that Martin's time was declared as 30.49, just two seconds slower than Alan. There was a free tea at the clubhouse today, courtesy of the generosity of handicapper Mike Rowland, or more specifically courtesy of a nice win he had on the gee-gees. Mike dedicated it to the memory of Alan Craig who so sadly passed away earlier this year. SURREY ROAD RELAYS Saturday 13th September at Wimbledon Park Marie Synnott-Wells reports: "This year we fielded two senior ladies teams and one vet team at the Surrey Road Relays. The A team of Sara Grosvenor, Holly James, Kath Phillips and I managed to take bronze, securing a 10 year run of medals at this event. Our 'B' team finished in 12th place, with Michelle Beaumont running the opening leg and Liz Kipling taking up the anchor. The other two team members were Daniela Mingham, a new recruit, and Karen Weir, setting herself a PB on this course. The vets team did well, with Sandra Prosser (the ever ready) running two legs in the absence of a fourth member. The other team members were Sonia Rowland and Louise Piears. Overall the day went well and as always the weather was good (hot and sticky)! Welcome back to the fold, Liz and Sara". Our men's team finished in 8th place after a storming last leg of 15.20 by Richard Gregory. Next fastest was Jonathon Stacey's 15.46 on stage two, and he went on to run only four seconds slower on the fifth stage for the 'B' team. Howard Gleave, Marc Snaith and Ed Barker were in the sixteen minutes bracket, with Vaughan Ramsay just outside. 18 year-old Sean Paynter ran a great opening stage of 16.29 for the 'B' team, pressuring Howard for the 'A' team all the way. BUSHY PARK TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 6th September 1 J Trapmore (Shaft B) 16.39 11 Sean Paynter 18.14 23 Duncan Mallison 19.02 56 Darren Wood 20.08 69 Simon Collingridge 20.24 85 David Ready 20.44 124 Paul Sinton-Hewitt 21.30 279 Phil Aiken 24.34 367 Roger Wilson 26.37 398 Wally Garrod 27.43 457 Stacey Barber 30.07 RICHMOND PARK TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 6th September Kath Phillips was 2nd woman to finish. 1 T Grose (VPH & TH) 17.46 8 Peter Weir 19.52 18 Kath Phillips 20.57 48 Paul Bisping 23.49 55 Simon Burrell 24.44 94 Heather Martingell 30.27 98 Pat Hewlett 32.03 BRIGHTON & HOVE TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 6th September 1 C Thomson (Brighton) 16.09 67 John Hanscomb 28.06 OVERTON 5 miles Saturday 6th September Mick Lane was 3rd over 45. 1 T Lambert (Winch) 24.31 26 Mick Lane 29.10 HARRY HAWKES 8 miles Sunday 7th September at Thames Ditton The traditional date for the Harry Hawkes was the first Sunday in July, and it has usually featured in our Grand Prix series. This year, however, the race moved to September and there was comparatively little interest from Ranelagh. Trevor Maguire and Stephen Instone led our contingent and both finished 4th in their age categories - over 40 and over 50 respectively. Alan Davidson fared a little better and was the second over 60 across the line. 1 B Hope (WG&EL) 42.13 15 Trevor Maguire 49.06 28 Stephen Instone 51.51 59 Darren Wood 55.27 92 Alan Davidson 58.43 141 Pete Warren 62.53 168 Joanne Turner 64.49 245 Lynne Barber 71.04 310 Sally Stembridge 80.02 322 Christine Goodsell 82.24 SURREY BADGER HALF MARATHON Sunday 7th September at Leatherhead Phil Aiken reports: "Ranelagh's own Richmond Half Marathon may well be the only one in Surrey on the road, but 2008 has seen the addition of another two which explore the North Downs. In March Kath Phillips won the Leith Hill Half but, alas, there was to be no repeat Ranelagh victory last Sunday in the inaugural Surrey Badger Half Marathon. The first and last four miles of the course are out and back with a single loop of around five miles in the middle. The course is multi-terrain encompassing tarmac, bridlepaths, grass and muddy tracks and is 'undulating'. Not a course for the present captain, but his predecessor would be tempted - especially when there's a can of beer at the finish line, courtesy of sponsors Hall and Woodhouse, who brew out of the Badger brewery. I felt fine for the first ten miles, labouring up the hills and making places on the descents. I'd like to think it was because of my superior technique but fear that the laws of physics probably had more effect. The last three were a bit of a struggle but that waiting beer proved enough incentive to keep going. The danger of doing races like these is that you start to look at others of a similar ilk. Midsummer Munro anyone?" 1 M De Freitas (RSA) 1:24.46 99 Phil Aiken 1:52.55 BRIDGES 2.3 miles handicap Wednesday 10th September at Westminster 1 D Garrahan (unatt) 19.27 (actual time 18.27) 5 John Hanscomb 20.42 (21.12) 12 Alan Davidson 20.55 (16.10) 16 Simon Hedger 21.11 (15.11) BUSHY PARK TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 13th September 1 D Symons (THH) 16.55 13 Duncan Mallison 18.10 22 Nick Wright 19.00 27 David Rowe 19.15 56 Darren Wood 20.21 68 David Ready 20.45 74 Adam Wright 20.54 89 Ian Grange 21.07 102 Stephen Logue 21.27 193 Phil Aiken 23.36 228 Kirsty Bangham 24.24 277 Gill Wilson 25.58 278 Roger Wilson 26.00 310 Wally Garrod 27.07 331 John Hanscomb 28.01 363 Sharon Rowe 29.39 RICHMOND PARK TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 13th September 1 J Flood (unatt) 17.37 6 Stephen Instone 19.56 23 Paul Sinton-Hewitt 22.12 27 Paul Bisping 22.50 33 Joanne Turner 24.09 51 Hannah Ebelthite 27.00 66 Pat Hewlett 32.22 WIMBLEDON COMMON TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 13th September 1 A Vandenberg (unatt) 17.23 133 Geraldine Conneely 36.38 ERIDGE 10 miles Sunday 14th September Clive Beauvais won the Over 60s category. 1 N Barrable (Tun W) 62.05 21 Clive Beauvais 74.35 210 Lee Davies 96.20 225 Sue Ashley 97.57 273 Michelle Beaumont 101.32 275 Michael White 101.32 ROBIN HOOD HALF MARATHON Sunday 14th September at Nottingham Chris Read reports: "I ran the Robin Hood Half Marathon on Sunday. The race was well organised and the course, despite a few undulations, not too demanding. The weather was also good for running as it was cool, dry and overcast. The course was good for spectators; my small group of supporters (my brother, nephew and niece) managed to see me three times. My time was 1:28.52." 1 E Cherop (Kenya) 65.28 (chip time 65.28) 217 Chris Read 89.04 (88.52) ASHTEAD 10km Sunday 14th September 1 D Moore (THH) 39.31 45 Michael Bull 49.59 STRETTON SKYLINE FELL RACE Sunday 14th September at Church Stretton Keith Firkin finished 3rd over 45. 1 M James (Shewsbury) 2:18.22 33 Keith Firkin 3:18.12 INSURANCE 10km CHAMPIONSHIP Wednesday 17th September in Battersea Park Representing the second-placed Barclays Capital team, Steve Whitehead finished 8th in 35.36. RICHMOND PARK TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 20th September Chris Wilson reports: "BIG SHOUT out for the Ranelagh four who blew away their personal bests trying to catch and beat each other in Saturday's RPTT. We all finished together, collapsing in a big heap feeling a little worse for wear. Andy Woodhouse and I gained 35 seconds to break 21 minutes. Chris Parsons and Simon Burrell both gained about 60 seconds to set low 21min times. Cold, sunny, no wind and we ALL started very, very fast, good efficient striding with plenty of arm movement. There we a few other PB's on the day including Janet Turnes and Pat Hewlett". 1 M Palser (Les Croup) 17.34 4 Vaughan Ramsay 18.43 9 Stephen Instone 19.57 10 Andy Woodhouse 20.40 12 Chris Wilson 20.56 13 Chris Parsons 21.08 15 Simon Burrell 21.16 27 Paul Bisping 23.17 50 Janet Turnes 28.12 56 Francene Leaversuch 29.47 57 Pat Hewlett 31.29 BUSHY PARK TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 20th September 1 W Cockerell (Bels) l6.29 11 Nick Wright 17.51 20 David Rowe 18.16 83 Darren Wood 20.53 101 Ian Grange 21.28 138 Phil Aiken 22.24 273 Wally Garrod 26.34 338 Sharon Rowe 29.11 354 John Hanscomb 29.49 365 Johanna Scheuer 30.42 WIMBLEDON COMMON TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 20th September Darryl McDonald registered his second WCTT victory in a course PB just outside 17 minutes. 1 Darryl McDonald 17.02 BANSTEAD WOODS TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 20th September 1 C Phelan (SLH) 16.48 41 Steve Rowland 21.12 60 Sonia Rowland 23.09 BRAMHALL PARK TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 20th September 1 P Freary (Belgrave) 16.46 20 Paul Sinton-Hewitt 20.54 50 Joanne Turner 23.29 TRAIL CHALLENGE HALF MARATHON Sunday 21st September at Ham Phil Aiken writes: "Made a poor choice in Ham Lands towards the end which must have lost me 10 minutes". 1 P Couldridge (AFD) 1:23.07 43 Phil Aiken 2:06.23 WINDSOR HALF MARATHON Sunday 21st September 1 K Tadesse (Belgrave) 69.33 (chip time 69.33) 97 Niall O'Connor 90.12 (90.07) SPIRE 10 miles Sunday 31st August at Chesterfield Phil Aiken reports: "Last year I was injured. This year I wasn't so lucky. I was returning from injury and, consequently, was more than a touch underprepared for both the distance and the course. But I was in Chesterfield for the weekend, I'd entered the race and I needed some miles in my legs so... why not? And didn't Keith (or was it Nick?) Anderson say that that Kenyan steeplechaser wanted to be able to run a 10 miler at any time? Here I was then, attempting to prove that I could be every bit as good as the Kenyans. A three mile run the evening before gave me confidence. I knew that I could climb that first hill. From there I would trust the rest to gravity because, once those first three uphill miles are out of the way, the rest is almost all downhill to the finish. Almost. Because the last mile and a half go back up again. The race went as I had planned and the time, as expected, was slow. A PW by over 7 minutes. 15 minutes off a course best. It wasn't all bad news though. I did beat my half marathon PB". Results were in e-news #289. NATIONAL POLICE 10 miles CHAMPIONSHIP Wednesday 3rd September at Whitstable Representing the Met Police Mick Lane finished 28th in 61.33. TRIATHLON NEWS Chris Owens and Niall O'Connor competed in the Orca Classic Triathlon at Dorney Lake on 14th September. Niall writes: "My run was about 8th fastest but my bike was 285th. I would have been 3rd woman, apart from the obvious. Room for improvements are obvious - learn to cycle, avoid breaststroke and improve transition. At least my running is holding up". Distances were 1.5km swim, 41.5km bike, 10km run. 1 J Hinton 1:58.34 (swim 20.15, T1 1.05, bike 57.19, T2 0.49, run 39.04) 49 Chris Owens 2:22.38 (24.54, 1.50, 74.16, 0.55, 40.41) 127 Niall O'Connor 2:32.28 (28.01, 2.31, 82.43, 0.55, 38.18) Kerry Anley writes: "I've been doing quite well I think considering it's my first year doing triathlons. I came 3rd in my age group for Windsor and recorded fastest time for the run. I came 5th in my age group in the Monaco Half Iron Man last weekend (including injured knee) and came 3rd in my age group in the National Aquathlon Championships. I've been thinking of doing the Nice Ironman next June. Amazingly I am only running three times a week but my running is faster than it's ever been. I'm looking forward to doing a straight running race to see what I do without cycling silly distances beforehand". Monaco Half Ironman (1.9km swim, 90km bike, 21.1km run) Sunday 7th September Women 1 N Spirig (Switz) 4:37.12 (swim 26.26, T1 2.47, bike 2:42.02, T2 3.09, run 82.48) 39 Kerry Anley 5:42.20 (38.35, 5.37, 3:20.14, 4.28, 93.26) FINALLY... Olympic Oddments: 40 year-old Angolan Joao N'Tyamba was competing in his sixth consecutive Olympics, a new men's record for athletics. He started out as an 800 metres runner in Seoul in 1988 but by Sydney in 2000 he had moved up to the Marathon, finishing 17th in 2hrs16mins. He failed to finish the Marathon in Beijing. However, he was not the oldest competitor: this was Ayele Setegne, a former Ethiopian now representing Israel, who is either 46 or 53 depending on which version you believe. He finished 69th in the Marathon in 2hrs 30mins.