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*************************************************** RANELAGH HARRIERS E-NEWS # 385 19 September 2012 Editor: Steve Rowland mailto: steverowland@ranelagh-harriers.com *************************************************** HEADLINE NEWS ************* * Katherine Mercer wins the Thomas Cup * Fastest times by Trevor Maguire and Elin Berstad Mortensen * Silver medals for our W45 team and bronzes for our M60s at the Surrey Road Relays * Estelle Damant runs 84.18 at the Great North Run * Ed Whitlock sets M80 Half Marathon World Record with 98.59 * Ranelagh 11th and 31st at the River Relay * parkrun placings for Michelle Davies, Wiebke Kortum and Duncan Mallison * SWLAN Meet and Mingle Morning (plus free breakfast!) at Saturday's Kingston parkrun ATTENTION PLEASE **************** Follow Ranelagh on Facebook:. FIXTURE CARDS Our winter fixtures for 2012/13 are up on our website here: - but if you'd like a printed fixtures card please collect one at the clubhouse. CABBAGE PATCH 10 miles Sunday 21st October at Twickenham The very popular Cabbage Patch 10 miles road race already has some 1,600 entries, including about 55 from Ranelagh. I believe the limit is 2,100 so If you're thinking of entering, do not delay. Bear in mind, however, that this year the race is the day after the opening men's and women's Surrey League races. Details:. SURREY VETERANS' CHAMPIONSHIPS The Surrey Vets Championship take place on Saturday 13th October starting at 2.30pm for the women's 6km and at 3pm for the men's 10km. They are held on our courses in Richmond Park but are organised by Surrey Athletics, so entries have to be made in advance. Contact the Captains/Team Managers if you are interested. PARALYMPIC THOUGHTS Mike Rowland writes: "I began my contribution to my brother's excellent Olympic special e-news by expressing my sadness that the London 2012 Olympics were over. Why was I so sad, the best was yet to come! Part of me is glad that the Paralympics are over because I was in danger of becoming severely dehydrated - I'd cried so much! I've been asking myself why I enjoyed the Paralympics far more than the Olympics. What if the Paralympics had been first? Would the reverse have happened? No, it's not that. I think it's because it was something new, something fresh and, above all, something essentially amateur. None of the big money that's corrupting sport, no drugs scandals, no evil chants (Man Utd fans, how could you!) The only hint of controversy was Oscar Pistorius's little rant about Alan Oliviera's artificial legs. And that was soon forgotten, the cheers for Pistorius's victory in the 400 metres were as loud as for anybody. I'm going to sound like an old codger, reflecting on days long gone. But these Paralympics were like sport used to be. Everyone of the competitors had a story to tell, everyone of them is a hero. How can you pick out the highlights? I'll just try and list some of my personal memories: My pin-up of the Games, Hannah Cockroft, storming home in the wheelchair 100 and 200 metres. What a personality! Tiny Ellie Simmonds breaking the world record in the S6 400 metres freestyle after her epic battle with Victoria Arlen. That was the greatest swimming race I've ever seen. Richard Whitehead's win in the T42 200 metres. He was last coming off the bend and won by a distance. He now holds the world records for the 200 metres and the marathon. Biggest certainty of the Games was that he would NOT win the 100! David Weir, everything! I had the privilege of being in London to see him win the marathon. Before the Paralympics, Bradley Wiggins had my vote for Sports Personality of the Year. Now it has to be David. Ireland's Jason Smyth's wins in the 100 and 200 metres for the visually impaired. The guy has only 10% vision but ran 21.05 in the 200. And what a charming, unassuming man. Jonnie Peacock's win in the 100 metres for blade runners. And the joy on Pistorius's face on hearing the deafening noise of the crowd, celebrating Peacock's victory. Sarah Storey's 11th gold medal, equalling the record of Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson and Dave Robertson. A guy with one leg hopping over the bar in the high jump. I'd told my wife there would be three field events that the athletes wouldn't manage - the pole vault, the hammer and the high jump. Not so. This bloke cleared just under 6 feet! I wonder what the Ranelagh record is! The long jump for the visually impaired . A blind jumper had his helper clapping hands at the entrance to the sandpit so that he, the athlete, would know where the take-off board was. 80,000 people in the stadium, you could hear a pin drop! The closing ceremony. Six athletes had been chosen by their fellow athletes to represent them on the International Paralympic Committee. Six of the wonderful volunteers (gamesmakers - what a lovely expression) were presented with bouquets of flowers by the athletes. And one of the athletes, a French guy, got down on his knees to present his bouquet, almost as if he was being presented to royalty. Coldplay's fabulous, fabulous concert (Yes, I am a HUGE fan). What musicians they are - the drummer, for me, is the greatest I've heard since Led Zeppelin's legendary John Bonham. During their set, Coldplay were joined by the British Paraorchestra to play 'Strawberry Swing'. And one of the orchestra's members was playing an electronic instrument....with her nose! My God, what right have we to complain about anything! Lord Coe's speech. I was never a great fan of the man, always wearing the Steve Ovett badge in the Ovett v Coe rivalry all those years ago. But what that man (and his team, of course) have achieved - he can really hold his head high. Finally, I have to repeat the story told by Sir Philip Craven during his speech which followed Coe's. The 5 year old son of his daughter's best friend was reading a book called 'Treasure'. On the front was a picture of a man with a patch over one eye, a hook instead of a hand, a parrot on his shoulder, and a wooden leg. His mother asked him who he thought the man was, expecting him to say a pirate. But the boy said 'He's only got one leg. He must be an athlete'. The effect of those magical 11 days of sport could not have been more precisely shown." JUNIOR COACHING We are pleased to have a Tuesday night Junior Squad being led by Richard Xerri at 6pm - 7pm. Richard, the current Surrey U13 and U15 XC manager brings many years of experience and racing to the club. His emphasis is on fun and building a young healthy society through grit and hard work!! 11 years upwards. All are welcome, if you know any youngsters who might have been inspired by the Olympics, please bring them along. SWLAN NEWS Kate Brook writes: "Free Breakfast! South West London Athletics Network Meet & Mingle Morning at the Hawker Centre, Lower Ham Road, Kingston KT2 5BH Saturday 22 September 2012 9am - 10:30am You can take part in the Kingston parkrun 5km start 9am or Open Air Autumn Circuits 9am start And Join SWLAN for Free Breakfast in the Café afterwards. Free Athletics Leader Course Venue: St Mary's University College, Twickenham TW1 4SX Date: Saturday 17th November 2012 Time: 9-5pm Cost: Free to SWLAN Member clubs Closing date: Friday 26th October 2012 To start your booking, contact kate.brook@swlan.org.uk Who should attend? Anyone thinking about helping out the coaches at your club's junior sessions. The course is particularly aimed at parents, carers, grandparents or young leaders over 16 years of age. What will you learn? You will learn the basic principles of running, jumping and throwing along with lots of activity ideas through the use of task cards. Topics covered are: Establishing the role and responsibilities of an Athletics Leader Understanding the working relationship with a supervising coach Learning the principles of running, jumping and throwing Developing fun and exciting warm ups for children The basics of development Dealing with challenging behaviour Leading safe sessions" WHAT'S COMING ************* More details of the following from Marc Snaith (07717 213035 / e-mail Marc and Chris ranelagh.men@gmail.com or the women's team managers ranelagh.women@gmail.com Saturday 22nd September South of England Women's Road Relay at Rushmoor Arena, Aldershot Sunday 23rd September South of England Men's Road Relay at Rushmoor Arena, Aldershot Saturday 29th September Page Cup 5 miles handicap 3pm start in Richmond Park Saturday 13th October Surrey Vets Championships in Richmond Park -women 6km at 2.30pm, men 10km at 3pm. 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 Bedfont Lakes Bedfont Lakes Country Park, Ashford, Middlesex Kingston The Hawker Centre Old Deer Park Pools in the Park on the A316 Crane Park Near the Hospital Bridge Roundabout on the A316 in Twickenham Other venues, more details and registration at www.parkrun.com The 2km junior parkrun for under 15s takes place at 11am on the first Sunday of each month from Bushy Park's Teddington Gate. WHAT'S HAPPENED *************** OPENING RUN and THOMAS CUP 3.9 miles handicap Saturday 8th September in Richmond Park HRH Prince Sebastian evidently has a personal direct line to the weather gods and he had decreed fine weather until the end of the Paralympics, So the second Saturday in September turned out to be one of the hottest and sunniest days of our better-late-than-never summer. The heat may have suited the Paralympians and the crowds following their progress but it made for uncomfortable conditions for the sixty-something Ranelagh Harriers who took numbers for the 112th running of the Thomas Cup race in Richmond Park. First though came the club photo for the Opening Run of our 132nd season. Ken Powley efficiently wielded the camera as usual and the result can be seen on our website. Then, when at length everyone had toiled up the hill to the start, the race got underway. May Nadir was the first starter, pursued by a group of five runners off 19 minutes including the very youthful Luke Maguire. Rodney Oliver followed one minute later and soon he and Luke were pressing ahead. But it wouldn't last. Katherine Mercer ran well off a mark of 11.50 to catch all those ahead of her by the last hill. Her lead was diminishing by the top of the climb but at the finish she still had some 80 metres in hand over fast-closing Becky Hall and Rob Curtis. They had never been far apart throughout the race but although Becky crossed the line first it will be Rob who collects the silver medal as Becky was competing as a guest. Rachel Revett - another guest - was close at hand pursued by bronze medallist Michelle Davies. Then came the cavalry charge led by Colin Brett whose 24.40 clocking just missed the top three fastest times. Quickest on the day was Trevor Maguire on 24.01, ahead of Andy Bickerstaff's 24.24 and Chris Bundhun's 24.38. Elin Berstad Mortensen was the fastest woman with a time of 28.04, followed by Becky Hall on 28.25 and Gemma Cory on 28.47. The evening's quiz saw the President and the Treasurer torturing their clubmates with tremendously tricky trivia. Winning team was Phil Jackson, Tony Clark and Rob and Philippa Kitchen aka the Carbon Canines. Thanks as usual to the quizmasters and to Andy Hayward, Michele Gibson and Mike White for organising the food and drink. SURREY COUNTY ROAD RELAY CHAMPIONSHIPS Saturday 15th September at Wimbledon Park We came away from the Surrey Road Relays with two sets of medals and were just a traffic jam away from a third. Top result came from our women over 45 team. Marie Synnott-Wells ran the opening stage and set the day's fastest time in that category of 18.51. A speedy Thames Hare & Hounds squad soon took over the lead but Louise Piears and Sonia Rowland kept us in a secure second place for the silver medals. Our men over 60 also held second place for the first two laps but then South London stormed through after a steady start to win the golds and push our team of Phil Jackson, Peter Fordham and Mike Peace back into the bronze medal slot. We looked set for a surefire second place in the over 50 men's race until lady luck took a hand. Mick Lane gave us a good start, finishing right on the shoulder of the leading over 50 team, which oddly was the South London Harriers B squad - their A team was back in 5th place. Martin Halvey took us into the lead on stage 2, though behind him the SLH A team had closed to within half a minute. On stage 3 SLH swept into the lead but Andy Bickerstaff kept us in contention a little over 20 seconds behind. John Shaw was due to anchor the team but when Andy entered the stadium for the final 350 metres there was no John to be seen. Frustratingly he'd been caught up in traffic behind an accident and was desperately hoofing it to the start - sadly arriving five minutes or so too late. Andy Hayward, who had already run a stage for the over 50s B team, gallantly stepped in but understandably he was unable to keep us in the medals. John later ran the final stage for the senior B team and his time would certainly have kept the over 50s in second place with only some half a minute covering all four members of the team. For the senior women's team, relay rookies Elin Berstad Mortensen and Gemma Cory got us off to a good start with Elin staying ahead of the over 45s' Marie until the final few metres. Elin finished 8th and Gemma maintained that position and then on stage 3 Sandra Prosser gained one place. Marie put in her second stint on the anchor to bring us in 8th. Phil Killingley ran a strong opener for the senior men's team finishing in 8th place in our fastest time of the day, 15.29 for the lap of just under 3 miles. Chris Bundhun, Ben Shore, Peter Faull, Vaughan Ramsay and Andy Bickerstaff - another two-lapper - brought us home in 13th place. That there were some faster times in the B team - Duncan Mallison and Nick Harrison amongst them - is explained by the fact that only Surrey-qualified runners came compete in the A team. KINGFIELD CANTER 2.86 miles handicap Wednesday 5th September at Woking 1 H Rowntree (unatt) 22.33 (actual time 21.33) 23 Steve Rowland 26.54 (20.54) 28 Sonia Rowland 27.30 (21.00) RIVER RELAY 26.2 miles Sunday 9th September Virginia Water - Ham Andy Bickerstaff reports: "For some reason, it must have seemed a good idea at the time I guess, I decided that it was time we had another go at the River Relay even though it was the day after the Thomas Cup Handicap and evening Quiz. This year it was a 5 stage marathon-length race along the Thames from Windsor Great Park to Ham. Nine of the intrepid runners had run the Thomas and the other, take a bow Marie, came straight off a night shift! Unusually it's a baton relay rather than a series of stage races so you know exactly where your team is ...and it can be a bit of a guess when they will show up." Here is B team's John Pratt's account of leg 1: "An idyllic setting around Virginia Water and through Windsor Great Park, with the unaccustomed September sun slanting through the trees and across the lake. The start has, for those of us new to the race, been pushed back by half a mile or so to a Canadian totem pole (no I don't know why it's there either), so as to make it a 26.2 mile race, but this meant that you had to jog all the way out to it and then run back past where you came from. Publically answering to the team name of Ranelagh Sweeties was definitely the worse part of the day, and a lot of otherwise nice chaps moved smartly away from me when it was called. As usual, all the young people (ie under 67) set off like rabbits and it took me a while to run down a few of them, to come in in a bit over 36 minutes (inside my private estimate but a shade over Andy's optimistic one) and 29th, more or less the position we maintained throughout. (Interesting to note that the team finishing time was 10 minutes slower than my individual marathon of two years ago. And no I don't want to do it all on my own next year)." ...and A team's Bruce McLaren's of Leg 2: "Amazingly this was my first visit to Windsor Great Park and it was a great place to start leg 2 on a sunny morning. John Ricketts duly arrived and I clasped the baton and set off in pursuit of those ahead. The first mile or so out of the park is slightly uphill but feeling reasonably fresh I hardly noticed and had reeled a couple of runners in by the time I reached a long descent to the river just short of Runnymede. The downhill section was terrific and I hauled in another couple of runners going down and my Garmin told me my pace was good. I reached the bottom of the hill around the 3 mile mark and thought I would just find a nice pace for the last 1.8 miles to the handover. It was then that the day before's Thomas Cup announced its presence in my legs and the profile of my pace started to hockey stick. Thinking it wasn't really that much further, and knowing it was all along the river and so flat, I soldiered on trying to keep the distance to the person ahead constant. With half a mile to go on my Garmin I thought I would give a bit of a push for the line. Half a mile later I discovered The Stragglers are not the best route measurers and by the time I reached Andy at the start of leg 3 my half mile push was just short of a mile." Andy continues: "For some leg 3 was a pleasant 6.5 mile saunter along the river, but for me, having done the Thomas, Quiz, beer and pub, not quite so pleasant but I managed to overtake a few struggling even more in the heat. It was a huge relief to hand over the sweaty baton to Marie and wait for a surprisingly sprightly and fresh looking Sally Bamford to appear. The Ranelagh Mixed Bag steadily worked though the field up to a useful 6th until the last leg runner, a slightly jaded and hamstrung Phil Aiken, manfully held on to finish us in 11th albeit with a marathon time outside 3 hours (not Phil, the team). The Sweeties also did themselves proud with press-ganged in at the last minute Wyn Williams reaching a high of 25th position, and the Kitchens eventually bringing the team home 31st out of 37. The rules say that of the five members of each team one has to be a woman and one a vet. Next year a few more seniors would be nice!" 1 Sandhurst Joggers 2:40.03 11 Ranelagh Mixed Bag 3:06.24 John Ricketts 15 32.18 Bruce McLaren 12 25.18 Andy Bickerstaff 8 41.02 Marie Synnott-Wells 6 34.19 Phil Aiken 11 43.27 31 Ranelagh Sweeties 3:45.05 John Pratt 29 36.19 Wyn Williams 25 39.14 Sally Bamford 31 57.23 Philippa Kitchen 33 44.29 Rob Kitchen 31 47.40 MARATHON DU MEDOC Saturday 8th September "Le Marathon le plus long du monde" says the website. Jane Craigie-Payne reports: "A personal worst by a long stretch, but a huge PB in terms of most fun ever had during a marathon! Wine, blazing sunshine, food, fancy dress, vineyards, music, silliness - excellent stuff. I even danced with a French man in drag at 25 miles, it's not often you can say that after a marathon! Brilliant organisation, amazing crowd support and a great goodie bag including a 'not available in the shops' bottle of wine. I'll be back to do this one again." 1 T Guibault (France) 2:28.46 2426 Jane Craigie-Payne 5:28.05 2427 Heather Martingell 5:28.06 BACCHUS MARATHON Sunday 9th September at Dorking Kirsty Bangham reports: "After an unpleasant experience in the snowy wastelands of Bungay, I went off the whole idea of marathons. Four years later, I decided it was time to get over myself and get back on the horse as it were. I came up with a plan to enter a marathon that was either so silly or so difficult that the focus was not on times. And so I entered the Bacchus marathon at Denbies Wine Estate. This is England's answer to the Medoc marathon - a hilly, mostly off-road course, wine and snacks at all the water stations, fancy dress encouraged and a hog roast and more wine at the end. I am not really a drinker, and I don't do fancy dress, but the rest sounded ideal. I loosely followed a 4.30 training schedule, but really didn't care what time I did. I just wanted to enjoy it. Despite the rubbish summer we had, somehow all my long runs seemed to be on quite hot days, which was rather lucky when race day came and it was 27 degrees or so, with blue skies and sunshine. And the race didn't start until 11am, so we'd be out in the midday sun. At the start I was much less nervous than usual, as I was putting no pressure on myself to do anything except finish. It wouldn't have mattered if I was nervous, as there were loads of loos with no queues! We set off around the vineyard, and the first drip of sweat rolled off me just before the one mile marker. Never mind, it wasn't long before the first water station. These had an amazing array of water, squash, gels, oranges, bananas, raisins, pretzels, crisps and sweeties. I mainly went for the pretzels and bananas; and the water, gallons of water. All the way round the first lap I felt thirsty the whole time, was very salt encrusted and not sweating enough. I was alternately paranoid about dehydrating or dying from drinking too much! After a while I discovered that three (half full) cups at each water station was about right. I walked through every drinks station and up a steep hill, but ran all the rest of the first lap. I was feeling the heat but felt fine and was enjoying it. It never crossed my mind to quit at halfway. We went round a cone and over a timing mat and set off on lap two. The first lap took me 2.23. The first couple of miles of lap two really annoyed me - I felt like the lap hadn't started properly while I was still in the vineyard and I couldn't wait to get out of it. It really got on my nerves! Then I came to a tiny incline - and I just could not run up it. So I walked. I was fine about walking. As the lap continued I walked up every single hill - at one point I walked two miles with no running! I also walked some flat bits that were in the sun. Thankfully there were plenty of shady bits. The course was absolutely beautiful with stunning views. I did various bits of mental maths along the way, such as 'there's nine miles to go, how long would it take if I walked all the rest of the way?'! Luckily I didn't need to find out, as once I got to the top of the biggest hill I found my second wind and ran most of the last five miles or so. The final mile was a fantastic downhill on tarmac back into the vineyard. Nearly all the rest of the course was off road so this felt lovely! It was my fastest mile by far and twice as fast as my slowest! I even managed a sprint finish. At the finish there were medals and t shirts, and a table with fresh fruit, tea and cakes! How good is that? You could then stroll straight into the BBQ area and claim your hog roast and wine. I couldn't quite face that but I felt .... fine really! I have never felt so untroubled by having run a marathon. OK so it was my slowest ever time and an hour slower than my fastest, but it's still a hilly marathon on a hot day and it's hard work! I absolutely cannot recommend this event highly enough. Every bit of the organisation was faultless. It's also really easy to get to on public transport, and not far away. So why was I the only Ranelagh in the marathon, and none in the half marathon? I'm definitely going back next year (but I think I'll do the half!), and I would love to have some blue vests for company!" 1 J Ratcliffe (HHH) 3:11.24 111 Kirsty Bangham 5:10.00 DREI ZINNEN MOUNTAIN RACE Sunday 9th September in the Italian Dolomites In his mountain running debut Alex Fordham showed no hesitation in leaving dad behind and went on to finish 5th in the junior category. 1 G Abate (Italy) 1:26.16 592 Alex Fordham 2:45.57 680 Peter Fordham 2:57.07 GREAT NORTH RUN HALF MARATHON Sunday 16th September at Newcastle It was good to see Estelle Damant in the television coverage lining up on the elite women's start and she went on to finish in an excellent 22nd place. Elite Women 1 T Dibaba (Ethiopia) 1:07.35 22 Estelle Damant 1:24.18 Elite Men and masses 1 W Kipsang (Kenya) 59.06 2818 David Bell 1:38.48 8649 Rachel Lawlor 1:51.04 MILTON HALF MARATHON Sunday 16th September in Ontario, Canada This comes from the US Runner's World: "Canadian Ed Whitlock, 81, added to his collection of world records on Sunday by running 1:38:59 at a half marathon in his hometown of Milton, Ontario. Whitlock broke the old 80+ mark by 29 seconds, despite resuming regular running only in the weeks before the race. Whitlock fell on ice last November and broke a rib, one month after lowering his 80+ marathon world record to 3:15:54. He missed months of training and didn't resume his famed routine of daily two- to three-hour runs in a nearby cemetery until mid-summer. "I have had injury issues all this year and I am not in 100% shape," Whitlock wrote this morning. "I was relieved to beat the half record as I thought it would be touch and go considering my less than optimum training. The course was flat and weather conditions were very good, little wind and low temperatures." Next up for Whitlock is the half or marathon at October 14's Toronto Marathon, held about 45 minutes from Whitlock's home. "I am not 100% sure whether I will do the half or the full but I am leaning towards the full," Whitlock wrote. "My expectations for the marathon are not too high as there's not much time to improve my condition before then. Still training in the cemetery, haven't come to my senses yet," Whitlock added." 1 M Doyle (Canada) 1:16.12 (chip time 1:16.12) 41 Ed Whitlock 1:38.59 (1:38.57) MABAC LEAGUE 5 miles Sunday 16th September at Lightwater Country Park 1 G Grundy (MAGIC) 32.16 29 James Barber 41.59 72 Lynne Barber 49.37 89 Christine David 61.30 1 lap (2.5 miles) 1 J Colvin (DMV) 19.54 3 David Goodsell 23.25 FARNHAM PILGRIM HALF MARATHON Sunday 16th September 1 D Rollins (AFD) 1:25.13 (chip time 1:25.13) 5 Mark Herbert 1:30.59 (1:30.59) 100 Ian Anderson 1:51.45 (1:51.30) MAIDENHEAD HALF MARATHON Sunday 16th September 1 J Stead (HHH) 1:10.57 (chip time 1:10.56) 114 Colin Brett 1:26.57 (1:26.48) 193 Liam Griffin 1:30.17 (1:30.03) 271 Phil Jackson 1:33.46 (1:33.24) 927 Pete Warren 1:54.29 (1:53.57) RICHMOND PARK parkrun 5km Saturday 8th September 1 P Goldsworthy (unatt) 18.18 17 Alan Elder 20.13 20 Peter Faull 20.19 22 Stewart Anderson 20.29 23 Alberto Esguevillas 20.36 59 Eugenio Carmo 22.24 94 Karen Weir 23.55 98 Rachel Findlay 24.15 113 Tony Appleby 24.51 138 Colin Rogal 25.41 197 Alison Dicks 27.35 BUSHY PARK parkrun 5km Saturday 8th September 1 A Jackson (Sitting) 16.17 104 Simon Rothwell 20.42 165 Ian Grange 21.46 244 Egis Vincel 23.14 662 Vicci Randle 28.28 864 John Hanscomb 33.10 869 Wally Garrod 33.12 CRANE PARK parkrun 5km Saturday 8th September Duncan Mallison was narrowly beaten for first place. 1 H Hughes (TVH) 18.11 2 Duncan Mallison 18.15 37 Lynne Barber 25.51 50 Stacey Barber 28.15 55 Mike White 30.02 56 Christine David 30.26 66 Deirdre Inman 34.02 OLD DEER PARK parkrun 5km Saturday 8th September 1 S Emeny (unatt) 19.18 8 Phil Roberts 22.51 11 Ben Shore 23.28 28 Molly Smith 30.38 KINGSTON parkrun 5km Saturday 8th September 1 J Chang (26.2) 18.19 11 Chris Camacho 21.11 74 Martin Clark 28.26 BEDFONT LAKES parkrun 5km Saturday 8th September Michelle Davies was the leading woman. 1 G Russell (unatt) 18.32 11 Michelle Davies 21.39 12 Lee Davies 21.52 85 Danny Hobbs 33.55 HILLY FIELDS parkrun 5km Saturday 8th September The usual suspects attended the inaugural Hilly Fields parkrun in Lewisham. 1 D Norman (Strag) 17.50 13 Paul Sinton-Hewitt 21.33 16 Phil Aiken 22.17 56 Rob Curtis 27.21 57 Becky Hall 27.26 GUNNERSBURY parkrun 5km Saturday 8th September 1 A Leslie (unatt) 17.23 19 Phil Jackson 20.02 FRIMLEY LODGE parkrun 5km Saturday 8th September 1 D Symes (unatt) 16.44 130 Louise Davies 25.20 OXFORD parkrun 5km Saturday 8th September 1 S Cruickshank (Wood) 18.35 77 Evelyn Joslin 28.25 RICHMOND PARK parkrun 5km Saturday 15th September 1 P Makowski (Camb & C) 17.56 14 Alberto Esguevillas 20.03 16 Stewart Anderson 20.08 41 Richard Goddard-Jones 22.05 63 Eugenio Carmo 22.52 65 Amrut Sharma 22.54 88 Rachael Holmes 23.52 111 Colin Rogal 25.12 123 Dianne Oliver 25.46 137 Lorna Smith 26.18 197 Alison Dicks 29.21 199 Mike White 29.23 208 Tony Clark 30.26 251 Penny Merrett 34.29 BUSHY PARK parkrun 5km Saturday 15th September 1 N Pollock (kent) 16.00 108 Simon Rothwell 20.47 205 Ian Grange 22.32 417 Kirsty Bangham 25.17 863 John Hanscomb 33.41 OLD DEER PARK parkrun 5km Saturday 15th September 1 R Young (unatt) 20.01 6 Wyn Williams 22.15 9 Phil Roberts 22.48 35 Deborah Blakemore 30.02 37 Paula Maguire 33.36 KINGSTON parkrun 5km Saturday 15th September Wiebke Kortum was the first woman this week. 1 P Bowden (Strag) 18.43 9 Chris Camacho 20.33 18 Wiebke Kortum 21.47 60 Martin Clark 29.10 ORPINGTON parkrun 5km Saturday 15th September And another inaugural parkrun. 1 J Cherriman (Orp) 16.53 17 Paul Sinton-Hewitt 20.59 30 Phil Aiken 22.15 BEDFONT LAKES parkrun 5km Saturday 15th September 1 J Watson (York Uni) 18.01 99 Danny Hobbs 33.56 READING parkrun 5km Saturday 15th September 1 J Sherman (Reading RR) 17.14 249 Louise Atkinson 32.48 FINALLY... Thanks to Pete Mulholland who found this on the www.eightlane.org website. It originally referred to the Met League but is equally appropriate for us: "Yesterday was the last day of our Summer of love: tomorrow begins the Winter of our discontent. All good things must come to an end. Yesterday Metropolitania was hot and heady and dream-like what with the Olympics and the Jubilee, tomorrow a chill wind will course through the woods and the hills and the heaths and our lungs. But, cross-country men and women, don't despair! All is not lost, life is still worth living, there are still things to look forward to, for the Surrey League is looming in the distance, drawing ever closer."