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***************************************************
 RANELAGH HARRIERS E-NEWS # 395             22 February 2013
 Editor: Steve Rowland
 mailto: steverowland@ranelagh-harriers.com  
 ***************************************************

 HEADLINE NEWS
 *************
 *  Phil Killingley leads our men's team to 4th in the Surrey League and 5th
     overall.
 *  Becky Hall leads our women's team to 11th in the Surrey League and 13th
     overall
 *  Ranelagh wins the Pelling-Ratcliff Cup mob match v Blackheath and Bromley
 *  Chris Illman retains the F B Thompson medal for the individual winner  
 *  Estelle Damant finishes 45th in the South of England Championships
 *  PBs at Brighton and Bramley
 *  parkrun placings for Jackson Creegan, Duncan Mallison, Michelle Davies,
     Cathy Jones, David Bell and Kevin Kearey
 *  Colin Brett completes 66 miles on the Pilgrims Way
 *  Captains' 10km challenge announced 
 *  Book for free running technique workshop with Karen Weir on Monday 15th
     April 

 ATTENTION PLEASE
 ****************
 QUIZ NIGHT
 Unfortunately the Quiz Night originally scheduled for March 2nd has had to
 be cancelled. Apologies for any inconvenience.

 IMPROVE YOUR RUNNING TECHNIQUE - FREE EVENING WORKSHOP WITH KAREN WEIR
 Ranelagh and full-time running coach - Karen Weir (Run with Karen) - are
 putting on a free evening workshop for club members only on the subject of
 Running Technique and how you can improve your running. She'll cover the key
 elements that are essential for good technique, to make you a more efficient
 runner and reduce injury risk. She'll also dispel some of the myths
 surrounding the current trend of barefoot running. Places are strictly
 limited to 15, so please contact Karen as soon as possible to book your
 place. karen@runwithkaren.com. This workshop is being supported by Ranelagh
 Harriers so there is no charge to members.  
 Workshop Date: Monday 15th April, 7.30 - 9.30pm in the clubhouse.

 IN MEMORY OF MIKE...
 Vikki Rowland is the daughter of our former club handicapper Mike Rowland,
 who so sadly died from cancer just after Christmas. Vikki has managed to
 obtain a late place in this year's London Marathon with the Cancer Research
 UK team and is now frantically trying to put in the necessary training!
 Obviously it's a cause close to her heart and she'd love to raise a good sum
 in her dad's memory. So, if you ever received a decent handicap from Mike
 perhaps you'd like to consider sponsoring Vikki. Her Justgiving page is
 here: 

 BAKER CUP SUPPER and PRIZE PRESENTATION
 This will be held as usual at the Roebuck on Saturday 6th April, starting at
 7pm. Reserve the date, more details to follow. 

 CAPTAINS' 10km CHALLENGE
 Marc Snaith writes:
 "To give you an extra incentive to train harder and run some fast times this
 summer we are going to reward the three runners who shave the most time from
 their 10k PBs. Don't worry if you set your 10k PB 20 years ago, we'll use
 your fastest time since 1 March 2011. 

 There are three categories organised according to your fastest time since 1
 March 2011. The most improved runner in each of the following three
 categories will win a £50 voucher.
 1. Men sub 40 minutes, women sub 45 minutes.
 2. Men 40 minutes - 49.59, women 45 minutes - 54.59.
 3. Men 50 minutes plus, women 55 minutes plus.

 Only times run between 1 March and 30 September 2013 will count. To enter,
 email ranelagh.men@gmail.com and we'll take your fastest 10k time shown on
 the powerof10 or runbritain websites, or reported in the e-news, since 1
 March 2011. We'll try to keep tabs on improvers but if you beat your best
 time it will help if you send another e-mail with your new PB. 

 Happy training!"

 RICHMOND HALF MARATHON and RICHMOND 13.1
 Our own Half Marathon to be held on May 5th has once again been a victim of
 its own success with the entry limit reached before Christmas. If you missed
 out on entering, there will be a small number of additional club places
 available - reply to this e-news if you're interested. Our friend Richard
 Xerri of the Perseverance Clinic in Richmond is organising another Richmond
 Half Marathon - which he is calling the Richmond 13.1 to avoid confusion -
 to be held on Easter Sunday 31st March.  Details:.  

 MORE RICHMOND HALF MARATHON  
 As usual on this complex course we need plenty of marshals and people to man
 the water stations, ride the lead bikes etc. If you can spare only a few
 minutes we can still use you. If you have two or three hours so much the
 better. Please contact ranelaghhalfhelpers@hotmail.co.uk to volunteer. 

 MABAC LEAGUE
 Penny Merrett writes:
 "The Ranelagh MABAC race is on 3rd March at 11am in Richmond Park.  It's a 5
 miles cross country course of two laps, with the option of two and a half
 miles.  The race starts near the Isabella Plantation and we need marshals
 and runners!" For more info contact Penny penelopemerrett@yahoo.co.uk .

 RANELAGH CUP SCHOOLS RACE
 This will take place in the Park on Saturday 9th March starting at 2.30pm.

 BANK OF ENGLAND RACE
 Our annual visit to the Bank of England's course on the other side of the
 Park was originally scheduled for January 19th but was cancelled after heavy
 snowfalls. The Bank have now invited us to a replacement fixture on Saturday
 23rd March starting at 3pm. We are hoping to run a team in the South of
 England Road Relay on the Sunday, but all other members will be welcome at
 the Bank - the HQ is their Sports Ground off Bank Lane a quarter mile or so
 from Roehampton gate. 

 PARKRUN MOB MATCH 
 Our unofficial parkrun "mob match" against the Stragglers will be
 incorporated with the Kingston parkrun on Saturday 13th April.

 SUMMER ROAD GRAND PRIX
 Our summer GP will consist of the same ten events as last year, starting
 with the Thames Towpath 10 on Sunday 14th April.  Details:.  Any spring marathon will also
 count, between this week's Seville and our Half Marathon on May 5th. Full
 details are on our website here:. 

 GET HIGH!!........................... ALPINE RUNNING
 THE ALETSCH HALF MARATHON in the Swiss Alps 27th June - 1st July
 Peter Fordham writes:
 "Here's another opportunity to be introduced to mountain running in the best
 possible way. I am again taking a small group to Bettmeralp, 2000 metres up
 in the Swiss Alps to run the Aletsch race in spectacular scenery that
 includes fantastic views of the longest glacier in Europe and views of many
 4000 metre peaks. The race is held entirely within one of only two UNESCO
 World Natural Heritage Sites in the Alps. In the days before the race, we
 take advantage of the amazing hiking opportunities in the area, and also
 find time to relax in the traffic free village. 

 The trip price of £630 includes scheduled flights from Heathrow, rail and
 cable car transfers, race entry and four nights with half board at the
 excellent three star Hotel Alpfrieden. The only extra costs you will have to
 incur are for daytime snacks and drinks. If you wish to make your own flight
 arrangements I can adjust the price. All flights and rail travel arranged by
 me are booked through the Swiss Travel Centre.

 If you are interested please contact me as soon as possible, as I still have
 some rooms held for me for a limited period. Please mail me on
 peter_fordham@yahoo.com or call 07799 072307. Visit the race website here:."  

 RUNFAST MARATHON AND ENDURANCE RUNNING SEMINARS
 Andy Hayward sends the following from the Run-Fast group:
 "Marathon and endurance running is a challenge, whether you are a relative
 beginner or an experienced club runner.
 To help you in your quest The Run-Fast Group here: has brought together the very best
 line up of world renowned coaches and Olympic athletes for two great
 seminars covering a wide range of topics including training schedules,
 mental preparation, injury prevention, hydration, nutrition & diet, racing
 kit, tapering, pacing and race day preparation. Our guest speakers will be
 world-class coaches, Bud Baldaro and Nick Anderson plus multi marathon
 winner Mara Yamauchi and Richard Nerurkar MBE, three times winner of English
 National XC and 2:08 marathoner.
 In addition to the presentations there will be an open Q&A session when you
 will be able to voice your own personal concerns and learn from the panel's
 wealth of experiences. Take the time to join us and you could make your own
 personal challenge that much easier. After that, the rest is up to you ...
 so do not miss this unique experience to boost your performance. Reserve
 your place now as numbers are limited. For more information on seminar
 topics, dates, venues and our guest speakers visit our website www.run-fast-seminars.net
   more: .
 Tickets are limited so book now by calling into the Run-Fast shop at 50
 Leadenhall Street, London EC3A 2BJ (0207 036 2300) or at the website above."


 THE EFFECT OF COMPRESSION GARMENTS ON MUSCLE RECOVERY FOLLOWING
 HIGH-INTENSITY SHUTTLE RUNNING
 Nick Coleman of St Mary's University College writes:
 "I am a post graduate student at St Mary's in Twickenham where I am
 currently completing a research project on the effects of compression
 garments on recovery after exercise. I am looking for some subjects to
 assist my research - they can be male or female, aged 18 - 40 and exercising
 2 - 5 hours a week in predominantly running based activity. The test
 involves a 90min interval running protocol designed to create fatigue, this
 would be done on day 1, the participants would then have to come back to St
 Mary's on day 2 and 3 for follow up measurements which would take 10-15min.
 Before the actual testing we would have to measure VO2max, this may be
 attractive to some of your members due to the importance of oxygen uptake in
 running and I would be happy to share the results." Contact Nick by email
 n_coleman@hotmail.co.uk  or phone 07970 318700.

 JUNIOR HANDICAP SERIES
 Colin Brett writes:
 "We plan to enter one or two junior teams in this handicap series organised
 by Stragglers whom I've been speaking with and we will help with marshalling
 time keeping etc. Here are the details: 

 Course
 This is just over 2 km on the grass area in front of the Hawker Centre. It
 consists of four laps of the perimeter of the grass area, which will be
 marked out. After the end of the fourth lap the runners will cross the
 finish line and go down the finish funnel in the order in which they crossed
 the line. New or inexperienced runners, if they find 2 km a bit far, can run
 one lap - they will be given a time, but their results will not count
 towards any individual or team scores.
 First Timers
 First time runners are given a start time depending on their age.
 Under 4 start at 0 minutes and run just one lap (500 metres)
 Age 4-5 also start at 0 mins.
 Age 6-8 start at 5 mins.
 Age 9-11 start at 8 mins.
 Age 12-14 start at 10 mins.
 Age 15-17 start at 12 mins.
 Dates (all Thursdays)
 25TH April 2013
 30TH May 2013
 13TH June 2013
 27TH June 2013
 18TH July 2013
 29TH August 2013
 Start times
 In April and August, Registration is from 7 pm for a 7:30 pm start.
 In May, June and July, Registration is from 7:30 pm for a 8:00 pm start." 

 For more information contact Colin csbrett@mac.com .

 BRIGHTON MARATHON
 Martin Wolfson forwards the following from Emma Waggott at the Princess
 Alice Hospice in Esher:
 "We still have two places left in our Brighton Marathon team which we have
 to fill by the end of the month. If you know anyone that is looking to run a
 marathon then Brighton is a great one to do. We ask the runners to raise a
 minimum of £500 and they will be given a free running vest, fundraising tips
 and training advice leading up until the race day. For more information
 about the Brighton Marathon please visit www.brightonmarathon.co.uk/.
 £500 is not a lot to raise but to the hospice these two spaces mean £1000
 which could pay for two days of care on the ward for one of our patients."
 Contact  Emma on 01372 461958 or see here:. 

 OSLO MARATHON / HALF MARATHON / 10km   21 September 2013
 Elin Berstad Mortensen sends greetings from Norway:
 "Dear all,
 In an earlier newsletter, I invited my fellow Ranelaghs to join me for the
 Oslo Marathon in September, and here is the reminder as promised. The
 marathon entries are now open, and all the information you need, you'll find
 here:. In addition to the full marathon, there
 is a half marathon, a 10k and a 3k. I'll probably be running the 10k myself
 as that is really my target race for 2013.
 I hope those of you who intend to run this marathon will pass me an e-mail
 because I will be pleased to share my knowledge with you about suitable
 accommodation and so forth (but you'll have to make bookings yourselves),
 and find us a nice post-race restaurant.
 Warm greetings from Oslo in Winter!"
 Contact Elin elinberstadmortensen@gmail.com . 

 SKIFF RACE
 Owing to continued poor conditions on the Thames, the Skiff rowing race has
 now been postponed until later in the year.

 Follow Ranelagh on Facebook. 

 WHAT'S COMING
 *************
 More details of the following from Marc Snaith (07717 213035 / e-mail Marc and Chris  
 ranelagh.men@gmail.com  or e-mail Estelle and Phil  ranelagh.women@gmail.com

 Saturday 23rd February           National Cross-Country Championships at
 Sunderland

 Saturday 2nd March                Inter-club 3.8 miles in Richmond Park. 3pm
 start, register on the day.

 Sunday 3rd March                  MABAC League 5 miles in Richmond Park.
 It's an 11am start, not as shown on our Fixtures card. Runners and marshals
 needed (see above).    Details:.

 Sunday 17th March                Clutton Cup 10 miles handicap in Richmond
 Park.  10am start. All members welcome, register on the day.

 Saturday 23rd March              Inter-club 5 miles at the Bank of England
 (Richmond Park, Roehampton Gate) 3pm start.

 Saturday 6th April                  Baker Cup 3 miles road handicap in
 Richmond Park. 3pm start. All members welcome, register on the day. 

 Saturday 13th April                parkrun mob match v Stragglers at the
 Kingston parkrun

 Sunday 14th April                  Towpath 10 miles at Chiswick, starting at
 9.30am. The first race in our summer road GP.  Details:.  

 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
 2km junior parkruns for under 14s take place on the first Sunday of each
 month from Bushy Park's Teddington Gate (11am start) and from Savill Garden
 car park, Windsor Great Park (9.30am start). 

 WHAT'S HAPPENED
 ***************
 2XU SURREY LEAGUE DIVISION 1  Saturday 9th February at Coulsdon
 Marc Snaith reports:
 "About two weeks before each Surrey League race I write out the names of
 those who could run and estimate how many points the scoring team would
 score. As the race day approaches, my list of runners gets shorter and the
 estimated points increases by tens, fifties and quite often hundreds. So it
 was a very fitting end to my captaincy that my list of names was far
 inferior to the runners on the declared team sheet and the final points
 total significantly less than the number scrawled on the piece of paper in
 my back pocket.

 We had thirty-two runners out which must be some kind of record on a runner
 : distance travelled to race ratio. We even had a couple of spectators who
 under different circumstances would expect to run so that figure could have
 been higher. Our points total of 380 is our lowest since 2007 and whilst our
 finishing position in the league was one place lower than last year, the new
 champions, Kent AC, were also new to the division which basically means we
 were consistent with last year.

 Phil Killingley once again led the team finishing just ahead of Chris
 Illman, making his first Surrey League appearance for a few years, followed
 by Eirin McDaid, Sam Perkins, Peter Haarer, Carl Selya-Hammer and Jackson
 Creegan who all made the top fifty. There was a brief interlude and then
 another flurry of blue vests to complete the scoring team. Eighth was
 Richard Gregory, who was testing his legs as part of his return from a
 lengthy injury, just ahead of captain Marc Snaith, making his final Surrey
 League appearance as captain and Darryl McDonald, with Steve Whitehead just
 a few seconds behind Darryl just outside the scoring ten.

 There used to be a time when everyone who ran could easily get name checked
 in the race report, but such is the health of the club, those days seem long
 behind us. In fact I often find that I only know who ran once the final
 results are out. Well done to all who ran, the team spirit is really
 infectious at the moment and our impressive turnouts in this year's Surrey
 League are a testament to all of you. 

 Final mention goes to our President, Steve Rowland, who retained his V60
 trophy. Well done Steve!"

 Phil Killingley adds:
 "A fitting exit for Captain Marvel and a great display of the power of the
 Blue and Gold!  

 It won't surprise you all to learn that we easily carried the gold medal for
 total number of runners participating.  Having moved into the lead at the
 Ham Lands, only home team SLH came anywhere near us in the participation
 stakes at Coulsdon, although we still out-peopled them by 5 runners.  The
 final table is below.   I counted 32 runners at Coulsdon - even more than at
 Ham Lands.  A superb result and one which we'll aim to carry into next
 season."
 
 1 2 3 4          TOTAL 
 Ranelagh 17 27 31 32 107 
 SLH 19 22 18 27 86 
 Herne Hill 19 27 22 15 83 
 Stragglers 17 29 21 11 78 
 Herc Wimb 21 21 21 13 76 
 Thames 18 20 18 14 70 
 Kent 17 17 21 15 70 
 Reigate 14 16 18 14 62 
 Belgrave 10 12 9 11 42 

 Stragglers and Reigate Priory move down to Division 2, to be replaced in the
 top flight by Clapham Chasers and Walton. Stragglers fielded only 11 runners
 today, so our B team contest with them ended in a whitewash.

 Sonia Rowland's Photos. 

 SURREY LADIES LEAGUE  DIVISION 1  Saturday 9th February at Denbies Vineyard,
 Dorking
 A new course had been laid out at Denbies, but still very scenic, winding
 amongst the grape vines with views across to Box Hill, and testing the
 runners with long deceptive climbs and equally long descents. To judge from
 the times it was well in excess of the advertised five miles. Our chances of
 avoiding relegation to Division 2 were slim and though we finished 11th A
 team on the day we could not lift ourselves out of 13th overall - and with
 the bottom three of the fifteen Division 1 clubs to face the drop our fate
 was sealed. In the women's league this makes little practical difference as
 both divisions run together, but nevertheless we can concentrate on a good
 team performance next year to reclaim our Division 1 spot.

 Becky Hall and Marie Synnott-Wells both rallied well to the cause with their
 highest League placings of the year. Wiebke Kortum, Kate Brook and Katherine
 Mercer completed the scoring five - Katherine making the team for the first
 time - and Heather Martingell backed up close behind.  

 Livvy Ricketts again ran well for us in the Under 13s race. 

 Steve Rowland's Photos.

                                                      
 PELLING-RATCLIFF CUP MOB MATCH v BLACKHEATH and BROMLEY HAC  Saturday 16th
 February at Hayes, Kent
 We won!

 Stats first: although honours have been fairly evenly divided in recent
 years, and there have been one or two very close contests at Hayes, our last
 away win against the heathens was in January 1971. And before that? March
 1922! Between 1926 and 1966 we didn't register a single success, home or
 away. So we can be excused for giving ourselves a generous pat on the back
 for pulling off a narrow victory and retaining the handsome Pelling-Ratcliff
 Cup. It's true that Blackheath sent a men's team to the rescheduled South of
 England championships whereas in the end we didn't. But they fielded only
 the bare six to make up a team at Parliament Hill and it's debatable whether
 any of them would otherwise have supported the mob match.  

 Our turnout was not numerically outstanding - with 31 starters we were
 actually one fewer than at the men's League race last week. But we had some
 strength - five of the scoring team of ten from last week were in action
 again plus four more who had made our 'B' team. The pattern of the race was
 easily discernible during the initial circuit of the grassy slopes which
 serves to spread out the field before the first of many stiles heralds the
 start of the serious business. Four blue vests were leading the way to the
 stile, headed by last year's winner Chris Illman. Five more blue vests
 featured in the top eleven. Clearly we were going to get a head start in the
 scoring, but equally clearly Blackheath - who outnumbered us by four - were
 packing strongly in mid-field. 

 Positions at the sharp end didn't change much for the rest of the course,
 which is rugged and varied country with gates and stiles to contend with as
 well as plenty of hills. There was mud too, though not as much as might have
 been feared and most of what there was, was soft and runnable rather than
 wet and sticky. Phil Killingley made Chris work for his win but there was no
 doubt in the end as Chris crossed the line over half a minute clear. Eirin
 McDaid and Peter Haarer had isolated runs before finishing 3rd and 4th. The
 leading two heathens came next, followed closely by Marc Snaith and Mark
 Herbert and then a minute back Ted Mockett, Trevor Maguire and John Shaw. A
 pack of four black vests crossed the line next, the start of the heathen
 fight back. We held off the onslaught somewhat thanks to Chris Owens,
 Matthew Copp, William Griffin and David Powell who secured us thirteen home
 in the top twenty. But of the next twenty, fourteen were from Blackheath,
 and that pattern continued. Their 28th and last scorer finished 54th, while
 ours - Mr President - was 64th. It did not seem possible that we could lose
 after such a strong presence at the head of the field, but we couldn't rest
 easy until the result was finally announced. To much acclaim in the Ranelagh
 camp it was a win for us by 761 points to 845.  

 Chris Illman's fine run meant that he got to keep the F B Thompson medal for
 the individual winner. John Shaw had been the holder of the Harry Sheer
 Trophy for the first over 50 to finish, but he was obliged to relinquish it
 this time to heathens' Nick Kinsey who finished 6th overall in 53.17. The
 leading woman was Blackheath's Francesca Green, 13th in 56.23 while our
 first finisher was Wiebke Kortum in 41st place.

 A special word for David Wright who doubted he would maintain his mob match
 record after sustaining an Achilles injury at the last mob match but hobbled
 around in good style to complete mob match number 152. Clive Naish completed
 number 119, the last 117 since 1983 consecutive, and fellow centurions Steve
 Rowland and Mike Peace also added to their tallies. 

 There are plenty of photographs on the Blackheath website, courtesy of Mike
 Peel.   Photos:. 

                                                  
 SOUTH OF ENGLAND CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS  Saturday 16th February at
 Parliament Hill
 After a snow scare caused the "Southern" to be postponed in January, the
 re-scheduled date clashed with the Blackheath mob match. This was a pity as
 we had a record forty or so entered in the senior men's and women's races at
 the Southern. There was talk at first of running a small but strong team at
 Parliament Hill and encouraging the rest to try the delights of Hayes, but
 in the end, the men abandoned the Southern altogether, a decision fully
 vindicated by our historic victory over Blackheath! We maintained a token
 presence in the women's events but did not complete a team.  Estelle Damant
 made the top fifty with Heather Martingell and Kirsty Bangham following her
 home, while Livvy Ricketts represented us in the Under 13s race. 

 1   L Partridge (AFD)      28.57      
 2   S Twell (AFD)          29.01      
 3   E Pidgeon (AFD)        29.02      
 45  Estelle Damant         34.20      
 199 Heather Martingell     45.49    
 206 Kirsty Bangham         47.12    

 Under 13s
 1   H Page (Dartford)      11.11     
 184 Livvy Ricketts         14.49     

 MABAC LEAGUE 5 miles  Sunday 3rd February at Ewell
 1   D Cairnie (Runnymede)  33.14
 70  James Barber           46.35
 80  Oliver Bheemul         48.33
 112 Lynne Barber           55.47
 122 Christine David        64.11
 123 Stacey Barber          64.20        

 XNRG PILGRIMS WAY 66 MILES ULTRA  Saturday 2nd / Sunday 3rd February on the
 North Downs
 Colin Brett reports:  
 "Boy, this one made me question my sanity! Each day consisted of 33 miles
 (34.5 miles on Saturday with my navigational skills coming to the fore). Yes
 there were hills including the charming Box Hill, there was biting wind,
 2,400 feet of total ascent and descent plus in my infinite wisdom I thought
 I'd carry a 6kg pack for fun, it would be good training for the upcoming
 Marathon des Sables. But none of my previous training quite prepared me for
 the mud, lots of it, slippery mud, sticky mud, deep mud, clay mud (that's a
 special treat). I finished day one resembling more a wallowing hippopotamus
 than an Ultra runner, shattered!

 I guess everyone else found it tough, as my time of 5hrs 38mins meant I beat
 the cut off 5hrs 45 for the Elite start on day 2 and held 30th spot (approx
 200 started day 1). Being on the elite start was my highlight of day two.
 Elites (and me!) in Ultras start at the back, some two hours after the main
 field, Realising I was the oldest, fattest and probably most knackered bloke
 on the start line wasn't filling me with confidence. It turned out I ran a
 large part of the day on my own into a biting wind with heavy shoes caked in
 the North Downs mud. It was hard but I guess that's the point, I finished
 day two in 6hrs 50mins ouch! But happy that I still maintained 39th spot. I
 met some truly inspirational people, I ran for a few miles with Jen Bradley
 who was first British women to complete the Trans American trail run 3,200
 miles in 80 days (she's fit!); Andy Mouncy, who gave a talk on Saturday
 evening and held the Arch to Arch record until recently, also manned Check
 Point 2; Robbie Britton who has just qualified for team GB 24hrs team. All
 made my 100 miles week training for the MDS seem relatively normal as
 mid-life crises go!" 

 1   D Kendall (Serp)       8:49.21  (course record) (day 1 4:01.54, day 2
 4:47.27)
 39  Colin Brett           12:28.42  (5:38.25, 6:50.17) 

 SOUTHERN COUNTIES VETERANS AC INDOOR TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS  Sunday
 17th February at Lee Valley
 Alan Davidson reports:
 "The Southern Counties Vets Indoor Track & Field Championships at Lee Valley
 in Essex was going to be only the third time I had run indoors and
 regrettably unlike the people able to boost their fitness using the London
 area indoors facilities I came to these championships due to winter weather
 not even able to sharpen up on outdoor tracks, thus lacking any sort of
 speed and carrying too much winter fat! The event has qualifying standards
 for winning medals which if not met means that a medal is not awarded. Just
 the same the very small number of entries was surprising and in fact the
 800m for all women aged 35 upwards had an entry of nil! I knew it was going
 to be a struggle for me in my lacking in fitness condition and the 3000m and
 1500m had such small numbers that men and women in all age groups ran
 together in one straight final race. The make-up of the 3000 (15 laps) was
 one woman, two younger men and five in my M65 age group. It was embarrassing
 to trail round last but the one consolation was although out of the medals I
 did at least hit the qualifying standard time (14.01) with my 13.22. It was
 cool in the indoor arena but I built up quite a sweat possibly due more to
 heaving my winter fat round the track than generating any speed! In the 1500
 metres I took up my customary position but the tiny field had only two SCVAC
 M65s running, so my battle was to try and hit the 6.41 medal qualifying time
 to be able to collect the silver and a desperate effort got me round in
 6.21.1. Feeling like a very old man all that was left then was three and a
 half hours of buses, trains and walking to stagger home!" 

 DUSI CANOE MARATHON  Thursday 14th - Saturday 16th February
 Pietermaritzburg - Durban, South Africa
 Lloyd Camp reports:
 "It's not a road race but I just completed my 10th Dusi Canoe Marathon: 125
 km over 3 days." With his kayak partner Braam van Wyk, Lloyd came in 529th
 on the first day, 443rd on the second and 395th on the third to finish in a
 total time of 12:12.33 for 147th place in the K2 category.

 BRIGHTON HALF MARATHON  Sunday 17th  February
 There was a massive field of runners at the Brighton Half with some taking
 up to ten minutes to cross the starting line. There were a few PBs from the
 Ranelagh contingent including sub-90 minutes runs from Ben Shore and Simon
 Burrell, a sub 1:40 debut at the distance from Cathy Jones and a first time
 inside two hours by Lorraine Clifton. 

 1    P Martelletti (VP&TH) 1:07.30  (chip time 1:07.29)
 230  Ben Shore             1:28.17  (1:28.00)
 239  Simon Burrell         1:28.37  (1:28.18)
 1034 Stephen Logue         1:40.41  (1:40.13)
 1051 Cathy Jones           1:40.53  (1:39.02)
 2476 Heather Martingell    1:54.03  (1:53.04)
 4078 Lorraine Clifton      2:04.59  (1:58.27)
 4853 Lynne Barber          2:11.32  (2:04.29)
 6527 Christine David       2:30.18  (2:21.39)
 6644 Deborah Blakemore     2:32.32  (2:24.46)
 6734 Tanya Allen           2:34.09  (2:24.52)
 6846 Deirdre Inman         2:36.24  (2:27.07)
 6856 Stacey Barber         2:36.44  (2:29.41)
 6897 Cindy Croucher        2:37.45  (2:28.27)
 7149 Bev Ali               2:45.44  (2:37.04) 

 VALENTINES 10km  Sunday 17th February at Chessington
 1   R Evans (SLH)          32.45
 144 Rob Kitchen            47.48
 159 Tom Reay               48.37
 206 Kirsty Bangham         51.29
 298 Wally Garrod           59.58
 308 Annemarie Goodridge    60.56
 333 Alan Meaden            63.15
 351 David Meaden           67.48
 354 John Hanscomb          72.50    

 BRAMLEY 20 miles  Sunday 17th February
 A PB for Duncan Mallison.

 1   P Molyneux (Spring)    1:45.54  (chip time 1:45.53)
 116 Duncan Mallison        2:16.56  (2:16.33)
 547 Chris Brook            3:00.06  (2:59.13)
 548 Kate Brook             3:00.06  (2:59.13)

 BRAMLEY 10 miles  Sunday 17th February
 1   P Wicks (Belgrave)     49.21  (chip time 49.21)
 477 Louise Atkinson       114.04  (111.44)               

 RAVENS 5km handicap  Thursday 21st February at Wapping
 1   E Bargate (unatt)      27.17  (actual time 20.23)
 41  Alan Davidson          31.20  (24.53)

 RICHMOND PARK parkrun 5km  Saturday 9th February
 1   S Shaw (unatt)         17.46
 32  Alberto Esguevillas    20.56
 41  Phil Jackson           21.22
 45  Chris Read             21.33
 79  Eugenio Carmo          23.02
 86  Amrut Sharma           23.31
 88  Polly White            23.40
 100 Simon Taylor           24.09
 115 Tomas Sterner          24.38
 119 Gemma Cory             24.46    
 122 Rob Kitchen            24.53
 169 Philippa Kitchen       27.15
 172 Andrew Brown           27.22
 208 Michael Sikora         28.41
 225 Tony Clark             29.21

 BUSHY PARK parkrun 5km  Saturday 9th February
 1   A Jackson (Sitting)    16.12
 9   James Whistler         18.10  
 16  Nick Wright            18.44
 17  David Rowe             18.49
 56  David Crowe            20.08
 168 Ian Grange             22.27
 571 Vicci Randle           27.48
 607 Wally Garrod           28.19
 667 Kirsty Bangham         29.21
 668 Sharon Rowe            29.22
 727 Mary Hickson           30.36
 834 John Hanscomb          34.49

 CRANE PARK parkrun 5km  Saturday 9th February
 Michelle Davies was second woman today.

 1   A Keane (unatt)        19.20
 10  Michelle Davies        21.28
 11  Kevin Kearey           21.51
 12  Lee Davies             21.57
 17  Tom Kearey             23.18
 22  David Bell             23.48
 28  Mike White             25.16
 41  Christine David        29.52
 42  Lynne Barber           29.53
 43  Tanya Allen            30.20
 45  Josie Kearey           31.05
 47  Deirdre Inman          31.20
 52  Tamsin Burland         32.55
 63  Bev Ali                36.32

 OLD DEER PARK parkrun 5km  Saturday 9th February
 1   T Lee-Eveleigh         19.15
 8   Phil Roberts           23.05
 19  Mel Hunter             24.35
 21  Stewart Anderson       24.54
 37  Paula Maguire          31.13
 39  Pat Hewlett            36.08
 40  Deborah Blakemore      36.09   

 KINGSTON parkrun 5km  Saturday 9th February
 1   D Etheridge (unatt)    19.09
 10  Chris Camacho          20.55
 25  Tom Reay               24.03
 27  Alan Davidson          24.09
 62  Janet Turnes           30.26 

 WALTHAMSTOW parkrun 5km  Saturday 9th February
 Cathy Jones was beaten for first place in the women's section by one second.

 1   B Hetherington (Walls) 18.07
 9   Cathy Jones            22.53

 PLYM VALLEY parkrun 5km  Saturday 9th February
 1   J Wisely (Plymouth)    19.54
 4   Paul Sinton-Hewitt     21.30

 BEDFONT LAKES parkrun 5km  Saturday 9th February
 1   J Rowe (WSEH)          16.06
 16  Chris Spink            22.13

 FINSBURY parkrun 5km  Saturday 9th February
 1   C Norris (unatt)       17.02
 46  Andres Arana Garcia    22.23 

 RICHMOND PARK parkrun 5km  Saturday 16th February
 Jackson Creegan was the clear winner.

 1   Jackson Creegan        16.24
 26  Peter Faull            19.30
 42  Paul Sinton-Hewitt     20.34
 82  Eugenio Carmo          22.31
 90  Karen Weir             23.00 
 93  Amrut Sharma           23.04
 103 Polly White            23.30
 108 Steven Mountain        23.49
 122 Hannah Doyle           24.27
 126 Ally Salisbury         24.39
 138 Gemma Cory             25.01
 180 Michael Sikora         27.00
 240 Peter Lowman           29.22
 245 Val Lowman             29.59
 248 Andrew Brown           30.16
 261 Katherine Shea         31.46
 283 Pat Hewlett            36.11 

 BUSHY PARK parkrun 5km  Saturday 16th February
 1   A Jackson (Sitting)    16.16
 40  David Rowe             19.36
 108 Simon Rothwell         21.10
 177 Adam Wright            22.19
 181 Ian Grange             22.21
 657 Vicci Randle           28.50
 831 John Hanscomb          34.28

 GUNNERSBURY parkrun 5km  Saturday 16th February
 1   S Shaw (unatt)         17.27
 7   Alberto Esguevillas    19.49
 16  Phil Jackson           21.01
 66  Tomas Sterner          24.12
 97  Sue Camp               25.38
 133 Tony Clark             28.37
 180 Lexi Slaughter         39.02
 181 Waldron Slaughter      39.03

 FRITTON LAKE parkrun 5km  Saturday 16th February
 There were only sixteen runners and five of them were Keareys! Kevin
 finished 3rd.

 1   R Leary (unattached)   21.39
 3   Kevin Kearey           21.55
 4   Tom Kearey             24.12
 12  Emily Kearey           29.56
 15  Josie Kearey           35.30
 16  Ann Kearey             35.37   

 KINGSTON parkrun 5km  Saturday 16th February
 1   J Chang (26.2)         18.41
 16  Chris Camacho          21.31
 28  Phil Aiken             23.29
 30  Tom Reay               23.43
 66  Hannah Turnes          28.18
 69  Janet Turnes           30.01

 ORPINGTON parkrun 5km  Saturday 16th February
 A little warm-up for the nearby Blackheath mob match...

 1   D Berry (unatt)        19.34
 21  Mark Herbert           27.51
 22  Mike White             27.58

 OLD DEER PARK parkrun 5km  Saturday 16th February
 1   D Mantle (unatt)       18.42
 19  Mel Hunter             24.47
 22  Sally Bamford          26.21

 CRANE PARK parkrun 5km  Saturday 16th February
 Duncan Mallison and David Bell were first and second.

 1   Duncan Mallison        17.56
 2   David Bell             18.34

 WIMBLEDON COMMON parkrun 5km  Saturday 16th February
 1   J Raso (unatt)         16.34
 4   Sean Paynter           18.34
 5   James Whistler         18.44

 GUILDFORD parkrun 5km  Saturday 16th February
 1   O Carrington (Newark)  17.27
 105 Mary Hickson           32.11

 OXFORD parkrun 5km  Saturday 16th February
 1   A Osborne (Leeds C)    17.48
 54  Evelyn Joslin          29.34

 ALICE HOLT parkrun 5km  Saturday 16th February
 1   I Carley (Farnham)     19.09
 31  Louise Davies          26.05

 FINALLY...
 The Color Run - "the Happiest 5k on the planet" - not to say the messiest!:
 Video:.