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RANELAGH HARRIERS E-NEWS # 467 22 January 2016
Editor: Steve Rowland
mailto: sandsrowland@btinternet.com
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HEADLINE NEWS
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* Surrey League - Ranelagh women finish 3rd and men finish 6th
* Gill Sanders wins the women's race and Jon Pepper leads our team in 8th
place in the men's
* Our women's team wins silver medals in the Surrey Championships, led by
Megan de Silva in 8th place
* Jake Waldron finishes 7th in the men's Surrey Championships
* Izzy Atkins wins the Middlesex Under 15 title
* Richard Dunley finishes 2nd in the Dover Trail Marathon
* Lots of help needed for the women's League race on 13th February
* Inter-club at the Bank of England this Saturday
ATTENTION PLEASE
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SURREY LADIES LEAGUE - APPEAL FOR HELP
We are hosting the final Surrey Ladies League fixture in Richmond Park on
Saturday 13th February. We can expect 350 runners or more in the senior race
on our two-lap 5 miles course, starting at 11.30am - half an hour earlier
than usual. To handle this number of runners we need not only marshals on
the course but also plenty of recorders at the finish. If you can help, do
please volunteer. No experience necessary! Most of the volunteers will only
be needed for the senior race, which should be all over by 12.30pm. However,
if you can stay longer there is an under 17/under 15 race at 12.30pm and an
under 13 race at 1pm. Please contact Andy Bickerstaff andy.bickerstaff@goodrunguide.co.uk .
INTER-CLUB at the BANK OF ENGLAND SPORTS GROUND Saturday 23rd January in
Richmond Park.
This Saturday we have a low key race on the Bank of England's 4.9 miles
course in Richmond Park, starting at 2.30pm near Roehampton Gate. The race
HQ is the Bank's Sports Club in Bank Lane, a short distance from the gate.
Here's a map showing the venue:. The race is scheduled to
incorporate the Hec Petersen Trophy race against Ealing, Southall and
Middlesex. All are welcome, register on the day.
SOUTH OF ENGLAND CHAMPIONHSIPS Saturday 30th January at Parliament Hill
The "Southern" returns to its spiritual home on Hampstead Heath. The action
gets under way at 11am with the Under 15 Boys race, leading up to the senior
events at 2.05pm (women) and 2.50pm (men). Entries are closed.
2XU SURREY LEAGUES FINAL RACES
The Surrey League campaigns come to a climax with the fourth and final races
on Saturday 13th February. The women's race is at home in Richmond Park,
with the seniors starting at 11.30am followed by Under 15s/Under 17s at
12.30pm and the Under 13s at 1pm. All are welcome to run, but if you're not
planning to take part please see the note above about volunteering to help.
After the third race our women's team has moved up to third overall, but
with Thames Hare & Hounds and Ful-on Tri both only a handful of points
behind. Our target on the day will be to hang on to that third spot. The
race also incorporates our women's club championship for the Hugh Jones
Salver and our women's vets (over 40) championship for Trish's Trophy.
The men's League race is on Wimbledon Common, with juniors (under 17 / under
15 / under 13) off first at 2.30pm followed by seniors at 3pm. The target
for the men is to avoid relegation to Division 2. Guildford, well adrift in
9th and last place, are already booked for the drop but one club must join
them. At the moment Ranelagh is in 6th place 21 points ahead of Clapham
Chasers and another 22 clear of Belgrave. It couldn't be much closer, so
there's everything to run for.
NEXT JOB FOR THE MOB
The fourth and last mob match of this season will be on Saturday 20th
February at home in Richmond Park against Blackheath and Bromley Harriers
and AC. If we can win this one it will be a mob match grand slam for the
second year in succession. All runners welcome, register on the day. Let's
do it!
QUIZ NIGHT
Our next quiz night at the clubhouse will be on Saturday 5th March. Ted
Mockett will be your inquisitor. More details nearer the time but reserve
the date!
RALPH STREET DOWN UNDER
Ralph, who is in Australia for our winter, has been in action on the track
down under and setting some impressive times. First, on 24th October at
Aberfeldie, he finished 4th in a 3000m in 8:44.5 and then on 19th November
he was runner-up in the 5000m 'B' race at the Victoria State Championships
at Albert Park in 14:51.44. Back at Aberfeldie on 10th December, and
presumably looking for some speedwork, he finished 4th in an 800m race in
1:58.0. This led up to the Steigen Spectacular meeting at Geelong on 19th
December where Ralph finished 5th in the 10,000m in 31:07.6. That time ranks
him 54th in the UK for 2015. Incidentally, finishing 23rd in that race in
35:20.13 was Jonathan Little, son of former Ranelagh Harrier and Australian
international Max Little.
RANELAGH HARRIERS RICHMOND HALF MARATHON
Our own Half Marathon will take place on Sunday 1st May and entries are
already streaming in! Over 400 names are already on the list, including 26
from Ranelagh. This race usually sells out well in advance of the closing
date, so get your entry in early to avoid disappointment. Details:.
GREEN BELT RELAY 2016
Leeanne Bryce writes:
"The Green Belt Relay has been scheduled for May 21st and 22nd 2016. Initial
interest is high and it looks like Ranelagh could field three teams this
year meaning we could field some competitive teams. The GBR is a spectacular
event hosted by Stragglers - it is a 2 day 22 stage relay over 220 miles
around London's Green Belt.
Teams comprise 11 people.
Each day has 11 stages.
Each team member must run on both days.
Each stage is between 7 and 13 miles.
Details of the race can be found on www.greenbeltrelay.org.uk/
Fun, social and suitable for all but note that runners average 16-22 miles
over the weekend and must be available to run both days. Teams usually
travel and support via minibus and accommodation and food options in Essex
on the Saturday night can be arranged. If you wish to run and organise your
own transport on the two days that can also be considered.
If you are interested in attending and have not joined via our Facebook page
then please contact Leeanne Bryce (liane22@gmail.com) or Ashleigh Ferris
(ashleighferris@hotmail.com)."
SHAKESPEARE MARATHON ENTRY
Liam Griffin writes:
"If anyone in the club is interested I have a place in the Shakespeare
Marathon up for grabs. It's held in Stratford-upon-Avon on Sunday 24th
April. I have been very lucky and managed to get into London which is on
the same day." Contact Liam griffin.william11@gmail.com .
SPRING MARATHON WORKSHOP with international Marathon runner MARA YAMAUCHI
EA Club and Coach Support Officer Julia Bailey writes:
"Our next Marathon Workshop with Mara Yamauchi will take place on Friday
29th January from 6:30pm - 9:30pm at Southwark Council Offices, Tooley
Street SE1 2TZ. The cost is £10. For more details see:.
Online bookings can now be taken:
www.ulearnathletics.com/cpdEvent/82659. This is set up so athletes
will need to be logged into uLearn in order to book on, coaches and all
athletes registered will already have a uLearn account. Anyone who does not
know their username or password should view this video instructing them
how to find out:
This video can be used to guide people through the process of booking:."
THURSDAY NIGHT TRACK TRAINING AT OSTERLEY
The club is continuing to subsidise track sessions on Thursday evenings at
the Osterley track. All groups and all abilities are welcome. The sessions
are every Thursday 7.30-8.30pm. Link to the map is here:.
FACEBOOK
Follow Ranelagh on Facebook.
RANELAGH JUNIORS
Check out what's happening in our junior section at ranelagh-harriers-juniors.com/.
WHAT'S COMING
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More details of the following from the men's Captains ( e-mail Phil
or Trevor ) ranelagh.men@gmail.com
or the women's Captain / Team Manager ( e-mail Becky or Phil ranelagh.women@gmail.com )
Saturday 23rd January Bank of England inter-club 5 miles incl Hec
Petersen Trophy. 2.30pm start in Richmond Park (near Roehampton Gate)
Saturday 30th January South of England Championships all age groups at
Parliament Hill.
Saturday 13th February Surrey Ladies League in Richmond Park. Seeabove.
Surrey League (men) on Wimbledon
Common. See above.
Saturday 20th February Pelling Ratcliff Cup mob match v Blackheath and
Bromley Harriers and AC. 7.5 miles in Richmond Park starting at 2.30pm.
Everyone needed! Incorporates the Wynne Cup club championships.
5km parkruns every Saturday at 9am and 2km junior parkruns weekly or monthly
on Sundays.
Venues, more details and registration at www.parkrun.com or www.parkrun.org.uk/events/juniorevents/.
WHAT'S HAPPENED
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MIDDLESEX CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS Saturday 9th January at Wormwood
Scrubs
For the first time in many years Ranelagh fielded a sizeable contingent in
the Middlesex Championships. We have increasing numbers of
Middlesex-qualified members who are eligible to take part, and we have
retained our Middlesex County affiliation. And, particularly in the shape of
Izzy Atkins, they made quite an impact! Last winter Izzy had finished
runner-up in the Middlesex under 13 championships, but only the most
optimistic would have picked her to take the 2016 Under 15 title in her
first year in the age group. Yet take it she did and in fine style too -
building up a lead of almost ten seconds at the finish. Well done Izzy, this
was I believe our first Middlesex gold since 1992. As icing on the cake,
Izzy's photo appeared with the race report in Athletics Weekly. Izzy's
brother Greg finished 16th in the Under 17 Men class, Kabir Sait and Luke
Maguire competed in the Under 13 Boys and Frida Roper flew the flag in the
Under 13 girls. Eirin McDaid ran well to make the top twenty in the Senior
Men's race, with David Ready 85th. We had three runners in the Senior
Women's race, Rebecca Northmore leading home Emma Wellham and Leeanne Bryce.
SURREY CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS Sunday 10th January at Denbies Vineyard,
Dorking
Denbies has become a favourite venue for Surrey League and championships,
though this year owing to clashes with other events it was necessary to hold
the championships on a Sunday for the first time. It's a very testing course
on the rolling North Downs, scenic but tough. There is very little flat
running, just long drags up and down with a couple of steeper climbs and
descents thrown in. At the foot of one of these is an interesting muddy
chicane, which proved quite a trial for competitors wearing flat trainers.
Choice of footwear is always a problem at Denbies, as the surface varies
from muddy grass to stony tracks, but spikes are usually the favourite
choice.
After Euan Sinclair had completed the under 13s race early in the day it was
the senior women who were in action first. Right from the start the three
eventual medal winners were away from the field and they built up quite a
gap over the rest. Sophie Cowper was dropped by half way leaving Georgie
Bruinvels and Steph McCall to race for the title. Bruinvels it was who was
strongest on the final hill and she crossed the line with ten seconds in
hand.
For Ranelagh it was no surprise to see Megan de Silva leading our team not
far behind the leaders on the first lap, but what was surprising was that
there was another Ranelagh runner matching her stride for stride. This was
Abi Weeds, in her first serious cross-country race for some nine years. Back
in January 2007 she had been fourth scorer in the silver medallist Ranelagh
team in the Surrey Championship at Lloyd Park, but since then has been busy
raising a family. In the 2007 race Abi finished 24th but on this occasion
she hung on impressively to finish an outstanding 11th. Megan eventually
shook Abi off and was at one time battling for 6th place before having to
settle for an excellent 8th.
8th and 11th gave us a good start in the team reckoning, but of the
onlookers it was only Women's Team Manager Phil Aiken who was quietly
confident that medals might be on the cards. It was down to our final two
scorers, Becky Hall and Suzy Whatmough, and it was their battling final lap
which proved crucial. Aldershot waltzed away with the title with four home
in the top seven, but with Becky 25th and Suzy 38th Ranelagh narrowly came
out on top of the rest with 82 points to SLH's 91 and Thames H&H's 101. So
it was silver medals for Ranelagh. Marie Synnott-Wells ran in a support role
never far behind Suzy, and our team was completed by Clare Fowler, Victoria
Elbourne and Deepa Sharma. Incidentally, back in those 2007 championships
the then 16 year-old Victoria finished 28th in the combined under 17 and
under 20 race, behind today's winner Bruinvels who finished 3rd .
We had but a small team in the senior men's race but it was headed in fine
style by second-claimer Jake Waldron who is eligible to run for Ranelagh in
Surrey county events. Jake was delighted with his run which saw him back in
the teens early on but steadily picking off runners one by one until he
reached an excellent 7th place. Steve Whitehead ran well for 34th and our
scoring six was closed in by Carl Selya-Hammer, Ian Kenton, Stewart Anderson
and Liam Griffin. Ben Shore and Rob Curtis completed our line-up.
The 2016 Inter-Counties Championships are to be held at Cofton Park,
Birmingham on Saturday 12th March. Teams have yet to be announced but it
seems possible that Ranelagh might have up to four members taking part, for
three different counties: Izzy Atkins who won the Middlesex Under 15s, Julia
Bailey who was third in the Avon championships and Jake Waldron and Megan de
Silva who were seventh and eighth respectively in the Surrey men's and
women's championships. Nothing is definite yet, however, and particularly
for the latter two selection criteria will have a bearing on their
inclusion.
2XU SURREY CROSS-COUNTRY LEAGUE DIVISION 1 Saturday 16th January at Priory
Park, Reigate (women) and Mitcham Common (men)
In the middle of a cold snap much of the course at Priory Park was under a
hard frost, though where the sun had been at work there were softer
stretches. After the first two League races before Christmas Ranelagh's
women were placed 7th out of the 15 teams in Division 1. We thought we might
improve on that but...third on the day and a leap-frog to third overall was
an outstanding result. We were helped In no small part by the presence of
Gill Sanders who ran a well-controlled race after setting a hot pace from
the start. Gill dropped her nearest pursuer Lucie Custance of Clapham on the
steep climb which is always a feature of the Priory Park course, and strode
away to a near half-minute victory. Gill told Martin Duff in Athletics
Weekly, "It was good, I really enjoyed it and it made a change from the
flatter and faster courses." Megan de Silva 13th and Julia Bailey 26th were
our next two home and then there was a battle between Suzy Whatmough and
Becky Hall for the fourth and fifth spots to close in the 'A' team.
The team scores revealed a tight finish at the top, Belgrave pipping Clapham
by a single point. Belgrave thus achieved the remarkable feat of finishing
15th and last in the previous League race, and first in this one. Clapham,
though, did enough to ensure that the League title is almost sure to be
theirs after the final race on 13th February. Ranelagh took a clear third
place on the day and jumped up to third overall. It's a close thing though,
with only eight points separating Ranelagh in third from Ful-on Tri in
fifth.
Our 'B' team today lost Marie Synnott-Wells who dropped out with an injury
but Ellen Clague, Becky Northmore, Natalie Thomas, Wiebke Kortum and
newcomer Sandy Masters combined to finish as the day's second 'B' team,
ahead of two 'A' teams. Overall we are 4th 'B' team. Emma Wellham, Hannah
Doyle and Leeanne Bryce completed our line-up. In the combined under 17 and
under 15 race Izzy Atkins ran strongly for 5th place less than half a minute
behind the winner, while in the under 13s Frida Roper ran well for 38th.
Phil Killingley reports on the men's race:
"You could have been forgiven for fretting for Ranelagh's survival hopes on
a cold and muddy start line at Mitcham Common. Without our leading scorers
from fixtures 1 and 2 Creegan and McDaid, wouldn't the 61 and 34 point gaps
to Clapham and Belgrave widen still further?
But a few minutes later at the top of the first of many short sharp hills,
their replacements Jon Pepper and Carl Assmundson were whizzing round in 3rd
and 4th place - not unusual perhaps for Jon, but astonishing for Carl in his
first Surrey League. Could it last?
They didn't quite hold on but their 8th and 16th places were backed up by a
much improved Richard Gregory in 25th. Captain Killingley ran solidly into
38th, with Oli Murphy getting his pacing spot on with 48th, not many seconds
behind. George Howard, Peter Haarer and Steve Whitehead packed nearly as
well as the furniture at the neighbouring Ikea store (sorry!), with
excellent runs. And a nervous minute later, there followed a resurgent Marc
Snaith, with Carl Selya-Hammer closing the scoring ten.
Commiserations to Jon Smith who missed out by seconds with a great run, and
strong runs from a number of others including Nick Impey's first SL
appearance, in gripless trainers, demonstrated our strength in depth - well
done all and thanks for the great support on the course and in particular
from team manager Alan and statto Ken for getting the results up so fast.
Star age gradeds go to:- Jon Pepper 81%, Carl Assmundson 78.9% pb, Richard
Gregory 80%, Peter Haarer 82.7%, Steve Whitehead 80.5%, Jon Smith 71.7% xc
pb.
So what about the league table? Clapham were missing their top three runners
and thrillingly we leapfrog them and Belgrave into 6th place. Like two years
ago, the margins are tiny, but we have a small advantage of 21 points over
Clapham and 43 over Belgrave with one fixture to go. Many will say Belgrave
are too good to go down, so the battle looks to be between us and Clapham.
See you at Wimbledon Common on Saturday 13 February for the final one, minus
fingernails."
Belgrave's regular League winner Paskar Owor seemed set to add another first
place to his impressive collection as he sprinted clear at the end of the
second circuit - only to be waved on to another lap! He managed to haul
himself back into action but couldn't get back on terms with Kent's John
Gilbert. Greg Atkins and Euan Sinclair both ran well for Ranelagh in the
junior events.
CABBAGE PATCH BOXING DAY 4 miles Saturday 26th December at Twickenham
Amelie Hunton finished 4th in the women's section.
1 S Gardiner (unatt) 23.47
6 L Killip (Strag) 24.59 (1st woman)
12 Amelie Hunton 27.35
15 Chris Hunton 27.57
34 Kirsty Bangham 33.48
54 Paul Martingell 38.33
66 Nigel Coombes 42.48
FITSTUFF G3 10km Saturday 9th January at Newlands Corner, Guildford
1 W Simmons (TZR) 43.21
36 S Scott (unatt) 54.31 (1st woman)
292 Heather Martingell 93.24
NICE WORK RICHMOND PARK 10km Sunday 10th January
1 S Farmer (Serp) 35.55 (chip time 35.55)
16 Bill Neely 40.52 (40.51)
21 B Neale (unatt) 42.08 (42.08 - 1st woman)
45 Emma Wellham 46.41 (46.22)
58 Glenn Wallis 48.56 (48.44)
CLIVEDEN 6 miles Sunday 10th January
1 A Miller (Belgrave) 36.10
17 S Amend 41.04 (1st woman)
463 Pete Warren 66.26
DOVER TRAIL MARATHON and HALF MARATHON Saturday 16th January
Richard Dunley finished in an excellent runner-up position in the very tough
off-road Marathon. Paul Sinton-Hewitt also completed the Marathon, while
Gwen McCormack opted for the Half.
Marathon
1 C Way (unatt) 3:57.30
2 Richard Dunley 4:27.08
8 T Taylor (Tun W) 4:58.39 (1st woman)
51 Paul Sinton-Hewitt 5:51.15
Half Marathon
1 G Dunwoody (unatt) 1:50.38
12 A Wilmer (unatt) 2:00.45 (1st woman)
155 Gwen McCormack 2:36.06
NICE WORK BUSHY PARK 10km Sunday 17th January
1 S MacDougal (Fulham) 36.18 (chip time 36.18)
11 Bill Neely 39.54 (39.54)
21 R Sampson (Greenwich) 42.14 (42.14 - 1st woman)
parkrun results...
...showing all PBs, all performances with an age-graded percentage of 65%
and above, and all junior results. For full Ranelagh results follow this
link: http://www.parkrun.com/results/consolidatedclub/?clubNum=947. From
this screen you can also access the previous week's Ranelagh results. We
will continue to show full Ranelagh results for junior parkruns as these are
not included in the above link
parkruns Saturday 9th January
Richmond Park
Tom Bradley 18.52 (71.55% and jnr), Bill Neely 19.53 (77.95%), Jess Harbert
21.49 (70.13% and jnr), Wiebke Kortum 22.55 (70.69%), Cecily Day 23.26
(65.29%) and jnr), Ellie Luxmoore 23.32 (65.01% and jnr), Andrew Brown 24.47
(66.44%), Carol Aikin 25.46 (65.85%), Sam Rushby 26.07 (68.16% and jnr),
James Rushby 26.10 (jnr), Aoife Kilpatrick 28.21 (PB)
Bushy Park
Sacha Kennedy 20.44 (72.01% and jnr), Léonie Kennedy 24.07 (66.21% and jnr)
Old Deer Park
Kris Davidson 18.50 (73.01%), Jonathan Moore 19.47 (72.20%), Phil Jackson
24.10 (69.38%), Oliver Beal 32.26 (jnr)
Crane Park
Nick Twomey 17.33 (73.60%), Kevin Kearey 20.53 (69.51%), Phil Roberts 22.45
(65.35%), Josie Kearey 25.09 (jnr)
Kingston
Julia Bailey 20.08 (73.51% and PB)
Sheffield Hallam
Peter Weir 20.29 (72.01%), Karen Weir 22.56 (67.59%)
Southsea
Alan Davidson 26.20 (65.51%)
Gunnersbury
Dave Lawley 17.56 (73.51%), Mark Herbert 18.26 (71.16%)
Marlay
Paul Sinton-Hewitt 21.43 (70.76%)
Bognor Regis
David Rowe 20.32 (67.45%)
Wellington
Nick Wright 20.20 (66.64%)
parkruns Saturday 16th January
Richmond Park
Bill Neely 19.28 (79.62%), Paul Noel 21.21 (PB), Jess Harbert 21.00 (72.86%
and jnr and PB), Cecily Day 21.53 (69.62% and jnr), Steve Aikin 22.22
(65.95%), Matt Aikin 24.41 (jnr), Sally Yau 24.48 (65.32%), Aoife Kilpatrick
28.00 (PB), Val Lowman 30.02 (65.54 %), Ben Rushby 35.53 (jnr), Sam Rushby
35.53 (jnr), Daniel Rushby 35.54 (jnr), James Rushby 35.54 (jnr). NB mum and
dad Maia and Phil completed the Rushby family run!
Bushy Park
Sacha Kennedy 19.55 (80.17% and jnr and PB), Léonie Kennedy 21.48 (73.24%
and jnr), Ali Kennedy 23.13 (75.02%), Jackie Dunkley 28.43 (66.63%)
Old Deer Park
Jonathan Moore 19.41 (73.16%), Paul Gilbert 22.43 (68.23%), Phil Jackson
23.57 (70.01%)
Graves Park
Peter Weir 20.22 (72.42%), Karen Weir 23.42 (65.40%)
Crane Park
Kevin Kearey 22.17 (65.15%), Josie Kearey 24.38 (jnr)
Southwark
Alan Davidson 24.59 (69.05%)
Bognor Regis
David Rowe 20.07 (68.85%)
Fish Hoek
Nick Wright 18.59 (71.38%)
FINALLY...
The story of Kayla Montgomery, American high school runner with Multiple
Sclerosis. Video: