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Newsdesk 2003

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 RANELAGH HARRIERS E-NEWS # 96               9 APRIL 2003
 Web site: www.ranelagh-harriers.com  
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 LONDON MARATHON   Sunday April 13th
 Best of luck to all those taking part. Ranelagh spectators usually gather
 near the green start at the top of Maze Hill, then just before the 10km
 point (near the Cutty Sark) before heading under the pedestrian tunnel and
 back along the course, to "Traffic Light Island" on the Isle of Dogs. Do
 feel free to join us - the more the merrier. As usual Janet Turnes will be
 hosting the Aches and Pains Party on Sunday evening at the Wych Elm in Elm
 Road, Kingston. All welcome for some food, drink and natter. We're expecting
 to be joined there by a few representatives of our sister club in the USA,
 the Montgomery County Road Runners. 

 BAKER CUP 3 MILES ROAD HANDICAP    Saturday April 5th  in Richmond Park
 A week before the longest race on our schedule came the shortest, the Baker
 Cup on that painfully hilly 3 miles multiple out-and-back circuit from White
 Lodge in the centre of the Park. About 50 members took advantage of some
 gloriously sunny spring weather for a quick canter, and all age groups were
 well represented. Among the starters was Gerry Walsh, visiting from Kerry
 and taking part in his first club race for a couple of decades.
 Walker Mike Rowland was first away but in no time it seemed the hordes were
 streaming around White Lodge. The only brief hiccup occurred when
 Handicapper Will was suddenly fearful that he'd given Ray Auerback's start
 time to Margaret. Too late now, and off Margaret went to the accompaniment 
 of a rapid lowering of the odds in her favour.
 One advantage of the out-and-back course is that affords plenty of
 opportunity to inspect the runners ahead of you, gauge your slim hope of
 catching them all and pick out those who are moving well and promising not
 to be caught. My impression at the first couple of turns was of some juniors
 as usual well to the fore but no-one really out of sight. 
 After that my own labouring progress became my chief concern, but ahead of
 me it was Jordan Mungovan who was establishing a clear lead, eventually to
 cross the line with some 25 seconds to spare from debutant Martin Elbourne.
 But it transpired that both these were competing as guests, having not yet
 run the required three club races, and so it was Steve Hook, aka Alex's dad,
 who took the cup home after passing Teresa Segovia and another guest, Alex
 McKenna, just yards from the line. Third place went to Dan Jermy.
 There was consolation for Jordan Mungovan in being awarded the Lotinga Cup
 as the fastest under 18 on the day. Fastest overall by a very lengthy chalk
 was Paul Doyle, with on the women's side Sarah Seal just pipping the
 much-improved Eileen Church.  
    
 The evening's supper and prize presentation went ahead in the new
 surroundings of the Hawker Centre in Ham. Some 70 or 80 members and partners
 were present, representing all ages, and the evening was generally judged to
 be a success. We might have had to wait a bit for our food, but when it came
 it was good and there was plenty of it. The impressive array of cups was
 despatched efficiently by Messrs Hedger and Peace, ably assisted, especially
 in the kissing department, by a brace of junior Peaces. And the band played.
 What more could you ask. Congratulations to Carol Barnshaw for organising
 the event.

 The two trophies decided on a cumulative basis, the Points Prize for
 handicap consistency and the McLeod Cup for performances in major events,
 went respectively to Clive Naish and Kevin Jacques. Clive's 4th place in
 today's race was his third 4th in a handicap this season! 

 OTHER RESULTS    
 We mentioned Peter Haarer's performance in the Bath Half Marathon last week;
 also there was Grant Lemke, 124th in 81.47.  

 On 16th March Lucy Facer completed the Barcelona Marathon in 4.33.40 for
 2543rd place.

 Serpentine Last Friday of the Month 5km   28th March in Hyde Park
 1 L Merrien (Bath Uni) 15.15
 80 Alan Davidson 19.42
 89 Pete Warren 20.02
 169 Brian Chard 23.14
 196 John Hanscomb 24.49
 249 Mike Rowland 32.04 (race walking) 

 Our irrepressible over 60s were in action again at the weekend, Allan Lang
 finishing 2nd in the age group in 41.41 at the Totton 10km and Alan Howard
 going one better in the over 65s at the Mensab 10km at Croydon in 42.45. 

 Ranelagh junior Ben Gately goes to the Mall School and every year there is a
 race through Bushy Park.  The school record has stood since 1988 at 20.21
 but last week Ben broke the record and ran it in 19.17.

 GREEN BELT RELAY
 May 10th and 11th. We have four teams of 10 entered and most places are
 filled but there is still room for some more recruits - male or female, fast
 or slow. We're still thinking of trying for a good vets team, so we'd
 particularly like to hear from any faster veterans who are interested in
 taking part. Contact me for more details or see the race web site at
 www.greenbeltrelay.org.uk   

 EVENING TRAINING
 Tuesday sessions start at 7pm from the clubhouse. Full details for the next
 couple of months are on the web site but here is a brief run-down of the
 next few:
 April 15th 8 x 90 secs uphill at Holly Lodge
 April 22nd 3 x 5 mins, 3 x 3 mins
 April 29th 1500 metres time trial + 3 x 3 mins. 
 May 6th 25 mins continuous paarlauf

 On Wednesdays there are steady runs in the Park starting at 6.30pm and on
 Thursdays there are track sessions at Barn Elms.

 NEXT...
 More details of the following from Andy Bickerstaff (07966 552302 /
 mailto:norris.hobs@ndirect.co.uk ) or Sarah Seal (020 8995 2380 / 
 mailto:sarahs@walker.co.uk ).

 Sunday April 13th London Marathon. Race 2 in the Ranelagh Grand Prix
 series 2003. 

 Sunday May 4th Sutton 10km. Race 3 in the Ranelagh Grand Prix
 series 2003. Start 11am at Beddington Park. Entry forms in the clubhouse.

 Sat/Sun May 10th /11th Green Belt Relay. See above.

 Sunday May 18th Richmond Half Marathon. Race 4 in the Ranelagh Grand Prix
 series 2003. Start 8.30am at Old Deer Park. Entry forms in the clubhouse or
 from our web site.

 FINALLY
 You've probably heard about the 1000 mile challenge, in which six (now five)
 otherwise sane individuals are attempting to cover one mile in every hour
 for 1000 hours. Their efforts come to a conclusion at the London Marathon
 starting line and they will then proceed to race each other over the 26
 miles. Not content with six weeks of slog and sleep deprivation, one of
 their number, Shona Crombie-Hicks, has apparently decided she's a bit short
 of fitness and has been going out on 20 mile training runs...

 Steve Rowland
 e-mail: srowland@calor.co.uk
 Tel: 01926 318734
 Fax: 0870 4006901