THE HARRIERS HERALD

No. 169, March 2007

Editor: Sue Francis

 

In brief

·        Next Oxford Mail x-country race - Sunday 4^th March, Banbury - please note, the mens race will be run before the ladies race this time – see website http://www.oxonxc.org  for details

·        Thursday night schedules for March and April

·        Correspondence received in February

·        Berkshire county road running championships

·        Registration with England Athletics

 

·        Thanks to Mo, Sus and Pete for their contributions this month

·        Copy date for April’s Harriers Herald: 4^th April

 

Features and reports

·        Wokingham Half – Ryan and Pete excel

·        Terminator 10 – Martin just beats the leading lady

·        Goring 10K – Rich and Sue do well on the new course

·        Brief results - Long Mynd fell race, Oxford Mail X-C, Rugby 35M, and Dursley Dozen

·        Handicap Race – Kev extends his lead in the championship

·        Website Update - Mo features spring bargains on running clothes, and UK athletics rankings

·        Events Diary – Mo’s choice of races for the next four months

  

 

Thursday night schedule for March

Thurs     1^st          Kev to lead

Thurs     8^th             Dick to lead

Thurs     15^th        Handicap Race

Thurs    22^nd      Sus to lead

Thurs     29^th        Andy to lead

 

Sat 10^th or Sun 11^th    weekend run (contact Susanne)

 

Thursday night schedule for April

Thurs      5^th          Lucy to lead

Thurs      12^th        Handicap Race

Thurs      19^th        Tom to lead

Thurs      26^th        Pete to lead

 

Correspondence received
Sender	Subject matter	Action
Stroke Association	Charity places in London Triathlon (04-08-07)	Notice board
Leeds City Council	Leeds Half Marathon (13-05-07)	Notice board
SEAA	English X-C Association handbook; Info. update #105; SEAA Road Relays (M. Keynes, 01-04-07)	File
Loch Ness Marathon	Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running (07-10-07)	Notice board & Events Diary
UKA	Inspire Magazine (6 copies)	Distribute to members
England Athletics	Notice of AGM (31-03-07)	File
AAA of England	Notice of AGM (17-03-07)	File
Bedford Harriers	Oakley 20M road race (01-04-07)	Notice board & Events Diary
The Association of Running Clubs	Offering alternative affiliation body for non track & field clubs	Does not appear to be any cheaper than England Athletics affiliation
Just Racing	Entry forms for various triathlons & Beaverfest 10K	Notice board & Events Diary
Running Imp	2007 mini-catalogue for running events	File
England Athletics	Newsletter, Winter 2007	File
BCAA	BCAA newsletter; Berks clubs directory; BCAA events 2007(* see below)	File

 

Berkshire County AA (BCAA) road running championships

In the recent BCAA newsletter, the BCAA secretary asks: why are Berkshire club members not supporting the county road running championships?

 

The road-running champs are incorporated into four races throughout the year:

Half Marathon: Wokingham Half, Sunday 11^th February

10 miles: Maidenhead Easter 10M, Good Friday 6^th April

10K: Wargrave 10K, Sunday 10^th June

Marathon: Abingdon Marathon, Sunday 21^st October

 

On the entry forms for these races, there will be a section to complete for those who qualify to be included in the BCAA championships (if you were born in Berkshire or you reside in Berkshire, just tick the box to enter the championship).  Apparently, runners from 16 Berkshire clubs completed the Wokingham Half Marathon, but runners from only 5 clubs bothered to enter the county champs.  BCAA will award medals to the first BCAA championship finisher(s) in each age/gender category, so there’s nothing to lose by ticking that box.

  

Registration with England Athletics

We have received an update from England Athletics regarding the Club affiliation and member registration, which comes into force on 1^st April.  The club must pay a £50 club affiliation fee, plus £3 per competing member (that’s why Lucy asked all competing members to pay an additional £3 with their 2007 Compton Harriers subscription).  More information will be sent to us in mid-March, and I will copy this to all Compton Harriers.  In the meantime, some brief information is given below.

·         We will have to provide (to England Athletics) information about the Club and each individual member.

·         England Athletics will then issue all members of the club with an England Athletics membership card (whether or not that member has paid the £3 fee).  However, the membership card will act as a competition license only for those who have paid the £3 fee.  You will be required to quote your England Athletics membership number on the entry form for any race which is organised under UK athletics rules (that’s the vast majority of races) - runners who are not registered by England Athletics could be disqualified from events.

·         A new database is being developed which will be accessible by Clubs, and each individual will also be able to access his/her own record with an allocated password.

 

Wokingham Half Marathon, 11^th February

Pete

 

The local newspaper predicted a course record would be set and so it proved with Willard Chinhanhu of Poole Runners finishing in 64:52.  Unlike the last time I entered this race, when the weather sent spectators scurrying for hot cups of tea in the local cafes as soon as the race got under way to avoid the cold, as well as the start/finish gantry which blew down in the high winds, conditions were near ideal.

The race started on a narrow road in Cantley Park so, rather than get boxed in, I followed Ryan’s example and took to the mud/grass strip alongside in order to maintain momentum.  Once out of the park the route was as flat as it gets with the only gradients being four bridges across the local motorway network.  Being a rural course there were few spectators but of those a very high percentage brought along their cameras.  Surely there weren’t that many snappers at the BAFTAs that night?  Even Meridian TV was at the finish to do a feature for the local news that night.

A blister developed at the ten mile mark which slowed my pace considerably over the remaining 3 miles resulting in a finishing time of 1:38:41 - 14 seconds behind Gill Harrison (who passed me at 11 miles) and exactly 12 minutes behind Ryan who finished in an impressive 1:26:41.  Whilst I was hoping for a slightly faster time I had the consolation of a two minute improvement compared to my last attempt at the course in 2005.

A massage at the finish helped stem the stiffness normally associated with a long race (Lucy - note this is a long race for me!).  The winner said on TV that he regarded this as simply a training run so that is also my excuse for not challenging him more closely!

Ryan commented that the medal was of a better standard than is the case at many races and that it was not covered in sponsor’s logos.  It wasn’t until I took my medal out of its wrapping when I got home that I spotted the date – 2006!  Did it really take me 365 days, 1 hour, 38 minutes to run 13 miles? Subsequently the Wokingham Times picked up on this and received a statement from the organisers that replacement medals would be issued in a few months and laid the blame with the manufacturer. Anyway it filled a gap in my medal collection since I did not enter last year!

  

Goring 10K road race, 25^th February

Sue

 

Due to major works on Goring’s main railway bridge, the 10K course had to be altered this year. Although we covered much of the same ground as in previous years the start and finish were at different points, an additional hill was incorporated into the route, and the first 1K was uphill, all of which combined to make the route a tougher one (in my opinion).  Rich and I took part in the race, while Mo cycled round to support us at various points on the route.  I, having raced a cross-country the previous day, started steadily up the hill.  Rich, however, threw caution to the wind, starting at the front of the crowd and running with the leaders for the first 100m.  He pushed on well up the hill and it wasn’t until the 2K point that I caught him.  I raced fairly well till 7K, keeping the third placed lady in my sights, but I faded badly up the third tough hill and my legs had really had enough.  Mo encouraged me to stretch out on the final downhill, but to no avail!  I finished in 42:48 (69^th overall, 4^th lady).  Rich ran very well and finished looking fresh, and chuffed with his performance (44:24, 104^th).  We were rewarded with a medal, Mars Bar and Gatorade drink.  The race was generally very well organised, but I just didn’t enjoy it this time.  Hopefully it will return to its original route next year.

 

The Terminator, Pewsey, 25^th February

Sus

 

A hard, approximately 11.3 miles mainly off-road race with a lot of mud right from the start.  Some nice ‘down to a walk hills’, ending with a crossing over a strong river.  All in all a good race.

1^st Man:    Vito Graffagnino, Clevedon AC            1:18:47

1^st Lady:   Lynda Faulkner, Dorset Doddlers          1:33:47

64^th             Martin                                               1:33:35

193^rd           Sus                                                    1:46:48  (overall 10^th lady)

299^th           Lucy                                                  1:55:16  (overall 22^nd lady)

 

Compton Harriers also competed in……….

·         Martin, Lucy and Sus took part in the Long Mynd 11-mile fell race in Shropshire.

·         Sue and Rich raced at the penultimate Oxford Mail cross-country event at Cirencester Park.  Sue was 12^th in the ladies race, while Rich improved his position considerably in the mens’ race.

·         Lucy ran round the Dursley Dozen, with Martin as pacemaker.

·         Lucy competed in a 35-mile race at Rugby, and finished 8^th lady in a time of 5:38.

  

Handicap Race

 

Newcomer Freya joined seven regulars for February’s Handicap Race, which took place on a pleasant but rather blowy evening.  Kev stormed to a 46-second victory, improving his PB by 10 seconds in the process.  Pete passed Matt to take second spot, while Ryan, who was closing fast on both of them, took fourth.  Ryan’s time was also a PB for him, and was the fastest time of the evening.  Sus and Sue were next to finish, while Freya put in a good first handicap performance to run sub-13.  Rich, who is improving all the time and was expected to have a good race, was so focused on his pacing that he didn’t concentrate on where he was going and ended up heading towards the Downs!

It wasn’t until the following day, when I was looking through the handicap results, that I realised I had made a mistake with some of the start times: Ryan and I set off 1 minute too late.  The upshot of this was that, had we started at our correct times, Ryan would have finished 9 seconds ahead of Kev, and I would have finished ahead of Pete, so I have awarded the points accordingly.  Apologies to Ryan for denying him his moment of glory, and to Kev too.  At least they both had the satisfaction of setting personal best times.  Well done to Ryan and Kev, and thanks to Jan and Dick for timing.  The next Handicap Race is scheduled for Thursday 15^th March.  Hopefully we’ll all start at the right times, and we’ll all run the right route!

 

Pos	Name	Start time	Finish time	Actual time	Handicap Beaten?
1	Kev	0:32	13:47	13:15	-0:13
2	Pete	1:01	14:33	13:32	+0:33
3	Matt	0:24	14:35	14:11	+0:35
4	Ryan	3:12	14:36	11:24	-0:24
5	Sus	1:15	14:51	13:36	+0:51
6	Sue	2:57	15:18	12:21	+0:18
7	Freya	2:57	15:56	12:59	New Runner

 

Pos.	Name	Race points
		Race 1	Race 2	Race 3	Race 4	Race 5	Race 6	Race 7	Race 8	Race 9	Total
1	Kev	7	6	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	13
2=	Pete	5	4	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	9
2=	Sue	4	5	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	9
4	Ryan	-	7	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	7
5	Lucy	6	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	6
6=	Martin	3	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	3
6=	Matt	-	3	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	3
8	Susanne	-	2	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	2
9=	Freya	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1
9=	Tom	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1

 

 

Website update… http://comptonharriers.org.uk

Mo

 

I know I’ve mentioned it in several previous issues, but I will mention it again … I will update the photo galleries shortly as I have quite a few interesting pictures to add.  The main problem has been finding suitably cheap (free) web space that is easily accessible to upload and update without too much fuss. 

 

Anyone looking for a bargain … such as two pairs of Ron Hill Tracksters for £20,; not-to-mention many other half-price bargains on running shoes, clothing and accessories etc. …details at

http://www.upandrunning.co.uk/websales/index.php.  For other Spring bargains, particularly shoes, then I suggest you may find what you are looking for at http://www.sports-fitness.com.

 

For those of you who would like to keep up with the athletics rankings, then the place to visit is

http://www1.powerof10.info , as pointed out recently by Lucy.

 

In addition to the events diary, you may also be interested in having a look at http://www.209events.com which features many interesting races and events in the UK and also overseas.  In addition to the variety of events, advice is also available to assist in the required training schedules you may need to follow in order to perform at your best in any given event.

 

One event I haven’t yet added to the Events Diary is the sixth Hairy Legs Challenge X-country which will take place in the Goring Gap on Sunday 13th May 2007.  The Hairy Legs Challenge is a 5k run, followed by a 20k mountain bike followed by a 5k run.  Entries are accepted as a solo or in a relay team of 2 or 3 people.  For further details a visit to http://www.hairylegs.org will provide all the answers.

 

That’s all for this month … good luck in whatever events you enter and let me know of any events you think I should include in the events diary.

  

Events Diary: Most entry forms can be downloaded from race websites; others are likely to be on the club notice board.

 

Sun 04 Mar	OXFORD MAIL X-COUNTRY LEAGUE,  Race 5: Banbury	5k & 10k	http://www.oxonxc.org
	BARCELONA MARATHON – 08:30 am, Barcelona	26.2 miles	http://maratobarcelona.es/eng/index.html
	WELLINGBOROUGH MULTI-TERRAIN SERIES, 10am	5k;10k;15k	http://www.justracinguk.com
	PUMA WOBURN 10K, 10:00am, Woburn Safari Park,	10 k	http://www.209events.com
Sun 11 Mar	HOGWEED HILLY HALF, 10:30am, V. Hall, Horton, S Gloucestershire	13.1 miles	http://www.hogweedtrotters.co.uk
	BANBURY 15, 10:30am, Spiceball Park Sports Centre, Banbury,	15 miles	http://www.banburyharriers.org
	HASTINGS ½ MARATHON, 10:30am, Sea Rd, St Leonards	26.2 miles	http://www.hastings-half.co.uk
Sun 18 Mar	ADIDAS SILVERSTONE HALF MARATHON, 12 midday,	13.1 miles	http://www.adidashalfmarathon.co.uk
	FRIMLEY PARK 10K,  Frimley Park Hospital, GU16 7UJ	10k	http://www.frimleypark.org.uk
S un 25 Mar	EASTLEIGH 10K - 10:00am Fleming Park Leisure Centre	10k	http://www.eastleigh10k.org
	BATH ½ MARATHON, 11:00am, Pultney St	26.2 miles	http://www.bathhalfmarathon.co.uk
Sun 01 Apr	SOUTH COAST ½ MARATHON, 10+5K 10:00am Seaford, E Sussex	13.1 miles	http://www.southcoastrun.co.uk
	WHITE HORSE ½ MARATHON, 10:00am Millbrook School, Grove	13.1 miles	http://www.whitehorseharriers.org
	CHEDWORTH ROMAN TRAIL,10:30am, Chedworth Village Hall	10 miles	http://www.cirencester-ac.org.uk</a.
Fri 06 Apr	MAIDENHEAD EASTER 10, 9:30am, Nortel, Westacott Way,	10 miles	http://www.maidenheadac.co.uk
Sat 07 Apr	ASTHMA UK 10K, 11:00am Dorney Lake, Windsor	10k	http://www.asthma.org.uk
Mon 09 Apr	WEST WIGHT THREE HILLS 8, 12:00pm, Sports Ctre, Freshwater,	8 miles	http://www.rydeharriers.co.uk
Sun 15 Apr	THAMES TOWPATH TEN, 9:30am, Chiswick, TW8 9PT,	10 miles	http://www.west4harriers.org
	TOUGH CHALLENGE - WENDOVER WOODS, 9:00am	26.2 miles	http://www.toughchallenge.com
Sun 22 Apr	THE LONDON MARATHON – 9:00 am Greenwich, London	26.2 miles	http://www.london-marathon.co.uk
Sun 29 Apr	BRACKNELL ½ MARATHON, 9:00am, South Hill Park ,	13.1 miles	http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk
Tue 08 May	SILVERSTONE GRAND PRIX 10K, 7:30pm, Grand Prix Circuit	10k	http://www.silsonjoggers.org.uk
Sun 13 May	BENSON 10K & BUN RUN 4, 10:30am, Benson Parish Hall	10k	Benson, Oxfordshire
	WOODLEY 10K, 11:00am Headley Road, Woodley	10k	http://www.woodley10K.co.uk
Sun 20 May	THE WINDERMERE MARATHON 2007, Cumbria, Lake District	26.2 miles	http://www.brathay.org.uk
	OXFORD TOWN & GOWN 10K, 10:30am, University Parks, Parks Road	10k	http://oxfordtownandgown.org
	PEWSEY VALE 10K, 11:00am Pewsey School, Wilcot Road	10k	http://www.pewseyvalerunningclub.com
Sun 27 May	ROPLEY 10K, 11:00am, starts from St Peter’s Church, in Church Street	10k	http://www.ropley10k.co.uk
Sun 03 Jun	THE CHILTERN CHASE, 10:00am Ewelme Village	10k	Entries;4 Wingfield Close, Ewelme, OX10 6JY
	NEEDLES XC ½ & FULL MARATHON,10am West Wight	26.2 miles	http://needlesxcmarathon.blogspot.com
	TRAIL RUN IN GLORIOUS GOODWOOD, 11:00am Country Park	10k	http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/events/viewevent.asp?sp=&v=2&EN=36145
Sun 22 Jul	THAMES RUN, 11:30am Kinecroft, Wallingford	~13k	http://www.thamesrun.co.uk

 

(Mo – March 2007)