March 00 ISSUE 272
Refreshments for the Combe Gibbet March 26th from Liz
Thanks to everybody for providing the tea and home made cakes for sale after the race. We raised over £200 towards club funds and completely sold out.
CLUB PERSON OF THE YEAR MAY 99 TO APRIL 00
Don’t forget to hand your nomination to Gwyneth by Monday 24th April
CLUB DINNER & PRESENTATIONS FRIDAY 28TH APRIL 00
Please let Cath have your menu choices by Friday 21st
Bramley 10M – 20M Sunday 27th February from Franny Nick and myself decided to run this race as part of our build up for the London marathon. The weather was dry but there was a very strong, gusting wind which seem to blow into our faces over the second half of each of the two laps. Following our exertions on the previous weekends training in Cornwall we were both hoping for good runs. Nick however felt he may have overdone the training slightly and had felt a little under the weather in the days leading up to the race. He felt as if he never really got going and was somewhat disappointed with his run which was five minutes slower than last year.I had run my highest ever mileage the previous week thanks to the Cornwall trip but like Nick had also struggled on my return home and so took a couple of easy days. This was obviously the wise thing to do as I had possibly my best distance run for many years to finish inside 7:30 pace. What made it even more pleasing was that the second lap was only 27 seconds slower than the first.
The 10 miler run alongside this race was highlighted by a mass of Basingstoke vests (who used it as part of their club championships) but only one Overton vest. Ian Ford had a fine run to finish 9th overall and also finished 2nd vet.. Daniel Hyde who has trained with our fast group recently took 2nd spot in the ten miles whilst Jamie made a very rare appearance in a race to finish 4th.
10 miles |
20 miles | ||||
| 2nd | D.HYDE | 50:47 | 102nd | N.DALTON | 2:17:29 |
| 4th | J.JONES | 53:23 | 212th | R.FRANCIS | 2:28:39 |
| 9th | I.FORD | 56:34 | |||
353 finished |
708 finished |
Compton 20M Sunday 12th March from Franny
With the London marathon fast approaching the three of us decided this was a good chance to get a competitive 20 miler in over the country. Compton is only situated 10 miles from Newbury so the early (9am) start was not a problem. The route followed the first half of what was a 40 mile ultra event that was held in conjunction. Being part of an ultra race meant that control points replaced drink stations and in addition to your normal water or squash they were stocked with hot drinks plus a variety of food such as bananas, sandwhiches, cake and choccie bars. Unfortunatley some of the leading runners arrived before some of the control points were properly set up which did cause some problems.
The course followed a variety of footpaths, RUPPS, and very quiet country roads. A large part of the route followed the Ridgeway and was one of the more scenic events of this type, the course was surprisingly dry and road shoes were a perfect choice. The first 10 miles were undulating but not too severe but over the next 5 miles there were three hills that bought most of the field to a walk. Dave had missed alot of training since his fall along the lynch and had only recorded a long run of an hour in the previous week. He started the fastest of our group and ran a superb race despite feeling the distance over the last few miles. His 7th place just missed out on the 3rd senior mans prize.
Nick was feeling a little flat due to his heavy mileage and the aftereffects of a cold. Like me he found the hills after 10 miles difficult but ran well to beat 2hours 30. I hadn't trained for a week due to a cold that seemed to defy everything the local chemist's shop could throw at it. The first few miles seemed as if my nose was running better than my legs and I seriously considered dropping out. However after reaching the 2nd control point I felt alot better and decided to continue, I rounded the next corner to see the first big hill and discover that some bugger had nicked the cable car.
The next few miles were a real slog but I managed to rally over the last five miles to anchor the team home in a very pleasing 3rd place. We were well looked after following the race and enjoyed a hot meal. Apart from the problem with the late-opening controls the event was well organised and we all agreed it would be worth doing again.
7th Dave Mills 2:23:24
22nd Nick Dalton 2:29:47 TEAM : 3rd
42nd Richard Francis 2:45:11
Approx. 200 Runners.
IF ANYONE FANCIES DOING THE 40 MILER NEXT YEAR PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
Eastleigh 10K Sunday 19th March
THE FOLLOWING REPORT COMES FROM OUR CLUB "ADONIS"
MARK SIMCOX.
In perfect conditions fifteen harriers turned out to race in what must be one of the best 10k's in the country. With over 1000 finishers this event has grown to become a top class race with several runners clocking sub 29m 30sec.
Winner of the club championship was young Mike Bliss who is in good form to run near 32 minutes and take the overall vets. prize. Next home was Ian who ran strongly but is capable of a faster time. Completing the A team was myself who scraped a PB by one second. As everyone knows I don't race to my full potential but I'm determined to improve during this year. Keith Clark obviously had me in his sights as he ran an excellent 35:36. It is great to have another senior man who is at least still fertile and with a full head of hair.
PC Mills ran his 2nd race of the weekend and is showing a great return to form to clock 38:02. I think he ought to run sub 3 hours easily in London. After a recent illness Gavin ran 38:17 and will certainly go faster later in the year. A slightly below par Cath was next to finish 10th lady and 3rd vet.35. Running his fastest 10k in donkeys years was Eric who blitzed 38:46. What is he on? Obviously a lethal combination of nandrolene and real ale has had a devastating effect on ET's fast twitch fibres.The clubs other finishers were Dave Vosser, Nick "arse" Dalton, Audra (going sub 40 ), Dave Henery, JT and finally Liz who finished 3rd O/45 Vet. I was very sorry to hear of young Nicky taking a tumble at 8k. With some great XC performances behind her she could run seriously well on the roads.
pos |
name |
time |
h'cap |
total |
pos |
|
14th |
M.BLISS |
32.06 |
10.30 |
42.36 |
7 |
1st vet |
39th |
I.FORD |
33.49 |
9.30 |
43.19 |
=9 |
6th vet |
47th |
M.SIMCOX |
34.35 |
7.00 |
41.35 |
1 |
|
66th |
K.CLARK |
35.36 |
6.30 |
42.06 |
6 |
|
128th |
D.MILLS |
38.02 |
4.00 |
42.02 |
5 |
|
134th |
G.DUNCAN |
38.17 |
3.30 |
41.47 |
3 |
|
135th |
C.WHEELER |
38.19 |
5.00 |
43.19 |
=9 |
10thlady,3rdvet |
144th |
E.TILBURY |
38.46 |
3.00 |
41.46 |
2 |
5th vet 55 |
158th |
D.VOSSER |
39.09 |
6.00 |
45.09 |
14 |
|
160th |
N.DALTON |
39.11 |
4.00 |
43.11 |
8 |
|
175th |
A.DENNISON |
39.27 |
2.30 |
41.57 |
4 |
14th lady |
261st |
D.HENERY |
41.48 |
3.00 |
44.48 |
12 |
|
344th |
J.THOMAS |
43.50 |
GO |
43.50 |
11 |
|
381st |
E.SANDALL-BALL |
44.35 |
0.30 |
45.05 |
13 |
37thlady,3rd o/45 |
1007 finished. MENS TEAM = 4th PLACE.
Wokingham ½ Marathon Sunday 13th February from JT
What an opportunity many of our club members missed in not turning out for this splendid event, with good weather and almost completley flat course. In addition, all the roads were closed to traffic which must give us all some hope that road races on the open highway will not disappear beacause they will be deemed to be too dangerous under legislation being fashoned by the government.
It was wonderful to see so many runners filling the road, very similar to the London marathon. Only six of us took up the challenge in our own club championships and were led home by Paul in 37th place. He took some satisfaction from his time of 76:48, for a distance which he considers too long. Ruth took 4th lady position, probably way below her best, and Nick recorded a splendid PB which was ample reward for his dedicated marathon training this winter.
Eric took the vets. championship, somewhat disappointed with the way he faded in the latter stages of the race and, probably somewhat aprehensive that JT and Dave Henery would be snapping at his heels. As things turned out he didn't need to worry but JT was pleased with his run, taking Daves scalp who had(as usual) arrived late and wound up at the back of the field at the start.
| 37th | P.WHEELER | 1h 16m 48s | |
| 85th | R.KINGSBOROUGH | 1h 21m 33s | 4th lady |
| 123rd | N.DALTON | 1h 23m 15s | |
| 303rd | E.TILBURY | 1h 31m 00s | |
| 435th | J.THOMAS | 1h 35m 39s | 5th vet 60. |
| 519th | D.HENERY | 1h 38m 32s |
1527 finishers.
A note on the Wokingham ½ Marathon From Franny.
Due to a mistake on my part I forgot to set the handicap times for this event and was told part of the results. Following discussions in Cornwall with most of the runners who ran it was decided that Nick's pb warranted him winning the handicap title. JT's run to beat the much younger Dave takes 2nd with Eric taking the bronze.
Apolgies to those runners who ran and the method of setting handicaps for club championships (which can be a bit hit and miss) will need to be settled before next winter. If you have any ideas on this matter I will be pleased to hear them.
MINUTES OF COMMITTEE MEETING 13th March
Present – Paul, Cath, Mark, Geoff
The final fixture of the series was won by one of our juniors. Jeremy Reynolds clocked a pb by over 2 minutes to finish along way clear of Nicky who in turn ran a pb by 44 seconds. Eric ran well to take 3rd place on the night. Further pb's came from Jamie, whose 18:07 puts him 2nd on the all-time list, and John Ruffell. He romped away with the overall handicap title ahead of Audra with myself doing enough on the night to hold onto 3rd place.
Second fastest in the good conditions was Mike ahead of Mark Simcox and Keith. Blissy took the time league, and with Paul not running, Keith took 2nd overall and a surprised Nick sneaked into 3rd place.
Well done to John Hoare who managed to do a solo job at the finish and finally a reminder to look at the notice board for the handicap lists for the summer handicaps round the harrow way.
POS |
NAME |
TIME |
H'CAP |
ACT.TIME |
H/CPOS |
1 |
J.REYNOLDS |
26.08 |
0.04 |
26.04 |
=18 |
2 |
N.CLARK |
27.29 |
3.23 |
24.06 |
15 |
3 |
E.TILBURY |
27.36 |
4.06 |
23.30 |
11 |
4 |
J.THOMAS |
27.53 |
1.32 |
26.21 |
20 |
5 |
R.KINGSBOROUGH |
28.01 |
5.26 |
22.35 |
6 |
-- |
J.JONES |
28.14 |
10.07 |
18.07 |
-- |
6 |
R.FRANCIS |
28.16 |
4.41 |
23.35 |
12 |
7 |
J.RUFFELL |
28.20 |
6.19 |
22.01 |
4 |
8 |
K.CLARK |
28.22 |
7.18 |
21.04 |
3 |
-- |
S.POULTON |
28.31 |
6.32 |
21.59 |
-- |
9 |
M.BLISS |
28.33 |
9.22 |
19.11 |
1 |
10 |
M.SIMCOX |
28.35 |
8.24 |
20.11 |
2 |
11 |
G.CLOKE |
28.39 |
4.48 |
23.51 |
14 |
12 |
N.DALTON |
28.54 |
6.45 |
22.09 |
5 |
13 |
E.SANDALL-BALL |
29.02 |
2.58 |
26.04 |
=18 |
14 |
R.SPREADBURY |
29.04 |
3.22 |
25.42 |
17 |
15 |
A.DENNISON |
29.08 |
5.22 |
23.46 |
13 |
16 |
G.DUNCAN |
29.18 |
6.29 |
22.49 |
8 |
17 |
C.WHEELER |
29.25 |
6.40 |
22.45 |
7 |
18 |
J.HODGE |
30.13 |
4.59 |
25.14 |
16 |
-- |
M.CHURM |
30.38 |
5.25 |
25.13 |
-- |
19 |
D.MILLS |
31.37 |
8.28 |
23.09 |
=9 |
20 |
D.VOSSER |
31.37 |
8.28 |
23.09 |
=9 |
Final HandicapLeague Positions from Franny
NAME |
OCT |
NOV |
DEC |
JAN |
FEB |
MAR |
TOTAL |
POS |
J.RUFFELL |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
7 |
11 |
1st |
A.DENNISON |
3 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
12 |
15 |
22 |
2nd |
R.FRANCIS |
11 |
4 |
5 |
0 |
4 |
6 |
30 |
3rd |
K.CLARK |
15 |
7 |
11 |
4 |
3 |
8 |
33 |
4th |
E.TILBURY |
5 |
12 |
18 |
5 |
9 |
3 |
34 |
5th |
M.BLISS |
4 |
0 |
10 |
6 |
8 |
9 |
37 |
6th |
N.DALTON |
10 |
11 |
12 |
9 |
6 |
12 |
48 |
7th |
D.MILLS |
13 |
8 |
7 |
7 |
0 |
19 |
54 |
8th |
J.THOMAS |
18 |
14 |
17 |
15 |
7 |
4 |
57 |
9th |
G.DUNCAN |
6 |
6 |
13 |
18 |
0 |
16 |
59 |
10th |
G.CLOKE |
12 |
0 |
15 |
16 |
13 |
11 |
67 |
11th |
E.SANDALL-BALL |
0 |
16 |
19 |
10 |
11 |
13 |
69 |
12th |
Final Handicap Time LeaguePositions from Franny
NAME |
OCT |
NOV |
DEC |
JAN |
FEB |
MAR |
TOTAL |
POS |
M.BLISS |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
1st |
K.CLARK |
6 |
3 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
16 |
2nd |
N.DALTON |
7 |
6 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
24 |
3rd |
D.MILLS |
8 |
5 |
7 |
5 |
0 |
9 |
34 |
4th |
J.RUFFELL |
0 |
9 |
10 |
6 |
5 |
4 |
34 |
5th |
G.DUNCAN |
4 |
4 |
6 |
14 |
0 |
8 |
36 |
6th |
A.DENNISON |
12 |
11 |
9 |
8 |
11 |
13 |
51 |
7th |
E.TILBURY |
11 |
10 |
15 |
11 |
8 |
11 |
51 |
8th |
R.FRANCIS |
13 |
7 |
13 |
0 |
6 |
12 |
51 |
9th |
G.CLOKE |
9 |
0 |
11 |
9 |
12 |
14 |
55 |
10th |
E.SANDALL-BALL |
0 |
14 |
17 |
15 |
10 |
18 |
74 |
11th |
J.THOMAS |
17 |
15 |
18 |
16 |
13 |
20 |
79 |
12th |
SOUTHERN LEAGUE 2000 from John Hoare
This summers Southern League fixtures have now been published. Due to tremendous team spirit and almost full turnouts during the winter cross country season we achieved our best ever set of results. Let’s hope that the same spirit prevails during the track and field season and we can record a position at the right end of the table and seriously challenge for promotion to Division 3. Try to keep these Saturdays free and let’s look forward to a highly successful season with another six matches with all our athletes present.
Date Venue Opponents
May 6th Salisbury Salisbury St Albans Southampton Harrow
June 3rd West London Puma TVH Wycombe Colchester Tunbridge Wells
June 24th Basingstoke N Devon Reading Havant Colchester
July 8th Kingston Serpentine Victoria Park Harlow Bedford
July 22nd Haringey Enfield Wessex & Bath Chiltern Diss
August 5th Andover Andover Dacorum Tower Hamlets Brentwood
All fixtures are doubles starting at 1.00pm. Our home fixture is at Basingstoke on June 24th
Young Athletes Track Meeting Bracknell 25th March from Geoff
For some of the boys this was their first ever track meeting. They all acquitted themselves well gaining valuable experience.
John Ruffell ran 2:17 in the 800m and a disappointing 5:05 in the 1500m. Arran Harris ran 2:00, Sam Cross ran 2:03, and Scott Graham ran 2:05 in the 600m
Following a request from PAUL WHEELER to restart an archive spot in the newsletter I have plucked a southern league report at random. This was for the 2nd fixture of 1988 and was written I beleive by Andy Hoare. THE 2nd SOUTHERN LEAGUE - WITH A DIFFERENCE. 21st MAY. 1988 On Friday 20th May a group of nine athletes, Eric and two wives set off for a Southern league fixture at St. Helier, Jersey. As you can imagine we were all taking the trip very seriously and Eric -our acting team manager-was under strict instructions to make sure we had an easy, quiet night and were in bed before midnight. Eric did manage to do this, but without the rest of the team. We were up till the early hours of the morning discussing "what athletics means to you " and other such interesting topics.
By the time Blissy had demonstrated his frisby throwing technique and I had filled my pint up without the help of the barman, we all decided to go back to our rooms; well... Paul's room actually, and Eric who was asleep before we arrived was not asleep when we left ! Finally we all left Paul and Eric's room with shouts of "LOADS A MONEY" ringing round the hotel and Patch deciding to throw Pauls' bedclothes down the stairs.
Surprisingly we were all quite fresh the next morning as about 6 of the group went out for a jog. After a quick walk to the beach we assembled outside to be picked up for the match.The match itself was one we want to forget, although the sight of SPIDER Wheeler trying to get over the pole vault and Simon Morgan bearing down on Eric in the 4x100 were memorable. There were customary wins by myself in the 800m. and Mike in the steeplechase, but we were struggling all afternoon and finally finished 4th.
However, that night we were certainly not struggling and after we all had watched some dancers?, Adger and an awful comedian we went looking for a nightclub. We found one straightaway and after a couple of beers I decided to go for a leak. Next thing I know , this 8 foot yeti has hold of me and is throwing me out of the club. Well, I was certainly devastated. Devastated enough to buy Gegg and Simon a drink, put FIVE POUNDS in the whip for the Tonbridge lads and then go to bed. I gather the rest of the lads had a great night and the sight of one or two of them the next morning proved this to me.
The next day we wandered around, then went for some beer and food and then decided on a game of football. Now, we are not the best footballers in the world when we're sober so, after a few beers inside us I don't think Mr. Robson would be impressed by us. I'm just glad that Kevin "CHOPPER" Waters was on my side, and Eric for that matter as Paul found out as he tried to go past him. Still he did find it difficult to run with his shorts round his knees.
There are hundreds of incidents that I've forgotten, but I know one thing, we'll all be praying that Guernsey get promoted this season....won't we ?
THE MATCH RESULTS APPEARED IN THE FOLLOWING NEWSLETTER AND ARE SHOWN BELOW.
A.STRING |
B STRING |
|||||
100m |
K.WARTERS |
12.8 |
5th |
M.DENNISON |
15.1 |
5th |
200m |
K.WARTERS |
27.7 |
5th |
M.DENNISON |
28.3 |
5th |
400m |
A.HOARE |
55.7 |
4th |
P.HOARE |
56.2 |
3rd |
800m |
A.HOARE |
2.00.6 |
1st |
P.HOARE |
2.02.6 |
1st |
1500m |
P.HOARE |
4.12.6 |
4th |
A.HOARE |
4.24.1 |
4th |
5000m |
M.BLISS |
14.54.0 |
2nd |
M.DENNISON |
16.31.3 |
4th |
3000s/c |
M.BLISS |
9.51.6 |
1st |
P.WHEELER |
10.04.7 |
1st |
110H |
--------- |
----------- |
||||
400H |
P.WHEELER |
71.9 |
5th |
K.WARTERS |
69.5 |
5th |
HJ |
B.BENHAM |
1.00 |
4th |
P.HOARE |
1.00 |
4th |
LJ |
B.BENHAM |
5.40 |
4th |
A.HOARE |
4.97 |
4th |
TJ |
P.HOARE |
10.08 |
5th |
A.HOARE |
9.91 |
4th |
PV |
B.BENHAM |
2.50 |
3rd |
P.WHEELER |
N.Ht. |
--- |
SP |
M.GREGORY |
9.00 |
4th |
S.MORGAN |
8.84 |
3rd |
DT |
S.MORGAN |
32.31 |
3rd |
M.GREGORY |
27.82 |
2nd |
JT |
B.BENHAM |
38.94 |
3rd |
S.MORGAN |
36.84 |
3rd |
HT |
S.MORGAN |
33.86 |
2nd |
M.GREGORY |
29.10 |
1st |
4X100 |
54.4 |
5th |
||||
4X400 |
3.54.4 |
5th |
MATCH RESULT.
1st JERSEY 148pts.2nd BLACKHEATH 135pts.
3rd TONBRIDGE 100pts.
4th OVERTON 83pts.
5th BRIGHTON 59pts.
Late report: Theale Thrash 10k Series 2000
This is a series of three 10ks on successive Sundays in early January… an ideal way to get back some fitness after Christmas and New Year. Unfortunately I could only do the first two, but that at least helped put me in some better shape for the Overton X-C . The races are not very high quality (apart from the top one or two… Tom Buckner was leading after the second event) as can be seen from my placings, but are still a challenge on this course with its notorious hill-climb near the start.
2nd January:
11th J Hodge 42.30 ( 2nd O/50) 59 finished
9th January
10th J Hodge 41.36 ( 1st O/50) 56 finished
( 4th overall & 1st O/50 after 2 rounds)
Veterans National Indoor Championships, Birmingham 27 February 2000 Surprisingly I was the only Harriers vet to make the Indoors this year, my first time running in this superb stadium. As ever it was a hugely enjoyable occasion, the only disappointment being a very long delay of about an hour ( by late morning) which made race preparation very difficult.
I knew from the calibre of the entrants that I didn’t have a hope of a medal this time, but I enjoyed the race and was well pleased with my time, only 1.8 secs down on two years ago.
6th J Hodge 2 26.4 7 finished.
Combe Gibbet 26th March from Dave Henery
NAME |
POSITION |
HRS |
MINS |
SECS |
COMMENTS |
Mark |
11 |
1 |
44 |
06 |
PB excellent and stiff |
Nick |
21 |
1 |
49 |
29 |
Alright – understatement - PB - forgot cakes |
Dave Mills |
33 |
1 |
54 |
05 |
Went home in huff, did not collect gibbet |
Gavin |
37 |
1 |
54 |
22 |
OK |
Audra |
57 – 3rdL |
1 |
57 |
20 |
Enjoyed it |
Franny |
70 |
2 |
01 |
37 |
Slowest for many years – loads of excuses |
Jill |
75 |
2 |
02 |
43 |
Twisted ankle – limped home in a PB |
Dave Henery |
77 |
2 |
03 |
25 |
12minutes better than last year , did not walk |
JT |
97 |
2 |
08 |
11 |
The boy dun good – wrong shoes |
205 finished
BIONIC
Our winner this month has seen his race fitness improve with a lethal combination of hill reps, nandrolene, and real ale. Proof of this resides in his extraordinary feat at the Eastleigh 10K, where he recorded his fastest time for 4 years; not bad for an old git. Congratulations Eric Tilbury, keep taking the medicine; your commitment is an inspiration to us all.