RANELAGH HARRIERS E-NEWS #597 15 DECEMBER 2021
Editor: Steve Rowland
mailto:sandsrowland@btinternet.com
Web site: https://ranelagh-harriers.co.uk
❄️🎄 MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR ❄️🎄
Thanks to our Social Secretaries Rebecca Bissell and Hadi Khatamizadeh for a very enjoyable Christmas Party last weekend.
❄️🎄 THE RANELAGH CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE 🎄❄️
The goal here is to spell out a festive phrase of your choosing in kms or miles during the month of December.
Your chosen phrase can be as long (Have A Merry Christmas) or as short (Joy) as you like, but be warned, the position of the letter in the alphabet is the distance you must run to ‘collect’ that letter, for example: a = 1 km/mile, b = 2 km/mile, c = 3 km/mile and so on. It’s easy to get started, just decide on your phrase and start running or walking. Tag all your runs/walks on Strava with #RanFestive and keep going until you’ve run your festive greeting.
Once complete, add your entry by 31st December @ https://forms.gle/QXGAeu2aW7q2Fmzk8. The Rundown Elves will then calculate your score based on the distance covered (kms or miles) and a festive multiplier (1 – 5’s). Bonus points will be given for themed Christmassy creativity including festive wear, cheesy ‘elfies and Christmas related road names, locations, routes and segments. The more festive your entry, the more Santas awarded and therefore the higher your score will be. You can decide to do this in teams or on your own – it’s entirely up to you but we feel the more the merrier. You can also choose to run, walk or do a combination of both, just as long as your chosen phrase is spelt & collected in order.. If you’re doing this in teams, you can even split the total daily distance between your members – the most important thing is that everyone – friends and family – can join in the festivities and have fun!
So come on, what are you waiting for? You can start by dachshund through the snow, or ho-ho-ho-hoping through the bracken, whatever you decide to do, we know you’ll sleigh it! Just don’t be like the snowman who had to give up running because he couldn’t warm-up. The final day for submission is 31st December and the winning team/ individual will be announced on the 2nd of January.
THURSDAY NIGHT TRACK TRAINING is having a Christmas break and the track at Osterley will be unavailable until January 6th.
🔷🔶 RANELAGH RICHMOND 10k 28 November at Ham 🔷🔶
Race day dawned bright, crisp and below freezing, proving a challenge to the extremities of the brave individuals tasked with lugging poles, pegs, water, tables, numbers etc, as well as those setting out the course in the wee hours of the morning and those preparing everything over at race HQ. Hours later, all was in place (well, almost) and after some frantic running around, the RD’s whistle was heard at precisely 9am and some 460+ runners took to the streets and paths of Ham and the surrounding Thames Towpath. Over two laps they ran their hearts out – some at astonishing pace, others in their own time – but on they went, wending their way through the scenic riverside and trees around Teddington Lock, cheered on by stalwart and irrepressibly optimistic marshals.
For some, time was everything, for others, just completing the course in its entirety was achievement enough. As one athlete stated, it’s the taking part that counts. This was truly a race with purpose, supporting as it did, many worthy causes & aims:
Nick & Kathy Henry as they fundraise for Cancer Research UK,
One Water where sales of their bottled water go towards helping to end global water poverty,
Tribe where sales of their snacks go towards helping to fight modern slavery,
and backing local business, Argonaut Coffee.
In total, over 53 volunteers played their part in making the race a success and contributing to a safe, and enjoyable race for all athletes from first to last. The collective enthusiasm from all involved was clear to see and despite the freezing conditions, everyone – athletes and volunteers alike – kept smiling, cheering and passionately supporting each other from race start to race finish.
Shout out to Race Director Ed Perry and his team, who realised this epic achievement with little under two months preparation. The race will revert to its usual summer fixture next year, but we will certainly remember the joy of this bright, sunny, freezing November day for a while to come.
First man home was James Bartram of Thames in 33 minutes dead. This was some 40 seconds slower than the last winner back in 2019. In that race there were 579 finishers, this time there were 356. A number of factors contributed to this drop – principally because the race did not incorporate the county championship and the Surrey Road League. The November date may have been less attractive than the usual June and of course there was COVID. We hope things will be at least partly back to normal in 2022.
Of that 356 in this race no fewer than 73 were from Ranelagh, making up a splendid total turnout on the day of 126 club members. Our first man home was Jonathan Smith, 14th in 35.09, just four seconds ahead of Gareth Williams. Mark Herbert was next at 35.42 and then Peter Haarer, 2nd over 50 on the day in 36.11. Leading woman was Lisa Bailey of The Stragglers in a time of 37.43. Second was Ranelagh’s Gill Sanders in 38.00, fourth was Sarah Palmer in 38.14, just ahead of Steph Tindall. That trio gave us the women’s team prizes. Adrienne Baddeley gave us four women sub-40 minutes. Henry Fagan won the Under 18 category and John Shaw was our first over 60. Our top Over 45 was Bonnie Webster and top Over 55 was Carol Aikin.
Age
Pos Time Name Club Cat.
1 33:00 James Bartram Thames H&H SM
2 33:03 Robert Eveson Stragglers SM
3 33:25 Ugur Altan Sutton Runners SM
14 35:09 Jonathan Smith Ranelagh Harriers SM
15 35:13 Gareth Williams M40+
19 35:44 Mark Herbert SM
24 36:13 Peter Haarer M50+
26 36:29 James Whistler SM
29 36:41 Ted Mockett M40+
37 37:08 David Lawley M40+
40 37:23 Andy Starr M40+
45 37:52 Henry Fagan MU18
48 38:01 Gillian Sanders L35+
56 38:22 Sarah Palmer SL
57 38:27 William Joyce SM
61 38:38 Stephanie Tindall SL
62 38:42 John Shaw M60+
79 39:44 Adrienne Baddeley L35+
80 39:44 Vaughan Ramsay M40+
89 39:58 Alex Ring M40+
96 40:26 Paul Murphy M40+
100 40:55 Cecily Day SL
102 40:59 Philip Beausang SM
106 41:04 Richard Willoughby M50+
107 41:07 Shaun Griffith SM
109 41:16 Patrick Beausang SM
114 41:28 Russell Holt M50+
117 41:30 Bill Neely M60+
123 42:10 Hadi Khatamizadeh M40+
124 42:23 Nicola Douglas L35+
128 42:43 Eliott Wells SM
131 42:55 Michael Thomas M50+
136 43:14 Martin Halvey M60+
144 43:51 Liam Griffin M50+
150 44:05 Marcus Atkins M50+
152 44:14 Stephen Aikin M50+
158 44:50 James Ritchie M40+
166 45:19 Jon Lear M50+
175 45:39 Ciaran O’Donnell M50+
176 45:43 Bonnie Webster L45+
178 45:51 Daragh Fagan M50+
179 45:52 Stephen Hurton M40+
184 46:08 Richard Pender M50+
185 46:19 Amrut Sharma M40+
188 46:28 Jeremy Day M50+
201 47:40 Rachel Smith L45+
213 48:48 Rebecca Bissell L45+
214 48:48 Ann Kearey L45+
215 48:48 Kathy Henry L45+
223 49:37 Simon Taylor M50+
233 50:52 Carol Aikin L55+
244 51:45 Claire Warner L35+
247 51:51 Michael Osborne M50+
250 52:10 Christopher Read M50+
259 52:51 Duncan Brown M60+
262 52:57 Sally Bamford L55+
271 53:49 Fiona Pugh L45+
273 53:55 David Kew M60+
275 54:20 Joanne Collins L35+
280 54:49 Ian Harrison M60+
281 54:57 Colette Doran L45+
284 55:20 Paul Wapshott M50+
289 56:25 Ally Salisbury L55+
293 56:37 Alison Targett L55+
298 57:35 Karen Harbert L55+
309 59:13 Tom Reay M60+
310 59:21 Janet Turnes L65+
329 1:01:08 Sue Lear L55+
330 1:01:14 Lawley Ellie L35+
345 1:08:05 Alan Meaden M60+
348 1:09:42 Victoria Orme L55+
349 1:09:50 Louise Wapshott L45+
351 1:11:36 David Meaden M60+
355 1:18:01 Annemarie Goodridge L55+
Full results available @ http://www.sportsystems.co.uk/ss/results/Ranelagh%20Harriers%20Richmond%2010K%202021/4588
MARATHONERS and THE ULTRA CREW
Suzy Whatmough completed the Azores 125k in an astonishing 20:46:27 over two days. “It was tough going, but a beautiful island with lots of climbs, pretty trails and great views”, she writes. Back home in the Surrey Hills Jessica Busen-Smith and John Rose ran together in the Hurtwood 50k. Jessica finished 6th in the W40 age group in 6:30.46, John was one second behind as 8th M50.
Si Martin ran the Nice-Cannes Marathon in a PB 3:11.27, while at Valencia Jarryd Hillhouse was also PB-ing with a time of 3:14.10.
🔷🔶 OTHER RESULTS 🔷🔶
Some good ones! Nick Impey travelled up to Telford for a high-quality 10k and was rewarded with a 31.40 PB…Running in the Winter Half Marathon at Milton Keynes, Ryan Hogan ran an impressive 72.04, another PB…At the Victoria Park Half Marathon in her first try at the distance for many years, Steph Tindall finished 3rd in the women’s race in 85.23
Mark Herbert finished 5th in the long-established Hog’s Back race at Guildford, covering the hilly 11.4km in 42.44…Behind Mark, Sam Dalgleish ran 44.21 for a top-ten finish, Alan Meaden ran 81.16 and brother David recorded 85.40…at Weybridge there was an outstanding run from Cordy Parker at 12th overall and leading woman in 35.41…Kirsty Steel was also there, finishing in 47.30.
Roger Wallace was also at Victoria Park, running 59.00 for the 10k…Clare Fowler completed the Dorset Trail Half Marathon in 2:14.08, 11th in the women’s race… and finally another great run from Cordelia Parker in her Abingdon first claim colours, winning the women’s race at the Eynsham 10k in 36.55.
SOUTH OF ENGLAND AA Inter-Counties Cross-Country 11th December at Lloyd Park
Gill Sanders earned her first Surrey vest, finishing 28th in 26.44 for the 6k course. But ahead of her representing Oxfordshire Cordelia Parker came in 8th in 25.39.
BILL NEELY writes:
I was looking at the Vets records on our new (and wonderful) website and noticed the Half Marathon Over 60’s list. Can I add a time to that? I did 1.28.53 in the Vitality Half Marathon in London on August 22nd this year. Also 1.31.22 in the London Landmarks Half on August 1stthis year.
As for today’s 10k, I did 41.19 (chip), 41.30 gun time. Maybe that’ll squeeze me into the 10K category as well!
Also from Bill:
Nick Impey ran a superb 16.28 PB in tough, blustery conditions at Richmond parkrun this morning. I had the privilege of keeping him up to date with his pace & position as I was lead bike. But it was Nick leading me for one stretch, as my tyres struggled to gain traction in the grass and he upped the tempo, with a fantastic pace of just under 10.30 for the first two miles.
🔷🔶 COMING UP 🔷🔶
Sat 18 Dec: South of Thames 7.5 mile, Beckenham Place Park, entry deadline passed
Sat 8 Jan: Middlesex county XC champs, Greenford, 1:45pm start, entry by 27 Dec
Sun 9 Jan: Surrey county XC champs, Denbies, 2pm start, entry by 29 Dec
Sat 15 Jan: Surrey League race 3, men and women on Mitcham Common
Sat 29 Jan: Southern XC champs, 15km, venue TBC (likely Brighton), entry soon!
Sat 12 Feb: Mob match vs Orion, Epping Forest
Sat 26 Feb: National XC champs, 12km, Parliament Hill, 3pm start, entry by 21 Jan
Use Teamer to enter.
🔷🔶 RANELAGH HARRIERS WEB SITE 🔷🔶
If you haven’t yet looked at our new web site, please do so: it’s here: https://ranelagh-harriers.co.uk. All comments and suggestions welcome.
TEAMER
Teamer is the app we use to confirm attendance at races. It’s pretty self-explanatory once you sign up. Join the group and see what it’s all about.
Men: Men’s Teamer Group Women: Women’s Teamer group.
🔷🔶 KEEP IN TOUCH 🔷🔶
- Join the Strava group: https://www.strava.com/clubs/ranelagh-harriers
2. Log your run and give it a catchy title.
3. Give our segments a shot!
4. Check back every week for highlights
5. Note that Activity and Profile Privacy settings will need to be set to Everyone if you want the rundown team to be able to see your individual runs
Follow us elsewhere on social:
Twitter: @ranelaghharrier
FB: Ranelagh Harriers
Insta: @ranelaghharriers
🔷🔶 FINALLY 🔷🔶
The Vatican City is hoping to set up a national Olympic association with a view to being present as observers in the Games of 2024 and competing in 2028.
