Organised by the Chilterns Care Hospice, this is a new race, though not a new idea, with the Tywyn (deepest Wales) train race a well established fixture. Both are a race against a steam train (which stops, to give you a chance), with runners encouraged to put their loved ones on the train to whoop and holler, though on this course you will only see them at the start and finish. Compared to Tywyn, this is much easier to get to for Southerners and will surely gain a big audience, though only about 150 people made it for the first event. Both courses are of similar length – advertised as 14 miles, but actually more like 13, which carries no suggestion of being short changed, more a feeling of “thank whatever you want to give thanks to” after plodding up hills, across fields and through mud. The target is to average around 8 minute miles in order to finish ahead of the train.
Last Call for Cross-Country tomorrow
If you are still waivering about whether to come to cross-country tomorrow or not here are five good reasons why to come:
1. Ann’s Cakes – need I bother with 2 to 5?
2. The weather forecast is OK
3. Its off road – much more fun than tarmac and better for your knees
4. Its free
5. Its gets you away from doing the household chores
Please see the separate posts that Ann and I have put up with the details and hope to see you there!
Titsey Trail 10K – 14/03/2012. Report from Alan Collis
I was first attracted to the Titsey Trail Race by it’s name! The course is run over Limpsfield Common, near Oxted, and the High Chart of Surrey and Kent, on land mostly owned by the National Trust and the Titsey Estate, hence it’s name. This all off road race is challenging. I helped Binkie with the clock and gantry erection for which I earnt a complimentary entry. All that I saved was spent on coffee and home made cakes, before and after the race, but I figured the pre and after run sugar would assist my recovery . The sold out entry of 350 looked to consist of a number of elite club runners and plenty of mums, many in brand new trainers and Ipods. Oxted is full of terribly nice and posh people. Putting up the clock, I felt like a servant at Downton abbey . We were told that the course would be muddy and they were right!
Continue reading Titsey Trail 10K – 14/03/2012. Report from Alan Collis
Ladies Cross Country Sat Oct 20th
Our first match is at noon, Wimbledon Common, Roehampton Vale end, about 6K. I’ve left a sign on sheet at the club and maps and details for you to take. HQ is Richardson Evans Memorial Playing fields, Roehampton Vale, SW15 3PQ. Approaching from the south, go north past the Robin Hood Junction to the Stag Lane Asda turn off, go under the A3 and return on the Southbound carriageway. Roehampton Gate entrance to Richmond Park is pedestrian access only, but you can go into the Park via Kingston Gate, park at Roehampton Gate and walk over the bridge over the A3 to the HQ.
The K3 bus from Surbiton also goes to Robin Hood Junction. I shall leave the club at 10.15 and currently still have some room in my car, hopefully we can car – share. I’m not able to be at the club this week so please sign up or contact me, you can just turn up on the day but please allow time for me to sort out numbers! Ann 07751 308105
Surrey Vets Cross Country Championships
Saturday Oct 13th at Richmond Park saw Maggie Stacey run the ladies 6K course in a respectable 26.06, Maria Celanmore started with a bad cold and just did one lap. I had a worse cold and did not even start! Then in the men’s 10K race Rob Hinton did 39.49 and David Pim 42.28, good times for a cross country 10K! Unfortunately the rain started as they waited for a delayed start. Next year the ladies will start 15 minutes earlier so the men can start on time.
Parkrunning – 13/10/12. The Pengellys open their account in Australia
Pegs and Luca recorded their first Australian parkrun at Claisebrook Cove on Saturday. We’ll have to see if any photographs pop up! Elsewhere, and bearing in mind it’s Cross Country next weekend, I hope there’s a reason for Jo Newstead’s slow time at Brueton Park. Was she late starting?
Dom Vizor and John Sweeney ran PBs at Bushy, and Sharon Andrew her fastest time this year. Steve Holden’s last nine runs have all been between 20:06 and 20:34, and Melissa Guler managed her first run there without getting lost!
Chris Wilson ran a PB at KIngston, his 4th in six runs, making Mum and presumably Dad, very proud. John Matthews chose Worcester for his 99th different event but is still 3rd equals in the all time list. 30 members ran parkruns this week.
Parkrunning Overview 22/9, 29/09, 06/10
John Matthews clocked up another 3 events with a 1st Male, but 2nd overall, at Aberystwyth, 7th at Hull, and overall winner at Walsall Aboretum. On the 22nd Jon and Dave Wilson did a ‘back to Uni’ run at Braunstone and Jane Calderbank, David Pearce, Carolaine Dawson and Laura Perry ran PBs at Kingston, where Joe Chang clocked up his 150th parkrun.
On the 29th, Dave Wilson was a ‘first timer’ at MIle End, Alan Collis ran his 200th Banstead Wood and Kevin Furlong, the brothers Fuentes, Chris Wilson, Amy Tomlins and John Sweeney had PBs at Kingston.
Amy and John ran further PBs at Kingston on the 6th. along with Grant Davison and Kevin Stone, whilst infrequent parkrunner Alice Tozer ran a PB at Bushy.
In all, 28 members ran parkrun on the 22nd, 30 on the 29th and 32 on the 6th.
Hi Viz T-shirts – last call
Graham will be taking down the list for hi viz t-shirt orders (the green, orange and pink ones with the club name/logo on them) from the club noticeboard at the end of this week. So if you want one, this is your last chance for a while. If you can’t make it to the club you can email me and I’ll add your name to the list (state size, colour and quantity required).
Monday Night Track
Just a quick reminder that Chris Coghlan will be holding a track session at Kingsmeadow this evening at 7pm in place of Berrylands Special. Tonights sesssion will include 1 mile reps so for those of you who like pain enjoy tonights session.
October 2012 Club Handicap Result – PBs galore!
Despite it being the first dark run of the season, when times are often slower, no fewer than 14 of the 36 runners ran PBs last evening, including the first 10 finishers. A further 10 of you, who had previously run this season, had SBs, and the first 25 all finished under the magic 35 min. finish time on the clock.
1st home was Chris Wilson, knocking almost 2 mins off his PB, just 5 secs ahead of Chris Coghlan who ran under 18 mins for the first time. Jamie Fuentes, 20 secs improvement, Natalie Warren, 1:22 and Amy Tomlins, 42 secs, filled the next three places.
6th placed James Thurston’s time of 17:21 puts him 15th in the all time Male list at the expense of, although I’m sure only temporarily, Steve Watkins, and 8th finishing Jane Calderbank’s time of 19:06 moves her up to 5th in the all time Ladies list. ‘First timer’ Vanessa Blackburn’s time of 19:10 puts her straight in at 7th at the expense of Jo Newstead.
A good team of volunteers last night enabled Neil Sunderland to get a run in, his first since March, so thanks to the ‘pavement’ team of Jason Blair, Sue and Don Esslemont, and Caroline Dawson, Steve Ramek, Andrea Bennett and her daughter in the ‘road’ team, John Matthews on first corner and Pete Tozer marshalling the Club entrance.
Lastly, an apology to ‘first timer’ Karyn O’Donahue for giving her a rotten start time, I hope it hasn’t put you off the Handicap? I attach the result.
Continue reading October 2012 Club Handicap Result – PBs galore!