SWALEDALE ROAD RUNNERS
FEBRUARY 2005 NEWSLETTER
Chairman’s Report
Running conditions have been very good over recent weeks and it is encouraging to see so many people down at the club. The Northallerton branch seems to be doing well and I know a poster campaign is now underway in the town to welcome new runners. If you are able to get over on a Wednesday evening, you will be more than welcome, and I am told there are no hills!
The mid week league events have now been finalised and Stuart Smith will be giving you the details elsewhere in the newsletter. It would be wonderful to improve on our results last year.
Due to meetings etc the February predictor will take place on Thursday 3rd March.
The next club meeting will take place at The Buck Hotel Monday 7th March 8pm with a committee meeting at 7:30pm.
Remember to enjoy your running and make the most of the extra daylight.
John Hunter
Brass Monkey Half Marathon
There was a good turnout from the club at the ‘Brass Monkey’ on Sunday 23rd Jan. The weather was cold, (as befits the race’s name!) but the sun came out to melt most of the ice and slush, and we were blessed with a relatively wind-free day. This is a lovely flat course which is an ‘out, loop and back’ route from York race course and through a handful of pretty villages. The organising club did a fantastic job of marshalling. They were cheerful and encouraging despite having to spend however many hours it was in the bitter cold repeatedly warning runners of the speed bumps! Perhaps speed bumps are to York what Lombard’s Wynd is to us?
Anyway, Erika finished first for Swaledale Ladies in 1.27.57 with Avril Steele (1st claim Ripon) next lady home in 1.30.57. Alex Brown can hop at speeds I can only dream of cycling, and finished in 1.49.58 despite limping badly on her injured knee. I was delighted to finish in a shade under 1.55 (1.54.57) having done nowhere near enough training and I could feel Sharon Morrison pounding behind me in 1.55.43. Glenys Nutter ran a sterling 2.16.52 and Sue Smith (2.21.38) and Jo Richardson (2.32.10) made up our complement of green ladies vests home.
And what about the men? Andrew Steele (Ripon) finished in 1.24.01, Stu Smith just missed the 1 1/2 hour barrier in 1.31.14, having found 13 miles….erm….3miles longer than 10. Pat Neeson piped John Hunter at the post in 1.42.11 and 1.42.13 respectively - look out for the next instalment in what I’m sure will be a valiantly tough contest between them! Pete Devlin and Pete Richardson also vied for the finishing line in 1.43.50 and 1.43.55 (pb) respectively and Eric Nutter was soon home in 1.50.49.
All in all, a very popular race which I’d heartily recommend. Get your entries in early next year (Sept) if you‘re interested!
Oonagh Bathgate
Dewsbury 10k
This is a fairly flat, out and back 10k that runs between the two West Yorkshire mill towns of Dewsbury and Batley. Many of the former mill towns buildings are actually passed on the course, most of which seem to have been converted into designer shopping outlets.
The race attracted just over 1000 runners including 2 Athens Olympic Marathoners, local lass Tracey Morris and Czech runner Anne Pichrtova who finished in 33.43 and 34.38 respectively. The lone Swaledale runner managed a more modest 46.54 and a less modest boasting about a second pb in two weeks (see Brass Monkey!). Please note - the Tuesday night speedwork does work!
A decent race this one, and one I definitely would consider doing next year. An opportunity to visit somewhere I’d never been before (and never visit again apart from running) and the chance to catch up with a couple of old friends. What running is all about really.
Pete Richardson
Harrogate Mid Week League
Summer is almost upon us again, time to get your green racing vests out!
The Harrogate and District summer road race league has been running for many years. The league is a series of short (10k max) races. There are 11 local clubs around the Harrogate area in the League who each year take it in turn to host five races and a end of season handicap race just for fun.
The League operates by each runner scoring points depending upon what position they finish. The winner in each class (M,L,MV,LV) gets 100 points, the last runner gets 1 point, and everyone in between points are scaled to their position. This year also a best 4 from 5 to count system is in place, so with modern life and a runners fragile body, you don’t have to get to all the races to do well.
Last year we did really well, the girls finished in second place, and this year could do even better. The boys were a little behind, but with a few more there we can improve.
The races are open to everyone no matter what your ability. Indeed this is a great way of starting your racing career. They are well marshalled, on and off road courses, all taking place mid week in the summer and the best bit is after each race there is a good feed and the chase to have a pint and a natter.
The cost to enter the league and compete all six races is a massive £2 pounds, so what more do you want and you might just enjoy it. See me on club nights to get your number.
YOUR CLUB NEEDS YOU!
More details can be found at: www.harrogate-league.co.uk
Dates of Races:
Tues 3rd May Ilkley 7.45pm
Tues 17th May Dragons 7.45pm
Tues 7th June RZH 7.45pm
Tues 21st June Skipton 7.45pm
Tues 5th July Harrogate 7.45pm
Wed 20th July Ripon - Handicap 7.30pm
Stu Smith
Predictor
The January predictor produced the usual crop of people going astray. Not too bad if you are a new member, but when you have taken part a few times!
The Time Way Out Bar changed into a Boost bar due to supply problems. It was won by Clare Moynihan, who was running for the first time, and completed the course 268 seconds under her predicted time.
Paul Emson proved that it is not a good idea to change your mind as his first prediction was his finishing time. This month’s winner was Gez Todd who was only 8 seconds under his predicted time. It is great to see that Eric Nutter is only just over a minute behind his time for February last year.
Due to the pressure of work I have moved the February Predictor to Thursday 3rd March.
John Hunter
Race Diary
Time to get those spring races entered and test the winter training out before the Mid Week League starts in May. The race folder is full of entry forms at the moment, so there’s no excuse!
Feb 20th Snake Lane (full)
Mar 5th Haweswater Half Marathon
Mar 12th Dentdale Run 14.3
Mar 13th Redcar Half Marathon
Mar 19th Coniston 14 (full)
Mar 20th Dalby Forest 10k
Mar 20th South Leeds 5m
Apr 10th Great Grizedale Forest 10m
Apr 17th London Marathon
Apr 23rd St Georges Day 10k - Langdale
Apr 24th Rothwell 10k
News from Northallerton
Thing are going well at Northallerton, we have already welcomed some new members. The facilities at the new venue are excellent and running new routes certainly helps variety with training ie no hills!
Andy Broadley
London Marathon
Lin Gossage is running the London Marathon and hoping to raise £1000 for the Help the Hospices charity. If you would like to sponsor Lin you can do so at www.justgiving.com/Lin Gossage or see Lin or Mick Gossage at the club house.
New members
A warm welcome to new members Judith Trainer, Helen Davey and Margaret Taylor.
Club Kit
Those of you who follow the fashion scene know that green is the in colour at the moment. This means our exclusive limited edition range of club clothing is a must have and there has never been a better time to make a purchase. We’re pleased to announce that the entire range is available at 2004 prices, what a bargain!
Hats £4.50 (only a few left)
Fleeces £22.00 (top quality and very warm)
Sweatshirts £12.00 (keep you warm pre-race)
Vests £13.00 (essential for that race)
Pete & Jo Richardson
Newsletter
Due to holiday commitments can you please have all articles for the next newsletter to me by Sunday 6th March. If you run a race and decide to do a report for me, the sooner it gets to me the easier it is for me rather than having all the reports coming in at the same time, I look forward to your reports coming thick and fast with all the spring races about.
Jo Richardson
Thought for the Month
My wife has always insisted that she deserves the very best, so I unselfishly married her!
Cyril Fell