The following are extracts from the Club's quarterly magazine, which was published in March 2002:
NB: The club's race results are covered by weekly updates on the NEWS page
Several committee vacancies exist - particularly for team managers. Other committee members have been filling in this year and it is now time to fill all posts. At the AGM the following posts were not filled: Chairperson Schools Liaison Officer Promotions Secretary Senior Mens Chingford League Team Manager Young Athletes Summer Team Manager Trophies Secretary (not a formal committee post) [someone has now offered to do this job] Subsequently James Taylor has stood down as Mens Summer Team Manager - so there is a vacancy there. Please consider whether you could do any of these very important jobs. Contact Clerk to the Committee, Brian Strong (020 8440 3654).
Daniel Lewis, Scott and Chris Copping, Laura Cioffi, and Gemma Smith - who have all been selected for the Hertfordshire team for the Sportshall Finals. Alex Gibson is a reserve. Paul Rea, who passed his UK Athletics Level 2 Throws course at Watford on 27 Jan.
Club places went to: Peter Rice, Alan Radley, Roger Thompstone, Paul Watts and David Williams. Best of luck to them all on the day.
The following new members have been elected at Committee since the last magazine: Steve Allen, Kwaame Amoako-Atta, Frank Balloch, Barry Chick, Harvinder Chowdhary, Amy Copping, Brigid Corless, Tony Cousins, Dean Creer, Amy Dolan, Linda Elmore, Victoria Hyland, Stephen Joseph, Samira Putris, Gary Randall, Alison Rayner, Heather Rayner, Louise Rayner, Timothy Rayner, Tessie Sarsfield, Darren Treadaway, Frank Williams, Zanthe Wray. May you all have a good time with the Club, both athletically and socially.
Do you supply a service that might be of interest to club members - eg physiotherapy, massage, coaching. Why not promote your service with a FREE information sheet in the new members pack or provide information on the services page on the club website. Contact Steve Chilton on 0208 482 3381.
Biathletes, triathletes, injured runners - cyclists even. Sessions at the Clubhouse starting at 7pm on Mondays and Wednesdays during the dark cold winter. Members welcome - male and female. Nominal charge of £1 per session. But you will need to organise your own turbo machine. Contact Steve Harris (0208 368 6754), Dave Candy or Alan Harvey.
MESSAGE FROM THE MEMBERSHIP SECRETARIES
First of all, thank you to all those who have paid their subs, especially those
that paid before being asked – it makes life much easier for us. There are still
a few members that have not paid, if you have forgotten there will be a reminder
enclosed with this magazine. Most of you are aware that we have only been membership
secretaries for the club since October & we are still in the process of sorting
out a few problems that occurred before we took over. If you feel that you are
being asked for more than is due or have not received a membership card, please
contact Maureen (020 8446 3336 or 07931 881766).
It appears that some members are under the misapprehension that there is a reduced rate for summer only athletes, there has not been for some years. The subscription rates were approved at the AGM & the meeting voted that there should be a standard rate for all members as the benefits of membership, such as receiving the club magazine & club discount in sports shops are available all year. It was felt that the rate set was reasonable as we are a voluntary organisation trying to balance the books. We hope this clarifies the situation. If you decide to leave the club for any reason please remember to send a letter of resignation to Maureen, so we can keep the books up to date & remember that if you intend to join another club a SEAA form needs to be filled in (even if it’s because of a change of address).
Just a reminder that all membership fees are due in October, prompt payment
(to Maureen Shirley, 33 Percy Rd, N12 8BT) saves the club money (& the membership
secretaries a lot of time & effort). We hope all members enjoy their time with
Barnet & District & please feel free to contact either of us if you need any
help or advice.
Maureen Shirley (020 8446 3336) & Penny Wylie (01438 820150)
As part of the selection process for the London Youth Games at Crystal Palace in July we have been asked by Barnet Sports Development Office to host a selection meeting for primary school age children. Details from Steve Chilton on 020 8482 3381.
The club is always looking to encourage more members, parents and friends to help with organising events for our athletes. We particularly need more people to come forward to help with officiating at athletic events. If you have ever wondered what it was all about, and how it is done, now is your chance. We are proposing to organise training for volunteer officials to help people to make that step from being a spectator to being actively involved. If you would like to attend some sessions covering the basics of officiating could you please contact Officials Secretary Chris Stott (on 01707 651739). Depending on how many people show an interest, and what their particular interests are, sesions will be organised accordingly. It may even be possible to arrange for keen volunteers to “shadow” another official at an event. Thus you will get the feel for the actual events, without the fear of being responsible for the results the first time out. So, lets hear from you. You never know you could actually enjoy your athletics more with more knowledge of the events. Who knows you could end up at the big events!
The much needed clean up of the 2 shower blocks and the portakabin was I’m pleased to report a resounding success. I should like to list the names of those who took part as way of thanking them. Fortunately the weather was good to us and we were able to dispose of a lot of rubbish and items past their best (no athletes included). Special thanks go to Ian Gibbs who came in the day before and jet washed the men’s shower block with excellent results, allowing us to get on with other things in the block on the Sunday. Thanks must also go to Dave Candy for use of his vehicle to transport rubbish to the tip and to Sue Gibbs who did the same. We especially thank the ladies who cooked us breakfast on the day. Below is a list of all who came and helped which only goes to show what a nice bunch of people we have in the club. Simon Wells, Tiffany Stephens, Kirsty Johnstone, Kate Scott, Dave Candy, Maureen & John Shirley, Ted & Josie Kimber, Alan & Brenda Harvey, Steve Harris, Reg Black, Karen Faloon, Brigette Corless, Peter Graham, Con Antoniou, Neil Shellard, Chris Stott, Pat Rowe, Gerry Webster, Roger Thompstone. If I have missed anyone off I apologise please let me know who you are and I might write your name out 10000 times as a pennance. Finally a question for all to ponder. HOW DO WE KEEP IT CLEAN AND TIDY Any offers of help would be welcome Jim Neville
Just a few thoughts on a subject which I started to think about in my Secretary’s Report for the AGM. Namely, what sort of a club are we, or are we becoming? Are we a competitive athletic club or are we a social club, which also goes in for a bit of running on the side? How do other clubs view us, as a club to be respected or as a club to be dismissed lightly when its results are publicised? TPT or SBH? I offer the following observations, more or less at random. It is good to be known as a fairly successful veterans’ club, but our reputation to outsiders will stand or fall on our senior teams. In spite of the following fixtures being on our list for this season, we failed to compete seriously in them: the St Albans Relay, the Southern 6 stage Relay, the Liddiard Trophy, the North London Championships, the North of the Thames 7 mile Championship, the Herts and the Middlesex Championships, the North of the Thames “Junior” Championship, the Southern (on our doorstep) and (probably) the National. We have done very well in the Chingford League this season, but most of the big clubs in the league have opted out and have preferred to concentrate on the Metropolitan League instead. Is our league becoming a jogging club league? Do we expect our members to travel too far for races? St Albans!? Watford!? Kingsbury!? Parliament Hill!? The furthest is Aldershot, at just over an hour away. Is it easier to do a training session on a Saturday morning, followed by a cup of coffee and a bun, rather than run in a race which you won’t win but may just tell you how fit you really are? When I was team manager a few years ago, I knew that there was a certain chap, whom I won’t name, who was even then a veteran, who turned out pretty well every week, always among the leaders of our teams, who had a wife and family, and did the London Marathon every year and had a demanding job to keep him going when he wasn’t running. It can be done, just to dismiss some of the excuses which I can guess at even now. To get away from winter; in the summer we field fairly large and competitive teams in the Mid-Week League (originally started as a league for jogging clubs), but have often not had real representation in the distance races in the Southern Track and Field League at such far-flung places as Dartford and Enfield. Does any of this matter? At least it might be worth discussing. Ted Kimber
Trip To The London Eye - Friday June 7th
After a successful trip to the London Eye last year we are organizing a repeat
trip in June, this time to ‘fly’ in the dark! This year’s visit will be the
evening of Friday 7th June. The Eye is on the South Bank of the Themes, 5 minutes
walk from Waterloo station. If you are interested please contact Penny Wylie
or Kirsty Johnstone with numbers to register your interest (no money needed
now). Prices will be £12 for adults £5 for children (under 16yrs). Numbers will
be limited so please contact us asap. Penny Wylie: Tel: 01438 820150 Email:
sandpwylie@hemscott.net Kirsty Johnstone: Tel: 020 84470457
STOP PRESS: There have been reports of the emminent closure of the QE Centre in Meadway - where the On Your Marks schemes takes place and many members use the gym. The Club has checked with the Centre and there certainly are no such plans. All services there remain open as usual, and expect to be so indefinately.
Way below were some straw bales. Not big fluffy ones, but hard packed affairs. Bricks made of straw. One miss-placed foot and broken bones would be sure to follow. Six people broke limbs here last year. This was the ‘Tigers Tail’. Thin ropes strung 30 feet up. 30 feet across, hopefully strong enough to withstand three and a half thousand competitors. Someone swore. “Lady present!” the guy behind me shouted. Little did he know that something very similar had passed my lips a few minutes earlier! I had trained specifically for the trauma of the ‘Tough Guy’, but nothing can prepare your mental status for the tasks ahead. Determined not to let it beat me, I ploughed on.
I had already had the ‘pleasure’ of a ‘six mile cross country’ run, which entailed three waist deep river crossings, four dug outs of about twice my height to climb in and out of, and not one, but sixteen vertical ascents and descents, of which the descents were a hair raising slide of mud. The ultimate being a one kilometre run through an icy, calf deep stream. The bed made of cobbles and pebbles. People were scrambling up the banks in a desperate effort to avoid cramps. I decided my best option was to run straight up the middle as fast as my frozen feet could take me. Success! I left the stream cramp free and ran onwards to the ‘Killing Fields’. The organiser, Billy Wilson regards ‘Tough Guyism’ as a religion. He reckons those who tackle and conquer ‘Tough Guy’ transcend the materialistic world and find “for one day, the land of lost values.” Theres mud that can take your shoes off – some is so deep it could pull your shorts down too. What they don’t tell you is that the stench is so painful, the merky liquid could have emanated from the devils pants. The guy next to me broke wind. Very loudly. “OH!” I yelled. He owned up. But what better place to get away with it. When I looked up I realised he was a very scared man. I see and smell the smoke from the ‘Killing Fields’.
After the ‘Tigers Tail’, theres no relief, just a tight zig-zag section of electrified wire, of sufficient voltage to stun a ‘large cow’. The burley bloke infront yelped as his upper thigh gets singhed. The overriding emotion is now fear. The ‘Killing Fields’ truly are as unforgiving, as frightening as it says on the tin. I run on, through hot coals and fire. A small group of competitors stop and huddle round the edge to get warm. I had only encountered one other woman by this stage. Grown men cry. Lots more jumping into water pits, each one deeper than the last. Lots of lovely men to pull me through when my frozen body refused to swim and I could no longer feel the bottom (or my own!). Then there were tyre tunnels, half submerged in a river, which I dragged myself through, ripping all the skin of my shins in the process. The tunnel theme continues. After a few minutes in a marsh filled with quicksand of equal suction power to the ones featured in Tarzan movies, its on to the ‘Vietcong’ tunnels. Ten thin drainage pipes had been pushed into a hillside. They are so narrow it takes the large guys a couple of shunts to enter. Fortunate once for my lack of height, I manage to crawl on hands and knees, the guy behind me encouraging me through my claustrophobia. I kissed his muddy cheek with relief at the other end. Someone shoved a Jelly Baby in my mouth (energy?).
I arrived at a large pond. They offered you three options to cross it. A vertical
slide of about twenty feet in and swim across. Traverse over the top using ropes.
Run around it. I chose option two. Half way over the guy infront of me fell
in. Spectators cheered. I lost my footing and was soon dangling by the rope
above. Too cold to pull myself over I let go. I plunged into the ice cold water.
To the echoes of the cheering crowd I disappeared under the surface. Surely
my heart would stop? I searched for the bottom but there wasn’t one. I emerged,
heart pounding in my ears, my head banging. I swam, quite literally, for my
life to the other side. Ahead of me a shaven headed man – one of many, I don’t
clock many perms- weeps and slowly wades to the shore. No one helps you out,
I scrambled up the side, gasping for oxygen to prevent my lungs shutting down.
After many more obstacles, which my memory has convienently blocked out (similar
to child birth you know), I arrive at the last hill. Well, not quite a hill,
more of a cliff face of mud and bodies. We are ‘offered’ ropes to heave ourselves
up. Never had I been so happy to see a hill in my life. I find a surge of energy
(the jelly baby kicking in?) and pull myself over the brow. I even manage a
sprint finish, overtaking the three lovely men who had encouraged me round the
course. Sorry guys. Some two hours and twenty three minutes later, I am rewarded
with my prize. No, not money or vouchers, but a horse brass, the shakes and
a barn… full of 300 naked men! My fantastic supporters, James and Pauline wrapped
me up and took me home. Triumphant. P.S I missed out the bits about the crawl
under barbed wire, the vertical hay and tyre climbs, the dive under the river
bridge, the thirty foot rope climb… and the wimps who chose to wear wet suits!
LEIGH HARVEY
Position: 757 out of 3163 Ladies pos: 15th Time: 2 hrs 23 min 5 secs
One Saturday at the end of last season Jim Neville and I took 4 of our older
young athletes to a middle distance masterclass at Birmingham University. It
was organised by Bud Baldaro and Dave Sunderland - two noted middle distance
coaches. After an early start Mr Griffiths eventually navigated us to the Birmingham
University Sports Centre and track - where they seemed not to know much about
the event they were hosting. Eventually the athletes and coaches all arrived,
and we recognized a couple of rivals from Shaftesbury among the delegates. Eileen’s
dad went off to explore the DIY emporia of suburban Brum. The first session
was in the lecture theatre and was a very good summary of middle distance training
by Bud Baldaro. Our four were in amongst athletes who ranged up to international
level. The pitch of the session was “the next level”, trying to explain to the
athletes (and their coaches) what they would have to be doing in the next few
years to reach “the next level”. After this there was a choice of a track training
session or a continuous run. As a couple of our group had track races the next
day we opted for the run, hoping this wouldn’t be too strenuous (particularlt
for Jim and I!). Some volunteers from U of Birmingham athletics team led us
off campus and up the canal towpath towards Central Birmingham. After running
for ages there seemed to be no intention of turning round, and we were beginning
to worry about keeping up with the group. We decided to cut our losses and turn
round before the Brummie Boys did. We retraced our steps - fortunately not a
problem on acanal towpath as long as you remembered which bridge to come off
at. We then had lunch, encountering a jobsworth in the student bar who wouldn’t
let anyone use the facility unles they bought food tehre. We had been told to
bring packed lunches. So, most of his seats remained empty and we all sat on
the floor or on cramped seats in the lecture theatre. In the afternoon we all
went to the track for a session of drills. This was something our athletes found
both hard to do, and hard to see the value off, but persevered with gamely.
There was a summary session indoors with questions and answers. The two facilitators
were keen to get comments from coaches and athletes alike from the floor. A
couple of times Alex Stanton contributed his views - which I found particularly
interesting. He is Paula Radcliffe’s coach and yet still found it worthwhile
to attend as a delegate - proving you can always learn something new. He is
also coach to Katrina Wooton, who was attending - and has just won the Southern
U17 cross country title over the mud of Parly Hill. When asked on the way back
what they thought of the day the comments varied from “they were all better
than us” to “it wa spitched at a higher level than we are”. Given that the day
was aimed at taking athletes to the next level, and that one of our four had
spoken of a desire to be an international athlete, I am not sure if that wasn’t
a misconception on their part. However, I do agree that it might have seemed
rather “academic” in nature. I made the point that they might look back on this
day as a turning point in their athletic development and that it would all fit
into place later. Postscript The four athletes have been training increasingly
hard since this workshop, and are beginning to show excellent results. At the
recent County Champs 3 of the four ran in their age group races. Eileen won
the Middlesex Junior title, Philippa came 7th and Alex came 12th. In all cases
these are their best ever County results, and for 2 resulted in a place in the
County team for the Inter-Counties at Nottingham.
Steve Chilton
STOP PRESS: At the Middlesex County Schools Champs Shaun, Eileen and Philippa
ran themselves into the English Schools team. I am sure Alex would have had
a good chance of doing so if his school had only entered him.
During 1980’s, Barnet & District AC (including pupils from St Thomas More RC School, Wood Green) and Tramore AC conducted an exchange every Easter, which lasted for 10 years. The arrangement was initiated by the Kavanaghs whose son Brendan was a contempory of Mel Parker, Andy Cunnmgham, Ralph Bailey and Adrian Mason when they were Juniors. The last trip over was in 1990. Subsequently Tom Furlong, the “Figurehead” of the Tramore Club, died - followed by his wife,Vera. Joe Cox retired from Thomas More and the exchanges ceased, although many friendships were made and individuals continued to visit each other. An informal Tramore AC “get together” was mooted and we received an Email from Mary Walsh inviting any Barnet people who could make it to “The Rocketts” pub just outside Tramore at 8.30pm on 2nd February. Mary Mitchell, Steve Harris, Mark Shirley, Steve Stanyer and Derek Ingrey flew by EuroCeltic Fokker Friendship from Luton to Waterford, whilst Pat Rowe and Joe Cox braved the Ferry from Fishguard to Dublin (Rosslaire being closed due to the atrocious weather). Alan Crossan did not make it from Swansea. Photographs were displayed, albums passed round, old friendships renewed and excited chatter drowned the traditional music of the “squeezebox” such as “Fields of Athenry”. As is the Irish custom, food came round to soak up the Guinness and Smithwicks. Then there was quiet as the National Anthem was played and we had to say our goodbyes. It was 1 am in the morning; the time had just flown by! For those who remember those days, acted as hosts, such as Harry Hicks, but did not go over, here is a list of Tramore people who send their good wishes with fond memories of the decade of exchanges. Maeve & Orla Coghlan; Lawrence & Maeve English; Micheal, Owen, Elaine, Geraldine & Niall Fitzgerald; Catherine, Michael, Sinead & Valerie Furlong; Martin & Mrs Geary,; Michael & Marie Gregan; Brian Hearne & his Mum; Anne & Billy Murphy; Fiona Sullivan & her husband; Niall Power; Frank Walsh; Jackie Keown, Eddie & Mrs Keown; Mary Walsh; Sheila & Geraldine; Olive & Aine McCathy; John O’Connor; Simon Wallace; John, Keogh, Greta, Sinead & Orla; John Biddy Connor & Marion McGrath; Peter & Bernadette O’Leary; David Halley, John Kingston, Noel & Paddy Dunphy, Dan Cowman, Jimmy (coach driver) & Mrs Crowley; Jackie & Micheal O’Connell; Diedre Chapman (nee O’Connell) & her English husband. I hope that includes everyone and apologise if I’ve missed any names. It was greatly appreciated that some of us managed to go; as always we were made so welcome. Steve Harris
One of the races to which I always look forward; a three lap course held in conjunction with a three stage marathon relay and the chance of a different relay runner for company on each lap. The course is partly rural and partly in the northern outskirts of Luton and apart from about two miles of quiet road on each lap, is on good footpaths. I was running nice and comfortably at nine minute miles; upon reaching twenty miles in 2.58.30 I was expecting to finish in 3.55 but suddenly in the space of a few yards I went from feeling on top of the world to feeling as if the world was on top of me! The nine minute miles were followed by a ten minute mile and then a eleven and a half minute one as I tried to work out what had gone wrong. I think I had been over enthusiastic and gone too fast on the uphill stretches between seventeen and nineteen and a half miles and then got cold going downhill. A slight downhill at twenty-two enabled me to get back to a ten minute mile and then to a nine minutes miles to finish in 4.00.02. Peter Graham had a comfortable race but suffered from the cold over the third lap. At the start the weather had been bright and clear but gradually got very damp and misty - he finished in 4.59.15. The race was won by Simon Lund (Woodstock) in 2.34.33 and the relay by The University of London in 2.27.38. John Fulcher
A pleasant afternoon, a muddy, varied course which included an earth mound obstacle, rutted field, four styles, three stream crossings, Bakers’ Hill three times, even a few fast stretches; a proper cross country course but not for the faint hearted. Having spent five hours along with Brian Strong, Kirsty Johnstone and Alan Radley marking, marshalling and clearing up, it was disappointing to only witness a dozen or so compete. I was pleased to see a few guests from Trent Park and Enfield or we would not have even had double figures! Yet there were more men than this taking part in a full training session in Trent Park on the same morning. Why couldn’t these people have supported our Club event? Not only the course had to be marked, but John Atkinson and Brenda gave out numbers and judged and timed, Jose Kimberand Carmel O’Brien laid on refreshments. Ted Kimber came early to open up and Derek Wood presented the trophies. Mike Earthy is excluded from any criticism, since being a man, he not only trained in the morning, but came and won both the race and the handicap in the afternoon! Whether he had the sense to rest on Sunday I don’t know. Steve Harris
The way I see it, these cheap flights won’t last - best to take advantage while the airlines are cutting each other’s throats trying to achieve the lowest prices. So what better than a trip the Mediterranean sunshine in February with some international athletics thrown in? I sent off my entry for the Valencia Marathon and took off with Jane and her mum Elsie on 1 February. Valencia is “doing a Bilbao”. Twenty years ago Bilbao was a run down industrial city with no industry left. It was noted for having the most polluted air in Europe. Now, with the Guggenheim Museum, a brand new high-tech metro, and cheap flights, it is an “international culture destination”. Valencia is hell bent on re-inventing itself in the same way. Its big idea is a super new palace of science and arts in an extravagant high tech building. There’s a lot of new construction going on, and a lot of renovation in the old town – the central area that was, several centuries back, within the old city walls. No doubt the old dock area will become a marina and leisure area before long. Valencia is associated with El Cid. He laid siege to Valencia, took the city in 1094, and died there some years later. Who was El Cid? He was Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar. He lived in the eleventh century. A long Spanish poem, written in about 1200 tells of his battles and of his domestic affairs. The 1961 film El Cid has Charlton Heston, with a head full of 20th century values, wooing Sophia Loren and fighting against tyrants. In the final scene, El Cid, mortally wounded but lashed to his horse, rides out to do battle with the moors. They think he’s returned from the dead and they run for their lives. (The editor always says that all articles connected with athletics, however loosely connected, are welcome).
The Valencia marathon is an AIMS event – measured course, good standard of organisation, and so on. This year’s event was the 22nd running of the race. It’s organised each year by the Sociedad Deportiva Correcaminos de Valencia. I couldn’t quite make out what this is. It is an athletics club like ours. However it appears to be a big general social club too - doing good works, organising trips and social events, and well connected with the city of Valencia. They are clearly proud of their annual marathon. It is not a big money race, like London, Chicago or New York, but it is well organised and the people are helpful and considerate for the runners. The course is well marshalled - no problems with traffic. The club has drawn in shoe companies and a Spanish beer company to provide prize money and attract some good athletes. I entered through the Correcaminos web site. Credit card payment was not an option so I had to send my entry fee, in Euros, by bank transfer from the Halifax branch at North Finchley. I was not at all sure that all of this had worked. Was I running? Was the race definitely on? I went to the race headquarters on the Saturday morning and, of course, they had my name on the list and my number waiting, together with a tee shirt, things to read, bits and pieces and free gifts. These included a number of things in small sachets. The names on these are entertaining - Supradyn, Podosan, Enervit, Galius Sport Gel, Galius Sport Aceite, Glucosport. Which ones do you rub on your muscles? Which ones do you dissolve in tap water and drink? Does it make any difference? So, it’s all OK. I have my number. Just the 26 miles to worry about now.
There were 1700 entries - 1505 finished. I think this is a good size for a race. You are always running with company but you can run at your own pace, something you can’t do in fields of 20,000 and more. The course is flat – no excuses on account of hills. You start just outside the town centre. Up to 15k you are running through the centre of the city. Jane and Elsie appeared on the course where it went close to our hotel and, as instructed, shouted “Come on Barnet”. From 15k you head out towards the docks and seafront area, then back into the town for the finish on an athletics track in front of a noisy crowd. The chip system was used for timing. In the finishing funnel you receive a printed slip showing your name, race number, time, position, position in age group, and some statistics - not rocket science but a new one for me. I wanted to finish inside 3.30. I ran in the New Forest marathon in September last year and my legs seized up at 17 miles when I was going well. I finished in 3.33, feeling I was robbed. In Valencia I decided to go for 3.15, which I knew would be difficult for me. I considered that the risk of blowing up completely, and failing to make 3.30, was not great. What have you got to lose when you’ve been overlooked for Olympic selection every four years since 1960! I never managed to get onto 3.15 pace. At 5k, 10k etc. I was always a minute or so behind schedule. For a long time a pacing runner for 3.15, accompanied by a big group, was about 200 metres ahead of me, but I couldn’t get to them. My plan had been to run to 30k in 2.18, conserving energy and staying as relaxed as possible, then give it everything. I arrived at 30k in about 2.20 and in trouble. The remaining 12k was an unpleasant blur - runners coming past all the time, many of them people I had overtaken before 30k. Just before the finish a kindly spectator counselled me “Un pequeño esfuerzo” – just a little effort more. At last the finish came, round the track and under the clock on 3.24.00 exactly. Samuel Cheruiot of Kenya won the race in 2.13.04, a new course record. Five Kenyans took part. I understand that they quickly put half a mile between themselves and the rest of the field. They took the first five places and collected nearly all of the prize money between them.
The Valencia marathon is a good race – well organised, a friendly considerate atmosphere, lots of well meaning advice from spectators. The warm sunshine makes for a great break from the English winter. John Owen
This one came as a general Christmas message to the club:
Hello to all at the club. Thought it was a time I told you what I’ve been up
to since heading for the south west. The highlight of 2001, as most years, was
the Great North Run, my 21st. I am one of roughly 250 people who have done all
21, and as far as I am aware, I’ve got a place in the GNR for 2002. I followed
this up two weeks later by doing the Bristol half marathon in appalling weather
- cold, wet (very) and windy. Despite that my two times were almost indentical
(1 hour 47 - GNR, 1 hour 49 - Bristol). I’ve stopped doing cross country, mainly
because Westbury’s main league is the Gwent and most of the races are in wales
(Bridgend, Swansea for example). This league has races for all age groups, and
start at 11am. Westbury lay on a coach, and it makes for a long day. A couple
of clubs organise race series. The shortest is Bristol AC’s 4 mile Bridge Inn
series - with the pub as race HQ. Whether this series survives into 2002 remains
to be seen. It follows local cycle paths, but has now been split by the completion
of the mising section of Bristol’s Ring Road. The worst, course wise, is Weston-super-Mare’s
Prom series. 9 races between Septemver and May. The course is flat and straight,
but loops round on itself twice. It can be cold and wet especially at high tide,
with the seas breaking over the prom walls. Hope to see some of you in April
for the London.
Regards, Tony Blacker
The second one was entitled “LIFE WITH A BACKPACK” and was written on a
LAO Aviation sick bag:
Hello there! I’m aboard a LAO Aviation flight from cambodia to Laos, clutching
my St Christopher (the other five passengers are clutching each other!). The
pilots in these parts rely on “visual flying techniques”. That is to say that
when landing they search for a hole in the cloud through which to descend. The
stewardess chucks me a tray of what looks like fried flies and I reflect on
what we have done so far: INDIA - three months in the north, the highlights
being the Taj Mahal, Golden Temple of Amritsar, Jaisalmer fort and a place further
north called Diskit in the Nubra Valley. NEPAL - one fantastic month here with
12 days trekking in the Himalayas. SINGAPORE - an expensive week in a sterile
city. VIETNAM - three weeks from hanoi to Saigon, of which Halong Bay, Chichu
tunnels and the Mekong river were the best. CAMBODIA - one great week, three
days of which were at Angkor Wat (out of this world). Running? I’ve had a few
runs. Howver, certain dangers lurk - unexploded land mines, rabid dogs, snakes,
spiders, Khmer Rouge, Maoists and MIAs (missing in actions). On second thoughts
I may forget it “kick back” and smoke a Woodbine like the man sitting behind
me. The plane has descended and I can see an alarmingly detailed view of the
Mekong River, and reaching under my seat for the life jacket I take hold of
the man behind’s foot. Craig is somewhere in the back being “comforted” by the
stewardess. We are about to land in a jungle clearing ahead. Regards to all.
Love. Simone Kimberley
In the Southern Womens Track & Field League we finished the season in 6th place in division 4E, compared to 7th in the previous year. We only needed to score an average of 10 points per match more to have secured promotion. It is a fact that filling just A QUARTER of the events that are vacant (at any standard) would have given us enough points for promotion to division 3 - in SECOND place. The main gaps were 400mH, 300mH and PV - where we never had any competitors, and 100mH and Girls 1500 where we only once had any competitors. The match scores and positions were: 186 (1st), 149 (1st), 219 (1st), 121 (3rd) and 173 (2nd). There was a good team spirit shown at all matches, particularly on the long trips to Kings Lynn, Southens and Peterboro. We now have more athletes in the squad, and need to fill the events we don’t currently fill. This means existing club members being more committed to the team and also means recruiting even more athletes. You can ALL help in this area, by asking school friends, workmates, to join.
Some good athletes are moving up to the Seniors/U17s. In particular the successfull Girls U15 4x100 squad of Sacha, Alex, Gemma and Keli will all be moving up together. Several of the youngsters will be at the top of the U15 age group too and should therefore have good seasons. We have also several new members - as has been shown by the succesful senior cross country campaign. There are several Senior/Vet Ladies whom I hope will try track and field athletics - there will be an event for all of you in this varied sport. The 13-18 year olds regulars have been meeting for monthly squad sessions and are all ready to start the summer season. I am determined to start the season with a bang and really push for promotion next year. With YOUR help we can do it, and be the first of our track sections to win promotion for as long as I can remember. We also have a number of excellent youngsters either about to move into the U13 group, or who have just joined us, which will help sustain this anticipated raising of our position, and help us maintain the position the next year.
The League AGM threw out plans to restructure the league as far as age groups
were concerned. However it has restructured the divisions. Divisions 3, 4E and
4E have been merged to provide stronger divisions. We are in the new div 3E.
So, promotion will be slightly harder to achieve, but I am convinced that we
now have the strength to challenge for promotion from div 3. It is up to the
team to prove it. I am sure we can stay up in divison 2 if we are promoted.
Our better athletes also need the stimulus of the better competition that they
will get in a higher division.
Steve Chilton
Sun 17 Mar Barnet Mayors 10km, Copthall The club helps organise this excellent event. Starts at 10am. Entry forms from club coaches.
Sat 13 Apr Club Coaching Day, Copthall We have booked Copthall Stadium for our exclusive use on Saturday 13th April from 1-3pm for a pre-season training session. Although this is the day before the London Marathon, we expect a good turnout as we have arranged coaches to cover most events, particularly those such as Hammer and Pole Vault which we are unable to cover on the usual training days. The charge per head will be £2 and hopefully we can arrange for members to partake in two disciplines in the time available. The session will only be open to Year 6 children through to Vets. So, we need to know what events you would like to do, so we can pre-plan suitable groups.
Sun 14 Apr London Marathon Watch the stars and your team mates, or offer to help with the baggage handling. For further details of baggage handling contact Maureen Shirley on 0208 446 3336.
Sun 21 Apr 1st EYAL fixture, venue tba Events for Boys U17, U15, U13, and Girls U17, U15, U13. Details from Jim Neville or Steve Harris (for first match only). If any parents are willing to help to manage the team and take the burden off the coaches they should contact Steve Harris.
Thu 25 Apr Club 10km Champs, Clubhouse Start time 7-10pm, includes a sealed handicap. Open to all Vet, Senior and Junior Men and Women.
Sat 27 Apr 1st SWTFL fixture, Crawley First fixture for the women’s league. Includes events for U17, U15 and U13 Girls. Details from team manager Steve Chilton (020 8482 3381).
Mon 29 Apr 1st Vets T&F League, Enfield First Vets track and field league fixture. Details from the team managers: Women - Helen Ewings 01462 815551, Men - Andy Blackman 020 8446 2064.
Sat 4 May 1st Mens Southern League, Erith First Men’s fixture. Contact Steve Harris for first match. Again no team manger has been elected. Anyone wishing to offer should contact Steve Harris.
Mon 6 May Herts Open Meeting, Welwyn (inc Herts 1500m Champs) A chance for T&F athletes to blow away the cobwebs before the real season starts. Details from team managers.
Thu 2 May 1st midweek Road League, Fairlands Valley Details: Men - Alan Radley 020 8292 7797 Women - Maureen Shirley 020 8446 3336.
11/12 May County Champs - Sat Middlesex at Mile End, Sun Hertfordshire at Watford Details from team managers. You must be pre-entered. We would like to see as many as possible competing. Lat year we only had two county champions. Lets see if we can beat that this year.
Sat 18 May Joint Mens/Womens League match, St Albans A joint fixture for our mens and womens teams. Details from team managers.
Sat 8 Jun Joint Mens/Womens League match, New River (Haringey) A joint home fixture for our mens and womens teams. Offers of help/officiate to Chris Stott on 01707 651739.
Wed 12 Jun Herts U13 Challenge, Watford Team competition for U13 age groups, boys and girls. Details from Steve Chilton on 020 8482 3381.
Sun 23 Jun Borehamwood Half Marathon Help wanted. For the second year we have been asked to help organise this event, which has been granted Gold Award level by the BARR. Some of us will be needed at the start and finish, but most will be needed to marshal the course, which means just standing at corners and junctions to ensure the safety of the runners. There is no reason why this cannot be done by sprinters, jumpers or throwers, as well as distance runners, so please be prepared to give up a couple of hours to help the club. We share in the financial outcome from the race and last year we benefited by about £600, so it is well worth the effort. If you are not approached directly and would like to help, get in touch with Penny Wylie on 01438 820150.
Sat 29 Jun Club Champs, Copthall Club Champs for all age groups, including U11s. Timetables and entry forms are available through team managers. Medals and trophies will be awarded at the presentation evening at the end of the season. This list of forthcoming events is not exhaustive, and just includes the MAJOR club events. There are many more, whose details are on the summer fixture card. If you haven’t got one see your team manager.