Newsletter – July 2000

 
STANDARDS SCHEME FROM FRANNY
I believe that the certificates for last years standard scheme did not get presented at this years dinner. However , l’ve decided to plough on with this years scheme. If any one wishes to know how they are doing, or what times they need to improve their standing then please ask. It was pointed out by several people that the Gibbet standards were a bit stiff. This is under revue.
FINALLY…..TO MAKE THIS SCHEME WORK WE NEED THE RESULTS OF ALL THE RACES YOU PARTICIPATE IN. Especially if your name is Steve or Ian.


FRANNY’S ROUNDUP
Due to working night shifts I have not been able to get to the club so there may be some results missing this month but they will be included next month. Someone may have done a report for this race that I gleaned from the Gazzete.

TADLEY 10K

22nd JULY.Ian and Jill went home with prizes and Ian got his picture in the paper as he won this local event by seven seconds ahead of Pewsy Vale runner Mark Anderson. Jill won the Veteran’s race as she beat Sabrina by over a minute.
If there were any other club runner’s the full results will follow in the next newsletter.
1st I. FORD 34min 18sec
J. HILL 43min 18sec
Steve Mcnair has reportedly run several races lately but has been strangley reticent to provide results. One of these is believed to have been a sub 40 minute 10k in the Reading area. (GRAZLEY ?)
I now have a printer so you can all look foward to pages of worthless STATS. being pinned to the notice board….YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED !!!!

SOUTHERN LEAGUE MATCH 4 KINGSTON 8^th JULY 2000 from Dave
THIRD PLACE MOVES US NEARER SAFETY ZONE

Four wins over the track helped us to a solid third place and hopefully ensuring another year in division 4.
The 5000m again proved to be our most profitable event with yet another double victory from that attractive couple Bliss and Ford. Mike however being pushed to a seasons best, and Ian only 6 seconds slower than on his Basingstoke outing. Jamie breezed round the 800m ‘B’ for an easy win and I was pleased with a 2^nd place in a slightly more competitive ‘A’ string. Keith Vallis remains unbeaten in the steeple for his 4^th victory on the trot – that’s a kiss of death -. Chris Try, his first time out for us this year, joined Keith and ran a very strong race for 2^nd place in the ‘B’.
Highlights from the field was provided by the Cornell’s, dad gaining a 2^nd in the pole Vault with son clearing 2.20 for his first ever outing for the Harriers. First of many I’m sure, Ryan looks naturally talented, not sure where he gets that from. Jeremy Reynolds and Richard Spreadbury both contributed strongly to the teams result with Jeremy gaining a good 2^nd in the triple Jump.
The 4 x 400 kids continue to mature well with another sound 3^rd spot, Tim however had left a handful of fast twitch muscles on holiday.

 
SOUTHERN LEAGUE MATCH 5 NEW RIVER STADIUM 22^nd JULY 2000 from Dave

WELL AND TRULY STUFFED
Three of the leagues top teams all looking for promotion turned up in force at this North London fixture. Early signs weren’t too bad with Tim and Dave gaining a couple of 3rds in the 400 Hurdles. However it went downhill from there. From 100 metres through to the 1500 we only managed 3 fourth places and 7 fifths.
The 5000 reversed the trend with Blissy off injured, Jamie got to run in his favourite event looking nice and relaxed in the lead ready for his Cypriote holiday. Ian Ford gave us a double victory – our only other win of the day.
Keith Vallis unbeaten over the Steeple this year ran within 1 second of his best but was just held off by a strong Wessex runner to gain 2^nd place. Alan Cornell had a more successful day than most with an excellent 3.60 for 2^nd in the Pole Vault ably supported by our youngest star Ryan demonstrating that it’s all in the jeans.
The 4 x 400 was however a little more promising with a team of youngsters (Bushy,Voss,Stagg & John Ruffle) bringing the team in to a creditable 3^rd with a seasons best. John running a very strong last leg for us. The final result meant we have now dropped to 18^th place with the final fixture on Saturday against Andover, Dacorum, Brentwood and Tower Hamlets.

 
SOUTHERN MENS LEAGUE 2000 TABLE AFTER MATCH5

 
BYGONES FROM FRANNY
In the good old days fair sized groups of Harriers could be found at summer road events such as Grove , Braishfield and, as this report from July 1987 shows, the New Forest 10.
The hot, humid conditions and a course with varying surfaces took it’s toll and times were generally below those expected for a ten mile race. Hefin was in splendid form as he led our large contingent home with a fine 7th place, finishing just behind 2nd claim member Malcom Cross. Kevin also had every reason to feel pleased with his run as he crossed the line in 15th place, but appeared to suffer more than most after the run. The old fellow JT competing in his first race in the over 50 category, showed many of the youngsters just how to run a ten as he broke the hour barrier to claim 2nd place in his age-group, finishing just behind his arch rival Brian Switzer. However, even more galling than being beaten by a few seconds, was that the first prize was a free trip to Cherbourg, cortesy of Townsend Thorenson.
Denny got a good start to the race but faded badly over the 2nd half. He stiil managed to beat the hour but it wont go down in his book as one of his beeter runs as he just held off the challenge of Mo Parry who was our last man under the hour. Phil Robinson put in another good effort to 63 minutes, easily claiming the scalp of John Hodge whose reduced summer

training was evident. Mick Moule on the other hand made light of the conditions to record one of his fastest ever 10 miles..a splendid acheivment in these conditions.There was a five minute gap to our next finisher, Brian Clements, suffering a re-occurance of an old injury, only just broke 70 minutes. Richard Mason continued to improve over the longer distances and must have been delighted with his time. Just behind came the first of the ladies, Audra, who had a superb run to break 73 minutes, certainly a best for this course if not a best ever for the distance.
Jim, bad leg and all, finished quiker than anticipated but Sally, who was going well for 7 miles, sprained an ankle and hobbled over the line in a disappointing 80 minutes. Unfortunatley we were unable to get Morton’s time.

Five men under the hour and when did John Hodge last race a 10 miler?
One for Statto from Dave
Franny asked me to confirm the mile club record stats – it took me a bit of time to find it buried in the 1983 Newsletters. However here’s the relevant extract, I think it also confirms the Youths and Junior Mile records
OPEN MEETING – READING – 21.6.1983
This was an extremely good meeting for our athletes, ideal conditions providing three club records in the mile. In the ‘A’ race our trio were up against stiff opposition, but a fighting final lap was enough to earn Dave the senior club record. Patrick also worked hard over the final lap to gain a very respectable time, which was easily a youth’s club record. The other club record was in the’B’ race, where Paul produced perhaps our run of the evening to take the junior record, and to serve notice that he is now back to his best form.
RESULTS: MILE

A BIT OF SOUTHERN LEAGUE HISTORY
 
Just for the record here is last years final table and an extract from the previous 3 years. When I get the time I’ll try and put together a really boring table showing how we’ve performed in the Southern League since our first match back in the mid 70’s. We have only ever been promoted once back in 1983, when we had the likes of Paul Sanders running for us. Paul moved on to Team Solent and greater thinks and we slipped back to Division 4 where we’ve been ever since. Lets hope the final match this coming Saturday at Andover ensures we stay up. Your support is needed! First track event is 2.15 with the 400m Hurdles, last event 5.30 and then Eric will organise a celebratory drink at a suitably qualified pub.
SOUTHERN MENS LEAGUE 1999 FINAL TABLE

Division 4 Previous Year Final Table Extracts