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BA Athletics Club News Digest 28th October 2019

Events:

  • Thursday 7th November - Run-of-the-Month, Dream Mile on the Bath Road from 12:45 #
  • Saturday 9th November Men (Epsom Downs 15:00) and Ladies (Mitcham Common 11:00) Cross Country League matches #
  • Wednesday 13rd November - NOW run at Rickmansworth from 12:00 (see below)

Our next Bedfont Club meeting will be on Wednesday 6th November for an informal run, then on the 20th for the Five Mile handicap and Quiz. All members are welcome. We are not meeting this week.

New members and potential members of all fitness levels and abilities are welcome at most of our events. The full diary of club featured events is on the club website at: http://www.barunner.org.uk/Event Diary.shtml. Last updated: 29th July.

* Club Event Map: [Clickable link to Google Maps] (parkrun details updated 23rd Sept 2019) / # Club Points event.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BARunnerUK/ (formal "front window" club page), BA Runner Facebook Group (informal "back office" - ask to join).

Inclusions, with photos, please to Roderick Hoffman at news@barunner.org.uk.


Winter Handicap Run 1 result #

There was an encouraging turnout for the opening round of the winter evening Wednesday five mile handicap series at Bedfont FC.  Some target times were adjusted in line with runner's requests.  Some runners were unfamiliar with the course and will judge it better next time - especially Paul Prescott** who ran very well (self-timed in 35 minutes) but from and back to the wrong club in Hatton Road and anti-clockwise.  Ranking points were awarded based on variance from target with those going faster being penalised less than those going slower.  Runners who stayed on enjoyed curry and pizza in the clubhouse afterwards.

The next run will be on Wednesday 20th November (four weeks after run 1) and will be followed by the ever popular Hiller Quiz night.  Thereafter there will be a three week gap with run 3 scheduled for 11th December. Runs 4,5 and 6 will be in January, February and March 2020.

The best four scores from the six runs will count towards the final league table so there is still plenty of time to join in and play a full part. 

19/20 run 1 results        
name target actual variance pts
Maarten Stenham 37:00 36:47 00:13 25
Simon Turton 38:00 38:24 00:24 21
Gary Rushmer 37:00 35:55 01:05 18
Trish McCabe 50:00 48:40 01:20 16
Christine Munden 53:00 53:47 00:47 15
Steve Taylor 45:00 46:00 01:00 14
Denis Foxley 50:00 47:50 02:10 13
Roderick Hoffman 48:00 49:36 01:36 12
Steve Hillier 53:00 56:36 03:36 11
Chris Kelly 40:00 44:45 04:45 10
Paul Prescott ** 36:00     10

A newcomer, Melanie Miller, also ran a shorter course (approx. 5km) in 44:12 but that included at least two minutes looking at the map about half way round.  Harry Wild walked about 2 miles in 52:20 and Alan and Anne Anderson (wheelchair assisted) a different variation in 53 minutes but set off at completely different times.

Steve Newell (timekeeper)


Milocarian Cross-Country Result for 26th October 2019 #

Milocarians Cross Country courseAfternoon everyone and well done on yesterday's run; it was tough but rewarding.  Well done ladies for securing 3rd spot and the men 7th of 9.

In summary for BA:

1 ... 30:20
29 Mike Dennison 40:23
35 Maria Jovani (for Runnymede Runners) 41:19
36 Gary Rushmer 41:52
43 Tim Bellars 43:12
49 Jacqui Musselwhite 44:25
50 Simon Turton 44:28
52 Barry Walters 45:14
63 Alice Banks 52:08
67 Andrea Prew 60:35
68 Christine Munden 64:13
69 ... 65:14

Regards,

Simon Turton


Surrey League Event 2 - Mitcham Common, 9th November 2019  

Hi Ladies,

Below are the final details for the 2nd match of the season at Mitcham Common from the organisers. Race starts at 11.00am. Hopefully we'll have at least a full team for this match.

Thank you,

Clara Halket

Surrey League Event 2 - Mitcham Common, 9th November 2019 

Hosts: Clapham Chasers and Herne Hill Harriers

Venue: Mitcham Common, Millhouse Ecology Centre Windmill Road, Mitcham CR4 1HT

Start times:

  • 11am Senior D2
  • 12noon U15/U17
  • 12.30pm U13
  • 1pm Senior D1

Travel & Parking

DIRECTIONS: The Eco Centre is located on Windmill Road, off the A236 (Croydon Road). There is a car park at the Eco Centre but THE NUMBER OF SPACES IS EXTREMLEY LIMITED. Please do not use the Harvester Pub Car Park next to the Eco Centre. There is also no street parking near the start. 

Public Transport: Please use public transport where possible: By Rail/Tram The nearest station is Mitcham Junction. Mitcham Eastfields is also a short walk away. Trains leave Clapham Junction every half an hour for both Mitcham Junction and Mitcham Eastfields. The nearest tram stop is Beddington Lane. If walking from Mitcham Junction there is a footpath inside the common running parallel to Croydon Road. Once you arrive at the junction of Carshalton Rd and Croydon Rd, the footpath to Windmill Road is clearly signposted. Also be aware the walk from Beddington Lane Tram Stop is on a very narrow path next to a busy road. By Bus 264 (Croydon to Tooting), 118 (Brixton to Morden), 127 (Purley to Tooting), and the S1(Banstead to Mitcham) all stop within walking distance to the Common.

Course: Mitcham Common provides a wide variety of undulating terrain and underfoot conditions. Depending on the weather prior to the event, there may be some deep mud. Wearing spikes is advised but please be aware that there are 2 sections of stony paths where you cross a disused road. Courses will be fully marshalled on the day. 

Facilities: Race HQ is at the Millhouse Ecology Centre Windmill Road. There are limited toilets at the Eco Centre but no changing facilities so you are therefore advised to come ready to race. Mitcham Common is a public space so all runners and spectators are asked to respect the rights of other users. Competitors are responsible for their own safety, before during and after the competition.  

First Aid: Qualified first aiders will be in attendance should medical assistance be required. If hospital treatment is required, the nearest Accident and Emergency department is St George's Hospital Tooting.


NOW Run, Rickmansworth, Wednesday 13th November

The Non-Office-Worker series returns to Rickmansworth in November.  This popular series, which involves a bit of running, a lot of socialising, and concludes with a café visit, returns to this attractive parkrun course very soon.    Open to all, these lunchtime runs take advantage of daylight to explore some enjoyable running routes at a pace suitable for anyone.

The location is Rickmansworth Aquadrome, Frogmoor Lane, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 1NB.  We will gather outside the cafe at 1200.

Rickmansworth Aquadrome is situated just outside the town centre, close to junction 17 of the M25. There is free parking available in the Aquadrome car park.  Rickmansworth Metropolitan Line station is 500 metres from the course.

If you need any more info, let me know.  See you there!

Steve Hillier


Update on BA Clubs Fraud

Members of BA Clubs will know that a couple of years ago a major fraud was committed against the club. An update to this was issued to all club members last week. Former members and non-members will not have received this, but may have read about the fraud in the national press.  The following is the BA Clubs communication:

Earlier this year, we informed our members that the Club had been a victim of an extensive fraud by our former Chief Executive and Finance Director, Carol Farr. On Wednesday this week, Carole Farr was sentenced to six years imprisonment for fraud. She has been made bankrupt and we are seeking to recover the Clubs’ money via a Trustee.

Please rest assured that BA Clubs continues to operate as normal, providing you with the same sports, social and lottery activities you have always received from us.

A new BA Clubs management structure is now in place, which includes more rigorous financial processes to better protect ourselves. As a result of these changes, BA Clubs is now generating cash flow surpluses.

We’re committed in keeping you informed and we’ll soon be inviting members to join one of several meetings. More details to come soon.

We thank you for your continued support over the past months and we look forward to welcoming you at BA Clubs soon.

Alison Hartigan

General Manager  BA Clubs Ltd

The BA Athletics Club operates as a section within BA Clubs but please note that throughout this period the funds of the Athletics Club have been held in our own bank account, and we propose to maintain that arrangement in future.

Roderick Hoffman obo Athletics Club Committee


2020 ASCA Cross Country - proposed for March 2020 in Lisbon

The 2020 ASCA (European Airlines) Cross Country is to take place in Lisbon. The current proposed date is 14 March 2020 (to be confirmed as other airlines are being consulted). Distance is around 5 miles. Contact me if you are interested in coming along to run with the BA team.

Clara Halket {Ladiescaptain@barunner.org.uk}


Club parkrun results for Saturday 26th October 2019

Member 26th Oct. parkrun  ↓ Pos  ↓ Time  ↓ Grade↓ PB↓ Comment
TRUE Scott DAVISON Bedfont Lakes 37 00:25:13 57.57%
TRUE Paul PRESCOTT Bedfont Lakes 6 00:20:56 61.70%
TRUE Joe NOLAN Black Park 192 00:29:45 55.85%
TRUE Mike Dennison Bushy Park 37 00:20:00 80.92% Slowest time at Bushy, but 37th is highest finish there!
TRUE Roderick HOFFMAN Chasewater 83 00:30:14 52.59% Club record (from Sarah Gordon, who still has best age grade)
TRUE Ben Chaytow Crane Park 72 00:28:13 49.50% Run 248
TRUE Maria Jovani Crane Park 13 00:22:20 69.93% Warm-up for XC
TRUE Paul WATT Exeter Riverside 57 00:23:00 66.23%
TRUE Julie BARCLAY Exeter Riverside 44 00:22:19 81.11% Club record (from Ian Cunningham)
TRUE Maarten Stenham Fire Service College 28 00:26:22 52.53% Club record (from Piers Keenleyside, who still has best age grade)
TRUE David Williams Fulham Palace 121 00:24:34 56.38%
TRUE John Lennon Guildford 417 00:40:38 38.80%
TRUE Oliver MATHAI Gunnersbury 168 00:26:15 64.51%
TRUE Piers KEENLEYSIDE Gunnersbury 145 00:25:46 63.32%
TRUE David DUGGAN Hanworth 38 00:29:18 54.27%
TRUE Caroline Cockram Harrogate 82 00:27:14 61.57%
TRUE Ian Cockram Harrogate 52 00:24:56 60.09% Run 498
FALSE Joan FOXLEY Harrow 194 00:37:56 58.70%
TRUE Denis Foxley Harrow 121 00:29:03 60.70% plus Volunteer credit: Equipment Storage and Delivery
TRUE Kelly Davis Hazelwood 87 00:34:18 43.73%
TRUE John COFFEY Hazelwood 55 00:30:07 65.30%
TRUE Stephen K TAYLOR Northala Fields 87 00:25:39 60.43%
TRUE James Shoulder Ormeau 6 00:19:42 65.48% Club record (from Claire Killen, Benita Scaife retains best age grade)
TRUE Anne Bannister Osterley 135 00:30:14 65.10%
TRUE Bob Bannister Osterley 57 00:24:31 67.17%
TRUE Ian CUNNINGHAM Preston Park 58 00:21:59 71.11% Club record (from Zara Thorn). Run 399
TRUE Murray HOGGE Reading 38 00:23:06 68.83%
TRUE Jain Reid Richmond Park 253 00:35:01 49.74%
TRUE Keith Johnson St Albans 102 00:25:23 57.65%
TRUE Kay Trinder Woking 125 00:27:44 63.58%

So where were you when the English rugby team beat the All Blacks? I was trudging through deep puddles at Chasewater parkrun - where the reservoir merged into the parkrun course. Some of you were (probably) warm and dry and watching the match on the TV...and those who were saving themselves for the Milocarian's XC in the afternoon are obviously excused (though I note that Maria Jovani did both). There were also other events on on Saturday morning so well done anyone who attempted anything longer than a parkrun. Steve Newell is away on holiday so this summary will be short. Those who did run, ran faster than other club members - five new club records were set.

Ben Chaytow has now run 248 parkruns so it is looking good for his shirt earning run 250 in a couple of weeks' time - and Crane Park would be a good bet.

Ian Cockram is now on 498 so within touching distance of his 500 shirt. Bedfont Lakes sounds likely but Ian does have a tourist habit so who knows. Sorry - that should have been the question "Who knows?"

Perhaps for his 500th Ian will invest £2200+ in a return ticket to the UK's latest parkrun to join the club - Cape Pembroke Lighthouse near Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands (a brand new UK region, so anyone who runs there is guaranteed "Regionnaire" status!). The world's most remote parkrun had its inaugural last Saturday with an attendance of 170 including 141 new parkrunners. Cardiff also had a new parkrun, Tremorfa, and that only attracted 93 runners - but that was because its website was launched only on Friday evening and the core team had spent the entire week denying that there was anything happening. My forecast for them for a normal launch would have been 320 and with Cardiff parkrun breaking at the seams with regular attendance above 750 they will certainly have bigger days to come.

Steve's parkrun stats - club parkrun stats - NOT updated

Full club parkrun database - {read access to new club parkrun database} - UP TO DATE - Download and explore.

Roderick Hoffman

Club parkrun Volunteer Report - Aug/Sep/Oct

Firstly on the subject of parkrun volunteers - an achievement by a friend of the club:

  • New members of the Clark Club (500 volunteer occasions):- Fred ASHFORD (Black Park parkrun)
  • For comparison our top four volunteers are David Duggan on 429, Ian Cockram 334, Mike Dennison on 276 and Maria Jovani on 267.

Each quarter I extract the data on volunteer efforts for most club members and run a comparison with previous quarters. The comparison doesn't go smoothly in part because of membership changes. But, excluding the efforts of people who have left or joined over the last six months,…

  • About 60 club members have parkrun volunteer credits on their record.
  • On 28th October 2019 the number of credits was 3393, an increase of 170 since 30Jul19, where that total was 168 greater than that of 30Apr19.
  • The club member with the largest increase in credits is Mike Dennison - an increase of 53 over the last quarter (this includes credits at Junior parkrun). Next is David Duggan with 44. Then, a long way back, comes Zoe Ostley on 21,  Ian Cockram with 18 and Alastair Heslop on 16.

In terms of the roles carried out in the last quarter…

  • We have trebled the number of "VI Guide" credits (from 1 to 3) though this is still the least carried out role.
  • The biggest increase has been in the Volunteer Coordinator role - carried out 22 times in the quarter (and that is without counting John Banks).
  • Next biggest is a three way tie with 14 for "Marshal", "Results Processor" and "Run Director".
  • The number of times that members have carried out "Barcode Scanning" in the two quarters dropped from 12 to 8.
  • Similarly the number of times members carried out "Timekeeping" dropped from 17 to 13.
  • The number of occurrences of "Event Day Course Check" in the two quarters increased from 3 to 8 (Ian Cockram has been busy).
  • The occurrence of "Results Processor" increased from 6 to 14 (mainly thanks to Zoe).
  • No one carried out the "Backup Timer" role last quarter - not a surprise since it has been phased out. We also didn't provide any "Lead Bike" roles - is that also being phased out?
  • Three roles had a single instance - "Finish Token Support", "Equipment Storage and Delivery" (thank you Denis for enabling your Run Director to see more of the rugby on Saturday) and "Warm Up Leader (junior events only)".

Finally a request - this Saturday if you have no interest in the rugby and you are able to volunteer at any parkrun then please do so because teams are likely to be short because of the rugby.

Roderick Hoffman

Alphabet Hunters

A last minute change!

Julie and I have just returned from a week in the West Country. An annual family pilgrimage to more rural areas of the country took us to near Minehead and this was the first of two parkruns.

Despite it being set on a straight pathway, you are in the lap of the wind as it is on the promenade but this is the first run that I have encountered that replicates 10x 500m reps. There are five out-and-backs each from the start which involve stopping and turning around a traffic cone. We calculated a seven second loss for each turn which accounts for 35 seconds. Yes, all courses have turns but not to this degree. Nevertheless we were pleased with the results.

The family returned home on Friday but Julie and I decided to add another day so that we could run an elusive "Y" and so we drove down to Yeovil Montacute. This was already planned with the hotel booked six months ago. The drive was awful: lashing rain in 40kmh wind but we made it. During dinner we discovered that the Yeovil Parkrun had been cancelled because of the weather......what do we do now as not many other runs in the West Country? We were there to run a rare letter but "Y" was gone and so we decided on an unofficial "X"......eXeter Riverside. We set off in the wind and rain for our 104 mile round trip. It was very wet, very windy and cold but most enjoyable - a single lap course of path, trail and muddy grass around the college rugby pitches - we were very pleased that we decided to run and not to give-in to the conditions.

Now for the real test...getting back to Yeovil by 11:00 which is when breakfast was served until.....made it by six minutes!

So two very different parkruns but isn’t that why we like them?

We went south-west to run a Y but came back with an X and so mission accomplished in my book.

Paul Watt and Julie Barclay


KLM Beach Club Championships

Although I can't make this this year, I'd strongly recommend this to club members. Get yourself over to Schiphol and you'll be given transportation, the 6k or 10k run and entertainment all for free. The run and conditions are challenging, but I've done it five times and it has never been as bad as I imagine it could be! Roderick Hoffman

SATURDAY 14th December 2019 at the “Langevelderslag” Beach + Dunes

Dear airline colleagues,

You are hereby invited for the KLM Road Runners 2019 club championships.

KLM Beach RunThe location of the beach/dune run is Langevelderslag www.nederzandt.nl +/- 20 km south west of Schiphol airport. The race distances are 6km and 10km. The start of our event is at 15:00 for the 6km and 15:10 for the 10km (14:30 children's run). Directly after the start, the race goes north following a winding footpath. After a few kilometers and a challenging climb over the dunes and the race returns to the finish following the sandy beach.

The 6km runners finish at the beach centre; the 10km runners will run an additional smaller loop.

There are awards for male seniors and masters, female seniors and masters on both distances and every finisher will receive a special KLM Road Runners souvenir.

All runners take part in a free lottery with many fine prices. The award ceremony starts at 17:00.

A free bus service will be available. It will pick-up runners from Schiphol airport (AMS) at 13:30. We will also take care of transport back to the airport. The bus will return at 17:30 to Schiphol airport.

If you want to join us for our run on the beach and dunes than please sign up via https://klmrri.nl/formulieren/CK2019Inschrijving_ENG.php.
Participating in the race for invited airline runners and family is FREE!! After the Race we continue with a buffet BBQ dinner and if you decide to stay for this dinner you can sign up also via https://klmrri.nl/formulieren/CK2019Inschrijving_ENG.php
The costs are €29,50,- for the buffet dinner per person. (Children under 13 are € 9,75)

Payment: This year we ask the attendance for the dinner to pay upfront (no cash payment on race day). This can be done via a normal EU bank transfer (Swift / iban), see registration website for details.

Also for those runners who will stay for the dinner we will organise transport to Schiphol Airport.

Hope to see you at the beach and dunes on the 14th of December.

Met vriendelijke groeten / kind regards,

Frank Jegers

KLM Road Runners WWW.KLMRRI.NL


Marathon Results

I ran the Amsterdam marathon on Sunday {22nd} for the second time.  I last ran it in 2007 when I achieved a time of 3.36.  Since then I've tried about 10 more marathons trying to get under the mystical 3.30 time.  On Sunday I finally managed it with a time of 3.28:55.  The marathon itself is very flat and I'd recommend it if aiming for a time.  Although I wouldn't suggest following a pacer group round.  The roads are quite narrow for the first 5k, and the pacer group can be quite bumpy.

Ben Chaytow


Running shorts

  • DNF! An abortive attempt at a third Thames Trot on Saturday 26th October. After 27.5 miles (of the 48) I retired at Checkpoint 3 having spent 6:22:34 enjoying the moist conditions. Things have dried out, and nothing seems broken. Did give me some reason to hesitate entering Comrades this morning. But not quite enough. Chris Kelly

Next Digest - Results, news, pictures, feedback, jokes, stories - send them to the editor, Roderick Hoffman, at news@barunner.org.uk.

Not for you, no longer interested? remove me please.

Difficulty viewing this? Read it from the website:- http://www.barunner.org.uk/News Latest.shtml.

Club website: www.barunner.org.uk.


 

      

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