Saturday 28 July 2007

More news from the Wild West!

Barry Gilbert our wild western member from Reading continues ploughing his lonely furrow in representing Wadhurst in events to the west of Sussex and sends us another
report.

"On Sunday June 10th I travelled to take part in the Great Bedwyn 10K. For those of you unfamiliar with the whereabouts of Great Bedwyn - it's a smallish village nestling on the Berks/Wilts borders on the edge of the Savernake Forest. 172 competitors lined up for only the second running of this very undulating event in sweltering conditions - something we haven't experienced much this summer. Our Berkshire Waddy came home in 95th position in a time of 52.38.

Sunday June 24th on to the Thame 10K over a relatively flat course which was reflected in a time of 51.55 and a position of 425th out of 763.

Sunday July 8th and it is the Princes Risborough 10K. I have to say I was somewhat disappointed with this one - not my performance but with the facilities and the organisation. It's a race I've always wanted to do, being reasonably local, but it usually clashes with another old favourite of mine, the Elmbridge Runners "Julie Button Memorial 10K" - a fast, flat, partly riverside towpath course in Walton-upon-Thames. I can thoroughly recommend this one.

So, I opted for the Princes Risborough race but the Community Centre that they were supposed to use was shut for no apparent reason; and the adjacent Leisure centre refused to allow runners to change before, or shower afterwards - I even offered to pay! As for the race, I'm still waiting for my time but it was around the 52 minute mark but needless to say I won't be running this one again!"

Bexhill 5K

Another cracking turnout from the Waddies and some more sparkling performances.

We had four top 100 finishers, with three sub 20 minute finishers.

Special mention to Lin Hayes who claimed 2nd place for Lady Vet 2

Results

53 Mike Mackay 19:23.01
57 David Burfoot 19:28.00
61 Michael Pain 19:40.00
81 Peter Burfoot 20:27.00
123 Linda Hayes 21:34.01
164 Cathy Hall 23:31.00
165 Tony Gates 23:34.00
170 Andy Pain 23:53.00
185 Melinda Mackay 24:31.00
187 Cathy Burke 24:34.00
190 Tim Clements 24:40.00
194 Roger Smith 24:55.00
209 Bonita Backhouse 25:50.00
228 Kathie Gates 26:58.00
311 Tony Sorrell 32:59.00

Three Waddies braved the M25 to make the journey to Hampton Court for the Wedding Day 7K on Friday night. This really is a great night out - with music, food and drink in the delightful grounds of Bushy Park. Great for picnics amongst the deer too. Well, at least that is under normal circumstances - true to form the 2007 Summer weather arrived at the finish to drown out what could have been a very pleasant post-race evening.

Some top runners bowled up for this one and the Ladies race was won by former Olympic Medalist and World Champion Sonia O'Sullivan whose evening was completely ruined by people asking her if that was Ron Hill 'over there'! Martin and Cathy completed a romantic evening by winning the raffle - a three tiered wedding cake! This has now been offered to the parents of Tony Blair, if they ever get married, as a parting gift on behalf of Wadhurst Runners. Barry Gilbert made up the trio, making his way over from Reading for the event.

Results for the race:

Cathy Burke 36.07
Barry Gilbert 36.53
Martin Burke 43.09

Thursday 26 July 2007

Anybody for relay?

Our Social Sec. Cathy is arranging teams for a couple of relay events being held next month.

On Wednesday 22nd August Hailsham Harriers are holding the Castle Relays in the grounds of Herstmonceux Castle, starting at 7.00pm. Teams of 4 are required to run the 1.5 mile multi terrain course. Cost of entry is £6.00 team, so thats just £1.50 per person.

Prizes are awarded to

1st Team (mixed teams are allowed)
1st Mens Veteran team
1st Ladies team
1st Ladies Veteran team

If you are interested in making up a team please can the Men please let Cathy know at cathy@nice-work.org.uk and the ladies let racheldavies01@yahoo.co.uk know.

The following week, Hastings AC are organising a relay. Again four in a team but five legs are completed with the whole team running the final leg together.

Please let Rachel and Cathy know whether you are able to take part in one or both events.

Just a reminder ....

Just a reminder that Wendy who joined us for one of our Tuesday evenings recently to do some sports massages will be coming back again - by poular demand!

Wendy will be in the Uplands sports centre after our Tuesday runs on 31 July and 7 August.

Summer Handicap and barbecue - the evidence









Barbecue fun!

last Sunday saw the club's annual barbecue and handicap race held once again at the home of our Chairman. Thanks to all those who contributed to the food and drink - and a great time was had by all.

The Handicap Race went well with two records broken and a record turnout of 23 runners. Congratulations to all those who took part.

Results

Men's Handicap

1st Andy Pain
2nd Kevin Parkinson
3rd Peter Burfoot

Ladies Handicap

1st Melinda Mackay
2nd Linda Hayes
3rd Bonita Backhouse

Two records were broken with the Ladies record falling to Lynn with a time of 38.43 and the Junior course record falling to Liam Burke with a time of 43.33.

Also awarded on the day was:

Junior Male Runner - Liam Burke (1st Under 13 Montreuil - May 2007).
Junior Female Runner - Hayley Mackay (1st Under 13 Folkestone - June 2007).

A Classic!

Friday 13th July saw the first of the 2007 races in the Rye Summer Classic and four Waddies took part in the 10K race. Albert and Barry Gilbert were 3rd and 4th respectively in the Male Vet 5 category and Janet Drake was 5th placed Lady Vet 4.

A very pleasant evening was perfect for recording a fast time on the flat course - the next two races, both over 5K take place on Friday 24th August and Friday 14th September. Entry details here.

Full results:

42 0:43:01 Peter Burfoot
61 0:46:36 Albert Kemp
95 0:52:31 Barry Gilbert
151 1:12:35 Janet Drake

Oh no!! Albert's wearing those lycra shorts again!!

Bewl 15 - our best ever?

A foul day by all accounts though WebEd and Mrs webEd were perfectly warm and dry in Uplands for the duration of the race. But, judging by the comments from those who took part, this year's Bewl 15 was the best ever.

A record entry, record number of finishers (440 plus) and some cracking performances on and off the course should ensure that the race makes its way once again into the Country's Top 100 Races list.

The Runners World Forum has been inundated with comments and praise from those who took part and the mud seems just to have added to the occasion!

Congratulations to all those who made up the cracking back-up team to ensure the race was a credit to the club.

Results are available to view on the club's website.

Top ten finishers:

1 1:26:51 MOUNTCASTLE, Henry Hastings AC
2 1:27:15 GEDIN, Mats Arena 80
3 1:29:12 WINN-SMITH, Matthew Cambridge Harriers
4 1:29:26 PEARCE, Raymond Istead & Ifield Harriers
5 1:30:34 HILLIIAR, Darryl Blackheath & Bromley
6 1:32:18 BATELY, Theo Deal Tri
7 1:32:56 BUCKINGHAM, Pete Paddock Wood AC
8 1:33:22 HALLS, Mark Brighton & Hove AC
9 1:33:28 WOOLGAR, Gary Brighton & Hove AC
10 1:33:33 TUCKER, Andy Blackheath & Bromley

Midsummer Madness

Our first Midsummer Hash was a great success with 34 people travelling to the Royal Oak in Peasmarsh for a 4 to 5 mile dash around the lanes of Iden. Setting off at 1 minute intervals in groups of three or four, a highly competitive spirit was soon established.

The presence of a number of Hastings Runners and a sprinkling of locals also added to the occasion. Our thanks go to the Royal Oak for providing a fine barbecue - and we also had Morris Dancers and a Blugrass band to add a real summer party atmosphere to the occasion.

The race was won by Danny Blackman a local Young Whippersnapper, with Waddies filling the next three positions. Whilst Hastings Runners picked up the Ladies team prize, the Waddie chaps' performance was so outstanding that we picked up the Overall team prize.

Only one Waddie won an individual prize, with Michael Pain first in the Old Man category, just nudging out Peter Burfoot. Honourable mentions though go to Lynn Hayes and Helen Neary, 2nd and 3rd respectively in the All Ladies and Ladies categories. David Burfoot was 2nd in the Young Whippersnapper category; Albert Kemp and Roger Smith were also 2nd and 3rd in the Very Old Man category.

Results:

1 0:28:22 BLACKMAN, Danny Unattached
2 0:28:30 PAIN, Michael Wadhurst Runners
3 0:29:05 BURFOOT, David Wadhurst Runners
4 0:29:47 BURFOOT, Peter Wadhurst Runners
5 0:30:45 LOVELL, Sally Hastings Runners
6 0:30:46 FOORD, Mike Hastings Runners
7 0:31:18 HAYES, Lynn Wadhurst Runners
8 0:32:00 CHIDGEY, Martin Hastings Runners
9 0:32:41 KEMP, Albert Wadhurst Runners
10 0:33:52 NEARY, Helen Wadhurst Runners
11 0:34:48 REED, Claire Bodyworks XTC
12 0:34:59 DENNY, Steve Hastings Runners
13 0:36:01 SMITH, Roger Wadhurst Runners
14 0:36:44 GATES, Anthony Wadhurst Runners
15 0:37:24 NEILL, Alastair Unattached
16 0:37:39 THORNE, Peter Unattached
17 0:38:00 BOWLER, Steve Unattached
18 0:38:27 RINGROSE, Sophie Unattached
19 0:38:57 MORGAN, Deborah Hastings Runners
20 0:39:13 PRICE, Kirsten Unattached
21 0:39:17 CAREY, Pip Unattached
22 0:39:27 CHANTLER, Mary Hastings Runners
23 0:39:28 BROADWAY, Andrew Hastings Runners
24 0:39:29 FROEHLKE, VictorHastings Runners
25 0:40:19 ROBUS, Dave Unattached
26 0:40:20 SHERWOOD, Deborah Unattached
27 0:40:21 REED, Nick Bodyworks XTC
28 0:41:16 KUBISA, Carmen Unattached
29 0:41:50 KITSON, Irene Hastings Runners
30 0:41:54 KITSON, Terry Hastings Runners
31 0:41:55 DENNY, Tom Hastings Runners
32 0:42:26 CULLINGFORD, Giles Unattached
33 0:42:47 WREN, Sara Wadhurst Runners
34 0:45:43 DRAKE, Janet Wadhurst Runners

Heathfield - it's Cathy - she's gone home

Or should that be Heathcliffe?

The Waddies had another great turnout at Heathfield for the Midsummer 10K with four of our runners in the top 100. Great performances were seen from Ciaran Osborn, who finished in a spectacular 12th place, followed by Mike MacKay 41st, David Burfoot and Peter Burfoot. The ladies were championed by Lynn Hayes 108th, Cathy Hall 148th and Melinda MacKay 155th.

Individually it was also a good day for Lynn Hayes, who was 3rd Lady V3 and Albert who finished 3rd V5.

There has to be a special mention for Tim Clements, who pushed himself so hard to beat his target of 50 minutes that he deposited his breakfast a diplomatic distance from the refreshment stall. Apparently Tim reckons he has a weak stomach, but those present maintain he was throwing it as hard as he could.

Full results:

12 Ciaran Osborn. 37.22
41 Michael Mackay 41:20
50 David Burfoot. 42:29
75 Peter Burfoot 45.37
108 Linda Hayes 47:38
111 Albert Kemp 47:46
122 Eddie Wattenbach 48:38
129 Tim Clements 49:29
131 Shane Last 49:38
148 Cathy Hall 51:38
155 Melinda Mackay 52:14
176 Bonita Backhouse 54:04
189 Anthony Gates 56:05
193 Kathie Gates 56:36
241 Janet Drake 1.06:45
251 Sara Wrenn 1.10:43

Support our sponsors

As a small running club we are reliant on the goodwill of our membership to keep the club going. The time spent by some of our members on club affairs can be considerable - and we are grateful for what they do for us.

Their contributions are augmented by a small band of sponsors who donate money, time, and often both, to the club - particularly for the annual Bewl 15 event.

So, it is timely to remind everybody of our sponsors - and that we now have a new one to add to the list!

Nikwax are a Wadhurst-based company who manufacture high quality cleaning and waterproof products and are an easier and safer way to stay drier in wet weather.

You'll find a link to Nikwax and all our other sponsors listed to the right of the page.