baRUNNER - a website for the British Airways Athletics Club
BA Athletics Club News Digest 12th March 2018Events:
New members and potential members of all fitness levels and abilities are welcome at all of these events. The full diary of club featured events is on the club website at: http://www.barunner.org.uk/Event Diary.shtml. *Club Event Map: [Clickable link to Google Maps] 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. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BARunnerUK/ (formal "BARunner" page), BA Runner Facebook Group (ask to join) Inclusions, with photos, please to Roderick Hoffman at news@barunner.org.uk.
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| Matthew Stratful | 00:06:39 |
| Jeremy Short | 00:06:47 |
| Ian Cunningham | 00:07:18 |
| Neil Frediani | 00:07:41 |
| Steve Taylor | 00:08:10 |
| Steve Hillier | 00:09:33 |
Neil Frediani
Sunday 4th March saw the first running of The Vitality Big Half, a half marathon from Tower Bridge to Greenwich run the “wrong” way along the London Marathon course. Designed to encourage interest in fitness amongst the residents of East and Southeast London, the race nearly came to grief courtesy of the “Beast from the East”. Huge quantities of snow fell in London in the preceding week, and it was only a rapid thaw on the day before which allowed the race to go ahead. Sadly, the “Little Half”, a fun run event to be held as part of the festival, had to be abandoned due to snowbound Southwark Park.
British Airways AC was asked to provide its expertise to run a crossing close to the finish by the Cutty Sark DLR station in Greenwich. Twenty-one hardy souls set off at around 6am on Sunday morning to establish the crossing, staying on point until 13:30. We worked closely with Trent Park AC, who manage a London Marathon crossing point around mile 18. Ably led by Eddie Ketterick, we dealt with a narrow pen, huge crowds, a collapsed runner, the usual odd stroppy member of the public, changeable weather and the blur of Sir Mo passing us.
Let’s not forget our club members who took part in the race – well done!
Thanks to everyone who contributed on the day. Have a rest, because we are only weeks away from the big one, London Marathon on April 22nd.
Steve Hillier
| 10th Mar 2018 | family & friends | time | parkrun | commentary | grade |
| Andrew | Wyeth | 27:43 | Basingstoke | run #500, all at Basingstoke | 55% |
| Steve | Newell | 38:17 | Basingstoke | run #303,1st run at Basingstoke | 48% |
| Leslie | Chamberlin | 27:02 | Bedfont Lakes | run #168 | 70% |
| Neil | Frediani | 27:48 | Bedfont Lakes | run #189 | 58% |
| Caroline | Cockram | 28:27 | Bedfont Lakes | run #306 | 58% |
| Ian | Cockram | 28:27 | Bedfont Lakes | run #424 | 52% |
| David | Duggan | 29:34 | Bedfont Lakes | run #244, 166 at Bedfont | 53% |
| Sarah | Gordon | 33:29 | Braunstone | run #185 | 58% |
| David | Tyas | 19:59 | Bushy Park | run #497, 440th at Bushy | 76% |
| Jonathan | Cox | 23:26 | Bushy Park | run #348, 280th at Bushy | 67% |
| Jeremy | Short | 22:05 | Crane Park | run #97, 66th at Crane | 70% |
| Scott | Davison | 22:42 | Crane Park | run #244 | 63% |
| Trish | McCabe | 28:34 | Crane Park | run #227 | 54% |
| Julie | Barclay | 23:27 | Frimley | very slippery mud | 75% |
| Paul | Watt | 24:25 | Frimley | running with caution | 62% |
| Alastair | Heslop | 44:46 | Guildford | tailwalker, run #,5 all at Guildford | 37% |
| Kerstin | Luksch | 22:24 | Gunnersbury | run #249 | 67% |
| Alan | Anderson | 38:23 | Gunnersbury | run #499 | 58% |
| Denis | Foxley | 01:02:28 | Harrow | tailwalker | 28% |
| Chris | Kelly | 27:31 | Henley on Thames | 4th run at Henley, all this year | 54% |
| Joe | Nolan | 31:34 | Kingston | run #299, 1st at Kingston | 52% |
| Petra | Otto | 41:47 | March | run #43, 38th at March, Jog2/Walk1 pacer | 49% |
| Steve | Taylor | 25:55 | Northala Fields | run #81, 51st at Northala | 59% |
| Alice | Banks | 28:23 | Richmond Park | run #111, 1st at Richmond | 68% |
| Tony | Barnwell | 38:33 | Rickmansworth | run #161, 12th at Ricky | 49% |
| John | Lennon | 29:06 | Rushmoor | run #267, 1st at Rushmoor | 54% |
| Eddie | Giles | 27:41 | Salisbury | run #98, 21st at Salisbury | 63% |
| Benita | Scaife | volunteer | Maidenhead | timekeeper | |
| John | Scaife | volunteer | Maidenhead | backup timer | |
| Joan | Foxley | volunteer | Harrow | finish token support | |
| Ben | Chaytow | volunteer | Crane Park | run director |
The snow and ice had long since departed but conditions
were still a bit damp this weekend and many off road sections were very soft and
slippery.
Several members visited parkruns where they had never run before. Alice Banks (28:23) tried Richmond Park for the first time but couldn’t improve the female club record (27:27) held by Trish McCabe. ‘Big Half’ finisher John Lennon (29:06) tried Rushmoor for the first time. Joe Nolan (31:34) was at Kingston which will be familiar to those who have been present at the end of the Green Belt Relay. That was Joe’s 299th run with 275 having been at Black Park.
Armed with the knowledge that the incredibly loyal Andrew Wyeth was expected to complete his 500th run at Basingstoke, Steve Newell(38:15) was there was there to witness the occasion and hoped to pick up some pointers for any protocol ahead of Alan Anderson’s 500 run at Gunnersbury next week.
We hope as many members as possible will be able to join the celebrations.
The dress code will be a BA vest or, in recognition of St Patrick’s Day,
something GREEN {Ed: or just turn up in your pyjamas - see
latest parkrun promotional email. Now, I wonder if I can tailor some green
pyjamas, with the BA logo on the front?}. Up till this year, these 500 runs have not been
as common as you might think – Alan will become only the 17th
worldwide, ever. From now on though we will start seeing
maybe one every month and the next one locally will probably be former member
David Tyas who is now up to 497 runs (440 of them at Bushy Park).
Those heading for Gunnersbury Park by car should try get there by 8.45 (carpark entrance off Popes Lane) postcode W5 4NB. Those who have been to Gunnersbury previously need to be aware that the start/finish moved last November and is now very much on the middle of the park, down the hill from the carpark and by the old pavilion just below the children’s playground. It is a two lap course and the third km is mostly uphill. Hard surface throughout.
The café
by the boating pond has been rebuilt and has just reopened.
The quality has improved and the prices raised to match.
There are toilets right by the café.
Steve Newell
Updated parkrun stats - club parkrun stats
Three new parkruns of interest to some members of the club are starting next week. Please note though that on March 17th the club would like all club members to join us at Gunnersbury for Alan Anderson's 500th parkrun AND if not, that you only consider attending one of these three inaugural events if that event will be the nearest parkrun to where you live (or if you are on the volunteer list). Once bedded in tourist visits will be encouraged and the club may arrange some team visits (email Roderick or Steve Newell if you would like to join us at one or more of these three).
The three new events are:
Roderick Hoffman
Southend Pier extends 1.34 miles into the Thames Estuary and is considered the longest pleasure pier in the world. It sounds an ideal location for a Dream Mile event...until you consider the likelihood of crosswinds and cold temperatures. But instead of a Dream Mile...howsabout a whole marathon?...
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A marathon on the world’s longest pier in March – what a wonderful / crazy / stupid idea? From the same company that brought you the multi-story carpark marathon. The idea was 11 laps of the pier – (probably) the first marathon run entirely over water. 91 runners {of an entry of 99} gathered at 9:30 on Sunday morning to run up and down Southend Pier for a few hours. The winner managed a highly respectable 2:47. My lack of training meant I ground out 9 minute miles to finish in 3:55. The good news was the rain stopped before we started running, but the wind did build up and had a substantial chilling effect. An experience I suspect I won’t be repeating! Entries for next year opening in the autumn. Ian Cunningham
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As you might expect "Piers" Keenleyside has already expressed interest in this event for next year.
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I ran the full length of Regent’s canal today {last Monday}, from Limehouse to Paddington. 15km/9.3 miles. The start is very close to Limehouse DLR station and the path runs through the heart of London before finishing at Paddington station. There are two bypasses at points where the canal runs through tunnels where there is no path. The Islington tunnel bypass is significant at 1km and the street route is not obvious even though there are markers (blue with wavy lines) buried at intervals in the pavement. The second bypass at Maida Vale is much shorter and the route is pretty obvious. For those unwilling/unable to do the whole 15km there are plenty of opportunities to come off the path and jump on the tube e.g. Hoxton, Angel, Kings Cross and Camden Town, all of which are close to the canal. Hayden Shearman’s book “Runner’s guide to London” has full details of the route along with more than 100 other routes in central and suburban London (including Cranford Park!). Sadly I believe it’s now out of print, but you might pick up a secondhand copy on eBay or Abebooks, or you can borrow mine and photocopy the routes you’re interested in. Also Shearman has put some of the routes on-line while the 2nd edition of the book is in preparation. Runnersguidetolondon.co.uk John Scaife |
A cheeky mid-weeky day off last Wednesday for my second year at the Teddy Hall Relays in Oxford. After a lift from my better half, I free-wheeled down Headington Hill on my trusty Brompton, for a sneaky peek at the shrunken heads in the Pitt Rivers Museum. Then a gentle pootle along Museum Road past the Lamb and Flag, down St. Giles to the shops, and back along the High St to the usual venue at the Iffley Road sports ground. Shortly before the race began, there was a respectful minute's silence for Sir Roger Bannister, the globally renowned neurologist who cemented his place in history on 6 May 1954. The finish line post is on display in the new cafe area, and one of the three stopwatches used, still showing 3:59.4.
Our route was going to take a little longer, as it heads out of the stadium, down the Iffley Road (past Harry Wild), over Donnington Bridge and back up the Thames Path to the Head of the River, then into Christ Church Meadow, this year taking a right turn to do an additional 0.7 mile loop, past the college Boathouses, along the Cherwell, around the Botanic Garden, and onto the High Street, over Magdalen Bridge, back down the Iffley Road, into the Sports Ground and 200m round the track, to the handover point.
The Northwood Striders, a select group of athletes with links to St Edmund Hall, have been running the relays for a good many years, and are composed of elite, veteran, runners who train together, including our friends, Steve Norris and Christine Munden, and certain, honoured, guests (such as your intrepid reporter) who have been invited along. We had three teams of four, and came 23rd, 47th, and 67th of the 73 "Men's" teams, at an average of 31:42 for the 4.3M laps.
Results: Teddy Hall Relay
Chris Kelly
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I’d like to personally invite you and the British Airways Athletics Club to join this year’s Budapest Airport-anna.aero Runway Run 6.0 – the air transport industry’s premier charity-sportive event, taking place at 11:00 on Saturday 1 September 2018 on Budapest Airport’s Runway 13R-31L. It’s not just about running, it’s about getting the air transport industry together in an alternative way rather than your usual networking conferences we all come together at! Every airline and airport has a group of fitness enthusiasts so please do include them in this invitation and you could still come along as a supporter and enjoy a superb BBQ at the after-run party held on the terrace of Budapest Airport’s historic Terminal 1. We’ve also been doing some great charity work through the Runway Run over the years: Since its beginnings the Budapest Airport-anna.aero Runway Run has raised an incredible €110,000 for charity. Last year alone, the run, which was held again in aid of the bone marrow transplant charity, Anthony Nolan, and Hungary’s Suhanj! Foundation, a charity which supports the inclusion of disabled people in sport, raised a record €39,500 and all entry fees are still donated to our chosen charities - just €35 before July 2018. Our registration site is now live! Before your diaries start to get booked up for the year ahead, make sure the Budapest Airport-anna.aero Runway Run is written down – Saturday 1 September! I hope we’ll be seeing you and your airline represented on the runway later this year. Best wishes Kerry Parks |
The above event is the same day as the ASCA Cross Country in Copenhagen which is our preferred event for that date, but if you fancy a race on an airport runway then this could be for you.
If you don't like paying €35 to enter an event don't forget that we can get free entry for the 10mile Hamburg Airport race (around the airport, not on a runway) on 16th September. So far Petra Otto and myself have entered. To enter send Ralph Behrens (ralph.behrens@la-lsv.de) your: name, first name, gender, date and year of birth, club/airline, nationality, address, email, phone number. For more details contact me or see the digest from 15Jan2018.
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A little useless info from Frimley... Maybe you noticed the 10year old who finished first at the Frimley 5k parkrun in the snow covered course last week (3rd March), who ran 94% plus (World Class)? The organisers started checking and the lad's normal time was in the 30s so they concluded that he only ran 1 lap of the two. Both Julie and Paul ran at Frimley in atrocious muddy conditions it
seemed more slippery than running on a ice rink but both survived
without problems. Julie was 1st 0/50 (55th o/a) in 23.27. Paul was
80th in 24.25 - he is returning slowly but runs with caution until he
seeks advice from a specialist next week. I will be at the Surrey ½ in morning so any BA members running I will keep a check for. In fact 2 or 3 years ago Paul Brandon rode tail cyclist, and said it was the hardest thing he had ever rode - it is so hard cycling slowly. His cycle club supplied all the front and rear lads. Well done to Alistair running Guildford parkrun this morning. Julie/Paul worked a night shift last Thurs. and Helen found them before leaving her shift and presented Paul with his Award - he was well pleased. That’s it from the south. Tom Rowley Paul Watt adds... I received my trophy from Helen Smith yesterday and would like to thank you and the committee for the award. I was pleased with the progress made after the hard work and training. This year is a different story thanks to my calf but early days yet. Hope you are well and running fit. Ed: In some previous years the "Most Improved" trophy has seemed a curse with the recipient spending much of the following year out with injury - but we don't believe in superstitions, do we? |
Results, news, pictures, feedback, jokes, stories - send it to the editor, Roderick Hoffman, at news@barunner.org.uk.
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