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BA Athletics Club News Digest 12th December 2022

Events Calendar - online here

Events marked "#" are points scoring for the club's participation trophy - for the 2022 title.

Club Event Map: [Clickable link to Google Maps]

For future weeks: inclusions, with photos, please to Roderick Hoffman at news@barunner.org.uk.

This Week's Events

Please help me by sending in your results, for instance by filling in the tables below and forwarding to News@barunner.org.uk. Some events will have "Prompts" set up in Facebook. These allow the posting of a single image and some text and make it easy to flip through everyone's entries.

Weekly Athletic Achievement (by Sunday evening) or use the Facebook group prompt:

Participant Event Distance Location Day/Start Time or Duration Details or comment, and other achievements
e.g. Running

Five Mile Handicap this Wednesday

The third round of this winter’s 5 mile handicap is coming up this Wednesday.  Start times should be set for a mass finish at 19:00.

Changing rooms and hot showers are promised!

Please make a sensible decision on Wednesday afternoon regarding weather and pavement conditions and let Steve Newell know in advance if possible that you are expecting to run (or walk). The big club digital clock will not be deployed this week but stop watches, mobile devices, etc will be in use.

Target times for those who have run at least once in this series:

  • Benita and John Scaife  54:00,
  • Amanda Coombs 48:00,
  • Jacob and Maarten Stenham 45:00,
  • Stephen Taylor 42:15,
  • Alan Anderson (1 lap walk)  40:00,
  • Julie Barclay 39:30,
  • Paul Watt  33:30,
  • Chris Kelly tba

> Steve Newell

Christmas Do Details - Wednesday 21st December at the Bedfont Club

Following decades of club tradition there will be a pre Christmas one-mile event on Wednesday 21st December.

The course will an “L” shaped out and back route starting and finishing in Hatton Road opposite the red pillar box at the junction with Myrtle Avenue.  This has been used before at Christmas time since the migration from the Concorde Club.

After 400m turn left and follow the cycle track towards the Duke of Northumberland River. The path is well lit throughout its length.  Unless Harry Wild directs otherwise, make a clockwise 180 degree turn round the last lamp post before the footbridge over the Duke of Northumberland’s River and use the footpath (parallel to the cycle path) back to Hatton Road.  Turn right and it is 400m back to the finish (passing the club entrance with about 80m to go.

Depending on numbers, runners will be allocated into relay teams with the race starting at 6.30 p.m.

Those intending to run should send an expected time for a flat mile to Steve Newell before noon on 21st December.

> Steve Newell

Food at the Christmas Do

Normally the club provide a choice of Pizzas and Curries. It has been suggested that instead members should each bring a dish. At the committee meeting we decided to merge these two ideas. So, anyone who wants to provide a dish, savoury or sweet, please let Steve Hillier know by lunchtime on Tuesday 20th December what you plan to bring. Steve will then know what is going to be provided and will place a top-up order as required. There is no obligation to provide a dish.

> Steve Hillier

Additionally on the evening:

From 19:00 we'll meet in the function room. This will be an informal gathering which will feature:

  • A pay bar, with members of the Bedfont Club able to get a modest discount,
  • A Secret Santa with participants asked to buy and wrap a present worth about £5 (optional). Each participant can then draw a present from Santa's sack.

Roderick Hoffman obo the club committee

December Mile

We've only had Steve Hillier's submission this month (10:29 so 13seconds faster than his previous published mile). If any more creep in I'll mention them next week.

Round Heathrow Run - reminder for Thursday 30th December, from 12:00

I think that we have now got four of us lined up for our annual jog around Heathrow, taking in the quiet country paths rather than the busy motor roads. The more the merrier - the total distance is about 12 miles but there are some options to stop on the way around and get public transport back to the start or home. We will meet in the road between the Bedfont club and the Duke of Wellington Pub. The club may be closed but there are parking options in the nearby streets. Having done the run we'll recover with a beer and optional curry at the Duke of Wellington.

Let me know to expect you (and others) - Roderick Hoffman

Details and map from last year's event: Round LHR Run

England Athletics courses

EA continue to offer courses, holding out the opportunity to gain qualifications in coaching or officiating.  BAAC are willing to subsidise you if you would like to tackle one of these courses, and we would welcome your increased knowledge in supporting club events.

Examples available in the near future are Coaching Assistant, Leader in Running Fitness, Assistant Track & Field Official and Race Walking Official.  There are many more to choose from.  Is this something that might interest you?  If so, please let me know.

> Steve Hillier

Recent Activity Achievements

15 club members and friends' achievements are listed below. Your achievement not listed? It could be because you didn't submit it.

Colleague Activity Distance Course When Duration Comments
Roderick Hoffman Orienteering 8.41km Ealing Street-O Tue pm 01:01:17 Not as good as last month's event but ended up scoring more for the series because there were fewer participants. Made two errors (including making a wrong turn to the finish) and should have chosen a better route. 401 points and 34th of 64.
Barry Walters Running 7.5km Bracknell Sun am 00:46:02 A steady effort through the forest turning around after 25 minutes. Gloomy with drizzle; as I passed a walker he said I was motivating him. After a swift breakfast I did a one-hour gym session (30 mins cardio and 30 mins strength) followed by 45 minutes cycling at my local leisure centre.
Andy Rayner Walking Cox Green Various Thurs 8th Dec: 3mile fast walk, Fri 9 Dec: 2mile fast walk and Sat 10 Dec: 3mile fast walk, All around Cox Green. NO times recorded.
Julie Barclay  Race 10km St. Mary's Stadium, Southampton Sun 00:46:13 Southampton 10k in freezing conditions that started and finished in the football ground. Very pleased with our times.
Paul Watt  Race 10km St. Mary's Stadium, Southampton Sun 00:41:14 Southampton 10k in freezing conditions that started and finished in the football ground. Very pleased with our times.
Steve Hillier Running 7.8km Slough to Windsor and back Sun am 01:07:00 This weekend's run involved a warm up jog, then my mile from Slough to Eton in 10:29. I carried on to Windsor, skated across the bridge and gingerly walked past the swans. Returned across the bridge and Brocas field through thick fog, then back to Slough alongside Queen Victoria's railway line.
James Edwards Running 14km ‘Craig y aber’ woods just north of Porthcawl 01:43:00 14km trail with 340m elevation - early morning weekend run, frosty but very sunny ❄️
Simon Turton Orienteering 8.1km Caversham Park Sat pm 00:44:09 A 45min Zumba class at the local gym followed by a Street-O in nearby Caversham Park in the afternoon. Bit undulating and certainly nippy but as you can see from the photo {if the editor included it}, clear skies; enjoyed it.
Piers Keenleyside  Race Half-M Dorney Lake Sat 01:53:29 Braved cold of -5c at the start and finished 55th of 127 finishers and 2nd MV60. Kept 2 layers on the whole time and hardly sweated at all as it was so cold!
Benita Scaife Running 4miles To Marlow via Cookham Dean Common Sun am 00:50:45 Early morning run in freezing fog to Marlow via Cookham Dean Common, a variation on last week’s route…
John Scaife Running 4miles To Marlow via Cookham Dean Common Sun am 00:50:45 ...This time we chose it as it is almost all off road, thus avoiding the slippery pavements.
David Cowell parkrun 5km Clare Castle Sat am Lovely 5km parkrun at a frosty Clare Castle in Suffolk
Emma Moreton Running 10(.6)km Strava 10k round Swanmore Sun 00:55:59 Completed the Strava 10k with a run around Swanmore whilst staying with friends ❄️
Clara Halket Running 12.79km More runways Sat am 01:34:52 Self-development day started with an early morning self-developing jog on frosty crunchy trails. This distance more than covered Days 7-12. Now for the other self-development activity, reading course contents
Adrian Haines Running Chile Sat or Sun "Ok. England played the better game but France were more clinical. So I just go running and everything is good again."

No pictures this week - out on my travels again. Some good ones may appear next week.

Roderick Hoffman

parkrun Results for Saturday 10th December 2022

27 activities are recorded this week. Please get in touch if your activity is missing.

Club parkrunner parkrun Run# Pos Time Age Grade Comment
Scott DAVISON Bedfont Lakes 621 52 0:28:20 52.47% run #396
Ian CUNNINGHAM Bushy Park 906 510 0:27:25 58.48% run #483
Benita SCAIFE California Country 124 67 0:34:07 62.19% 1st run at California Country Park, park #91
John SCAIFE California Country 124 68 0:34:08 50.54% 1st run at California Country Park, park #100 - joins Cowell Club
Melanie Miller Cheltenham 444 268 0:38:51 45.99% first run at Cheltenham, park #92, Cheltenham's 444th running.
David DUGGAN Clare Castle 194 54 0:34:33 47.23% run #435, park #115, BA Event #694.
Ben CHAYTOW Crane Park 483 19 0:23:51 59.89% run #316
Barry WALTERS Edenbrook Country 31 83 0:26:09 65.33% Further 67 second PB, fastest parkrun since Feb 2020.
Paul WATT Greenwich 610 12 0:21:18 73.40% first run at Greenwich, Fibonacci 610 bagged. BA men's record, park #112
Julie BARCLAY Greenwich 610 67 0:25:19 74.52% first run at Greenwich, Fibonacci 610 bagged. BA ladies and grade record, park #116
Harjit Jhooti Greenwich 610 240 0:36:17 49.24% first run at Greenwich, Fibonacci 610 bagged, park #62
Alastair HESLOP Guildford 453 Finish Tokens at Guildford
Mike DENNISON Hanworth 114 4 0:20:41 80.34% 4th finisher
Maria JOVANI Hanworth 114 16 0:24:36 65.18% 3rd lady
Joan FOXLEY Harrow 326 125 0:39:44 58.93% run #234
Denis FOXLEY Harrow 326 Time Keeper at Harrow
Steve NEWELL Hazelwood 167 78 1:00:14 33.34% 444th parkrun - tailwalker at Hazelwood, Wilson Index up to 170
Roderick HOFFMAN Hellbrunn 65 5 0:31:54 51.15% Hell…Brrrrrrr….run parkrun. 5th of 8. First fifth finish. Park #344, BA event #693.
Sarah GORDON Hellbrunn 65 7 0:44:10 46.60% park #135, Highest ever finish position. 3rd lady.
Alice BANKS Higginson, Marlow 132 50 0:30:13 69.17% 45th run at Higginson Marlow
Keith Johnson Houghton Hall 187 24 0:24:06 62.17% 47th run at Houghton Hall
Trish MCCABE Osterley 401 87 0:27:13 58.36% 33rd run at Osterley
Alan ANDERSON Osterley 401 187 0:50:41 51.59% 95th run at Osterley
Murray Hogge Reading 579 15 0:20:25 79.92% run #330
Ben Kelly Reading 579 26 0:21:54 58.90% 51st run at Reading
Jain REID Richmond Park 731 117 0:27:55 64.84% 111th run at Richmond
David Cowell Rushcliffe 464 6 0:19:06 74.26% PB by 2:05. BA men's and grade record (from Richard Ruffell)

parkrun review Saturday 10th December 2022

The number of completed 5km UK parkruns this Saturday was a mere 73,036 (552 events) - way down from the 113,173 (747 events) the previous week.  Many events, especially those further North were cancelled and the freezing weather obviously deterred many runners/walkers at the parkruns which were able to carry on.  For some who wrapped up well it was an invigorating jog in the bright (even warming) sunshine which also made the role of lonely marshal out in the country almost enjoyable!

The collection of parkruns visited by the club’s tourists continued its relentless growth with Roderick Hoffman (31:54) and Sarah Gordon (44:10) diverting their attentions from the pistes for long enough to get round the exclusive Hellbrunn parkrun in Saltzburg.  David Duggan (34:33) was at Clare Castle in Suffolk.  The castle dates back to Norman times, the parkrun a mere (Covid interrupted) five years and waiting for one of us to make a visit.  Those two take the club total up to 694 different events.

Our fastest runner this week was David Cowell (19:06) at Rushcliffe in Nottingham.  That improved on the old club record (21:04) set by Richard Ruffell almost four years ago.  The best age grade was achieved by Mike Dennison (20:41, 80.34%) at Hanworth.  Meanwhile John Scaife (34:08) joined the Cowell Club (not the same Cowell!) by completing his 100th different parkrun at California Country Park.  Paul Watt (21:18) and Julie Barclay (25:19) lowered the club records at Greenwich (Avery Park).

Next week will see the last of the current series of club featured parkruns at Osterley.  If any member would like to host one or more such runs in 2023 they are encouraged to drop a line to the editor at any time over the next month or so.

Steve Newell

Matters Arising - Runs for the club

When Steve or I talk about parkrun achievements we'll sometimes limit the runs to those undertaken whilst the participant is a member of the club, and sometimes we'll include their total record, and the wording we use might not always show the distinction. For example above David Cowell is credited with both getting a new PB and setting the club records at Rushcliffe. His first run there were also faster/higher than Richard Ruffell's previous performance but was done before David joined the club. Also last week we said that Alice was the first to run for a second time at Church Mead. Joan Foxley also did a second run there a while back but her first run had been before she joined the club.

Hellbrunn parkrun (Austria)

Adding another flag to my parkrun Tourist T Shirt. They normally get 15 to 20 runners but Austria also had snowy weather on Friday evening so several stayed away. The eight runners consisted of four locals who finished in positions 1 to 4 and four UK tourists who finished 5th to 8th. The tailwalker had been at Old Deer Park the other week when we had our Club Featured parkrun there - he had noticed the BA shirts. A more significant coincidence for Sarah and I was that the Finish Tokens volunteer happened to have a minibus and to be driving back to Zell-am-See over lunch - Zell-am-See being where Sarah and I were heading for our skiing trip so we quickly made ourselves acquainted and got a door to door lift, saving ourselves an Austrian train journey. That's the spirit of parkrun.

The hills are alive...for those who have watched the Sound of Music apparently it features Hellbrunn parkrun, or it would have done had the parkrun been started in the mid 1960s when the film was made.

Roderick Hoffman

Full club parkrun database - {read access to club parkrun database} - Download and explore.

Club Event Map: [Clickable link to Google Maps]

> Roderick Hoffman

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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