BA Athletics Club News Digest 28th December 2021
Events marked "#" are points scoring for the club's participation trophy.
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.
Track-on-Field (by end of Sunday 9th January, to be reported on in the
following digest):
| Name |
Date |
1500m time |
800m time |
400m time |
200m time |
100m time |
Comment: |
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e.g. Location |
Weekly Athletic Achievement (by late Sunday) or use the Facebook
group prompt:
| Participant |
Event |
Distance |
Location |
Day/Start |
Time or Duration |
Details or comment, and other achievements |
|
e.g. Running |
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Round Heathrow Run on Thursday #
Currently three of us are due to meet at the Bedfont Club carpark on Thursday
at 11:00 for the round Heathrow run. I might be the only one to do the full
circuit with one other just running the first five miles and the other making a
longer run of it! Course details:
Round_LHR_2021.pdf.
I expect the course to be wetter than when I checked it last week, and leggings
are recommended, but it will be warm! More are welcome to join us, to run
any distance, but
please let me know to expect you.
> Roderick
Hoffman
New Year Editorial
|
I've just reread my editorial from the 28th December 2020. I'll
suggest that my predictions for the year were fairly accurate, although
slightly overstating the effectiveness of the vaccines then in the early
days of being rolled
out. We are still to discover if the "next winter there will be a
further wave of the virus but it should only have a minor impact due to
the rollout of a booster" bit is true, or a gross understatement.
I am optimistic for 2022 but I won't put any predictions into print -
we should know within a couple of weeks whether Covid-19 can really be
downgraded to "just another virus like the flu".
Of course, I have great sympathies for all those who have suffered
loss or long-term health issues due to the virus, and also those
(including me) who have had to follow their "Plan B" over the Christmas
period.
Here's to a better 2021.
>
Roderick Hoffman
|
2021 Athletic Achievements and Targets for 2022
|
2021 Achievement |
2022 Target |
| Trish McCabe |
My best achievement of the year was taking on the challenge of
running every day (RED) of January which I succeeded and continued to
run every day until 19/08 when a niggle set in and I decided to take a
break and have a rest. Despite this setback and not running very much in
the latter part of the year, I managed to successfully complete the
Virtual London Marathon and finished the year having run 1,253 miles. |
I haven't stopped, I've a half-marathon in January and my target for
next year is to exceed my annual mileage obtained for this year and to
compete in 3 new races and take on my first duathlon. |
| The Scaifes |
2021 wasn’t great for us with regard to running. |
We have not as yet set ourselves a goal for 2022, apart from hoping
to get back to our previous levels of fitness. |
| Steve Newell |
I think my highlight of the year was swimming a mile round Chiswick
Eyot from Hammersmith in the tidal Thames (and not all with the
current!) A few years ago people of my age were uninsurable and I had to
put an upper age limit of 75 on the Great River Swim. |
Aim for 2022 - do it again, one year even older! Also moving my
Wilson Index (currently 114) up to maybe 150 and keeping Londone
status. Swanley (M25 ring) to be attempted sometime, maybe by bike
and train - needs a bit more planning. |
| Steve Hillier |
2021. The highlights must have been competing again with club
mates, rather than being isolated from them; on the track, at Bedfont,
at NOW events, and at the cross country. Perhaps my personal best
performance was a shot put series at Perivale, on a baking July night. |
2022: My targets are to encourage big turnouts for our club XC
in March and our league track and field events in the summer, and to
perhaps improve my discus PB? |
| Scott Davison |
My best achievement in 2021 was that by June I had run 5k every day
for 6mths as I started it as lockdown began the previous December!!! |
2022 sees me return to longer distances starting with Hampton Court
half in February. |
| Roderick Hoffman |
Not my club record 2km walk, but my 2021 run total for the year now
exceeding my 1,200mile stretch target for the year, only the second time
I've done this. |
My target achievement for next year isn't a mileage target - it is
to initiate the Concorde One Hour event [and, unlike this year's
achievement, I'll need much more help from you to achieve the Concorde
event]. |
| Rob Evans |
Best achievement of 2021 getting up to three 10km runs per week,
after hip op 4 years ago |
| Piers Keenleyside |
October's London Marathon was my best achievement of 2021 as it was
the fastest of my 6 marathons run this year. Finished in 4:25:02. A
non-running achievement was becoming a grandfather! |
My main target for 2022 is to try and get a sub-4 marathon time
after March 20 (when I turn 65) but before early August to get a good
for age qualifier for the 2023 London Marathon. I also want to run about
16 marathons in 2022 which will leave me with 6 to do in 2023 to reach
my 200th at the Richmond Park Marathon in May. |
| Petra Otto |
My best and, very sadly, the only ‘achievement’ this year was
walking in the Virtual London Marathon, and finishing that. |
After the sudden loss of my beloved mum, my aim for next year is to
fall back onto my feet again, and getting mentally and physically
stronger. I think that my running days might be over but I've entered
for next year’s London Marathon for my 70th birthday. I would be walking
it, as per my consultant’s firm instructions. |
| Paul Watt |
Best ever year and I ran PBs in all ten different events run…from
200m - 10k. Dulwich parkrun in November was my best time for 5k of 19:18
and first time age grade over 80%. |
Maintain the standard but I also want to run and compete in a
half-marathon. |
| Neil Frediani |
My best achievement was running over 1000 miles in the year after
falling well short in the last 2 years. Total elevation was >80,000ft.
which was double my previous best. My best individual achievement was
running the Chevy Chase in the Cheviot hills. 20miles with very steep
ups and very difficult downs, the hardest run I have ever done. |
| Mike Dennison |
My best achievement would be finishing the London Marathon within my
3:30 target time. I've also managed to get PBs at all the distances I've
raced in 2021 (that's at 1 mile, 5k (parkrun), 10k, 10mile, half
marathon and marathon) - the best of these was probably the Ranelagh
Richmond 10k, where I managed to break 40 minutes for the first time,
and got my highest ever age-grade, of 85.00%. There's also been a lot of
pleasure in just going out running with friends, as well. |
For 2022, just more of the same. I'm not sure I can carry on with
the PBs, but we'll see! My hope is to become the v60 100mtrs and 60mtrs
record holder for Woking AC and also have a successful injury free
season. |
| Melanie Miller |
my ‘best’ achievement was the London/New Forest Virtual Marathon as
it took a lot of structured training and the course was ‘choppier’ more
undulating than last year and I finished 30 mins faster than last year
too. |
For 2022 I’m hoping to achieve my London Classics’ by completing the
swim ‘leg’ of 2 miles at Swim Serpentine in September…now that wud be an
achievement given swimming has surpassed running as my ‘weakest’ link…lol. |
| Maarten Stenham |
My favourite individual race was the BAAC Cross-Country run at
Cranford Park (last time I saw Tom Rowley) at the beginning of May. A
lovely oasis and a nice friendly atmosphere, well organised as usual. |
My favourite run moment was Bedfont Lakes Parkrun, 18th December, as
it was the first that Jakob was able to run by himself as he'd turned 11
the previous weekend. Although I was faster, I am looking ahead to when
he will be faster than me over the 5km. |
| Kevin Holland |
Notwithstanding a couple of serious health issues, my best moment of
2021 would be recently completing my first park run for a long time -
Brookland, just under 38 mins. |
For 2022, my ambition is to complete a 5k without walking at all. If
that comes to pass I'll be looking to join you in one of the BA Club
featured parkruns also. |
| Julie Barclay |
Dorney Lake 5k in March - good time of 21:31 and a good grading of
83%. |
Shake off the current injury and run 10k in sub-45 minutes. |
| Joanna Roxy (Wells) |
Started couch to 5k & got injured . Entered the Dorney Sprint Tri at
end of Sept & my only claim to fame was “my time was EXACTLY the same as
2 years ago!! 2 years older, hit my 60th in match, yet time the
same!! |
My aim for 2022 is to run the Thorpe 10k with my youngest dog,
complete Windsor Sprint Tri and to enter an Olympic distance Tri (and
NOT walk on the run at all!!) |
| Jane Harbert |
my best exercise was on 'Ride The Rockies' in June, which was about
400 miles cycling over 6 days at altitude. The worst of it was that it
was hot this year, the hottest day being 103 miles at temperatures
reaching 39.5'C. I won't be doing it any more as my eyes really suffer
in the extreme dryness and heat. |
Aim for future is to continue at an hour of exercise per day, having
done that for several years now. That was easy in UK with all the great
parks and runner friendly areas. More difficult in Colorado when snow
covers the ground for 5 months of the year. No more running for me. |
| Ian Hudson |
Since become my wife’s carer it is all I can do to get out for a
10Km urban walk in Wokingham. |
In 2022 I intend to start jogging the 10Km!! |
| Ian Cunningham |
Best achievement for 2021 - hitting my annual target of 1500 miles
for the year with 10 days to spare as well as seeing the return of some
racing (23k around Ambleside), Cross Country and parkrun. |
For 2022 I’ll be happy enough with more group events and less Covid
constraints. |
| Harjit Jhooti |
In 2021 I climbed 2 mountains in the Lake District, Helvellyn and
Scafell Pike. My longest distance was Race to the Stones. I had to
cancel running the London Marathon due to having Covid-19. |
In 2022 I have booked Race to the Kings 100K 2 day event with
camping ⛺️. I am running the London Marathon in October. |
| Emma Moreton |
Achieving "Good For Age" at the Virgin London Marathon. |
Target for 2022 would be to get a sub-22 parkrun. |
| Eddie Ketterick |
|
As for goals for next year they will all be in supporting rolls (
London half and full marathons ). But I do also hope to walk some
parkruns. |
| Eddie Giles |
Not many runs this year but enjoyed the parkrun on 30th October when
I ran with Tom Newsam on his 600th. A very quiet guy but I had a word
with the organisers and a big cheer came up when announced about to run
his 600th. Lots of runners cheering all the way round and at the finish.
|
For 2022 I notice that on 13th June at Uxbridge track, the Vets
event will have a V70, hopefully a 200m, if so I will be there. Another
comeback at 73!! [Ed: Brian Bennett holds the club record at 34.2] |
| Di Smith |
My best activity achievement would have to be my 1.2 million steps
in 120 days Stride for Stroke challenge, which I started in March and
finished in July. I was encouraged to have a go at it by the physio and
I’m glad I did, as it really got me going, and it led on to my
participating in parkrun for the first time in September. |
As for next year, I would like to achieve one or more or all of the
following: a sub 50-minute parkrun, to have totalled 25 or more parkruns
(I’m on 7 currently), to have totalled 25 or more ‘volunteers’ at
parkrun (I’m on 6 currently), to have attempted some sort of a jog, even
if it’s only for 10 yards!! |
| Denis Foxley |
My most pleasing achievement is being able to run at all following
my knee replacement operation. I was in such pain before the op however,
following a lengthy period of rehabilitation, it is now virtually
pain-free and I can run comfortably for an hour which I never thought I
would be able to do again. |
I no longer enter races so measure myself with parkrun times. In
September I did my fastest parkrun since 2017 and the aim for 2022 is to
make further improvements. I will also do my 100th volunteering role
early in the new year. |
| Clara Halket |
There were several achievements in 2021 that I’m grateful to have
achieved, one of which was running 62km to mark my birthday in May
covering the local woods and roads. |
Now that my right leg is still causing issues and under physio care,
for 2022 my target is to walk rather than run the length of the Grand
Union Canal towpath from Birmingham to London with some like minded
friends . |
| Barry Walters |
I was probably most happy with reaching 100 parkruns as this was a
goal for the year and at one time didn’t look like it was going to
happen. |
For 2022 my goal will be to improve my running action which has
definitely deteriorated over the last 2 years and bring down my parkrun
time to below 28 minutes which I have run a lot recently. |
| Andrew Rayner |
I've managed cross-country jogs in honour of The Duke and VE and VJ
Days (carrying our flag) and a few for Tony Barnwell. These can affect
me days after so I need to be careful. Most of my cross-country 4 mile
jaunts are now at the fast walk. |
Plan A for 2022 is simply to keep going, knowing that at 79 the
'Clock' as per Rudyard Kipling may call time. I have been running
seriously since my forties (marathons, etc) so 'Keep right on to the end of
the road!' |
| Amanda Coombs |
My best achievement of 2021 was managing the BAAC ladies'
cross-country team participating in the Surrey League. Two matches
completed with two more ahead to complete the season. |
In September 2022 I am taking part in the Scilly Isles Swim Challenge - a
16km staged swim across the islands - which I am very much looking
forward to. I move into a new age-group (F55) so I will also do a
triathlon, but I haven't decided which one yet! |
| Alan Friar |
My most enjoyable race this year was the Equinox 5K at Bedfont Lakes
Country Park held just before sunset on an undulating and twisty course.
Although I followed some other runners and took a wrong turn, I still
did a fairly good time of 33:21. |
This coming year, I hope to improve on this year's parkrun time and
get below 32 minutes. |
| Adrian Haines |
2021 started really well with a great training block and smashed out
my best achievement of 17:35 for a local 5k. Since then performance has
plummeted following Covid jabs, injuries and then Covid itself. Covid
was bad flu for a week, but recovery has been slow and I think I’m just
turning a corner. |
For 2022 I will be changing my training approach, with quality over
quantity plus strength work. My focus will be 400/800 instead of
800/1500 to reduce the mileage. There are the World Masters championship
in Finland in June and I will be in a new age group(M55). Let’s get over
Covid first and then see where I am in a couple of months. |
Apologies to anyone who has submitted their achievements or 2022 targets but
been missed out by mistake. Submit again for next week's digest.
Roderick
Hoffman
2021 Xmas Mile Relay Results #
The traditional pre-Christmas mile out and back relay was held on a chilly
dry evening using the same course as previous years when an event has been
possible at Bedfont (Hatton Road plus the footpath/cycle way past the
allotments). This has probably become the established course to replace
the parkway mile in Cranford. Although narrower throughout compared with the old
course it has some advantages - almost no detectable gradients, well lit,
cleaner air and a start/finish much nearer changing rooms, toilets and a bar.
Teams (pairs) were selected with the intention of avoiding too much bunching
on the narrow paths shared with the few other pedestrians in the locality. The
two fastest runners (Paul Watt and Maarten Stenham) were not on the track at the
same time but would clearly have had a close race if they had started together.
Jakob Stenham (age 11) has run the summer mile at the Feltham track and is
maintaining his early promise.
| Participant |
Times |
| Paul Watt |
06:29 |
| Maarten Stenham |
06:29 |
| Jakob Stenham (J) |
06:59 |
| Julie Barclay |
07:48 |
| Graham Taylor |
08:11 |
| Denis Foxley |
08:39 |
| Roderick |
08:43 |
| Steve Hillier |
09:40 |
Merry Christmas
Steve Newell
Others, including Melanie, fitted in a mile run earlier.
We had a good evening in the Bedfont Club afterwards with 25 of us enjoying
the pizza and curry provided and the mince pies - though we clearly over-catered
since there was plenty left at the end. The "Secret Santa" was successful - no
one complained that they hadn't got a present back. No one unwrapped their
present to discover a gift of a pack of Rapid Lateral Flow tests, though, sad to
report, many might have found that a useful present over the Christmas period.
2021 Club Achievements and Statistics
Roderick Hoffman
parkrun results for Saturday 25th December 2021
27 runs and volunteer efforts are listed below - get in touch if your activity
is missing.
| Club parkrunner |
parkrun |
Pos |
Time |
Age Grade |
PB? |
Comment |
| Neil
FREDIANI |
Blyth Links |
211 |
00:29:57 |
55.48% |
|
2nd run at Blyth Links |
|
Charlotte HABGOOD |
Braunstone |
397 |
00:43:31 |
42.17% |
|
Roderick's other sister - visiting from Oz |
| Sarah
GORDON |
Braunstone |
340 |
00:33:57 |
59.70% |
|
| Di Smith |
Bushy Park |
1603 |
01:04:15 |
35.82% |
|
Tailwalker - 7th run this year, busy event, Di finishing 1,603rd
(see below) |
| Ian
CUNNINGHAM |
Bushy Park |
1289 |
00:34:00 |
46.76% |
|
11th Christmas Day parkrun at Bushy |
| Maria
Jovani |
Bushy Park |
224 |
00:21:57 |
72.36% |
|
| Mike
Dennison |
Bushy Park |
117 |
00:20:23 |
80.78% |
|
|
Christopher T KELLY |
California Country |
190 |
00:46:24 |
33.41% |
|
run #497, even closer, 8th Christmas Day parkrun |
| Frankie
HOGGE |
California Country |
23 |
00:22:55 |
64.58% |
|
| Murray
HOGGE |
California Country |
24 |
00:22:55 |
70.62% |
|
| Ben
Chaytow |
Crane Park |
29 |
00:23:42 |
59.85% |
|
| Bob
Bannister |
Crane Park |
27 |
00:23:37 |
71.00% |
|
| David
DUGGAN |
Crane Park |
138 |
00:33:08 |
48.84% |
|
26th parkrun this difficult year |
| Scott
DAVISON |
Crane Park |
57 |
00:26:21 |
55.98% |
|
| Trish
MCCABE |
Crane Park |
99 |
00:29:42 |
52.97% |
|
| Paul
KNECHTL |
Frimley Lodge |
27 |
00:20:40 |
71.37% |
|
| Alastair
Heslop |
Guildford |
|
|
|
|
Token Sorting at Guildford [I wonder what was on the TV?] |
| Emma
Moreton |
Homewood |
58 |
00:27:12 |
56.56% |
|
| Keith
Johnson |
Houghton Hall |
62 |
00:27:14 |
54.59% |
|
| Melanie
Miller |
Itchen Valley Country |
67 |
00:57:41 |
30.57% |
|
Tailwalker - "the course was soooo muddy" |
| Harjit
Jhooti |
Jersey Farm |
116 |
00:33:39 |
52.40% |
|
Getting into this tourist lark! 12th BA runner at Jersey Farm (only
Steve Newell has run more than once) |
| Benita
Scaife |
Maidenhead |
281 |
00:35:20 |
59.15% |
|
| John
Scaife |
Maidenhead |
282 |
00:35:21 |
48.33% |
|
| Roderick
HOFFMAN |
Northala Fields |
|
|
|
|
Traditional Timekeeper at Northala Fields (6th Xmas run in a row) |
| Julie
BARCLAY |
Old Deer Park |
91 |
00:33:14 |
55.97% |
|
first run at Old Deer park, park #66 |
| Paul
WATT |
Old Deer Park |
124 |
00:50:18 |
30.82% |
|
first run at Old Deer park - slow time without being the tailwalker.
26th BA runner at ODP. |
| Andrew
William Jordan |
Walsall Arboretum |
119 |
00:25:35 |
60.59% |
|
8th Christmas Day parkrun at Walsall Arboretum |
This was the first year when Christmas Day fell on a Saturday since 2010 when
parkrun was still, if not in infancy, in early development. Since 2004
Bushy Park has had an extra run on Christmas Day every year, excluding 2020, but
as parkruns grew in number over the years a Christmas Day run was an option
which was not adopted by all core volunteer teams and in many cases ruled out by
park owners who traditionally gave park-keepers their only day off all year.
At a personal level some of our members have made a parkrun a part of their
Christmas for many years while others have never got involved and some have run
on 25th December for the first time this year. Ian Cunningham (34:00) has
now done 11 Christmas Day runs at Bushy Park, every year available since 2010.
Chris Kelly (46:24) has collected a total of eight visiting Woodley, Reading,
Dinton Pastures and this year California Country. Andrew Jordan (25:35)
ran at Walsall Arboretum on Christmas Day for the eighth time. Alan
Anderson was often a regular at Bushy Park (on his bike) in the early years and
did seven Xmas runs there and Bob Bannister (23:37) has now run six at either
Bushy or Crane Park.
Harjit Jhooti (33:39) was our notable tourist this week grabbing a “J”
at Jersey Farm and taking her total to 32. Steve Newell has enjoyed the
rural course in Hertfordshire three times because essential numbers for his
Wilson Index have been on offer on particular days. He is unlikely to be there
again in the next few months.
New Year’s Day is another story and we will get on to that next week.
In previous years start times varied between 08:30 and 11:00 but all runs in
England this year be at 09:00, Scotland and Northern Ireland 09:30. 5 km
parkruns in Wales have been closed down for the time being. Sunday Junior
parkruns (2km) in Wales are still allowed (max age 14).
Steve Newell
Full club parkrun database -
{read access to
club parkrun database} - Download and explore (this is where I get most of
my club stats from).
Club Event Map:
[Clickable link to Google Maps]
Whilst Di Smith may have had 1,602 parkrunners finish ahead of her that hasn't
made her the lowest place finisher for the club. Ian Cunningham has that honour,
gained at Bushy on Christmas Day in 2019, finishing in 2,189th place (and with
over 250 behind him). Neil Frediani was 1,957th that day. Ian again and also
Chris Kelly have also finished lower than 1,603rd at North Beach in South
Africa.
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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