Today's Runner Winter League Hampshire Division 2005-06 Reports
Race Report for QE Country Park Race
Hi everyone,
Today we had a great turn out at the 2nd Today's Runner XC event at Queen
Elizabeth Country Park.
It was a damp and a very cold morning. But the race soon warmed us up. Course
was slightly muddier than usual. And for a change, most of the tree stumps were
marked with bright green paint. So there was no reason to fall over them..Uh,
Um, I did.
Anyway. Results are as follows:
Men:
35th Paul Barnett (Great effort! he just gets
better)
83rd Richard Cieslik
90th Doug Maclean
99th Ricky Boyes
125th Hugh Bethell
136th John Kester
180th Dave McKenzie
Women:
12th Anne Howard
15th Julie Humphries
56th Cathy Stewart
72nd Caroline Freeman
104th Julie Kingshott
The next event on the Today's Runner calendar will be either 11th or 18th
December. Hosted by Farnham Runners. This will probably be held at the Bourne
Woods. I will keep you posted when the date and Venue are confirmed.
Again well done every one, good effort. And also thanks to Roger for once again
helping out with the results.
See ya all next time.
Doug
Hi
there
The 3rd race of the Season took place this morning.
It was a crisp morning in Farnham with the temperature being on the warm side of
Freezing. The frost had firmed up the sandy bits, which made the hills only
slightly easier to get up. The mens team was led home by Barney who excelled
himself again and romped home in 28th position. We failed to get a ladies team
this time round. But its early days with 4 events to go. The results of those
that braved the cold are as follows.
Men:
28th Paul Barnett
61st Doug Maclean
75th Richard Cieslick
85th Kieth Parish
88th Ricky Boyes
Ladies:
13th Sandra Houghton
48th Caroline Freeman
Thanks to Cathy Stewart who kept the score and collected kit from the start.
That's all from me - Until Next time.
Doug
Hi
there all.
That's another one down. Despite the course change at Midhurst. There was still
no shortage of the muddy stuff. The long Sandy hill was not included on the new
course, much to the relief to those of us who ran the previuos day at Reading.
The finish was still as tough as ever. We did manage to field a team this time,
thanks to Rogers' rallying. There was also a big turnout by the other clubs
resulting in a larger than usual field size. About 300 in all. On that note here
are our results.
Men:
23rd Jon Cooper
42nd Paul Barnett
70th Doug Maclean
88th Richard Cieslik
113rd Hugh Bethell
148th Dave MacKenzie
Ladies:
10th Linsay Gannon
18th Sandra Houghton
33rd Cathy Stewart
44th Katie Wooding
78th Julie Kingshott
82nd Audrey Oram
The team Finished 8th overall out of 17 teams (5 of which were incomplete)
Well done everyone.
Regards
Doug
Race Report for Stubbington Green Race
Hi
there all you X-country fans
Today we had some of our "Big Guns" out in an attempt to promote our position in
the league. and it worked. Despite some of the leading group (and some of us
stragglers) being sent the wrong way somewhere in the woods, we ended up with 3
men inside the first 10 places. It was a cold one, and the ground was hard with
frost, so it was a bit of an ankle snapper much to the annoyance of Dave Carter
who was forced to retire with a turned ankle. Better luck next time Dave. The
good turnout resulted in our team coming 7th over all, with the men coming 4th
and the ladies 10th. Well done everyone. Here are the team results:
Men:
3rd Rob Day
6th Andrew Yarker
10th Richard Gowan
50th Elias Berhe
53rd Ben Norfolk
68th Doug Maclean
94th Richard Cieslik
150th Dave Mackenzie
Dave Carter DNF
Ladies:
8th Linsay Gannon
43rd Kate Wooding
45th Caroline Freeman
The event scheduled for 19th February has been cancelled due to conservation
work, so, The next & last event will be on Sunday 26th. February (Venue to be
announced). We will be looking for a strong performance by our team on this one.
So, go on, put it in you diaries now....
Regards
Doug
Race Report for Denmead
Striders Race
Well. That's it, the last
race of the season done..
The race today was held at Staunton Country park. The course was totally
different from the old course we loved so well. The new one was just as hard
going with plenty of that mud stuff. It was very cold before the start, but it
soon started to warm up, and once we all got going, we had plenty to keep those
muscles running hot. And to just to finish off those tired legs, the finish was
on top of what seemed a mountain (well, to some of us anyway). Our mens team
scored quite well with all being inside the 1st 100 placings. With our star
runner Richard Gowen rolling in 3rd...Well done fellas.
Anyway...Less of my waffle. On with the results..
once again we failed to put out a complete team. 1 lady short. so our position
within the league table will "probably" remain unchanged. I will confirm this
once the official results are posted..
Here's our team positions:
Men:
3rd Richard Gowen
15th Elias Berhe
40th Pual Barnett
57th Doug MacLean
89th Hugh Bethell (wow! that must be a personal best Hugh)
Ladies:
23rd Cathy Stewart
57th Julie Kingshott
May I thank all the runners who supported this race series throughout this
winter season. So, go out there have a good summer road racing season and get
yourself nice and fit for the next round this Coming October...Looking forward
to it already. Thanks again to Roger who was always there mustering up more
runners and taking our results at the end of each race..I would also like to
thank my mother, my dog, cat...Oh, hang on, I am going to far here arn't I....
On that note: That's all from me Until next Season
Doug MacLean.
Today's Runner Winter League Hampshire Division 2004-05 Reports
20th February 2005 Haslemere Race Report
Hi there, I
Its me for the very last time this season. Yipppeeee!
I hear you lament.
The last Todays runner XC race was run this morning.
Unfortunately, I was the only Alton Runner there. Now, this may be partly due to
me giving duff info in my directions. If you did try and find your way there,
and didn't find it. You should have turned right at the Hindhead traffic lights,
not Left as I instructed.
You have my sincerest appologies if you missed out.
Mind you, I had a map and I had a little trouble finding the place, along with
half the runners who did make it. The host club did promise more road signs next
year.
Anyway. The courses was shorter than usual (only 4
miles) but it did have two very serious climbs included. Felt more like a fell
race to me. The going didn't suit those with weak anckles (Barney springs to
mind here). It was a very hard surface, which was uneven, rutty and bouldery.
There was a perishingly raw and biting breeze which added to the difficulty. A
day for long sleeves and gloves.
OK. Heres my result...56th.
There may be one or two changes in next years events.
Which I hope will encourage more runners to take part.
Lets hope we are all injury free by then (Ladies).
So, that's all from me for the next 6 months, yeeeehhhaaaa!..I heard that!...
Till then. Have a good road race season.
Doug.
6th February 2005 Stubbington Green Runners Race Report
Hi there once again.
The Penultimate race was held today at Manor Park CP.
Once again, we failed to put out a team. That goes with the event clashing with
the Chichester 10k. So all the other teams were a little depleted too.
Although Carolyne Freeman turned up for the women.
She got herself a niggling injury and pulled out before the start. So it was
down to the men. All 3 of us. Both myself and Barney were running post injury so
the scores were not going to be that great. Dereck Nicholls (hello stranger)
made a rare appearance. But he too (or his spikes) became unstuck in the rocky
mud of the course. I know, I was following him and watched him slipping and
sliding on those bits. I too performed some spectacular aerobatics down by the
riverside. But I bounced and landed on my feet (or was that my head) running. So
didn't loose any places there...Anyway, enough of my drivel. Here's the team
result.
# Doug Maclean 65th
# Dereck Nicholls 77th
# Paul Barnett 84th
Regards
Doug.
16th January 2005 Midhurst Milers Race Report
Hi there everyone.
It was a damp and Misty day at Midhurst..etc etc.
We were slightly short of a team at this event. By about 4 men and 1 lady. I was
unable to run. Although a recent leg injury appeared to have improved, I had
developed some kind of Chest complaint overnight after running in the Hants XC
event Saturday. So, that was the end of that. It Never rains eh!
Anyway, The course itself was slightly shorter than usual. This was due to the
field in which the start and Finish is usually located being cultivated. So at
least that part was flatter. It was reported to me that it was muddier than
usual. Robin Day, running this course for the first time, reported that he was
in about 4th place when he was misdirected by a wrongly placed sign. He
eventually rolled in in 10 position. Next time eh!
Diane rolled in with a smile on here face. So I guess she had a good run.
Anyway. Full results are:
Men:
Robin Day 10th
Terry Newman 135th
Ladies:
Diane Byrne 8th
Caroline Freeman 55th
Well done to everone who attended.
It was confirmed that the next event is on February 6th at Manor Farm Country
Park.
Cheers
Doug
5th December 2004 Farnham Runners Race Report
As promised. Here is the team result of event at
the Bourne Wood Farnham held yesterday 5th Dec.
It was a a very mild December morning. Perfect conditions. The course was drier
than normal. Terrain Very sandy with one or two challenging climbs.
Once again, we had a good turn out for the men. But alas, we were still lacking
the ladies. Their injury problems are still on going. Just not their season I
guess. However, 1 lady did run. Shirley Worsfold. But it just was
not meant to be. She unfortunately pulled up somewhere on the course. Last
spotted by myself walking in.
The men's results are:
5th Rob Day (in ordinary trainers!..)
63rd Doug Maclean
100th John Brian
124th Paul Barnett
144th Tony Hazel
148th Ricky Boyes
172nd Terry Newman
Once again. Well done to those that ran...Look forward to seeing you all again
at the next event (Jan 16th Midhurst).
7th November 2004 Portsmouth Joggers QE Country Park Race Report
Well done our Paula just winning the
womans Marathon in stile. If you didn't see it, you missed a classic....Nail
biting stuff.
Anyway. Back to us mear mortals. We had another good mens turnout for the Todays
Runners 2nd Event at Queen Elizabeth Park today. A stirling effort was made by
our new boys, Robert Day and Andrew Yarker who finished in 5th & 6th positions.
The field this year appears to be bigger & stronger than of previous years. So
great effort boys. Unfortunately, the ladies team is still depleted by injuries
and once again we failed to put out a team. It was left down to Caroline Freeman
to fly the flag. I have now got fully over my foot injury and was able to join
in the fun. Though I still have a little way to equal my last seasons
performance.
Heres the full results:
men:
5th Robert Day
6th Andrew Yarker
44th Rob Adam
60th Doug MacLean
101st John Brian
104th Richard Cieslick
129th Hugh Bethel
131st Paul Barnett
197th Dave MacKenzie
Ladies:
61st Caroline Freeman
Caroline did volunteer to run round twice more to get the team result....!
Many Thanks to the forever present Roger, Who collected the team results at the
finish line. Well, I've gotta keep him busy.
See you all next time.
Doug.
24th October 2004 Liss Runners Durford Wood Race Report
The 1st
Event at Rogate Common has now been run.
After the downpours of Saturday. I'm sure that the ground conditions must have
been "Interesting" in places. I couldn't tell myself, as I was forced to sit
this event out due to a niggly foot injury. But despite that, I had a team of 11
men turn up. There were one or two newcommers amongst them and they reported
that they enjoyed it immensly, that really cheared me up standing on the
sideline collecting results. Unfortunately, Only 1 lady ran. Most of the ladies
team has been hit by injury problems, resulting in the club starting the league
somewhere near the bottom. But, there are 5 more events left. Here's hoping you
ladies make a good recovery.
Picture of team assembling before race:
Click Picture to enlarge
Here's our team results. Well done everyone.
Men:
9th Andrew Yarker
16th Robert Day
41st Rob Adams
76th Richard Cieslick
84th Paul barnett (Barney)
127th Steven Beckitt
132nd Tony Hazel
140th Ricky Boyes
154th Dave McKensie
160th Terry Newman
166th Alan Vallis
Ladies:
19th Teresa Burton
Below is an an archive of last years's Race Reports
Here is Doug's report of the Manor Farm race..
Race 5 of the series was run 1st February. Once again we failed to put out our full compliment of runners, hence we are now in the unrecoverable position at the bottom of the league table. There is one race left in the series scheduled for 22nd Feb at Tweseldown. Note: The Race you may have in your diaries on 7th March at Staunton CP has been taken out of the programme.
It was a fine bright morning. The course was, apart from the odd muddy bit, was fairly good going. There were the odd slippery bridges and steps to watch out for. I had a good race, I kept the pressure on to run as fast as I could (in preparation for my bid to get under 100th at next weeks Hampshire race!!!) , got round quicker than I ever have, but only managed 31st place! this was slightly disappointing for me as I felt like I'd earned a better placing for the performance I put in. This goes to say that the field at the front is a lot stronger than it has been in the last few years! Tony Hazel, unfortunately twisted his knee during the race and limped home in 100 position. Hugh Bethell...well, he gets faster all the time! In the ladies camp. Dianne, now recovered from illness ran a good race and finished in 4th place.
Here are the full placings:
Men:
31st Doug Maclean
82nd Hugh Bethell
100th Tony Hazel
115th Dave Mckensie
Ladies:
4th Diane Byrne
11th Teresa Burton
Here is Doug's report of the Midhurst race..
The race at Midhurst has been run. And yes, we had a full team this time. Thanks to Poor old Dianne who turned up not feeling too good. But very valiantly decided to run despite this...We also had a stranger in the camp, a certain Mr Graham Trott. Is this the Big come back????
The course was slightly drier than last year. But the Sandy bit was as strength sapping as ever.
Results as follows:
Men
34th Doug Maclean
75th Richard Cieslik
87th Tony Hazel
92nd Hugh Bethell
96th Giles Peckham
104th Graham Trott (Returns)
130th Dave Mckensie
138th Paul Barnet
Ladies
5th Dianne Byrne
14th Teresa Burton
49th Caroline Freeman
All in all a good effort by all. We are currently lying 12th in the league.
Here is Doug's report of the first race at Liss..
Well, the first Event has now been run....This year the course at Liss was
changed radically from the previous years. It was still as undulating as
ever, with one or two long ascents. The main difference though was the
finish had a nasty sting in the tail...The finish line was right a the top
of a very steep incline (cruel). The ground was very dry with the lack of
rain, and care had to be taken on the hard uneven surface....There were a
few nasty surprises lurking under the leaf litter too...In all, a right
"ankle" snapper. I myself ran a very good race and finished well up the
field than on previous races. Craig also put in an excellent run
considering he is not a XC fan (especially when it is wet and soggy) so he
tells me. Teresa Burton also performed well after a night on the wine
(hic!).
The results are as follows:
Men:
Doug Maclean 29th
Craig Matthews 47th
Barney 81st
Tony Hazel 96th
Geoff Hall 97th
Dave Mackenzie 133rd
Alan Valis 137th
Ladies:
Teresa Burton 11th
Carolyne Freeman 48th
Incomplete team
The scoring for incomplete teams has changed this year. The last place in
our ladies team will score as the last position in the race + 1.
Also, it was confirmed that the event Scheduled for 22 February will now be
held at Tweseldown
Thats all from me
Doug