The Magazine of Horwich RMI Harriers and Athletics Club

October - November 2004

Contents

Thank you to all our sponsors for their continued generous support in the funding of our magazine

British and English Fell Champion

Editorial

I have been unable to produce a comprehensive ‘Coming Soon’ section because I don’t know enough forth-coming race info — Captains please help me out here.

Thanks to Gordon Stone and Chris Heys for their work on the web site.

Important Dates

• 27th Nov, RRXC (Marl Pits, Rossendale)

• 4th Dec, SELXC Salford (Boggart Hole Clough, Manchester)

• 11th Dec, GMXC (Heaton Park, Manchester)

• 12th Dec, Calderdale Way Relay, Halifax

• 18th Dec, SELXC Leigh (Lilford Park, Leigh)

• 8th Jan 05, RRXC Bolton (Moss Bank Park, Bolton)

Coming Soon

I need section captains to send me details of forth coming races so that I can add them in here — having said that if you the club member know of a good little race that we could all get involved in then let us all know by using this space.

Date, Time, Place, Distance (climbing if available or relevant) and some runners have asked about winning times to gauge whether it may be suitable for them.  So any info would be good

** Greater Manchester XC at Heaton park on the 11th December — let me know if you want to run **

Fell Section

Jackson Family Come Good

Meanwhile nephew Rob continues to run well finishing second in the Radcliffe 6.5 mile Trail Race and three days later, he finished an excellent third in the Blackburn 10K Road Race.  The Radcliffe race took place after heavy downpours, making conditions extremely waterlogged.  To make matters worse Rob was leading at about half way but unfortunately was bitten by a dog and had to stop and lost precious time.  Nevertheless he continued and finished in an excellent second place.  His second place in the tough Blackburn 10K, part of the 12 event Sweatshop Challenge with your best eight races to count, means Rob has now completed six races and is currently leading the men’s standings.  Meanwhile Horwich’s Karen Hutchinson also ran well to finish first over 35 and she now leads the Challenge having completed seven races so far.

The recent weather has proved a challenge in its self and severe flooding meant the unavoidable late cancellation of the August Jubilee Road Race.  The organisers apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused.  As a result the series of four races was cut to three.

Borrowdale Fell Race (07/08/04)
 

Radcliffe 6.5 mile Trail Race (12/08/04)
 

Classy Fell Performance

Gareth

English Fell Championship

Gareth

Road Section

Jubilee Road Race Series

The ladies had some equally impressive performances with Marie Lowe winning the series, Suzanne Budgett 3rd overall and 1st vet 40, Gaynor Higson 5th overall and 2nd vet 35.  Linda Webb back with the club and training hard completed her first Jubilee for a while with a very creditable 10 place overall and 2nd vet 40.  This also enabled the ladies to finish the series as ladies champions - well done.

Gareth

Blackburn 10K Road Race (15/08/04)
 

Sale Sizzler 5K Road Race (12/08/04)
 

Horwich Team Double in Final Central Lancs Grand Prix

Freary Wins at Haigh Hall Five

Horwich RMI Harrier Adrian Selby was a terrific third in 26.46.  By far the quickest lady was Horwich’s Lisa Heyes who finished a tremendous ninth overall in a time of 28.42. Gaynor Higson ran well and finished first lady over 35.

Charity Section

The Joss Naylor Lakeland Challenge

So...
In the year in which my twin sister, Margaret, and I turned 50, our nephew, Conor, was diagnosed with Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy.  This is a degenerative condition for which there is no cure.  Conor could expect to be wheelchair-bound by the age of 10 and he has a life expectancy of about 20 years.

Challenge...
Margaret and I were determined to attempt this challenge with the aim of raising money to support research into treatment for boys suffering from this sex-linked genetic condition.

Result...
Over the last three years, we have spent many weekends in the Lakes, checking out details of each part of the route and this year we were both fit enough to attempt the challenge.  The encouragement of so many Horwich Harriers, who offered support, gave us the confidence we needed and a date was set.

On Saturday 21st August, after a week of rain, the weather was perfect.  Jeff Holloway and Neil Wrigley accompanied us on the first leg.  We had planned a slow start to ‘warm up’ but nevertheless our fine navigators found the optimum lines and we made good time, arriving 16 minutes ahead of schedule at Kirkstone Inn.

The road support team of Andy White, Alan and Clare Huyton, Sheila Norris and John Blakelock were well prepared with tea and sandwiches ready.  We were also greeted by Monica Shone (the coordinator of the challenge) as we enjoyed a 6 minute rest before setting off up Red Screes with Jeff, Peter Watson, Geraldine Walkington and Neil Shuttleworth in support.  We were kept well supplied with food, drink and banter as we made our way to Hart Crag (a familiar route to all those who have run the last leg of the Ian Hodgson relay).  From the next top, Fairfield, we had magnificent views of the whole route - Great Gable stood proud and frighteningly distant ahead of us.  Peter Walkington met us on the descent and found the only track through the head-high bracken to bring us rapidly down from Seat Sandal to the road at Dunmail Raise.  Jeff had done us proud, bringing us in another 8 minutes up and he was now due a well-earned rest.

The trusty road support team were ready again and we were also delighted to see Edwin Coope, who had given us help in preparing the schedule, and Trevor Dibben, who had supported us on our Bob Graham Round eight years ago.

After 5 minutes we were ready for the climb up Steel Fell with Paul Murray, Steve Barlow and Suzanne Budgett heavily laden with food, drink and spare clothes.  This was a mentally tough leg, with difficult ground for running and a long way to go, but this team were more than a match for it, with Paul giving me a stern reminder of the ‘first rule of fell running’, and, after a hair-raising descent of Great End we arrived at Stye Head with an extra 4 minutes in hand.

Thanks to Jane and Ian Derbyshire, we were able to sit down and enjoy our 8 minute break, chatting to all those who had walked up to greet us.  Great Gable held no fears as we made our way up the steps with Paul, Colin Jones and his hound in support.  We were so grateful for Paul’s generosity in supporting us on the toughest legs as his confidence in our ability had been the real inspiration for our attempt.  Over the final 6 summits, Colin was fantastic in encouraging both of us to keep drinking and he even found food we could eat.  I found the last few descents tough, but Margaret was flying by then and our spirits were really lifted when we saw Jeff and Joss himself flagging the final descent through the bracken to the bridge at Greendale.

With a fantastic team of husbands, family and friends to support us we enjoyed a marvellous day on the hills, completing the run in 13 hours and 22 minutes.  We are the first twins and only the fourth and fifth women to be successful.  The sensitivity of all our supporters as to how we were managing and what we needed was amazing and we could not have completed the challenge without them.

If you would like to make a donation for research into Muscular Dystrophy please contact me.  Thank you.

Mary White
mpw@holycross.ac.uk

Overseas Section

Harriers at World Mountain Running Championships

Sydney Striders 10K

Gareth

Committee Meetings

August 2004

Appointment of Peter Schofield as Vice President
Peter will now be formally asked.

Community Coach scheme
The Chairman has spoken with Natalie Wood who has confirmed if we support this scheme she will assist us in obtaining funding for this.  Letter has therefore been sent off confirming our support subject to funding.

Link into schools with website
The committee felt that we need to ensure our site is fully updated prior to doing this.

Secretary’s Report
New members-Karl Ward, Rachel Metcalfe, Justine Barlow, Andrew Rhodes, William Humphreys and Maria Lowe (seniors), Daniel Rhodes (junior) – all accepted.

Treasurer’s Report
Brendan has completed a financial statement.  A book system is to be introduced at the track on Tuesdays to ensure all members pay and the Chairman has written to the Arena to reduce the time booked for sessions which will reduce the costs.  The Tour will be reviewed after next year which is expected to be a big event.  Stock levels have also been reviewed and it is felt occasional sale done to encourage members to purchase items.

RAR Sub Committee report
Peter Ramsdale met with Peter Watson and Paul Hesketh and Peter Watson has now resigned from position of editor with John Coupe also resigning as distributor.  Peter R suggested we continue with RAR in its present format for a few months but at the same time try and put it on the website.

Any other Business
Jimmy Niblett has been approached by Country Life to do an article and whilst he will receive payment for this the cheque will be sent to Horwich Harriers.  Suggested and agreed this is returned to him.

Date for Downhill advised as being 12/8/04.

Dates for X/C in RAR apart from last one for each league which were still awaiting confirmation.

Desperate need for marshals with the Triathlon plus we also need to arrange our own referees which Tony is arranging.  Entries very low for this time of year despite having the aquathon although the event will still go ahead and the entry form is to be put on our website.

September 2004

Resignations from James Carter and Andy Claughan.

Treasurer's Report
That it is agreed the Bank Account is to be transferred from Nat West to Barclays following poor service from Nat West and convenience of location of Barclays.

Any Other Business
Honours Board has now been sorted although he is to contact Sue Jones to see if this can be held at the Arena.  It was suggested that we perhaps take back responsibility for the minibus which could leave us in a difficult situation re insurance and MOT etc.  The Chairman will speak to the school although we are unsure of the actual ownership of the bus which Norman will investigate.  Some suggestions were that we get a separate sponsor for the bus or alternatively rent out the bus on a commercial basis to cover the costs

Some X/C entries received.  Problems with the Triathlon with marshals not turning up and the Leisure Centre not opening on time.  Whilst not many of the competitors would have noticed these problems.  Thanks were minuted to the organising committee of the triathlon for all their hard work in particular to the Ramsdale family.

Eddie Swift has now done his run and donations will be gratefully received.

A booklet has been picked up on minibus driving aimed at charities and covering useful points for drivers which will be kept with our bus.

The English Championship race was at the weekend and Horwich vets secured Gold medals.  3 Harriers raced recently at the World Mountain race in Italy, Steve Barlow was 49th in his category, Steve Jackson 14th and Tony Hesketh 4th.

Brinscall Tri are hiring our bike racking this weekend and will be donating £50.

C Foster has been looking at the track and field records and thanked the Chairman for 17 years of RARs.  Carl has now produced a first draft which he has asked members to look at and let him know of any updates.

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