The Magazine of Horwich RMI Harriers and Athletics Club

December 2004

Contents

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

Our U18 British Fell Champion

Editorial

There has been much discussion about the RAR in recent weeks as formats change and methods of distribution are altered.  I stated in a RAR a few months ago that whilst this process was taking place please accept our apologies for any changes in normal service.  I think that we have some progress with the layout, but it still isn’t perfect.  This month I hope that the articles are more ‘up-to-date’ and that all submitted articles are now included.  As the process is more finely tuned then this too will improve.  The Internet version is also not as I would like it yet, but again I think we are moving in the right direction.  More feedback please.

Pete Ramsdale

Coming Soon
 

Fell Section

World Masters Mountain Running Championship
Sauze D'Oulx, Italy 28 August

By Tony Hesketh

This year the Masters were held in Italy at the beautiful town of Sauze D'Oulx which in 2006 will host the Winter Olympics.  There were three of us this year taking part Steve Barlow, Steve Jackson and myself.  The journey there took us eleven hours with a mixture of car, train and plane but was nevertheless worthwhile.  After recceing the course we knew the race would be tough.  A circuit of the town of approximately 1K was followed by a tough climb of just under 5k,then a descent of 1K before a final climb of just over 1K up a ski piste that only a few could run.  With the start being at 1360 metres and the finish at 2137 metres we were running at altitude for half of the race.  The weather was very hot with not much wind and road shoes were used by nearly everyone.  The races started at twenty minute intervals with men and women running together although categories were five years apart i.e. fifty year old women running with the fifty five year old men.

I managed to finish 4th after a good race and although disappointed at the time to just miss out on a medal I have since accepted that I could not have done anything to improve on this.  If team medals had been awarded we would have walked it with England having first, fourth and fifth.  Next year in Keswick there is a strong possibility that team medals will be awarded.

Steve Jackson in the over fifty race suffered in the heat but still finished first for England in fourteenth place.  The surprise run of the day was by Steve Barlow after very limited training he finished 49th but with the fastest time of the three of us.

Thieveley Pike,  25 September
4 miles 1000 ft

By Tony Hesketh:

There were five harriers at this race with some using it as a warm up for the following week's Ian Hodgson Relay.  Simon Bailey of Mercia led from gun to the tape winning easily in a fast time just over a minute outside the course record.  First to finish for us was new father James Logue in sixth after a good run with Graham Schofield in twelfth, third over forty after a steady race.  Neil Wrigley racing again after the birth of his daughter ran well holding off Tony Hesketh who was first over fifty by ten seconds.  Nice to see Frank Wood racing and making up the team.

Ian Hodgson Mountain Relay, 3 October

By Gareth Hughes:

The Ian Hodgson Mountain Relay (25 miles, 8500’ ascent) saw our veteran team finish a superb third overall and first veterans.  The team certainly took full advantage of the low cloud cover as many other teams struggled to come to terms with the poor visibility and heavy conditions.  It was a chilly day and fortunately the heavy downpours held off till most of the leading teams had finished.  The relay is run over four legs in pairs and the team of Graham Schofield and Steve Jackson (Leg 1), Tony Hesketh and Kev Gaskell (Leg 2), Steve Barlow and Rob Haworth (Leg 3) and Neil Wrigley and Rob Green performed absolutely superbly to finish as veteran champions.  Legs 1, 3 and 4 involved genuine mountain terrain whilst Leg 2 was still a very testing route.  The Horwich men’s team repeated last year’s 11th place whilst the ladies’ team finished 63rd after some navigational problems on Leg 3.

Ladies report by Mary White:

The Ladies fell section is still going strong, despite the fact that this season we have not fielded a team in the English Championships.  Welcome additions to our team for this event were the two Rachels.  Not only did they lower the average age of the team considerably, but also they put fear into the minds of our competitors when they saw the strength we can now draw on.  Fortunately the first two legs of the relay were completed in good weather conditions, but the pairs on legs 3 and 4 did not fare so well.  By the end, the torrential rain, low lying mist and high winds made for horrendous conditions and we were pleased to see everyone return safely.

British Fell Relays, Hayfield, 16 October

By Gareth Hughes:

The 16th UKA British Fell and Hill Running Relay Championships, staged at Kinder Reservoir in the Peak District, saw the Horwich over 40’s men’s team take the silver medals in the veterans team category.  The four stage event covered nearly 29 miles with over 8000 feet of climbing, involving footpaths, tracks and open moorland.  Leg 1 (6.29 miles, 1660’ ascent) saw Horwich’s Darren Kay finish an excellent 10th for the senior men’s team.  Paul Muller came 44th for the Horwich veteran team.  Leg 2 (8.88 miles, 2674’ ascent) saw the vets pairing of Steve Barlow and Kev Gaskell record the fifth fastest time for a veteran team on this stage, bringing the vets team up to 23rd overall and only three places behind the senior team.  Tony Hesketh and Mark Seddon had a superb run on leg 3 (7.39 miles, 2090’ ascent navigational stage) to take the vets up to sixth place.  Their run was the third fastest by any team on leg 3 and also the fastest by any veteran pairing.  Brendan Bolland and James Logue finished leg 3 just behind for the senior team in seventh place.  The final leg (6.29miles, 1660’ ascent) saw Steve Jackson run the 10th fastest time and third fastest veteran time to bring the vets team home in sixth pace overall and just one place behind the winning veteran team from Clayton-Le-Moors.  The senior men’s team finished a very creditable ninth overall.  The Horwich ladies team of S.Norris (Leg 1), S.Budgett and S.Jones (Leg 2), R.Murray and G.Walkington (Leg 3) and M.White (Leg 4) finished an excellent eighth out of the 17 ladies teams that completed the event.

Ladies report by Mary White:

What a difference a fortnight makes!  The weather was perfect – much to Ros Murray’s disgust as she was hoping for a real pea-souper and fun amongst the peat troughs of Kinder on the navigation leg.  The organisation and management of the whole event was superb, with excellent routes planed for all the courses.  The team was only finalised in the last few days and, as usual, everyone was amazingly cooperative as the legs were chopped and changed.  We seem to have got it right as we had one of our best performances in the championships, finishing eighth out of seventeen teams, this year.  I would like to thank all the ladies who participated in these events and especially Suzanne Budgett for her help in organising the teams.  Advance Notice: Mary Towneley Relay – 6th February 2005.  We will be looking to repeat our winning performance in this event next year, so please contact me if you wish to be part of the successful team.

David Staff Memorial Fell Race, 28 November

By Chris Heys

On a cold and sunny November morning Horwich put in a fine performance to take first team prize from a field of 117 in this 5m/900' race up to Darwen Tower.  With Darren Kay in 4th place and Chris Heys in 7th it was an all out sprint to the finish line for 10th place between Matthew Tickle and Kev Gaskell for Horwich's 3rd team counter.  Matthew proved fell running is a young man's game - just, but Kev was more than compensated with the first M40 prize (sorry Kev - spend your voucher wisely but we got the beers!)  Also out for Horwich were Paul Boardman in 31st, and Rachel Metcalfe in 72nd - the 5th lady finisher.

The KIMM Experience

By Rachel Metcalfe

Brecon 2004 was my fifth KIMM experience and it was my most enjoyable for two reasons.  The first has something to do with a finishing position of 18th overall with 685 points.  The second is because I feel physically fitter this year as a result of turning up on Tuesday nights for the track sessions.  The norm is for my sister Ruth to annually bark orders at me to get a move on (she calls it encouragement!), but not this year.

When preparing for the KIMM I try not to focus a great deal on the specifics of the competition until I arrive at the first night camp (well a farmer’s boggy field with or without the sheep removed) since I know that at some stage during the two day event I will feel pain, the cold or both.  With the tent pitched soon after arrival on the Friday night it’s hot pasta and coffee before turning in for our scheduled start of 8:07am on Saturday morning.  For those who hate getting up early then the KIMM is not going to be your ‘prettiest’ race unless you get a good night’s rest on a camp bed.  Then again I’m not sure it worked for Kevan!

With a stomach full of coffee and porridge, and the tent packed all before 8 o’clock it was off to the start line for the Medium Score Class.  We used to compete in the C Class but got fed up pitching our tent in the dark after day 1.  The Medium Score event has time constraints attached to it (6 hours day 1 and 5 hours day 2) so at least there is some degree of daylight in the air after completing the course which incidentally is up to individual teams to self select checkpoints throughout.  The down side is that teams are penalised if they return late to a given final checkpoint.  The Medium Score is therefore somewhat of a gamble.  Do we visit an extra checkpoint to gain additional points verses getting in well before time?

I always feel much better once the first checkpoint is in the bag.  This is shortly followed by the thought as to why did I pack so much kit as I plod up the next mountainside.

Unusually so this year, the weather was mild for October instead of extremely cold and wet.  It was a pleasant surprise not to compete over frosty ground, in a biting cold wind and horizontal rain.  The conditions added to a very pleasing first day – positioned 28th with 10 minutes to spare.

This was the mid point camp so it was up with the tent, stoves on and warm tea the first priorities.  Normally, due to the weather, competitors jump straight into tents, cook under canvas and hibernate until the morning of day 2.  What a change this year.  People drank tea and chatted well into the night.  I was also pleased to find fellow Horwich club members, namely Kevan Latham and Dennis Mason who successfully completed the Long Score Class and Kate and Andy Porter, who also completed the Medium Score.

It was a long night squashed into a tiny tent which was made even longer by the clocks going back - the only time you didn’t want an extra hour in bed.  I peeped out of my tent the next day and was concerned to see mist sitting on the hills – we would have to be careful with our navigation.  It was however, still very good weather for the time of year.  A slightly later start time of 9:00am for day 2 saw us set off slightly sore and without major concern.  We had another good day by successfully negotiating enough checkpoints, running more than day 1 and even ‘sprinting’ to the finish line.

So that’s it for another year.  Our accumulated points score resulted in a final position of 2nd female pair and a Gold standard award.  Well done to all the other Horwich members who competed in Brecon and I’m sure we’ll all be back in 2005 for more torture and horizontal rain, with or without the camp beds!

Other Results:

A Class: Mary White & Margaret Huyton, 15 hours 39.05 (3rd Ladies & 1st Female vets)

Medium Score: Kate & Andy Porter, 11 hours 14.14 (4th Mixed team; Silver standard)

Race You To The Summit, 31 October

Horwich RMI Harrier Darren Kay continues to show excellent form on the fells, this time recording an impressive victory in the Race You To The Summit fell race.  Starting and finishing at the Summit Inn, Todmorden Road near Littleborough, the 4 mile race, involves over 800’ of climbing and some very rough conditions underfoot particularly in the first and last half miles.  The race saw very low cloud cover and was heavy going in places.  Darren ran superbly to lead the Horwich men to team glory, with Rob Jackson running well to finish fourth in this his fourteenth consecutive year and Chris Heys not far behind in sixth.  Indeed, with Matthew Tickle seventh and Kev Gaskell eighth, Horwich had a terrific five finishers in the top ten.  Chris Seddon ran well to finish seventeenth in his first race back after injury.

Road Section

Harriers Qualify for National Road Relay Championships
25th September

Horwich RMI Harrier men’s and ladies’ teams both qualified for the National Road Relay Championships to be held in Birmingham following top twenty placing in the Northern Road Relay Championships.  The men’s Six Stage and the ladies’ Four Stage events were held at Blackpool, with the Horwich men finishing a terrific 16th out of 53 teams to complete the relay and the ladies finishing a superb 14th out of 40 teams.  Fastest over the men’s 4.1 mile course was Road Captain Colin Rigby in a time of 20.52, whilst junior Rachel Thompson was quickest for the ladies and a terrific seventh fastest lady on leg 3, over the 2.6 mile ladies’ course, in a time of 16.16.  Both Adrian Selby and Paul Muller clocked identical times of 21.48 for the A team, whilst Brendan Bolland ran a superb leg of 21.49 for the men’s B team.  Considering this was a road event run on tarmac, on a generally flat course along the promenade with only one real incline, this was a great performance from fell specialist Brendan.

Our ladies certainly did the business at these relays, finishing 14th, 24th and 33rd in the three teams that we entered, out of a total 40 teams running on the day.  It’s always hard to pick out individual runs, but I will mention the run of Karen, improved or what.  In addition, to Shirley and Nicola, coming in at the last minute to run.  A big thank you to all the ladies that ran.

Well done ladies, until next time - Norman and Steve.

Burnley Fire Station Five

Rob Jackson finished an excellent second in 39.30 in the testing Burnley Fire Station 7 Mile Road Race behind the winner Rick Hayman of Sale in 37.48.

22nd New Forest Half Marathon
Sunday 19th September

By Gaynor & Keith

Following a hectic period of local road races, coupled with the Club Road Championships and the Central Lancs Grand Prix, it was refreshing to go and do a race where we could run relaxed and enjoy the race for its own sake.  No pressure, we knew that we would be 1st Horwich Man and 1st Horwich Lady, so, we drove almost 300 miles to the South coast to park our motor home just outside Milford-On-Sea on a site about 5 miles from the start in New Milton.

With stunning coastal views of the Solent and Isle of Wight the paths and tracks provided ideal post race training runs during the rest of the week down there.  With a full marathon and children’s fun run in tandem it must be said that the organisation and warm hospitality of New Forest Runners and all their helpers was second to none, a true community effort and one of the best races that we have ever attended.

A true spectacle of almost 1400 runners winding out of the town centre to run through picturesque villages and forest roads into the New Forest itself.  The only problem as we ran this scenic run was if Gaynor would want to keep stopping to pat the New Forest ponies that loved to follow the race where our paths crossed.  Not completely flat but very runnable, the race makes its way back into New Milton to finish at the leisure centre to be greeted by drinks and bananas.  This race raises around £16,000 for local charities and is certainly one that we will do again another time.

Horwich Ladies Excel in City of Salford 5 Miler
28 November

Karen Hutchinson, Denise Wakefield, Linda Leyland and Alwyn Edwards all performed well in the City of Salford Ladies 5 Mile Road Race (nearer 5¼ miles).  A cold and windy day greeted the runners but at least it was a flat course.

Karen finished in the top ten and an excellent first over 35; Denise a terrific second over 50; Linda 5th over 45 and newcomer Alwyn 3rd over 55 in a field of over 300 runners.

Green Drive 5 Mile Road Race, 16 October

Colin Rigby continues to record some excellent performances, finishing fourth in the Green Drive 5 Mile Road Race near Lytham on an extremely windy day.  Rob Jackson ran well to finish eighth and consolidated his overall lead in this the latest race in the Sweatshop Challenge Series.  Karen Hutchinson was an excellent first over 35 and second lady, and like Rob consolidated her overall series lead.

AAA National Relays & Gin Pit 5, 23 October

A depleted Horwich men’s team did well to finish 43rd out of 63 teams in the AAA of England National Six Stage Road Relay Championships at Sutton Park in Birmingham.  The team of Rowlands, Selby, Duckworth, Bolland, D.Kay and Roby all did themselves proud in what is a top quality event.

Cross Country Section

The first of this season’s Red Rose Cross Country fixtures was held at Bury.  Conditions were good with most of the course firm under foot although there was still plenty of mud on certain sections of the undulating park course.  There was a tremendous turn out of Harriers with some 30 men and 15 ladies from the club taking part as well as 12 juniors.

Red Rose Bury – Ladies
9th October

By Marie Holden

Horwich Ladies were off to a flying start at the first fixture of the season with Jan Rashleigh and Suzanne Budgett taking first and second place.  Gaynor Higson was our third counter in 10th place with Karen Smout hot on her heels in 11th place.  Vicky Snape closely followed to take 12th place and 2nd Junior.  Julie Howarth ran well finishing in 14th place.  Sarah Gorman ran strongly to place in the top 20 in 17th place as did Rachel Metcalfe in her first cross country in Horwich colours to place 19th.  Next home for Horwich was Kate Porter in 26th place followed by Nicola Guffog in 29th place.  Linda Webb followed in 31st with Chris Bradley in 38th.  Jane Derbyshire ran well finishing in 41st place and 2nd lady vet 45.  Soldiering on with an injury Christine Sweatman came in 54th place and 3rd lady vet 45 and I completed the ladies squad in 56th place.

We placed first ladies team overall just ahead of Clayton-le-Moors and first ladies vets team.

Well done everyone on a terrific start to the season.

Red Rose Bury – Mens

Colin Rigby continues to perform well and was our first counter in the men’s race, finishing an excellent fifth.  Hot on his heels were Paul Roby in sixth and Darren Kay in seventh.  The victorious team of six was completed by Graham Schofield in twelfth (first man over 45), Rob Haworth in seventeenth and Steve Barlow in nineteenth.  These three along with Neil Wrigley also helped to secure the men’s over 40 team victory.  Tony Hesketh was a splendid first over 55 in thirty fourth place.

Red Rose Bury – Juniors

Horwich’s best placed junior was Beth Faulkner in the Under 13’s Girls’ Race, finishing an excellent third and only eleven seconds behind the winner.  Jo Christopher ran really well to finish a terrific fourth place in the Under 15’s Boy’s Race and he was only nine seconds behind the winner.

SE Lancs League - Ladies
16 October

By Marie Holden

Once again Horwich ladies were off to an excellent start with this first fixture of SEL with Janet Rashleigh leading the way in first place.  Marie Lowe ran well finishing in 5th place but unfortunately is not yet able to count for the Horwich team.  Our second counter was Gaynor Higson who rang strongly to finish in 8th place.  Karen Smout had an excellent run to place 10th.  Nicola Guffogg ran well finishing just outside the top 20 in 21st place.  Next in was Christine Bradley in 37th place.  Angela Christopher made an excellent debut for Horwich in her first ever race to place 43rd.  Jane Derbyshire followed in 46th place with Chris Sweatman in 67th completing the Horwich squad on the day.

We placed first ladies team overall, first ladies team over 35 and fourth ladies team over 40.

Ladies Overall Cross-Country Championship 2004-2005

Ten races, best nine to count.  20 points for the first runner, down to one point for the 20th position and all others.

• RED ROSE RACE 1, 2, 3 and 4

• SEL RACE 1, 2, 3 and 4

• THE NORTHERN CHAMPIONSHIP bonus 10 points

• THE ENGLISH NATIONAL bonus 10 points

• THE CLUB CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP, to be included in Red Rose Race 4 at Moss Bank Park, Bolton on 8 January 2005.

Marie Holden
Ladies Cross Country Captain

General Section

Web Site Photos

As we plan to add more photos to the club web site, should any parents NOT wish their child to have their pictures included please let your coach or the RAR editor know.

Training Tops For Sale

We have some long-sleeved Triathlon Tops for sale.  They are this year's (2004), white with logos on the arms and chest.  Ideal for winter training all sizes, price £5 each.
Contact Tony Hesketh 01204 668183

Subscriptions

Your subs for the year 2004-05 were due after the AGM in October.  Please make sure that you have paid your subs ASAP.  The club is about to remind unpaid members, so please save us the postage and hassle — pay it now — Thanks.

Runners Profiles

You may have noticed that there are runners profiles appearing on the web site.  If you haven’t seen them, have a look.  How do they get there?  Well you can submit any details about yourself (including a picture if you are not there already) and it will appear soon afterwards.  Also if you have a better picture then submit that too.  Sorry can’t change PB’s to make them look better — Ed

Club Merchandise For Sale

RIVINGTON PIKE RACE YELLOW LONG SLEEVED TRAINING TOPS
Ideal for lady or older junior runner
Only 2 Small left now (Retail in shops @ £15 - £20)
Only:- £ 7.00 each (cost price)

HORWICH HARRIERS & AC COFFEE MUGS
(2 for £5.00) or £3.00 each

HORWICH HARRIERS & AC CAR or WINDOW STICKERS
Only :- £1.00 each (extra 20p if posted)

All the above items are available from Keith Makin
Telephone No 01204 692 233

Track & Field

Juniors

Well the summer season has now well and truly ended and its been quite a year with the Juniors performing well in the Young Athletes League and the combined Junior and Senior team also holding their own in the Cheshire League.

Below are a few results which missed previous Runarounds, just to bring you up to date.

Well the summer is now over so that must be the end of the Track season!  Well no, not exactly!

Firstly we are now in discussion with various leagues over competition for next year.  With the track scene expanding as it has over the last 12 months and with some promising up and coming juniors we need to make sure that we compete in leagues that offer optimum competition for all.  Consequently next year we will still continue to compete in the Young Athletes League for the juniors but we have decided, after several years in the Cheshire league that the Mid Lancs league will suit our needs better.  It still offers the same range of competition as the Cheshire league but with the added bonus of an end of season trophy meeting.

In addition, for the first time, Horwich RMI will be looking to enter a combined Senior Mens and Womens team in the Northern League providing an excellent opportunity for anyone aged under 17 and over.  Just to wet your appetite, since the end of the summer season, I've been busy updating the Clubs track and field records and these are enclosed for your interest.  There are some excellent records here but it also shows some areas that the club can no doubt improve upon.  If you know of any amendments please send them to me at the email address below.

Finally there is a full Indoor season of competitions making full use of the excellent facilities at Sportcity, Sheffield and Birmingham.  I enclose a provisional list that I will update fully for the next edition.

Just before I finish this article I would just like to say a big thank you to all the club officials, helpers and parents who made this summer so successful and enjoyable; and of course a big thank you and well done to all those who competed.

All the best,
Carl
email: belinda.keating@btinternet.com

Pendle Annual Open Meeting, 5 September

On what was probably the hottest day of 2004 (in the North West certainly) Carl Foster and Rebecca Keating took part in the Pendle Annual Open Meeting.

Rebecca achieved 2 personal bests in 100m sprint - 15.7, and Shot - 5.36m and also came 3rd in the High Jump with a jump of 1.10m, and was awarded a bronze medal (U13 Age group)

Carl Foster romped home with a 1st position in Javelin (Seniors) with a massive 33.52m throw.  He was awarded with a Gold plaque for this outstanding performance.  He also took part in the Discuss with a throw of 18.81m and Shot 8.35m.

Sportshall Meeting, 7 November
At The Dome, Platt Lane, Manchester

By Lesley Cochrane

The best turnout for a Sportshall meeting ever – 31 Horwich RMI Harriers from 8 to 15 years competed in this very competitive event.

In many of the age ranges especially the U15 boys and girls, Horwich came out in the top 3 places for both the A and B runners/jumpers.

Most of the events were covered easily because of the number of athletes – we were only missing a few competitors from the under 11 girls and boys and under 13 boys, but we still managed to achieve very good results from the ones who did compete.

The vocal support from both the athletes and parents was deafening and proved to be an added weapon in Horwich’s fight to do well.

The results speak for themselves.  Can we keep this up and be even better for the next meeting?

Burnley Under 11 Meeting, 25 July

By Lesley Cochrane

On 25th July two Horwich Harriers raced at the under 11 medal meeting in Burnley.  Tiffany and Natasha Dacre competed as an under 11 and an under 8 in terrible weather and managed to come away with a brace of medals.

U11 75m Tiffany Dacre (2nd) 12.00 secs
U8 50m Natasha Dacre (3rd) 12.01 secs
Cricket Ball Natasha Dacre (3rd) 13.5m
Long Jump Natasha Dacre (2nd) 2.25m

Tiffany and Natasha really enjoyed the experience of a race meeting. Well Done to both of them!

Blackpool Medal Meeting, 12th September

We had a fantastic turn out for the first of two Medal meetings to be held at Blackpool in September.  Although the weather was not in the athletes' favour everybody had a good day.

Congratulations to Beth Pilkington, Bruce Pilkington and William Green for their magnificent achievements in winning medals!

Belinda Keating

Trafford Medal Meeting, 30 August

We had an excellent turn out for the Trafford Medal meeting on Bank Holiday Monday.  Everybody performed extremely well and Medals were in abundance.

Blackpool Medal Meeting, 26th September

What a day we had!  Medals, races, PB’s, and then about 29 hungry Horwich Harriers (athletes and their families) had fish and chips at Bispham Country Kitchen café.  We finished off a great day with a run and play on the beach (some even had an involuntary paddle) and a final walk through the tableaux’s at the top end of the Illuminations.

The results from this meeting cemented Horwich Harriers position as an track and field athletic club to watch out for in the future.  The performances from athletes that are representing the club show what an improvement has been made in the last 12 months.

Well done to all the athletes - 7 medals and new PB’s.  What a way to end the season.
Thank you to all the coaches who have put so much time and effort into the young people of Horwich RMI Harriers.  Bring on the track and field season 2005.

Warrington Open Medal Meeting, 15th August
MEDALS GALORE

A squad of young Horwich athletes competed at the Warrington Open Medal Meeting on Sunday 15th August.

It was off to a flying start in the 75m sprints with Adam Ekubia grabbing a bronze medal in the U9 boys in 12.4, followed by Connor Loftus taking silver in the U11 boys with a time of 11.9.  Lexi Cochrane just missed a medal with a PB of 11.1 in the U13 girls.

Meanwhile in the U13 girls High Jump Rebecca Keating won a silver medal with a PB of 1.20, also achieving a grade 4.

The day just got better and better, helped by the unusually dry weather (some of us even went home with slightly pink shoulders).  Gold medals were won by Adam Ekubia in the U9 boys Long Jump (also a PB by 61cm), Chiddi Onwudike in the U13 girls 150m and Becky Norris in the U15 girls 75m Hurdles.

Silvers were won by Adam again in the U9 boys 150m, Connor Loftus in the U11 boys Cricket ball, Chiddi again in the U13 girls Shot, Lauren Ashton in the U15 girls High Jump (also a PB - 1.35) and Mark Hammnet in the U15 boys 400m.

Bronze medals went to Jordan Lowe in the U11 boys 600m, Chiddi in U13 girls Long Jump, Becky Norris in U15 girls 100m and Lauren Ashton in U13 girls 75m Hurdles and 200m.

Congratulations to Adam, Chiddi and Lauren who all won 3 medals each.

Well done to everybody, even those who not lucky enough to win medals but nevertheless had great performances.

Junior Meet, Sheffield, 27 November
 

Horwich RMI Indoor Track and Field Fixtures 2004/2005
 

Committee Notes

October 2004

Matters Arising
Sub Committee re RAR:- It is hoped that the October RAR will be the last to be produced in the current form.  Members are to be asked to see if they wish to continue receiving hardcopy or how many are happy to access via the web site.

Secretary’s Report
New members: Edwards and Lawrence Jordan seniors, Peter Jordan, Jessica Stanners, Beth Rothwell, Rebecca Phipps and Sally Turner (juniors) - all accepted.

Treasurer’s Report
The Jubilee did not make a profit this year due to the last race having to be cancelled.  The Tour will make a profit next year and Andy Shaw was able to confirm the National 5K road race and Northern 5k are both confirmed and very likely to also get Masters 5K

Any Other Business
The Arena have agreed to allow us to put the Honours Board up.  Also a request for a picture from each coach to go on the website which has now been updated and everybody who had visited the site felt an excellent job had been done with this.  Thanks minuted to Norman and Chris Heys for their hard work with this.

A letter has been written to Horwich Leisure Centre and Bolton Metro Leisure Services re the poor service for the Triathlon and both have responded apologising Leigh Harriers have now offered to put on the last SEL fixture this year which will mean they are hosting 2 events although the last fixture is to be in Lilford Park.  82 members entered for RR with about 72 people for SEL so excellent response to X/C so far.

Confirmed £200 now received from Plumb Base re triathlon sponsorship.

The Chairman ran through next years Committee positions although still some vacant positions which will be advised to the members on the evening of the AGM.  The Ladies Captain is still vacant

November 2004

Matter Arising
Police screening re coaches:- All coaches to submit a CRB check.  Forms only available from the bureau.

Minibus:- The Chairman has spoken with the Foundation for Sport and Art who have confirmed the minibus does belong to us and as such they have no objection to us arranging for sponsorship and adding these names to the bus.

Secretary’s Report
Information from NoE re kit which he felt could save the club money.  Maria Lowe and Vicky Snape are both now clear to run for the club.

Treasurer’s Report
Held over in the absence of Treasurer.

Any Other Business
New members: Geoff Slawson and Wilf Brindle (Seniors), Toby Jacques, Grace Jacques, Samuel Gough, Joseph Gough, Jo Christopher and Matthew Jarvis (Juniors) – all accepted.

A cheque has been received from Lancashire Life for £80 in respect of the article from Jimmy Niblett.

RAR production:- we are hopeful of getting a combined October and November RAR.  A letter has also been received about the combining of the 5 local X/C leagues.

Track and Field updates given.  The coaches also want to enter a senior League next year, the cost being £60 for the Northern League, which was agreed.  Carl has also been approached from Shaun McDonnell from Bolton suggesting we enter a combined junior team and a meeting has been arranged to review this.

A reminder from BTA for triathlon fees which the Chairman confirmed has now been posted.  Letter received from Bolton Mountain Rescue thanking us for donation from triathlon.

The club has spoken to the Athletic Development Officer who has received our Club Mark application and early indications are that we could be the first club in Lancashire to achieve this.  We have also received confirmation of funding for £290 towards coaching for Levels 3 & 4.

Next Month

There will be a piece on one of our up and coming stars James Kevan.  I have been compiling a file of recent achievements and performances and now that he is running against the seniors in XC and running for the A Team in the recent Calderdale Way Relay, I think we need to know a bit more about him — next edition.

Also there will be Club Cross Country league tables: how are you doing?