Results for January 2022 on

• Cecil Gittins Memorial Walks, Cyclopark, Gravesend, 21 May 2022 22-05-22
• Veterans AC 5 Mile Road Race and Race Walk, 10 May 2022, Battersea Park 14-05-22 
• Vitality Westminster Mile, VAC One Mile Championships, 1 May 2022 11-05-22 
• Veterans AC 5km Road Race and Race Walk, 5 April 2022, Battersea Park 10-04-22 
• EMAA Indoor Inter-Area Track & Field Challenge, Lee Valley, 13 March 2022 17-03-22 
• East Surrey League Cross Country, Lloyd Park, 5 March 2022 16-03-22 
• Men’s Surrey League Cross Country, Lloyd Park, 19 February 2022 22-02-22 
• Wimbledon Common parkrun, Saturday 12 February 2022 14-02-22 
• VAC Cross Country Championships and Masters Open race, Wimbledon Common, 22 January 2022 26-01-22 
• Men’s Surrey League Cross Country, Richmond Park, 15 January 2022 16-01-22 

Cecil Gittins Memorial Walks, Cyclopark, Gravesend, 21 May 2022 

Veterans AC were pleased to host the seventh running of this event on a dedicated cycle circuit with its many gradients and bends, which has hosted Olympic BMX champion Beth Shriever.

In all there were 21 paid entries which was a decrease from 2021, however the number of finishers was slightly up. The weather was fine and sunny, and temperatures well above average for mid-May.

There was a moment of silence before the start in memory of long term runner and race walker Lyn Atterbury who had recently left us.

There was a new winner of the ladies 5k Amalia Cristina Silva (Belgrave Harriers) in 34:29, a new personal best, and the 5k was won by the present RWA President, Chris Hobbs (Ashford AC) in a fine time of 32:47.

The new winner of the ladies’ 10k was Melanie Peddle (Loughton AC) in 58:36, again a new PB, and her second win in a VAC event in two weeks.

There was also a new winner of the men’s 10k, Dave Walsh from EHAC in 59:02.

By far the most successful outcome was Lesley Morris (Ilford AC) who had a significant PB lopping 7 minutes off her previous time.

It was also good to see Dave Kates and the much travelled Ed Shillabeer back racing again.

The Start
 
Andy Bond Men's Champion                                                 Sue McDonald Women's Champion
 
Kate Carter 2nd Woman                                                         Andrew Perfect 2nd Man
 
Terry Booth 1st M55                                                                Pamela Whitter 1st W60
 
Lindsay Rice 1st W40                                                               Michael Johnson 1st M80
 
Fiona Bishop W60 walker                                                         Lesley Morris W60 walker

Above photos from Cliff Hide. Cliff has more photos and is happy to supply J-Peg copies to competitors.
Email him at  cliffhide10@aol.com

Here are the Results of the 5 Mile Road Race, showing the medallists.

Conditions were good for the 69 finishers in the 5 Mile Championship which was run over 3.5 laps of a compact loop, taking in the Park's Carriage Drives and leafy Central Avenue. Andy Bond of Dulwich Runners won in fine style. His time of 26:03 shattered the M45 record of 26:59 for 5M courses in Battersea Park, held by Simon Baines since 2018. In second place, Andrew Perfect (M45) was also within the old record, clocking 26:22. Terry Booth (M55) was an excellent third with 28:05, eighteen seconds off Gary Ironmonger's M55 record of 27:47 set in 2018. Even closer was David Ogden (M60) whose time of 29:24 was only one second short of the long-standing record of 29:23 set by Gareth Jones in 2007. Other age group winners were Sam Jamieson (M35), Eddie Ware (M40), Martin Carmack (M50), Mike Forder (M65), Alan Davidson (M70), Peter Giles (M75) and Michael Johnson (M80).

There was an intense contest at the head of the women's race between Sue McDonald (W50) and Kate Carter (W45) with Sue winning by two seconds in a time of 30:57, only twelve seconds off her own W50 course record set in 2019. For the W60s, Pamela Whitter blazed round in 33:56, pursued relentlessly by Lucy Woolhouse who clocked 34:11. Pamela's time set a new W60 record, with both Pamela and Lucy inside Maggie Statham's record of 34:50 set in 2015. Other age group winners were Lindsay Rice (W40), Pippa Major (W55), Anna Garnier (W65) and Penny Elliott (W75).

Veterans AC 5 Mile Road Walk Championship - Battersea Park, 10 May 2022
RWA Permit No RWA22025-2
Category B

The second of the VAC Battersea Park summer series had again a reasonable field, the weather was fair with some cloud cover, good racing conditions.

This was the first 5 mile walk championship for some years, the awards were presented by VAC president Anna Garnier; the course was a new one covering some 3.5 laps of the permitted park circuit.

The new overall winner was Melanie Peddle from Loughton AC, in a really good time just outside her personal best.

Stuart Bennett, Ilford AC, won the VAC championships for the men and overall, Maureen Noel (Belgrave Harriers) was second in the championships and first lady overall, both did their usual respectable times.

New VAC signing Artur Olszewski completed his first attempt at the distance in a little over the hour, going inside the hour is now a very real prospect.

It was good to see Dan Maskell, SWC back racing after a lay-off with injury.

Officials:
Race Director: Ben Noad
Clerk of Course: Dennis Williams
UKA Adjudicator and Starter: Malcolm French
Timekeepers: David Harris, Helen Davies
Recorders: Colin Harris, Ian Isherwood, Carl Lawton and Maggie Statham-Berry
Walk Judges: Shaun Lightman, Mark Culshaw
Registration: Maggie Statham-Berry, Helen Davies, Ros Tabor and David Hoben
Marshals: Joe Aspinall, Tony Austin, Martin Berry, Andy Murray, Liam O'Hare, Richard Stansfield, Ros Tabor and Dennis Williams
Lead Bike: Henry Murdoch
Results: Racing Timing Solutions
Photography: Cliff Hide
First Aid: Bespoke Medics Ltd

VAC members at the Westminster Mile

At least 30 VAC members raced in the first wave of mile races at the Vitality Westminster Mile, taking in St James's park and finishing outside Buckingham Palace. Mike Cummings (M35) was first for VAC in a splendid time of 4:23. He was fifth overall in the wave and the first Masters' athlete. He was closely followed by Edward Chuck (M35) in 4:25, Chris Loudon (M35) in 4:28 and Richard McDowell (M40) in 4:32. VAC's first woman was Susan McDonald (W50) in 5:31, a time which scores a magnificent 95% age grading. VAC's oldest runner was Richard Pitcairn-Knowles who is 90 this year. He finished in 14:41 and was pleased to be faster than in 2019 when the race last took place.

Here are the results of the VAC members in the Westminster Mile

The Start, with race winner Chris Loudon (62) and second placed Raj Paranandi (78) to the fore

Women's winner, Jenny Heymann (47), tracks Kay Sheedy (95) whilst overtaking walkers, Dave Hoben (49) and Artur Olszewski (76)

 
Chris Loudon, men's winner                                                     Gary Towers (107), Raj Paranandi (78)

 
Jackie Balfour, 1st W60                                                           Angela Pollitzer, W70

 
Peter Clarke (21), Danny Holeyman (50)                                                                    Lynn Wilson, W65

 
Dave Annetts (4), walks winner, Roger Green                       Melanie Peddle, walks women's winner

Above photos from Cliff Hide. Cliff has more photos and is happy to supply J-Peg copies to competitors.
Email him at  cliffhide10@aol.com

Here are the Results of the 5 km Road Race

Road Race Report
There were 75 finishers in the first Battersea Park race of the summer series. Chris Loudon (M35) won emphatically with an impressive sub-16 minute time of 15:51. Over twenty seconds behind, Raj Paranandi (M45) edged ahead of Alex Gibbons (M45) for second and third places. Nine men went under 17 minutes in the strong, competitive field. David Ogden (M60), David Pitt (M65) and Julian Spencer-Wood (M70) achieved high-ranking age group times, whilst Michael Johnson's excellent 25:43 put him firmly at the top of Runbritain's M80 rankings for 5k for 2022.

The women's winner was Jenny Heymann (W40) from Eton Manor AC in 18:41, having tracked second-placed Kay Sheedy (W35) throughout and passing her in the closing stages. In the W60 age group, Jackie Balfour won a close contest in 20:24, followed by Pamela Whitter in 20:35 and Lucy Woolhouse in 20:51. Anna Garnier's time of 22:06 placed her at the top of Runbritain's W65 5k rankings for 2022.

Race Walk report
The first of the regular Battersea Park races had a reasonable field with fair weather, and with little breeze good racing conditions.

The course was 5k to start the season.

The men's winner was regular VAC member Dave Annetts from North Herts RR, only a few seconds slower than his personal best.

The ladies winner was Melanie Peddle from Loughton AC in another good time, both Dave and Melanie had raced at the SCVAC indoor champs just 3 days before.

Ever presents Maureen Noel (Belgrave) and Fiona Bishop (Woking AC) represented the rest of the ladies and produced their usual respectable times.

VAC were pleased to have two complete newcomers to the event and to race walking, in particular Artur Olszewski had not come from a walking or running background and was only just outside 12 minute miling and with no style problems.

VAC congratulate Mark Culshaw who has attended this event for many years as athlete and judge on his qualification to the next grade for judging.

Officials:
Race Director: Ben Noad
Clerk of Course: Dennis Williams
UKA Adjudicator and Starter: Malcolm French
Timekeepers: David Harris, Helen Davies
Recorders: Ian Isherwood, Carl Lawton and Maggie Statham-Berry
Walk Judges: John Hall, Mark Culshaw
Registration: Maggie Statham-Berry, Helen Davies, Ros Tabor and David Hoben
Marshals: Joe Aspinall, Martin Berry, Malcolm Davies, Andy Murray, Liam O'Hare, Tom Richards, Richard Stansfield and Dennis Williams
Results: Don Anderson and Ben Noad
Photography: Cliff Hide
First Aid: Bespoke Medics Ltd

EMAA Indoor Inter-Area Track & Field Challenge, Lee Valley, 13 March 2022

M60 Men's Relay team, winners in a new CBP: Adrian Day, Pat Logan, Liam Mulrooney, Brian Steene (photo Cliff Hide)

W50 Women's Relay team, winners: Rachel Waters, Lisa Thomas, Angela Bates, Sue Wisdom (photo Maggie Statham-Berry)

 
Zoë Doyle, 1st, 1500m                                                                       Chris Loudon, 1st, 1500m

 
Mike Cummings, 1st, 800m                                                             Hayley Cargill, 1st, 400m

 
Angela Pollitzer, W70 800m                                                                  Allan Long, W75 60m

 
Dave Annetts, 1st 2k Walk                                                          Rachel Lawless, 2k Walk

 
Kim Saha                                                                                         Chris Ness

 
Tony Richards, 1st M70                                                                         Franck Triolaire

Above photos from Cliff Hide. Cliff has more photos and is happy to supply J-Peg copies to competitors.
Email him at  cliffhide10@aol.com

VAC's men's and women's teams performed magnificently at the England Masters Inter Area Challenge at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre. VAC was a superb THIRD overall, with the women second in their match. The third place result was very close, with SCVAC just 5 points behind.

A highlight was the Championship Best Performance of 1:53.92 achieved by the M60 Relay team of Pat Logan, Adrian Day, Brian Steene and Liam Mulroooney. The W50 Relay team of Sue Wisdom, Rachel Waters, Lisa Thomas and Angela Bates were also first.

There were 13 individual 1st places including two by Zoe Doyle (W35 800m and 1500m). Other firsts for the women were Angela Bates (W50) and Sue Wisdom (W60) in the 60m sprint, Hayley Cargill in the W35 400m, Lisa Webb (W50) and Anna Garnier (W60) in the 800m and Lisa Thomas (W50) and Lucy Woolhouse (W60) in the 1500m. Firsts for the men were achieved by Mike Cummings (M35 800m), Chris Loudon (M35 1500m), Dave Annetts (M35 2k Walk) and Tony Richards who won the M70 Shot. In addition, there were 14 second places and 12 third places.

Here are the Results of the 2022 Indoor Inter Area Challenge.

East Surrey League Cross Country, Lloyd Park, 5 March 2022

Duncan Rimmer, Liam O'Hare, Mike Mann (photo by Maggie Statham-Berry)

The traditional East Surrey League match in March was incorporated within the rearranged men's Division One and women's Surrey League races which had been a casualty of the storm last month. This affected the make-up of VAC's team on the day as many ran for their 1st claim clubs and some didn't fancy the fast men's race, especially as Lloyd Park was ultra-wet and muddy. Three VAC men started but Liam O'Hare dropped out part way feeling rough. Duncan Rimmer (41:08) and Mike Mann (44:07) made up VAC's team.

Here are the results of the East Surrey League, 5 March.

Men’s Surrey League Cross Country, Lloyd Park, 19 February 2022

Malcolm Davies (2113) and Chris Ness (2133)

 
Mark Cursons, 1st VAC                                                                        Vaughan Ramsay

 
Bruce McLaren                                                                                       Peter Hall

 
Gary Budinger                                                                                     Dave West

Above photos from Cliff Hide. Cliff has more photos and is happy to supply J-Peg copies to competitors.
Email him at  cliffhide10@aol.com

Stormy weather did not deter the thirteen VAC men who turned out for the Surrey League’s final Division3/4 match of the season at Lloyd Park, Croydon. The course was at its wettest and muddiest, causing slips and falls and dirty kit. The tail end of Storm Eunice brought heavy rain and gusty winds which the runners and officials endured stoically, whilst looking forward to various end-of-season celebrations. 

The team was led home in style by Mark Cursons in 14th position in Division Four, and first M55. Mark usually runs in the Metropolitan League for his first claim club (Harrow AC) but their match was cancelled because of the storm. He was followed by Malcolm Davies and Chris Ness in 35th and 36th places. They have had close battles during the season and were only separated by one second this time. Vaughan Ramsay, making his debut for VAC in the Surrey League, was the 4th scorer. Then came the two top M60s in the race, Peter Hall and Tony Harran. The A team was completed by Bruce McLaren, Duncan Rimmer, Andy Mitchelson and Steve Smythe. The back-up runners in the B team were Dave West, Gary Budinger and John Carter.

VAC placed a magnificent fourth out of the 14 clubs on the day and were a creditable ninth overall at the end of the season. Individual Surrey League season’s honours were won by Peter Hall and Tony Harran who were in joint first place in the M60+ category.

Thanks go to the 29 men who ran in the VAC teams during the season. Six of them (Gary Budinger, Malcom Davies, Peter Hall, Tony Harran, Andy Mitchelson and Chris Ness) ran in all four matches. A special thank you also goes to Paddy Clark, the team manager, who mustered the team and provided shelter and support with dedication and good humour at each match, as well as being a willing helper, marshalling and recording.

The full results are on the Surrey League website

Wimbledon Common parkrun, Saturday 12 February 2022

Tony Austin, Gareth George, Nicky Atkins, Lucy Woolhouse, Peter Hall, Marion Rayner,
Mike Mann, John Carter, Maggie Statham-Berry

At least 15 VAC members gathered on Wimbledon Common on a cold day to run or walk the parkrun, having been warmly welcomed in the briefing beforehand. The two-lap course had some muddy puddles but was wide and flat, with a pleasant view of the Kingsmere pond and the Wimbledon Windmill as a back drop. There were 424 finishers.

Lucy Woolhouse, W60, 21:52
Gareth George, M50, 23:59
Dave Cobb, M50, 24:08
Peter Hall, M60, 24:15
Richard Stansfield, M55, 24:39
Mike Mann, M70, 24:49
Dave West, M60, 24:53
Nicky Atkins, W55, 25:09
Maggie Statham-Berry, W65, 26:21
Jane Rowden, W65, 26:22
John Carter, M75, 28:22
Marion Rayner, W70, 29:22
Ian Isherwood, M65, 45:43

VAC Cross Country Championships and Masters Open race, Wimbledon Common, 22 January 2022

The start with race winner Richard McDowell (77), 2nd place Chris Loudon (67) and 3rd place Micah Evans (40) to the fore

 
Richard McDowell and Anna Garnier                                            Gina Galbraith, Women's Champion

 
Richard McDowell, Winner                                                Chris Loudon holds off Micah Evans

 
Gina Coulson                                                                       Rosemary Lewis

 
Vic Maughn                                                        Penelope Cummings

Above photos from Cliff Hide. Cliff has more photos and is happy to supply J-Peg copies to competitors.
Email him at  cliffhide10@aol.com

Here are the Final Results.

Here are the Results Showing The Medallists

Men’s Surrey League Cross Country, Richmond Park, 15 January 2022

Carey Gray (2119) and Dean Saliba (2147), with John Barron (2103) and Clive Walker (2142) in the background, packing well

 
John Barron (2103) and Peter Giles (2118)                                                            Peter Hall (2120)

Photos by Helen Davies and Ros Tabor

Another great turn-out of 19 VAC men tackled a hilly, slippery, course at Richmond Park, starting and finishing near Sheen Gate.

Provisional results indicate that VAC's "A" team finished 10th out of the 14 clubs in Division Four. Overall, VAC is still 9th after three matches.

The full provisional results are on the Surrey League website