Results for January to June 2017

• VAC Battersea Park Road Races Grand Prix 2017 5-07-17
• BMAF T&F Championships, Birmingham 24 & 25 June 2017 28-06-17
• VAC 5M Road Race and Race Walk Championships, 13 June 2017, Battersea Park 4-07-17 
• VAC at Osterley parkrun, 10 June 2017 13-06-17 
• Jack Fitzgerald Memorial race walks, 10 June 2017, Tilgate Park, Crawley 10-06-17
• Veterans AC 5M Road Race and Race Walk 9 May 2017, Battersea Park, London SW11 10-05-17
• London Marathon 23 April 2017 25-04-17 
• Veterans AC 5M Road Race and Race Walk 18 April 2017, Battersea Park, London SW11 22-05-17 
• Veterans AC, Surrey, Herts and Middlesex 10k Track Championships, Tooting Bec 12 April 2017 21-04-17
• BMAF 10km road Champs, Gravesend 9 April 2017 14-04-17
• Cecil Gittins Walks, Gravesend 1 April 2017 3-04-17
• England Masters Indoor Track & Field Inter Area Challenge (indoor), 26 February 2017, Lee Valley 21-06-17 
• Mile End Parkrun 5k 18 February 2017 19-02-17
• BMAF Pentathlon, South of England Masters, EVAC & VAC Championships & Open (indoor) Meeting, 12 February 2017, Lee Valley 21-06-17
• Women’s Surrey League Cross Country, Coulsdon, 11 February 2017 12-02-17
• Men’s Surrey League Cross Country, Lloyd Park, 11 February 2017 12-02-17 
• VAC Cross Country Champs, Wimbledon Common, 21 January 2017 24-01-17 
• Men's Surrey League Cross Country, Cranford 14 January 2017 14-01-17 

VAC Battersea Park Road Races Grand Prix 2017

The five road races of VAC’s summer series in Battersea Park count towards a Grand Prix for VAC members. To be eligible, members must compete in at least three of the five races. The person with the highest average of his or her three best age-graded performances will be awarded the Snow Cup, a trophy which dates back to 1950.

After three fixtures, a league table of age-graded results is here. Ten members have posted times in three races and the person with the best average so far is Cliff Collins (M80) with 77.88%. Valdis Pauzers (M60) lies in second place with 76.05%, followed by Tony Macdowall (M35) on 75.07%. There are still two fixtures remaining and nearly forty other members who have already competed in at least one of the fixtures still have the opportunity to clock up the required three finishing times.

BMAF TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS, BIRMINGHAM 24 & 25 JUNE

With the European Masters Track and Field Championships in Aarhus barely a month away these championships were an opportunity to gauge fitness and practise competition. There were many VAC members competing over the 2 days. Conditions were pretty good.

One notable VAC success was Cliff Taylor's M85 Javelin British record of 18.38m. He also won the M85 discus and M85 hammer. Peter Giles won 3 golds in the M70 category – 800m, 1500m, and 5,000m. Barry Ferguson, Fiona Bishop, Dalbir Singh Deol, Aaron Brown and Pam Jones all won 2 gold medals.

Other VAC gold medallists included:

VAC 5M Road Race and Race Walk Championships, 13 June 2017, Battersea Park

 
Joy Wright(Bournemouth & BMAF) 2nd lady                           Ian Johnston, race winner

 
Peter Hall 1st o/55                                    Ange Norris, first lady (record W55 time)

Nicola Hopkinson (31) and Louise Taylor (5)

Ana Osoril (42), Marion Rayner (21), Les Presland (8) and Doug Milsom (1)

Cliff Collins 1st 80 and John Taylor (4)

Fiona Bishop (81), Pam Jones (30) and Richard Pitcairn-Knowles (36)

L-R: Ian Johnston, Paul Cheetham and Steve Davies on lap 2

5 Mile Road Race
It was a warm, muggy, evening in Battersea Park and most of the regular runners posted slower times than in April or May. However, the VAC members’ championship produced some fine racing. The first four positions were keenly fought until Ian Johnston pulled away convincingly on the final lap to win by 25 seconds over Paul Cheetham who pushed hard to beat Steve Davies by just seven seconds. Close behind, in fourth place, Tony Macdowall continued his race-on-race improvement to knock another 30 seconds off his Battersea best. There were also some fierce age group battles. For the M50s, Stephen Philcox was just ahead of Tony Tuohy, and in the M70s, Peter Giles was chased by new member, Brian James. For the M75s, Doug Milsom and Les Presland were inseparable for much of the race until Les dug deep to create a winning gap of 20 seconds.

Ange Norris was the first woman home in a time of 33:20, a new W55 Battersea Park course record, improving Anna Garnier’s 2012 record by eleven seconds. SCVAC W40 runner, Joy Wright, was second in 34:29, followed by W4H’s Jane Rowden who won the W60 Gold medal, ahead of Farnham’s Jane Georghiou. Gold medals were also awarded to Nicola Hopkinson (W50), Marion Rayner (W65) and Penny Elliott (W70) who defied the sultry weather and improved on May’s race time by nearly a minute. Another great mark was set by Pam Jones who set an inaugural W80 course record of 51:29. This complements her excellent W75 course record of 43:03 set in June 2012.

Age graded performances for VAC members for the June race are here. Peter Giles topped the June table with a magnificent 90% for his time of 32:47, which also heads the M70 Runbritain rankings for 2017. Ange Norris was second with nearly 87%, closely followed by Brian James (M70), Ian Johnston (M45) and Jane Rowden (W60) who all achieved 86% and were only divided by small fractions of percentages. Members must register three performances in order to qualify for the Grand Prix. A summary of the age graded results of all three races so far is here.

5 Mile Walk
Category B
Race Permit No: RWA7037-3

1 David Annetts (N Herts) (G) M50 46:40
2 Maureen Noel (Belgrave) W50 52:12
3 Fiona Bishop (Woking) W55 53:01
4 Chris Flint (SWC) M70 54:54
5 Mick Harran (SWC) M75 56:39
6 Dave Delaney (SWC) M70 56:44
7 David Hoben (SWC) M60 59:06
DNS David Bowker (Fairlands Valley) (EMAC) (G) M55

The third fixture of the season and also the club championships was held yet again in fine sunny spring conditions even if a little humid.

The turnout was lower than the previous fixtures due to a clash with another popular series and a number of regulars on the injury list.

VAC were pleased to welcome Dave Annetts from North Herts Road Runners as guest who had a convincing win in a similar time he achieved in a large event near Newmarket over the same distance where he came second only to U23 20k GB record holder Callum Wilkinson, of Enfield & Haringey AC. VAC wish him well in his move into race walking.

Naturally with a small turnout nearly all attained gold medals; in particular Fiona Bishop, Woking AC took 1 minute off her 2016 VAC 5 mile champs and Dave Delaney, SWC 5 minutes off the same event last year.

Officials:
Clerk of Course: Mick Barlow
Starter: Dennis Williams
Timekeepers/Recorders: Carl Lawton, Tom Richards, Ian Isherwood, Nolan Simmons
Walk Judge: Shaun Lightman
Entries: David Hoben, Maggie Statham, Anna Garnier
Marshals: Martin Berry, Mick Barlow
Drinks station: Anna Garnier
Results: David Hoben, Maggie Statham, Dennis Williams
Photography: Jeremy Hemming
First Aid: Alison Jones

VAC at Osterley parkrun, 10 June 2017

Osterley parkrun: VAC runners, left to right: Carey Gray, Rich Berry, Rachel Badham, Martin Garrett,
Patricia Thomas, Mike Mann, Peter Hall, Doug Milsom (photo by Ali Yousuf)

The Osterley parkrun took place on a fine, though rather breezy summer's morning with warm sunshine breaking through during the run. The course consisted of 3 laps, some of it on newly laid cycle paths but more than half on grass and trails, with tree roots marked clearly in yellow paint, so times will have been down compared with a tarmac course. We were told that numbers were higher than usual, but the organisation was excellent. Osterley House, an iconic Georgian building in West London, formed a memorable backdrop for the VAC team photo.

Eight VAC members took part. Rich Berry was first for VAC and also first in the whole run in 17:47, a full minute ahead of the second finisher. Rich also topped the age-graded table. Next for VAC, in 6th place overall, was Rachel Badham who was also 2nd in the age-graded table. Six of the top ten age-graded performances on the day were achieved by VAC members.

VAC's next get-together is on Saturday 16 September at Hampstead Heath parkrun. All VAC members are welcome. New parkrunners must pre-register with parkrun to obtain a Barcode.

Jack Fitzgerald Memorial race walks, 10 June 2017, Tilgate Park, Crawley

5th Jack Fitzgerald Memorial Walks Tilgate Park, Crawley, 10 June 2017, Veterans AC 10.325km road and supporting races

Category B Permit No: RWA7060-1

10.325 km
1. F. Reis (Thames Valley) M55 54:59
2. O. Hopkins (Lewes) U20M 57:03
3. M. Peddle (Loughton) W45 63:46
4. P. Gaston (SWC) M65 69:15
5. J. White (unattached) M45 70:10
6. C. Flint (SWC) M70 70:25
7. M. Martin (SWC) M60 71:03
=7. A. Martin (SWC) W50 71:03
9. B. Kirkdale (Hastings Runners) M55 71:52
10. A. Jones (Steyning) W60 72:04
11. J. Killick (Steyning) M70 72:39
12. S Pender (Enfield) M60 72:47
13. D. Hoben (SWC) M60 75:59
=13. D. Delaney (SWC) M70 75:59
DQ R. Hornigold (Lewes) W35
DNS P. Hannell (SWC) M70

5.9 km
1 C Wallis (AFD) U15W 40:11
2 E Payton White (Lewes) U17W 40:33
3 J. Hall (Belgrave) M65 44:02
DNS C. Edwards (SWC) M65

1.5km
1. E. Hawes (Lewes) U13B 10:21
2. L. Morse (Lewes) U15W 10:24
3. P. Selby (SWC) M70 12:02
4. L. Burr (Tonbridge) U11B 12:02

REPORT
Veterans AC were pleased to host the fifth running of this event on a lakeside course once used as the test bed for Britain's water speed record round popular beauty spot Campbell's lake in good June weather with lower temperatures in the surrounding pinewood sections.

In the headline race over 10.325 km VAC were pleased to welcome back Francisco Reis from Thames Valley Harriers who had missed out on a victory on a previous occasion, this time having a convincing win over the nearest athlete by over 2 minutes. Ollie Hopkins from Lewes AC continued his upwards trajectory keeping pace with the winner for a good second place in his longest race to date, not long after his win at Haywards Heath Harriers 1k track race. Also on an upwards trajectory Melanie Peddle from Loughton AC came in a strong third place overall just a little outside one hour.

In the supporting races in the 5.9km Charlotte Wallis from AFD had to work for her win over Eva Payton-White from Lewes AC, the 1.5k time trial was won by Ethan Hawes also from Lewes AC; and coach Peter Selby from SWC commemorated his 60 years in race walking including London to Brighton wins by taking part accompanying his charge Lewes Burr from Lewes AC.

Acknowledgements
Judge: Shaun Lightman
Starter: Peter Selby
Entries: Maggie Statham
Time keeping/lap recording: Carl Lawton, Ron Penfold, Dave Stevens
Lead cyclist: Eric Parker
Marshals: Eric Parker, Chris Cheeseman
Signage: Ron Penfold, Dave Stevens
Water station: Entries: Maggie Statham
Changing, showers, refreshments: Tilgate Forest Golf Centre
From an original idea by Walter Hill, SCVAC

This event is dedicated to the memory of Jack Fitzgerald 1923-2013

The Start

Race winner Stephen Philcox (122)

 
Valdis Pauzers                                               Tom Morris

Peter Crowhurst

 
Marion Rayner                                                 Cliff Collins

Leading Race Walkers: Mark Culshaw, Penelope Cummings


Vanda Caulfield (130), David Hoben (49) race walker and Peter Crowhurst (126)

Photos from Jeremy Hemming
Jeremy has more photos, you can contact him direct at hemming@dircon.co.uk

5 Mile Road Race 

Conditions were good. Many competitors who had also run in April were pleased to improve their times. There was an exciting contest at the front with Stephen Philcox (M50) surging in the final few hundred metres to win by six seconds from Tony Macdowall, closely tracked by Gavin Mackay. Carol Jones (W55) led the women, coming in comfortably under 36 minutes. Marion Rayner (W65) and Penny Elliott (W70) posted commendable first marks for their age groups.

Age graded performances for VAC members are here. Carol Jones headed the table. Good times by the older runners elevated them to high spots in the ranks. 

5 Mile Race Walk 

The second fixture of the season was again held in perfect racing conditions, on a sunny spring evening which was less cold than of late.

The results showed an emergence of girl power as Penelope Cummings from AFD had her second overall win in four weeks at a VAC fixture in a time very close to her personal best, and Melanie Peddle of Loughton came third overall and went under 50 minutes for the first time with a new personal best showing what can be achieved in only a year in the sport; while Maureen Noel (Belgrave) maintained her usual excellent time.

Further down the field Paul King from Belgrave and Chris Flint from SWC gradually returned to their previous form and Peter Hannell also SWC returned to this distance after a number of months’ absence and achieved a better than expected time.

LOST PROPERTY
A black running top, with black & white striped edges, was found after the race on 9 May outside the Millennium stadium. Please contact the entries secretary or the walks secretary to reclaim – will bring to the June fixture in the series in any event.

Officials:
Clerk of Course: Mick Barlow
Starter: Dennis Williams
Timekeepers/Recorders: David Harris, Ian Isherwood, Carl Lawton, Tom Richards
Walk Judge: Michael Croft
Entries: David Hoben, Maggie Statham, Mike Mann
Marshals: Martin Berry, Dennis Williams
Drinks station: Maggie Statham
Results: David Hoben, Maggie Statham
Photography: Jeremy Hemming
First Aid: Alison Jones

RWA Permit No 7037-1 Category B

The Start...

 
Marie Synott-Wells 2nd lady Race winner                               Thomas Grimes(G)

Walk trio: Shaun Lightman, David Bowker(Fairlands) and Dan Maskell

  
Gary Ironmonger, 1st VAC                                 Simon Thompson M35 2nd

Race Walkers leaders

 
Vikki Filsell 1st woman                                      Valdis Pauzers M60 1st

 Photos from Jeremy Hemming
Jeremy has more photos, you can contact him direct at hemming@dircon.co.uk

Twenty seven runners posted good marks for the first five mile outing in Battersea’s pleasant park. The winner was Thomas Grimes of East London Runners who joined the select few who have broken 27 minutes on this course. His time of 26:51 bettered the previous M35 best of 26:59 set by Mohammed Ismail in 2016. In second place, Gary Ironmonger’s time of 27:53 was within a whisker of matching the long-standing M55 course record of 27:49 set by Liam O’Hare in 2005. Gary’s time also placed him at the top of this year’s runbritain national M55 rankings for 5 Miles. A performance of note was Cliff Collins’s blistering 42:41, faster than all his 2016 times, and also positioning him at the top of the national M80 rankings for 5 Miles.

Vikki Filsell was the first woman in a time of 34:24, with Marie Synott-Wells pushing her all the way, finishing twenty seconds behind. Carol Jones completed the trio.

Age graded performances for VAC members are here. Gary Ironmonger topped the table but it's early days and three performances are required to qualify for the Grand Prix

The first race of the summer series took place in good racing conditions on a bright but cool early spring evening.
 
Mark Culshaw continued his 2016 form to deliver yet another race win in this series, closely followed by Steve Bishop making a return to the racing scene after a few years absence, and Stuart Bennett from Ilford using the midweek race as a warm up to the upcoming London marathon at the weekend. Melanie Peddle from Loughton AC, who has already established herself In her first year in the sport, was the only newcomer to the series and finished in a respectable time.
 
Officials:
Clerk of Course: Mick Barlow
Starter: Don Turner
Timekeepers/Recorders: David Harris, Ian Isherwood, Carl Lawton, Tom Richards
Walk Judges: John Hall, Sean Pender
Entries: Anna Garnier, David Hoben
Marshals: Martin Berry, Nolan Simmons
Drinks station: Anna Garnier, Maggie Statham
Results: David Hoben, Maggie Statham
Photography: Jeremy Hemming
First Aid: Alison Jones

Veterans AC, Surrey, Herts and Middlesex 10k Track Championships, Tooting Bec 12 April 2017

RWA Permit No 7035-1 Category A

1 Penelope Cummings (AFD) (SCVAC) (G) W40 59:24.0 Surrey
2 Mark Culshaw (Ilford) (G) M50 1:01:59.4 Middx
3 Gary Smith (Enfield) (SCVAC) (G) M60 1:02:48.7 Herts
4 Dan Maskell (SWC) M65 [1] 1:06:17.9 N/A
5 John Borgars (Herts Phoenix) (EMAC) (G) M70 1:06:31.4 Herts
6 Shaun Lightman (SWC) M70 [1] 1:07:54.5 Middx
7 Fiona Bishop (Woking) W55 [1] 1:08:58.9 Surrey
8 Mick Harran (SWC) M75 [1] 1:09:40.3 Surrey
9 David Bowker (Fairlands Valley Spartans) (EMAC) (G) M55 [1] 1:11:03.6 Herts
10 Paul King (Belgrave) M65 [2] 1:12:43.7 Middx
11 Sean Pender (Enfield) (G) M60 1:15:37.8 Middx
12 Dave Delaney (SWC) M70 [2] 1:17:58.9 Surrey

DQ Peter Watts (Swanley) M65 N/A

Championship results in square brackets
County championships:

Herts:
Men:
G Smith, J Borgars, D Bowker

Middlesex
Men:
M Culshaw, S Lightman, P King

Surrey
Women:
P Cummings, F Bishop
Men:
M Harran, D Delaney

The annual VAC and Counties championships took place in good racing conditions under cloud cover, rainstorms were threatened but never materialised.
 
Sean Pender from Enfield AC who had qualified as a starter recently, generously acted as a starter in this race using a clapperboard and then went on to participate himself.
 
Penelope Cummings from AFD had an excellent race to win outright, she was also first lady overall and first Surrey lady.
New Ilford AC signing Mark Culshaw who was racing neck and neck with Penelope at certain times finished strongly in second place and first Middlesex; meanwhile Gary Smith, another Enfield AC regular, finished powerfully in third place to get gold for Herts for the first time since 1998. John Borgars from Herts Phoenix who had competed frequently since his record breaking 100 mile race in 2016, also completed in a good time and position.
 
The Middlesex county medal presentations were made by the president, Steve Marshall; Ken and Margaret Livermore attended the Herts county medal presentations, which were made by county representative Ken Livermore, who also presented Gary Smith with the county cup.
 
Acknowledgements:
Starter: Sean Pender
Judges: Noel Carmody, Michael Croft
Timekeepers: David Harris, Ros Tabor
Recorders: Don Turner, Tom Richards, Mike May, David Hoben
Electronic timing: Don Anderson

BMAF 10km road Champs, Gravesend 9 April 2017

Tony Tuohy (42) finished 1st 50
Andy Howey (35) was 2nd M50
Gary Ironmonger Herne Hill colours finished 1st 55

Martyn Rouse, Ian Johnston and Robert O'Rourke, the VAC M45 Silver Medal winning team (photo by Maggie Statham-Berry)

 
Mick Boyle (HHH)                                              Jane Georghiou was 3rd W60

 
Howard Bristow from Sullivan Smith, lap 2                                                        1st lady Mary James (SLH)

 
Rob Sargent (Ilford)                                                      Ian Johnston was 2nd M45

 
188 Pauline Rich w70 worthing                                                   Sullivan Smith, Race Winner
 
175 Maggie Statham - Berry w60 Holland sports                                         196 Pam Jones w80 Ilford

Photos from Jeremy Hemming
Jeremy has more photos, you can contact him direct at hemming@dircon.co.uk

The full results are on the Statistics menu of the BMAF website.

VAC members’ results are shown below.

For the first time, BMAF staged their own 10k championship race rather than using an established event. The venue was the Gravesend Cyclopark, recently constructed on land by the A2, a few miles outside the M25 and a couple of miles from Gravesend station. The race had full use of the main cycling circuit, a 2.5k loop on smooth, wide tarmac, with changing and café buildings right by the start/finish area. The 4 laps were quite testing as the initial downhill slope was followed by a long uphill second kilometre and another down and up before the end of the lap. Also there was no shade on a sunny morning approaching 20 degrees C. Chip timing was used but there was no finish clock. Several VAC members volunteered to help BMAF organise the race.

There were some great efforts by VAC members, including the following gold medal winners in the BMAF championships for their age group:M55 Gary Ironmonger; M50 Tony Tuohy; W60 Maggie Statham-Berry; W70 Pauline Rich; W75 Patricia Cummings; W80 Pam Jones. Also splendid M45 Silver team medals were awarded to the VAC team of 1st claimers, Ian Johnston, Robert O'Rourke and Martyn Rouse.

2ND CECIL GITTINS MEMORIAL WALKS INCORPORATING ENFIELD LEAGUE, CYCLOPARK, GRAVESEND, 1 APRIL 2017

England Masters Indoor Track & Field Inter Area Challenge (indoor), 26 February 2017, Lee Valley

VAC men came 4th of 7 area veteran teams, our women 5th and overall VAC were 5th.

Results are on the BMAF website
http://www.bmaf.org.uk/management/results/results_directory.asp

Mile End Parkrun 5k 18 February 2017
The quarterly VAC visit to a Parkrun was to the East End this time. Mile End Park was created towards the end of the 20th century by clearing land to the east of the Regents Canal between the Thames and Victoria Park. Whilst the land started off being flat, several small hills were created, including one incorporating a bridge over Mile End Road. The Parkrun starts outside Mile End track, with changing, toilet and locker facilities, and heads north over two small hills, turning at a third to return, initially by the canal, to the start for a second full lap.

Eight VAC runners met at the start on a grey but mildish morning. First VAC runner to finish was Alan Camp, who set a course M60 record. Further back Ros Tabor improved the course’s age graded record, set by her there in 2015, to 94.65%.

Next outing is to Osterley Park (National Trust-owned in west London) on Saturday 10 June. All welcome -Parkrun registration/barcode required - see www.parkrun.org.uk/osterley.

11/1m60 Alan Camp (Blackheath & Bromley) 18.12* 88.10% age-graded
54/1m50 Lloyd Bevan (Serpentine) 20.33 73.56%
59/1m65 Mike Mann (Dulwich Runners) 21.27 80.42%
65/2m55 Peter Hall (West 4) 21.36 72.99%
81/2m60 Andy Murray (Dulwich Runners) 22.18 73.84%
85/1w65 Ros Tabor (Dulwich Runners) 22.25 94.65%*
142/4m60 Martin Garrett (Serpentine) 25.25 64.79%
151/1m70 John Carter(Wimbledon Windmilers) 25.50 71.03%

*Course records m60/overall age graded

Photo shows from left - John Carter, Andy Murray, Ros Tabor, Peter Hall, Lloyd Bevan, Martin Garrett, Mike Mann

BMAF Pentathlon, South of England Masters, EVAC & VAC Championships & Open (indoor) Meeting, 12 February 2017, Lee Valley

Ros Tabor, W65 800m and 1500m winner, credit to Jeremy Hemming

Results are on the BMAF website
http://www.bmaf.org.uk/management/results/results_directory.asp

Women’s Surrey League Cross Country, Coulsdon, 11 February 2017

The start...

VAC Members at Coulsdon

Around 20 VAC women, running for their first-claim clubs, braved the wintry conditions on a tough five mile course in Coulsdon’s Happy Valley. Belgrave’s Sophie Carter was the fastest VAC finisher, followed by VAC’s Cross Country Championship winner, Liz Stavreski. Ange Norris was the first W55 in the race, beating all the W45 and W50 runners. Rachel Badham was first in the W45 category. Ola Balme and Marie Synott-Wells were 2nd and 3rd in the W50 placings.. 

1. Isabel Brinsden, Senior, 28:58 (non VAC)

22. Sophie Carter W35, 32:32

35. Liz Stavreski, W40, 33:21

44. Ange Norris, W55, 33:47

52. Selma Benattia, W35, 34:10

58. Victoria Buck, W40, 34:26

62. Rachel Badham, W45, 34:38

71. Ola Balme, W50, 34:56

86. Marie Synott-Wells, W50, 35:48

100. Kate Williams, W50, 36:13

114. Susanna Harrison, W50, 36:38

126. Lisa Thomas, W50, 37:02

134. Pippa Major, W50, 37:27

159. Liz Amos, W35, 38:29

192. Rebecca Barrow, W45, 39:57

241. Nicky Atkins, W50, 42:57

247. Jane Rowden, W60, 43:12

284. Sarah Allen, W50, 46:48

290. Ann Bath, W65, 47:03

294. Fiona Bishop, W55, 47:37

340 finishers

 
Marie Synott-Wells                                                           Rachel Badham

Ola Balme

Photos from Jeremy Hemming
Jeremy has more photos, you can contact him direct at hemming@dircon.co.uk

Men’s Surrey League Cross Country, Lloyd Park, 11 February 2017 

 
Steve Clancey, ran in all four matches                                                                      Peter Hall

Eight VAC men made up the VAC team for the final match in the Surrey League series at a cold, grey, Lloyd Park. The two lap course presented the customary greasy mud. Strong legs, good footwear and masterly technique were the order of the day. The team was led home by Mark Cawood, placing 19th in the Division Four race. Next were fellow SLH club mates, Steve Clancey, Jamie Freeland, Glen Morgan and Barry Attwell, all posting sub 40 minute times over the challenging five miles. Peter Hall, Andy Murray and Carey Gray closed the team scorings, making every place count. 

Despite being two men short of a full team, VAC finished a worthy 7th on the day. The team’s performance enabled VAC to gain a place in the overall standings. We finished a very creditable 6th out of the 10 teams in the division. The Surrey League also makes awards to leading individuals in the M40-49, M50-59 and M60 age groups. VAC’s Mark Cawood has won the bronze medal in the M40 category, taking into account his four great performances. In the M60 category, Andy Murray’s consistency has been rewarded by the silver medal. Steve Clancey, Mark Cawood and Carey Gray once again ran in every fixture. Carey hasn’t missed a match since 2011!

Thanks go to Paddy Clark, the team manager, who has marshalled the team, provided the essential practical support and kept spirits high.

VAC placings at Lloyd Park: Division Four

19 Mark Cawood M45 32:50

39 Steve Clancey M45 35:14

48 Jamie Freeland M40 36:14

50 Glen Morgan M50 37:01

71 Barry Attwell M60 39:24

76 Peter Hall M55 40:12

79 Andy Murray M60 40:53

91 Carey Gray M55 43:03

113 finishers

Full results of the Division 3/4 match and team placings arehere.

VAC Cross Country Champs, Wimbledon Common, 21 January 2017 

The start

In freezing temperatures, but with bright, calm, conditions, 56 finishers claimed some excellent racing and pleasing performances. For the fourth year we used the two-lap 4.5 mile course on Wimbledon Common, taking in the trail alongside the Beverley Brook and the climb up Robin Hood horse ride. Course records for the Championships are taking shape, augmented by some fine performances at the Inter-Area Masters’ Challenge in October 2016 which used the same course.

The race winner, Richard McDowell, led the field by over 30 seconds to set the inaugural M35 course record in an excellent time of 25:07. The top five finishers were each from different age groups (M35, M50, M55, M45 and M60). Second-placed Tony Tuohy had a magnificent run to break the M50 course record by over 20 seconds. Third-placed Gary Ironmonger set a new M55 VAC Championship course record. Next was Ian Johnston, as first M45, followed by Alan Camp, showing great form, holding off two challengers and improving Dave Cox’s admirable M60 record by 18 seconds. Mike Mann and Peter Giles retained their M65 and M70 titles in their annual tussle, which this year was narrowly won, by four seconds, by Peter. Doug Milsom, in good form, and not straying off course this year, posted a fine 39:06 to rewrite the VAC Championships M75 course record. However, he did not match his own magnificent overall M75 course record of 37:39 set at the Inter-Area Challenge.

For the women, there was a close contest for the top three placings which were taken by runners in three different age groups (W40, W45 and W55), each setting new VAC Championships course records. First woman, and 8th in the race, was Liz Stavreski whose time of 29:19 improved Victoria Carter’s championship course record of 29:43. However, the absolute course record is still held by Clare Elms whose time of 27:44 set at the Inter-Area Challenge looks unbeatable. Rachel Badham followed in 9th place in a time of 29:35, knocking 11 seconds off Anna Critchlow’s W45 VAC Championships course record. Rachel was chased all the way by W55 Ange Norris who set a new VAC Championship record of 29:54 but couldn’t quite match her own overall course record of 29:40 set at the Inter-Area Challenge. The W50, W60 and W65 gold medals were won convincingly by Patricia Thomas, Jane Georgiou and Margaret Moody.

Thank you to all who competed in the championships. The award for the most conspicuous club goes to Herne Hill Harriers, fielding eight runners and picking up numerous medals. Dulwich Runners came a close second with seven runners, followed by W4H with five.

Thanks also to the officials and helpers without whom the event could not have been held:

Meeting Director: Maggie Statham

Registration: Martin Berry, Maggie Statham 

Data and results: Peter Kennedy

Medical support: Alison Jones

Timekeeper: Nigel Bongers

Recorders: Stephanie Burchill, Tom Morris, Maggie Statham

Marshals: Joe Aspinall, Paddy Clark, Maurice Doogan, Mike May, Liam O’Hare, Ros Tabor, Dennis Williams

Course set-up: Mike Mann, Andy Murray, Dennis Williams

Photographer: Jeremy Hemming

Results here...

 
Richard Mcdowell, Race Winner                    Liz Stavreski, First Woman 

 
Valdis Pauzers                                                                      Stuart Morrison

 
Margaret Moody                                                      Jane Georghiou

 
Bill O'Connor                                                                        Ian Johnston

 
Gary Ironmonger                                                                    Mike Boyle
 
Liz Stavreski                                                                                Ange Norris, First W55

 
Anna Critchlow                                                                       Ola Balme

 
Patricia Thomas, First W50                                                               Peter Giles M70

 
Peter Hall                                                                    Graham Laylee

 
Andy Murray                                                                    Walter Wessely

 
Gerry Smith                                                  Martin Spence

 
Carol Jones                                              Richard Bloom

 
Alan Camp                                                                 Jeremy Carnell

 
Rosemary Lewis                                                              Peter Kennedy

 
Lisa Pettit                                                  William Fordham

Photos from Jeremy Hemming
Jeremy has many more photos, you can contact him direct at hemming@dircon.co.uk

Men's Surrey League Cross Country, Cranford 14 January 2017

  
Gary Ironmonger led VAC team                                                                              Steve Clancey

 
Peter Hall                                                             Carey Gray

 
Simon Williamson                                                             Mark Cawood

 
Philip Jones                                                  Peter Hall

 
Andy Murray                                                              Ian Sesnan

Walter Wessely

The VAC team at Cranford Park (from left to right): Steve Clancey, Peter Hall, Paddy Clark (team manager), Simon Williamson, Ian Sesnan, Andy Murray, Gary Ironmonger, Carey Gray,Mark Cawood,Philip Jones)

What's different about this plane? No windows – it flies cargo

Photos from Jeremy Hemming
Jeremy has many more photos, you can contact him direct at hemming@dircon.co.uk

Ten VAC men made up a full team for the third match in the Surrey League series at a surprisingly sunny Cranford Park under the shadow of Heathrow Airport’s flightpath. The team’s lead runner, Gary Ironmonger, came a magnificent fourth in the Division Four listing after a tight contest with the 5th and 6th placed younger runners who were only seconds behind. VAC were well supported in the middle of the pack by great performances from Mark Cawood, Philip Jones, Steve Clancey and Peter Hall, followed by the men who closed the team, Carey Gray, Andy Murray, Simon Williamson, Ian Sesnan and Walter Wessely, who are just as valuable as the faster ones. 

Thanks go to Paddy Clark, the team manager, who orchestrated VAC’s presence and kept spirits high. The team finished a creditable 6th on the day, a place higher than in the previous match. The team performance helped VAC to jump to 7th overall after the three fixtures, but we need a strong performance in the final match to consolidate. We could even bag another place. 

VAC men, please turn out for the final match at Lloyd Park, Croydon, on 11 February.

VAC placings at Cranford Park: Division Four

4 Gary Ironmonger M55 29:11

19 Mark Cawood M45 31:26

29 Philip Jones M50 32:31

40 Steve Clancey M45 33:41

60 Peter Hall M55 35:42

72 Carey Gray M55 36:49

74 Andy Murray M60 37:04

85 Simon Williamson M55 38:19

87 Ian Sesnan M55 38:49

103 Walter Wessely M70 45:44

107 finishers

Full results and team placings are here.