Results for July to December 2024
British Masters 5km Road Championships, Battersea Park, 1 December 2024
Photos from Cliff Hide. Please credit Cliff and VAC if sharing his photos on social media or posting on websites. Cliff has more and is happy to supply JPEG copies to competitors. Email him at cliffhide10@aol.com
Here are the Results on OpenTrack
Enfield Open 7, incorporating VAC 7 mile track championships, 9 November 2024 The event was held in conjunction with Enfield & Haringey AC’s 7 Mile Open race, now in its 97th edition, in
idyllic conditions, and now takes the name of Bernie Hercock, who was a long-time VAC member and prolific
racer.
Women's Surrey League Cross Country, Hurst Green, 9 November 2024
Photos from Malcolm Davies The full results are on the Surrey League website.
VAC's women's team of twelve competed
strongly in the combined race for Divisions 2 and 3 at Hurst Green in overcast damp
conditions. The 6km course comprised a short and long lap,
predominately in and around a series of farm fields in pleasant countryside. The ground was firm with only
small patches of mud. The women's match was the last of the day and benefited from great support from the men
who had already raced and were taking advantage of the
hospitalityof the Holland Sports club house less than 100
metres from the finish line.
Lucy Woolhouse (W60) was the first finisher
for VAC in 42nd position in Division 2 and first in the W55-64 age band in the combined race. Next was Sue Dixon
(W55), eighteen seconds behind in 48th. Andrea Stehlikova (W40), Anna Garnier (W70) and Pippa Major (W55)
completed VAC’s scoring A team which was a creditable 10th out of the
fifteen teams in Division 2. The next
five finishers, Helen Davies, Sally Carr, Patricia Thomas, Ramona Thevenet and Vera Blei scored for the B team
which finished seventh. Lesley Mill, in her Surrey League debut, and Viv Mitchell gave great
back-up. Overall, after two fixtures, VAC's A team are ninth in Division 2.
Men's Surrey League Cross Country, Hurst Green, 9 November 2024
Photos from Helen Davies The full results are on the Surrey League website.
On a
cool overcast damp day, Holland Sports AC again hosted the season's second fixture at Hurst Green, near Oxted.
Improvements had been made to the start section to add another 500m in length in order to avoid last year's
bottleneck on the two bridges and narrow path leading to the
network of farm fields beyond. The 8km, two lap, course was also in much better
condition, soft but firm, as there hadn't been much rain for several
weeks.
Nineteen men represented VAC, making each one an A team or B team scorer. Simon Moore
(M55) again was first for VAC finishing in 17th position in
Division 4. He was soon followed by John Foley (M55) in 20th and Malcolm Davies (M55) in 33rd. Next were Peter Lee
(M55), Duncan Haughey (M60), Charles Hampden-Smith (M60) and Vic Maughn (M60), separated by less than a minute. Ebe
Prill, Bruce McLaren and Tom Poynton completed VAC’s scoring A team. VAC’s remaining runners pushed for every place
to score for the B team. The A team were a commendable fourth in the Division 4 match with Collingwood ahead in third this time. Overall, after two fixtures, the A team are still third behind dominant Elmbridge and Lingfield Running Club in first and second. However, an improving Collingwood team is just six points behind in the scores. VAC’s B team placed second in their competition, a good result recognising VAC's strength in numbers and performances.
Bromley parkrun, Saturday 19 October 2024
Photo from Ros Tabor Bromley parkrun has two versions. The summer one is partly on grass and quite twisty, but in the winter months, starting in October, a different route is used which is all on concrete paths and pretty flat. This course is fast and therefore popular. Eight VAC members were amongst the 575 finishers. The start was slightly congested but after a few hundred metres it was possible to run freely. The weather conditions were perfect – the rain had just stopped and the air was cool and still. James de Vivenot was the fastest for VAC whilst Ros Tabor achieved the highest age grading. Some of VAC's contingent had not been to a VAC parkrun meet-up before, and some were later helping with VAC’s 10,000m track walk championships at the nearby Norman Park track.
 Veterans AC 10000m track race walk incorp Sussex, Surrey, Middx & Herts County Champs, 19 October 2024
Numbers were similar to the previous year, in addition there was a 2000m race held for the juniors with two Blackheath & Bromley walkers, coached by VAC’s own Shaun Lightman. Both achieved personal bests, in the case of Florence Watson by over a minute. The ladies’ race was won by Grazia Manzotti in a time just inside the hour, with runner up Chik Ha Kwok “Billie” from VAC third place overall in a time a little less than posted at the Enfield League meeting the previous week. Grazia also won the race overall, she had previously won the ladies’ race only in 2021. Flying the flag for Sussex, Trevor Jones (Steyning AC) took the County honours with two Sussex awards, presented by Ron Penfold. Trevor also won the men’s race. Peter Gregoire, a new signing for Steyning AC, did well also in fourth place. There were two new Middlesex County medallists, presented by John Hall, Billie as mentioned above and her husband Man Biu Lam also from VAC. VAC are indebted as always to the team of officials and judges for this event to take place, who appear below.
Acknowledgements
Women's Surrey League Cross Country, Reigate, 12 October 2024
Photos from Cliff Hide. Please credit Cliff and VAC if sharing his photos on social media or posting on websites. Cliff has more and is happy to supply JPEG copies to competitors. Email him at cliffhide10@aol.com The full results are on the Surrey League website A magnificent thirteen women competed strongly for VAC in the combined race for Divisions 2 and 3 at Priory Park in Reigate in mild, overcast, conditions. Luckily the rain held off for the race but it poured down within an hour of finishing. The two-lap, 6km, course was a mixture of grassland and dirt tracks, with steep climbs up to the ridge and a long descent in a gully which was thankfully dry and smooth. Andrea Stehlikova (W40) was VAC's first finisher in a time of 29:43 in 33rd position in Division 2. Lucy Woolhouse (W60) was three seconds behind in 34th with Rebecca Pickard (W45) in 37th, also inside 30 minutes. Denise Barnett (W50) and Sue Dixon (W55) completed the scoring "A" team which finished a commendable 9th out of 15 "A" teams. Lucy was the fastest in the W60-69 age band in the combined race. The next five finishers, Pippa Major, Ramona Thevenet, Gina Coulson, Sally Carr and Viv Mitchell scored for the "B" team which finished seventh. Vera Blei, Ros Tabor and Lesley Bowcott gave a great back up. Ros was the first W75 and Lesley the first W80. A warm welcome was given to new team members, Andrea, Rebecca, Denise, Sue, Ramona and Sally who all made great contributions.
Men's Surrey League Cross Country, Reigate, 12 October 2024
Please credit Cliff and VAC if sharing his photos on social media or posting on websites. Cliff has more and is happy to supply JPEG copies to competitors. Email him at cliffhide10@aol.com
A magnificent turnout of 23 men represented VAC in the first match of the season at Reigate's Priory Park. The five mile, two lap, course was testing with its steep ascents from the playing fields and a long tricky descent from the high point. The ground was firm but stones and roots contributed to a number of tumbles. Simon Moore (M55) led the team in a time of 36:05, finishing 72nd out of the 371 finishers in the combined Divisions 3 and 4 race, and 16th position in Division 4. He was followed within a minute by Jim Carrington (M45) and Malcolm Davies (M55) in positions 21 and 25. Next were Peter Lee, Duncan Haughey and Pete O'Connell, all well under 40 minutes. The scoring "A" team was completed by Ebe Prill, Ben Revill, Ian Butler and John Foss, all in the top 100. Newcomers William Brook, Ian Butler, Gareth George, Duncan Haughey, Simon Lawrence, Pete O'Connell and Tom Poynton were warmly welcomed. They made great contributions. The “A” team were an excellent third in the Division 4 match. The full “B” team, led by Tom Poynton, fought for every place and were rewarded by coming first in their competition. In the age group listings, VAC's Simon Moore, Malcolm Davies and Peter Lee took the top three positions for M55s. In the M60 rankings, Duncan Haughey and Pete O'Connell were first and second, with John Foss the first M65 and Dan Maskell the first M75.
 Most of VAC's team. Nicky, Sally, Susan, David W, David O. Standing: John, Vikki, Andrea, Rebecca, Margaret, Glen   Jani Kraner 1st VAC Vikki Filsell VAC's 1st woman   John Foley 1st M55 Susan Dixon   Sally Carr Duncan Haughey
Photos from Malcolm Davies
Sunshine and firm ground were appreciated at Lloyd Park, Croydon, by VAC's team of fourteen in the season's
first cross country match in the East Surrey League. There were 98 finishers in the well-supported fixture with
men and women running together on the two-lap, 4.8 mile course which was without its customary mud and puddles.
Five newcomers to VAC's team were warmly welcomed and made great contributions to VAC's overall fourth place in
the team results.
Jani Kraner (M40) led VAC home with a splendid tenth place finish. David Williams (M60) and John Foley (M55)
were next, both in the top twenty and first in their respective age groups. David Moore (M55) was fourth for
VAC and completed the scoring team which finished fourth overall. Newcomer, Duncan Haughey (M60), Glen Morgan
(M60) and John Carter (M80) completed the men's team.
VAC's first woman was Vikki Filsell (W55) in ninth place followed by Rebecca Pickard (W45) in tenth. Newcomers,
Andrea Stehlikova (W40) (13th) and Susan Dixon (W55) (15th) completed the scoring team of four which placed a
strong third in the women's team results. Newcomer, Sally Carr (W50), Nichola Atkins (W60) and newcomer,
Margaret Wadman (W60) completed the team. Vikki and Nichola were first in their age groups.
Veterans AC were pleased to host the nineth 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, formerly a mediaeval hammer pond. The weather although dry was slightly cooler than expected for late September. A minute’s silence was observed to reflect the passing of Micky Harran, of Surrey Walking Club and Veterans AC. In the headline race over 9.52km VAC were pleased to welcome back Trevor Jones from Steyning AC now on his third win for the men at this event; ladies’ winner of the 5.9km course was Jo Hesketh from Steyning AC in a good time, in addition it was good to see Joan Lennon in second place not too far behind, and Cherry Neate making her debut here, both also from Steyning, who had a large presence in the race. Thanks to our team of judges and officials as usual. The race was held to raise funds for the RAF Benevolent Fund, as a tribute to RAF fighter pilot Jack Fitzgerald. Acknowledgements
Vitality Westminster Mile, VAC One Mile Championships, 21 September 2024
Photos from Maggie Statham-Berry. Photo of Clare Elms and Doug Milsom from Steve Smythe.
Thirty VAC members enjoyed the Westminster
Mile's traffic-free course in pleasant warm sunshine. Adult Wave 1 was VAC's designated race, the first of 25
waves, attracting over 4,000 milers on the day. The races started on the Mall and the course made a circuit of St
James's park, past Horse Guards parade ground and back along Birdcage Walk to the iconic finish outside Buckingham
Palace. The presentation of VAC's medals took place in Green Park afterwards. VAC members set two official British bests for a road mile. Clare Elms took 12 seconds off her own W60 record with an outstanding time of 5:21. This is also an unofficial world best. Doug Milsom achieved a convincing M85 best. His time of 9:18 was well inside the previous M85 record of 9:29 set by Eric Shirley at the Westminster Mile in 2016. Jani Kraner was VAC's first finisher, and second M40 in the adult races, in a time of 4:54. Rich Berry was VAC's second finisher, joining Jani in a sub-5 time of 4:57, earning him first place in the races' M50 listing. Clare Elms was VAC's first woman in 5:21 followed by Anna Critchlow in 5:48, placing first in the races' W55 category. Rebecca Pickard (W45) also achieved a sub-6 time of 5:58, as did Andy Jordan (M60, 5:18), Norman Urquia (M55, 5:19) and David Moore (M55, 5:22). VAC members dominated the age groups. Other age group firsts were achieved by Helen Rochester (W50), Anna Garnier (W70), Ros Tabor (W75) and Peter Hall (M65). If there had been a category for M90, it would have been won by Richard Pitcairn-Knowles who completed the course in 22:18. Richard said that this might be his last competitive race before retiring from running but hopefully he will appear at some VAC events in the future. Here are the Results of VAC's One Mile Championship at the Westminster Mile, 21 September 2024
VAC 10,000m Championships, Battersea Park, 11 September 2024
Photos from Cliff Hide. Photo gallery: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBHqqt Please credit Cliff and VAC if sharing his photos on social media or posting on websites. Cliff has more and is happy to supply JPEG copies to competitors. Email him at cliffhide10@aol.com
Here are the results of the individual
10,000m races and overall results Here are the Age Group Positions Here are the combined results including medallists The three seeded races took place in pleasantly warm weather, sunny for the first race and floodlit for the last. Roman Banias (M35) won VAC's men’s 10,000m champion’s title. He was second in the last (fastest) race with a time of 33:33.92, just two seconds behind the winner, Matt Cooper (M40) of St Albans Striders. The fastest woman was Emily Proto (W35) of SCVAC in a time of 39:07.55. Caroline Helder was VAC's first woman and was a worthy winner of the Champion’s trophy. Two Championship Best Performances were set in the races. The first was Maggie Statham-Berry's time of 49:44.38 which considerably improved the previous W70 record of 51:59.4 set by Pam Jones in 2008. The second CBP was by Ben Reynolds who held his own in the fast race to record a time of 35:27.79, a new M60 record, bettering the previous best of 35:54.1 set by Dave Cox in 2014. Jeremy Garner (M50) won the second race in 38:31.52 chased by Chris Morgan (M45) in 38:34.35. Jacob Armstrong-Plieth (M50) was dominant in the first race and won in a time of 39:55.01, well ahead of second placed David Pitt (M70) who claimed M70 Gold in a time of 41:33.87. Lisa Watson (W50) of Harvel Hash House Harriers was the first woman in this race.. Gold medals for men’s age-group firsts were won by Roman Banias (M35), Matt Cooper (M40), Philip Cooper (M45), Steve Winder (M50), Jonathan Ratcliffe (M55), Ben Reynolds (M60), Jeremy Musselwhite (M65) and David Pitt (M70). For the women, the Golds were awarded to Emily Proto (W35), Louise Faherty (W45), Ali Farrall (W50), Caroline Helder (W60) and Maggie Statham-Berry (W70).
England Masters Athletics Association Inter-Area Challenge, Corby, 7 September 2024
Photos from Rachel Berry, Maggie Statham-Berry and Sarah Westrap Here are the Results of each Event Here are the Team Scores Thirty seven members made the trip to the Rockingham Triangle Stadium in damp, misty, Corby to represent VAC in
the prestigious Inter Area challenge for nine of the UK's Masters area clubs. Every place counted for a point in
the day's 102 track and field events. In the combined men's and women's scores, VAC
finished a worthy fourth with 509 points behind the winners EMAC (690.5 points), second placed NMAC (569) and third
placed MMAC (562). In the men's competition, VAC's team was fourth but it was close. Another five points would have
put VAC in third, and another 17 points into second. The women's team was sixth but only 11 points off
fifth. VAC had top three placings in 42 events, recording 12 first places (5 for the men
and 7 for the women), 12 second places and 18 third places. Of note were
the double firsts by Sarah Loades (W50 400m and 300mHurdles) and Moira West (W70 100m and Long Jump). Other
splendid top scores of 9 points were achieved by Stuart Bennett (M50 2k Walk), Rachel Berry (W50 3000m), Mark
Cursons (M60 1500m), David Hinds (M70 400m), Trevor Jones (M35 2k Walk), Samantha Lamb (W50 1500m), Emily Murray
(W35 Triple Jump) and Gavin Stephens (M35 400m). Most prolific for VAC was Mark Andrews, a multi-eventer, who did nine events (all the M35 field events and the hurdles). In the M50 team, Mark McAllister did six individual events, both track and field, and then ran a relay leg in the second-placed M35 team. Natalie Mann posted good marks in four W35 field events, including three third places. Many others did more than one event and everyone's contribution was valued.
VAC and London Masters Open Track & Field Championships, Tooting Bec, 31 August 2024
Photos from Cliff Hide. Photo gallery: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBFJFS Please credit Cliff and VAC if sharing his photos on social media or posting on websites. Cliff has more and is happy to supply JPEG copies to competitors. Email him at cliffhide10@aol.com Here are the results on Power of Ten of the VAC/London Masters T&F Championships, 31 August 2024: Results (thepowerof10.info)
Here are the results for each event by
age group category Here are the results for each event showing the top three placings VAC's Track and Field championships took place in cool blustery conditions at London's Tooting Bec athletics track. For a second year, VAC expanded the club championship to include an open London Masters tournament. The event was successful and attracted 170 entrants, many signing up for multiple events. There were lots of fine performances from Masters ranging in age from 35 to over 85. Clare Elms potentially set a W60 World Record of 4:57.14 in the 1500m, subject to ratification. Andrew Ridley ran a magnificent 2:07.45 in the 800m to post a world's best for the M60 age group. Unfortunately, his record was not backed up by acceptable photo finish images. Robert McHarg was also within the existing M60 record. Thanks go to all the officials and helpers who served for many hours to ensure a successful meeting, which we plan to repeat and build on further next year.
VAC Battersea Park Grand Prix, Summer Race Series 2024
Photos from Cliff Hide Please credit Cliff and VAC if sharing his photos on social media or posting on websites. Cliff has more and is happy to supply JPEG copies to competitors. Email him at cliffhide10@aol.com Sixteen VAC members qualified for the 2024 Grand Prix. To be eligible, members needed to register times in at least three of VAC's four 5km/5 mile road races in the 2024 series in Battersea Park. Each year, the person with the highest average of his or her three best age-graded performances is awarded the Snow Cup, a beautiful trophy which dates to 1950. Congratulations to Karima Harris (W50) the worthy winner of the 2024 competition with an outstanding average age grading of 95.34%. In each of her three races, she was the women’s winner and also set new W50 5km and 5 mile course records for the Battersea Park courses. Richard Tomlinson (M55) was second in the Grand Prix with an average of 88.35%, going one better than last year’s third place. Richard has been competing in the series since 2007 and has held long-standing M45 and M50 course records which have only been bettered in recent years. Ged Ruffle (M70) was third in the series with an average of 88.16%, closely followed by Mike Forder (M70), Caroline Helder (W60) and Martin Daoud (M60). Four members were ever-presents, contesting all four races. They were Martin Daoud, Mike Mann. Karen Samuel and Tom Cheetham. In addition, three non-members, Terry Lapins, Jonathan Ratcliffe and Ian Budge, raced in all four. Thanks go to all the VAC members and open runners who competed in the races over the summer. The series resumes in April 2025.
Kingston parkrun, Saturday 20 July 2024
Parkrun meet-ups in West London have been the most popular with VAC members so Kingston was chosen for the latest one. It is a flat one-lap course mostly along the Thames towpath at Ham but with short off-road loops at the start and halfway. Conditions were good and we were glad the weather had cooled down from the 30 degrees plus of the previous day. 19 VAC members completed the parkrun. VAC runners were the first in several age groups: M55 John Foley, M60 Richard Evans, M75 Mike Mann, M80 John Carter, M85 Joe Aspinall, W65 Anna Garnier and W70 Maggie Statham–Berry. Anna was also top of the age gradings with 90.62%. The next gathering will be in the Autumn – suggestions for the venue are welcome.
VAC 5 Km Road Race & Road Walk, 16 July 2024, Battersea Park
Photos from Cliff
Hide. Please credit Cliff and VAC if sharing his photos on social media or posting on websites. Cliff has more and is happy to supply JPEG copies to competitors. Email him at cliffhide10@aol.com Here are the Race Results online on OpenTrack. Here are the Results of the 5K Road Race, including the category positions (PDF file). Fixture clashes may have resulted in a smaller than usual field but the 52 finishers produced a fine competition, including two course records. Chris Blackburn of Holland Sports AC won the race in a splendid time of 16:11 which becomes an M50 Allcomers' record for the course. He was pressed all the way by Tatsuya Okamoto (M40) and Barnaby Day (M40) who finished in 16:18 and 16:20 respectively. Karima Harris of Highgate Harriers was the women's winner in a high-ranking time of 17:57, a PB for her and also a new VAC W50 course record, slicing seven seconds off Nikki Sturzaker's previous record of 18:04 set in 2023. Karima's consistent top performances in three of VAC's races in the Battersea Park summer series, has won her the Snow Cup for 2024. Her average age-grading was a magnificent 95.34%. Other age-group first places were achieved by Eddie Ware (M45), Richard Tomlinson (M55), Rebecca Luxton (W40), Martin Daoud (M60), Ged Ruffle (M70), Merilyn Davis (W65), Mike Mann (M75), Karen Samuel (W60), John Carter (M80), Heather Allen (W75) and Joe Aspinall (M85).
VAC 5k Road Walk, Battersea Park, 16 July 2024 Permit No RWA24019-4 Category B Fixture IV
Photos from Cliff
Hide. Please credit Cliff and VAC if sharing his photos on social media or posting on websites. Cliff has more and is happy to supply JPEG copies to competitors. Email him at cliffhide10@aol.com On a warm and sultry evening, the fourth and final of the regular Battersea Park races had a smaller than average field on the start line. The men’s and overall race was won by Trejan Checheku-Boamah from Blackheath and Bromley Harriers, coached by VAC’s very own Shaun Lightman, who had improved his position from fourth place last year and also gained a new PB. VAC’s own men’s winner was Stuart Bennett (Brentwood Beagles) who continues to drive the sport in the Essex area. For the ladies, VAC’s Chik Ha Kwok from Metros RC won for the second month running, and was also second overall, another PB for her. Second placed Penelope Cummings from HHH finished only a few seconds behind. Another PB gained was from Man Biu Lam, also Metros RC. VAC were pleased to welcome Susan Payne (AFD) who did a really respectable time in her first attempt at the distance, and Martin Murray (Newquay & Par) also did well at his first attempt.
Officials:
Octogenarian and Nonagenarian gathering at the Bushy parkrun, 6 July 2024
VAC members were prominent at the seventh annual gathering of the over 80s at the Bushy parkrun. Seventy-one octo- and nonagenarians came together amongst the 1190 finishers at the 992nd parkrun at Bushy Park, the home of parkrun. Dark skies and rain did not deter them from celebrating their ages and showing that they can complete the distance joyously and with pride. VAC member, Richard Pitcairn-Knowles (M90) is one of the founders of the annual meeting which includes prosecco and cupcakes as rewards. There were 55 finishers in the 80-84 age group, 13 in the 85-89 age group and three over nineties. SCVAC’s David Moorekite was the fastest M80 in 25:45. VAC’s Michael Johnson was the second fastest with an equally impressive time of 26:10 and an age-grading of 84.65%. VAC’s Joe Aspinall clocked a time of 37:28 which was third fastest of the M85 competitors. Other VAC members present were John Carter (M80), a good seventh in the M80s in 31:24, and race-walker, Shaun Lightman (M80) in 38:02. Next year’s gathering at the Bushy parkrun will take place on 5 July 2025.
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