September is a time of change for athletes, a time for reflection and anticipation. Although there are still some road races to go, including the climax to the closest club championship for years, thoughts have started to drift towards the cross country season and training plans for the winter. Schools have started back, the dreaded football season is in full swing, all the sun tan lotion and shorts (even Bob's) have been packed away and Tony Curry is more miserable than ever because it's nearly Christmas.
Holidays tend to allow time to think about future plans over sangria and full English breakfast on the med - runners resolutions seem to commence in September rather than January. One such intention has seen the welcome return on Tuesdays of Ian Pople, intent on getting fit again. What is there to look forward to? First of all next Saturday sees the club 10k, of which more below. Of course the main competitive aim of the winter is the Oxford League - more detail in the next newsletter. Then there is the opening of the new leisure centre in the new year - we all have our views on this, some positive, some not so. Have a good winter!
CLUB 20th ANNIVERSARY PARTY
Twenty years of Cirencester AC was celebrated in style at Totterdown Farm in Fairford on 13 August. The strength and vibrancy of the club, built up particularly over the last two years, has never been more evident. In excess of 70, including about 10 youngsters, turned out despite torrential rain all afternoon. The weather cleared during the evening only for the heavens to open again for a period.
Wendy Jones & Justin Nicholls, together with Wendy's parents and sister, hosted a wonderful party. Two large Arabian open-fronted tents were erected housing picnic tables, patio heaters and numerous poster sized photographs and newspaper cuttings charting the history of the club. Everything from international selections down to one nameless member photographed emerging from total immersion in a river during the Tough Guy event was on view. Literally the sublime to the ridiculous.
A magnificent pig roast with salad was prepared and copious quantities of alcohol helped wash it all down. John Burgess and Tony Curry then ceremoniously cut the birthday cake thoughtfully provided by Wendy. The club needs to be thanked for funding all the food and a fair proportion of the drink for the evening. Given the big turnout this decision was clearly justified as a very large proportion of the membership benefited.
The party was such a success that the hosts have already volunteered to put on another one in 2006 to celebrate the club's coming of age. Lots of advance notice of the date will be given (once Wendy & Justin have consulted the long range forecast) so that the date can be put in diaries.
RESULTS
14 August Standish Woodland M/T '10'. Despite attending the club bash the night before, Jane Wassell returned to racing after a bit of a break to win this long standing and tough race. Our top ladies might be veterans but they just cannot stop winning races outright!
1 L Christmas (Stroud) 58.55
18 Jane Wassell (Cirencester) 68.35 (1st lady / FV35)
117 finished
14 August Pinewood 10k. Jon Young reports: "Cirencester AC was represented at the inaugural Pinewood 10k, near Shrivenham. Keith Firkin and Jonathan Young turned out for what was advertised as a flat course; clearly certain gradients are still flat. However, it was an enjoyable course run on country roads, with a well organised race HQ, parking, start and finish all based at Pinewood School . A quick circuit of the cricket pitch was followed by a short steep hill, then a steady 2k downhill to Bishopstone. In warm conditions, everyone was aware that they would be running this part of the course on the way back. There followed a loop around the village, with a couple more slopes, before retracing the route back up the steady 2k, then down the hill and into the school grounds for the finish.
Well done to Keith on an impressive time following a night out on Friday, a fell run on Saturday and then the club party [ed: see Globe Inn below as well] !"
1 Gareth Deacon ( Coventry Godiva AC) 33.27
42 Keith Firkin (Cirencester) 40.50
68 Jonathan Young 42.33
286 finished
18 August Globe Inn 5km, Gloucester , incorporating Glos. County championship. A really high quality personal best for Wendy Jones as she beat her great rival from Bourton, Shona Crombie-Hicks, on the way to winning the county championship. Wendy's time was the fastest time run in the UK by any British female athlete during August, the only one sub-17 minutes and one of the fastest of the year, a very considerable achievement. The three men kept their distance - although the editor managed to eke out a half decent time after a long break - and appeared to be the only competitors not to win a prize. Wendy won a county medal plus some chocolate fingers and a bottle of really dodgy looking medium sweet sparkling wine, which she very sensibly and quickly swopped for a box of chocolate cookies!
1 Josh Lilley ( Cheltenham ) 14.57
17 Wendy Jones (Cirencester) 16.53 (1st lady / FV35 - club FV35 record & outright ladies club record)
19 Shona Crombie-Hicks (Bourton) 17.06 (2nd lady)
32 David Wright (Cirencester) 18.02 (club V45 record)
42 Keith Firkin 18.27
48 Nigel Morris 18.47
111 finished
4 September Reading 10k - Keith Firkin 39.54
11 September Witney '10'. Three club age group records were set on the tough Witney course. Jane Wassell, on track for a good autumn half marathon, took four minutes off the FV35 record; Carol Clarke replicated her 2004 club record at Witney but in a different age group and quite a lot faster than last year and Dick Waldron added another record to his growing collection. Near the front Pancho ran an excellent race, just missing out on his one hour target but is now on track to win the club championship. Pancho was officially given third place in the Oxon county championship, having ticked the appropriate box on the entry form. Unless Oxford and Montevideo are twinned this was a mistake and rather embarrassing. The club's only other prizewinner was David Edelsten who won a spot prize!
1 V Zverev (Headington) 55.54
8 Pancho Gonzalez-Dias (Cirencester) 1.00.27
20 Paul Barlow 1.04.36
27 Jane Wassell 1.06.14 (2nd lady / 1st FV35) - club FV35 record
78 Jonathan Young 1.14.29
92 Chris Sherrington 1.16.54
104 Dick Waldron 1.18.16 - club V60 record
117 Carol Clarke 1.19.55 - club FV55 record
122 Jim Fallon 1.21.16
136 Sue Brown 1.23.47
165 David Edelsten 1.35.38
180 finished. Full results on www.witneyroadru n ners.org.uk
RANKINGS
With just Stroud to go the club road race championship is going right down to the wire. Although Paul is apparently well ahead, he has already competed in the maximum six events. Pancho is the only man that can catch him. If Pancho is first home for the club at Stroud, thus gaining 15 points, Paul will need to be second to join him (he would gain 14 points for second which would enable him to drop his worst previous score of 12 points, thus gaining two points). In the event of a tie it appears that the most 'wins' will decide the issue, which would give the title to Pancho. Despite improving by three positions overall after Witney, Jane Wassell cannot now catch Wendy Jones for the ladies title.
1 Paul Barlow 88pts (6 races), 2 Pancho Gonzalez-Dias 75pts (5), 3 Bill Leggate 71pts, 4 Chris Illman 61pts, 5 Jonathan Young 60pts, 6 Wendy Jones (1st lady), 59pts, 7 Dick Waldron 45pts, 8 Jane Wassell (L) 41pts, 9 Duncan Atkinson 37pts, 10 Niel Dunnage 33pts, 11 David Edelsten 32pts, 12 David Wright 31pts, 13 Carol Clarke (L) 25pts, 14 Dave Cook 24pts, 15 Chris Sherrington 23pts, 16 Justin Nicholls 22pts, 17 Chris Riches, 20pts, 18 Sue Brown (L) 17pts, 19 Kveta Kroulikova (L) 16pts, 20 Joe Barrowclough 14pts, 21 Kim Ingleby (L) 13pts, 22 Sue McKeeman (L) 11pts, 23= Elaine Wilson (L), Kevin Ferris, , Terry Ranger 9pts, 26= Corinne Clark (L), Jim Fallon 8pts, 28 Bob Ferris 7pts, 29= Tony Curry, Dorian Matts 6pts, 31= Diane Moore (L), Chris Brough 5pts, 33 Andrew Fraser 4pts, 34 John Prout 3pts, 35= Lyn Ferris (L), Fred Robson, Ken McAnespie 1pt.
The final club race of the season is the Stroud ½ Marathon so here are the club records to beat:
Women:
Sen 1.17.42 Ellen Leggate 2001
O35 1.20.10 Wendy Jones 2005 ( Bath )
O40 1.36.29 Molly Fisher 1988
O45 1.38.30 Molly Fisher 1991
O50 1.43.20 Carol Clarke 2002 (Stroud)
O55 1.40.51 Mary Campbell 2000
Men:
U20 1.17.58 Chris Illman 2005 ( Bath )
Sen 1.09.07 Mike Smith 2000 (Stroud)
O40 1.17.26 David Wright 1999 (Stroud)
O45 1.19.59 Brian Wither 1992
O50 1.28.23 Tony Curry 1994
O55 1.42.34 Bob May 2002 (Stroud)
O60 1.41.43 Dick Waldron 2002 (Stroud)
O70 1.58.19 Fred Robson 2004 (Cricklade)
FORTHCOMING RACES & CONTACT DETAILS:
17 September (Sat) Globe Inn '5', Gloucester ( 18:30 but check) www.severnac.co.uk
18 September (Sun) Woodchester Park 8m m/t ( 10:30 ) www.stroudathleticclub.org.uk
2 October (Sun) Cricklade 10k & ½ Marathon ( 10:30 ) fast flat courses www.crickladefunrun.co.uk
2005 CLUB ROAD RACE CHAMPIONSHIP
The remaining race and entry details for this year's championship is as follows (entry forms can be found by the noticeboard at the leisure centre):
23 October Stroud ½ Marathon . Entries close 8th October or when entry limit of 2,600 reached. www.stroudathleticclub.org.uk
CIRENCESTER PARK 10k
The club's annual road race promotion takes place on Sunday 25 September. Note the earlier start time of 09:30 this year (to facilitate another event in the park on the same day). David Edelsten states that: " Arrangements for the 10k are going fine. Currently we have 341 entries which is up on last year so I expect 400+ to run. Tony Curry is collecting names of marshalls so they need to report to him but I think he has sufficient at the moment. If anyone wants to run who has not volunteered to marshall they are welcome to do so. All marshalls to report to Tony and/or me by 8.30 at the College. Those doing car park or late entries need to be on duty by 8.00. The College refectory and changing rooms will be open from 7.30."
CROSS COUNTRY
Gloucestershire League. This Saturday afternoon league has been going for many years. Although the club no longer targets the league as a major objective for the winter, the races serve a useful purpose for anyone wanting a good run out in a cross country race. Race distance is usually around 6 miles. Race dates for 2005/6 below (look out on the noticeboard for more details):
15 October Forest of Dean
19 November Dursley
10 December Leamington
21 January Black Bridge , Gloucester
Expect to see an impassioned rallying call for the Oxford League from capitaino Pancho Gonzalez-Dias in the next newsletter. As ever the five rounds are on the first Sunday of each month commencing 6 November - put the dates in your diary!
TRIATHLON
14 August Swanage (Olympic distance: 1.5k swim, 40k bike, 10k run). According to the official results Kevin Ferris was leading by two minutes after the swim stage of this high class event. Given that he was then only 118th fastest on the bike section (Kev's traditional strength sector) it is probably fair to state that the splits were wrong.
1 C Dixon ( Hayling Island ) (20.04, 1.04.21, 34.11) 1.58.36
40 Kevin Ferris (Cirencester) (17.38, 1.17.49, 43.40) 2.19.07 (3rd V45)
132 Dave Cook (26.27, 1.15.37, 51.35) 2.33.39
314 finished
28 August Bedford (Olympic distance). A tie between Martin & Wendy although not contrived as they started at different times. No doubt had they been together Martin would have been a gentlemen and let Wendy across the line first!
1 Martin Yelling ( Milton Keynes ) (23.42, 58.38, 32.41) 1.55.01
29 Yvette Grice (Bodyworks) (22.41, 1.11.23, 38.14) 2.12.18 - 1st lady
46 Martin Pitts (Cirencester) (25.39, 1.07.22, 44.30) 2.17.31
47 Wendy Jones (27.28, 1.12.00, 38.03) 2.17.31 - 3rd lady, 1st FV35
63 Bob Ferris (27.45, 1.08.37, 44.18) 2.20.40
251 finished
4 September Faringdon, Oxon. (split times exclude transition - some splits look strange!)
1 Matthew Powell ( Oxford ) (12.22, 1.20.39, 33.36) 2.07.46
9 Martin Pitts (Cirencester) (12.37, 1.26.15, 37.15) 2.18.23 - 1st veteran
19 Michelle Parsons ( Worcester ) (16.58, 1.26.43, 37.55) 2.22.59 - 1st lady
24 Cathy Cook (Cirencester) (11.53, 1.37.34, 37.09) 2.28.42 - 2nd lady
74 Elaine Wilson (14.28, 1.42.30, 52.53) 2.52.33
120 finished
11.09.2005 Cotswold Sprint open water (0.75k swim, 20k bike, 5k run - times incl transition). The final major triathlon of the season was held very close to home at the Cotswold water park and was organised by Lorraine and Kev Ferris. There were some excellent club performances as well as a good turnout.
1 Dann Brook ( Sheffield ) (9.29, 29.37, 14.52) 53.58
42 Wendy Jones (Cirencester) (12.48, 35.40, 16.33) 1.05.01 - 4th lady, 1st FV35
48 Bob Ferris (13.06, 33.47, 18.36) 1.05.30 - 2nd V50
100 Steve Derrick (14.34, 36.41, 18.51) 1.10.08
110 Justin Nicholls (15.14, 35.50, 19.37) 1.10.42
182 Kim Ingleby (14.46, 38.37, 20.58) 1.14.22
187 Andrew Frazer (15.10, 38.37, 20.46) 1.14.34
215 Diane Moore (16.22, 39.07, 20.54) 1.16.24
228 Corinne Clark (16.14, 39.00, 21.52) 1.17.08
306 Sandra Elphick (15.09, 44.16, 23.21) 1.22.47
374 finished. Full results on www.trif e rris.com
11.09.2005 Longleat Half Ironman (1.9k swim, 90k bike, 21k run)
1 Paul Matthews (26.33, 2.32.07, 1.15.58) 4.17.29
359 Dave Cook (Cirencester) (37.12, 3.18.02, 2.24.38) 6.26.35
500 finished. Full results on www.ironmanuk.com
AGM
David Edelsten reports of the club's AGM held on Tuesday 6 September: "20 members were enticed to the sumptuous surroundings of the Leisure Centre Conference Centre - squash court three - for the club's annual AGM. No doubt the bribe of a free drink afterwards tempted a few but a shortish training session left time for an aperitif.
Bob Ferris got the meeting off to a popular start by announcing that subscriptions will rise next year to £20 for individuals and £30 for family! The joining fee of £25, including club vest, remains. He congratulated the club on a very successful year with increased membership (currently 90 paid up) and success in races, most notably in the Oxford League XC (Ladies winning and Men fourth). The two socials - at Christmas and 20th Anniversary party - plus the trip to Crystal Palace were well supported and enjoyed by all.
Elaine Wilson reported that the committee had met six times and been represented at other regional meetings. The three races organised by the club had again been successful.
The finances were in a healthy state with the overall picture being a break-even situation although the year-end figures showed a decrease from last year. The races made good profits, socials a slight loss and the swimming broke even.
The committee had all agreed to stand for re-election and this was proposed and seconded. There will be some small changes to roles - Jenny Hill will become ladies rep. while Wendy Jones will join the committee as social sec. Pancho Gonzalez-Dias will take on the role of club captain responsible for encouraging members to turnout for races and XC.
Bob thanked everyone for their attendance and support thoughout the year and brought the meeting to a swift close so that the serious business of that free drink could be enjoyed."
MISCELLANY
. Graham Clark would never claim to be the fastest runner in the club but judging by his cricketing prowess maybe he should think about doing some longer endurance events. He has been the mainstay of Fairford's 1st XI all season and appears to be able to bowl all day. A background playing in the notoriously competitive northern leagues, where he would sometimes bowl unchanged for up to 30 overs, has stayed with him. He will now have more time to run, however, as the Wilts & Glos Standard recently reported that after conceding only 10 runs from 10 overs "the jovial Yorkshireman badly broke a finger whilst fielding and is unlikely to play again this season". A fine photograph of jovial Graham accompanied the article.
. One of the main aims of the newsletter is for club members to keep in touch particularly if they live away from the area and it is pleasing to report that this is happening. Kim Ingleby writes: " Just a hello to say that I hope the club is fit and performing as well as usual - the results certainly look impressive. I have moved to Bristol for six months with work but very much still hope to make appearances at races over the winter period. I will see some of the club at the Cotswold sprint which I am really looking forward to. I did the London tri and came 33rd in my age group - pb in the run and bike but lost my goggles in the swim - all good for next year..... I hope the party was good and really look forward to seeing you all soon as it's a great club with a brilliant group of people. Kind thoughts and happy training. Kim" In a subsequent note Kim advised that she is flying out to Hawaii in October to run in the age group triathlon championships held there. No doubt a report will be forthcoming.
David Wright: wrights@tesco.net or 01285 641224
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