HEADLINES
- Men extend lead in Oxford League. Marc Fallows a real star.
- Great turnout to Christmas party.
- Review of 2007.
- Happy New Year to all newsletter readers!
CLUB’S ANNUAL PARTY
The normally peaceful Gloucestershire lanes were lit up as vehicles made numerous circuits of Kemble airfield like predators homing in on their prey. Was this an ancient rite partaken by the heathen members of Cirencester AC as a prelude to their annual gathering close to the winter solstice? No, nothing so grand – nobody could find their way inside the perimeter fence wherein lay the subtly named AV8 restaurant, which was playing host to the club’s annual party. Eventually everyone found the entrance – even Councillor Curry – and the party commenced. Event organiser Jenny Hill had moved the location from the centre of Cirencester to cope with increased numbers, a great reflection on the boom in membership in 2007. The general consensus was that this was a good move and an excellent location – certainly the food was top class, the music was perfect for dancing the night away and the general ambience was one of great contentment. Many thanks to Jenny for organising a majestic evening.
After the meal and before the music, the Vaudeville double act of Chairman Bob Ferris and President John Burgess announced and presented the year’s awards, some of which made it to the recipients before being dropped on the floor and broken! As a prelude to this, Ferris stated what a highly successful year it had been for the club (see review below). The award winners were (with background shown under review of the year):
Athlete of the year: Chris Illman.
Club member of the year: Stephen Elverd.
Veteran of the year: Jane Wassell.
Ladies cross country champion: Wendy Nicholls. Runner-up: Ellen Leggate.
Men’s cross country champion: Pancho Gonzalez-Diaz. Runner-up: Chris Illman.
Ladies road race champion: Jane Wassell. Runner-up: Alice Thomas.
Men’s road race champion: Chris Illman. Runner-up: Stephen Elverd.
Triathlete of the year: Elaine Wilson.
Team of the year: surprisingly this wasn’t awarded for 2007 despite numerous road race victories for both men and women, a fourth consecutive Oxford League title for the ladies and a first ever qualification for the National Road Relays by the men, this latter performance probably ranking at the top of the list.
View images of the evening on the club’s photo website: log on to www.snapfish.co.uk.
REVIEW OF 2007
It is hard to know where to begin when looking at the successes of Cirencester AC in 2007, such has been the level of achievement, but two incredible statistics may well sum up the year: 38 outright wins were achieved in open road and cross country races by individual club members and 50 age group club records were broken on the roads.
Undoubtedly three individuals, Wendy Nicholls, Jane Wassell & Chris Illman, dominated a lot of the club’s successes. Wendy Nicholls’ achievements have been well charted: she won another two full Great Britain vests in the Yokohama Ekiden Relay in Japan and in the World ½ Marathon Championships in Italy; ran for England Veterans in the Home Countries International in Belfast and convincingly won the race; was ranked 10th (½ marathon) & 11th (marathon) in the prestigious annual GB merit listings, both headed by Paula Radcliffe; won 18 road and xc races; was first reserve for GB team for the World XC Champs; finished 9th in Rotterdam Marathon in searing heat, 3rd in Barbados ½ Marathon and 3rd in Papendrecht 15km in Holland. Oh and she also found time to marry Justin in June! Jane Wassell has had to live in the shadow of those achievements, yet in 2007 she made massive breakthroughs of her own, the highlight of which being her selection to run for England in the Home Countries Veterans International where she finished third FV40 and was part of the winning England team. Wassell’s successes were not limited to the veterans ranks, however, as she also won eight races outright and finished second on nine other occasions; won the Gloucestershire Road Race Championship (outright and FV40); was overall champion in the Gloucestershire Cross Country league and finished 4th in both the National Vets XC Champs (2nd FV40) and the National Vets 5km Champs in Horwich. In Chris Illman, the club has unearthed a real talent and in 2007 he started to show what he will ultimately be capable of achieving. He didn’t gain any representative honours but won 10 races outright as well as finishing a fine 3rd in the Stroud ½ Marathon. Quite remarkable for a 20 year old. Nicola Denning and Bill Leggate also won a race each during the year and were both selected to run for Gloucestershire, as were Nicholls, Wassell and new club captain Adrian Williams.
Of the 50 club records broken during the year, five were outright records, four by Nicholls and one by Illman. Wassell broke no less than 12 age group records and others to appear on the honours board were Alice Thomas, Elaine Wilson, Cathy Cook, Yvonne Binks, David Wright, Brian Barrowclough, Chris Riches, Tony Shelbourn, Dick Waldron and Andy Bradley.
A record 69 athletes took part in at least one club championship event during the year, up from 60 in 2006 and 42 in 2005.
Stephen Elverd was a fully deserved victor in the club’s prestigious Club Member of the Year award. In his own words, t en years ago, as a heavy smoker and carrying an extra two stone, he was lucky if he could break 50 minutes for 10km. In 2007 he ran 39.18 for 10km and obliterated all his other best times by big margins. He also pushed Chris Illman all the way in the club championship, wrote some highly entertaining articles in the club newsletter and generally epitomises all that can be achieved in this simple sport of ours with a bit of hard work and dedication.
This writer is not qualified enough to give a knowledgeable review of the triathlon year – any articles, as ever, would be appreciated – but performance of the year would have to have been Cathy Cook’s brilliant but ultimately very frustrating effort in the European Ironman Championships in Germany. She finished 5th FV40 in 10h 42m 24s; agonisingly only the first four qualified for the World Championships in Hawaii and the fourth finisher was a mere two minutes ahead of her after nearly 11 hours of competition. Elaine Wilson, Corinne Clark & Martin Pitts all qualified for and competed in the World Age Group Triathlon Championships, also in Germany .
CROSS COUNTRY RESULTS
15 December, Glos League at Blackbridge, Gloucester . The day after the club party Marc Fallows defied the ‘weariness’ most members were experiencing by producing probably his best race yet in what has been a wonderful comeback year from the man who is always smiling – even on the start line of races! Amongst those left in his wake was Dennis Walmsley from Bourton and Vito Graffagino, multiple winner of local races including the club’s off roader at Chedworth.
Earlier young Cameron Wassell also produced his best run yet as he narrowly failed to win his race.
U11 Boys: 2 Cameron Wassell 6.22
Men
1 Tim Dalton ( Severn ) 31.30
7 Marc Fallows (Cirencester) 32.57. 148 finished. www.glosaaa.org.uk
30 December, Oxford League at Banbury .
This pre new year fixture is always an awkward one for the club with holidays, inevitable illnesses and lack of contact all creating problems. Banbury is also the most distant of the fixtures with a 100 miles round trip for those willing to give it a go. So to get the turnout and the results that Cirencester managed was a triumph indeed. With a few minutes to go to the start of the men’s race it wasn’t looking that positive but then Andy Bickerstaff arrived from London (despite yet another heavy cold), Mark Norris appeared out of nowhere and glory of glories, Marc Fallows arrived! What a man! Never can a club be more indebted to an individual. Fallows had spent the holiday break in Cornwall and didn’t plan to come back until the new year. But there he was on the start line; he’d decided to come back early to help the club and despite feeling pretty ropey, ran magnificently on a very difficult course that was soaking after recent deluges. The standard was higher than usual with returning students competing (the previous fixture’s winner was only fourth here) so Fallows’ run was absolute top drawer. The second hero was Mark Norris: not known to many in the club as he is only second claim, but he and his twin brother Jon have done wonders for the club over the past two seasons and deserve great praise. Norris was clocked 25th after one lap by spectating David Edelsten but stormed through on the second lap in energy sapping mud to finish in his best ever position by miles. The engine room of the team – Leggate, Barlow, Williams & Bickerstaff – were, as ever, totally reliable and ran bang up to form, particularly Bill Leggate who had the misfortune to drive home from Christmas in Scotland (what, Bill, missing Hogmany?!) in constant driving rain just to run in this race (although, it has to be said, he came back a day early to take in Gloucester’s mauling of Bristol 27-0 in rugby’s premiership the day before). It was then left to the editor to close in the team, which he did thanks in part to some vociferous support from some of the girls who ran earlier in the ladies race (ed: thanks, ladies). When the team results emerged early on Sunday evening, there was collective uproar in the Cirencester area. Not only had Cirencester won comfortably, but also nearest rivals Abingdon were only fourth, over 200 points adrift. As a consequence Cirencester, having never won the league, now lead by 249 points and the next fixture is at home in Cirencester Park . Magnificent stuff indeed.
Earlier, the ladies got some respectability back into their defence of the league title with second place. Jane Wassell finished third in her first outing of the winter, having recovered from her frightening collapse at the club’s awards evening. Second claim regular Claire Conway also finished in the top 10 and now leads the ladies U20 league rankings where Jenny Manners is now third after closing in the team with another fine run evidenced by the margin she put on the two non-related Thomas girls (both of whom are still FU17). A little further down the field, Sue Brown ran well to gain second place in her age group.
U11 Girls: 11 Rhian Gardner 6.54, 12 Kitty Jewell 6.58, 19 Hannah Tapley 7.23.
U13 Boys: 11 Daniel Cation 12.17, 24 Thomas Fellowes 15.55.
U13/15 Girls: 8 Tilley Jewell 11.39, 32 Jade Williams 14.13.
U15/17 Boys: 2 Rhys Park (1st U15) 18.48, 33 Dan King 24.29.
More details on the exploits of the club juniors can be found via the junior section on the club website or direct on www.cirenhares.co.uk Having said that, the run of Rhys Park has to be highlighted, second in his race against boys who were up to three years older than him was very impressive and he now leads the U15 category for the season.
Women:
1 Frances Briscoe (White Horse) 19.07
3 Jane Wassell (Cirencester, 1st FV35) 20.23
8 Claire Conway (1st FU20) 21.20
31 Jenny Manners 24.06
44 Jane Thomas 24.51
49 Alice Thomas 25.02
64 Sue Brown (2nd FV55) 25.57
75 Sue McKeeman 26.49
94 Barbara Thomas 29.43. 120 finished.
Teams (3 to score): Div 1; 1 Headington 25pts, 2 Cirencester 42, 3 Team Kennet 45. Div 2; 1 White Horse 46, 9 Cirencester ‘B’ 157, 24 Cirencester ‘C’ 290.
Positions after three races: Div 1; 1 Headington 96pts, 2 Team Kennet 97, 3 Cirencester 157. Div 2; 1 White Horse 191, 10 Cirencester ‘B’ 543.
Men:
1 Tom Penfold (White Horse) 31.13
6 Marc Fallows (Cirencester) 33.47
13 Mark Norris 34.35
16 Bill Leggate 34.51
26 Paul Barlow 35.47
27 Adrian Williams 36.11
29 Andy Bickerstaff 36.18
55 David Wright 38.31
100 Dorian Matts 42.13
114 Stephen Elverd 43.04
126 Andy Bradley 43.50
156 Bryan Reid 46.35
214 Michael Thomas 56.33. 221 finished. Full results on www.oxonxc.org
Teams (7 to score): Div 1; 1 Cirencester 172, 2 Newbury 231, 3 Headington 292. Div 2; 1 White Horse 159, 7 Cirencester ‘B’ 1154.
Positions after three races: Div 1; 1 Cirencester 540pts, 2 Abingdon 789, 3 Headington 868.
Overall individual positions to date (best two of three races):
U15 Boys: 1= Rhys Park ; FU20: 1 Claire Conway, 3 Jenny Manners; FV55: 3 Sue Brown; Senior Men: 2 Marc Fallows; V50; 3 David Wright.
CROSS COUNTRY FIXTURES
Note that Oxford League races are on Sundays and Gloucestershire League on Saturdays. Respective websites are www.oxonxc.org and www.glosaaa.org.uk
5 January 2008 (Sat), Gloucestershire County Cross Country Championships, Blackbridge, Gloucester . Entries accepted on the day. www.glosaaa.org.uk
26 January, Midland XC Champs, Leamington Spa. See Adrian Williams for more details.
2 February, Gloucestershire League at Gloucester (exact venue to be advised)
3 February, Oxford League at Cirencester Park . As well as a good turnout for the races, the club will be looking for volunteers to help with marshalling and car parking.
2 March, Oxford League at Horspath, Oxford . Will this be the day that the men of Cirencester get hold of the coveted team trophy for the first time ever?
CLUB CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP
This championship is simply calculated from club finishing positions in the five Oxford League fixtures counting down from 30 points for the first club finisher (15 points for women). There are no bonus points available. Apologies for incorrect scores for the men as published in the last newsletter. After his magnificent effort for the club at Banbury, Marc Fallows is in pole position for the men whilst the consistent Jenny Manners is heading towards a well deserved victory in the ladies championship. Scores after the first three fixtures:
Men: M Fallows 88pts, B Leggate 81, P Barlow 80, A Williams 77, D Matts 63, C Illman 56, M Norris 54, D Wright 49, A Bickerstaff 47, D Fong 44, S Elverd 40, C Riches 36, M Thomas 32, D Roper 29, C Woodd 27, J Nicholls & A Bradley 21, B Reid 20, C Brough 19, C Tapley 16, J Davies 15.
Women: J Manners 40pts, A Thomas 35, C Conway 29, V Brann 27, J Thomas 23, B Thomas 19, S McKeeman & S Brown 18, W Nicholls & J Wassell 15, Corinne Clark 10, L Ferris 7.
ROAD / MULTI-TERRAIN RESULTS
9 December, Andy Reading Memorial 10k, Bicester.
1 Jonathan Blackledge (Belgrave) 31.31
31 Adam Harborow (Cirencester) 38.54
104 Bryan Reid 43.49
316 Christina See 55.48. 416 finished. www.alchester-runningclub.co.uk
ROAD / MULTI-TERRAIN FIXTURES (Sunday unless stated)
With the spring road race season not far away, be aware that a number of the bigger races, particularly half marathons, fill up very quickly and entries can close a couple of months before the race. Pick up a copy of Runners World or trawl the internet to get more information.
1 January, 2008 (Mon), Pilot Inn New Year ‘5’, Gloucester at 11:30 www.severnac.co.uk
6 January, Gloucester ‘10’, Epney, Gloucester . This race usually forms the first race of the County Road Race Series. www.gloucesterac.co.uk
20 January, Highworth Team ½ Marathon . Once again the club has been invited to participate in this event. More details from Adrian Williams.
27 January, Slaughterford m/t ‘9’. This off roader is limited to 350 entrants, is very popular and always fills up quickly. www.chippenhamharriers.co.uk
10 February, Dursley Dozen 12m m/t. Long standing off roader with some big hills! www.dadac.org.uk
16 February, White Horse ‘5’, Sandhurst , nr Gloucester at 15:00 . Enter on the day. www.severnac.co.uk
17 February, Cirencester Park off road duathlon at 10:00 . This twice a year event organised by Lorraine & Kevin Ferris always seems to attract muddy conditions, to which as any attendees in November would attest. Format is 2mile run, 10mile bike, 2mile run or novice/youngsters event of 1-5-1 . www.triferris.com
24 February, Bourton 10km. As ever this will form the first race in the club’s road race championship and as ever it is the course on which to run a personal best. The race limit has been reached so no more entries will be accepted. www.bourtonroadrunners.co.uk
2 March, Gloucester ‘20’, Frampton-on-Severn at 10:00 . www.gloucesterac.co.uk
16 March, Forest of Dean ½ Marathon . Again entries close early for this popular run on forest paths, which will also be in the club championship, full details to follow in January newsletter. www.forestofdean-halfmarathon.co.uk
ROAD RACE CHAMPIONSHIP 2008
David Edelsten has announced the fixtures for this year’s championship as follows (some of the dates are still to be confirmed):
24 February, Bourton 10k (details above)
16 March, Forest of Dean Trails ½ Marathon (details above)
20 April, Highworth 5m www.swindonweb.com/hrc
15 May (Thu), Globe Inn 5k, Sandhurst , nr Gloucester www.severnac.co.uk
1 June, Fairford Festival 10k www.fairford.org
8 July (Mon), Frampton-on-Severn 10k www.stroudathleticclub.org.uk
19 July (Sat), Bourton 1m www.bourtonroadrunners.co.uk
24 July (Thu), Malmesbury 5k
6 August (Wed), Bugatti 10k, nr Winchcombe www.cheltenhamharriers.co.uk
31 August, Beacon 10k, nr Gloucester www.angelsrunningclub.co.uk
14 September, Witney 10m www.witneyroadrunners.org.uk
12 October, Chichester 10k www.chichester10krace.org.uk
26 October, Stroud ½ Marathon www.stroudathleticclub.org.uk
The Chichester race has been inserted as a suggested idea for a club trip away for the weekend. In addition, times recorded at any marathon between the dates of February 24 and October 26 will score points in the same format as the races above i.e. as though all competed in one race. Of the 14 races, including marathon, best eight scores to count. 20 points will be awarded to the first Cirencester finisher in each race down to one point for the 20th and any subsequent finishers. Male & female championships will be scored separately. Bonus points will be awarded for any personal bests achieved against times published in the newsletter for 2006 and 2007. One bonus point will be awarded for every 15 seconds improvement up to a maximum of two minutes (8pts) for races of up to & including 10k and three minutes (12pts) for longer races. If no qualifying times have been recorded in the last two years, the first run in a championship race in 2008 will form the benchmark for any subsequent bonus points. To qualify for points, runners must be fully paid-up members, be entered under Cirencester AC and be wearing a club vest.
GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY ROAD RACE SERIES 2008
Fixtures haven’t yet been announced for 2008 but the county series follows a similar format to the club championship and also shares some of the same races. It is likely that the first two fixtures will comprise the Gloucester New Year ‘10’ and the Gloucester ‘20’ (see fixtures above). For more details on the format look up www.runnerduck.co.uk/running.
LONDON MARATHON
Five members put their rejected London Marathon entries into the hat for the three places available to the club and new club athlete of the year, Chris Illman, picked out the lucky winners at the club’s annual dinner. They are Wallace Asham, Christina See and Darren Dent.
TRAINING
A number of members intend training as usual tomorrow (1st January) despite the lack of any facilities at the school. If interested just turn up at the school at 6.30pm as usual. It appears that the leisure centre will not reopen until 1 March, 2008 so Tuesday night meeting and changing stays at Deer Park School for the time being. Updated proposed club sessions on Tuesday nights listed below, note these are only plans and there may be some variation:
8 January – school, 15 January – abbey grounds, 22 January – school,
29 January – Tetbury hill, 5 February - school.
Whatever the session, meet at Deer Park school at 6.30pm .
For newer members, the sessions at the various locations are:
School – efforts on floodlit astroturf circuit
College – efforts on 600m road circuit (only run during college holidays)
Tetbury hill – one mile road circuit starting from leisure centre
Abbey grounds – variable distance road efforts on footpaths lit by street lamps in and around grounds.
MISCELLANY
… Liza Darroch was one of about 30,000 to take part in The Great Ethiopian 10k in Addis Ababa on 25 November. Here is her fascinating insight into the experience: “For someone who only the week before had spent the evening with Ethiopia ’s finest athletes – I hate to name drop but see the list below* - this year’s Great Ethiopian Run was bound to be different – and it was. Firstly it took place two months later than initially planned. It should have been on 9 September to coincide with the Ethiopian Millennium – their Julian calendar is different to ours by seven years and several months but it was postponed as part of the panic about security. Secondly the tee shirts – issued to all but the elite runners in the place of a number – were a boring plain yellow rather than a festive mix of red and green. And thirdly, and most importantly, I was prepared for it this time. I have now lived in Addis Ababa – at 2,800 metres - for 14 months and it has taken almost that long to become sufficiently used to the altitude to have enough breath to RUN – as opposed to struggling. Thanks to the great support and company of members of The Aspiration Hope Club, I have been able to go for one or even two hours of running every weekend and I was determined to push to the front and do my best.
It was not to be – 5.30 am found me sitting in bed deciding that as I felt fluey and rough for the third day running it would be stupid to even try. I would not leave the house at 6.30 when number wearing Aspiration Club runners were due to come to collect me (as I have now made contact with the organizer, Richard Nerurkar, I was able to obtain an extra ten elite numbers for them). Instead I planned to join the masses and walk – much as I did last year. It is too big an event to miss however ill you feel. Imagine London on marathon day and you have a hint of the atmosphere but remember people here lack many opportunities for celebration or demonstration and add to that the Ethiopian talent for loud enjoyment and you have a recipe for a very noisy day in a city in party mood.
In the end I joined the throng – pushed somewhat half heartedly forward and set off at the fastest pace the crowds would allow. Pace is the wrong term – it was a matter of staying on your feet, stopping and starting, screeching to a halt as runners dived across in front, and trying to stay upright when jolted from behind. This lasted for the first three kilometres but eventually the pressure eased and I settled into some sort of rhythm and decided to at least try to run the full distance.
You may remember me reporting last year that the run was used as a means to protest to the Government about the imprisonment of many members of the opposition party. This mostly took the form of full volume shouting outside all government buildings. The opposition members have now been released so it was probably that and the fact that I was a bit nearer the front with “runners” but it seemed quieter this year. Not quiet but not quite so angry either.
It was hot so small plastic bags of water at 5k were very welcome and the fire hoses beneath the Hilton at about 7k created almost orgasmic sensations of pleasure. I managed to keep going up all the hills – they still take my breath away - and to come in just under the hour. In the absence of a race clock I can’t be any more accurate. Equally important, I felt better than I had for days.
It took a little while to join up with the Aspiration Hope runners but two of them were sent to get me and I found them in fine fettle. The fastest – Gemeda Germa was home in 30: 12 and slowest (yes, apart from me) in just over 37 minutes. Most of them will have been wearing Cirencester Athletic Club shoes and all were proudly sporting the new red club vests. I did not take my camera so you will have to wait a bit longer for a photo.
* I was invited to join a preview screening of the CNN film about Haile Gabreselassie so he was there of course but also lined up in front of me were – Gete Wami, Berhane Aderre, Gezhanne Aberra, Million Wolde, Kenenisa Bekele, Gelete Burka and Meseret Defar. It was an amazing evening, very moving as we cheered each one of them onto the stage to the strains of “Stand Up for the Champion”. My Amharic was not good enough to understand most of what they said but there was no doubting the pride and the emotion nor the drama when someone’s jacket caught fire from the sparklers on the millennium cake!”
… Jon Young reports on a recent trip he and Adrian Williams made to Scotland : “ Late November at Balmoral Castle , light snow on the ground and a definite chill in the air. This was the beginning of our running weekend with Running The Highlands, a company offering running breaks and training weekends in the North East of Scotland. Fifteen people, with a handful on their second or third weekend at Balmoral, gathered for a full timetable of running, stretching, core strengthening, healthy food and various talks useful to the runner. A questionnaire completed before we arrived meant we had our goals in mind as well as the organisers being aware of them. Key speaker was Gerard Hartmann, physio to Paula Radcliffe and a host of other athletes and sports stars.
After a quick tour of our accommodation, the staff quarters adjacent to the castle, it was lunch and then a talk by Mel Edwards, International Endurance Coach, on approaching running with the right physical and mental approach. Then we divided into four groups for the first of our guided runs, 6 miles up into the hills above the castle. The views were stunning and we worked up a good appetite for a wee snack prior to a talk on nutrition and hydration by Dr Chris Fenn. Chris not only gives lectures but is instrumental in devising the menus on the running breaks and the food was certainly very good. Dinner was taken together in the visitor centre.
Saturday morning and the overnight rain had washed the snow away, but the sky was clear for the 12 mile run during the morning. The original group of 15 had now doubled, as the first talk of the day was by Gerard Hartmann. Entitled “Prehabilitation”, the emphasis was on injury prevention and how to ensure you give your running the support it needs, both by strengthening your body and having a good support network of club, coaches and knowledge.
The long run, again in guided groups, was through the forest and out onto an exposed moor, before a brief water stop, then back to base. The guides kept the pace suitable for the group and informed us of the landscape and wildlife. Following lunch there was time for one-to-ones with Mel Edwards to discuss goals and training, and massage for those that wanted it. Others took the chance to rest and read the papers. Following a presentation from Balmoral’s Head Ranger on the work of the estate, it was then time for another lecture by Gerard Hartmann, “Blueprint for Success”. Using Paula Radcliffe as an example, Gerard outlined the qualities and support structure required to succeed as an athlete. For two hours he captivated the audience with his knowledge, humour and enthusiasm for his job and life in general. He made the point that we may not benefit from a support crew the size of Paula’s, but we can still draw on expertise and resources in order to succeed.
Following breakfast on Sunday, we had a Prehabiliation Practical Session with Ger Keane, Gerard’s right hand man at his clinic in Limerick . Twenty of us were taken through a series of stretches, “The Perfect 10” and then some core body strengthening exercise, with Ger pacing the floor and encouraging reluctant muscles into the correct position. Suitably stretched and strengthened, we set off for our final run of 6 miles, followed by lunch and then a flight home.
To sum it all up, if you’ve read this far or just headed for the last paragraph: a weekend in a stunning part of Scotland, with a positive group of people, drawing on expertise in many fields. A perfect opportunity to revitalise your running and perhaps more. We returned motivated and a month on we are still stretching and working on our core body strength!”
… whilst Sue McKeeman has been turning out for the ladies in the Oxford League, her family have been working hard on other pursuits. Husband Alastair has spent a lot of time, both in the UK and abroad, supporting their son Iain (17) and daughter Sophie (15) in their pursuit of glory in Laser yachting. A major Wilts & Glos Standard article about the family revealed that Iain & Sophie, both Cirencester AC members through the family membership scheme, are thriving in the Olympic Development squad under the watchful eye of father, plus the Royal Yachting Association, with a view to Olympic participation in London 2012 or beyond. Good luck to them both and watch this space.
… Ted Corbitt, one of the great American road running pioneers of the 20th century, recently died at the age of 88. He was noted for down to earth quotes and one of these is reprinted here as the time for New Year resolutions concentrates the mind: “[running] demands patience and a willingness to stay with it. You must be willing to suffer and keep on suffering. Running is something you just do. You don’t need a goal. You don’t need a race. You don’t need the hype of a so-called fitness craze. All you need is a cheap pair of shoes and some time. The rest will follow.”
David Wright: wrights@tesco.net or 01285 641224
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