Wednesday 11 December 2013

December 2013 Newsletter

I proudly present at least seven good reasons to consider whether that fourth mince pie really is a good idea.. and one good reason to let your hair down at the club Christmas party.
 
This Saturday 14th December - Ware Cup – 11am start (seniors only)
We currently hold the men's Ware Cup and surely have enough strong women to reclaim the women's trophy. Let's see as many turnout for this one as possible.  All the details are on this post on the noticeboard.

Saturday 21st December - Met League Race #3 – Alexandra Palace- (Seniors from 2pm)
The tough Met League rumbles on slowly.  After two races:
  • Senior Women are 6th in Division 2 
  • Vet women are 5th in Division 2
  • Senior Men are 9th in Division 1- in the relegation zone!
  • Senior Men B team are in mid Division 3
  • Vet Men are 8th in Vets b league - close to the relegation zone!
Race #3 is bound to have some festive cheer to get you up that hill at Alexandra Palace, which is always a great venue for XC.  Remember, the approach to the course is often very wet so make sure you have suitable footwear.  Loads more details about the fixture and the league on the Met League website.  Perhaps there may be a hostelry visit afterwards...

Saturday 21st December - Christmas Party at the Clubhouse - from 8pm
Tickets available for just £10 - available in the bar on Thursday nights.  Those who've been before will know how great the food, drink and celebrations are at the annual knees up. Rob P still needs one or two people to help.  Maybe those of you who've not helped out at the club before might like to get involved. Please see the noticeboard for details.
 
Saturday 28th December - Chingford League Race #4 - Alexandra Palace PM
Just seven days to recover from Ally Pally and we're back there. There's been a bit of a gap but our second visit of the season will be for the Chingford League. Again, we did very well in the Chingford League last season but have lost a lot of ground this season.  It's essential you make every effort to spend your post-Christmas saturday running around in the mud. A reminder of the positions in the league  After race three:
  • Men's A team - 3rd position
  • Men's B team - 2nd position
  • Women's Senior and Women's Vet team - 2nd position
  • Men's vets - 6th position
Tuesday 7th January 2014 - Mob Match with Eton Manor - 7:45pm start
Start the year in speed and style!  This race against local club and great rivals Eton Manor AC has been taking place for many many years and is always a great start to the new year, if occasionally a shock to the system so soon after Christmas.  Just like the monthly handicap it's three laps of Well Street Common, but run as an all-starter race rather than a handicap.  Come along in good time to register, warm up and get to the start.  The bar should be open afterwards for the awards. No coaching session on the Tuesday due to the race.

New Year Cross-country races – IMPORTANT – Pre-entry required
A call for entries for three special cross-country races in the new year.
  • Saturday 4th January - Middlesex County XC Champs - Wormwood Scrubs - PM
  • Saturday 25th January South of England Cross Country Champs – Parliament Hill Fields - PM
  • Saturday 22nd February - English National XC Champs - Wollaton Pk, Nottingham - PM (Note club 10mile is also on this day)
As per last year I've set up a simple form  to register your interest. PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR THE FORM
  • Deadline for the Southerns and Middlesex is 19th December
  • Deadline for the Nationals is 29th December
Warming Down
And finally there's just time to welcome Laura Morgan to the role of Women's Road and XC captain.  Laura has been involved with the club for a number of years and is a committed attendee at many of the road and XC races.  Laura is also, of course, our most improved female Road & XC athlete and proudly Welsh. She's now kindly stepped up to take on this challenging role so please take time to welcome and congratulate her. The board offers her every support as gets used to it and thanks Tori Poole for her time in the role.

So, enjoy your winter training, stay safe and get yourselves to at least one of the races before the end of 2013.  Best wishes for Christmas and the new year.

Simeon
Men's Road & XC Director

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Remember, there are many ways to keep in touch with your club:
  • Find out what your clubmates are up to on the Club Facebook page
  • Get the latest news and updates, follow @VPHTHAC on Twitter
  • Get news, updates and race results on the club noticeboard
  • Keep an eye out for forthcoming fixtures on the club website

Tuesday 3 December 2013

November 2013 - Part 2

Bonus newsletter this month, you lucky people...

This Weekend 23rd/24th November - 12-4 Sat / 11-1 Sun - Spare an hour or two?
As part of our plan to get better use of the clubhouse for members and the community, we've had interest from local Yoga and Pilates groups who wish to use the old gym space for classes.  In preparation for this Dave Robinson, who has led this work, is hosting some working parties this weekend.  Please see his post on the noticeboard for more details.  If you could spare a few hours it would certainly be appreciated.

Improved Gym and More Sessions at the Club
Regular users of the club house will notice the dramatic changes to the gym space at the club house.  We're really excited about these developments and hope members will get involved and make even better use. Please have a read about it here.  In addition to the already highly regarded and popular Monday night session with Tony Bunbury, Victor has designed some programmes to make better use of the new gym. Please check out Victor's website here: http://victoriaparkfitness.com/.  For gym users at Mile End you have not been neglected, look out for announcement in the next newsletter!

Thursday November 28th - Club Marathon Places Ballot - 9pm Clubhouse
Each year the club is awarded guaranteed places to the Virgin London Marathon. I'm pleased to announce 2014 is no different, three places have been allocated (it used to be four).  As previous years, we'll hold a ballot for the places. Please read the requirements first to ensure you qualify for the ballot and come to the bar by 9pm for the ballot. Contact me in advance if you cannot make it on the night.  Remember, this is also a handicap night, the ballot won't start until that is complete.

Saturday 30th November - Club 5 mile XC - Woodford Gold Course 10:30am start
Race #3 in the club's Winter Championships, the annual trip to Woodford Golf Course, a pretty 2* 2.5 mile course. It's free to enter, just turn up on the day. Club members and their guests may run. Always a great event, for runners and spectators alike. I'm still look for assistance from members to put this event on, specifically:
- course marking/clearing (before and after)
- photography (before, during, after)
Thanks to those who have already offered to help with the timekeeping. Others please get in touch. More details nearer the time on the noticeboard and Facebook.

Running Safely in the Winter
As a club, we take the safety of our members seriously.  Remember on the dark winter nights, the officials and sessions leaders can't be in all places at all times and so all members have a duty to look out for one another as well.  Please see this post from Chairman David Robinson, see the notes posted up at the clubhouse and listen carefully to the announcement at the start of the Thursday clubhouse session.

Director of Women's Road & XC Running - Vacancy on the board
A vacancy on the board is available as Tori has stepped down.  The board would love to hear from any women in the club who would like to step up to take responsibility for, represent and generally encourage new and existing female members of the club on the road and xc side. If you'd like to get involved without being a director we'd still love to hear from you.  2013 has been a great year for the women with some notable successes - want to be part of that in 2014?  Please contact me or any of the other board members for a chat.

Subscriptions now due
Another reminder, 1st November is the start of our new membership year.  For those who pay annually, your fees are now due via bank transfer.  For those who pay monthly, there is no change to the fees this year so you needn't do anything.  Please check Neil's post on the noticeboard for more details. Thanks to all of those who have already paid and to those who pay monthly - your valuable funds keep the lights on and the showers [mostly] warm.

Don't forget - Christmas Party is on Saturday 21st December. And a reminder to Click here to see the winter fixtures card

Look out for the December newsletter, coming soon, maybe even in December!

Simeon
Road & XC Captain

Monday 4 November 2013

November 2013 Newsletter - Start November with a bang!

I know you are clamouring to get your hands on the latest newsletter. Well, your patience is rewarded, here it is! Lots of races in this newsletter, so pay attention.  

Tuesday 5th November - Chingford League - Redbridge Cycling Circuit - evening
We had good turnouts at the first two events but not enough to keep our current trophy-holding position.  It's really important that all club members make an effort to get to these races.  Race Three, we are back at the cycle circuit at Redbridge - directions and timing details on the noticeboard. Remember - no training session at the clubhouse on Tuesday night.

Saturday 9th November - Metropolitan League Race #2 - Stevnage - afternoon
This Saturday the race moves to Stevenage - all details are on the Met League website.  If anyone is driving and can share lifts, please post on the noticeboard.

Saturday 16th November - London XC Champs - Parliament Hill - afternoon
The entries for this race have now been submitted.  Those who have entered, please keep an eye on your email for further details.  For other club members, please feel free to come along and support. It's a good day out on Hampstead Heath.  No doubt, there will be a trip to a hostelry post-race, too.

Saturday 23rd November - North London XC Champs - Mad Bess Woods - Ruislip - afternoon
Note: note the same as the event on the 16th November! Please see this post on the noticeboard.

Saturday 30th November - Club Championships 5 mile XC - Woodford Golf Course - 10:30AM start
Race #3 in the club's Winter Championships, the annual trip to Woodford Golf Course, a pretty 2* 2.5 mile course.  It's free to enter, just turn up on the day. Club members and their guests may run. Always a great event, for runners and spectators alike. As usual, we really rely on assistance from members to put this event on, specifically:
- timekeeping (during)
- course marking (before and after)
- photography (before, during, after)
Please get in touch. More details nearer the time on the noticeboard and Facebook.

Winter-Spring Fixtures Card (including club champs dates)
I've pulled together many of the dates for the Winter Road & XC Fixtures, including cross-country and Club Champs dates to print out and pin-up at home. Ensure you don't miss any dates in the future. Important: some events have an entry deadline, so keep an eye on this, you will have to let me know in good time if you wish to do these events.  Click here to see the latest card.

Subscriptions
Remember, 1st November is the start of our new membership year.  For those who pay annually, your fees are now due via bank transfer.  For those who pay monthly, there is no change to the fees this year so you needn't do anything.  Please check Neil's post on the noticeboard for more details.

Bar Rota - Volunteers needed
Those of you who enjoy post-training eating and drinking in the bar on a Thursday will, no doubt, be aware that this only happens due to the kindness of others who help prepare food beforehand, run the bar during the evening, or clear up at the end.  If you haven't volunteered before, now is your time to do so - please check the Bar Rota on the club website.  You will see there are a lot of blanks in the calendar - get in touch with me or Rob Pitkethly now as without volunteers we have to close the bar on a Thursday.

Look out for a second update very soon with details of:
- Updates to the gym with some additional coached strength & conditioning sessions available
- Club London Marathon places ballot
- Vacancy on the club board of Directors - could you be the next Women's director of road & XC running?

Simeon
Men's Road & XC Director

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Remember, there are many ways to keep in touch with your club:
  • Find out what your clubmates are up to on the Club Facebook page
  • Get the latest news and updates, follow @VPHTHAC on Twitter
  • Get news, updates and race results on the club noticeboard
  • Keep an eye out for forthcoming fixtures on the club website

Tuesday 15 October 2013

Chingford League 2013/14 - Race 2 - Loughton

Great turnout everyone!


NumberRace PositionRaceTimeFirst NameLast NameCL Age CategoryAW Age Category
551325:17:00SamHumphreySSM
527626:33:00TomHeslopSSM
5441327:09:00BenWickhamSSM
5202027:57:00JoseBilbaoSSM
5123328:38:00TonyLashmarSSM
5463728:49:00MikeSheppardSSM
5333928:52:00GaryBagnallVM40
5504829:17:00DanielMutlowSSM
5425129:21:00LukeThorneSSM
5365229:24:00RichardNewboldVM40
5295329:27:00RodneyMushanganyisiSSM
6105729:45:00AndyHutsonSSM
5476830:56:00RobPitkethlySSM
5358631:54:00SueBintVW35
5309932:43:00SarahKnoxSW35
52210833:27:00MalachyWolohanSSM
52311433:42:00NaomiBourneWW45
53913334:43:00VictoriaPooleSSW
54313434:47:00CarelCronenbergVM40
54014135:14:00HelenCroydonVW35
51115636:26:00DavidShortridgeVM40
54816236:44:00DaveRobinsonWM60
55217237:19:00DavidWilkieVM40
53817638:02:00JoyceBerryWW45
60917838:07:00JuneBarrow-GreenWW55
55318839:34:00BenElsdaleSSM

We're doing well in the team competition too, with both women's teams in second place overall:


Women's TeamPoints


Women's Vet Team
Points
1EM13322
1OH28121
2VP19820
2EM31119
3TP33717
2VP35519
4OH25216
4TP45417
5EL40414
5LO55714
6LO41013
6BA60811
7BA49410
7EL62610
8EH6587
8EH6589
9DA6834
9WG7243
10WG7242
10DA7442
11LH7740
11LH7740

The men's A and B teams are third, with the Vets down in 7th:



Men's A Team
Points

Men's B Team
Points

Men's Vets Team
Points
1OH19521
1OH43322
1OH40922
2BA20320
2BA57219
2BA58420
3VP23518
3VP69418
3TP73318
4TP25617
4TP72717
4EM80716
5EM45012
5EM99014
5LO121514
6EH68012
6LO152512
6EL138211
7EL85110
7EL16538
7VP136210
8WG9638
8WG17525
8WG17127
9LO10727
9EH17824
9DA16936
10DA15104
10DA18504
10EH17823
11LH17013
11LH19780
11LH18172

It looks like Orion Harriers, Eton Manor and Barnet are the main competition this year, with Trent Park hot on our heels.