April Newsletter

Warm greetings at this cold time.  Some updates for you all..

IMPORTANT: Saturday April 6th - The Open 5 - 2:30pm Race Start - Helpers needed all day

Our annual open road race returns, now in its 47th running.  As a club member we really want you to either:

Help out before hand: Tell your friends, colleagues and family about the event.  It's very easy to enter beforehand online or even on the day

Help out on the day, there's plenty of jobs still to fill.  Please have a look at the list posted on the noticeboard. 

Run: It's just £10 to run (£12 for unafilliated runners) plus there are cash prizes and trophies for individuals, teams and club members.

Tomorrow Tuesday 26th March - Physical Shield Relay - Loughton - 8pm start

Many will be disappointed at the very late cancellation of the Men's 12-stage and Women's 6-stage relays at short notice yesterday...  Fear not, the Physical Shield is East London's mini equivalent.  It's a relay in teams of 4, two laps each, ~ 3 km per person and definitely not flat.  There is a great atmosphere and chance to cheer on your team mates.  We're up against Loughton, Orion and Eton Manor so will be up against some familiar faces and it's always a really friendly atmosphere.

Let's field as many men's and women's teams as possible - it really doesn't matter what your standard is, we'll fit you into a team and there will be plenty of other people of your pace from all of the clubs. We have won the shield numerous times over the years but haven't fielded large teams in recent years.

There are no changing or toilet facilities here but facilities in the supermarket just next to Loughton Tube station on the Central Line.  You're advised to come ready to run if at all possible and wrap up warm.  Please try and get there well before the start time to give us plenty of time to organise everyone into teams. I've put a little map together here: http://goo.gl/maps/nCYsh

Thursday 18th April - Assembly League Starts - Evening races

This brilliant series of summer road races kicks of in April.  6 races held on a Thursday night, usually around 3-3.5 miles in length.  The club often does well in this league, with some good competition at every level.  Please put the dates in your diary and make an effort to attend.  If the fast, free, fun racing isn't enough for you there's usually a post-race social as well.

• 18th April New Beckenham
• 9th May Victoria Park
• 13th June Dulwich Park
• 4th July Battersea Park
• 8th August Victoria Park
• 5th September New Beckenham

Most races begin around 7:15pm, but look out for details on the noticeboard nearer the time.

Sunday April 21st - London Marathon - During and After

It's here once again. There's a great marathon fever this year, with some members having already completed their spring marathon and more to follow in Brighton, London, Manchester, Edinburgh and elsewhere.   As usual there will be plenty of members running on home territory in VLM 2013. Come and support them on the day at our usual cheering spot on the north side of 'The Highway' just outside St Georges pool.  The runners go both directions along this stretch, those still looking fresh at ~14 miles, and those battling to the 20 mile point.  Support is always welcome and it's a great day out.

In the evening, the bar will be open for runners, club members and their guests to come along and share stories, compare comedy walks and generally put back essential fluids lost during the day.  More details to follow nearer the time.

Southern Women's League - Starts 18th May - still seeking women:

A reminder, we're still looking for women to come forward for the Southern Women's League events held over the summer for all athletics disciplines particularly 800, 1500 and 3000 metres.  Please see this post from Emily (women's Track and Field director) on the noticeboard.  

Keep running and training.  Let me know when Spring starts...

Simeon

Men's Road & XC Director

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Remember, there's  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

February and March Newsletter

Before February turns in to March, I better update you on all the latest news and events.  There's loads of it, so best get the kettle on first.

Saturday 2nd March - Chingford League Relays - CLUB PRIORITY - Highams Park PM

After six races in the season, there's just one to go, the relays.  We've had an incredible season and are very close to winning some silverware, but it is still very close: a poor show at Highams Park and defeat could be snatched from the jaws of victory.  We lead Men's A, Men's B, Women's and Women's Vets teams, that's FOUR potential trophies folks on top of the one we have already won - congratulations to Tom Heslop who has won the men's individual trophy, which was decided after race 6..  This is no time for complacency.  I expect as many of you as possible to make the effort to attend this event and assure our victory. 

Wed 25th Feb / Wed 20th March - Meet Mara Yamauchi, Bud Buldaro, Nick Anderson and Richard Nerurkar

Club President Peter McHugh also runs the young but succesful Run-Fast sports management company.  Run-Fast are putting on some great-looking seminars at a venue in the City of London.  These seminars offer a unique opportunity to learn from the experts so reserve your place now at both events.  Tickets cost £15 for each event, or £25 if you book for both.  More details here: http://www.run-fast-seminars.net.  (See you there - I've already bought my tickets!)

Saturday 23rd February - Club 10 mile - 10:30AM start +

Saturday 9th March - Club 20 mile - 10:30AM start

The last two Club Championship events of the season, including the big one, the 20.  Both events are held on a Saturday morning, there is usually tea and cake in the bar afterwards.  Come and race in a fast, flat, traffic-free environment.  As always, we could use some time keepers to help recording the lap and finish times, please contact me if you can help. Get to the club by around 10am to register, we set out around 10:15 in order to start on time.  More details will be on the noticeboard nearer the time.

Also on Saturday 9th March - Officials Course - Mile End Stadium 9am start

For those of you interested in some of the other side of athletics, in terms of organising, judging/starting event.  This is a great chance for budding timekeepers/track judges / field judges to learn some new skills - further information please contact Alf or Major (or via me if you don't have details). It will last a half day, the club will cover the cost of this course for members wishing to take part.

Saturday 16th March - Mike Penman 10k - Victoria Park, 2pm Start

The annual event generously put on by the Roche family in memory of club member Mike Penman who was taken from us suddenly some years ago (the elegant wooden bench outside the clubhouse entrance is in his memory).  This free-to-enter event is always a great event and a mob-match against other local clubs, and there is usually some food and drink laid on afterwards.  Come along and race, support, and soak up the atmosphere.

Sunday 24th March - 12-stage relays Milton Keynes - Afternoon

It's that time of year again.  Tom Heslop has kindly agreed to pull together a men's team for this event.  Please see his post on the noticeboard for more details.  I hope to soon post news on the Women's 6-stage event which takes place at the same time/venue.

Saturday 6th April - Open 5 mile - Victoria Park - 2:30pm

The main event that we put on in the season.  Please put this crucial date in your diary, club members are expected to either run or come and help out at this event which helps us raise vital funds to fund club activities and maintain the buildings/equipment.  We are currently looking for someone to help  with publicity amongst local clubs, media outlets, shops and gyms.  Please contact me or Major Carr

Athletics: Women's Southern League date confirmed

We remain in the Premier Division and need to get a full team out for each of the four meets this coming season. We particularly struggle with the distance events: 800m, 1500m and 3000m. However, Alf and Emily are always keen to hear from anyone that wants to get involved - your club needs you at the track!  Please see Emily's post on the noticeboard for more details.

Track training:

With the upcoming Track and Field season fast approaching, Robb Birchley is holding weekly speed sessions every Thursday night, at Mile End Stadium track.  Unlike the Tuesday night sessions - but the perfect complement to them - the purpose of these is to focus on 800m pace and quicker.  Suitable for anyone (Men or Women) who wants to develop their top speed - whether for Middle Distance track races, or to gain a few valuable seconds/places in their road races.  Jog warm-up starts at 1815; with drills commencing at 1830.  Contact Robb for more details.

If you've read this far, well done!  Now the weather is improving let's look forward to another great year of training and competition.

Simeon

Men's Captain, Road and XC.

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Remember, there's  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