Issue 87: Dreamy December Dispatch

Greetings of the season, ye members of this great club.  Plenty of events coming up in the New Year, and a few more races to sign up for, so fetch a small glass of sherry, your reading specs and get your diaries ready.

New Year's Day - Serpentine 10km - Hyde Park- 11am

Quite a few club members are already entered to run in this race, and it looks like there are still places. Check the Serpentine Website for details and entry if you fancy joining the fun and need a good reason for an early night on New Year's Eve.

Saturday 9th Jan 2016 - Middlesex Cross Country Champs - Wormwood Scrubs 1pm/1:45pm

SIGN-UP REQUIRED!  Sign-up form: http://tinyurl.com/MiddlesexChamps2016 - or see the noticeboard for more details.

Tuesday 12th Jan 2016 - Mob Match with Eton Manor AC - Well St Common - 7:45pm

As is tradition, one of the first sessions of the year is the Mob Match against Eton Manor.  It's our turn to host once again so you won't even need to travel, and we'll need plenty of helpers to make the night go smoothly.  So I expect to see a huge turnout from the club. All the details are on the noticeboard. 

Saturday 16th Jan 2016 - Metropolitan League - Horsenden Hill - 1:55pm/2:35pm

Race #4 of 5.  The prestigious Met League remains a priority for the club.  We need strong teams out to maintain our Men's and Women's team position in division A. Race 4 at Wormwood Scrubs went well for our women, coming 5th team on the day and holding position 5 in Division, punching above our weight with much larger clubs. Meanwhile the Women's B team is riding high in the top of division 3, with promotion a genuine possibility.  For the men, there is much work to do, our A team are in 7th with Barnet nipping at our heels in 8th position! Men, you know what is needed!

As usual, more details will be on the Met League website a little nearer the time.

Friday 29th January - Marathon Workshop with Mara Yamauchi - 6:30pm - Tooley Street

Details about this event have been sent to me, hosted by London Athletics. Get some advice from one of Britain's best ever female marathon runners. It looks like places are still available, and for £10 looks like money well spent. More details here, and booking website here.

Saturday 30th Jan 2016 - South of England XC Champs - Parliament Hill

Entries are now closed, with 39 club members signed up to run on the day.  Even if you're not running, come out to beautiful Hampstead Heath to watch this great event. Both juniors and senior men & women will be running on the day.  Afterwards there will hopefully be a trip to a local hostelry to review the day's racing in more detail.

Saturday 27th February - English National XC Champs - Donnington Park, Leicestershire

SIGN-UP REQUIRED! If you'd like to run in the Nationals, please get in touch with me or Laura.  More details about the event on the English Cross Country website.  I need to know by 9th January if you want to run.

And finally...

MSF - I foolishly neglected to mention this in the last newsletter, but following another successful club Bake Off event back in October, a total of £200was raised for Medecins Sans Frontieres, a fantastic global charity doing valuable work in some of the poorest parts of the world.  Well done to all who took part, and particularly to Charlie Maile and Rob Pitkethly, who got the event together.

 

New Future Member? - Club member Anthony Withstandley and his wife recently welcomed their second child in to the world. Welcome to the world Poppy, a sister for young Hugo. The club wishes you all the best. 

Lastly - I was inspired recently by a nice piece of writing by club member Dan Mutlow. I hope you enjoy it too:

Close your eyes for a minute. Imagine a world in which we send our kids to a school where cross country wasn't running round the playing field in football boots while the teacher had a sneaky fag behind the changing rooms and an extra lap wasn't seen as a devastating punishment. Imagine there were weight rooms, specific running coaches, sponsors, amazing kit, to make the team was an honour and the school champs made national news with tv cameras, fans, global coverage and heroic adulation from your school mates. It sounds like a John Lennon lyric but it EXISTS! God bless America!  See the video.

That's it. I wish you all a peaceful and relaxing Christmas break, and a healthy start to the new year.

Simeon

Men's Road and Cross Country Captain

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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

AGM

Hello all

Further to last week's message, please see confirmation of the club's Annual General Meeting

It will be held on Thursday 19th November - 8:30pm - St Augustine's Hall (the clubhouse), Cadogan Terrace, Hackney

Attached is the notice and agenda of AGM in PDF format, if anyone cannot access this type of document please let me know and I will make arrangements to get you a Word version, or hard copy.  Alternatively click the following links to read the documents online instead: Notice and Agenda for 2015 and Minutes from the 2014 meeting 

Please take time to read the notice, there is an opportunity to submit motions, ask questions and also nominate most improved athletes (see last Thursday's newsletter).  Prior to the meeting a pack of documents will be circulated including Financial Accounts, Director's Reports and Minutes from last year's meeting.  This will be available for you to download and print as required.  As with last year, we will only be providing printouts of documents for those who request them - they will not be made available on the night to avoid paper wastage.

The latest date for receipt of motions for the AGM is 12th November 2015 - see details in the notice

We look forward to seeing you at the AGM.

Simeon

Men's Director of Road and Cross Country, on behalf of the Board of Directors, VPH & TH AC.

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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 - handicap results are here: tinyurl.com/HandicapResults

Keep an eye out for forthcoming fixtures on the club website

Issue 84: Clocks go back, calendars fill up

Oh. My. Goodness. What a busy month November is lining up to be. This newsletter alone will be a test of your stamina, so there's a gold star and a chance to win a ride on a miniature horse for anyone who makes it to the end.  See me for details of how to claim your prize, but first....

This Thursday 29th October - Club Monthly 2.9 mile Handicap - arrive 7pm, starts 7:15pm

The first handicap of the season went well. All the results are on the noticeboard. October is no different, last Thursday of the month - what a great reason to get out on a mild Autumn night. 

Saturday 31st October - Club 3.5 mile championships 10:30am start

Race 2 in the club championships winter series. Run on a nice flat course in the park and like all club races, it won't cost you a penny.  All the details are on the noticeboard. (Club members may bring a guest to run as well).  I still need 1-2 more helpers with timekeeping.  In keeping with tradition, there's refreshments in the bar afterwards, cake contributions for that also welcome!  

Tuesday 3rd November - Chingford League Race #3 - Hog Hill Cycle circuit - Women 7:30pm, Men 8pm

Back to the usual Tuesday spot for the second fixture at the Redbridge Cycle circuit.  Our women are doing particularly well already this season. Note that at the cycle circuit fixtures men and women race separately due to volumes of participants. All details are on the noticeboard. Welcome on board Joyce as well. 

Saturday 7th November - Metropolitan League Race #2 - Stevenage - 1:55pm / 2:30pm

There was a strong turn out and a good set of results in race 1, with both our Women's and Men's A teams coming 6th in division 1 (ahead of local rivals Barnet).  Our women's vets came 4th in their division 1 (behind Barnet) and our vet men came top of league 2.  Lots of work to do to maintain and improve upon this great start so PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ATTEND.  The race is in Stevenage, a short train ride from Kings Cross or Finsbury Park.  There's also a minibus from the clubhouse for those who like to travel in packs - see details on Facebook or get in touch.  I look forward to seeing an overwhelming number of runners. PLEASE BRING YOUR NUMBERS WITH YOU.

Further details on the Met League website.  Our excellent junior squad will be there too, please make every effort to get there early and cheer them on from around 1:15pm.

Saturday 14th November - London XC Champs - Parliament Hill 1:15pm/2pm

Club entries for this race will close very shortly after this email but there is still time to register if you are quick. Details on the noticeboard.  Even if you don't plan to run come along and enjoy an afternoon on the Heath (and maybe a beer afterwards), over 40 club members have signed up to run.  

Thursday 19^th November – Club Annual General Meeting – Club headquarters - 8:30PM

Members will receive a separate notice later in the week for the club's AGM. Details will also appear on the actual paper noticeboards at the clubhouse and at Mile End stadium. Please read it carefully. Those wishing to put forward motions for consideration need to do so by 12th November.

Most Improved Athlete Awards 2015 (Road and Cross Country)

This award is given at the AGM - please see details on the noticeboard about nominating your club mates for this coveted trophy.

Saturday 21st November - North London XC Champs - Hackney Marshes 2pm/3pm

Another individual race, not part of any league or championship. This year hosted by local friends Eton Manor AC held on a similar course to the Chingford League as used in recent years.  If you would like to run, then pre-registration is required. However I've made it easy for you - just complete this simple form: tinyurl.com/NLXC2015. If you've already registered to run the London XC Champs on Parliament Hill no need to enter the same details - just sign up in a few clicks.

Thursday 26th November - Monthly Handicap (2.9 mile) - Well Street Common - From 7pm

As above, the monthly handicap will take place as usual, with the added excitement of the marathon ballot afterwards.

Thursday 26th November - Club Marathon Ballot - Club bar, 9pm 

The club has been awarded three guaranteed places in the 2016 Virgin London Marathon. All the details on qualifying and registering for the ballot are (you guessed it!) on the noticeboard....  

Saturday 28th November - QUESTION?

Shall we have the club cross-country race on this date? We've a pretty full calendar already but this might be the only date to hold the race. I would value your thoughts.

The Register

Congratulations to club member Annie Brown who was married to her partner Guillaume on Saturday at Hackney Town Hall. Proper East End. We wish you every happiness in your future together and hope to see you back at the club soon ;-) 

Annual Subscriptions

Don't forget - the membership year start on 1st November. If you pay monthly there's no action required, but if you pay annually then please see this post from all-round membership good-guy, Neil Cook. 

Yours in anticipation of the most improved athlete award,

Simeon

Men's Road & XC Captain

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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 - handicap results are here: tinyurl.com/HandicapResults

Keep an eye out for forthcoming fixtures on the club website

Issue 83 - October News, just about delivered in September

Autumnal greetings, getting back in to the busy season, October is a packed month. Starting, importantly, with cake....

This Thursday 1st October - Bake Off - Clubhouse from 8:30pm

Back for the third year, now. Improved for 2015 as it's a chance to combine baking with raising money for worthy charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (or Doctors Without Borders).  All of the details are on the front page of the club website and also on Facebook. Whether you bake, simply consume, or both, there really is very little excuse not to get involved.  

Sunday 4th October  - Middlesex Championships 10km Race - Victoria Park - 10:30am start

Official entries have now closed but if any club member really wishes to run get in touch with me.  I really need some helpers to come forward to make things run smoothly on the day. Specifically looking for folk to help set the course out (from 9am), marshalling the race (from around 10am) and closing down (from around 11:30am) and also a lead cyclist.  Hope to hear from some of you soon.

DATE CHANGE Wednesday 7th October - Chingford League Race #1 - Hog Hill Cycle circuit - Women 7:30pm, Men 8pm

Due to a prior booking at the Redbridge Cycle circuit the first league race of the season will be on a Wednesday night, and not on the Tuesday as usual.  Also note that at the cycle circuit fixtures men and women race separately due to volumes of participants. All details are on the noticeboard.

Saturday 10th October - Metropolitan League Race #1 - Claybury Woods - 1:55pm / 2:30pm

The Metropolitan Cross-Country League kicks off once again. The fixtures have been finalised and as usual all of the details are available on the Met League website.  This is the best cross-country league in London and both our men's and women's team compete in its top tier. It will be our primary focus for cross country this season and members are asked to prioritise these fixtures.  Our excellent junior squad will be there too, please make every effort to get there early and cheer them on from around 1:15pm.

Saturday 17th October - Chingford League Race #2 - Loughton - 2:30pm

Please keep the date in your diary for now. Full details will be posted in the usual places nearer the time.

Saturday 24th October - North of the Thames XC - Kingsbury 2pm Women / 2:30pm Men

This annual fixture takes place once again in the pretty Fryent Country Park.  This is a pre-entry event and the deadline for applications is 15th October.  I have posted more details on the noticeboard.

Thursday 29th October - Club Monthly 2.9 mile Handicap - arrive 7pm, starts 7:15pm

The first handicap of the season went well. All the results are on the noticeboard. October is no different, last Thursday of the month - what a great reason to get out on a cold Autumn night. 

Saturday 31st October - Potential date for the club 3.5 mile championships

Given yet another full calendar this is a potential date for race #2 in the club championships winter series. Run on a nice flat course in the park I have earmarked this as a potential date. The race is usually held on a Saturday morning.

AGM + Fixtures Card

Look out for a separate mail in coming days regarding the 2015 AGM (including the most improved athlete awards, sure to be tricky this year) and a handy PDF winter fixtures guide. Bet you can't wait.

The Register

More great news. Long-standing club member Chrissie Ward (formerly Shepherd) gave birth to a little boy, named Alexander on September 17th.  Despite what sounded like a very exciting birth, I understand all are doing well and a visit to the club may happen some time in the future. Congratulations from us all, Chrissie.

Club Secretary Rachel Morison and fellow club member Rupert Rowling were married in September in Northamptonshire, it's not clear how much running they did on their honeymoon but Rachel also picked up a few medals at the recent Isle of Wight fell running championships as well.  Congratulations to you both!

That's it for now

Simeon

Men's Road & XC Captain

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 - handicap results are here: tinyurl.com/HandicapResults

Keep an eye out for forthcoming fixtures on the club website

Issue 82 - Look! Autumn's coming!

As the sands of August leak through our hands like a damp sandcastle on a wet bank holiday weekend beach, one's thoughts turn to Autumn and the bounty of races and events it has to offer. Starting with....

This Thursday 27th August - Club Monthly 5 mile Handicap - arrive 7pm, starts 7:15pm

The final handicap of the summer season will take place this Thursday.  All details are on the noticeboard.  

Thursday 3rd September - Assembly League Race #6 - Beckenham - 7:30pm

The final race of the season in Beckenham. This is always a great finale on a measured three mile course, with the chance to enjoy a beer afterwards.  Keep an eye on the noticeboard and the Assembly League Facebook page for more details of the fixture and location if you've not been before.

Thursday 10th September - Club Championships Race #1 - The Flowers Mile - Register by 7pm, race at 7:15pm

Pleased to announce we have now set a date for this iconic and historic club race, where club track, road and junior athletes can all compete together.   All the details are on the noticeboard.  Previous results can be found at http://tinyurl.com/VPHMile. It is not an open race but paid-up members may invite a guest to run as well (although guests cannot take prizes). We will need plenty of volunteers to help with the event, especially time keeping and results recording - PLEASE GET IN TOUCH.

Wednesday 30th September - Marathon Workshop with Mara Yamauchi - Southwark Council Office - 6:30pm

I've been sent details about a workshop with this talented former professional British distance athlete. More details and tickets at http://www.londonathletics.org/marathons-with-mara

Sunday 4th October  - Middlesex Championships 10km Race - Victoria Park - 10:30am start

Many more details on the club noticeboard and the Middlesex AA website.

Tuesday 6th October - Chingford League Race #1 - Hog Hill Cycle circuit

The local league kicks off with two fixtures at Redbridge cycle circuit.  More details to follow nearer the time.

Saturday 10th October - Metropolitan League Race #1 - Claybury Woods - 2:30pm

The Metropolitan Cross-Country League kicks off once again. The fixtures have been finalised and as usual all of the details are available on the Met League website.  This is the best cross-country league in London and both our men's and women's team compete in its top tier. It will be our primary focus for cross country this season and members are asked to prioritise these fixtures.  

Cross Country Captains needed

Given the number and range of cross country races that the club competes in over the Winter it's time to spread the load and share the effort a little.  We're looking for some cross-country captains for specific leagues, to take a more active role in promoting the races, encouraging members to attend and supporting before/after/during the races as well. It's something that many other clubs do and we believe it's the sort of thing that an ambitious and capable club like VPH & TH should be doing as well.  As mentioned above, our primary focus for XC is the Metropolitan league this year, however, we realise that may not suit all club members. We have been part of the other leagues and races for many years as well.  So, what we seek is one or two 'league captains' for both the Metropolitan league and also the Chingford league for this coming season.  Please get in touch with Women's Director Laura Morgan or me to discuss further.  It would be great to see some other members stepping up to get involved.

Congratulations

Active  members Joe Feltham and Gemma Dunlop kindled their friendship here at our very club a few years ago. They were wed at a ceremony in Berkshire on July 25th.  Congratulations Joe and Gemma, we you both many happy miles in your future together (pic below).  Congratulations also go to club member Anna Tibelius who gave birth to baby Jack at the end of July. We wish her and occasional runner David (Dad) all the very best.

 

That's it for now

Simeon

Men's Road & XC Captain

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 - handicap results are here: tinyurl.com/HandicapResults

Keep an eye out for forthcoming fixtures on the club website

 

News and fixtures for May, June and beyond

Here is your overdue May newsletter. Your patience may be rewarded with plenty of events this month, next month and beyond. Get comfortable...

Thursday 28th May - Monthly Club Handicap - from 7pm

We had a fantastic showing of juniors, seniors and helpers at the April event. Let's hope we do even better in May. All the details and results are available as usual on the noticeboard, please see this post. For May I need 4-6 helpers to marshall and to timekeep for the event to go ahead, please get in touch if you can spare an hour or so. I'm particularly keen to hear from new members.

Saturday 30th May - Southern Men's Athletic League - Mile End Stadium

Fixture 2, and the club will be hosting this 'home match'.  As ever we need athletes to compete in all events but particularly seek some of the Road & XC men to put their marathon training to good use in the 1500m and 5km events.  Since it's local you won't need to travel far. Keep an eye out on Facebook and the Noticeboard for more details. Please contact Men's Athletics captain Tony Macdowall if you'd like to compete [ t_macdowall |at|hotmail.com ]

Thursday 4th June - Assembly League Race #3 - Battersea Park - 7:30pm

Don't forget the third race in the greatest summer race series of them all.  Keep an eye on the Noticeboard, Facebook and the excellent  Assembly League Twitter feed nearer the time for details.  This is always a very high quality fixture with the added bonus of a high quality trip to the pub afterwards :-)

Saturday June 6th / July 4th / August 1st - Orion Harriers 'Forest Five' - Epping Forest - 10am Start

A great series of races in Epping forest, often popular with club members. Easy to reach via the Chingford Line, advance entry is recommended as it's a bargain compared to entering on the day. A nice course and a warm welcome is always guaranteed at the events (+ one or two hills). More details and online entry at this link. See you there!

Saturday 6th June - Southern Women's Athletic League - Fixture 2 - Guildford (afternoon)

We had a slightly reduced turn out at the first fixture and as ever the club needs more women to get involved in this great league. Transport is provided. We are particularly keen to hear from women who normally run distance events to take part in 800, 1500 and 3000m events. Please contact women's athletics captain Charlotte Nicholls [ nicholls.charlotte |at| gmail.com ] or Alf Vickers if you'd like to compete.

Friday 27th June - Fast Friday - Walthamstow Track - from 7pm 

A date for your diaries, similar to the recent Night of the 10000m PBs held at Highgate, but more inclusive and with both 5km and 10km events., Orion are staging their Fast Friday event once again. Please click here for more details if you'd like to run. The organisers are looking for a few faster pacers to get involved, I'm told this will be in return for some free Indonesian street food.

A message to Relay to you all.

Many club members took part in in some great relays last summer, and this year should be no different. Westminster Bridges Relay (2.3 miles per leg) is on Wednesday 17th June. If you'd like to run you need to let Rob Pitkethly know ASAP, as deadline is 20th May. See the post on the club Facebook page or let Rob or I know this week.  There's also the Sri Chinmoy Battersea Park 1 mile relays on Monday 20th July and Monday 10th August. You can enter those on the night but get the dates in your diary.

Congratulations due (or overdue!)

Congratulations to club members James Bewley and Lady Charlotte Maile who celebrated the birth of their first child, baby Edward at the start of March, and also to fellow club members Dan Mutlow and Lady Rachel Thomas who celebrated the birth of Raphael also in early March.Both Dan and James went on to run the London marathon a few weeks later.

More recently club all-round legend Tom Heslop recently celebrated his marriage to Charlotte at the end of April.  They honeymooned on a Greek Island but Tom kept in shape in time to return to race 10km on the Parliament Hill track on Saturday. It's good to see club members maintaining their priorities!  Congratulations to you all.

Simeon

Men's Road & XC Captain

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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