Issue 96: With a name like September, you'd think it was the seventh month

Firstly, warm greetings to all of the new members who who have joined up or renewed over the summer, the membership continues to grow. And you've joined in time for an exciting Autumn and Winter season of races and events. Welcome to the club that never stops....

Metropolitan League - Second Claim Members - ACTION REQUIRED 

Once again we will compete in the prestigious Metropolitan Cross Country League.  Second claim members may run for the club if their first claim club is not also competing in the league.  However, these members must register before the start of the season. Please get in touch with me by 28th September, it's very simple. First claim members - you do not need to do anything. More details about the league and the fixtures are here: http://www.metleague.co.uk/fixtures.html

Chingford League - First Fixture Tuesday 4th October - Hogg Hill 7:30pm/8pm

For those who are new to the club,  this is the other cross country league we compete in (although there are three tarmac fixtures).  All of the details  for this fixture and the other days are on the noticeboard - just follow this link. Once again we welcome Joyce Berry as the league captain for this season, so look out for more messages and updates from Joyce over the course of the season. Can't wait.

Thursday 20th October - Club AGM - 8:30pm

A separate notice, agenda and call for motions will be circulated shortly but just a reminder to keep this date in your diary.

Thursday 27th October - Club Handicap followed by Club Bake Off

Look out for an announcement with more details  soon but get the date in your diary for the next Club Bake Off, planned to be held after the monthly handicap.  This will be (I think) our fourth Bake Off, and once again there will be a small charity collection - last year £200 was raised for Medecins sans Frontieres.  I have started to reduce my own cake intake in preparation.....

2016-17 Fixtures

Did I read that correctly? 2017? Where is the decade going? Stave off the effects of ageing by running lots over the winter season.  To help you, I've put together the Autumn Winter fixtures list - take a look here: http://tinyurl.com/Winter2016Fixtures

Most Improved Athlete 2016 (Road and ross Country)- nominations now open!

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

Bar Help Required

Those of you who've come to the club on a Thursday night may have visited our wonderful bar and sampled some good food. The bar is managed, run, stocked, and cleaned by a small army of volunteers. If everyone helps out once or twice a year, things run smoothly.  However, there are currently a few holes in the schedule so please put your name down on the rota in the bar or contact Susan or Malachy to put your name forward.

Subscriptions Reminder

The club's subscription year starts in November so if you pay your subs annually have a think about getting prepared. If you pay monthly by standing order there is nothing to worry about.  If you have queries about your membership status, please get in touch: membership@vphthac.org.uk

And finally....

Some of you may have heard of the sad news concerning Nana Quawson, who died at the end of July following a brain haemorrhage. Nana was a former club member and board member and much respected community nurse.  She was particularly active down at Mile End stadium, often helping out officiating and with junior and senior athletes.  This is the third recent death of a club member, and the club has put up its own messages of condolence which can be reached by following the links on the front of the club website: http://vphthac.org.uk/ (thanks to Joe Feltham)

That's it until the next newsletter in early October

Simeon

Men's Road & XC Captain

Issue 95: The last letter in August (t?)

Hello all,

It's still warm and the holiday has a few hours left to roll.   Take a few minutes to think about what's coming up in the next few weeks as we prepare for Autumn.

This Thursday 1st September - Assembly League Race #6 - Beckenham - 7:15pm

The final race of the season in Beckenham. Our men's team have, I reckon, a chance to take first place this season (thanks to heroic efforts by our fast men this year).  The men's A team are currently in second place behind Kent AC but there is a chance of beating them with a strong turnout.  Men's B are comfortably in 2nd, whilst both Women's A and B teams are in third place.  The last race 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 AssemblyLeague Facebook page for more details of the fixture and location if you've not been before.

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

RUNNERS: Last chance to enter is TODAY (Monday) - all of the details are on the club noticeboard.  

HELPERS: We also need plenty of helpers to ensure the race runs smoothly.  I need folk to help out on the course, at the finish area, with baggage in the hall. Please get in touch over the coming days if you can please - I look forward to hearing from lots of volunteers!  Additionally there is catering help already requested by Susan and Malachy on the Facebook page.  Want to help out but can't come on the day - how about baking a cake for the stall in the hall?

Thursday 8th 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.

Sunday 25th September - HemiHelp Fun Run 10k and 3k fun run - Victoria Park - 11am

The club helps out this great local charity once again, with their annual event.  There's still time to enter here. Find out more about HemiHelp here and the work they do for children and young people with hemiplegia, a kind of paralysis. Come and run or help out on the day if you can, please.  More details on the noticeboard and Facebook in the coming weeks.

Tuesday 4th October - Chingford League Race #1 - Hog Hill Cycle circuit

The local league kicks off with two fixtures at Redbridge cycle circuit.  Women starts at 7:30pm, Men start at 8pm.  More details to follow.

Saturday 15th 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.  

Thursday 20th October - Club AGM - Provisional Date

Please keep the above in date in mind, for the club AGM.  Date and details to be confirmed.

Notice

It is with sadness we must report the passing of club athlete and record-holding sprinter Hamim Lubega, who succumbed to his battle with lung cancer on 25th August.  He was an active member of the club's track team and competed for a number of years for the club around the country.  The clubs thoughts are with Hamim's family and friends at this time, may he rest in peace. I found a nice tribute to Hamim on this blogpost.

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 89: February is the shortest month

Hello all

The next few weeks are very important for the club - hosting, racing, donating and handicapping.

Saturday 13th Feb - Met League FINAL - Alexandra Palace - 1:55pm / 2:35pm

The final race of the season. Unless you have a genuine excuse, we need every club member out running and supporting the club at the critical final race of the season. After a reduced turnout from the club at Horsenden Hill the senior men lie in 7th place, behind our main rival Barnet & District AC. If we are to stand any chance of saving our pride, we need all of our members out racing. The race is relatively local and so you have even fewer reasons not to attend. For the women, the A team sit in 5th place, one position above Barnet in 6th. A strong turnout is needed here to maintain this position in the middle of Division 1 for another season. The women's B team were in top position in Division 3 with promotion a possibility prior to the last fixture. Since then, they have slipped to position 3 and out of the promotion positions, but this could be rectified with a good turn out on the day.

Race details are on the Met League site: http://www.metleague.co.uk/fixtures.html#fixture5

Saturday 20th February - Chingford League Race #5 - Victoria Park - Helpers needed
It's our turn to host the Chingford League. For all of you who've enjoyed races organised and hosted by other clubs up to now, now is the time to give back. We need helpers on the day: before, during or after the race. If you can manage none of these, how about baking a cake to sell? All the details are here on the noticeboard. Please contact Laura or me if you can help out.

Saturday 20th February - Chingford League Race #5 - Victoria Park - Runners needed
This fixture is on the clean tarmac of Victoria Park. It's just under five miles (two laps of our renowned figure-of-8 course). If you make one fixture of the Chingford League this year at least make it this one. Cancel your parkrun in the morning, come and run a real race and make it count for the club. More details on the noticeboard and Facebook nearer the time.

Thursday 25th February - February Handicap - 2.9 miles - 7pm for 7:15pm start
The monthly handicap will take place as usual. Volunteer timekeepers and marshalls needed as usual. Please get in touch if you can help, as usual. And, as usual, all results are available at http://tinyurl.com/HandicapResults

Looking ahead:

Saturday 19th March - Club Championships 20 mile - 10am start
In case you missed the announcement, the date has been set for the Club 20. Think of it like the Club 10 we just had at the weekend, only more so. This is perfect for those of you wanting to practice your pacing, nutrition and coping strategies for the upcoming spring marathons. 8 laps of the famous figure-of-8 course.

Note given the length of this event we will start at 10am. The start is a long way from the club house so you need to be registered and numbered by 9:45am at the very latest.

Saturday 2nd April - Orion 15 - Epping Forest - 10am start
The fantastic 15 mile romp through the woods of Essex is back, a little later than previous years. Very popular with club members, although it's not clear if they are drawn by the quality running and competition or the free 'bubbly' at the end. Either way, entries are now open - more details on the Orion Harriers website. Register now before the deadline of 28th March - a bargain at £10.

Club Kit Consultation Update
Look out for an update later this week regarding the outcome of the club kit consultation and new vest supply.

And finally:

Kollecting Kit for Klaserie
Some of you may have seen the post on the club Facebook page from Paul Mee, a 'founder member' of the Klaserie Hawks running club in South Africa. Paul is looking for donations of usable running kit and shoes to donate and support athletes out there less well off than ourselves. I've sure many of you have some spares kicking around. See Paul's post here for details - deadline is Feb 18th

Congratulations
I'm pleased to announce that popular club member Duncan Steen and his partner Eliza welcomed a potential future member in to the world earlier this week. The club wishes Duncan, Eliza and baby Arlo Steen all the best.

Simeon
Men's Road and Cross Country Captain

====
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