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

Need a catchy title for the April newsletter

Sunshine and warmth is delayed I'm afraid but April is now underway, and looking busy with the first fixture tomorrow...

Tomorrow!  Easter Saturday 4th April - Mike Penman Memorial 10km Road Race - 2pm start

This annual event is 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 10km is always a great event with the added fun of a mob-match against other local clubs (Orion, Eton Manor, Woodford). There is usually some food and drink laid on afterwards.  Come along and race, support, and soak up the atmosphere.

This Thursday 9th April - Assembly League Starts - Evening Races

A reminder that this brilliant series of 6 summer road races starts this week. Each is held on a Thursday night, usually 3-3.5 miles in length.  The club did very well in the league last year (our senior men won both the A and B leagues, our women came 2nd + we had a number of category wins, including men's champion)   If the fast, free, fun racing isn't enough for you there's usually a post-race social as well.

• 9th April Beckenham Sports Club - 7:15pm start
• 7th May Victoria Park - 7:30pm start
• 4th June Battersea Park (Grandstand) - 7:30pm start
• 2nd July The Dome (North Greenwich)- 7:30pm start
• 30th July Victoria Park - 7:30pm start
• 3rd September Beckenham Sports Club - 7:30pm start

Lots more info about the races on the noticeboard - click here.

 

Sunday 19th April - Celebration of Life Run 6 miles - Victoria Park 10:30am

This is a nice event, organised tirelessly by a local volunteer Dave Wilkinson in support of St Joseph's Hospice on Mare Street.  All the details are on the website here. Register on the site if you would like to run, I'm sure volunteers would be appreciated as well.

Saturday 25th April - Southern Women's Athletics League - Lee Valley Athletics Stadium 

Don't forget the season kicks off this month.  The women's athletics team is still seeking participants, particularly distance runners who normally run on the road or XC to compete in the 1500m or 3000m but all areas welcomed of course.  Please contact Women's Athletics captain Charlotte Nicholls [ Nicholls.charlotte |at| gmail.com ] .  Newcomers to track & field competition are welcome of course, training and orientation can be provided.  

Sunday 26th April - Virgin Money London Marathon

Of course it's marathon day later this month.  Many club members will be running, if you wish to cheer them on you can do so, our traditional spot is outside St Georges Pool on the Highway, where you can cheer runners past at the 14 + 22 mile points.  In the evening we plan to open up the club bar for a celebration. Come along and have a drink to celebrate and admire the medals. Folk are welcome to bring along a food contribution to share if they wish (no organised catering this year as hard-working bar manager Rob is also running)

Thursday 30th April - Monthly Handicap 5 mile - Victoria Park 7:15pm

The monthly handicap moves to the summer 5 mile course now that lighter evenings are here. Keep an eye on the noticeboard for details.

  

Saturday 2nd May - Southern Men's League - Tooting Bec 

The first fixture of the southern mens league is our men's athletic focus this season.  We still seek athletes for all disciplines, and especially the800m, 1500m, 5000m and 3k steeplechase. We hope to return to the British league for the 2016 season and need a strong performance in all Southern League fixtures to make the qualifier in early September. Email Men's Captain Tony [ t_macdowall |at| hotmail.com ]

Hackney Marshes Parkrun - Every Saturday at 9am

Our friends at Hackney Marshes Parkrun have been in touch.  The event has grown significantly in the last year, but unfortunately the volunteer side is still catching up. Many will agree what a fantastic community this is.  It is and always will be free but runners are asked to volunteer at least a couple of times a year.  If you haven't yet and would like to, or perhaps if it's your turn, sign up here.

 

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

Spring marches in

Great news, Spring is here. Time to clean those XC spikes and store them safely until October. When that's done, have a read of the newsletter and put some fixtures in your calendar.

This Saturday 14th March - Club Championships 20 Mile - 10am start

The final race of the club championships series. Who has managed to complete all five?  All the race details are here on the noticeboard. I still need for more more volunteers to help with time keeping if you can spare 1-1.5hours during the morning, please get in touch.

 

Saturday 28th March - Orion 15, Epping Forest - 10am start

There's still a few places at this iconic race. It's easy to get to, always has a great atmosphere and with a glass of cheap bubbly at the end what is not to like?  However, you'll need to get in quick as it fills up before the event these days. Many club members run this so come and join in cheer on your club mates if you fancy a stroll in the forest.  Check the Orion Harriers site for more details.

Tuesday 31st March - Physical Shield Relays - CANCELLED

Unfortunately this event, scheduled to be held at Hog Hill cycle circuit, has been cancelled due to complications with the venue. The organiser hopes to stage a return in 2016.

Easter Saturday 4th April - Mike Penman Memorial 10km Road Race - 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 10km is always a great event with the added fun of a mob-match against other local clubs (Orion, Eton Manor, Woodford). There is usually some food and drink laid on afterwards.  Come along and race, support, and soak up the atmosphere.

Thursday 9th April - Assembly League Fixture 1 of 6 - Beckenham - 7:15pm start

The summer's best road running league is back, for it's 40th season. More details to follow but please put this date in your diary NOW. We did very, very well last season (winning the Men's A and B leagues, our women came 2nd + we had a number of category wins, including men's champion). However, we can only do well if everyone makes an effort to attend every race, including the two Beckenham fixtures.

Sunday 26th April - Virgin Money London Marathon

Expect many club members to be running and, as is tradition, there's a gathering in the evening.  This year, the club's very hard-working bar manager is also running. So, the after-show needs some party elves to volunteer to open up the bar, serve drinks, tidy and close up for the night, ejecting any sleeping runners in to the garden. Even Rob deserves a night off sometimes.  For food this year, we ask those who want to eat should bring a contribution to share.  More details about the day to follow but please get in contact with Rob if you are able to offer any help. 

Looking Ahead to the Athletics season...

Southern Women's League - Starts Saturday 25th April

The women's athletics team is specifically seeking those who normally run on the road or XC to get involved, either competing or officiating. Last season quite a few women got involved for the first time and reports were good PLUS it helped VPH & TH in the points too! We particularly seek participants for the 1500m or 3000m but all areas welcomed of course. Please contact Women's Athletics captain Charlotte Nicholls [ Nicholls.charlotte |at| gmail.com ] .  Even if you're new to track competition but would like to give it a try, contact Charlotte and head to Mile End to have a go at a track & field training session.

Southern Men's League - Starts Saturday 2nd May 

As with the women, the men's season follows closely.  The first fixture of the southern mens league takes place on Saturday 2nd May at Tooting Bec, with our home fixture at Mile End on Saturday 30th May. We need athletes to compete in 800, 1500, 5000 and 3k steeplechase. We hope to return to the British league for the 2016 season and need a strong performance in all southern league fixtures to make the qualifier in early September. Contact men's captain Tony Macdowall.

Right, rest well people. You've made it through the Winter, now time to enjoy more daylight and warmth.

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