Friday 15 May AGM 8pm
Lowlands Tennis Club
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Metros Diary
APRIL
Fri 10 Maidenhead Easter 10 TROPHY RACE 9.30am
Sat 11 5 mile walk, Roxbourne Park 9am
Sat 18 Wot no Watch, Roxbourne Park* 9.35am
Sun 19 Fullers Towpath 10 TARGET RACE 9.30am
Sun 26 London Marathon
MAY
Sat 2 Measured Mile, Roxbourne Park* 9.35am
Mon 4 Pednor 5 TARGET RACE 7pm
Sun 10 Marlow 5 TROPHY RACE 9.30am
Mon 11 Uxbridge VETS LEAGUE 6.30pm
Fri 15 AGM – Lowlands Tennis Club 8pm
Sun 17 Sudbury Court 10K TROPHY RACE 10.30am
Sat 30 Henry’s 5K, Roxbourne Park 9.15am
Sun 31 SUMMER LEAGUE, DulwichPark TBC
JUNE
Sat 6 5 mile handicap, Roxbourne Park 9am
Sun 7 Chiltern Chase 10K TARGET RACE 10am
Mon 8 Twickenham (St Mary’s) VETS LEAGUE 6.30pm
Fri 12 Hills (Harrow Hill) 10K MMW** TBC
Sat 13 Beach (Ruislip Lido) 4.2K MMW** TBC
Sun 14 Cross country (Ruislip Woods) 10K MMW** TBC
Mon 15 Track (Kings College Road) 5K MMW** TBC
Tues 16 Road (Lowlands Tennis Club) 13K MMW** TBC
Sat 20 Midsummer Madness 9am
Sun 21 SUMMER LEAGUE,Headstone Manor 9.30am
Hosted by Metros
Mon 22 Battersea Park VETS LEAGUE 6.30pm
Sat 27 Wot no Watch, Roxbourne Park 9.35am
JULY
Sat 4 10K Challenge, Roxbourne Park 9am
Sun 5 SUMMER LEAGUE, Perivale 10.30am
Sat 11 5 mile walk, Roxbourne Park 9am
Mon 13 Battersea Park VETS LEAGUE 6.30pm
Sat 18 Wot no Watch, Roxbourne Park* 9.35am
Sun 26 SUMMER LEAGUE, Regents Park TBC
AUG
Sat 1 Measured Mile, Roxbourne Park* 9.35am
Sun 16 SUMMER LEAGUE, Battersea Park 9.30am
Sun 23 Burnham Half Marathon 10am
* Please note new time
** Metros Marathon Week. See article by Gary Young
Metros Marathon Week
Is it really two years since the last Metros Marathon Week?
Well, yes it is so why not give it a go this time round.
For those of you who are not familiar with MMW the concept is to run the Marathon distance on five different surfaces on five consecutive days.
This years event is planned to take place as follows:
Friday 12 June Hills (Harrow Hill ) 10K
Saturday 13 June Beach (Ruislip Lido) 4.2K
Sunday 14 June Cross country (Ruislip Woods) 10K
Monday 15 June Track (Kings College Road) 5K
Tuesday 16 June Road (Lowlands Tennis Club) 13K
In order to make the event viable we need a minimum of 15 people who are committed to doing the whole week.
Provided we have a hard-core others are welcome to do some of the days if their schedule prevents them from going for the complete set.
So come on give it a go, register your interest or get further details from Gill and Garry Young on 01923 833 726 or at
Thank you.
Regards
Garry Young
Competing Members
If you wish to compete in events organised by England Athletics and have not yet given your form to Ann Marsden please do so a.s.a.p. so that you can be registered with England Athletics. If you are not registered with England Athletics you will not have a registration number, which is now often being asked for on race entry forms. You will still be able to enter the races but will have to pay an additional fee. If you have given your form in and need to know your registration number before England Athletics send it to you, please contact either Ann Marsden or Jane Young. Thank you.
The “alternative” alternative London Marathon spectators guide
David pointed out the article by Steve Paull, on how best to view your loved ones competing in the London Marathon. I felt exhausted just reading it. With this in mind I offer my guide which I have used for many years and find totally reliable.
On the day as your loved one rises at some ungodly hour, mutter “tea please” roll over and go back to sleep. When fully rested, rise and take a leisurely bath or shower. Once dressed, pick up the picnic you’re brought from M&S along with the wine, glasses and picnic rug. Take the car to your nearest Piccadilly line station, park and take the train to St James Park station. Exit station and walk across park, find a pleasant spot facing birdcage walk. Don’t worry if you have missed your runner, they should know where you are in advance and find you after they have finished. Place rug on ground, sit down and pour one a well earned glass of wine.
Enjoy the sights and sounds, when your runner has finished and made there way to you; allow them to pour you more wine and set up picnic.
Jan Swan
London Marathon Elite Drinks Station
It is that time of the year when those disappointed souls who did not get a Marathon place can still be part of the action.
Come and help on the Metros Elite Drinks Station at the 30K point and give yourself a chance of getting a place in the 2010 race.
The Drinks Station is on Upper Bank Street near the corner of South Colonnade. It is easy to reach by tube and DLR via Canary Wharf and there are shops and loos close by.
If you do want to come it would be helpful if you would let me know on 01923 833 726 but you can just turn up on the day at around 10.00am. Garry Young
MIDSUMMER MADNESS IN THE PARK
On 21st June Metros Saturday morning
session in Roxbourne Park will be the annual
Midsummer Madness – a mix of fun, games
and water, with a small amount of running
thrown in for good measure.
All are invited to attend but children will be especially welcome. As ever, fancy dress is encouraged, with prizes for the best efforts. The fun starts at 9.00 and will be followed by refreshments in the scout hall.
VETERANS TRACK & FIELD LEAGUE
For some years Metros have participated in a friendly Veterans Track & Field League. This year there are again four fixtures open to both men and women aged 35 years and over.
There are three age categories in various events: 35 - 49, 50 – 59 and 60 years and over and, in some cases, separate groups in each event, graded on ability. It’s not necessary to be a fast runner, although of course vets who are fast (or strong – for throwing, or bouncy – for the jumping events) are welcome, but all finishers earn points for their clubs.
The meetings are on Mondays and start at 6.30 pm with the field events, the running events are held later in the evening. There are separate scoring events for both men and women.
The programme of events for each fixture will be:
Monday 11 May – Uxbridge
100m, 400m, 1500m, 2000m walk, discus, shot,
high jump, long jump, 4x 400 relays
Monday 8 June – St Mary’s Twickenham
200m, 800m, 3000m, hammer, shot, triple jump,
long jump, 4 x 100m.
Monday 22 June – Battersea Park
100m, 400m, 1500m, 2000m walk, discus, javelin,
high jump, triple jump, 4x 400 relays
Monday 13 July – Battersea Park
200m, 800m, 3000m, hammer, javelin, high jump,
long jump, 4 x 100m.
The first fixture this year is at Uxbridge and we hope that more Metros will wish to participate at this local track. Do consider coming along and finding out about the evenings. They can be fun especially when we get a good group out together.
For further information, please contact
Pat Jackson 020 8868 5683
LOCAL VENUE FOR VETS LEAGUE
Uxbridge Monday 11 May
The first fixture of the league this year will be held at the local Uxbridge Track.
Metros veteran members (over 35 years) are eligible to participate but all ages are welcome to come along to spectate or help with the organisation.
The field events start at 6.30 pm, track events at 7.00 pm as follows:
1830 / Discus / M35 / M501830 / High Jump / W35 / W50
1900 / Shot / W35 / W50 / W60
1900 / High Jump / M35 / M50 / M60
1900 / 100m / M35A / M35B / M50
1910 / 100m / W35A / W35B / W50 / W60
1920 / 2000m walk / M35 / M50
1920 / 2000m walk / W35 / W50
1930 / Long Jump / M35 / M50 / M60
1945 / Discus / W35 / W50
1950 / 400m / M35A / M35B / M50
2000 / 400m / W35A / W35B / W50
2000 / Shot / M35 / M50
2010 / 1500m / M35A / M35B / M50 / M60
2015 / Long Jump / W35 / W50
2025 / 1500m / W35A / W35B / W50 / W60
2040 / 4x400m relay men
2050 / 4x400m relay women
If you would like to compete or would like further information,
please contact Pat Jackson 020 8868 5683.
SUMMER LEAGUE 2009
For those who aren’t familiar with this League – it’s a series of races held during the summer months which are open to all ages and abilities.
Entry is on the day, there is no need to pre- enter. The cost is £1 for adults and 50p for children, with free refreshments after.
At each fixture there are three events:
1. An Open Race of 5 miles or 10k, suitable for all abilities
2. A Tenderfoot Race of 1.5–2K, suitable for children, runners returning
from injury and runners who prefer to run a shorter distance.
3. A series of light hearted relays of 300-400m, again suitable for all
ages and abilities.
Scoring is age related– children under 14 every year and adults over 40 are graded in five year age bands. Participants score points for their club and league trophies and Metros own trophies are awarded based on the number of entrants in the various age groups. There is an additional Metros trophy for the best overall adult Metros runner in this League
Apart from Metros, other participating clubs are Dulwich Park Runners, Ealing Southall & Middx, Mornington Chasers, Serpentine, Sudbury Court and Victoria Park Harriers.
The dates for this year are:
Sunday 31 May - 10k * Dulwich Park,
hosted by Dulwich Park Runners
Sunday 21 June -10k, 9.30 am North Harrow Recreation Ground,
HOSTED BY Metros
Sunday 5 July - 5 mile, 10.30 am Perivale, hosted by Ealing, S & Middx
Sunday 26 July- 10k, * Regents Park,
hosted by Mornington Chasers
Sunday 16 Aug - 5 mile, 9.30 am Battersea Park,
hosted by Serpentine.
*Start time to be confirmed.
For further information please contact
Pat Jackson tel: 020 8868 5683
Roxbourne Park 5K Race
Saturday 28 February 2009
1 / Steve Paull / 20:52 / 74%2 / Andy Fox / 21:05 / 67%
3 / Dave Young / 21.30 / 71%
4 / Jonathan Collier / 22:45 / N/A
5 / Dave Swan / 22:50 / 65%
6 / John Gorton / 22:59 / 67%
7 / Mark Mulvenna / 23:17 / N/A
8 / Mervyn Stuckey / 23:33 / 66%
9 / Steve Poole / 24:04 / 64%
10 / Peter Rose / 24:50 / 60%
11 / Jackie Cope / 25:26 / 69%
12 / Errol Clarke / 25:27 / 56%
13 / Andrew Collier / 25:33
14 / Gary Hymes / 26:10
15 / Mike Billington / 26:17 / 64%
16 / Jane Hudson / 26:33 / 64%
17 / Christopher Jones-Ford / 26:37 / N/A
18 / Bob Manning / 27:02
19 / Matthew Daniel / 27:07 / N/A
20 / Lesley Boatman / 27:09 / 65%
21 / Carol Wells / 27:27 / 59%
22 / Teresa Young / 28:04 / 60%
23 / Caroline Murray / 29:03 / N/A
24 / Dave Brown / 29:03 / 55%
25 / Javier / 29:21 / N/A
26 / Ruth Tidder / 29:41
27 / Irene Paull / 29:42 / 58%
28 / Ruairi / 30:04
29 / Ann Marsden / 30:32 / 68%
30 / Sue Davie / 30:49 / 52%
31 / Kath Donaldson / 31:02 / 64%
32 / Sonya Grist / 31:14 / 68%
33 / Jackie Poole / 31:51 / 53%
34 / Raquel Russel-Ponte / 32:25 / 66%
35 / Amy Juniper / 32:38 / N/A
36 / Judy Rackham / 32:48
37 / Penny Hudson / 33:28 / 49%
38 / Peter Stapleton / 33:30
39 / Catherine Corcoran / 35:18 / 44%
40 / Jeanne Coker / 38:13 / 60%
Thanks to all the runners who took part in the inaugural 5K race. What an excellent field! Thanks especially to Nick and Graham for their help. Everyone enjoyed the run and with such positive comments it was proposed that we hold a series of these during the year.
Marilyn and Henry
As all agreed, Marilyn and Hendry did a wonderful job organising the inaugural 5k race in Roxbourne Park. A big thankyou to them and also to Nick and Graham who acted as marshals – a much-appreciated role by the more directionally challenged amongst us.
The right-hand column of the results table shows age-graded percentages calculated from charts published by the WMA (World Masters Athletics). These apply only to men over 40 and women over 35 and enable us older runners to compare our performances with the best performance of a top athlete of the same age and sex. Basically, past a certain age, most of us have to accept slower times as we become older but at least we can try to maintain or improve on our percentage rating.
There are some gaps in the results table where we are not sure how old the runners were on the day of the race. If this applies to you, and you would like to know your WMA percentage, either let me know your age on 28.2.09 or have a look at http://www.howardgrubb.co.uk/athletics/wmalookup06.html
As it stands, Steve Paull not only won the race but also achieved the highest percentage score, so congratulations are due to him – especially as the course was about 50 miles shorter than his normal race distance!
Because the event was so successful, there will be another at 9.15 on Saturday 30th May. As before, it’s free to enter and all Metros are encouraged to participate then enjoy refreshments in the scout hall afterwards.