Road Running Newsletter #6

‘Why should we bother to race? If you’re asking that, I might say why bother to run at all?

Editors Note:

Welcome to the 6thER newsletter which concentrates on Champs race #4 @ Frenchfield and the forthcoming Dentdale 14.

Penrith Park Run Saturday 22ndFebruary 2014

Some unexpected bright conditions greeted the 90+ participants in the 3rd Penrith Park Run and the 4th race in the ER Club champs. Despite the more hospitable conditions the majority of the field were content to forego a warm up for the warmth of the pavilion and a catch up with fellow runners. It was very interesting to see the variety of ways fellow ERs ensured that their Parkrun barcode was secured (to be produced at the finish line). This varied from the basic paper/sellotaped barcode stuffed in the internal pocket of your shorts (my option) to a simple safety pin attachment to the club vest or the inventive marsupial ‘pouch’ approach by Martin Hepworth (unfortunately no photograph is available): please note that you can buy from the Parkrun website a laminated barcode keyring or card a la Emma King.

The race started at the normal charge with myself and Kevin Whitemore jostling for last place in the field (Kevin pictured with friend). The pace settled down and the usual boggy conditions were still available as we approached the swamp-like conditions before leaving the football fields for the first time. Fortunately there was no casualties until we waded through the mud behind Penrith FC where new member Emma King fell face first into the mud, for noapparent reason (her words not mine). It was Emma’s good fortune that there were no photographers close by (we believe?). Heading towards the end of lap one I was trailing a trio of three ERs Tony L, Julia K and Tiffany Heaviside (pictured post race with her winning mother celebrating).

I still had one hope that one or more of them would begin to fade but as the lap progressed the gap did not close and Tony went on to win this small internal battle.Well done to a string of fellow ERs including Stu Stoddart who finsihed 4th overall and Anna Whitemore for running despite a massive hangover. No race report would be complete without mentioning the breathtaking performances of some of the Eden Juniors in particualr Samuel Almond who finished 2nd in 19:50 aged 10!!!!!! Good to have Emma King, Vicky Higgins, Karen Bridge,Stu Stoddart, Graeme Higgins, Derek Hurton and Dave Robinson joining the race champs for the first time this season; we now have 33 in total, that’s a third of the club!

Men’s Race Results: (where included overall race finish is in brackets)

Stu Stoddart (4), Graeme Higgins (7), Derek Hurton (9), Martin Hepworth (10), Dave Robinson (21), Andrew Walker (26), Tony Lowery (33), Dave peacock (36), Kevin Whitemore (38).

Women’s Race Results:

Karen Bridge (14), Julia King (34), Tiffany Heaviside (35), Vicky Higgins, Anna Whitemore, Kathleen taylor, Emma King, Linda McGinley, Ally Walker.

Overall Standings after 4 events (subject to ratification by Alan Marshall)

Women:

1. Julia K 74,

2. Ally W 62,

3. Gill S 49,

4. Linda Mc 45,

5. Anna W 37,

6. Kathleen 30,

7. Amanda S 23,

8. Angela W 20,

9. Karen Bridge 19,

10. Tiffany Heaviside 17,

11. Katie A 16,

12. Vicky Higgins 16,

13. Emma King 13

Men:

1. Dave P 79,

2. Kev W 74,

3. Andy W 74,

4. Tony L 67,

5. Mike B 60,

6. Shaun S 45,

7. Martin H 42,

8. Stuart R 41,

9. Johnny F 29,

10. Jonny C 28,

11. Jim K 27,

12. Geoff C 24,

13. Mark S 23,

14. Jim S 21,

15. Paul S 20,

16. Stu Stoddart 19,

17. Richard H 18,

18. Graeme Higgins 18,

19. Derek Hurton 17,

20. Dave Robinson 15,

Next Race Dentdale 14Saturday8thMarch 2014

Go to the link below for further details and to enter – see you there?

Dave Peacock