September ‘13 Newsletter
Subscriptions for year ’13/’14
If you have not paid your sub by the end of September we will assume that you no longer wish to be a member of Phoenix Striders
Please remember that we meet at Laindon Community Centre on Tuesdays and Thursdays from Tuesday 3rd September
A warm welcome to new members Steve Bolton, Adam Gordon and Nicola Gordon.
Friern Manormessage from Nicola Maslen
Those who are wanting to come to Friern Manor on Monday 2nd December 2013, can I have your £10 deposits please.
If you would like to come and have not let me know yet contact me on 07903713089. Thank you!
CLUB KIT
The cost of club vests and T-shirts is £13 and £16 respectively. They are excellent quality and can be obtained from Sue Vine. 07909 778695 or If you are interested in running in the X-country races you will need one. It would be really nice to see more members in club colours at races, you will get more support from marshals and spectators. We also have polo shirts and sweatshirts.
Members out and about at races
**Wednesday 14th August. ‘Crown to Crown’ 5K trail run. A beautiful evening for running. With 168 finishers Crispian was beaten into 2nd place, by over a minute, by Adam Hickey who finished in 15mins 25secs. Members who have completed this course will know what that means!!!! PS fielded 9 members with Stuart W crossing the line first in 21:31, he was followed by Stephen H (44th) and Dave L (47th) in 22:21 and 22:36 respectively. Hayley S was 4th lady at 53rd in 23:05. Next Roma 28:58, then Nicola M 29:02, Tony D 29:11, Adele 30:53 and Sue B 34:25. Last competitor 45:01. Well done folks. NB last C2C is 4th Sept at 7.00pm
**Sunday 18th August. Working with Stanford le Hope cricket club and using their facilities we presented a well organised, well marshalled and interesting course, really hard work!! First of all hugethanks to Gwyn who manned a strimmer and hedgecutter for a full day so that the race was able to take place without too many difficulties for the runners.
Entries were very disappointing with only 41 finishers, well down on last year’s numbers, this may have been due to the fact the St Luke’s decided to put on a 5K in Billericay this year at the same time!!! No-one will be surprised to hear that Crispian won in a time of 17mins 10secs, knocking 45secs off his own course record!!! Dave L was first PS in 23:27, he was followed by Simon J 25:27 and Eddie 25:46. Debbie S was next coming in as first lady in 25:55, followed by Tony D 28:27 and Roma 29:29. Much to Joy’s surprise and delight she came next in 29:49 as first lady over 40 followed by Sue V 30:33, Sue B 36:13 and Karen H 37: 50. Adele brought up the rear having guided blind lady Louise round a very difficult, underfoot, course in 53:19. Well done folks, especially Adele, I have guided and it’s certainly not easy!!!!
Apart from our runners there were others from the club who turned up to help and thanks must go to Alan L, Hannah L, Stacy R, Gwyn, Peggie, Debra P, Beryl, Dianne C, Jan O’N, Marion B, Chris F (who had the results on the web before I reached home!!!!!), Jim, Sue H, Ruth, Nick, John H, Kalli and Judy. We are lucky to have friends of the club who are willing to give up their time and help out at these events and thanks to Steve K, Betty, Mark Y and Terry F. The cricket club helped out with 7 marshals.
BELONGING TO A CLUB IS ABOUT GIVING AS WELL AS RECEIVING
**Tuesday 20th August saw the last of our ‘Summer Series’ 5K runs. With a field of 99 it was a great ending to a good season with an average turn-out over the 4 runs of 101.5 entries. The weather couldn’t have been better and the marshals out in force, how lucky are we that so many people are willing to give up their valuable time. I know I keep on saying this but good, encouraging marshals can make a race for all runners however fast. Surprise, surprise Crispian won in 17mins 41secs. Ricky W was first PS in 6th place crossing the line in 21:20, he was followed by Daniel G 9th in 22:46 and in 12th place Steven H 23:19. Rob came next 23:57 followed by Eddie 25:29, Ruth 26:22, Simone 26:39, Debbie S 26:44, Greg 26:54, Chris T 29:27, Nicola H 29:34, Joy 30:33, Sue V 31:53, Emma C 32:47, Sue B 36:20, Lauren G 36:36, Jim 37:35 (first race since his knee op), Jan O’N and Jackie F 40:37, Diane C 40:38 Sam K 41:04 and Hayley F 31:12. Unfortunately both Simon J and Perry had to drop out before the finish. Congratulations to all.
Huge thanks to all the helpers Adele, Peggie, Alan L, Dave L, Amanda, Nicola M, Marion B, Nick, Chris, Gwyn, Judy and friends of the club Betty, Stephen K and Joan. At the end of the race Jim presented Beryl with a ‘sweeper of the year’ certificate for her unfailing contribution to sweeping 2013!!!!!!!
**Sunday 25th August Mel Batty 10K. There were 132 entries for the second of the new Mel Batty 10K race. First runner to cross the line completed the course in 32mins 48secs. PS fielded 4 runners with Eddie coming in first at 48:56 followed by Debbie S 49:14, Ruth 49:30 and Beryl 50:16. In the team results the girls took 3rd place in the senior women’s category. Well done to all 4 members.
**On the same day Sue B took part in one of the Mersea Island Races, but I don’t have any details, nevertheless well done Sue.
Race dates for your diaries
Wednesday 4th SeptCrown to Crown 7pm
Sunday 29th Sept‘Dunton Demon 5’ (miles)
Sunday 6th OctManuden 10K and 5K and Children’s 1K Fun Run, Yew Tree Pub
Sat/Sun 12th/13th Oct Midnight Marathon in aid of Havens Hospices
Saturday 27th Oct Brentwood 10K
Sunday 3rd NovBillericay 10K Book early race limit 750
Sunday 17th NovRegents Park 10K
SATURDAYS ESSEX LEAGUE CROSS-COUNTRY
The dates for the Essex X-Country League are as follows.
Times ladies-1.40pm, men-2.15pm
Contact Judy if you’re interested. Club Vest/ T-shirt needed
Saturday 19th OctBraintree
Saturday 16th Nov Basildon
Saturday 7th DecChelmsford
Saturday 11th JanSouthend
Saturday 8th FebChingford
HI-VIZ, HI-VIZ, HI-VIZ
As we are getting into Autumn, and all too soon Winter, we would ask you to equip yourselves with some high visibility wear. Either reflective bibs, or flashing armbands. These articles are often in Lidl’s or Aldi’s.
New Baby
Natalie G gave birth, by caesarean section, to a little girl on Thursday 8th August. Actually not such a ‘little’ girl as she weighed in at 9.2lbs!!! Congratulations to mum and dad.
Finally ‘Happy Birthday’ for September to Sue B, Heidi, Tom, Helen Cam, Karen H, Nicola H, Alan J, Sean, Sam K, Debra P, Katrina S, Justine, John T, Karen T, Sylvia and Ricky W.
Judy
PS
If anybody wishes to join the facebook group, search facebook for Phoenix Striders and request to join the group, as long as you are a member Eddie will accept you.