2009 News

Photo by Jeremy Hemming
Photo by Jeremy Hemming http://imagetogo.net/go/?21040

BMAF 10 MILE CHAMPIONSHIPS, PORTLAND 11 OCTOBER 2009

The Portland course is challenging enough but high winds on the day made it even harder work as it seemed to be coming from all directions. Nevertheless we saw some excellent times with the best of the day coming from W60 Angela Copson who set a new British Best Performance for the distance beating her own mark set a short while ago but on an easier course.

Championship records for South West Vets were also set by M55 John Shapland(59.02), W45 Jenny Moore (1.03.13), W50 Anne Luke (1.04.17), W55 Zina Marchant (1.13.05), and W65 Barbara Frampton (1.41.04).

The day went off very well thanks to the assistance provide by the local Royal Manor of Portland AC and I am sure many of us will be returning to the Island again for any other races that they put on.

NEW FOREST HALF AND FULL MARATHONS.

Congratulations to Jenny Moore (W45)and Douglas Brisco (M55) who both broke Championsip Records for the Full Marathon that took place in the New Forest on Sunday 27 September,2009. Jenny got within the 3 hour mark to post a time of 2.57.18 whilst Douglas broke Nigel Stuart-Thorn's 1987 Championship record for the M55's with 3.13.27. Patricia Seabrook, at the top end of her W65 age group finished in 5.49.34 and so outside her own previous record for this event.

In the Half run at the same time, super-super vet Buce Davidson set Club and Championship records for the M85s with 3.03.29

No other records set in the Half Marathon but some good times nevertheless. First home was Simon McMorran (M45) in 1.21.30 and a creditable 8th place overall. Paul Newman (M50) was just under a minute behind him (1.22.36) and in unlucky 13th place.

Amongst the M55s Colin Smith (1.42.31) took the honours from Dave Gibson (1.53.48), whilst George Chalstrey, having a relaxed run, was the first M60 with a time of 1.48.46.

SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

We have had an unusual appeal this week! The BBC have for some time been running a Saturday afternoon programme called 'Total Wipe Out' and they are about to embark on a new series. The programme features contestants who have to compete over an obstacle course over very muddy water and each week the winner gets £10 000 as his prize. It is all done on location in Argentina and could be said to be a lot of fun.

They are particularly anxious to get contestants over the age of 35, male or female, and so have contacted us a possible source of cannon fodder. Selection courses will be held in Cardiff in mid September and again in London during October.

Having watched watched the programme last evening it appears that they are looking for extroverts and ability to negotiate the course is pretty much a secondary considration. If you want to give it a go please follow upm the inviatation that appears on our 'Message Board' and we will be delighted to hear of your experiences - or better still watch them on the 'Box.'

 

ROUND THE ROCK 10K

This event incorporated our 2009 10k Road Championships and took place over the testing Portland course. It must be said however that the times certainly did not reflect this with some very impresive age graded percentages. The winner of the race and 1st M45 was Mark Pittaway of the host club with Graham Jex of Poole Runners second in the same category and the race.

It was good to see that S West Vets in fact took 6 out of the top 7 places with great runs from Karen Rushton(W40 Championship Record) who took 3rd place overall, Sarah Unwin-Mann (W35) 5th, and Peter Young (M60) 7th. The outstanding performance though came from Anne Luke (W50) 6th with a time of 38.04, which is a Club and Championship record over this distance. It works out at 91.09 percent on the age gradings!

Also well up percentage wise were Zina Marchant (W55) whose 42.49 gave her a Championship Record and 86.00%, a minute fraction better than Peter Young's 85.68. Karen Rushton and Lynne Whitaker achieved 84.52 and 84.12 respectively such was the class of the field. Yvonne Tibble with a fine run of 44.07 had to be content with 3r spot amongst the W50s despite turning in a very creditable 77.13%.

Perhaps the course is not so fierce after all. I suggest we go back next year and find out.

 

5k Road Championships 15 February 2009

Julian Emery is seen here on the left screaming towards the finish of our 5 K setting a new Championship and Club record of 15.57.

On the extreme left is Caroline Steven, the First Lady home.

We have photos of most of the runners so if you would like us to send you a copy email us on southwestvets@talktalk.net

The results are on the "Results" page.

Cross Country Sidmouth Sunday 31 January 2009

The course run at the top of Peak Hill with its dramatic views in all directions is very attractive but the heavy overnight rain combined with the steep climbs and ascents made for a slippery and testing race. The Ladies had to contend with 3 laps and a distance of 6km whilst the men had to carry on for a further lap giving them 8km in total but talk afterwards seemed to suggest that it felt much further.

Local Runner Graham Hill took the honours in the men's race easing out Paul Rose up the last hill whilst the very experienced Marilyn Blair was the first lady home, just ahead of Lynne Whitaker and new comer Linda Smith.