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Almost Athletes Marathon Challenge
New for 2015, The AA Road Race Series (see http://www.almostathletes.co.uk/road_race_series_2011.html ) will have an extra race option - a marathon. Since many members put a huge amount of work preparing for a marathon each year it seems right that this effort should be recognised. However it is clearly unfair to specify a particular marathon in the same manner as the shorter races, so that a new set of rules must be devised. The idea is that (almost) any marathon time achieved during year will be recorded a being achieved in a single event open to all members. Points will be assigned when the results of all the marathon runs are known.
These rules are still being finalised, and may need some further adjustments throughout the year. However the basic framework is as follows:
- In principle, all marathons which are open public events and whose results can be readily verified are eligible. The AA Committee retain the right to exclude any events which are not easy to verify or could give an unfair advantage. The event may be longer than 26.2 miles but not shorter. As a guide the 100 Marathon club (see http://www.100marathonclub.org.uk/ ) publishes a list of marathons that meet its criteria. Any member contemplating a marathon not on that list, with a view to this challenge, is advised to contact the club Committee at the earliest opportunity to consider its eligibility.
- The marathon must be run between the inclusive dates of 1st January 2015 and 30th November 2015.
- The AA Member is strongly encouraged to wear the club top but allowance will be made for overriding circumstances such as when running for a charity who provide their own top, and in inclement weather conditions when further clothing such as a jacket is required.
- The AA Member is responsible for promptly reporting the details of their achievement including date, event, time and method of verification (e.g. web page reference) to the Road Race series organiser - currently Steve Adams. Time should be 'chip time' if available, otherwise gun time.
- Only one marathon time for each member will count. But if a member runs more than one marathon in the period and the subsequent time is better than the previous best, the member should report the new time. This process can be repeated any number of times.
- Members will be divided into the same age and gender groups as for the rest of the Road Race series.
- At the end of the period (30th November), the members in each age + gender group will be ordered on time and points awarded in the same manner as for the other races in the Road Race series.
- The AA Committee are reponsible for ensuring this operates in a fair and transparent manner. They are empowered to modify and override the rules if necessary to ensure natural justice is maintained.
Explantory Notes and comments
- It is appreciated that some marathons are 'easier' in terms of terrain, actual distance, weather conditions etc. It is the member's responsibility to choose one or more events that are suitable for achieving a good time.
- If the event is an ultra marathon, but the organisers also publish a properly measured marathon time, this time might be allowed (subject to AA Committee approval) for the purposes of this challenge, otherwise the finishing time of the event must be used.
- The aim of the challenge is to encourage members to undertake a marathon. It is recognised that many will enter popular events such as Brighton or London, but other events including those more local such as Worcester and Stratford upon Avon, as well as those overseas should all be included.
- Marathons with an off-road or multi-terrain element are also eligible, but achieving a quick time is likely to be more difficult.
- It is hoped to 'adopt' a relatively local marathon that a number of members can jointly train for. This is not part of the formal structure at present but members are invited to make suggestions.
Latest News
This weekend saw yet another large turnout of Almost Athletes in support of Julianne Jameson and her Cotswold Way Challenge. Jules was aiming to join a select group of female athletes by running the entire 103 mile journey from Chipping Campden to Bath Abbey. Club members joined Jules for each of the ten legs of her run, with outstanding support from Ian Coggin who ran the whole distance alongside her. Jules and Ian set off at 8am on Saturday and both successfully completed the Challenge by arriving at Bath Abbey at 2.25 am on Monday morning. Two other Almosts took part in the 100 km Race to the Stones Ultra. Kev George finished in 10hrs 53 and 12th place overall, whilst Mark Willicott achieved 11hrs 50. Paul Haig completed his 39th Marathon of the year by running the Piece of Cake Trail in Shropshire, as did Ingrid Harris who finished as second lady in 4hrs 55. Allan Green also successfully completed the Fairlands Valley Marathon. Neil Tring and his daughter Laura took part in the Frome Half Marathon, finishing together at 1hr 44.
Matt Hampton achieved a personal ambition by smashing the 40 minute barrier for 10k, storming in with Hattie Jenkins in 39:55 behind Simon Jarvis who finished in a very impressive 38:03 at Cleevedon last week.
Almost 60 members took part in a glorious evening race round a stunning setting in Cirencester park. Hard work was rewarded with some notable successes, with special mention as the ladies team came away with yet another prize courtesy of Gemma Hargraves, Vicky Kennedy, and Holly Linton, who also scooped the prize for 1st under-20yrs on her debut for the Almost Athletes. Another great turn out by the Almosts.
Top three Almosts were Steve Linton 2nd in his category (38:32), Richard Birch 4th (40:02) and Gemma Hargraves (40:13) third lady overall and first lady Almost. Additionally Holly Linton scooped 1st in age category (47:22), as did Virginia Pawlyn (1:04:26) and Allan Green (46:35), while Sarah Wallbridge (54:08), Vicky Kennedy (47:31) and David Lawrence (58:32) were placed 3rd in their respective categories. Helen Fursman (47:58), Ingrid Harris (48:45), Des Beer (54:59) and Kevin Richards (54:44) were placed 4th in theirs. Well done all.
Prash Kumar took 4th place for the Almosts in 41:11 behind Gemma, followed by Dave Rogers, Mike Kennedy, Wayne Jones, Vasco Barreto, Matt Proome, Gary Farquarson, Dave Chittock and Neil Tring in 42:06, 42:37, 43:23, 44:05, 44:09, 44:26, 45:34 and 45:55 respectively.
Allan Green and junior runner Holly were followed by Phil Jeyes in 47:11, ahead of Vicky Kennedy and Dave Garnett (47:33).
Helen Fursman and Ingrid Harris were followed over the line by Ollie Bell, Steve Wallbridge, Andrew Akerman with Joe Harrison just sneaking in sub-50 (48:58, 49:06, 49:02 and 49:57).
Crossing the line in under the hour despite the heat were Ben Kirby (50:26), Jim Trowbridge (50:19), Rich Smith (50:38) Joanna Wisniewska-Barreto (50:50), Deb Cartlidge (51:18), Kim Davenport (53:40), Hayley Woolnough (54:00), Kevin Richards (54:58), Jackie Slaughter (55:12), James Clay (55:48), Bob Spawton (55:43), Mark Eavers (56:10), Sue Monaghan (56:22), Gareth Wilkes (58:07), Andy Domm (58:06) and David Lawrence (58:07).
Deborah Elliott (1:00:18), Lorraine Taylor (1:00:24) and Jane Birch (1:00:49) crossed on the hour, followed by Lucia Milone (1:01:50), Ed Turner (1:02:22), Virginia Pawlyn (1:04:26), Sarah Fennell (1:05:57), Kasha Price (1:09:51), Claire Gallagher (1:10:00), Fi Sewell (1:10:27), Cottia Howard (1:13:04), Jill Cownie (1:13:45) and finally Rob Rennell with guide runner Mark Medland (1:15:39) completed the Almosts team – a real achievement.
Almosts were out in force again running the Humphs Hilly in the sweltering heat on Saturday. This was a tough race, but a great event. Congratulations to Patricia Peever 1st lady, 2nd Michelle Balchin (1:28:24) and 3rd Ingrid Harris, to race across the finish line for the Almosts behind the top 3 men Josh Hand (1:28:24, 2nd in his age category), Richard Birch (1:33:44) and Nick Lewis (1:33:54).
The club also scooped a number of team prizes – 1st men (Josh Hand, Richard Birch and Nick Lewis), 4th team comprising Prash Kumar (1:34:44), Simon Jarvis (1:3:23) and Dale Midwinter (1:41:59) as well as 6th, 8th, 9th and 10th team places, while the ladies also claimed first place – Patricia Peever, Michelle Balchin and Ingrid Harris, 5th team Vicky Kennedy, Deb Cartlidge, Des Beer as well as 6th and 7th teams.
Mike Kennedy 1:42:19 ahead of 01:46:45 Allan Green fist in age category ahead of Patricia 1:48:44 Michelle on her heels at 1:49:17 (both 2nd in age category) with Matt Proome 1:49:20 and 1:53:00 Ingrid Harris (1st in her category) in hot pursuit and Neil Tring at 1:56:01 (2nd in category) comfortably under 2 hours.
Vicky Kennedy was the next Almost to come in at 2:05:45 followed in 2:06:57 by Gary Farquharson and Duncan Mounsor (2:07:45), ahead of Deb Cartlidge (2:08:09), David Chittock (2:08:22) and Philip Jeyes almost together (2:08:23) and Des Beer not far behind (2:10:42) (1st in her category). Nick Spice still strong crossed the finish in 2:11:50 followed by Steve and Sarah Wallbridge (2:16:06), and Jackie Slaughter (2:18:02) and Bob Spawton (2:19:52).
Final ten Almosts to complete the team were Hayley Woolnough, Rachel Nolan, Mark Eavers and Sandra Stuart in 2:24:15, 2:25:22, 2:26:13 and 2:26:52 respectively, Ollie Nolan, Coralie Pearson and Jane Birch (2:28:26, 2:28:27, 2:30:05) and David Lawrence, Sarah Fennell and Claire Gallagher (2:43:15, 2:43:21 and 2:43:21).
Several Almosts tested their stamina over the weekend, attempting both the Cheltenham challenge (half marathon and 10k courses) and Bourton or Winchcombe the previous day. Well done everyone. This wasn’t a feat for the feint hearted.
Gemma Hargraves and, Hattie Jenkins were rewarded with 2nd and 3rd lady home in 1:43:25 (and 5th overall) and 1:54:47.
Prash Kumar was 6th male overall in 1:49:48, followed by Dave Rogers (1:51:50) then Hattie. Mike Daly sneaked in a whisker under 2hrs at 1:59:45 followed by Mike Kennedy (2:02:59), Amber Bullingham (2:03:19), Miranda Foster (2:04:13) and Jason Mather (2:05:54).
Joanna Wisniewska-Barreto, Lorraine Brinton, Steve Adams, John Bailey, Ingrid Harris, Clare Hearing, Simon Butland and Mark Lyes all completed the course in under 2:30 (2:11:44, 2:13:56, 2:15:47, 2:20:20, 2:21:24, 2:25:46, 2:26:05 and 2:27:50 respectively), while Andrew Akerman, Phil Jeyes, Chris Urwin, Jim Trowbridge, Katherine Freeman, Vicky Kennedy, Marcos Terron, Kevin Richards, Glenda Gill, John Galpin, Ian Gill and Mike Line finished under 3 hours (2:32:07, 2:31:53, 2:33:57, 2:37:36, 2:39:28, 2:41:25, 2:43:15, 2:43:17, 2:48:07, 2:49:09, 2:49:52 and 2:55:50).
Just on 3hrs was Mariel Chretien (3:01:32) and Rich Smith (3:02:19), with Bob Spawton (3:09:48), Nick Spice (3:19:14), Sandra Stuart (3:19:02), Steve Yarnold (3:21:58), Coralie Pearson (3:33:28) and Rachel Nolan (3:33:47) completing the Almosts team.
Several Almost Athletes opted to run the shorter 10k distance in the Cheltenham challenge, including Peter Mitchener, Olga Goffin, David Pilling, Sue Monaghan, Catherine Daly, Deb Cartlidge, Ed Turner, Helen Puerta Terron, Karen Hilton, Jo Johnston, Penny Byrne, Ann Dawson, Mark Stojanov and finally Naomi Daly, also celebrating her birthday. Well done all for running in these challenging conditions.
Further afield, Bedford 10k saw the Almosts represented by Matt Polson who completed the course in 42:21.
Team Almosts comprising Matthew Hampton, Malc Allen, Ali Sheikh, Debbie Minnett,and Mariel Chretien tackled the middle distance of the tough challenging Maverick race in Winchcombe. Matthew took men’s 3rd position in 1:28:52, followed by Malc (1:46:57), Debbie (2:00:37) and Mariel (2:22:24).
Vasco Barreto enjoyed the stunning trails and tracks of the Snowdonia National Park in the glorious summer weather, completing the marathon in 4:50:50. Ian and Hester Coggin managed to conquer the heat and the Malvern hills to complete the midsummer marathon. Mid-week, Michelle Balchin and Nicky Woodman covered marathon distances in 3:45:53 and 5:45:00 respectively at Dorney Lake.
In Austria, Ellie Millington and Colin Watkins competed in the Kitzbuehel European championships triathlon which they completed in 3:00:16 and 3:15:47 respectively. Congratulations both!
And finally, well done to Gareth Wilkes, Ben Kirby and Gemma Hargraves for their podium finishes in the latest race in the club handicap series on Monday evening.