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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
Some epic distances were covered this weekend by purple crews of Almosts at the Comrades and Dartmoor Discovery Ultra marathons (as well as a number of shorter distances).
Husband and wife Mark and Anne-marie Willicott put all the hard training to the test in the Comrades Ultra marathon in Durban at the weekend.
Training for the race has consumed their lives since January and their dedication was rewarded. Mark completed the 86.73km in an incredible 8:56:08, while Anne-marie followed at 10:13.
Anne-marie commented after the race that this race did exactly what it says on the tin ‘it takes all of you’ and having had a bad fall at 6k into the race which she thought might force her to withdraw, admitted at the end she felt broken. Despite this she described the day as one of the most rewarding experiences of her life. Our congratulations to you both.
Dartmoor Discovery Ultra saw a team of purple Almosts not only conquer this very hard course but steal top prizes in the process. Matt Barnes was first back to take 1st vet 45 trophy at 4:32:13 and 20th overall, while Kim Mansell, new to the club took 2nd in hers at 5:33:23. Ingrid Harris (5:09:27) also took 2nd in her category while Fi Barnes cut a sizeable 13minutes off her personal best time finishing in 5:27:27. Together the ladies won 2nd team prize.
Described as a brutal event, but a lot of fun with one seriously massive climb and some very technical descents, a team of Almosts took on the challenge of the EXTREME Running Maverick in Snowdonia.
Deb Cartlidge completed the 17km course in 2:43.22 to come 5th overall, while Dave Rogers, Matt and Lepha Mccartan took on the 23kn route. Dave was first home in 2:58.17 and 5th overall out of 65, Matt came in not far behind at 3:03.27 (14th) and Lepha was the 6th lady home in 3:23.33 and 25th overall. A massive well done.
Haiggy McHaig continues his countdown to 50 marathons in his 50th year by conquering the physical and mental challenge of the 99 Blue balloons marathon in Telford. Haiggy secured 3rd position by completing the marathon which comprised 0.89 mile loops in 4:27:59.
Locally, last Wednesday proved to be another great night of running by the Almosts at the Cleeve Cloud Cuckoo. Successes included 1st, 2nd, 4th & 6th ladies, Gemma Hargraves (34:42), Ellie Laney (36:51), Patricia Peever (39:32), Gemma Stevens (39:51), as well as the ladies’ team prize, while Josh Hand (34:16) was 8th man, Simon Jarvis (35:55) 15th and Dave Rogers (36:06) 16th. Add to that over 30 other Almosts participating, all in all, this was a winner.
Prash Kumar raced in ahead of Ellie at 36:41, while Matthew Hampton followed on her heels at 36:58. Nick Spice, Thomas Smith, Shaun Carr and Matt Proome all broke 40 minutes (37:59, 38:17, 38:25 and 39:23 respectively).
With Almost half of club runners crossing the finish line in the next few minutes including Michelle Balchin and Ingrid Harris placed 3rd in her age categories (Ross Greening 40:08, Martin Thomas 40:36, Mike Kennedy, 40:57, Vasco Barreto 41:03, Paul Thomas 41:08, Allan Green 42:01 (2nd in his category), Michelle Balchin 42:57, Ingrid Harris 43:34, Helen Fursman-Reid 43:43, Phil Jeyes 43:44, Jason Mather 44:31, Jason Mather 44:31, David Garnett 44:41, Jim Trowbridge 44:51, Vicky Kennedy 45:17, Nick Simon 45:46 and Lepha Mccartat 45:48).
Joanna Wisniewska-Barreto crossed the line in just over the 46minutes followed seconds later by Steve Wallbridge (46:14) and Mark Lyes (46:17). Clare Hearing, Rich Smith, Ben Kirby, Norm Lever, Kevin Richards and Mike Line all sub 50 (47:55, 48:01, 48:02, 48:06, 48:49 and 49:44).
Kate Freeman 50:19, Hayley Woolnough 50:59, Des Beer 51:12, Sheila Chatterley 51:18 (2nd and 3rd in category), Graham Philpott 51:27, Rhiannon Edwards 55:52, Deborah Elliott 54:14,Sarah Wallbridge 56:06, Nicola Woodman 56:32 and Adrian Courtenay 57:36 completed the Almosts team.
Closer to home Fairford 10k at the weekend saw the Almost Athletes represented by Matt Polson, first home for the team in 40:27, followed by Phil Jeyes in 48:24 with Andy Domm at 58:28, closely followed by Gareth Wilkes 59:16.
Further afield, Prash Kumar and Simon Jarvis competed in the charity off-road Smeathe's Ridge 10.5k Run for Spinal Injuries Association at Draycott Foliat in Wiltshire, while Robert Foord just sneaked in at 1:43:33 in the Flaming June half marathon near Cambridge to be 99th runner home and Martyn Fisher completed tow back to back events in the Lake District, the 17km Grasmere Gallop and Coniston half marathons.
This week has seen Almost Athletes almost everywhere covering a range of distances.
Congratulations to Doug Wight securing a stunning 9th place in the Meridian Ultra 100k in 7:51:25. Doug’s victory in Patrington East Yorkshire was secured against a very strong field of elite ultra England, Wales or Scotland runners participating in the British 100k Championships. A fantastic achievement. Well done Doug!
Having recently joined the elite 100 Marathon club, Ingrid Harris proved she’s not resting on her laurels by running the undulating course of Stirling marathon in a very respectable 3:41:35.
Haiggy Haig continues his challenge of 50 marathons in his 50th year completing number 31on Saturday, the Shindig in the Shire marathon in Craven Arms, which he described as ‘amazing but tough’...‘Fantastic. Loved it’, Wife Kathy ran the half.
Haiggy went on to run no 32 at Worcester on Sunday in 4:21:37 finishing ahead of Norm Lever (4:45:48) and Coralie Pearson (5:12:13). Mike Kennedy was first full marathoner home for the Almosts in an impressive 3:30:37 with Allan Green crossing the line in 4:07:36.
Opting for the half marathon, Matt Proome continued his recent form to finish first man for the Almosts in 1:38:17, with Victoria Kennedy first lady (1:45:54). John Bailey wasn’t far behind at 1:49:37 with Mike Harris (1:55:03) and Rachel Nolan (2:24:29) completing the team.
Claire Gallagher decided to enjoy Chester half marathon running with the 2:30 pacers.
Further afield, Almost Athletes participated in two mountainous and stunningly scenic events in France. James Clay and Rachel Fargher ran the Trail de Queribus Aude trails half in the Pyrenees and Alain Ensuque ran the equally hilly trail de La Font de Mai, in Aubagne in 1:52:28.
Closer to home and with seemingly no time to draw breath after a busy weekend it was a successful evening for over 60 Almost Athletes competing in the Berkeley 10k race on Monday. Gemma Hargraves continued her winning form to seize first lady overall in 38:14 with a number of other club members achieving impressive personal best times despite the wind and rain, including Prash Kumar, Matt Polson, Catherine Mason, Deborah Elliott, Steve Wallbridge (last year at Berkeley), Penny Byrne and Sue Monaghan; Sarah Fennell and Darren Lewington both broke the hour, and Bob Spawton and Kate Houston broke their personal 20year records. Well done to all!
Simon Jarvis was first male home for the AAs in 38:54, with Prash Kumar and Richard Birch both finishing strongly sub 40 (39:18 and 39:28). Matthew Hampton, Matthew Polson and Dale Midwinter followed in quick succession (40:02, 40:21 and 40:41) with just seconds separating Mike Kennedy and Nick Spice (41:13 and 41:18). Amber Bullingham was 2nd lady to finish for the club in 42:13, with Matt Proome (42:36) hot on her heels ahead of Neil Tring (44:02) and Allan Green (44:14). Michelle Balchin finished 2nd in her age category (45:28) ahead of Victoria Kennedy who came 3rd in hers (46:04). Joe Harrison (46:14), Steve Wallbridge (46.17) and Dave Chittock (46.48) came in quick succession followed by Ingrid Harris 3rd in her age category (46:56) with Stacey Osmond on 47:19, and on 48mins Dan MacGovern (48:08), Dave Garnett (48:17), Jim Crowbridge (48:18), and Deb Cartlidge (48:48).
Racing over the finish in sub 50 were Rob Hume, Steve Adams, Duncan Mounsor and Kate Houston (49:12, 49:25, 49:39 and 49:59 respectively), ahead of Mohammed Shaikh on 50:43. Almosts were crossing the finish line in steady succession now - Dave Davey (51:14), Hayley Woolnough (51:28), Alison Hume (51:32), Bob Spawton (51:48) with Sarah Wallbridge and Mike Line not far behind (52:09) and (52:14) ahead of Neil Harris, Sue Monaghan, Trevor Richards and Catherine Mason (53:10, 53:19, 53:14 and 53:43). There was a short gap before the next group - Deborah Elliott (56:14), David Lawrence (56:11), Coralie Pearson (57:21), Sandra Stuart (57:35) and Bill Jones (57:44).
There was still a chance to cross the line under the hour and Andy Domm, Lucia Milone, Mark Eavers, Darren Lewington, Nicola Woodman, Jane Birch, Rachael and Ollie Nolan, Gareth Wilkes, and a cheeky Sarah Fennell took it (58:02, 58:25, 58:39, 58:38, 58:33, 59:34, 59:41, 59:42, 59:43 and 59:58 respectively).
Mary Welsh first in her age category in just over the hour (1:02:08) with, Fi Sewell (1:04:15), Jayne Adams (1:06:55), Penny Byrne (1:06:56), Jo Johnston (1:06:59), Cottia Howard (1:11:05), and Rob Rennell running his first ever 10k (1:15:19) ably supported by Claire Gallagher (1:12:37), and finally wheelchair racer Danny Reeves also competing in his first 10k race (1:13:51) completing the Almosts team.
Martyn Fisher represented the Almosts in Cambridgeshire, completing the hilly (and muddy) multi-terrain charity 10k around Wimpole Hall in 55:32 while Ray Pearson completed the British Heart Foundation Run around the Moat 10k at the Tower of London during the week.
Gemma Hargraves, not only completed the inaugural Firkin 5mile run round the Hook Norton brewery with Lepha Mccartan and Dave Rogers, she stormed round to bag first lady home as well as the goody bag, beer and burger at the finish.
Although the full results have yet to be published, successes at the tough but enjoyable Northleach 10k race on Sunday included Nick Spice 8th man and Lucinda Hand 3rd lady. Deb Cartlidge, Dave Chittock, Jackie Slaughter and Mariel Chretien completed the Almosts team.