Results for January to June 2023
VAC 10km Road Championships, Richmond 10k, 25 June 2023 Here are the VAC results and medallists. 64 VAC members took part in the Ranelagh Harriers Richmond 10k which was also VAC's 2023 10k road championship and Surrey County's 10k championship. The popular two-lap race was held partly on the Thames towpath alongside Teddington Lock. It had 474 finishers who braved the sapping heat, with temperatures approaching 30 degrees by mid morning. Andy Bond (M45) was VAC's first finisher in a time of 33:55. He was a magnificent fifth overall and second in the race's M40-49 age category. He was followed in sixth place by Ben Goddard (M35) in 34:01. A high placing of 11th was achieved by Bryn Reynolds (M35) with a time of 34:32. April James-Welsh (W45) was VAC's first woman and 7th in the women's race in a time of 39:47. Debbie Jackson (W50) was VAC's second woman in 40:16, coming 10th in the women's race. VAC members dominated the race's age group awards. Club members made a clean sweep in the W45-54 age category with April James-Welsh, Debbie Jackson and Ginevra Stoneley taking the Gold, Silver and Bronze medals. In the W55-64 category, Sue McDonald won Silver and Anna Critchlow won Bronze. In the W65+ category, Jo Quantrill was a clear winner, taking the Gold medal with a fine time of 49:46. Jane Rowden (W70) won the Bronze medal in this category. For the men, Joseph Gonzalez-Armas (M50) won Silver in the M50-59 category. In the M60-69 category, David Ogden and Steve Corfield won Gold and Silver medals. Jon Scott-Francis won Silver in the M70+ category. In addition to the first-place, Gold medal winners above, VAC Golds were won by Andrew Simpson (M40), Alastair Bloore (M55), Peter Hall (M65), Eddie Thorpe (M75), Madeleine Armstrong-Plieth (W40), Susanna Harrison (W60) and Sue Garner (W75).
VAC 5,000m Masters Championships, Tooting Bec Athletics Track, 21 June 2023
Photos from Cliff Hide. Cliff has more photos and is happy to supply J-Peg copies
to competitors. Here are the Results of each Race . Here are the Combined Results showing the medallists. VAC’s 5000m Championship was held at Tooting Bec’s newly re-laid athletics track, which promised fast times, although the evening’s climate was unhelpfully hot and sultry. There were 54 finishers, spread over four races. Peter Giles (M75) won the first race in 22:20.37 by tracking Jerry Lockspeiser (M70) and holding off Brian O'Kane (M55). Julia Chi Taylor (W60), after a 10 year break from the track, was the first woman in 23:02.85 In the second race, Martin Daoud (M60) was the clear winner in 19:36.07. Clare Norris (W45) was the first woman in 20:50.85, with fast finishing Lucy Woolhouse (W60) just a second behind in 20:51.60. Jonathan Moore (M50) won the third race in 18:01.25, eleven seconds ahead of a chasing pack of Joseph Wilkes (M45), Tony Tuohy (M60) and Jonathan Ratcliffe (M55). Nikki Sturzaker (W45) continued her fine form and was awarded the women's Champion’s Trophy as the fastest on the day with a time of 18:37.03. The final race was seeded with the fastest runners and highly competitive. Chris Loudon (M35) was a convincing winner in 15:30.92, claiming the trophy for VAC’s Men's Champion. Ben Paviour was second in 16:12.47, winning the M50 gold medal and leading a group of six men under 17 minutes. Mark Cursons won the M60 gold medal in a magnificent time of 17:20.92 which puts him at the top of 2023’s national M60 rankings for 5000 metres. Other championship gold medals were awarded to Jeff Cunningham (M40), Ben Millar (M45), Mark Tennyson (M55), Peter Hall (M65) and Mike Forder (M70). For the women, Golds were awarded to Alexandra Marginean (W35), Nikki Sturzaker (W45), Anna Critchlow (W55) and Lucy Woolhouse (W60).
VAC 5 Km Road Walk Championship, 6 June 2023 , Battersea Park
Photos from Cliff Hide. Cliff has more photos and is happy to supply J-Peg copies
to competitors. Veterans AC 5k Road Walk Championships - Battersea Park, 6 June 2023 The third of the regular Battersea Park races had an average field this time in suitably cool racing conditions. Coming in as men’s winner was Dave Annetts from N Herts RR in a fast time about a minute outside his personal best. The ladies’ winner for the second time running was Melanie Peddle from Loughton AC, in a good time a few seconds outside her personal best. Dave and Melanie had also participated in the testing Cecil Gittins Memorial Walks (10k) only two days earlier. Ever presents Maureen Noel (Belgrave H) and Fiona Bishop (Woking AC) did their usual creditable times.
Officials:
VAC 5 Km Road Championship, 6 June 2023 , Battersea Park
Photos from Cliff Hide. Cliff has more photos and is happy to supply J-Peg copies
to competitors. Here are the Results of the 5K Championship road race, including the category positions and medallists (PDF file). VAC’s third race of the summer series was the Open Masters 5K championships which produced fine racing on a course renowned for fast times. In cool conditions, five course records were broken. The 94 finishers were led home by Peter Lighting (M40) of Kent AC in a time of 16:18, closely followed throughout by a pack of three who charged over the line a second apart. Neil Danby’s power and determination carried him into second place in a time of 16:25, four seconds inside his own M55 course record set in April. Tom Hollis (M35) of Lonely Goat AC was third in 16:26, with Simon Shaw (M50) on his shoulder in 16:27. Simon’s time was just four seconds slower than his own course record set in April. The trophy for the first VAC member was won by Neil Danby. First in the other age groups were Ben Millar (M45), Steve Corfield (M60), Merlin Allan (M65), Mike Forder (M70), Liam O’Hare (M75), Peter Torre (M80) and Joe Aspinall (M85). Gabriel Carnwath (W40) of Sutton Striders was the women’s winner in a time of 17:28 which sets a new all-comers’ W40 course record and an outright record time in VAC’s 5K races. The previous best of 18:07 had been set by April James-Welsh (W40) in June 2021. April still holds the record for VAC members. Gabriel’s sub-18-minute performance was followed by another, as the second-placed woman, Caoimhe Nic Fhogartaigh of Kent AC, stormed home in 17:47 to set a new all-comers’ W45 record. Nichola Evans (W40) was third, closely followed by Natasha Sheel (W35) and first VAC woman, Nikki Sturzaker (W45). In the W60 age group, Jacky Balfour claimed Gold with a time of 20:13 which broke her own course record of 20:24 set in April. To continue the quality, a superb new W80 course record was set by Penny Elliott who also holds the W75 record. Penny’s time of 29:02 shattered Pam Jones’s W80 record of 31:17 set in 2016. Other Gold medals for age-group firsts were won by Susan Dixon (W55), Anna Garnier (W65) and Jane Georghiou (W70).
Cecil Gittins Memorial Walks, Cyclopark, Gravesend, Sunday 4 June 2023
8th Cecil Gittins Memorial Walks, incorporating Enfield Race Walking League
Acknowledgements Veterans AC were pleased to host the eighth running of this event on a dedicated cycle circuit with its many gradients and bends, which has hosted Olympic BMX champion Beth Shriever. In all there were 26 paid entries which was an increase from 2022. The weather was picture perfect, with a cooling breeze on the exposed course. There was a new winner of the ladies 5k, Abigail Jennings (AFD) in 25:18, Abigail was also the overall winner for the first time. The men's 5k was won for the 2nd year running by the present RWA President, Chris Hobbs (Ashford AC) in a fine time of 33:28. The new winner of the ladies’ 10k was Grazia Manzotti (Tonbridge AC) in 56:51, just a few seconds short of her personal best. There was also a new winner of the men’s 10k, Jonathan Hobbs from Ashford AC in 51:43, after a long battle with Dave Annetts (N Herts RR) close on his heels. Olympian Ian Richards was in third place, looking forward to this year's harvest of medals, now in new M75 age group. There were two newbies from Ashford AC, Ellin Wilson and Paula Elmslie, who did well on the testing course. With the upturn in the weather, it probably wasn't a PB scenario, however Kathy Smith (AFD) managed one. Jonathan Hobbs, winner of last year's UK Centurion 100 miles event presented the prizes, which were QPR souvenirs to honour Cecil Gittins football club.
Richmond Park was the venue for the latest VAC Parkrun meet-up. Seven members enjoyed good conditions with the sun coming out and little wind. The course is one lap starting with a long downhill on a tarmac path, then a short flat stretch on a road which is now closed to traffic, and finally back up on a slightly undulating trail. We were mentioned in the race briefing, and some runners came and talked about the club after the event. Richard, Lisa, Maggie and Andy were 1st in their age categories, and Ros had the highest age grading of the day. RESULTS
The next Parkrun meet-up will be in September. It will be a good opportunity to meet fellow members in a more informal running event. Don’t forget to check the fixture list.
VAC 5 Mile Road Championship, 9 May 2023, Battersea Park
Photos from Cliff Hide. Cliff has more photos and is happy to supply J-Peg copies
to competitors.
The results are at this link: 5 MILE VAC ROAD RACE (opentrack.run) Here are the Results of the 5 Mile Championship road race, including the medallists. Most of the 94 finishers in VAC’s 5 Mile championships completed their race before the skies darkened and the rain fell heavily. With the help of chip timing, the medals ceremony took place promptly under the shelter of the bandstand. Andy Bond (M45) from Dulwich Runners was the race winner, successfully defending his Five Mile Champion’s title. His time of 26:08 was just five seconds short of his winning time of 26:03 in 2022. Kay Sheedy (W35), also from Dulwich Runners, was VAC’s women’s Champion. She stormed round the 3.5 lap course in a time of 29:49 to shatter Bernadine Pritchett’s W35 record of 30:58 set in June 2005. The cool conditions and strong competition contributed to impressive times on the night, including six new course records. Ten men were under 28 minutes. Ben Goddard in second place in 26:35 set a new M35 record, beating Mohammed Ismail’s 2016 record of 26:59. In fifth place, Steve Winder claimed M50 Gold in a record-breaking time of 26:57, improving Richard Tomlinson’s record of 27:29 set in 2019. Simon Shaw, in seventh place, was the M50 Silver medallist in a time of 27:19 which was also inside the previous record. Another age-group battle took place between two top M55s, Neil Danby and Andrew Ridley. Neil was pursued relentlessly by Andrew but pulled away on the last lap to claim eighth place in 27:35, with Andrew finishing tenth in 27:53. Neil’s time was an M55 record, twelve seconds ahead of Gary Ironmonger’s record of 27:47 set in 2018. Other age-group winners were Stephen Fabes (M40), David Ogden (M60), Merlin Allan (M65), Ged Ruffle (M70), Edward Thorpe (M75) and Michael Johnson (M80). For the women, Nikki Sturzaker had a fine run in second place. Her time of 30:25 broke VAC’s longstanding W45 record of 30:44 set by Danielle Sanderson in 2008. Nikki’s late charge pipped Nichola Evans on the line but Nichola’s identical time of 30:25 was an allcomers’ W40 record, ahead of the VAC W40 record of 30:37 set by Marilyn Clarke way back in 1997. Other age group winners were Susan McDonald (W55), Caroline Helder (W60), Avril Riddell (W65) and Jane Georghiou (W70).
VAC 5m Road Walk Championship - Battersea Park, 9 May 2023
Photos from Cliff Hide. Cliff has more photos and is happy to
supply J-Peg copies to competitors.
The second of the regular Battersea Park races had an average field this time in cool racing conditions, the predicted rain only coming in towards the closing stages for the later finishing competitors. The ladies’ and overall winner was Melanie Peddle from Loughton AC, in a good time little different from her personal best, her first win at this event. Coming in as men’s winner was Stefano Zennaro from Belgrave Harriers in a very respectable time. Glen Keegan, from Herne Hill Harriers, was the only person to achieve a personal best, paring his time at an Enfield League meeting by nearly 5 minutes. We were pleased to welcome Sian Baum (Herne Hill Harriers) for the first time at this event, no stranger to shorter track events, she achieved a respectable time on the road. VAC wish Sian good luck in her race walking career. We were also pleased to welcome back Artur Olszewski (VAC) who achieved a time only seconds slower than the same event in 2022. Officials:
VAC 5K Road Race - Battersea Park, 4 April 2023
Photos from Cliff Hide. Cliff has more photos and is happy to
supply J-Peg copies to competitors. Here are the Results of VAC's Masters 5k, Battersea Park, 4 April 2023. Exactly 100 runners competed in VAC's first race of the summer series. Fierce competition and cool, still, conditions helped to produce some fine performances, including five age-group course records. Andy Bond dominated the race to win in a time of 15:51, rewriting Richard Tomlinson's M45 record of 16:17 which had stood since 2014. Tim Jenns (M45) chased hard for second place and his time of 16:10 was also inside the old record. Seven men were inside 16:30 including Simon Shaw (16:23) who improved Mike Boyle's M50 record of 16:34 which had stood since 2012. Neil Danby (16:29) was a convincing first in the M55 age group and took four seconds off his own course record of 16:33 set in 2021. Other age category winners were Adam Holland (M35), Gary McKivett (M40), David Ogden (M60), John Barron (M65), Ged Ruffle (M70), Eddie Thorpe (M75) and Peter Torre (M80). Melissah Gibson (W35) of Ealing Eagles was the women's winner in a time of 18:10, setting an all-comers W35 course record, just five seconds quicker than Bernie Pritchett's W35 record of 18:15 for VAC members set in 2006. Nikki Sturzaker (W45) was the second woman, followed in quick succession by fellow W45s, Ginevra Stoneley and April James-Welsh. Nikki's time of 18:16 knocked nearly thirty seconds off Debbie Jackson's W45 course record of 18:43 set in June 2021. Ginevra and April's times were also inside the old record. Other age-group winners were Hayley Cargill (W40), Chloe Constantine (W50), Vikki Filsell (W55), Sarah Gill (W60), Avril Riddell (W65) and Heather Allen (W70).
VAC 5K Road Walk - Battersea Park, 4 April 2023
Photos from Cliff Hide. Cliff has more photos and is happy to
supply J-Peg copies to competitors. The first of the regular Battersea Park races had an average field in perfect weather, the number of paid entries was the highest for some time. There was plenty of sunshine and little wind. The men's winner was Dave Annetts, from North Herts RR, with a new personal best who had achieved two silver medals for his age group at the World Masters in Torun Poland only a few days earlier. Maureen Noel (Belgrave) came first for the ladies in her usual creditable time. VAC were pleased to welcome back Mark Culshaw and Stefano Zennaro back to the start line after a long absence, and look forward to many more appearances from both. In particular Fiona Bishop gave a good account of herself only 2 days after her performance in a very cold Paris Marathon where she also did well, and Lesley Morris achieved a good time taking into account her fracture sustained at an Enfield meeting a few weeks earlier, good luck with the recovery from all of us. Officials:
East Surrey League Road Race, Ewell, 30 March 2023
Here are the Results of the East Surrey League Road Race. There were six VAC representatives for the final match of the East Surrey League's programme of three. This was a two-lap, 4.3 mile, road race circling the Poole Road athletics track and out alongside the Hogsmill river and surrounding roads, finishing in an adjacent field. It was a cool evening but the threatened rain held off although there were some puddles to splash through and heavy ground on the field. Eddie Lambert was VAC's first finisher, followed by Gavin Englefield, Chris Ness, Chris Lee and Clive Walker. The men's scoring team of four were a creditable 4th out of the six clubs which had full teams, bearing in mind that this was a race for Under 20s, Seniors and Masters. Jo Quantrill was VAC's only woman. She was the first in the W65 age group and was ahead of all the W55 and W60 contenders. VAC's men's team was fourth overall in the ESL's final standings for 2022-23. Gavin Englefield and Chris Ness competed in all three fixtures with Gavin placing second in the individual M45 awards and Chris second in the M50 awards.
World Masters Athletics Indoor Championships, Torun, Poland, 26 March–1 April 2023
Many VAC members competed indoors in Torun as well as outdoors at the cross country and road events. Below is a provisional list of VAC’s individual medallists, including Sue McDonald, Virginia Mitchell and Allan Long who each won double Golds. Virginia’s 400m time earned her the W60 World Record whilst Allan improved on his own British record for the 60m. Dave Annetts set a new British indoor M55 record for the 3,000m Walk and also a new British M55 Best Performance for the 10k Road Walk. There were other VAC athletes who won team medals, but the members of the relay and distance teams are not identified in the official results. A fuller report will appear in due course. If you competed at Torun, a report of your experiences would be appreciated for VAC’s next newsletter. Please send contributions to ros.tabor49@gmail.com by the end of April.
VAC members of GB medalling teams at Torun
VAC and EMAC Indoor Track and Field Championships, Lee Valley, 26 March 2023
Photos from Cliff Hide. Cliff has more photos and is happy to
supply J-Peg copies to competitors. VAC was pleased to join in with Eastern Masters AC for the indoor Track and Field championships. We were very grateful to EMAC for the work done in making it happen and for the excellent organisation on the day. Lee Valley Athletics Centre was in high demand throughout the indoor season and we were fortunate to secure a day for our event. Despite the clash with the World Indoor T&F championships in Poland, the event was well supported with good contests and fine performances. For VAC, at least 50 members competed. Many saw it as a great way to round off their indoor seasons with decent times and marks, as well as winning age group medals. Performances to note for VAC were the Indoor Championship Best Performances (CBP) set by Craig Christian (M40, 200m, 24.30 secs), Tim Carter (M70, 400m, 71.23 secs), Edmund Simpson (M85, 1500m, 8:17.73), Lucy Woolhouse (W60, 1500m, 5:44.55), Steve Winder (M50, 3000m, 9:29.60), Chris Ness (M50, High Jump, 1.45m), Emmanuel Ogunniyi (M50, Long Jump, 5.55m) and Stacey Gonzalez Betancourt (W45, Pole Vault, 2.90m). There were many other great results. Some highlights follow. Outstandingly, Michael Shortall (M35) covered six events and was rewarded with six Gold medals and two CBPs (8.95 secs in the 60m Hurdles and 11.08m in the triple Jump). Patrick Reynolds (M70) also contested six events to a high standard. Craig Christian (M40) won five Gold medals from the sprints, High Jump and Long Jump. Martin Willis (M50) also competed in five events, claiming a Gold medal in his first ever competitive Triple Jump. Nikki Sturzaker achieved a clean sweep of the W45 endurance events, winning Gold in the 800m, 1500m and 3000m races. Kevin Craven (M50) was the fastest in his age group (including EMAC and Open competitors) for the highly competitive 60m and 200m races. Here are the Results on Power of Ten. Here are VAC's Individual Results and Medallists.
EMAA Inter-Area Cross Country Challenge and East Surrey League, Lloyd Park, 4 March 2023
Photo of VAC's team from Rachel Berry. Other photos from Cliff Hide. Cliff has more photos and is happy to supply J-Peg copies to
competitors. VAC hosted the annual cross country challenge for Masters Area Clubs which was held within March's East Surrey League race. It was a cold day in Lloyd Park but the course was firm and free from its usual mud. 118 runners completed the combined race, with 53 contesting the Inter Area challenge. Micah Evans was the fastest for VAC, placing third in the combined race and first M40. He was also the lead runner in the Inter Area competition. Denise Barnett was VAC's fastest woman, third in the race and first W50. VAC did well In the East Surrey League's team competition. The women's team topped the table of seven clubs. The four scorers were Denise Barnett, Rachel Berry, Chloe Constantine and Fiona Russell in 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 14th places. The men's team was second in the men's contest with the four scorers, Micah Evans, Rich Berry, Mark Tennyson and Terry Booth packing well in 3rd, 9th,10th and 12th places. Here are the Individual and Team Results of the East Surrey League race. For the Inter Area contest, VAC members turned out in force to reclaim the winner's trophy, last held in 2016. Here are the Results of the Inter Area Challenge race. The enthusiasm of VAC's 42 finishers certainly made up for the lack of opposition on the day, as SCVAC's men provided the only other complete team. The score for each team was the average of the best six age-graded performances for both men's and women's teams. VAC's top six male scorers achieved a fantastic average of 83.20% compared with 73.46% by the SCVAC men's team in second-place. The top age graded performance was Mark Tennyson's 87.05%. VAC's best six female scorers posted an average of 80.71%, with Jo Quantrill the top performer with 87.13%. Jo also won the trophy for the best age-graded performance of the day.
EMAA Indoor Inter-Area Track & Field Challenge, Lee Valley, 26 February 2023
Photo of the W60 Relay team from Rachel Berry. Other photos from Cliff Hide. Cliff has more photos and is happy to supply J-Peg copies to
competitors. VAC's men's and women's teams performed strongly indoors at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre. VAC was fifth overall, but it was extremely close. Just three extra points would have lifted the team to fourth, within 30 points of third. It was unfortunate that some key athletes were forced to withdraw with injuries close to the event. A particular highlight was Virginia Mitchell's Championship Best Performance to win the W60 400m in 65.46, less than a second off the W60 World/UK Record of 64.76. Another fantastic achievement was Giuseppe Minetti's two CBPs to win the M50 60m (7.60 secs) and 200m (24.55 secs). The 4 x 200m relays were the most exciting of all the competitions. VAC's M70 team members (Tim Carter, Peter Kennedy, Alan Long and David Hinds) flew round faultlessly to claim a fine win. This was followed by a magnificent victory in a tight contest for VAC's W60 relay team of Anne Nelson, Anna Garnier, Lucy Woolhouse and Sue Wisdom. VAC's M60 relay team also did well for a commendable second place. There were six other fine individual first places: Bilen Ahmet (M35 PV), Dave Annetts (M35 2k Walk), Mike Cummings (M35 1500m), David Hinds (M70 60m), Pat Logan (M60 60m) and Emmanuel Ogunniyi (M50 Long Jump). In addition, there were 8 second places and 11 third places. Unluckiest of VAC's team members were Anna Critchlow and Rhiannon Needham who both ran well in the combined W35/W50 3,000m race only to find out afterwards that the results of the race had been declared void because the officials had miscounted the laps. Here are the Results of the 2023 Indoor Inter Area Challenge.
Men's Surrey League Cross Country, Morden Park, 11 February 2023
Photos from Cliff Hide. Cliff has more photos
and is happy to supply J-Peg copies to competitors. VAC finished the season on a pleasant day in Morden Park with a magnificent 21-man team which took on a benign-looking 4.7 mile route through open, natural, parkland. In reality, the three laps (one medium length, two long) were punishing in their undulations and energy-sapping in their relentless demand for high effort. Richard Batchelor was again VAC’s first finisher in a fine 16th place in the Division 4 race. He was followed by Clive Rolfe and Vic Maughn, both in the top 50 finishers. The “A” team was completed by Ebe Prill, Bruce McLaren, Duncan Rimmer, Tony Harran, Chris Lee, Mike Mann and Glen Morgan. The rest of VAC’s men provided great back-up and were rewarded by achieving second place on the day in the “B” team competition. Every VAC man contributed to the team’s fine sixth place on the day which secured VAC’s excellent fifth place overall out of the 14 clubs in Division 4. In the League’s age-category honours, Richard Tweddle won the M60+ trophy, with Vic Maughn in second place. Thanks go to the 28 men who ran for VAC’s team during the season. Five of them (Richard Batchelor, Gary Budinger, Andy Mitchelson, Andy Murray and Dave West) ran in all four matches. A special thank you also goes to Paddy Clark, the team manager, who set up and dismantled VAC’s camp at every match, in all weathers, ensuring that each team member was correctly numbered and providing support and encouragement to all, as well as often being a willing marshal in the races. The full results are on the Surrey League website
Ladies Surrey League Cross Country, Morden Park, 11 February 2023
Photos from Cliff Hide. Cliff has more photos
and is happy to supply J-Peg copies to competitors.
A good turn-out of eight VAC women completed the final match of this
season's Surrey League at Morden Park. The 4.7 mile convoluted course meandered around firm, open, grassy parkland,
and up and down some testing slopes. The conditions were good with a cool temperature and no
wind. Lucy Woolhouse was again VAC's first woman, and first W60 in the race. She was followed by Helen Davies, Jo Quantrill, Anna Garnier and Gillian Wheeldon completing the "A" team. Great back-up was provided by newcomer, Vera Blei, in her first cross country race, followed by Sarah Allen and Ros Tabor. VAC's team finished a commendable 10th on the day. VAC's return to the Ladies League after an absence of around ten years has been a great success. There have been full scoring teams at each of the four fixtures and pleasing results. Team spirit has been high and every VAC runner has been warmly welcomed. The Team Manager, Helen Davies, did a fantastic job organising and supporting the team, as well as competing strongly in every fixture and achieving second place in the League's W50 category. Lucy Woolhouse, also an ever-present, was the fastest runner in the W60+ age category in each of the four races and wins the League's W60 trophy. Jo Quantrill and Sarah Allen also ran in all four races. Jo was second in the W60+ age category. Overall, VAC was tenth out of the 29 clubs in Division Two. A top ten placing is a great achievement and an excellent promotion of Masters athletics. The full results are on the Surrey League website
Nonsuch Parkrun 5k, 4 February 2023
The VAC committee chose Nonsuch Park in Surrey for the first Parkrun meet-up of 2023. These events are an opportunity for members to meet and run in a more relaxed environment than Surrey league cross country or Battersea Park road racing. Conditions were good - no wind, frost or mud. The course was the winter two-and-a-half lapper on flat tarmac paths and grass. At least 23 VAC members took part in a field of 760 and many stayed for a coffee and chat afterwards at the park cafes. We were spread throughout the field from positions 2 to 729. Our runners performed well, with age group category wins for 5 female members (Gina Galbraith - also 1st woman,
Lisa Thomas, Jo Quantrill, Fiona Bishop, Ros Tabor) and 4 males (Steve Winder - also 2nd man, Jamie McLoughlin,
John Foley, Mike Mann). Ros and Jo were overall 1st and 2nd in age grade scores. VAC results as far as we know are
shown below.
VAC Cross Country Championships and Masters Open race, Wimbledon Common, 21 January 2023
Photos from Cliff Hide. Cliff has more photos
and is happy to supply J-Peg copies to competitors. Here are the Individual Results. Here are the Age Category Results. VAC's open cross country championships attracted 76 on the start line on a fine, but cold, day. The race was dominated by last year's winner, Richard McDowell (M40), although he was closely tracked by Chris Loudon (M35) on the first lap of the 7.5km course. Richard's pace eventually produced a clear win by over 40 seconds in a time of 25:31. There was a big gap to third-placed Martin Harris (M45) who finished in 27:54, just pipping Mark Tennyson by one second. Mark's fine run earned him the M55 Gold medal and the best age-graded performance on the day with a magnificent 92.5%. Other Gold medals for age-group bests were won by Justin Reid (M50), Mike Boyle (M60), Valdis Pauzers (M65), Peter Kennedy (M70) and Peter Giles (M75). In VAC's championship, Oliver Morrison (M45) and Chris Ness (M50) also won Golds. Nikki Sturzaker (W45) was the women's champion with a fine run which placed her 16th in the race in a time of 31:30. Matilde Lomba (W35) was second, just 15 seconds behind, with Denise Barnett (W50) third. Lucy Woolhouse retained the W60 trophy which she had won in the 2022 championship. Her time translated to the best women's age-graded performance of 89.7%. Other Gold medals were won by Eibhlin Ni Bhradaigh (W40), Vikki Filsell (W55), Jo Quantrill (W65) and Jane Georghiou (W70). In VAC's championship, Alexandra Marginean (W35) and Helen Davies (W50) won Gold medals.
Mens Surrey League Cross Country, Chobham Common, 14 January 2023
Photos from Cliff Hide. Cliff has more photos and is happy to supply J-Peg copies to
competitors. A magnificent turn-out of 20 men splashed and slid around the two-lap, 4.7 mile course on Chobham Common, described as "undulating". Heavy rain stopped in time for the start but the stony course was awash. Richard Batchelor was VAC's lead man, 17th in Division Four. Clive Rolfe was second followed by Gary Ironmonger, making a welcome return to cross country competition. Richard Tweddle, Ebe Prill, Vic Maughn, Duncan Rimmer, John Barron, Chris Lee and Tony Harran completed the A team. VAC's strong B team provided great back-up, although Tony Austin made a wise decision to withdraw after one lap. VAC's A team finished a good 5th out of 14 teams on the day, tantalisingly two points behind Runnymede. The B Team were a commendable third in the B team competition. VAC dominated the M60-69 results with Gary Ironmonger at the top. John Barron (M65), Mike Mann (M70) and Peter Giles (M75) also achieved age-group firsts. The full results are on the Surrey League website
Ladies Surrey League Cross Country, Chobham Common, 14 January 2023
Photos of Lucy and Helen by Malcolm Davies. The remaining photos are from Cliff Hide. Cliff has more photos and is happy to supply J-Peg copies to competitors. Email him at cliffhide10@aol.com
Lucy Woolhouse was again the first VAC woman, well up the field, and first W60 in the race. She was followed by Helen Davies, with Jo Quantrill, Gillian Wheeldon and Viv Mitchell completing the "A" team. Sarah Allen provided great back-up as Anna Garnier and Ros Tabor wisely withdrew after one lap with injury concerns. VAC's "A" team finished a commendable 11th out of the 29 clubs in Division Two. The full results are on the Surrey League website
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Site designed and maintained by robin-web.co.uk