Results for January to June 2024
VAC 5 Km Road Race, 2 April 2024, Battersea Park
Photos from Cliff Hide. Cliff has more photos and is happy to
supply J-Peg copies to competitors. Here are the Race Results online on OpenTrack. Here are the Results of the 5K Road Race, including the category positions (PDF file). The first of VAC's summer series of road races in Battersea Park was held in gloomy wet conditions but this did not deter the 96 finishers from fierce competition and some great times, including impressive age-group course records for Clare Elms (W60) and Andrew Leach (M60). VAC's Simon Shaw (1st claim Ealing, Southall & Middlesex) led the charge to the finish line, finishing in 16:26, just three seconds short of his own M50 course record of 16:23 set in April 2023. Next was Philip Cooper (M45) of EMAC in 16:30, holding off VAC's Adrian Russell (M45) four seconds behind. In sixth place overall, Andrew Leach (M60) from North Herts, set an all-comers' M60 course record of 16:51, well ahead of VAC's M60 record of 17:14 posted by Mark Cursons in August 2023. Other age group category winners were James Pilch (M40), Richard Tomlinson (M55), David Pitt (M65), Ged Ruffle (M70), Peter Giles (M75) and Michael Johnson (M80). Rebecca Luxton (W40) of Chelmsford AC was the women's winner in 18:33, but only three seconds ahead of Clare Elms (W60), Kent AC. Clare's time of 18:36 is a new W60 course record, shattering the previous W60 best of 20:13 set by Jackie Balfour in June 2023. The third woman was Becky Morrish (W35) in 18:50. Anna Critchlow (W55) was next with a great time of 19:40 which broke VAC's long-standing W55 course record of 19:55 set by Lisa Thomas in July 2021. However, it was still a long way off the W55 all-comers' record of 18:22 set by Maria Heslop in August 2023. Other age group category winners were Kate Carter (W45), Jacqueline Richardson (W50), Anne Lippitt (W65), Marion Rayner (W70), Sue Garner (W75) and Penny Elliott (W80). VAC 5k Road Walk - Battersea Park, 2 April 2024
Permit No RWA24019-1
The first of the regular Battersea Park races had an average field in persistent light rain, we are always grateful for our officials, more so on this occasion. Apart from the occasional training packs out doing sprints, the park was otherwise empty. The overall and ladies winner was Melanie Peddle, from Loughton AC, with the runner up and men’s winner Stuart Bennett (Brentwood Beagles), in the times we have come to expect from them. VAC were pleased to welcome new signings husband and wife Man Biu Lam and Chik Ha Kwok both from Metros, in addition Lynne Drummond (Crystal Palace FR) and Hannah Cock (HHH) were also first timers at the event. Frequent competitor Dave Walsh (EHAC) made the event just hours after landing at the airport from New Zealand.
Officials:
Race Director: Ben Noad Clerk of Course: Dennis Williams UKA Adjudicator: Malcolm French Starter: Ben Noad Chief Timekeeper: David Harris Recorders: Helen Davies, Ian Isherwood, Liam O'Hare, Maggie Statham-Berry and Ros Tabor Walk Judges: Shaun Lightman, John Hall Registration: David Hoben, Helen Davies, Maggie Statham-Berry and Ros Tabor Marshals: Joe Aspinall, Martin Berry, Stephanie Burchill, Ian Elliott, Anna Garnier, Tony Harran, Andy Murray, Richard Stansfield, Peter Torre, Dennis Williams Lead Bike: Henry Murdoch Results: Ben Noad Photography: Cliff Hide First Aid: Chris Moverly t/a Core Services
Victoria Dock parkrun, Saturday 30 March 2024
Victoria Dock was chosen as the venue for VAC's latest parkrun meet-up on a sunny Easter Saturday morning. The course is completely flat but overall times are affected by five U turns on the 3 lap course. Public transport options were reduced because of Bank Holiday engineering etc. but with a parkrun barcode you can cross the Thames on the Emirates cable car after the race and appreciate the view. Eleven VAC members enjoyed running and chatting before and after. The next meet-up will probably be in June – look out for it on the fixture list.
British Masters Cross Country Championships, Corwen, 16 March 2024
Photo of Jess Franklin by Bill Scriven Photos. Other photos by Martin Berry. Here are the Individual Results of the 2024 British Masters CC Championships. Here are the Individual Medallists in each Age Group. Nine VAC members made the trip to North Wales for the British Masters Cross Country Championships. The rain stopped for the two races, although the start around a farm field of the Rhug estate near Corwen was very boggy until the course climbed up a lovely Welsh hillside grazed by sheep. On the descent, there was a fast-flowing stream as an obstacle to be leapt over. The first race was two laps, about four miles, for all the women and the men aged 65 and over. VAC’s Jess Franklin had a great run to finish fourth in the race (third woman and third W40). Next was Madeleine Arnstrong-Plieth in 11th (4th W40) followed by Peter Kennedy (5th M70), Maggie Statham-Berry (2nd W70), Guy Ogden ((4th M80) and Annie Ross (4th W70). The second race was three laps for the men aged 35-64. Mark Cursons was VAC’s first finisher, placing 41st overall and 7th M60 in a particularly strong age category. Other VAC finishers were Jacob Armstrong-Plieth (M50) and Mike Teasdale (M55). Mel James, BMAF’s Cross Country Secretary, presented Maggie with her W70 Silver and Jess with her W40 Bronze medals. The event was also the Inter Area Cross Country Challenge for BMAF area clubs. Midland Masters won both the men’s and women’s competitions. VAC unfortunately did not have enough runners to form scoring teams of six men and six women.
East Surrey League Cross Country, Lloyd Park, 2 March 2024
Photos from Martin Berry Here are the results of the East Surrey League senior race, 2 March 2024 Ten ran for VAC in Lloyd Park on a two-lap, 5 mile, course which was predictably extremely soggy throughout after weeks of heavy rain. At least the rain held off for the race and there was a hint of sunshine, but the wind was cold. The deep puddles and saturated fields were a challenge which VAC's team tackled with a mix of enthusiasm and dread. John Foley (M55) was first for VAC with a fine run in 16th position (14th man). Lisa Thomas (W55) was next, an excellent 7th in the women's listing. The men's scoring team of four was completed by John Foss, Chris Lee and Mike Mann, with Andy Mitchelson and Dan Maskell as back-up. The women's team was completed by Jo Quantrill, Nicky Atkins and Lesley Mill.
EMAA Indoor Inter-Area Track & Field Challenge, Lee Valley, 25 February 2024
Photos from Cliff Hide. Cliff has more photos and is happy to
supply J-Peg copies to competitors. Click here for the Individual Results of Indoor Inter Area Challenge 2024 (PDF) . Click here for the Team Scores of Indoor Inter Area Challenge 2024 (PDF) In the combined men's and women's scores, VAC finished a worthy third with 481.5 points behind Midland Masters (574 points) and Eastern Masters (556 points). VAC's men's team were third in their competition, and the women's team fourth. In the 90 events, VAC recorded 16 first places (9 for the men and 7 for the women), 15 second places and 7 third places. This is a magnificent achievement but the team's high score was boosted by every single point gained. Everyone's place counted. Highlights were the triple firsts by Mike Vassiliou (M60 60m, 400m and Relay) and double firsts by Liz Amos (W35 200m and 400m). Other splendid outright wins were achieved by Bilen Ahmet (M35 Pole Vault), Fiona Bishop (2k Walk), Tim Carter (M70 Long Jump), Clare Elms (W50 1500m), Charmaine Johnson (W60 Shot), Sarah Loades (W50 400m), Alwyn Lombaard (M35 High Jump), Chris Loudon (M35 800m), Gavin Stephens (M35 200m), Nikki Sturzaker (W50 800m), David Williams (M60 1500m) and the M60 relay team of Adrian Day, David Hinds, Mike Vassiliou and Paul Wignall. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
