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Banstead Woods Report for Event 244 - 4 February 2012 |
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GLOVES On, But HATS OFF to a GLOVER...
Report by: Elaine (WOODY) Dodds
Photos by: Beverley BARRY
(click on image to enlarge)
It's rare that the photographer (Beverley BARRY today) gets a wide smile from a runner about to tackle The hill, but Andrew STALLEY, today's Event Director, defied once again to remove the stigma of self-proclaimed Cheshire cat (see above PHOTO, which is also referred to later).
Earlier, we had been all ears (cold ones) to Andy's pre-race announcements. He took to the reigns, holding back a crowd of eager-to-get-going-this-freezing-Saturday-morning-thank-YOU! Two people were to be the subject of his statements, one being Beverley herself (winner of the Volunteer of the Year award last year), who was highlighted for her 100th Volunteering role. The other, Julie HOSKING, who was unaware she was about to be presented with the January SWEATSHOP prize. Julie's story can be read in the previous 'News' item to this. She volunteered in a non-running role today, but she has run 23 times, her last 3 all being PBs.
A round of muffled applause followed - the patter of gloves. Then we were off for a cold spin...
...And what a difference a week can make. From soft, heavy conditions to rock hard ground, lighter underfoot. Contributory, perhaps to at least 1 in 5 running off with a PB. 2 layers of gloves & the digits still froze. Thanks to The hill for getting the blood moving! (Thought I'd never thank THAT hill).
Men's placings:
A rare appearance for Alister MOSES (SM30-34) of Reigate Priory AC who won in 17:11. Of his 4 runs, this was his only one outside of 17mins & his 2nd win. He is Banstead's 3rd fastest runner with a lightning time of a 15:54.
On a rare day that Alister was with us, his Namesake the great Olympic Gold Medal 400m hurdler EDWIN MOSES was in attendance at BUSHY parkrun WITH another Olympian, swimmer MARK SPITZ - winner of 7 golds at one Games The reason for their appearance can be read in the main parkrun 'news'. Also there, 2nd lady in a time of 19:06 was Tracy Hardcastle (the real name of NELL McANDREW)! Have a listen to a review of the weekly events on the parkrun show, by a real character of parkrun, (& he was 2nd at BUSHY) Danny NORMAN, he has Guests too. One never knows who's mentioned lest one listens...the link is in the weekly 'news' on the parkrun home site...or try this... http://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-parkrun-show/id468365187
Back to the results...2nd to Alister was Fellow Club Member, Andrew TAYLOR (SM35-39) in 17:52 - he has won twice here too. David FREEMAN (VM45-49) of Tadworth AC, mirrored his 3rd place of last week & almost matched his time. 18:24 this week & he has 10 previous wins. Not many can boast such a steady record as he.
Women's placings:
All 3 ladies got a Personal Best. If you don't read it all, read what the headline is about...
See PHOTO 4811 for Natalie GLOVER (SW25-29) of South London Harriers looking good for The hill....not many can boast that! She notched up her first win here (10th overall) in 19:47, but she has won at 3 other locally based events. She went under 20mins for the first time, taking nearly 2mins off her previous best. Her runs here are spanned over quite a long period, despite this she has totted up 6 PBs in a row. To that ADD....that at ROUNDSHAW she has run 7 times and at LLOYD PARK she has run 5 times.... ALL of them Personal Bests! What! Another show of hands beckons here, if it were not so chilly.
2nd placed lady (15th overall) was Mary JAMES (VW35-39) of Collingwood AC improving by 4secs to finish in 20:14. She has 5 previous wins & her time today would otherwise have been worthy of another. Amelia STIFF (JW14) of South London Harriers was 3rd (25th overall) in 22:23, her 5th PB overall.
Further Down the Field, but not too far...:
4th Neil McALPINE's clocked 18:31, a PB of 28secs & an Age-Grade over 70% for the first time. A mighty achievement.
6th Robert KNIGHT celebrated his 50th run (all at Banstead) with a PB & his first sub 19min time of 18:50. Did it in style.
9th Ross GENTRY took well over a minute off his PB to go under 20min for first time in 19:45 & pushed his Age-Grade over 65%. 40 runs completed over 11 events, 16 here at Banstead.
22nd Henry STIFF has waited since May 2011 for his PB, to claim a time of 21:39. He has 5 PBs in all & ALL of them on the same day as Amelia STIFF, who was 3rd lady.
33rd The longest wait for a PB today was 20 months. A Gem of a morning for Gemma BUTT (winner of the Ladies Annual Points last year)....to get down to 22:46 & increase her Age-Grade to 65%....with a little help from a friend, Oliver COLLIS (see above PHOTO). She says she fell at the finish...preferably after crossing the line! Also, especially as the 3 following runners got PBs too, i.e...... Daniel PARKER, Alex MAGEE & Richard HARMSWORTH...without any support.
84th James KNIGHT ran his 2nd sub 30 time, gaining another 20secs to cross the line in 29:10. He was well ahead of his usual self on the first lap, having seen him & he obviously kept up momentum. Good for him....
...And, yes it was good for many. Overallt'was another fine day (as well as cold) & overall is a word used a few times above & below & it doesn't stop there......as SCOTT OVERALL (Britain's sole 2012 Olympic marathon qualifier) was training in the Woods during our event. Unbeknown to many, no doubt, including the writer.
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STATS
The following runners recorded TODAY's best Age Grade scores:
David FREEMAN (VM45-49) was graded 77.08 % for the time 18:24 (third overall).
Alister MOSES (SM30-34) was graded 76.33 % for the time 17:11 (first overall).
Natalie GLOVER (SW25-29) was graded 74.81 % for the time 19:47 (10th overall).
Current standing in the Men's annual points competition:
Roger BRYANT (Collingwood AC) 2718 pts.
Robert KNIGHT (Collingwood AC) 2610 pts.
Mike MASON (Sutton & District AC) 2377 pts.
Current standing in the Women's annual points competition:
Jenny SINFIELD (Collingwood AC) 2804 pts.
Geraldine LIDDY (Ashtead Running Group) 2568 pts.
Gemma BUTT (Reigate Priory AC) 2454 pts.
This week there were 106 runners, of whom 5 were first timers and 23 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 19 different athletics clubs took part.
Banstead parkrun started on 16th June 2007, and since then 3,983 different runners, including participants from 169 athletics clubs, have completed 32,350 runs covering a total distance of 161,750 km, and there have been 7,031 new Personal Bests.
The Women's course record is held by Natalie HARVEY who ran in a time of 17:01 on 30th July 2011 (event number 216).
The Men's course record is held by Kevin QUINN who ran in a time of 15:25 on 7th June 2008 (event number 54).
The Age Grade course record is held by Ian KITCHING who recorded a 89.58 % run (17:36) on 5th June 2010 (event number 158).
Event Reporter ~ Woody
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Sweatshop Runner of the Month January 2012 |
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We are pleased to announce that this month's Sweatshop Monthly Prize winner is Julie Hosking.
The January 2012 winner of the coveted Banstead Woods Monthly Sweatshop prize is Julie Hosking. This prize is awarded to athletes who have shown consistency and improvement at the event.
Julie started running at Banstead Woods on 13 March 2010; her daughter Sophie started running with us in November 2008 (40 runs to her name with 12 pb’s and a former runner of the month); on 27 June 2009 Julie’s son Liam opened his account (18 parkruns, 8 pb’s, former runner of the month and regular volunteer); Julie has inspired her husband Chris into the parkrunning bug who has completed 3 events since 24 December 2011 with 2 pb’s!! What a family of parkrunners.
Julie spent a lot of her early ventures in the woods supporting her daughter Sophie and making lots of friends on route. Since 13 March 2010 Julie has managed to squeeze 23 parkruns into her tally by balancing all of her family duties. But what an improvement she has made in this time. Julie’s first run clocked 33.07 which is very respectable, but one week later this was suddenly a pb of 31.38 an immediate improvement of 1 minute 29 seconds.
Julie took a breather from this early burst into the parkrunning concept, next joining us for our special New Year’s Day event in 2011 for her fourth run. Julie then picked up the mantle once again nearly six months later in June 2011. By 6 July Julie was back on the pb trail again taking her time down to 31.30. In August 2011 Julie demonstrated to the world what could be achieved by securing a time of 30.46, a further 44 seconds off her best.
The parkrunners perfect pb (ppp) came on 15 October with a one second improvement, this achieves a personal best but keeps it within reach for more juicy pb’s in the future.
In late October and early November 2011 Julie dug in deep and secured three further pb’s taking her time down to a remarkable 28.52.
Julie’s closer involvement with the event has seen her join our volunteers, wanting to return the favour to the volunteer team that provide our event for us every week.
In December 2011 the weather did not provide great course conditions. The course was that bit more difficult to negotiate and lots of commitment was required to maintain fitness awaiting the day that the course was kinder.
Despite the fact that the course remained very difficult in places Julie some how managed to secure three further pb’s on the bounce. Starting with a pb on 7 January taking her time down to 28.30, one week later remarkably Julie was running a sub 28 time (27.59) and on 21 January she took this quality performance down further recording a time of 27.50 to secure the runner of the month prize.
Julie’s story of success at our parkrun epitomises all that we have to offer in that we want to encourage participation and improvement; to maintain a good healthy lifestyle whilst getting fit in the bargain. Julie should be very proud of her achievement and is a worthy winner of our Runner of the Month competition securing a pair of training shoes kindly donated by the Sweatshop.
We’d like to thank Hugh Brasher of the Sweatshop for his generosity and to congratulate Julie Hosking on her achievement. Julie’s prize is a new pair of running shoes fitted at the Teddington Sweatshop.
Chris Phelan
Event Director
Banstead Woods parkrun Management Team
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Banstead Woods Report for Event 243 - 28 January 2012 |
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No SAUNTER for HUGH SAUNDERS...
Report by Elaine (WOODY) Dodds
Photos by Beverley BARRY
(click on image to enlarge)
....It sure was not, as the winner sped through the mud to his 2nd win. 7th PB in 14 events and his first sub 18min run. Hugh SAUNDERS (JM15-19) was just 1 of 14 boys to run from OXTED SCHOOL and half of them ran a PB. ALL of them seem to give it what they got, so to speak.... probably not the diction THEY are taught!
Also from Oxted School, finishing 14th in 19:57 was James Russell GREEN (JM14) who ran his fastest by 10 seconds to finish under 20 minutes for the first time. This was not enough to increase his age-grading - the reverse happened. This is because he is still 'getting better with age'...something we all hope for. James's age-grade was less this time round, mainly as his previous PB was 10 months ago and the margin in his time needed to be greater - still a great run though.
2nd place went to himself, THE Mr Banstead Woods, Chris PHELAN (VM50-54) of South London Harriers in 17:47. He boasts (well he can, but probably won't!) 14 previous wins. Chris won the highest age-grading - the sole runner with over 80%. 3rd spot went to another previous winner, David FREEMAN (VM45-49) of Tadworth AC in 18:16.
The photo above shows the leaders tackling the top of the hill, at the start of the 2nd lap.
REIGATE PRIORY AC dominated the Ladies race, with Claire Louise DUNN (JW14) winning (47th overall) in 22:39 in her debut parkrun.
With a few more runs (6) Lydia PARKER (JW14) took 2nd place (54th overall) in a time of 23:28. With even more runs (102 now) Gemma BUTT (SW25-29) was 3rd (56th overall) in 23:35. It was 30 seconds outside her PB and her best since last May. That was good in the sticky conditions and Gemma who usually collects the mud on the way was adorned with it.
Kevin William GRIMSHAW was running his 50th parkrun (44 here). He finished in 27:07 today. He started at Banstead with 7 PBs in a row - not many get to do this, though one person running today holds the joint record of 11 in a row, Sean SADLER who finished 69th today.
You can peruse anyone's progress by just clicking on their name in the Results. Gee, thanks, I don't mind if you do!
This was the 150th parkrun (144 here) for Alan KUHAR, who finished in 29:03. He was very quiet about it, but I am louder than he, as he is fully aware. Alan's first run here was in the 2nd event in Banstead's history, back in June 2007. He has also been a winner of the Sweatshop Monthly prize. Today, he was running a great 1st lap, then he saw that he was approaching the dreaded hill. Well Alan, it's there every week, it won't go away!
What's noticeable about the day's PBs is that they were entirely at the feet of the newer runners. Nobody with more than 32 parkruns got a PB...and....I have even more useful information, courtesy of me having nothing better to do...
...The average number of runs done by today's recorded finishers is 44. I am unsure what one does with this random piece of memorabilia that I bring you, but perhaps to decide whether one is average or not. Now to the official figures...
STATS
The following runners recorded TODAY'S best Age Grade scores:
Chris PHELAN (VM50-54) was graded 83.60 % for the time 17:47 (2nd overall).
David FREEMAN (VM45-49) was graded 77.65 % for the time 18:16 (3rd overall).
Hugh SAUNDERS (JM15-19) was graded 77.26 % for the time 17:44 (1st overall).
Current standing in the Men's annual points competition:
Roger BRYANT (Collingwood AC) 2622 pts.
Robert KNIGHT (Collingwood AC) 2515 pts.
Mike MASON (Sutton and District AC) 2293 pts.
Current standing in the Women's annual points competition:
Jenny SINFIELD (Collingwood AC) 2708 pts.
Geraldine LIDDY (Ashtead Running Group) 2477 pts.
Gemma BUTT (Reigate Priory AC) 2357 pts.
This week there were 156 runners, of whom 23 were first timers and 25 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 19 different athletics clubs took part.
Banstead parkrun started on 16th June 2007, and since then 3,977 different runners, including participants from 168 athletics clubs, have completed 32,244 runs covering a total distance of 161,220 km, and there have been 7,008 new Personal Bests.
The Women's course record is held by Natalie HARVEY who ran in a time of 17:01 on 30th July 2011 (event number 216).
The Men's course record is held by Kevin QUINN who ran in a time of 15:25 on 7th June 2008 (event number 54).
The Age Grade course record is held by Ian KITCHING who recorded a 89.58 % run (17:36) on 5th June 2010 (event number 158).
Event Reporter - Woody
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Banstead Woods Report for event 242 – 21 January 2012 |
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GOING THE DISTANCE
Report by Sandhya Drew
Photo by Don Esslemont
(click on image to enlarge)
Last week saw parkrun reach and pass a significant global marker, with one million parkrunnings. More locally, Race Director Sue ESSLEMONT gave a special mention to Banstead’s own long distance runner Andy STALLEY, who was running his 200th parkrun: the equivalent of 1000 kilometres of parkrun distance alone. Not content with that or with his 100+ marathons, Andy had last Sunday sped through the 30 mile ultra run - Winter Tanners. Also going the distance was Liz MASON (see photo above, with Andy) who in the previous week had completed the half and full marathons at Disneyworld. After the parkrun, Liz was persuaded to show off her Disneybling, which made a pleasant change from her now discarded arm sling. Finally, the amazing George FROGLEY ran his 151st parkrun and had created his own 150 logo on his jacket.
Chris PHELAN was absent, getting ready for the Box Hill Fell run [Stop Press: 56:22, 12th position, first vet 50]. His fellow club member, John FOSS of South London Harriers was recovering from an Achilles Heel injury and looked like a cat being kept from the cream as he marshalled. We wish him a speedy return to running.
David FREEMAN of Tadworth AC won in a time of 18:17 followed by Kevin LEWIS of Sutton Runners in 19:07 and Roger BRYANT of Collingwood AC in 19:13.
Phyllis FLYNN of Stragglers dramatically pipped Pippa MAJOR of Thames Hare and Hounds to the post by two seconds to seize first female place. They finished in times of 20:49 and 20:51 respectively and were followed in third place by Mary JAMES of Collingwood AC in a time of 21:35.
There were 12 First Timers in age ranges from JM14 (William HART) to 60-64 (Peter RICKLETON) and including a member of the COONEY clan, Aron COONEY. Welcome to all of them.
There were 14 PBs this week. Many of them were from new runners starting to improve their times. There was a notable PB from Julie HOSKING who achieved her third consecutive PB with a time of 27:50. Congratulations, Julie.
The results in full are below. Despite Sue ESSLEMONT reminding runners not to go through the finishing line unless they wanted a time, one person did just that, which caused confusion with position numbers. Due to this, some placings were inaccurate and had to be corrected. Times have been checked and are accurate. Please remember: if you don’t want the time, don’t cross the line.
Men's placings:
David FREEMAN (VM45-49) of Tadworth AC was first in 18:17 - 10th win in 67th appearance.
Kevin LEWIS (SM35-39) of Sutton Runners, was second in 19:07 - 1 previous win.
Roger BRYANT (VM40-44) of Collingwood AC was third in 19:13 - 2 previous wins.
Current standing in the Men's annual points competition:
Roger BRYANT (Collingwood AC) 2539 pts.
Robert KNIGHT (Collingwood AC) 2415 pts.
Mike MASON (Sutton & District AC) 2213 pts.
Women's placings:
Phyllis FLYNN (VW45-49) of Stragglers, was first (17th overall) in 20:49 - 14th win in 90th appearance.
Pippa MAJOR (VW45-49) of Thames Hare & Hounds, was second (18th overall) in 20:51 - 24 previous wins.
Mary JAMES (VW35-39) of Collingwood AC, was third (22nd overall) in 21:35 - 5 previous wins.
Current standing in the Women's annual points competition:
Jenny SINFIELD (Collingwood AC) 2611 pts.
Geraldine LIDDY (Ashtead Running Group) 2389 pts.
Gemma BUTT (Reigate Priory AC) 2259 pts.
The following runners recorded the best Age Grade scores:
Phyllis FLYNN (VW45-49) was graded 79.58 % for the time 20:49 (17th overall).
David FREEMAN (VM45-49) was graded 77.58 % for the time 18:17 (first overall).
Pippa MAJOR (VW45-49) was graded 76.90 % for the time 20:51 (18th overall).
This week there were 137 runners, of whom 12 were first timers and 14 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 18 different athletics clubs took part.
Banstead parkrun started on 16th June 2007, and since then 3,954 different runners, including participants from 166 athletics clubs, have completed 32,088 runs covering a total distance of 160,440 km, and there have been 6,983 new Personal Bests.
The Women's course record is held by Natalie HARVEY who ran in a time of 17:01 on 30th July 2011 (event number 216).
The Men's course record is held by Kevin QUINN who ran in a time of 15:25 on 7th June 2008 (event number 54).
The Age Grade course record is held by Ian KITCHING who recorded a 89.58 % run (17:36) on 5th June 2010 (event number 158).
Event Reporter Sandhya Drew
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Banstead Woods Report for Event 241 - 14 January 2012 |
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As cold as ice....
Report by Sue Esslemont
Photos by Beverley Barry
(click on image to enlarge)
A crisp cold start to the day made for lovely conditions at today’s event.
The field was smaller today due to the Cross country events later in the day but a bus load of Oxted School cross country runners boosted the numbers back again. The top 5 runners today were from this school – a great talent, supported by their coach Mr Mason – such a shame that some remain as “unknown runner” as they did not bring their barcodes.
Run director Andy Stalley started proceedings by congratulating Gemma Butt on her 100th parkrun today (all at Banstead Woods). She is the 37th parkrunner to achieve 100 runs at Banstead Woods.
Our first lady today, Vanessa Blackburn, came in at under 20 minutes at 19.46 – there is only a select group of ladies that have that accolade at Banstead Woods.
Our first male finisher today was Tom Mulligan, running in the JM15-19 category, with a massive 40 second PB, his fastest time since October 2008 and his first win.
4th place runner John Coates (Oxted School) deserves a mention as not only did he remember his barcode, he knocked nearly 2 minutes off his PB! – What has Mr Mason been feeding them! 5 of the Oxted School runners got PBs today.
The conditions led to some other impressive personal bests – notably Sally Davis who has been running with us since almost the first event and is still improving, and Julie Hosking who crept under 28 minutes for the first time today at 27.59. Also Jim Knight (December Sweatshop shoes winner) who has taken nearly 2 minutes off his time in January alone, and his son Robert, another 10 seconds off today at 19.17 continuing his great improvement. Paul Waller, regular volunteer, took an impressive 19 seconds off of his PB to finish in 23.43.
The ice cold meant that once the final runner had finished, the event was closed down in record time today as we all wanted to get into the warm at The Mint for our coffee fix.
Quote of the day, heard at the Mint - “I would have volunteered to do the Himalayan Balsam pulling in July but it might have given me a rash!” – I’ve heard some excuses for not volunteering in my time but I think that one wins!
Banstead often attracts a few travelling parkrunners. It was good to welcome four runners from Bromley parkrun today to the event and also in the Mint for coffee, where Phyllis advised them to come back for the Bluebells in the spring.
A plea : Has anyone lost
- A pair of glasses
- A black long sleeved running top
- A pair of gloves
- A running hat ?
All have been left at the event in the last few weeks – if not claimed soon, they will go to the Charity Shop. Come to the information desk to claim them.
To help you not to forget your barcode, did you know that you can get your own plastic barcode tag with your own barcode on it from www.littlehugs.co.uk - for a mere £2.50. ? – take a look.
Happy Running!
Herewith the stats from today’s event:
Men's placings:
Tom MULLIGAN (JM15-19) of Oxted School, was first in 17:44 - first win in 6th appearance.
Unknown runners were second and third.
Current standing in the Men's annual points competition:
Roger BRYANT (Collingwood AC) 2441 pts.
Robert KNIGHT (Collingwood AC) 2320 pts.
Mike MASON (Sutton & District AC) 2128 pts.
Women's placings:
Vanessa BLACKBURN (SW30-34) (Unattached) was first (10th overall) in 19:46 - third win in 6th appearance.
Jenny SINFIELD (VW35-39) of Collingwood AC, was second (38th overall) in 23:13 - 3 previous wins.
Gemma BUTT (SW25-29) of Reigate Priory AC, was third (42nd overall) in 23:46.
Current standing in the Women's annual points competition:
Jenny SINFIELD (Collingwood AC) 2516 pts.
Geraldine LIDDY (Ashtead Running Group) 2301 pts.
Gemma BUTT (Reigate Priory AC) 2165 pts.
The following runners recorded the best Age Grade scores:
Ian KITCHING (VM60-64) was graded 83.22 % for the time 19:16 (8th overall).
Tom MULLIGAN (JM15-19) was graded 76.13 % for the time 17:44 (first overall).
John COATES (JM14) was graded 75.18 % for the time 18:52 (4th overall).
This week there were 137 runners, of whom 13 were first timers and 31 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 17 different athletics clubs took part.
Banstead parkrun started on 16th June 2007, and since then 3,942 different runners, including participants from 165 athletics clubs, have completed 31,951 runs covering a total distance of 159,755 km, and there have been 6,969 new Personal Bests.
The Women's course record is held by Natalie HARVEY who ran in a time of 17:01 on 30th July 2011 (event number 216).
The Men's course record is held by Kevin QUINN who ran in a time of 15:25 on 7th June 2008 (event number 54).
The Age Grade course record is held by Ian KITCHING who recorded a 89.58 % run (17:36) on 5th June 2010 (event number 158).
Event Reporter Sue Esslemont
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