EXE-HAUSTED
The newsletter of Exmouth Harriers
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Exe-hausted
December 2001 – No. 22
Blimey – what a hell of a year!
So, it’s Christmas again and for once it doesn’t feel like time
has flown by. So much has happened
this year; nationally, internationally and within the club. February and the start of Foot and
Mouth now seems such a long time ago.
Although in East Devon, we were spared, it had an immediate effect on
the club as a lot of our training runs were stopped. Races that we attend were cancelled and our round of the
Cross Country League also bit the dust.
Summer was nothing special, with every month a record for rainfall it
seemed, and nothing to lift the doom and gloom. Just as things were getting back to normal, we had September
11, the day the world changed forever, we are told. Whether that really is the case, time will tell. From a purely selfish attitude, it’s
good that as far as I am aware, no club members have been directly involved.
With Exmouth a military town and so many of our members connected to the
Marines, this is a bit of a surprise, but a welcome one, none the less.
The AGM was the liveliest I can
remember, with the main debate taking place over the restructuring of
membership. The proposed loss of
the family membership category caused the most concern. It was generally felt
that £22 for a family membership with no upper limit of members was unfair.
However, it was also felt that cancelling this category could lead to some
people in a family being excluded because of cost. With the committee’s original proposal defeated, Dave Stone
proposed a new one which gained unanimous approval. We now have the following membership categories: juniors
under 11 - £5; juniors 11-18 - £8;seniors - £16; social members - £5 and family
membership - £35 (2 adults and as many children under 18 in the family). With that said, it’s now time to pay up!
All monies to our new membership secretary, Ed Shutt at 22 Colvin Close,
Exmouth, EX8 2HN or left at the clubhouse please. It has also been agreed by the committee to increase nightly
training subs from January 1 2002 – new rates are 50p for adults, 30p for
juniors.
Dinner & Dance and Bicton Blister.
A strange combination to write about you might think – but not
when they happen on the same weekend!
We kicked off with 65 for the meal (3 people had to drop out on the day
due to sickness). We have squeezed
in 85 in previous years, but goodness knows how, because this seemed just
enough. For the first time, we
entertained three of our sponsors (Mike Kirk of Seymours was unable to attend)
and two ladies from the Air Ambulance.
They all seemed to enjoy it even though we continued to badger everyone
to reach our £3000 charity target.
As you are all aware, we arranged a 557 draw, with two cash prizes of
£100 as part of our final push to the total and many thanks to everybody who
bought tickets and sold them to friends, family and work colleagues. After a final push on the night to sell
the last tickets, we were still £52 short, so I ran a quick game of heads or
hips (I’ll say no more about it, if you weren’t there, use your imagination!).
Steve Godfrey was the £10 winner, with £51.70 going to the total so we just
made it. Sue Price and Andy Kennedy were the big cash prize winners, so
congrats to them and a big thank you to everyone who donated a prize to the
draw.
In return for the cheque, the
Air Ambulance presented us with a print which will be proudly displayed in the
clubhouse. For the first time, the
presentations for athletes of the year were made in two separate ceremonies. The evening started with awards for the
junior members, which had been chosen by Dawn and Pete, based on a combination
of attendance and performance at events throughout the year. The girls’ winner was Kim Price and
Nathan Teed received the boys’ award.
At the later seniors awards, after tremendous seasons, Richard Selby and
Kellie Trollope emerged (or should I say “ran out”) as the winners. Kellie’s stunning appearance on the
night was partly due to Roland’s “bumping into her” as she came out of a
changing room in Exeter and asked his opinion on a new dress – I never did find
out how Roland came to be in the changing room of a ladies clothes shop giving
out opinions! There were also four
presentations of flowers to four special ladies – Jane Bateman for her work
organising both the reunion and the Xmas do, my wife, Kim, for being the only
person to complete Dave Stone’s crossword earlier in the year, Tracey Vanstone
for all her efforts in typing up this magazine and lastly, but without doubt
the most deserved, Jane Young, not only for putting up with Roland being on
virtually 24 hour call for the club, but for fielding all the calls from
runners ringing up about the races.
In the week before the Blister, she answered over 200 calls, some as
late as 11pm!
That leads me into the race,
which by anyone’s reckoning, was an overwhelming success. With an entry of 291 and 248 finishers,
our predictions of 300 entrants, based on previous races, came out spot
on. Having ordered 300 t-shirts,
it meant I was able as Race Director to give away shirts to all those people
who helped. I think we’ve covered
everybody, but if I have missed anyone out, please let me know as there are
still 11 XL left. Our attempt to
sell off surplus Palmers t-shirts, in contrast, was a spectacular failure –
even at £2 each or 3 for a fiver!
Di and Phyllis Routley sat for 3 hours and sold only 2 – and one of
those was to Phyllis!
The complimentary comments
after the race from runners were amazing, with not a bad word to be heard. However, what became obvious for next
year’s event is that we do need more help. I thought club members would turn up to help on the day, as
you do for events held in Exmouth but this didn’t happen. I had to drag a few unsuspecting
bystanders into helping at the finish, including Jane Bateman’s friend, John,
who proved a great help in filling cups of water and giving out t-shirts. It will also be essential to have
another four people to help lay out the course on the Saturday. This year, from 11.30am to 5pm, myself,
Rich Selby, Paul Champion and Roland laid out the course. We were all knackered by the end and
Roland was still out again by 6.50am the next morning checking all was well,
which it wasn’t! The last four
directional arrows we had put out in the dark had all been moved by the time
Roland checked early on Sunday. I
know the area is famous for courting couples, but I doubt they need directing
so just who is up there skulking about at night makes you wonder! Richard ran the course 20 minutes
before the start and came across another vital arrow that had been moved – just
90 seconds before the winner Mike Feighan got to it – phew!! We have received a lot of comments for
our January debrief meeting but if you have any ideas or comments to add, good
or bad, please let me have them.
Fulfords Five – 10.02.2002.
Another string to our bow of financial support for the club will
soon be with us. This is the
oldest of our races and this year will be the first of the newly created Devon
Road Race series. The series will
form the basis of our club championship for 2002, more details in Bob Keast’s
piece later. We will need help on
the day of the race although this a race where Harriers are encouraged to run. It is one of the few races that I
actually wobble around, so your support will be welcome – although no shouts
of, “come on Mr Blobby” thanks!
Cross Country.
Again, the dates are supplied by
Bob later but for us to stand any chance of success, we must get all our big
names to the last three races. The
team has put up a brave fight so far this season but Bideford seem to be
targeting the League and with January’s event on their home ground, a supreme
effort is needed. If Terry Pares,
Darren Bradley and Derek Donaghy can all make it, we might just spring a
surprise.
Risk Assessments at races.
Roland and Adrian recently attended a Risk Assessment seminar in
Cardiff. From next year, a whole
raft of paperwork will be required when putting on a race. Thankfully, we have already
incorporated several of the points
raised into our races and rest assured, we will ensure we comply with all the
new regulations next year. One
issue that has arisen is what we do if the St Johns fail to turn up on the day
and the race is about to start. Do
we cancel or take a chance? Well, you run it if you have qualified
First Aiders on hand as a back up.
For this reason, we will be sending people on an approved course, so if
you would like to be considered as a First Aider, or already have the relevant
qualification, please contact Roland.
Exmouth Harriers Club Championship 2001
– Final Results.
Pos Name 1st
Race Base 1st Leg 2nd Leg 3rd Leg 4th
Leg Total
1 Rich Selby 61.11 11.11 74.21 70.26 144.47
2 Roger Rowe 85.86 35.86 45.01 49.81 47.11 141.93
3 Di Routley 78.99 28.99 29.12 48.12 48.17 40.36 136.65
4 Dave Francis 81.49 31.49 28.02 48.29 44.23 31.29 123.81
5 Nigel DuPain 63.65 13.65 50.00 53.77 103.77
6 Hugh Marsden 79.25 29.25 51.69 50.19 101.88
7 Peter Hart 76.39 26.39 49.68 49.78 99.46
8 Graham Gunn 72.55 22.55 48.49 48.69 97.18
9 Stef French 66.22 16.22 48.21 47.80 96.01
10 Dave Stone 79.74 29.74 29.55 50.22 79.77
11 Phil Crook 60.04 10.04 30.42 46.46 76.88
12 Jenny Reay 57.74 7.74 71.69 71.69
13 Bob Keast 51.81 1.81 71.13 71.13
14 Sarah Allsopp 62.41 12.41 30.27 38.19 68.46
15 Lisa Tooby 38.23 -11.77 66.20 66.20
16 Chris Dupain 60.73 10.73 54.58 54.58
17 Jim Pyne 66.33 16.33 54.01 54.01
18 Jill Dupain 47.13 -2.87 53.79 53.79
19 Darren Bradley 76.30 26.30 48.38 48.38
20 Lee Russell 72.48 22.48 44.92 44.92
21 Dawn Teed 64.33 14.33 29.73 29.73
22 Anthony Yates 73.12 23.12 28.57 28.57
The scores are based on the best
3 rounds.
The Devon Grand Prix Road Series
will form the basis of the 2002 Club Championships.
Target Races for 2002
Sunday 6 Jan Devon X-Country Championship X-country
Sunday 13 Jan Westward League X-Country – Bideford X-country
Sunday 10 Feb Fulfords Five – Exmouth Road 1st
Devon Grand Prix series
Sat 16 Feb Westward
League X-Country – Paignton X-country
Sat 23 Feb National
X-country Champs – Bristol X-country
Sun 10 Mar Grizzly Multi-terrain
Sun 17 Mar Westward League
X-country – Exmouth X-country Last
round Westward League
Sun 31 Mar Teignbridge 10 Road 2nd Devon Grand
Prix series
Sun 14 Apr Devon Track
League – Exeter Track 1st round Track League
Sat 20 Apr Great West
Open Track meeting Track
Sun 5 May Great West Run – Exeter Road 3rd
Devon Grand Prix series
Sat 18 May National Vets
Relays – Sutton Park Road
Sun 19 May Bideford 10K Road 4th
Devon Grand Prix series
Sun 2 June Graham
Sykes 10K – Exmouth Road
Sun 9 June DML
5K Road 5th
Devon Grand Prix series
Sun 23 June Devon Track
League – Braunton Track 2nd
round Track League
Sun 14 July Devon Track
League – Braunton Track 3rd
round Track League
Fri 19 July Chudleigh
5 mile Road 6th
Devon Grand Prix series
Sun 11 Aug Plymouth 10K Road 7th
Devon Grand Prix series
Sun 18 Aug Devon Track
League – Exeter Track 4th
round Track League
Sun 1 September Palmers
Half Marathon – Exmouth Road
Sun 8 September Torrington
5 mile Road 8th
Devon Grand Prix series
Sun 6 Oct Brixham 10K Road 9th
Devon Grand Prix series
Sun 13 Oct Westward
League X-country – St Austell X-country 1st round Westward League
Sun 3 Nov Westward League X-country
– Redruth X-country 2nd
round Westward League
Sun ? Nov Tavistock 7 Road 10th Devon Grand
Prix series
Sun 24 Nov Ross Shield Road Date
to be confirmed
Sun 8 Dec Bicton Blister Multi-terrain
Sun 1 Dec Westward League – Exeter X-country
3rd round Westward League
Devon Sportshall League – Dawlish.
A small group of Junior Harriers have recently attended meetings
of the Sportshall League held at Dawlish.
Matt Vanstone, Kim Price, Iain and Alex Horlock represented the club in
events ranging from high jump to 6 lap sprints. Iain has since been chosen to represent Devon after his
impressive performance in November – congratulations to him.
A message from Roger Cowd.
On November 17 2001, I reached the grand running age of 60. Through Exe-hausted I would wish to
thank my running friends for their cards, presents and phone calls, all
gratefully received. The good news was that on Sunday 18 November, I had
entered the Wimborne 10 in Dorset and had been keeping my fingers crossed that
injury free it would be a lovely final ‘present’ to be able to run. On the Sunday I journeyed up with
Richard Selby and Andy Kennedy and we were met at Wimborne by Steve Merry, Hugh
Marsden, Anthony Yates and Roger Rowe.
I suspect some of them, maybe all, made the journey to join me on the
special day. To have my oldest running pals, Steve, Richard, Hugh and Andy,
together with young’un Anthony and the classy Roger (Rowe) was very emotional
for me.
I ran an excellent race (for me
that is!) of 67.44 and managed to win the over 60 category, with Richard first
50. A perfect start to the new age
group.
By the time this is printed, I
may well have reached another and perhaps more important milestone when on
December 14 2001, I will have been ‘off the booze’ for 20 years. Most of you will not remember a 14
stone alcoholic who used to stagger around the pubs of Exmouth. You would not have wanted to know me
then. It is interesting when I
race in Exmouth or Exeter and now pass places where I have slept it off or
collapsed so drunk. Always
remember if Roger Cowd can do it, then anyone with a heart and a pair of legs
can. When I first walked/jogged, I
thought running was impossible.
Always remember to do your best (a little more sometimes) and you will
get your rewards. It has not been easy for me, but I
persevered through injury and personal sadness. There are bad times, but many good times.
Sincerely, Roger Cowd.
Training of coaches and officials.
Most of you know that we have embarked on a programme of
training coaches (on special UK Athletics courses) and road officials (in situ
training at our races). To date,
we have 4 Level 1 coaches, all of who are going on to Level 2 courses in the
New Year. A further 4 will also be
going on Level 1 courses in 2002.
Because of our declared
intention to participate in track and field activities, we urgently need to
train others in time keeping, track & field judging etc. It is not reasonable to expect the other
Devon clubs to provide officials so that we can compete. It is expected that if we participate
in the Devon League and open meetings that we at least provide some officials.
The next Track and Field
course will be at Exeter Arena on Saturday 3 March (10am – 3pm). Please contact me asap if you are able
to volunteer. Additional Level 1
courses will be held at North Devon and Plymouth on Sunday 10 February. Again, please contact me asap if you
are interested. The Harriers will
pay the course fees for you.
There are also opportunities for
further road officials training at the Fulfords Five on Sunday 10
February. If you want to help with
race starting, time keeping and recording activities then please contact me.
Please note that I will be abroad from Thursday 3 Jan
until Saturday 2 Feb, so I must have names no later than 1 January.
Maurice Ault
And finally ….
It’s a long way off, but for the summer of 2003, Mike Mears is
planning a very ambitious fund raising effort, probably for the Devon Air Ambulance. The idea is to RUN from John O’ Groats
to Lands End, covering 40 miles a day for around 25 days. He will probably be looking to borrow a
motor home for the duration, with a volunteer to drive it for him. I said I will do one week, so offers for
the rest will be gratefully received.
To make it worthwhile, he hopes to raise at least £30,000. Any thoughts/ideas or offers of help to
Mike please.
I’ve already mentioned this
year’s charity and it’s good to announce that we will be supporting the Air
Ambulance again next year. We
already have a pledge of £250 from Palmers Ford. With Seymours and Nike already agreed to sponsor the Blister
again, we will be looking to boost club funds ready to meet the changes that
will take place over the next few years at the Imperial Ground. We know the track will go eventually
but lets make the most of it before it does. As the nights lighten and the weather improves, get out on
the track as much as you can. I
took some stuff back to the clubhouse after the Blister and there was Hugh
Marsden working away on the track having already spent most of the day
marshalling for us! Don’t let
dedication like that go to waste.
I think most of us appreciate
that we live in one of the nicest parts of the world. This was confirmed this week when the coast from Orcombe
Point to Swanage in Dorset was made a World Heritage site by the UN. Apparently it joins the Great Barrier
Reef and Grand Canyon as a site of outstanding natural importance. The coastline is to be called the
Jurassic Coast because so many old fossils can be found along it. With Roger Cowd running on it most days
and the rest of us crumblies trekking up to West Down Beacon on a Sunday,
they’ve got that right!
Have a merry Christmas and a prosperous new year one and
all.
Phil.
Best wishes to Claire Baxter as
she leaves for Dubai, initially for three months but very likely for
longer. She will be sorely missed.
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Copyright©
1998, Exmouth Harriers. |
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Last update:
27th December 2001 |
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