Post by David H on Apr 27, 2010 7:39:25 GMT
Hello everyone.
Reasonable conditions for our runners and good actions from our Marshals at London.
Cool conditions with some light rain to start with helped the runners on Sunday. This was in contrast to the forecast by our esteemed weathermen at the beginning of last week of soaring temperatures with one of the predicted hottest runs on record. In the event most runners were well prepared and as they came by us marshalling at the 23 mile point, they looked comfortable and were going to finish.
There were the usual number of casualties at our location and many thanks must go to our marshalling team for their hard work. We had to guard a pothole using marshals and tape for the length of the time we were on duty. Many thanks to Grant for standing there with tape tied around his waist linked to other members whilst runners brushed past them. Our team of 40 really came into its own when we had to get a stretcher case and later a chair case across the mass of runners by linking arms and driving a wedge into the throng to create a void for the casualties. The applause of appreciation from the crowds said it all each time we completed the manoeuvre. We also found we had to extend our marshalling area from the entrance to the Tower of London round to Cable Street because other clubs had not turned up. Well done everyone we did a fantastic job.
I am sure you will have seen the results on the website and they are all respectable times. 1st Harrrier home was Sharon Hawkins (3:06:27), followed Julie Stoppani (3:36:55) and Sharon Barnett (3:47:45). For the men Mike Murdoch was 1st home in (3:16:17), followed by Martyn Earl (3:36:56) and Andy Hall (3:39:29).
We had 20 Harriers complete the course of which 18 were ‘paid-up bona fide’ members. Well done to all of you because it is not the easiest of events to do and some were participating under difficult circumstances with niggling and painful injuries. We have to be mad to do what we do but it also involves a lot of courage.
The London Marathon is a unique event which is the envy of many other major city marathon organisers. It embodies the highs of lows of human life when you look at the reasons and the causes for which many of the runners participated yesterday. Whether it was for a child lost at birth to an organisation or raising funds to cure debilitating or incurable diseases, the majority of runners were out there for an unselfish cause. It has been said that running in the United States is a vanity project, but in London there are over 35,000 higher aims.
Many thanks to Bob for liaising with the organisers, arranging the coach and sorting out the marshall packs, another excellent job.
Once again well done to both runners and marshalls, you did a brilliant job, I was proud of you all.
New Constitution
You may recall last year that at the AGM a new constitution was offered to the membership. At the AGM this year it will be necessary for us to decide whether to adopt it. The new constitution is modelled from that proposed by England Athletics of which we are a member.
For those of you who are on the emailing list, you will have received a copy of the new constitution in which the differences with the old have been highlighted. It is an opportunity for you to look at the differences and decide if they are acceptable. It would be helpful if you could have a look at them and let me know if there is anything you are not happy with. This should help us to avoid a long debating session at the AGM when as you can appreciate time will be short.
KAN
Those of you on the emailing list will have received a communication regarding the Kent Athletics Network (KAN). This is part of a nationwide organisation to encourage the development of athletes and coaches.
Mark Dayson is the KAN co-ordinator and has produced a sheet outlining the benefits of joining the network. He has also listed the benefits particular to Maidstone Harriers.
At the moment we have joined the network as we feel it is only right that this should be at the consensus of the membership. You will therefore be asked to vote on whether you wish to become part of this at the AGM.
We have invited Mark along to talk about the network, his role and also to answer any questions you may have. Unfortunately he is unable to attend due to other athletic commitments but someone else may be able to come along in their place.
AGM 2010
Just to remind you that our AGM takes place on Wednesday 28th April at 7.30 pm at the Hockey Club in Armstrong Road. We need to make a prompt start as there are a lot of items to get through. The first drink will be provided by the club and there will be a buffet available.
For those of you on the emailing list you will have received a copy of the AGM agenda. This was included with the new (highlighted) constitution that was sent out to you.
You will also have received by now an email from Paula indicating what positions are vacant on the committee. This is a golden opportunity to be involved with the organising of the club. We have already had some expressions of interest but we are looking for more. As you may have heard me say, it would be good to spread out the jobs so that none of it is onerous on any one individual.
I am pleased to report that we have had an offer of Chairmanship from Floyd Risby. As I mentioned last year I would continue until someone came forward and Floyd has said he would like to stand a second term in that role. Floyd has put together a suggestion for the way forward and this has gone out to the membership on the emailing list.
Speed Training is Under Way
Thursdays are speed training sessions. If you want improve your running times then this is way to do it. When I embarked on speedwork many years ago I saw my times drop dramatically, especially the Half Marathon distance.
Do have a look at the message board, there are some excellent routines to improve your speed, I do recommend it. Floyd Risby is organising the sessions with the help of a few other experienced members. We meet at the Hockey Club at 7.00pm.
Also, Nigel Warren is starting up his core fitness sessions out the back of the Clubhouse tomorrow evening which are essential to maintaining flexibility.
I do implore that you support both these sessions as members are prepared to put themselves out to improve your speed and fitness.
Accompanying Runners for Prospective New Members
Many thanks to all the volunteers who are helping out with looking after prospective new members, it is very much appreciated.
As you know with the increase in membership, I have the pleasure most weeks of introducing new members to the club. One of the difficulties is finding someone for them to run with as quite often they are not sure of their pace or how far they can run. The following group of volunteers are prepared to take it turns to look after the new members for the first couple of weeks.
The ten who have volunteered so far are: -
Di Wright
Peter Foxall
Matt Fraser
Graham Pearson
Russell Morling
Sharon Barnett
Mathew Barnett
Alan Probert
Sarah Brenton
If I have missed anyone off please let me know or if anyone else would like to volunteer, again please let me know. Many thanks.
Club Championship 2010
The following are the list of remaining club championships planned for this year:-
23 May - Canterbury Half*
27 Jun - Weald of Kent 10
11 Jul - Mount Ephraim 10K*
03 Oct - Dulwich Park 10K*
31 Oct - Barns Green Half
05 Dec - Thanet 10*
Note: - Those marked with an asterisk are Grand Prix events
April Diary
April
April 28th – AGM (7.30pm)
April 29th – Speed training
Wednesday's Route
There is no route tonight as it is the AGM.
A passing thought
Don't be dismayed at goodbyes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetime, is certain for those who are friends. ~Richard Bach – American Writer (Born 1936)
Thank You
Take care all of you, thank you for reading Chairchats it has been a pleasure writing them. Be safe and I look forward to seeing you later.
David
Reasonable conditions for our runners and good actions from our Marshals at London.
Cool conditions with some light rain to start with helped the runners on Sunday. This was in contrast to the forecast by our esteemed weathermen at the beginning of last week of soaring temperatures with one of the predicted hottest runs on record. In the event most runners were well prepared and as they came by us marshalling at the 23 mile point, they looked comfortable and were going to finish.
There were the usual number of casualties at our location and many thanks must go to our marshalling team for their hard work. We had to guard a pothole using marshals and tape for the length of the time we were on duty. Many thanks to Grant for standing there with tape tied around his waist linked to other members whilst runners brushed past them. Our team of 40 really came into its own when we had to get a stretcher case and later a chair case across the mass of runners by linking arms and driving a wedge into the throng to create a void for the casualties. The applause of appreciation from the crowds said it all each time we completed the manoeuvre. We also found we had to extend our marshalling area from the entrance to the Tower of London round to Cable Street because other clubs had not turned up. Well done everyone we did a fantastic job.
I am sure you will have seen the results on the website and they are all respectable times. 1st Harrrier home was Sharon Hawkins (3:06:27), followed Julie Stoppani (3:36:55) and Sharon Barnett (3:47:45). For the men Mike Murdoch was 1st home in (3:16:17), followed by Martyn Earl (3:36:56) and Andy Hall (3:39:29).
We had 20 Harriers complete the course of which 18 were ‘paid-up bona fide’ members. Well done to all of you because it is not the easiest of events to do and some were participating under difficult circumstances with niggling and painful injuries. We have to be mad to do what we do but it also involves a lot of courage.
The London Marathon is a unique event which is the envy of many other major city marathon organisers. It embodies the highs of lows of human life when you look at the reasons and the causes for which many of the runners participated yesterday. Whether it was for a child lost at birth to an organisation or raising funds to cure debilitating or incurable diseases, the majority of runners were out there for an unselfish cause. It has been said that running in the United States is a vanity project, but in London there are over 35,000 higher aims.
Many thanks to Bob for liaising with the organisers, arranging the coach and sorting out the marshall packs, another excellent job.
Once again well done to both runners and marshalls, you did a brilliant job, I was proud of you all.
New Constitution
You may recall last year that at the AGM a new constitution was offered to the membership. At the AGM this year it will be necessary for us to decide whether to adopt it. The new constitution is modelled from that proposed by England Athletics of which we are a member.
For those of you who are on the emailing list, you will have received a copy of the new constitution in which the differences with the old have been highlighted. It is an opportunity for you to look at the differences and decide if they are acceptable. It would be helpful if you could have a look at them and let me know if there is anything you are not happy with. This should help us to avoid a long debating session at the AGM when as you can appreciate time will be short.
KAN
Those of you on the emailing list will have received a communication regarding the Kent Athletics Network (KAN). This is part of a nationwide organisation to encourage the development of athletes and coaches.
Mark Dayson is the KAN co-ordinator and has produced a sheet outlining the benefits of joining the network. He has also listed the benefits particular to Maidstone Harriers.
At the moment we have joined the network as we feel it is only right that this should be at the consensus of the membership. You will therefore be asked to vote on whether you wish to become part of this at the AGM.
We have invited Mark along to talk about the network, his role and also to answer any questions you may have. Unfortunately he is unable to attend due to other athletic commitments but someone else may be able to come along in their place.
AGM 2010
Just to remind you that our AGM takes place on Wednesday 28th April at 7.30 pm at the Hockey Club in Armstrong Road. We need to make a prompt start as there are a lot of items to get through. The first drink will be provided by the club and there will be a buffet available.
For those of you on the emailing list you will have received a copy of the AGM agenda. This was included with the new (highlighted) constitution that was sent out to you.
You will also have received by now an email from Paula indicating what positions are vacant on the committee. This is a golden opportunity to be involved with the organising of the club. We have already had some expressions of interest but we are looking for more. As you may have heard me say, it would be good to spread out the jobs so that none of it is onerous on any one individual.
I am pleased to report that we have had an offer of Chairmanship from Floyd Risby. As I mentioned last year I would continue until someone came forward and Floyd has said he would like to stand a second term in that role. Floyd has put together a suggestion for the way forward and this has gone out to the membership on the emailing list.
Speed Training is Under Way
Thursdays are speed training sessions. If you want improve your running times then this is way to do it. When I embarked on speedwork many years ago I saw my times drop dramatically, especially the Half Marathon distance.
Do have a look at the message board, there are some excellent routines to improve your speed, I do recommend it. Floyd Risby is organising the sessions with the help of a few other experienced members. We meet at the Hockey Club at 7.00pm.
Also, Nigel Warren is starting up his core fitness sessions out the back of the Clubhouse tomorrow evening which are essential to maintaining flexibility.
I do implore that you support both these sessions as members are prepared to put themselves out to improve your speed and fitness.
Accompanying Runners for Prospective New Members
Many thanks to all the volunteers who are helping out with looking after prospective new members, it is very much appreciated.
As you know with the increase in membership, I have the pleasure most weeks of introducing new members to the club. One of the difficulties is finding someone for them to run with as quite often they are not sure of their pace or how far they can run. The following group of volunteers are prepared to take it turns to look after the new members for the first couple of weeks.
The ten who have volunteered so far are: -
Di Wright
Peter Foxall
Matt Fraser
Graham Pearson
Russell Morling
Sharon Barnett
Mathew Barnett
Alan Probert
Sarah Brenton
If I have missed anyone off please let me know or if anyone else would like to volunteer, again please let me know. Many thanks.
Club Championship 2010
The following are the list of remaining club championships planned for this year:-
23 May - Canterbury Half*
27 Jun - Weald of Kent 10
11 Jul - Mount Ephraim 10K*
03 Oct - Dulwich Park 10K*
31 Oct - Barns Green Half
05 Dec - Thanet 10*
Note: - Those marked with an asterisk are Grand Prix events
April Diary
April
April 28th – AGM (7.30pm)
April 29th – Speed training
Wednesday's Route
There is no route tonight as it is the AGM.
A passing thought
Don't be dismayed at goodbyes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetime, is certain for those who are friends. ~Richard Bach – American Writer (Born 1936)
Thank You
Take care all of you, thank you for reading Chairchats it has been a pleasure writing them. Be safe and I look forward to seeing you later.
David