Lawrie Baker completed the course in 40:45. Well done Lawrie.

Unlike the previous week when the torrential rain stopped ten minutes before the start of race. Today it stopped after the race. The weather was atrocious very windy continuing rain. The start is 200m on Wimbledon Common (Rushmere Pond) but the pond had over flowed onto the common making it water logged. Once onto the road across the common, parts were under water and most one or two inches deep. For any of our members who used to compete in the SE of E 12 Stage Relays will know the start and the first 3k of that very undulating route. When reaching the top of the very steep hill the runners went along past Belgrave Hall to Wimbledon Village then came back for another loop on road around the common to finish with a 300m run across the water logged/muddy common. This was unfortunate owing to the adverse conditions.
I spoke to the winner of the men’s race who was over a minute and ¾ slower than 2009 and he said “As the cars pass by the spray just drowned you” his time was 35.18.
This was the first time I had been to this event and I would recommend it. The organisation was 1st class and with the conditions today they coped excellently with Gazebo’s for cover when registering and to store baggage in the dry and plenty of Marshals, Bananas and Lucozade. And very good prizes. Isabelle Bertrand ran well enough to finish 3rd lady in 44.46 and without a doubt would have got under 44.00 had it not been for the weather conditions. Knowing it was going to be tough achieving a PB Isabelle’s 3rd place Cup also a very welcome gift that helped forget the gloomy weather conditions and getting soaked. Well done Isabelle.

We won the world cup in 1966 and that is how many runners finished today (Useless Information). The rain dropped down in bucket full’s to greet all the runners as they arrived parking their cars. Then at 10.00am those in charge of the weather on cloud nine ran out of buckets. And the race started in reasonable conditions as their performances and times show.
A good turnout of 10 members all running and preparing for the “London” and there was also a couple of PBs to my knowledge. (Also more useless info there are 52 pages of results).
The men’s winner Jean Ndyasenga (easier to write than to pronounce) in 64.04 (graded % 92.05)
The ladies winner was Liz Yelling in 76.63. (Graded 85.42%)
I will put the age graded % in brackets (In case I lose them). All positions are o/a. Not M/F categories.
Our first to cross the finish line was Paul Dennis in 100th position in a time of 1.29.39 (72.65), Laura Hales 0/40 was 244th in a PB time of 1.28.09 (76.97), Kay Trinder 0/40 was 268th in 1.28.59 (78.80), Sarah Cory 0/40 in a PB time of 1.29.14 (77.93), Miche Oldham 0/35 was 374th in 1.32.06 (71.38), Sally Stubbs 0/35 was 383rd in 1.33.19 (71.54), Geoff Williams 0/60 was 426th in 1.34.33 (77.05), Jenna Tarrant 443rd in 1.35.17 (68.77), Duncan Irvine 0/55 was 488th in 1.36.30 (72.20) and Kim Warner 0/50 was 568th in 12.38.30 (66.70).
Mike is three years older than Kim and although Mike was three seconds slower his age performance was better than Kim’s. Mike Warner 0/50 was 572nd in 1.38.33 (68.32).
Those achieving club standards are Geoff by 10 minutes (CS 1.45.14) and our young 0/40 girls Laura by 6 min’s. (CS 1.33.54), Kay (by 4min’s) and Sarah by (4 min’s).
Kay’s age graded % was the best performance of the ten. Well done every one and good luck in the “London”.

Ian Beston was our only member running the 10 mile event and finished in 78.35. I believe the 10m starts at the same time as the 20 miler. Five members started the longer race and they produced some very good performances looking at their times.
Paul Dennis 2.10.52; Ramona Thevenet Smith 2.39.38. This is a ladies 0/50 new club record.
Duncan Irvine 2.40.16; Kim Warner 2.43.44; Andy Smith 3.11.14. Also a very good performance by ex-member Bel Levene running 2.10.52 (6.5 per. mile)

Mike Warner arrived in time from the Chessinton 10k He Drove. Did he discard his T-Shirt? That is the question “To Freeze or not to Freeze”.
Mike’s own description of the event: The course was Multi-Terrain and quite hilly with three laps twisty sharp turnings. My time was 50.03 very disappointing but all done not bad. Nice one Mike
P.S. You look better in just a singlet. That T-Shirt made you look old ish.

There are still millions of friendly humans on this planet as I saw today. The race starts off road in the service roads of an industrial estate and the runners complete a small 200m lap to get spread out before joining the main road passing Chessington Theme Parks.
On arrival we saw a big hazard. The road was being dug up bang right outside where the runners emerged. The organiser Peter Tozer of 26.2 club (Who incidentally is a journalist and very good pal and worked alongside Ian Todd for many years) looked like having a problem on his hands. But he politely went and spoke to the manager in charge of the road workers. And he readily agreed to show stop on both sets of traffic lights so bringing the traffic to a halt in both directions when given the nod. The co-operation was excellent and very much appreciated by Peter. There were around 500 entries and among them we had a winner. Kay Trinder finished 1st 0/40 Lady and 6th o/a in a time of 40.21 well inside the club standard of 43.01. Starting off with Isabelle Bertrand and both staying together for a mile or so. Then Kay went away as she noticed a good 0/40 girl (Pippa Major) that she knew and started to close the gap and eventually passed her around the 8k mark. Kay running very strongly going up the miserable hill from 8 to 9k. Certainly taking a big scalp. But Kay would take no credit for her winning the age group saying Pippa had suffered breathing difficulties (Asthma) and received Paramedic attention. Kay spoke to Pippa after and was pleased to say all was well. Our next home was an event regular 0/50 Mike Warner and I would like this put into the clubs history book. Because after over 25 years as a member running in BITTER cold/blizzards/rain you name it and Mike has always worn his Woking singlet in every event he has run. Including training at 5/6am at times. BUT maybe age? He actually wore a short sleeve T-Shirt under his famous Woking singlet.
And has now been nicknamed WW (Wimpy Warner) Mike came past me along side Isabelle but going up to the 9k mark he edged slightly ahead and going nice and relaxed to finish in 44.10. I began to wonder why I never saw Mike at the finish as usual. REASON: The Chessington 10k started at 9.00am and the he took 44.06 to run it. Then off to Sandown Park to run the Multi-Terrain 10k there starting at 10.30.
Isabelle Bertrand starting off with Kay until her pace was too fast for Isabelle so then ran her own pace in the same group as Mike and both passed me together at the 8k but Mike held his pace up the hill Isabelle just kept him in her sights and finished in 44.28. A little disappointed with her performance but after a chat with Kay felt a lot better. Isabelle has run a faster time and is capable and has the ability to get nearer the 40.00 minute mark.

The re-arranged fixture saw an entry of 154 roughly about 50 short of the usual amount. Probably because of previous arrangements. The weather was very/very cold (A couple of Eskimo’s went home). The Mabac committee would like to thank all those that rallied around assisting (some at short notice) owing to the organiser for the past 31 years Ralph Henley unable to make it. Thanks to Peter Collins for marking out the Sen. /Jnr. Courses and supplying finishing time clock.
Chris Lovell and wife Beverley marshalling and picking up many markers on returning to the finish, John Robinson helping Jenny with the numbers and timing, Barry Dennis clearing up the junior course. And the regular marshal’s Colin and Julia attending the Deer gates. Graham Dench for marshalling and clearing the area of markers. And for safely moving the finish funnel off the muddy grass onto the road. Also to those who arranged the drinks and the many back room staff volunteers. Many thanks from Ralph (Mr.Mabac) Henley folks.
In this event there is a challenge to run the 8 miles in as many minutes as your age. Obviously you have to be in a certain age bracket. Those that achieved this were Mike Bott, Dave Nichols, Fred Bell, John Coffey and Christine Flynn as women have minus 15% off their time. Christine was over a minute faster in 2009 though. Well done Christine. The race itself went well especially for Jo Rodriguez who was doubly pleased it was cancelled in January because at that time Jo was still recovering from an injury that she obtained during the Reigate Relays. But now fully fit again and competing in her first race since the relays (Nov.7th). So today Jo ran her new long white socks off her feet by clocking 48.01 (6/mm) and breaking the women’s course record of 52.36 held by since 1998 .Today Jo finished in 6th place o/a. Had Jo known about the record at the finish I’m sure she would have run the course again warming down and celebrating. Nice one Jo.
Standing at the 4 mile post all our members came past relaxed and looking comfortable and smiling
(I have photos to prove it). Why they were smiling I don’t know because they were about to ascend
in the next two miles TWO (2) ½ mile long/steep hills (serves them right). Whether the smiles were still there as they entered the funnel (I have no photos to prove that). Last year’s time is in brackets.
The finish order was: Paul Dennis 4th in 47.48 (48.50), Jason Harris 5th in 47.54 (47.32), Jo Rodriguez 1st lady 5th o/a in 48.01 (Ladies Course Record), Greg Swabey 17th in 52.40, Sarah Cory 3rd lady 21st o/a in 53.25, John Coffey 45th in 58.09 (58.17), Claire Phipps 71st in 58.53, Isabelle Bertrand 54th in 59.18, Fred Bell 80th in 62.03, Sally Stubbs 87th in 62.47, Christine Flynn 102nd in 65.49 (64.33), Fiona Bishop 103rd in 65.49, Dave Nichols 104th in 65.53, Mike Bott 105th in 65.56, Barbara Rodriguez 116th in 67.57 (76.38). Christine/Fiona/Dave/Mike ran together all the way as a fitness outing. Well done Barbara whose time was nine minutes faster than 2009.
Fred Bell/John Coffey both ran in the men’s Surrey XC lge the previous day and today “Beat Their Age” John being 68 beat it by 10 min, Fred is 66 by 4min, Mike is 67 by 2 min, Dave is 66 by 1min. And a big well done to Christine who also beat her age in minutes by 45 seconds. Three girls Sarah/Isabelle/Sally also ran the previous day in the ladies Surrey XC league.
Well done every one.

In bitter cold weather 26 braved the arctic conditions. Fred Bell was our first to cross the line relaxed and in comfort all part of his gradual build up for his first half marathon as a 0/65 in the Fleet ½ in six weeks time. Today Fred ran 21.24. Ramona Thevenet Smith came flying through the park gates beginning to look fitter and running better after a couple of months over the Christmas celebrating her 50th birthday then a couple of weeks in Egypt. Ran 22.18 then dashed away to work. Debbie McGraw not enjoying breathing the very cold/sharp air was nearly a minute outside her best with a time of 23.49. Alan Davidson 0/60 a 2nd claim member who runs in the Vets T&F league today ran 19.58 to finish 4th o/a. Mark Coxhead continuing to run very well after his very serious illness of 5 years ago today ran 22.36 and Chris Lovell now 0/67 enjoying a run when the weather does not make it too dangerous ran 30.09 his best when fit and a little younger was 17.35.