Stopsley Striders
Presentation Awards for 2005
Senior Man
This man started his year in March and managed to get through the full year up to December BUT at a cost. His first love cross country. But it seems to have been worth it. He ran a total of 14 races and managed to hit an amazing 8 PB’s. He ran PB’s in all distances from 5k to half marathon. His only problem seems to be in winning a race. He finished second in three races during the year. Hopefully winning his first race is saved for this year. He seems to have the Sergi Bubka touch of just a little at a time. I don’t think he gets paid by the second. After his first three 10k PB’s he had only knocked off 33 seconds, but it does show how consistent his running is. The good thing about this chap is although he is much faster than most of us, (he takes after his greyhound), he is always willing to drop back and help the rest of us out (hopefully not like his greyhound!). He finished third in the Vauxhall three race series, and third senior in the County 5k championships. He was second senior in the County 10 miles championships and first senior man in the County half marathon championships. So hopefully the improvement will continue in 2006. Our Senior Man for 2005 is
GERRY TAYLOR
Senior Woman
When we talk about running two of the words most commonly used are “if only” I think they fit this lady exactly. If only we could get her fully fit and healthy for a year we would have a very high class athlete on our hands. Maybe even good enough to have Hayley checking over her shoulder. She did not get her first race in until the end of May, finishing second lady beaten only by an ex international. In her next race she finished third and without going through all her races one by one, she only managed eight road races for the year as her season again finished early in August. In her eight races she had three first places, three second places and 2 third places. She was first in the County 5 mile championships, first in the County 5k championships and managed to hit four PB’s. She won the Vauxhall 5 mile and was second in the Vauxhall 5k and first in the Vauxhall 10k, which also meant she won the 3 race series. Even though on paper she had a very good year she was happy with only one, possibly two of her race times which just goes to show the lady has the right attitude and all she needs is a change of luck. Talking about a change, this lady certainly brings a change of clothes I have never known anybody that wears so many layers! Even when it is 90 degrees outside along she comes with gloves and hat in tow!! Seriously though all we can do is encourage her to keep her head up and keep going. She knows the whole club is behind her and hoping 2006 is the start of the good times for her. So wishing her the very best of luck for 2006 our Senior Woman of 2005 is
MICHELLE FRIEND
Male Vet Award
And what a year this man has had. It reads like a fairytale. He missed out on London through injury. He did his first race in April where he finished second Vet 40 & 45 in the County 10k Championships. Six weeks later he improved his 10k time and finished 4th overall and second Vet in Stockwood. He missed a lot of the summer through injury, but maybe it worked in his favour. He returned in September where he finished second Vet 40 & 45 in the County 10 mile Championships. Now this man has been running for about the last 15 years or maybe more. His ambition has always been to run under 1hr 20min for the half marathon and under 60 mins for 10miles. He ran 59.54 once in 1996 but has not got under the hour again since. He went to run the Bishops Stortfod 10 miles on November 20th where he ran 59.58 and just missed his PB. 3 days later on November 23rd he ran the Henlow 10 miles where he not only finished third Vet 40 but ran a new PB of 59.50. Now we all want to know what he is on as we all want a share! But there was even better to come. On Sunday 11th November he went to Bedford to run the County half marathon championships. Many of us have known this chap since he joined us here at Striders and feel that he went to Bedford with a new confidence and a spring in his step. Not only did he finish first Vet 40 & 45 in the County but he achieved his ambition with a time of 1.19.29! I think everybody in the club was pleased for him as he has had so many near misses in the last few years. Now we all want to know why it has happened now. Perhaps it is because he knows Gerry moves into the Vet category this year!! So our Vet man of 2005 is
JOHN CHAPMAN
Lady Vet Award
At the start of the year this lady set her sights on one target, that was to run a good London Marathon. Any other good performances were to be a bonus.
She competed in, all our league cross country races. In addition she competed on the Southern and National cross country races.
The road running was limited due to the marathon training.
She finished 1st Vet 45 in the Berkhamstead, ½ marathon and had a good run in the Oakley 20 miles.
This lady is dedicated and rigorously sticks to her training programme. If you are running with her and you return early she will insist on adding on the time in order to complete the full training time.
After the National cross country race in Birmingham last year, her training programme for the next day said 2 hours. With four others she went out for her run. They all returned after 1hr 58min 40sec. 80 seconds left to do, so it was past the hotel for another 40seconds, turn around and come back again. Nor even after a race the previous day is anyone allowed to get away by shortening a training schedule. This is one factor that makes this lady the tough racing character she is.
Entering the London Marathon well prepared and fit, she completed the run in 3hrs 41min 29 sec. This being a P.B. from her marathon performance 16 years earlier. The training and the marathon run did take its toll, the recovery period was longer than she would have wished. However in the autumn the performances came back.
Leighton Buzzard 10 miles, 3rd Sen. woman, 3rd Vet. 35 & 40, 2nd Vet 45 in the county championships.
Bedford ½ Marathon 3rd Vet 35, 2nd Vet 40 & 45 in the county championships.
During the year the pinnacle of her performance was the London Marathon. This year she has gained automatic qualification, this means for all her running partners no short or earl finish training runs.
The Vet lady for 2005 is
Karen Ashby.
Lady Super Vet Award
In all the length of time we have been giving yearly awards we don’t think that we have ever had to share one before. We would have needed a magician to separate these two ladies over the year. They even ran the same number of road races for the year. They are that close so we feel it would not be fair to separate them. Their year went like this:
Margaret Chew
The Wilshire |
10K |
1st Vet 50 |
The Flitwick |
10K |
1st Vet 55 in race & County Champs |
The Cranfield |
5k |
1st Vet 50 County Champs |
The Beast |
|
1st Vet 50 |
New Forest |
½ mar |
1st Vet 50 |
Leighton Buzzard |
10mls |
1st Vet 50 in race and County Champs |
The Ridgeway |
15K |
1st Vet 55 |
The Salisbury |
½ mar |
1st Vet 55 |
Breda Haughton
The Dublin |
5mls |
1st Vet 65 |
Vauxhall |
5mls |
1st Vet 50 in race & County Champs |
Cranfield |
5mls |
1st Vet 65 |
Vauxhall |
5k |
1st Vet 60 |
Vauxhall |
10k |
1st Vet 60 in race & series |
Derry |
½ mar |
P.B. + 1st Vet 55 |
Leighton Buzzard |
10 mls |
1st Vet 60 County Champs |
Bedford |
½ mar |
1st Vet 60 County Champs |
Both ladies also completed the league cross country races.
Our 2 Super Vet Ladies for 2005 are
MARGARET CHEW and BREDA HAUGHTON
Male Super Vet Award
This man started his year with a first vet 50 place in the Berhamstead half marathon. He spent a long time during the winter thinking about whether to do London or not and in the end decided to have a go. Now all of us who know this man well, know that he just does not “give something a go”. He puts 100% effort into everything he does. And so a Vet 50 running 2.54 for the marathon proves just that. He continued his year by finishing first Vet 50 in the St Albans half marathon for the third year running. He finished second Vet 50 in the County 5 mile championships and then lost two months to our dreaded “friend” the injury! But he got back in shape to finish first Vet 40, 45 & 50 in the County 10 mile championships. In December he was first Vet 50 in the County half marathon championships and first vet 50 at the Buntingford 10 mile.
Now this man is not just a good runner but is also a very big asset to the club with his help and knowledge, not only with running but also with nutrition as well. Many people have benefited from his expertise especially some of the first time marathoners. So our Super Vet Man for 2005 is
CHRIS LAMONT
Female Newcomer
Although this lady did not join us until very late in 2005 all the club coaches and captain’s have staked their reputation on her being our find of the year. Just a little bit of pressure to see how she reacts! We have no doubt she will go on and confirm the outstanding ability she has shown already. She is only running 3 times a week at the moment. In her first race for the club she was our first female finisher in our league cross country race at Wootton. In her second cross country race and without any time to prepare or warm up she was our first female strider home again. She was also 4th lady in the Bedfordshire County Cross Country Championships and in doing so claimed her automatic place on the Beds County Team. Not too bad for a beginner. So with a newcomer like that on board I think everybody here at Striders can look forward to 2006 with anticipation. Our Female Newcomer for 2005 is
JOANNE WILSON
Male Newcomer
Since joining us here at Striders in July, this man has raced at every distance from 5k to half marathon and has done very well in all of them. In such a short time however he has also found out what it is like to be out injured. But he has still managed to knock 2 mins of his 10k PB. But by far his best run so far is his 36.05 five mile race on the tough Vauxhall course. Something else he has got that many of us haven’t is youth on his side. So with a little bit of guidance and a lot of hard work this time next year should show the BIG improvement continuing.
Our Male Newcomer of 2005 goes to
NEIL BUNKER
Male Cross Country Award
This man had a very good cross country season. He was first Strider to finish in our five cross country races in early 2005 and our second and third finisher in our two league races in November and December. He was second Vet 50 in the County Cross Country Championships where he also led his Vet 50 Team to first place in the County Championships. He also had a very good run in the Southern Counties and an exceptionally good run in the National Cross Country in Birmingham where he finished about 750th which is a remarkable run for a club of our standard. He also finished second Vet 50 in our cross country league. Now I think we spoke earlier of this chap being a very good clubman which he proved in December by running the 2006 Cross Country County Championships on Saturday 17th but was also our 3rd Strider home in our league race on Sunday morning 18th. Never let it be said that this man only runs cross country for the food afterwards! So our Cross Country Man for 2005 is
CHRIS LAMONT
Female Cross Country Award
This award was another close run decision. Each club needs members that you can rely on. This lady is on of those. You can always rely on her being there and will never let you or the club down, both by her presence and her performances.
She competed in all the x – country league races in 2005.
She was a member of the Stopsley Striders Ladies team , that won the County Championship Ladies Vet category.
She was the 2nd lady Vet 45 in the x-country league.
She was one of two ladies from the club who ran in the Southern Counties x country and the only lady representing the club in the National Championships.
On taking on the role of Ladies Captain she has transformed the representation of ladies now taking part in the x-country league. She has more than doubled the number of ladies regularly taking part in these races. What is more important is the fact that these ladies seem to be enjoying taking part in these races.
She is always ready to help and advise all the newcomers to the club. With a lady like her in the club , we as a club can only go from strength to strength.
The female x country female for 2005 is
Karen Ashby.
Marathon Performance Award
This man has to be one of our most unlucky Marathon Runners. He has entered so many marathons and trained for them until, normally in the last week or 10 days injury or illness takes over and bang goes another marathon! We know that Blackpool was not his first choice last year that one went like a lot of the others!! In fact we don’t think Blackpool would be many people’s choice on a hot June day, but with his sort of luck you take what you can get! His race went all right for 20 miles but then he battled on for the last 6 miles which is all you can do in that situation as we never think about pulling out (It’s not allowed!) He still ran well and managed to run a PB we well remember reading his comments afterwards they read “hot thirsty and 6 miles of pure torture!” So for his hard effort and grim determination on June 19th this performance award goes to
PAUL KEECH.
Marathon Performance Award
For many years now most of us in the club know that this man has a very natural talent, but for one reason or another just never seems to get a sustained period of training together. But that all changed last year. We think it was because his son took up athletics and showed an exceptional talent, especially for sprint hurdling. It gave this man the wake up call he needed. He decided in the summer that he would like to run the Luton Marathon in December. Now as we all know Luton is not the fastest course in England but he finished first Strider on the day with a PB of over 21 mins. So a well earned performance award goes to
DANNY KELLY.
Marathon Performance Award
Now this lady ran her only marathon 10 years ago. We don’t know whether it’s because it hurt so much or what her reason was she did not get around to running another one until last year. This lady has never been known for her sprinting ability so it was always going to be an endurance battle. Again she got a lot of help from her family. We have heard her husband say he felt that he could run the marathon at that time as well as he had nearly as much training done as her. But we think most of his miles were on the bicycle!. Her preparation for the marathon went very well because Bill remembers walking over a mile to the coach with her before we came home and she did not even look like she had run a marathon! So in her second marathon, 10 years after her first she knocked 70 mins off her PB. A performance award goes to
GILL McLAREN
Marathon Performance Award
This man we know would be pleased just to be able to keep running. Down the years he has been injured about as much time as he has been running. Then on top of that he spends nearly as much time involved in athletics administration as he does in his full time job. So how he fits in time to train for a marathon on top of all that we do not know. He ran very well during the summer. We remember that he ran a very good Milton Keynes half marathon in July as part of his training for a marathon in Basel – Switzerland – due to take place in October. But then his old friend the injury hit again but he battled on. So between physio advice and a new toughened determination that he was going to do his marathon, he did, and managed to knock 10 mins of his 15 year old PB. So a well earned performance award goes to
DAVE YOUNG
Marathon Performance Award
Now when we talk about marathon runners we all assume we are talking about 7 stone ladies and 10 stone men. But we ask you to just take a look at this man. How anybody can carry a muscular frame like his for 26 and ¼ miles we think deserves a solid gold medal! We are not saying that the man is fat because there honestly is no flab at all, it is just that he has the completely wrong build for what one would consider a marathon runner to look like. Bill remembers thinking the night his name came out from the rejection slips draw “Tony I would rather you than me” But he battled and trained hard for a solid 15 weeks having to fit in the training around his shift patterns – the criminals wouldn’t go away so he could concentrate on his training! Most inconsiderate. Very few people said little at the time they just watched in admiration. But one piece of advice from Bill, if you decide on another marathon you have to prepare your dietary requirements very carefully and that includes a hamburger the night before! It was nice to see that he got an awful lot of support and help from a very close family, which was lovely to see. Everybody in the club who has run a few marathons has nothing but admiration for your effort. Bill was very delighted to say that “yes” he was at the “S” tree when a very sore, very stiff but very very happy man finished his marathon to be welcomed by none other than his family. A very well earned performance award goes to
TONY GREEN
Marathon Performance Award
This man has been a Stopsley Strider for about 20 years. But you would never think it when you see him, he only looks about 30 at the most!. He joined us very young! This year he has had a resurgence in his running. Ever since the autumn he has found a new lease of life and his race times have come tumbling down to where they were 10 years ago. We think it must be all the partying and the holidays! What ever his secret is, it is working well. So after finishing 2nd Strider in the Luton Marathon in 3hrs 24 mins a performance award goes to
GRAHAM FENSON
Marathon Performance Award
This man has only been with us here at Striders for a couple of years and in April 2005 he ran his first marathon the Shakespeare Marathon. We feel that he learned what so many first timers learn you have got to treat the marathon distance with respect. Never be afraid of it but respect it. He decided to give Luton a go in December and put in more training for it. This time he did work hard and his training went well for him. He ran very well and knocked 45 mins off his PB and the coaches feel that there is a lot of improvement to come yet. So a performance award goes to
KIERAN FITZPATRICK
Marathon Performance Award
When we tell you this award winner is a Vet 50+ but is still Stopsley Striders fastest marathon runner in 2005, it shows just how much talent the man has. But his biggest asset is his self discipline and his ability to do his own thing and do what suits him in his build up to the event. He is a very knowledgeable runner and always willing to help and advise other runners. I think running a 2hr 54 mins marathon at 52 years of age says all we need to say about this performance award winner
CHRIS LAMONT
Marathon Performance Award
If we could get this man to give up his football and concentrate on running only we would have a sub 3 hour marathon runner on our hands. We all pick up enough injuries from running without the extra ones from football as well. We never knew until the night whether he was going to turn up or not and if he did what shape he would be in. If we think back to his training for the London, his only race preparation was one 10 mile race. But the man proved he is a good battler and even though he ran the first half of the marathon too slow as he finished full of running he still did very well with a first marathon time of 3hrs 25 mins.
A performance award goes to
JOHN FORD
Marathon Performance Award
For many years it was a running joke with this man that he could not call himself a distance runner until he had run a marathon. In the end we embarrassed him into applying. After one month suffering from shock he started his preparation for London and in the first week hurt his back. Just to make things a little tougher the man does (or did) one week on 24 hour a day call-out every month. After missing a few sessions early on things could only get better and they sure did. It was not until after he completed the Oakley 20 miles he really believed he could do it. He ended up running what can only be described as the perfect marathon. His 4 x 10k splits had all of 11 secs difference between the slowest and the fastest. His second half was faster than his first half. So it ended for the man who for years said “NO I will never run a marathon” ended up running what can only be described as the perfect marathon. Mind you he has had to take drastic measures by taking early retirement to train for this years London Marathon! This performance award goes to
DAVE DEBNAM
Marathon Performance Award
Another runner doing his first marathon. In fact this man could have got this award for any one of 2 or 3 performances last year. He did extremely well as he was doing the wrong type of training for a marathon for the fist few weeks until one night in conversation he happened to mention he was doing the London. From then on it was all systems go and he worked very hard in his preparation. On the day he had a marathon of 2 halves 20 miles and 6 miles. Then the big wall got in the way for the last 4 miles especially. But he still ran a very impressive time of 3 hrs 38 mins. A performance award goes to
PETER BRESLIN
Marathon Performance Award
This man was also making his marathon debut. He had done very few distance races in the lead up to the marathon. His training had gone very well and he started at the right pace and managed to keep it going very evenly up until the last few miles proving the point that even pace is the best way to run a marathon. He completed his marathon in 3hrs 39 mins and went on to have a very successful season after that. A performance award goes to
STUART HARRIES
Improvement Award
Since her first race in May this lady has showed a very steady improvement right throughout the year. Racing mostly 10k’s, she has raced all over the south of England and even some in Scotland. Now I can see a number of ladies going “Well it’s not me then!” She has improved very consistently over the year knocking almost 7 ½ mins of her 10k time including 5 PB’s. In November she did her first cross country race so now we can call her a complete all rounder. So hoping the improvement continues in 2006 One of our Improvement Awards for 2005 goes to
JANE REECE
Improvement Award
Bad news lads it’s another lady. This female runner has also raced mostly 10k’s and again very successfully. Right throughout the year it has been PB after PB long may it continue. She has actually managed to run 6 PB’s for the year and knock 5 ¼ mins of her time at the start of the year. Another lady who has started to run cross country and we do not think we have ever seen anybody enjoy it so much. No matter what part of the course you see her on, or however much effort she is putting in, she always has a big smile on her face which is an unusual sight to see especially in cross country. Another of our Improvement Awards for 2005 goes to
ELAINE HARRIES
Improvement Award
It gets worse fellers, it’s another woman. Although not having done as many races as the other ladies, as this lady seems to spend more of her time helping out with the running of the club. She is always involved when there is food needed or something to be organised. Another lady who has really taken to cross country and has run 3 PB’s in 2005 knocking almost 8 mins of her 10k time for the year. Another Improvement Award goes to
BEV GREEN
Improvement Award
The wait is over fellers! We have got one! This man has raced at all distances from 5k to half marathon during 2005. He has knocked almost 4 mins off his 10k time and has run 6PB’s throughout the year. Just to narrow the field down a bit he went to Seattle to run his 5mile PB. He is a man with a lot of talent but because of work commitments can never get a good long run of training together. Therefore all the more credit should go to another Improvement Award Winner
GARY FOWLER
Performance Award
Since this lady joined us here at Striders in 2002 she has shown a very steady improvement. Although she lost a couple of months in 2003 with an injury she bounced back to continue her improvement. Again last year she struggled for a couple of months through illness. But in the summer she seemed to get it all together and in September she knocked 21 mins off her 10 mile PB time in Leighton Buzzard. So for that performance an award goes to
ALISON SUGARS
Performance Award
This man could have got this award for any one of about three races he has done this year. He started the year with an injury and missed London, which maybe was why he ended his year so well. We all hear about how we get slower as we get older, well not everybody does as this man has proved. I think it shows what some self belief and confidence can do. It just proves age is not a barrier if your preparation is right. So if a man can achieve his ambition of running under 1.20 for a half marathon after 15 or 16 years of trying then he certainly deserves a Performance Award.
Our winner is
JOHN CHAPMAN
Ken Abbott Award
This award normally goes to somebody who has suffered a serious long term injury or set back and managed to recover and get back to running in the face of such adversity.
For years this man has been ever present and it would be acknowledged the leader of a group of dedicated and focused runners. Many club members have passed through his group gaining experience and that hunger to constantly improve in their performance. His enthusiasm is infectious.
During 2005, wear and tear began to take its toll on his knees, eventually having to bow to doctor’s advice and give up running. However during his medical examinations a rather more serious medical condition was found. This condition not only tested him physically but also mentally. Having both of these problems at the same time would have driven many of us to despair and would have broken our spirit. Not this man however. The battling qualities he has shown through his running came to the fore. Despite many anxious times, it is so pleasing to see him back at the running club, with that trade mark grin of his. Seeing him go out for a slow run, which is racing pace for most of us, is a testament to his determination and application to a past time he loves. He has been a member for 21 years.
The 2005 Ken Abbott Award goes to
Peter Govier.
Special Award
This member is ever present, just inside the door, every club night. He is one of the first members newcomers see when they enter the cub room. More often than not he is one the first experienced member, new runners, run out with. During the beginners course this year, he was ever present, lending a helping hand, guiding, encouraging and sharing his experience with novices. Many have remained under his guidance as they trust in his ability. It is so nice to see someone who is prepared to give of their time freely for the benefit and development of others. Being a member of the club for 12 years. For his work with our new members this Special Award is presented to: -
Ivor Webb.
Special Award
One of the quiet men of the club, if this man ever took anything as a stimulant, it would probably be Horlicks!! Again he is one of the first people who new runners are paired with when first joining the club. He gathers around him a group of runners who trust in his experience and regularly go out with him on training runs. Again during the beginner’s course he also gave of his time and experience freely. Taking part in this obviously whetted his appetite for training runners, So much so, that this autumn he took part in and was successful on the Level 1 Coaches Course. Amassing 21 years experience. For his work with our new members this Special award is presented to : -
Dave Weedon.
Special Award
Special Awards are given to members who, give freely of their time, in order to advance and develop the club. They also work tirelessly for others. No body works harder that this man for Stopsley Striders. Again he is a man who goes about his business in a quiet and efficient manner. He receives and deals with all the club correspondence. He represents the club at other meetings such as the AAA’s and Luton Sport. He deals with membership issues and keeps all essential club records. He prepares accurate and concise minutes of club meetings. He always has at hand records that need to be referred to during committee meetings. His experience and guidance is invaluable. He always has a part to play in all club events be them running or social. He officiates, records, fetches, carries, scrounges and always delivers. In December he took on the role of Chief Marshall for the Luton Marathon. He delivered all his family, plus his daughter’s boyfriend and his neighbours, so the club could stage a quality event.
He continually works for the benefit of each and every club member, devoting a majority of his spare time to club matters. There is also a rumour that in his down time from club matters, he also runs for his own benefit!
For the man who has been a member for 4 years, was catapulted straight onto the committee in the role of secretary. The man who ensures, the committee and the club run smoothly and allow the rest of us to enjoy all the benefits of the club.
This Special Award is presented to:
Chris McLaren.
Special Award
Since this young lady joined Striders two and a half years ago, she has gone from strength to strength. It really was a learning process for all of us as we had never had a 16 year old at our club before. Many people did not think that she would stay very long, one 16 year old amongst a group of 40 and 50 year olds who were not exactly into discos and pop music! But it goes to show how wrong you can be, because if you are dedicated enough, small things like age difference are not a problem. Mind you living the life of a tri-athlete and going to college does not leave much time for clubbing and enjoying yourself. But she has really made 2005 HER year. In March she won the Luton Young Sportswoman of the Year, in June she finished third junior in the du-athlon championships in Milton Keynes. In August she finished second in her age group in the London Triathlon and was selected for the World Championships in Japan. In September she competed in the World Championships where she finished eighteenth and first British woman. She then went onto compete in the World Bi-athlon Championships in Monaco, which consists of run, swim, run and finished third and again first British lady. She also finished in third place in the World Series. We realise that we have not commented on half of this lady’s events for the year as she could have filled a diary on her own. What we would like to say seriously to her is “think of London 20012. It is there for you”. We genuinely believe that you have the ability, the talent and most important of all the commitment to make it all the way to London. With the help and support you get from your family it is all there for you. So with everybody at Striders watching your progress (no pressure then)! We wish you good luck and every success. A Special Award goes to:
Natalie Barnard
Special Award
If there is a lesson to be learnt from this person’s achievements in 2005 it has to be ‘Don’t give up on your dream’. It is never too late to improve your times. Having had a very interrupted early part of the season through injury and having to drop his plans to run the London Marathon he more than made amends in the latter part of the year. He has also become a very important and helpful group member always willing to help out or run with somebody or give advice when the need arises. The rough guide line for many male runners is the 3hour marathon, the 1hour 20mins half marathon and the sub 60 minute 10 miles. This man has run under 3 hours for the marathon and under 60 minutes for 10miles, but that was nine years ago but he had never gone under 1hr 20mins for the half marathon and he was starting to think his time was running out and it would never happen. Last year he found a new confidence and belief in himself and it worked! He not only ran under 60mins in two 10mile races but he achieved what must have seemed impossible to him after so many near misses in the last 15 years. He ran a magical 1.19.29 in the Bedford Half Marathon in December. So for anybody with an ambition to achieve a time DON’T give up at least not for 15years! So for his efforts in 2005 a Special Award goes to:
John Chapman
Performance Award
The London marathon was the years goal for this lady. She started training after Christmas and worked hard which is the only way she knows. During her training she never missed one scheduled training session. Her initial marathon target was 4 hours. Others however believed she could run faster. She was not persuaded until two weeks before the race that she could achieve 3hrs 45 min.
This lady according to her coach is not gifted with a natural speed, but has a large heart and an inner toughness. She always gives 100% effort and will stand for no short cuts.
As you know in the London Marathon this year there was a well publicised pit stop. What is not well known is that our lady also had to make a pit stop. However being the lady she is she waited to use a toilet. This probably cost her 2 minutes. This year, if the circumstances are the same, does she have a big decision to make in the pit stop stakes?
After 16 years the London Marathon performance in 2005 was a P.B. by 29 minutes. We will wait with anticipation to see how she performs this year in the run and what decision she will come to in respect of the pit stop!!
A well deserved performance award goes to
Karen Ashby.
EVAC Medals
As you know a lot of our veteran athletes also belong to Eastern Veterans Club. For the last 7 or 8 years Eastern Vets run what they call a postal marathon and 20 miles, which means that any Eastern Vet member and that covers a very big area including Ipswich, Norwich, Cambridge, Luton, Bedford and much more who run a marathon or 20 miles race anywhere throughout the year need to post in their times and at the end of the year the top three men and ladies in each age category qualify for a gold , silver or bronze medal. Well we are pleased to say that 2 of our athletes have won two medals each but as yet they do not know what colour they are, but we do. Indeed you have seen each of these people earlier on this evening (but there is more) For the London Marathon Dave Debnam has won the Bronze medal and for the Oakley 20 miles he has also won the Bronze medal in his age group.
For the London Marathon Karen Ashby has won the silver medal and for the Oakley 20 miles she has won the big one. She has won a gold medal in her age group and I am only saying that she is over 21! Well done to both of them.
Rosa Trophy
Bill Barrett
