IDLE
Athletic Club
affiliated to UK Athletics
presents…IDLE GOSSIP!
November 2002
The West Yorkshire Winter League - 1st Event.
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The start of the cross country season is almost upon us with the first event being on 17th November 2002, 11.00 at Dewsbury. This is the first ever for Idle AC - please all support this history making event.
Details about the first event will be sent to all members, with a map, within the next few days as soon as we receive them from Dewsbury Road Runners. The venue is at the end of Lady Anne Road, Batley. We hope for a team photo prior to the start of the race.
ALL club members are strongly encouraged to run the events in the WYWL. Please note that club kit (vests and black shorts/bottoms) should be worn. Remember that this is a team event; however, individual trophies will be up from grabs at the end of the season in each age category.
However to count for these you must complete all five events, and your scores will be added together. At the end of each race individuals are given a tag which denotes their points scored in the race. This works as follows:
The first male runner gets 200 points, second gets 199, third gets 198 and so on. The first female runner gets 100 points, second gets 99, third gets 98 and so on.
So in addition to the team positions, individual results are available after each event and individual and category winners are presented with individual trophies at the Presentation Evening held at the end of the season.
Two very special trophies are also presented to individuals each year - these are for the most improved male and female runner who has completed all 5 events. The most improved male runner receives the Dave Turpin Memorial Trophy and the most improved female runner receives the Paul Dowson Memorial Trophy. Through these trophies we remember two well known league competitors who both died suddenly during the 1999 -2000 season.
The second League race is on Sunday 15th December 02 at Pudsey. This will be a festive event with prizes for fancy dress and silly hats. The picture (above) shows Kay and Davina entering the fancy dress and silly hat competition during last year’s WYWL season. They didn’t win.
Open Morning - Sunday 10th November at 10 am.
The Club has its first ‘Open Morning’ on Sunday 10th November, starting at 10 am at Hepworth & Idle cricket club. This will involve Chris offering a coached speed session to all club members (ideal the week prior to the first cross country event). The session will be open to anyone else who wants to attend, and would be an ideal opportunity for members to invite any potential new members. This event will be publicised via the T & A and via a mail shot to the new estate near to the cricket club. Tea and Coffee will be available for anyone that just wants to come along have an informal chat about club activities with club members and to pick up literature about Idle AC. If there is enough interest after the practical session then Chris will offer a talk on a running related topic. It would be good for some members to be on hand wearing club kit.
Vets Bill!
Fed up with the same old
running routine… Are you thinking of hanging up your Nikes for a pair of
sheepskin slippers…trading in your Runners World magazine for the latest copy
of Knitting Weekly…?
What you need is the motivation of competing in vets’ races.
Picture the scene, you finish 125th in an open race but really it could be 1st
or 6th or 10th in your age group. The whole idea of vets age groupings is to
bring the competition closer to your age threshold.
The categories start at 35 years for Women and 40 years for Men and usually
step up in increments of 5 years. Prizes are awarded for each age group as well
as a Veterans’ team prize.
Next month (November) is the start of the West Yorkshire Winter League XC.
Currently we have 6 female and 8 male vets in our club, some competing already.
If a concerted effort was made for a consistent turn out in these races then
the potential is there for success.
January sees the start of the 2003 programme of the Yorkshire Veterans Athletic
Association races, these veteran only races comprise of both a monthly Grand
Prix of road/trail races and various Championship events of different distances
throughout the year - Steve Little, Veterans Captain.
PS - If any of the vets (or any members who want to run as guests!) want to run in the final race of the Yorks Vets Season then there is an opportunity to do so on 24th November at 11am. The final event is promoted by Bingley Harriers and offers a part road/part off road course along tracks from Esholt Sport and Leisure Club. There are full changing and shower facilities, parking and a bar. The entry is £2 per runner - Davina.
Continued success at races:
Following from the club’s hugely successful day at the Horsforth 10k, club records just keep being set and broken on an almost weekly basis.
Recent successes include:
Great North Run: Pete Helliwell got a pb in a time of 1.38.40 and broke his own M40 record which he’d previously set at the Leeds half marathon. In addition Martin and Janet Burnside also flew the Idle flag.
Manchester Marathon: Chris Smith broke the Club marathon record, previously set by Chris Stubbs, in a time of 3.04.12.
Bridlington Half: Pb’s and records galore at this event. Edward East got a pb in a very respectable time of 1.31, followed by Adrian in his first ever half marathon setting a pb of 1.39. Kay Gambles set a F40 record in a time of 1.51 and Alison Garlick, in her first half marathon broke 2 hours by running 1.59.
Holmfirth 15: Even gale force winds and heavy rain didn’t stop members running pb’s and breaking club records: Chris Stubbs got a pb and a male club record in a time of 1.40.08, Pete Helliwell set a M40 record in 1.59.54, Martin Burnside got a pb and Davina set a F35 record. Ian Fisher, our second claim member, won the race.
Guy Fawkes 10, Ripley Castle: once again Idle AC were out in force to obtain pb’s and break even more club records despite a very hilly course. Whilst Chris Stubbs Male record (1.04) set at Burnsall earlier in the Summer wasn’t broken, new member David Lewis obtained a pb and set a M40 record in a time of 1.13 and Steve Little showed that he’s leading the veterans from the front by setting a M45 record in 1.08. In addition Adrian ran his first 10 miler in an impressive time of 1.14, and Pete Helliwell set a further pb. No pb’s for Chris, Davina or Martin but they were delighted to have such a good turn out of Idle AC members, especially as lots more people are starting to hear about Idle A C. All of the above is really encouraging as the first WYWL cross country fixture takes place on 17th November. Idle A C should make an impressive start.
New members:
The membership of the club is steadily increasing month by month. Idle A C now has 33 members (including 3 second claim members) and we welcome Joe Marjoram who has joined and has already shown an interest in running in the West Yorks Winter League. We were delighted that Brian Heaton, Chairman of Hepworth & Idle Cricket Club has joined Idle A C. We hope, in time, to get a few more cricket club members joining us, thus strengthening the links between our two clubs.
In addition there are at least five runners who have recently been and trained with the club who may well decide to join in the next few weeks and we continue to get enquiries from prospective members. The increase in membership to 33 means that the club has already gone past its Development Plan target to have 30 members after 18 months, which we’ve achieved in 6 months. The next target is to increase membership to 40 members in 3 years!! The Development plan may have to be substantially rewritten.
Christmas Meal - Friday 13th December 02 at 7pm.
All those who have booked to come to the Christmas meal at the Symposium (Idle) please note that Davina will require your food order no later than Tuesday 3rd December 02. The meal is booked to eat at 7pm therefore its advisable to arrive at approx. 6.30 pm in order to get seated and order drinks etc. After the meal we plan to have a raffle and a bit of a quiz. If anyone has any raffle prizes that they would like to donate please pass them on to Kay Gambles. Anyone who isn’t coming for the meal might like to join us for a drink later in the evening.
Coming Events November, December and January:
Events in bold indicate a ‘club’ event which members are encouraged to run.
Date Event
Sun 17th Nov 1st Cross Country at Dewsbury, 11 am start.
Sun 1st Dec Abbey Dash 10K, Leeds, 9.30 am start. Closing date Fri 8th Nov. Free T- Shirt.
Sun 15th Dec 2nd Cross Country at Pudsey, 11 am start - Festive event.
Sun 22nd Dec Sewage Works Surprise 4 mile festive club handicap race. 10 am at Apperley Bridge. Free mulled wine and mince pies to all members.
Thurs 26th Dec Chevin Chase 7 mile off road race, 11am. Closing date 14th December 02. Entry forms at club or via www.airecentre-pacers.co.uk. Long-sleeved T-shirt to finishers.
Sun 29th Dec Jolly Holly Jog 10k, Ripon cricket club, 11 am start. Closing date 16/12/02. A mixed terrain course, ideal cross country training!
19th Jan 03 3rd Cross Country at Stainland, 10.30 am start.
26th Jan 03 Brass Monkey Half Marathon, York, 10 am start. Flat, fast, rural course. Please all enter ASAP as race limit is always reached.
Club Kit
We have now ordered a further supply of men’s vests which are £14 each although we currently still have a supply of women’s vests in stock. In addition we have a further supply of Idle AC T-shirts at £6.50 each. We can also offer black microfibre unisex running shorts (“More Mile” brand from Start Fitness) at £7 each. These have an innerbrief and key pocket. Please see Kay if you would like to order a pair in sizes S-M-L-XL.
We have now ordered the Idle AC fleeces and these will cost £23 each. These should arrive by the end of November.
Please note that vests must be worn at all races, including all WYWL cross country races, but until we get the further supply of male vests members without vests are encouraged to race in Idle AC t shirts.
Monthly Competition:
Does nobody want to win the October competition? We have decided to continue with the same questions during November. These are as follows:
1. In September 2002 Idle AC had a record turnout at a recent local 10k event.
a. What was the event called?
b. How many CLUB MEMBERS ran in the race?
2. Who won this year's Great North Run & what was his exact finishing time?
The closing date is 30th November 2002 and entries from members and non members can be entered directly via the website or via a post card to Chris Smith.
Events at Hepworth and Idle Cricket Club:
Despite the wet whether all who attended the Bonfire night celebrations had a really enjoyable evening, and were made to feel very welcome by members of the cricket club. We were all impressed with how the new pavilion is progressing and how Idle A C has been included in the plans, especially their consideration for the female changing and showers.
The next event will be the Christmas choir service on Wednesday 4th December at Idle Baptist church. The evening will feature the Thornton Vocal Choir and a conjurer so it should be an interesting experience! Refreshments will include hot drinks and mince pies. Please let Davina know if you are interested in attending and we will book tickets from the cricket club. Please support the events at the cricket club as money raised all goes to build the new pavilion.
Club Coaches:
Chris Smith has attained UK: Athletics Level 3 coaching status. Level 3 enables the club, through Chris, to offer coaching and guide distance runners to Regional and National Competition Level. In addition Davina is a qualified UK: Athletics Level 2 distance running coach. By the end of November Kay Gambles and Martin Burnside will be qualified to Level 1 (assistant level) and in time it is hoped that Idle A C will continue to offer coaching opportunities within the club. Please see Chris if you are interested in finding out more about coaching.