Contents

Coming Events: February, March and April 05. 2

Attendance Scheme/ Club races – 2005 details: 2

Race results: Various races. 5

Fell Races: Feb to end April 05. 6

West Yorkshire Winter League – 4th Race Sun 30^th January at Pudsey. 8

West Yorkshire Winter League – 5th Race Sun 27^th February, 11.30 am at Skipton. 10

A bit of encouragement for the final WYWL Event. 11

The Idle Trail Race – Sunday 17^th July 2005. 11

Crosstrax. 11

Black Sheep Brewery Race Series 2005. 12

Annual General Meeting – Thursday 7^th April 05. 12

Blackpool Marathon/Half: Weekend Away race 2005. 13

The Vets Bill 13

From the Coach…... 14

Coming Events: February, March and April 05

Events in bold indicate a ‘club’ event which members are encouraged to run.

Date	Event
Sun 27^th Feb 05	Final West Yorks Winter League cross county, 11.30am at Skipton. All club required to run.
Sun 13^th March 05	Spen 20, 10am. Incorporating Yorks 20 mile Champs.
Sun 20^th March 05	Ackworth Half marathon, 10.30am.
Sun 20^th March 05	Cross Country final (if we win the WYWL) at Notts.
Sun 27^th March 05	Guiseley Gallop 10K.
Tues 5^th April 05	Bunny Run 1, 7pm. See fell list for details. FREE CREAM EGG!!! Attendance Points race.
Sun 10^th April 05	Wakefield 10k, 10am, Fast, flat 10k.
Tues 12^th April 05	Bunny Run 2, 7.15pm. See fell list for details. FREE CREAM EGG!!!
Tues 19^th April 05	Bunny Run 3, 7.30pm. See fell list for details. FREE CREAM EGG!!!
Sun 24^th April 05	Rothwell 10K, 11am Fast course incorporating Yorks Vets Championships.
Tues 26^th April 05	Bunny Run 4, 7.30pm. See fell list for details. FREE CREAM EGG!!!

Attendance Scheme/ Club races – 2005 details:

Top 25 Club Races for 2005: Handicap/ Attendance Scheme - 10 out of 25 possible races to count. Please don’t forget to sign in the book each time you attend a club session (but only pay once per week) as each attendance at a club training session is worth 1 point and to be eligible for a trophy members must accumulate at least 30 attendance points during the year. Each attendance at a “Club” designated race earns you 5 points (see below). 50% of the required points must be achieved by attendance at training sessions.

The Club races for 2005, where points can be earned, are as follows:

Date	Race Details	Comments.
February 13^th Sun	Liversedge Half Marathon, 12.00 noon.
March 13^th - Sun	Spen 20mile, 10am.	Great for Spring marathons.
March Sun 27^th	Guiseley Gallop 10k, 10.30am.
April- Sun 3rd	Baildon Boundary Way Half, 10.30am.	Entries full.
April- Sun 10^th	Wakefield 10k, 10am. Fast, flat course.
April – Tues 5th	Bunny Run 1, 3 mile ‘Fell’ race, 7.00 pm.	Free cream egg!!
May - Wed –4^th	John Carr 5k, Esholt, 7.30pm. Fast, flat course.	Idle AC Club race for 2005
June- Sat 4^th	Kirkby Malzeard 10k. Part of Black sheep series.
June DNK–Sat	Leeds Half Marathon, 10am.
June DNK – Thurs	Bronte 5, 7.30pm. Hilly two lap course.	3^rd anniversary race.
June- Thurs 9th	Horsforth Trail race. 7pm.	New race for 2005.
June - Sun 19th	Blackpool Half or Full Marathon, 9am. Weekend away.	Weekend away.
July – Sat 2nd	Burn Valley Half. Part of Black Sheep series.
July – Wed 13^th	Stirton Fell race. BS, 7.30pm. 5.5 miles/800’.
July – Wed 20^th	Widdop Fell race. BM, 7.15pm. 7m/1200’.
July – Sun 24^th	Pudsey 10k
Aug – Sat 13^th.	Arncliffe 4 mile Road race and/or 1.8 mile fell race, 3pm.	Family day out.
Sept DNK– Sun	Kirkstall Abbey 10k. 10am.
Sept DNK-Sun	Sutton 7.
Oct DNK– Sun	Horsforth 10k, 10am.
Oct DNK- Sun	Bridlington Half marathon, 12 Noon.
Oct DNK–Sun	Holmfirth 15mile. 10.30am.
Nov DNK- Sun	Guy Fawkes10mile10.30am.
Nov DNK- Sun	Rivock Edge Fell Race. 7m.
Nov DNK- Sun	Abbey Dash 10k, 9.30am.

Race results: Various races

Dewsbury 10k: Sunday 6^th Feb 05:

Douglas Briggs	37.30	61
Dominic Hopson	37.31	98
David Lewis	38.57	162	CR
Edward East	43.39	357
Gary Naylor	46.32	470	PB
Martin Burnside	49.14	599
David Dewhirst	52.24	725

York’s Vets Cross Country Championships, Thirsk, Sunday 6^th Feb 05:

Women 5k

22 Kay Gambles    26.48

There were 52 runners.

Men: 10k

51 Chris Smith    43.27

57 Steve Little     45.39

66 Michael M      48.39

There were 68 runners.

Liversedge Half Marathon, Sunday 13^th Feb 05:

Simon Bellwood	1.27.59	44
Adrian Trevelyan	1.36.50	96
Michael Masleczko	1.44.01	168
Edward East	1.45.20	182
Gary Naylor	1.49.13	224
Lisa Hall	1.52.42	259

Snake Lane 10 Mile, 20 Feb.

308 Gary Naylor 1:20:27 557 ran.

Please continue to make Davina/Chris/Martin aware if you have raced so we can record the results in the Gossip and on the website. If you have no official results please write the race details in the signing in book and we will try to obtain results.

Fell Races: Feb to end April 05.

Please note that many races require that competitors carry waterproof clothing, map and compass for the competitor’s safety. Failure to comply with a race organiser's requirements will mean that you will be barred from taking part in the race. Competitors should arrive at races prepared to carry any or all of the following equipment: Windproof whole body cover, other body cover appropriate to the conditions, map and compass suitable for navigating the course, whistle, emergency food (long races). This equipment is mandatory at all Cat A Long and Medium races.

If this is the first time you have considered fell racing select a race distance well under the distance you normally run on the road.

If you retire during a race you MUST notify the officials at the finish.

If you like the idea of fell running and would like to have a go please speak to Chris.

All fell races are given a grade indicating length and difficulty. Difficulty is indicated by:

A, no less than 250 feet climb per mile, not more than 20% on roads, at least 1 mile in length (NASTY);

B, not less than 125 feet climb per mile, not more than 30% on roads (FAIRLY NASTY);

C, not less than 100 feet of climb per mile, not more than 40% on roads and contain genuine fell terrain (NOT VERY NASTY).

Length is indicated by: L, 12 miles or more; M, 6 miles and over but less than 12 miles; S, under 6 miles.

SAT MARCH 6^th. IAN ROBERTS FELL RACE. BM. 2.30pm 7m from Marsden Cricket Club. £3 on day. Website: www.holmfirthharriers.com

SAT MARCH 12^th. WUTHERING HIKE (Haworth Hobble). BL. 8am. 31m/4400’ from Westfield Lodge, Moorside Lane, Oxenhope. £18 teams of 2 or £10 solo. Refreshments en route, hot meal at finish, showers/changing. Website: www.kcac.co.uk

SAT MARCH 12^th TINA HORN MEMORIAL “WINDMILL WIZZ” CHARITY FELL RACE. BM. 11.30 am. 6 miles/800’ from Ogden Reservoir, Causeway Foot, off A629 Halifax-Keighley Road. £4 on day. Website: www.ogdenwater.freeserve.co.uk

SAT MARCH 26^th MIDGLEY MOOR FELL RACE. AS. 11am. 5m/1250’ from Booth Cricket Club, Booth, Halifax. £3 on day. Website: www.cvfr.co.uk

SAT APRIL 2^nd PENDLE FELL RACE. AS. 2pm. 4.5m/1500’ from Barley Village Hall, Barley, near Burnley, Lancs. £2.50 on day. Website: www.clayton-le-moors-harriers.co.uk

SUN APRIL 10^th GUISBOROUGH MOORS RACE. BL. 11am. 12.5m/2600’from Guisborough Rugby Club. £8.50/£9.50. Website: www.nym.ac

TUE APRIL 5^th BUNNY RUN 1. CS. 7.00 pm. 3 miles/300’ from the Guide Inn, Harden Moor. £2 on night. All finishers receive Cadbury’s Cream egg. All prizes in Bunny Run Series are Easter Eggs. Three races to count out of four for overall awards. Idle AC attendance points race.

TUES APRIL 12^th BUNNY RUN 2 .CS. 7.15 pm. As above.

TUES APRIL 19^th BUNNY RUN 3 .CS. 7.30 pm. As above.

TUES APRIL 26^th BUNNY RUN 4 .CS. 7.30 pm. As above. Free buffet to all finishers plus presentation of overall series awards. Three races out of four for overall awards.

West Yorkshire Winter League – 4th Race Sun 30^th January at Pudsey.

Sunday 30^th January saw the 4^th event at Pudsey, another local venue, where we had 27 runners. A spring like day and a very muddy course saw Idle members putting in a number of fine performances – Ian, recently back from the Mumbai marathon won the race and Steve Bottomley, despite carrying an injury, finished in second place.

Whilst the course proved difficult for some members (Davina was lapped!) others such as Adrian, Phil and Martin all had great runs. (Excuse me – so did the editor!)

After the 4th race we maintained over overall lead as follows:

Men		Vets
Idle AC	5085	Dewsbury	1892
Pudsey	5064	LBT	1787
LBT	5000	Baildon	1696
Stainland	4812	Pudsey	1752
Dewsbury	4734	Idle A C	1716
Baildon	4277	Skipton	1707
St. Bede's	4276	Stainland	1644
Skipton	4107	St. Bede's	1592
Women		Overall
Dewsbury	1179	Idle AC	6191
Idle A C	1106	Pudsey	6069
Stainland	1080	LBT	5996
Baildon	1044	Dewsbury	5913
Skipton	1025	Stainland	5892
Pudsey	1005	Baildon	5321
LBT	996	Skipton	5132
St. Bede's	600	St. Bede's	4876

The remaining fixture for 2004/5 is on the27^th Feb 05 hosted by Skipton AC, 11.30am. (note change of start time)

The Presentation evening hosted by Idle AC will be held on Friday 11^th March at the Sporting Lodge (behind the Balloon and Basket), starting 8pm. The cost is £7 per person which can either be paid in on the night or advance to Chris or Davina – Please make cheques payable to West Yorkshire Winter League.

The WYWL Canal relay will be hosted on Saturday 14^th May by Skipton AC (same course as last year).

Whilst the League does offer individual trophy positions, its primary objective is team competition. The five team scores are added together to decide the following team trophies:

1^st Combined Team, 2^nd Combined Team, 3^rd Combined Team.

1^st Male Team.

1^st Female team.

1^st Vets Team (combination of male/females).

A club team is the first seven men to cross the line (which must include 2 vets), and the first three women (including 1 vet), in each event.

The vet’s team is the 2 male and the one female counting vets added together.

Each year two very special trophies are presented to individuals - 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, indeed within days of each other, during the 1999 -2000 season. After the fourth event Michael is in first place in the Dave Turpin memorial trophy with 31 points. However Michael is likely to find at least four other Idle AC vests chasing after the trophy as they all feature highly in the improvers table: Phil Routh, who is in 3^rd place with 28 points, Richard Lyons with 22 points in 8^th place and Stephen Edwards in 16^th place with 16 points.

The first Combined Team can enter the National League Final and the 2^nd Combined Team can enter the Plate Race at the National Final which will take place at Nottingham on 20^th March 05. Further details will be circulated prior to each event.

West Yorkshire Winter League – 5th Race Sun 27^th February, 11.30 am at Skipton.

The 5^th and last race in the 2004/5 WYWL is Sunday 27^th February.

As usual the race venue is Aireville Park, Skipton (opposite the railway station).

Whilst the venue is the same, the course is slightly different and will be taped all the way as usual. The course is suitable for spikes, trail & fell shoes. The 2 lap course is a mixture of grass and woodland and is a distance of approx 8km.

There will be no access to the changing rooms at Skipton Rugby club BEFORE the event although afterwards everyone is welcome at Skipton Rugby club for showers, refreshments and the FINAL results.

Note: NO muddy shoes in the Rugby club please.

Parking: At the bottom of the park, Carleton New Road, Engine Shed lane and in the LEFT HAND side of the Sports Centre car park only.

A bit of encouragement for the final WYWL Event.

As we're one more race from possibly winning the overall classification in the West Yorkshire Winter League I just want to point out that through experience with Otley AC team events, like the Harrogate Road Race League, the team event can't be won just by the fast ones.

Coming first in the race is only a small contribution to overall team victory. To win events like these requires the ones who finish throughout the pack to pursue our goal of maintaining outright team victory. Pudsey Pacers are a strong established club who will try their best to beat us. It's all too easy to give up, cause we're in front with one race to go. You've got to believe you can do it, and still enjoy racing at the same time.

-Ian

The Idle Trail Race – Sunday 17^th July 2005

Our long planned and discussed event is now definitely on! We have all the permissions we need, we have a major sponsor, and the permit application is in. Indeed we are working closely with Horsforth Harriers, as they are running a trail event on Thursday 9^th June, and the two races will form a series with overall prizes.

We must now form a race committee, and the club committee are eager to bring in people from the main club as there is a great deal of ability out there. It will entail commitment and plenty of hard work. Don’t be concerned by babysitting issues – we can simply hold meetings at your house Alison! Speak to a committee member at the club, or ring Chris and Davina on 615003, before the deadline of 13 March.

Crosstrax.

If anyone is interested in Cheap Walshes (cross country/fell shoes) then we are able to get them from Crosstrax, a new running and cycling shop at Rodley:

The price for PB trainers is £37.00
For size 5 and below, the price is £30.00 See Chris for further details or visit the

Website at www.crostrax.co.uk.

Black Sheep Brewery Race Series 2005.

The Black Sheep Brewery Race Series is 6 separate running events organised by towns and villages in scenic North Yorkshire. The objective is to complete 4 out of 6 races, 3 x 10k's plus either the 10 mile or 1/2 marathon. Runners who complete 4 out of 6 races will be awarded a Silver Plaque, runners who complete all 6 races will be awarded a Gold Plaque.

Age category winners will be determined by points gained in each race, and are based on your 3 best 10k's plus your best long race. Points will be awarded to the first 10 in each age category.

Prizes and plaques will be awarded to the first three Male/Female runners overall, plus the first 3 in the following age groups:- MO/40, MO/45, MO/50, MO/55, MO/60, MO/65, - FO/35, FO/40, FO/45, FO/50, FO/55, FO/60, FO/65.

THE RACES
Ripon 10 mile: On Sunday May 15th, from Ripon Cricket Club. Note change of date.
Melmerby 10k: On Sunday May 29th, from the village of Melmerby.
Kirkby Malzeard: On Saturday June 4th, from the village of Kirkby Malzeard.
Rainton 10k: On Sunday June 26th, from the village of Rainton.
Burn Valley Run: On Saturday July 2nd, from the market town of Masham.
Burton Leonard 10k: On Sunday July 24th, from the village of Burton Leonard.

All races can be entered individually as well as part of the series. Entry forms available at the club but closing date (series) is 11^th April 04 or when the series limit of 350 is reached. Get your series entries in NOW!

Annual General Meeting – Thursday 7^th April 05.

Idle AC’s third AGM will be held on Thursday 7^th April at 7.15pm at the Cricket Club. This is your big chance to air your views on the club’s present and future policy and activities. Please note that there will be no club training on this date. An agenda will be available to all members in early April and members are now invited to submit any agenda items to any committee member no later than 14^th March. Members are also reminded that subs will be collected at the AGM when a membership form will need to be completed.

It would be appreciated if all subs could be paid by the beginning of May as the North of England subscriptions are due to be paid in May 2005.

Blackpool Marathon/Half: Weekend Away race 2005

For the third year running we hope to go mob handed to the Blackpool marathon and half marathon on Sunday 19^th June 2005. Whilst it may seem a long way off, it would be good to know that we all had entries. This is as flat a course as you can get and is generally a well organised and supported race. As with last year we hope that many members will make a weekend of it - we have details of camping/ caravan sites and B & B accommodation (in Lytham/St Anne’s). This year we can offer special reduced entry fees at £16 for full marathon and £12 half marathon. The 2005 course has been improved with additional aid stations, bigger prize lists for both individuals and team competition. There are special team awards, men and women in both the marathon and half with three to score in both events on accumulative times. We will be sending a Group entry form and therefore will only require a cheque to cover your entry fee (made payable to Blackpool Marathon). Please give all cheques to Chris/Davina ASAP for us to enter as a group.

The Vets Bill

The usual format of the Vets Bill has been changed for this month to raise an important issue that may affect some of you.

I would like to speak up about a little known malady that is running rife though our sport at the moment. Please read though the symptoms below and answer all the questions honestly.

Do you have more waterproof running suits than business suits and at least half the clothes hanging in your wardrobe have some reflective fabric on them?

Do you know your best times at every race distance but have problems remembering key birthdays and anniversaries?

This is called The Runners Syndrome and can be recognised by the amount of drying CoolMax T shirts and shorts over every radiator or the fact that the runner cares more about the rotation of their collection of running shoes than the rotation of the car tyres.

Unfortunately this illness not only affects the runner but also involves their partners or spouses, read on.

Runner’s spouses learn automatically to nod their heads with a false look of interest at being told for the twelfth time about a great training run or in the reliving of a race that produced that PB.

They put up with the perspiring all over the kitchen floor after that long Sunday run or a 40-minute car detour to measure the latest training route.

They may also realise that the runner may be able to run that 5 mile fast interval training session but are unable to walk the 200 yards to the shops before a sit down is required.

If you suffer for any of the above traits all is not lost, there are some very good local counselling sessions every Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

For the more serious sufferers, additional help can be obtained from myself having years of experience and I am now certified, all information will be handled in a sympathetic and discreet manner…honestly.

-Steve Little

From the Coach…

I didn’t feel like running. I’d been up late the night before feeding Katie, and my head was full of problems to which there seemed to be no solution. Davina had taken the early slot that Sunday morning, and somehow it seems that the longer you leave it the harder it gets.

I just couldn’t seem to see the positives. Which is ridiculous considering that, as I write, we are less than a week away from the possibility of an astonishing achievement for a club less than 3 years old. I know that some of this achievement is because of me, and some of it is despite me. All of it is because of the commitment and success of our members. And already I must be thinking “What next?” because we must not make the mistake, like some clubs, of simply going in circles defined by seasons and race calendars – we must move forwards.

Now in successful clubs, dissenting voices are inevitably quiet, yet they must be listened to. It is said that in personal relationships, when money goes, then love flies out the window. Similarly the harshest of personal experience has taught me that without success, a club can become vulnerable to unresolved internal issues. Without success, consensus flies out the window.

For “consensus”, in the club situation, it is necessary to read “compromise.” A compromise has been described as a solution which makes no-one happy. Indeed Idle AC came into being because the local club, of which several of us were then members, could compromise no further and still serve the interests of its members.

Idle AC was carefully constructed to have clear focus and therefore less compromise. Its central ethos is achievement and progress. Argument and discussion about how this can be achieved is vital. A degree of compromise is still necessary – as we can only hope to meet the needs of most of the club most of the time. If we win the league, some will say “What next?” Others will say “What about us – aren’t we important too? All this and anything about Idle AC can be decided or altered at the Annual General Meeting on 7^th April. Just make sure you come. You may not wish to speak, but you may well wish to listen, and to vote.

We may well conduct the meeting as a successful club, and indeed I write after a hugely positive committee meeting largely spent discussing the Idle Trail Race on July 17^th. The committee are as one in their vision of this event, and in their concept of Idle AC as a whole. So why is a Club Coach talking with such pessimism, when barely into our third year we may have won our league, and will have organised a brand new running event? Because behind the glow of present success lies the spectre of future failure, if we become complacent and do not look after our club. A successful club does not look after itself – it just looks as if it looks after itself.

As I reluctantly began my run that Sunday morning, these issues and many others were clouding my mind. My heart really wasn’t in it, but I’d decided to run off road to Guiseley, even though I knew I couldn’t possibly enjoy it. The sun made the canal gleam, and as I discovered new paths, and rediscovered the threat of spring, I grudgingly changed my mind. I even attempted to “float”, keeping my head still and level, and trying to make my footstrike as incidental as possible to my running action. I thought I should practise what I preached, having accused one of our female members of having an agitated running style.

There weren’t any fewer issues to face for me or for the club, when I stamped off the mud from my shoes at the end of the run, than there had been when I had set out. Yet I was more positive and more focused. Even after so many years, and even despite myself, I was lifted by that one common factor which unites us all - the simple joy of running.

- Chris

Current Men’s Club Records

Distance	Category	Name	Time
5 Km	Open	Joe Marjoram	17.08
	M40	Dexter Wright	19.22
	M45	David Lewis	18:46
5 Miles	Open	Joe Marjoram	29:56
	M40	Simon Bellwood	35.06
	M45	Richard Lyons	36.19
10 Km	Open	Douglas Briggs	36.13
	M40	David Lewis	40:41
	M45	Dave Lewis	38:57
10 Miles	Open	Joe Marjoram	1:01:22
	M40	Chris Smith	1:09:07
	M45	Steve Little	1:08:54
Half Marathon	Open	Douglas Briggs	1:18:58
	M40	Chris Smith	1:24:05
	M45	Steve Little	1:28:38
15 Miles	Open	Chris Stubbs	1:37:03
	M40	Simon Bellwood	1:43:58
	M45	Trevor Hooley	2:03:18
20 Miles	Open	Chris Smith	2:24:00
	M40	Simon Bellwood	2:32:57
Marathon	Open	Chris Smith	3:04:12
	M40	Simon Bellwood	3:27:25

Current Women’s Club Records

Distance	Category	Name	Time
5 Km	Open	Donna Edmondson	19:33
	F40	Laura Brook	22.04
	F45	Kay Gambles	20.59
5 Miles	Open	Donna Edmondson	34:57
	F45	Kay Gambles	40.03
10 Km	Open	Donna Edmondson	42:33
	F45	Kay Gambles	47:11
10 Miles	Open	Donna Edmondson	1:13:00
	F45	Kay Gambles	1.16.50
Half Marathon	Open	Donna Edmondson	1:33:22
	F40	Kay Gambles	1:51:00
	F45	Kay Gambles	1:44:44
15 Miles	Open	Donna Edmondson	1:50:54
	F35	Amnuay Scott	2:00:43
20 Miles	Open	Joanne Belcher	3:01:18
	F35	Davina Smith	3:01:01
	F40	Kay Gambles	3:02:00
Marathon	Open	Joanne Belcher	3:37.15
	F40	Kay Gambles	4:10:00