Date	Event
Sun 1^st Oct 06	Kirkstall Abbey 10k. 10am.
Sun 8^th Oct 06	Harewood 10. Lovely 10mile race round grounds of Harewood House. 10.30am.
Sat 14^th Oct 06	Complete Runner Cross Country race 1. See below.
Sun 15^th Oct 06	Bridlington Half marathon, 12 Noon. Seaside trip.
Sun 29^th Oct 06	Holmfirth 15mile. 10.30am. Points race.
Sun 29^th Oct 06	Complete Runner Cross County race 2. See below.
Sun 5^th Nov 06	Guy Fawkes 10mile 10.30am.
Sun 19 Nov 06	1^st WYWL race hosted by Idle. See below.
Sun 29^th Nov 06	Abbey Dash 10k, 9.30am.
Sun 3^rd Dec 06	1^st WYWL race hosted by LBT. See below.
Fri 8^th Dec 06	Christmas Do, 7.30pm. Idle WMC. See below.
Sun 17^th Dec 06	Sewage Works Surprise Club Handicap race. 10am.
26^th Dec 06	Chevin Chase race, 11am. See below.
31^st Dec 06	Auld Lang Syne Fell race. 11.30 am. 6miles/900’ from Penistone Hill Country Park, Haworth.

Attendance Scheme/ Club races – 2006 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.

Peter Hilliard is the September’s Attendance winner.

The Club races for 2006, where points can be earned, are as follows:

Date	Race Details	Comments.
February 12^th Sun	Liversedge Half Marathon, 12.00 noon.	5 Idle vests at the Liversedge Half. Jo 5^th woman, Laura 2^nd F45 and Jo, Laura & Lisa got the team prize
March 12^th – Sun	Spen 20mile, 10am.	8 of us braved the blizzard conditions. M45 club record for Simon Bellwood, Female club record & 3^rd in York’s Champs for Jo, F45 club record for Laura and pb’s for Adrian & Stephen.
April- Sun 2^nd	Baildon Boundary Way Half, 10.30am.	11 of us ran in extreme mud for the BBW. Chris Stubbs was 14^th overall.
May – Wed 3rd	John Carr 5k, Esholt, 7.30pm. Fast, flat course.	A busy event meant only 14 of us got entries. Club records from Dave Lewis & Ana Lincoln.
May 3^rd - Wed	Hare & Hounds Fell Race, Lothersdale 3.6m/690’. BS.	7 Idle AC vests for this local fell race.
May – Sun 7^th	Leeds Half Marathon, 10am.	6 of the club entered this local event. Including Dave Lewis who got sub 1.30 for the first time!
May -Sun 14th	Ripon 10m. Part of Black Sheep series.	10 of us ran this scenic challenging race including Simon Bellwood who set a new M45 record with 1.06.54, Lisa Flesher with an F35 record in 1.12.40 and Richard Lyons who ran sub 70mins for first time.
May – Sun 28^th	Melmerby 10k. Part of Black sheep series.	7 members of the club ran this 2^nd race in the Black Sheep Series. Chris Stubbs broke the M40 club record in 36.25.
June- Sat 3rd	Kirkby Malzeard 10k. Part of Black sheep series.	7 at this lovely Saturday afternoon race
June 8^th – Thurs	Bronte 5, 7.30pm. Hilly two lap course.	8 Idle AC vests, including Simon Bellwood who set a new M45 CR.
June- 8^th Thurs	Apperley Bridge Canter race. 7.30pm. Approx 10k.	11 members race this local event. Success for Donna and Hayley who were 1^st & 2^nd women.
June 11th –Sun	Harewood House 10k	Only Ana ran this local event.
June – Sat 24^th	Eldwick Gala Fell Race 3pm. 3m/300’	Unfortunately no –one from Idle turned out for this local fell race. This could have been due to the Idle Beer Festival the night before.
July 1st – Sat	Burn Valley Half. Part of Black Sheep series. 2pm.	A baking hot day but 7 hardy souls braved the heat! Ammie won some biscuits as a spot prize!
July 1^st – Sat	Carr Lane Challenge. 5 mile trail race. 2pm.	Donna was 1^st woman past the post. Ian won the men’s race.
July 12^th – Wed	Stirton Fell Race	Chris Stubbs & Phil Routh ran this popular fell race.
Aug 12^th – Sat	Arncliffe 4 mile Road race and/or 1.8m fell AS, 3pm.	Donna 4^th in road, 2^nd in fell, Ana 1^st F50 road, Phill last in fell.
Aug 19th- Sat	Burnsall 10m(2.30pm) road race and/or 1.5 m fell race.	Ana ran this event.
Aug 28^th –Mon	Spofforth 10k Trail. 1.30pm.	Chris just managed to stay ahead of Adrian & Richard , who retched over a fence at the end.
Sept 10th- Sun	Robin Hood Full & Half Marathons 10.05am	4 women in marathon, including Ana who ran her debut. New club records in F40 & F50. Great runs from Peter Hilliard, Judith (debut), Stephen, Julie (PB) & Suzanne in the half.
Sept 24^th – Sun	Horsforth 10k, 10am.	7 for this local race.
Oct 15^th -Sun	Bridlington Half, 12 Noon.	Trevor set an M50 Club record. Nick ran a PB time.
Oct – Sun 29^th	Holmfirth 15mile. 10.30am.	Hilly but strangely appealing.
Nov – Sun 5^th	Guy Fawkes 10mile 10.30am.	Entries can be handed in to Martin.
Nov 26^th Sun.	Abbey Dash 10k, 9.30am.	A bit boring but a fast, flat 10k.

Race results: Various races

Wetherby 10k 17^th Sept 06

36 Donna Edmondson-Booker 42.29

38 Richard Lyons 42.36

65 Gary Naylor 46.57

There were 202 runners.

Great Langdale Half Marathon, Cumbria 24/9/06

88 Steve Little 1.47.12

290 Kay Gambles 2.13.08 There were 385 runners.

Selby Half 24/9/06

80 Richard Lyons 1.31.27 PB on his birthday!!

112 Adrian Trevelyan 1.35.11

198 Gary Naylor 1.43.42 There were 447 runners.

Horsforth 10k 24/9/06

44 Peter Helliwell 42.54

48 Simon Blackburn 43.05

64 Peter Hilliard 43.58

78 Phill Routh 45.09

Warren Fletcher 48.30

165 Tim Whitcombe 50.57

265 Ana Lincoln 58.16 There were 350 runners.

Thieveley Pike Fell Race, Burnley. Sat 30/9/06: 4.25m/1300'.

170 Tony Blythe 47.32 There were 196 runners.

Good Shepherd 15 mile fell race Sat 30/9/06

24 Chris Smith 2.35.18

48 Lisa Flesher 3.31.27 There were 49 runners.

Kirkstall Abbey 10k 1/10/06

105 Gary Naylor 45.17

149 Warren Fletcher 47.53

There were 370 runners.

Great North Run: 1/10/06

Name	Time	Race No	Position
Anastasia Lincoln	02:11:48	26689	4288
Sarah Holness	02:15:52	26677	5353
Peter Hilliard	01:34:06	5130	863
Nick Thorp	01:57:52	26679	7479
Andy Moakler	02:12:14	39506	13153

Harewood 10 8/10/06

282 Philip Twigg 85.08

304 Laura Brook 86.48

393 Alison Garlick 93.57

485 Ana Lincoln 105.24 There were 532 runners.

Bronte Way 8 mile fell race 8/10/06

126 Lisa Flesher 1.21.25 There were 188 runners.

Scarborough 10 8/10/06

28 Steve Little 1.09.45

39 Gary Naylor 1.13.25

65 Kay Gambles 1.21.14 There were 121 runners.

1st Complete Runner Cross Country Race Sat 14th Oct, Huddersfield.

Men 10k

125 Chris Smith 40.07

146 Chris Booker 40.53 There were 202 runners.

Women 5k

20 Donna Edmondson-Booker 22.25

37 Hayley Atkinson-Windsor 23.19

60 Lisa Flesher 25.25 There were 96 runners.

Bridlington Half Marathon Sun 15^th Oct:

134 Adrian Trevelyan 1.31.31

290 Michael Masleczko 1.42.41

303 Trevor Hooley 1.43.29 M50 CR.

398 Nick Thorp 1.49.58 PB

545 Ana Lincoln 2.03.34 There were 653 runners.

Fell Races: Oct to end December 06.

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.

SUN OCT 8^th BRONTE WAY. BM. 11am. 8m/1150’ from Wycoller Country Park Info Centre. £6 to organiser by 2^nd Oct if coach to start required. £6 on day. Point to Point race from Wycoller to Fleece Inn, Haworth. Beer to every finisher. Soup & roll to all finishers. Coach to start from Haworth, leaving at 9.45am .Website: www.kcac.co.uk

SUN OCT 15^th BEEFY’s NAB. BS. 3pm. 3m/650’ from Lamb Inn, Oxenhope.£3 on day. Race in memory of Ashley Bevan. All proceeds to Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association. All competitors asked to bring a raffle prize. Website: www.kcac.co.uk

SAT OCT 22nd WITHINS SKYLINE. BM. 11.30am. 7mile/1000’ from Penistone Hill Country Park, Haworth. £3 on day. All finishers receive a Cadbury’s “Curly Wurley”. Free coffee & biscuits. Dave Woodhead event.

SUN OCT 29^th RUNNING BEAR RACE YOU TO THE SUMMIT. CS. 11.30am. 4m/800’ from the Summit Inn on the A6033 Todmorden Road, Summit, Near Littleborough. £3 on day. Local knowledge an advantage. Course partially marked. Website: www.ogdenwater.freeserve.co.uk

SUN OCT 29^th HALLOWEEN HOWLER – KILDWICK. BS. 11.30am. 3.75m/800’ from White Lion pub, Kildwick between Keighley & Skipton. £3 on day. Website: www.kcac.co.uk

SAT NOV 4^TH SHEPHERDS SKYLINE. BM. 2pm.6.25m/1150’ from the Shepherds Rest Inn, Lumbutts Road, Todmorden. £3.50 on day. Website: www.todharriers.co.uk

SAT NOV 18^th GREAT WHERNSIDE FELL RACE. AS. 11am. 4m/1555’ from the Kettlewell campsite. £4 on day. Local knowledge an advantage.

SAT NOV 25^th HARRIERS V CYCLISTS. CM.2pm. 6m/650’ from Fishermans Inn, Dowley Gap, Bingley. £2.50 on day. Website: www.bingleyharriers.co.uk

SAT NOV 25^th KIRBYMOORSIDE FELL RACE. BM. 11am.6.5m/1600’ from Beckside Village Hall, Kirkby in Furness, Cumbria. £3.50 on day. Website: www.bcrunners.org.uk

SUN NOV 26^th RIVOCK EDGE FELL RACE. BM. 11.15am. 9m/1500’ Registration from Bridge Inn, Silsden. Nr Keighley. £4 on day.

SUN DEC 3^rd BOLTON BY BOWLAND FELL RACE. CM. 11.30am. 8m/800’ from Bolton By Bowland Village, near Clitheroe, Lancs.£2.50 on day. Refreshments, village pub.

SUN DEC 10^th CALDERDALE WAY RELAY. 8am, 50miles/6000’ in six stages from Old Rishworthians RUFC, Copley, Halifax. £42 per team of 12. Limit of 100 teams. Website: www.halifaxharriers.co.uk

SUN DEC 17^th THE STOOP. BS. 11.30 am. 5 miles/800’ from Penistone Hill Country Park, Haworth. £3 on day. All finishers receive a Cadbury’s Chocolate Chunk. Free coffee & biscuits. All prizes are “Christmas Related”.

SUN DEC 31^st THE 13^th BRISCOE’S BREWERY AULD LANG SYNE RACE. BM. 11.30 am. 6miles/900’ from Penistone Hill Country Park, Haworth. £3 on day. All finishers receive a bottle of beer. Free coffee & biscuits. All prizes are beers, ales, ciders etc.

West Yorkshire Winter League 2006/7 season

This is the main league that we encourage members of Idle AC to run.

This will be Idle AC’s fifth year in the WYWL and it’s important that as a club we all try to commit to running in all 5 fixtures if at all possible as these are TEAM events. In past years we have proved that we can field a fairly strong team when the whole club runs. This year we have many more members who will be a real asset in these events. Please all take the opportunity to ask the Committee (and other members) any questions about the WYWL, particularly if you are new to cross country running. The League, whilst competitive, is friendly and encouraging to all levels. It would be great to have some of our newer runners giving the WYWL events a go. I’ve (Davina) done over 14 years of League races and I’m the worst off road runner ever so please don’t ever feel that you aren’t ‘a good enough runner’ as its never stopped me!!

To count for individual awards you must complete all five events, and your scores will be added together. At the end of each race each individual is 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 (great bash).

There are 8 clubs that form the WYWL: Idle A.C, Pudsey Pacers, Skipton A.C., Leeds & Bradford Tri, Dewsbury Road Runners, Baildon Runners, Stainland Lions and St.Bede’s. The fixtures for 2006/7 are confirmed as follows:

Date Host club Venue

1.Nov 19th Idle AC New course at Buck woods area.

2.Dec 3rd LBT Temple Newsam. Fancy dress/silly hats.

3.Jan 7th Dewsbury Details of course to be confirmed.

4. Jan 28th Baildon Runners Tong Park, Baildon. Note 1pm start

5. Feb 18th St.Bede’s Esholt woods.

With the exception of the Baildon event (1pm start) all races will start at 11am. Full details will be circulated to club members prior to each event.

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

Different runners may score in different races - it’s just first past the post on the day.

The first Combined Team can enter the National Cross Country Final and the 2^nd Combined Team can enter the Plate Race at the National Final which will take place at Nottingham in March 07. Further details will be circulated prior to each event.

This year we are hosting an event on 19^th November (see above) so we will not only need everyone to run we’ll need everyone’s family and friends to marshal. Let Chris/Davina know who is available to marshal. We need at least 16 marshals for our two lap (one small followed by one larger lap course) in Buck woods. The course is approx 4.5 miles.

Any questions please speak to Chris as he is not only Secretary of the WYWL but he is the only runner to have run all 70 consecutive races in the past 14 years (Davina has slacked and has only run 68!).

Brathay Windermere Marathon: Sun 20^th May 2007.

For those not doing London you might want to consider the Windermere Marathon. The race was last run in 1986 and is billed as being the most scenic marathon in Britain and one of the most challenging courses. The route goes anticlockwise through Hawkshead, Newby Bridge, Windermere and Ambleside. Visit the website at www.brathay.org.uk for further details.

Notts Marathon Success

Congratulations to Jo, Laura, Davina & Ana who finished 3^rd women’s team at the Nottingham marathon. They each received a £20 Sweatshop voucher.

Great North Run

Hello Chris and Davina and committee members etc,

Well I managed to get myself round the great north run yesterday.Did it in 02:12:14 which I must say I’m pretty pleased with. I’ll just have to wait a little longer to break the 2 hour barrier.I know this result is small beer in the scheme of Idle AC but for me it pretty good and 40 mins less than I did it 3 years ago.So I’d just like to thank you all for running such a great club and for encouraging and broadening my running knowledge that enabled me to push myself towards that time.I also now fully appreciate that the 2 hour barrier is just there for the taking if I put a little more effort in. Which is something of a revelation to me.

So thanks again and hopefully I’ll see you on Tuesday. Cheers, Andy Moakler.

Rombald’s Stride – Training Opportunity

Rombald’s Stride is a local moorland event starting at Guiseley and includes Baildon Hill, lkley Moor and Otley Chevin. Established over 25 years ago it continues to attract a field of some 400 runners and walkers to the 25 mile circuit of moor, trail, bog and road. It would be good if there was a strong contingent of Idle Runners at this local event next year.

To give more club members the sort of experience needed to tackle Rombald’s, new member Tony Wimbush has offered to lead a series of Sunday runs during the winter which will end with a recce of the full route. If you are committed to turning out to do most of these runs please contact Tony by the end of October to indicate your support.

Email: twimbush@fish.co.uk or Tel: 01274 636907.

It needs at least 4 club members for this training programme to go ahead so if it is of more than passing interest please ensure you contact Tony as soon as possible. He can then let you know if there is sufficient support. Exact meeting places will be arranged later.

Please note that in the interests of safety, whatever the apparent weather conditions, you must carry full waterproof body cover, hat, gloves and a spare warm top, plus food and drink for the day. It is also good training to run with the extra weight!!

PROPOSED TRAINING PROGRAMME

12th November Howarth Circuit (16 miles) – Start off with a roller-coaster outing across the Bronte moors. Includes sections of the 31 mile Wuthering Hike fell race route.

26th November South Pennine Twin Challenge Part 1 – Manorlands Meander (18 miles)

Varied running on a hill ‘an dale route south of Howarth.

9^th December LDWA Irregulars Rounds – option of one, two or all three loops ( 22 miles total). Informal event in Summer Wine Country mainly for walkers but runners welcome. A great opportunity to introduce yourself to longer distance runs. Entry forms from Tony Wimbush.

17the December South Pennine Twin Challenge part 2 - Hebden Valleys Heritage Trail

(19 miles). A demanding circuit with plenty of climbing round the heart of Calderdale starting from Mytholmroyd.

14^th January Rombalds Stride Recce (25 miles) – The full route at a steady pace, starting from Guiseley

3^rd February ROMBALD’S STRIDE – NOTE this is a SATURDAY. Pre-entry only. Entry Forms from Tony Wimbush.

Idle AC – Yorkshire Club of the Year 2006.

I was a bit nervous about attending the Yorkshire & Humberside Awards at Sheffield on my own. I didn’t know what to expect from the day. I didn’t know who would be there or what I would have to do.

As I travelled to Sheffield by train and then onto the Institute of Sport via tram I had lots of time to think about the ceremony and also to reflect on why Idle AC were being awarded the title of Yorkshire Club of the year (Off track) in the first place.

As I thought about attending the awards I realised that I shouldn’t feel nervous – after all I’d be in a room with other runners and people involved in running. Running is something I know about. I’m not super fast or super fit but I can hold my own in most running conversations. I’ve trained and raced in a wide variety of different environments and raced at all distances. I understand the workings of a running club and really enjoy being with other runners. Once I thought about all this I began to feel at ease.

As I got nearer to the Institute I reflected on why Idle AC, a relatively young club, had gained the title of Yorkshire Club of the Year. When Chris & I formed Idle AC in March 02 we wanted to try a build a forward thinking, progressive club, that had a positive training ethic, with a recognition of the importance of progress. We also wanted to encourage all members to reach their full potential.

Idle AC is recognised as a club that has a strong training ethic – Tuesday nights coached sessions, involving some very nasty hill and speed work sessions are well attended. Other clubs acknowledge the hard work that members put in.

Idle AC members are recognised at various races. We have had members racing at most major and local events. Within our third year as a club we had not only had runners at the Yorks, Regional & National cross country races we had emerged as overall winners of the West Yorkshire Winter League. Not bad when you consider the clubs we were up against.

Idle AC has successfully hosted two Idle Trail races – a race that this summer saw a huge increase in entrants in only its second year. The whole club worked together to make both events a great success. Our success showed by the massive amount of positive race feedback received.

Idle AC has constantly encouraged members, and prospective members, to help reach their potential. We’ve recently seen new members such as Andy and Nick set new pb’s at half marathons. We’ve been able to congratulate ‘veteran’ member, Chris Stubbs, as he won the Yorkshireman Marathon. We’ve seen the potential new members from within the Beginners Group.

As I entered the impressive Institute of Sport I knew that I could deal with anything the day offered and that Idle AC deserved the recognition of the award I was about to collect. I no longer felt nervous – I just felt immensely proud.

The afternoon was great. A large room with nicely decorated tables, a lovely buffet lunch, and a copy of the programme for each award winner. I sat with, and spent the afternoon with, a couple of women from Spenborough AC, Sheila Bottan & her daughter Amanda Pearson. Shelia was being presented as volunteer of the year. They were both great company and were happy to talk about their running experiences. I found it both interesting and enlightening to learn about track running and about their wider experiences of running in general.

All the other prize winners that I spoke to were all giving people, who were all involved with and committed to the sport. Everyone there was keen to celebrate the successes within the sport and not individual success.

Ours was one of the final awards to be given out. I listened to the speech about Idle AC’s achievements and heard how we were acknowledged as a club with a bright future.

As I collected the award on behalf of all at Idle AC I knew they were correct.

Congratulations to us all!!! – Davina.

Chevin Chase 7 mile off road race.

The Chevin Chase entry forms are now available on Airecentre Pacers website: www.airecentre-pacers.co.uk

This scenic off road race starts at 11am on Boxing day from Aireborough leisure centre, Guiseley. As it’s a really popular race I'd advise sending entries in ASAP.

There are also copies at the club.

Embroidered souvenir badges are available for the South Pennines Twin Challenge routes. Proceeds to charity

New members

This month we welcome Tim Whitcombe. Tim first got involved with us in the Summer when he helped marshal the Idle Trail Race. Since then Tim has continued to train with the club and joined us in time to run the Horsforth 10k. Welcome.

Amsterdam 15^th Oct.

Jane said get under 1.40 and I'll buy you a post-race massage.

I've neglected my training over the last couple of months and a half-marathon in 1.40 seemed a tough call. Adding to my woes, my achilles was sore. But with a weekend booked in Amsterdam to coincide with the city's festival of running, the gauntlet had been thrown down. I was going to do the Amsterdam half marathon in under 1.40.

It felt like the whole city was geared up - either to run or to support those running. Jane did the 10k - a route which she said was really pretty: a mixture of new and historic Amsterdam. My half marathon was very much head-down and get

on with it,  so for me it was all very much of a blur. On paper this is as PB course. It's a flat as the Dutch pancake.

The only drawback is that it’s very busy and it gets worse towards the end because three or four miles from the finish, the half marathon merges with the marathon which had started earlier in the day!

But the finish makes up for it: a lap around the 1928 Olympic Stadium. It's packed with spectators who carry on screaming whether you’re first or the ten thousandth and first runner. It's the closest I'll get to experiencing Olympic glory. The sight as you turn from the road into the stadium, the lanes of the athletic track unfolding in front of you, the crowds, the deafening chorus...

And I crossed the finishing line in 1.38.

At the finish Jane tried to steer me back to the race HQ where an army of sports therapists were waiting with their liniment oil. I had different ideas. There's a whole district of Amsterdam that's geared up for massage and that's where I

was heading. And there was an ad in the back of a little guide book we'd picked up the night before in a bar. Natalie - who is of Brazilian extraction - offered a full personal service. Tantalisingly, the ad revealed, she'd get you ready for action and then she would work you so hard you'd be panting and praying for it all to stop. But ten minutes later you'd be up for more. Sounds like Chris and one of his Tuesday night sessions.

I flew home and had a cold bath instead. –Dave Lewis.

Christmas Do 2006

Friday 8^th December sees our 2006 Christmas Do at Idle Working Men’s Club. The fun starts at 7.30pm. This year we offer you live entertainment as we’ve booked local band, Idle Pop to perform for us. We’ll have a buffet and a raffle. Please give decent raffle prizes (one decent prize per family would be good!!) to Kay. You get all this for only £7.50 per person. Please pay Davina. We can guarantee a great night out. The London marathon club entry draw will also take place so anyone who has their London Marathon entry rejected will be eligible for the draw for one of the club’s two entries.

5^th Annual Sewage Works Surprise Club Handicap Race: Sunday 17^th December at 10am.

As members may be aware December 02 saw the start of a yearly tradition for Idle AC – the annual Sewage Works Surprise club handicap race! The race is open to all members and will be run as a 4 mile Handicap race from the Stansfield Arms Pub at Apperley Bridge, starting at 10am on Sunday 17^th December 06. Fancy dress is optional but it all adds to the fun and entertains passing motorists!! There is a special annual trophy for the winner, which was won last year by Jane Lewis (in a very fetching little Santa number!). Chris Stubbs finished in second place with Richard Lyons in 3^rd. Jane received the special trophy, presented to her by Chris, at the presentation afternoon at the Symposium. After last year’s brilliant bash we have secured the same deal at the same price this year.

Email from Jane…. The joys of being a runner.

Dear Chris & Davina,

I had the best run of my life this morning. Not in terms of speed or distance but in terms of happiness.

I ran for one hour and 45 mins excluding a pit stop at the Five Rise Locks café on the canal and it was just wonderful. I never once thought what a chore it was, even though I had to continually climb for the first three quarters of an hour from
Cottingley up into Gilstead, Eldwick, up Heights Lane and finally down into East Morton. I dropped down onto the canal to get back to the Fisherman’s Pub and then home.

It was simply a perfect morning with a clear blue sky and a sun that warmed the bones instead of searing the skin and sapping the lungs. Going up Heights Lane and into East Morton was like being in the Yorkshire Dales with rolling green hills
and a misty horizon that beckoned you on ever further.

Down on the canal it was like being catapulted into one of those photos on a biscuit box - heavy boughs sweeping the water, ducks and swans splashing in the dappled sunshine, and canal boats chugging by with people waving. The morning was
rounded off by a steam train roaring under the bridge on Wagon Lane.
Dog owners and cyclists were nice to me, politely moving out of my way, smiling and saying “well done!” Even they had been touched by the Autumnal magic.
And I didn’t even have to get into my car to enjoy all this.

How lucky am I? Jane

Keswick 2 Barrow 2007: Sat 12^th May 07

It’s been a few months since a group of us “ran” the 40 mile challenge in the Lake District & while memories of the pain, along with blisters faded fast, the joy of completing such an event will stay with us for many years. We all have a strong desire to be there next year & YOU are welcome to join us so please put the above date in your running calendar.

We do intend to make it a Club event in 2007 & I will pubicise the details nearer the time. I know it’s a long way off at the moment, but if anyone is remotely interested in attempting the challenge, just drop me an email & I’ll note the interest. You can contact me at: martin@idleac.co.uk

Martin.

Leeds Abbey Dash: Final points race for 2006

We now have entry forms for the Leeds Abbey Dash on Sunday 26^th November at 9.30am. Please get your entries in as soon as possible as the race soon reaches its limit (please note its £13 to enter though!). You can now enter online at www.helptheaged.org.uk/dash2006.

The race follows a fast, flat course which starts in Leeds city centre, goes up Kirkstall Road, past the ancient ruins of Kirkstall Abbey and finishes outside the Town Hall. There is a pre-event aerobic warm up which takes place in Victoria Gardens, The Headrow, from 8.30am.

Vets Bill….

Sunday November 12^th sees the last of this seasons Yorkshire Vet's Grand Prix races, it starts near the Springhall Mansion in Halifax at 11:00. This will be a new route but I'm advised that it is a flat, fast 10k along the canal if that is possible in Halifax.

Springhall Mansion is on the A629 going out of Halifax just past the Shay football ground. Arrive early as there is a short walk to the start. The entry is £2.

Funny things happen when you least expect it. Whilst on a short bike training ride with one of my cycling buddies last week we happened on the newly opened Saltaire Brewery. Strangely, the brakes locked at the same time and both bikes veered towards the Brewery all by themselves, although we tried manfully to keep going straight on.

After a long but dry look round and speaking to the MD, I would like to arrange a club visit probably late January or early February. The cost is £5 per head which includes a free pint then £1.50 per pint afterwards and would be on a weekday evening Monday - Thursday. Let me know what you think.

Lastly are you a considerate runner. See my top 10 tips on Racing Etiquette and tick the ones you do.

1, Line Up Correctly

At the start of the race, it is of upmost importance that you align yourself properly by facing the right way. When people line up accurately, everyone is safer and happier.

2, Don't Wear Headphones

When wearing headphones, it is hard, if not impossible, to hear other runners as they approach or volunteers/police as they try to give you vital information such as mind that dogs teeth or look out there's a river.

3, Keep Kids and Pets Controlled

Enough said.

4, SMILE!

Don't forget you are there to have fun. Take a deep breath, relax, smile, and feel free to chat with people excepting those you want to beat.

5, Stay to the Middle

In most races, the outsides of the course are for passing. If you are not passing, but rather running with the body of runners, stay to the middle of the lane. This will allow people to pass on the outside instead of having to weave back and forth around people. Try this on your next Great North Run.

6, Thank the Volunteers

Smile, wave, say "thank you", even grunt in their direction to let them know you appreciate what they are doing.

7, Be Aware of Those Around You

When you are racing, it is easy to lose yourself in your thoughts and forget about the people around you. This leads to people being cut-off or even being tripped, try tying your shoelaces just before a stile in a cross country race. Also be aware of your surroundings, even when doing speed sessions.

8, Have Waterstop Courtesy

Be especially aware of people around you during waterstops. It's important that you don't slow down, or start walking, directly in front of someone else who is going faster.

9, Have Weestop Courtesy

As above.

10, Clear the Chute

When you finally cross the finish line, don't just stop to catch your breath. If you stop directly after you cross the finish line, you may find yourself being run over by others trying to cross behind you and it hurts.

- Steve Little

Wallets for sale

We have the last few red & black Idle Trail Race wallets on sale or black & white Idle AC wallets on sale (ideal Christmas pressies!) at the bargain price of £2.50.

Track Night

We have booked Horsfall Track (near Odsal roundabout) on Tuesday 7^th November at 7pm for a coached session. The cost will be £2 per runner but the Thursday night will then be free.

From The Coach…

“You’re always bound to piss someone off, Chris!” said Davina, perhaps a little too ambiguously. She knows historically that this is true – so much so that I have been likened to a certain infamous fascist dictator. The comparison misfired, though, since I am rather proud to have made such an impression.

It’s about taking a position. Whilst I have no immediate desire to commit genocide or invade a succession of European countries, and these activities are certainly not in the Club Development Plan, I think it’s important to take the position you believe in, and act accordingly. And that can really piss people off.

My position is that you should all run cross country races. I don’t think that just quick people who can win prizes should run them. Everyone should. They develop stamina, agility, balance, physical strength, mental strength and a concept of teamwork in every runner at every level.

And have I changed my position? No. The evidence is as follows. In 1989, a few months after joining my then club, Eccleshill Road Runners, I read about a local cross country league in the then “Today’s Runner” magazine (now “Running Fitness”) and persuaded the club to enter. The “Today’s Runner League” was designed for new and steady runners. The courses were not too long, and anyone who ran faster than 6 minute mile pace for men, or 7 minute mile pace for women, was prohibited from taking part.

Our Club, barely a year old, jumped in at the deep end with a race at Dewsbury, and I loved it. It was a horrible shock for some of the social joggers, though, and I don’t think they ever really forgave me.

The league was informally organised to say the least, and the results were done manually. The scoring system was bizarre – the first runner scored one point, the second, two points, and so on. But if a club did not turn out a full team, 100 points were added to their score for each missing runner. On one occasion one of our members came 101^st. Clearly no-one had expected there to be more than 100 runners. During one of my more tactless moments, I observed that if he had stayed at home in bed he would have scored more points for the club. He went home and told his wife, and goodness me, she was really pissed off. Well I was only young!

Eventually the organiser was driven to some kind of breakdown, and I offered to plug the gap with a computer. However in all other respects the low key format was already working. Apart from a run in with a mad Welshman from Skipton Runners over female vets, I found people from all the clubs working together to make the events work. They encouraged all their members to run, regardless of ability. We stuck to the same formula each year, gradually simplifying the administration and results service, and people from the clubs got to know each other. After the rivalries at every level during the races, the Presentations became vital annual events.

In what is now the West Yorkshire Winter League, we have something that really works. This year we had to turn away 5 clubs that wanted to join, because the eight member clubs are turning out over 200 runners to each event. We just couldn’t cope with higher numbers.

So that’s fine. We want everyone to take part, and we continue to provide an entry level league. We are totally committed to that. So on the one hand, if it’s not broke don’t fix it, but on the other, what else, what next? Idle AC describes itself as progressive, therefore surely whilst we should continue to do what works well, we should simultaneously explore and experiment. This does not decrease the importance of what we do well. We should be able to do both.

Nothing is more certain than the fact that some people will be completely pissed off by all this constant going on about cross country. Where did it come from anyway? Some will regard it as the preserve of track athletes who have nothing to do in winter, others will remember nightmarish ordeals at school.

In the end, then, some people will say “It’s just not my thing, Chris,” and I will respect them for saying so. It’s about taking a position, which should not be seen as unnecessarily difficult. In general, it’s entirely possible to disagree in principle with someone, and yet get on with them perfectly well. If there is no foul play, how much better it is to know you differ and to respect those differences, than to gloss over and pretend, or worse still to fall out.

The common unifying factor is distance running, yet to retain our motivation and development we should not only do what we enjoy doing, but occasionally seek to make it new. On Tuesday 7^th November the session is at Horsfall Track. The prospect of a track based speed session will no doubt fill some members with dread. Yet it is a different experience on a different surface – tartan tracks have a unique precision and bounce – and one ideally suited to runners at every level.

Similarly on 23^rd January I will run a sportshall based running session. Almost no-one will have any idea what that entails. But each new and different activity will add to your breadth of understanding of the sport. So as with the cross country races, come and have a go. Make it new. And if you hate it, tell me so! Take your position, but speak from the wisdom of experience, and use that experience to help you progress towards your chosen goal. I have failed many times, but still believe that failure is a prerequisite for ultimate success. If you are too scared of failure to try, you will never truly succeed, but in the end it’s your choice – the Club is definitely a democracy, not a dictatorship!

-Chris.

Current Men’s Club Records

Distance	Category	Name	Time
5 Km	Open	Joe Marjoram	17.08
	M40	Simon Bellwood	18.30
	M45	David Lewis	18:40
	M50	Trevor Hooley	21.22
5 Miles	Open	Doug Briggs	29:43
	M40	Chris Stubbs	31.06
	M45	Richard Lyons	33.22
	M50	Trevor Hooley	38.42
10 Km	Open	Douglas Briggs	36.13
	M40	Chris Stubbs	36.25
	M45	Dave Lewis	38:57
10 Miles	Open	Joe Marjoram	1:01:22
	M40	Chris Stubbs	1:05:14
	M45	Simon Bellwood	1:06:54
	M50	Trevor Hooley	1:20:04
Half Marathon	Open	Douglas Briggs	1:18:58
	M40	Chris Smith	1:24:05
	M45	Simon Bellwood	1:22:48
	M50	Trevor Hooley	1:43:29
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	2:17:26
	M45	Simon Bellwood	2:13:50
Marathon	Open	Chris Smith	3:04:12
	M40	Simon Bellwood	3:02:18
	M45	Richard Lyons	3:36:15
	M50	Trevor Hooley	4:15:08

Current Women’s Club Records

Distance	Category	Name	Time
5 Km	Open	Donna Edmondson	19:03
	F35	Lisa Flesher	20.17
	F40	Laura Brook	21.36
	F45	Kay Gambles	20.59
	F50	Ana Lincoln	27.01
5 Miles	Open	Donna Edmondson	33:46
	F35	Lisa Flesher	37:17
	F45	Kay Gambles	40.03
	F50	Ana Lincoln	43.13
10 Km	Open	Hayley Atkinson-Windsor	40:51
	F35	Lisa Flesher	44:09
	F40	Laura Brook	48.23
	F45	Laura Brook	46:13
	F50	Ana Lincoln	52:39
10 Miles	Open	Donna Edmondson	1:10:13
	F35	Lisa Flesher	1:12:40
	F45	Kay Gambles	1:16:50
	F50	Ana Lincoln	1.32.38
Half Marathon	Open	Hayley Atkinson-Windsor	1:32:19
	F35	Lisa Flesher	1:33:50
	F40	Kay Gambles	1:51:00
	F45	Laura Brook	1:41:39
	F50	Ana Lincoln	1:53:27
15 Miles	Open	Donna Edmondson	1:50:54
15 Miles	F35	Amnuay Scott	2:00:43
20 Miles	Open	Joanne Belcher	2:37:11
	F35	Davina Smith	3:01:01
	F40	Kay Gambles	3:02:00
	F45	Laura Brook	2:48:05
Marathon	Open	Joanne Belcher	3:21:31
	F35	Lisa Flesher	3:37:28
	F40	Davina Smith	4:02:58
	F45	Laura Brook	3:55:10
	F50	Ana Lincoln	4.47.06