Friday 30 October 2015

Issue 84: Clocks go back, calendars fill up

Oh. My. Goodness. What a busy month November is lining up to be. This newsletter alone will be a test of your stamina, so there's a gold star and a chance to win a ride on a miniature horse for anyone who makes it to the end.  See me for details of how to claim your prize, but first....

This Thursday 29th October - Club Monthly 2.9 mile Handicap - arrive 7pm, starts 7:15pm
The first handicap of the season went well. All the results are on the noticeboard. October is no different, last Thursday of the month - what a great reason to get out on a mild Autumn night. 

Saturday 31st October - Club 3.5 mile championships 10:30am start
Race 2 in the club championships winter series. Run on a nice flat course in the park and like all club races, it won't cost you a penny.  All the details are on the noticeboard. (Club members may bring a guest to run as well).  I still need 1-2 more helpers with timekeeping.  In keeping with tradition, there's refreshments in the bar afterwards, cake contributions for that also welcome!  

Tuesday 3rd November - Chingford League Race #3 - Hog Hill Cycle circuit - Women 7:30pm, Men 8pm
Back to the usual Tuesday spot for the second fixture at the Redbridge Cycle circuit.  Our women are doing particularly well already this season. Note that at the cycle circuit fixtures men and women race separately due to volumes of participants. All details are on the noticeboard. Welcome on board Joyce as well. 

Saturday 7th November - Metropolitan League Race #2 - Stevenage - 1:55pm / 2:30pm
There was a strong turn out and a good set of results in race 1, with both our Women's and Men's A teams coming 6th in division 1 (ahead of local rivals Barnet).  Our women's vets came 4th in their division 1 (behind Barnet) and our vet men came top of league 2.  Lots of work to do to maintain and improve upon this great start so PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ATTEND.  The race is in Stevenage, a short train ride from Kings Cross or Finsbury Park.  There's also a minibus from the clubhouse for those who like to travel in packs - see details on Facebook or get in touch.  I look forward to seeing an overwhelming number of runners. PLEASE BRING YOUR NUMBERS WITH YOU.

Further details on the Met League website.  Our excellent junior squad will be there too, please make every effort to get there early and cheer them on from around 1:15pm.

Saturday 14th November - London XC Champs - Parliament Hill 1:15pm/2pm
Club entries for this race will close very shortly after this email but there is still time to register if you are quick. Details on the noticeboard.  Even if you don't plan to run come along and enjoy an afternoon on the Heath (and maybe a beer afterwards), over 40 club members have signed up to run.  

Thursday 19th November – Club Annual General Meeting – Club headquarters - 8:30PM
Members will receive a separate notice later in the week for the club's AGM. Details will also appear on the actual paper noticeboards at the clubhouse and at Mile End stadium. Please read it carefully. Those wishing to put forward motions for consideration need to do so by 12th November.

Most Improved Athlete Awards 2015 (Road and Cross Country)
This award is given at the AGM - please see details on the noticeboard about nominating your club mates for this coveted trophy.

Saturday 21st November - North London XC Champs - Hackney Marshes 2pm/3pm
Another individual race, not part of any league or championship. This year hosted by local friends Eton Manor AC held on a similar course to the Chingford League as used in recent years.  If you would like to run, then pre-registration is required. However I've made it easy for you - just complete this simple form: tinyurl.com/NLXC2015. If you've already registered to run the London XC Champs on Parliament Hill no need to enter the same details - just sign up in a few clicks.

Thursday 26th November - Monthly Handicap (2.9 mile) - Well Street Common - From 7pm
As above, the monthly handicap will take place as usual, with the added excitement of the marathon ballot afterwards.

Thursday 26th November - Club Marathon Ballot - Club bar, 9pm 
The club has been awarded three guaranteed places in the 2016 Virgin London Marathon. All the details on qualifying and registering for the ballot are (you guessed it!) on the noticeboard....  

Saturday 28th November - QUESTION?
Shall we have the club cross-country race on this date? We've a pretty full calendar already but this might be the only date to hold the race. I would value your thoughts.

The Register
Congratulations to club member Annie Brown who was married to her partner Guillaume on Saturday at Hackney Town Hall. Proper East End. We wish you every happiness in your future together and hope to see you back at the club soon ;-) 

Annual Subscriptions
Don't forget - the membership year start on 1st November. If you pay monthly there's no action required, but if you pay annually then please see this post from all-round membership good-guy, Neil Cook. 

Yours in anticipation of the most improved athlete award,

Simeon
Men's Road & XC Captain

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Find out what your clubmates are up to on the Club Facebook page
Get the latest news and updates, follow @VPHTHAC on Twitter
Get news, updates and race results on the club noticeboard - handicap results are here: tinyurl.com/HandicapResults
Keep an eye out for forthcoming fixtures on the club website

Sunday 4 October 2015

Issue 83 - October News, just about delivered in September

Autumnal greetings, getting back in to the busy season, October is a packed month. Starting, importantly, with cake....

This Thursday 1st October - Bake Off - Clubhouse from 8:30pm
Back for the third year, now. Improved for 2015 as it's a chance to combine baking with raising money for worthy charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (or Doctors Without Borders).  All of the details are on the front page of the club website and also on Facebook. Whether you bake, simply consume, or both, there really is very little excuse not to get involved.  

Sunday 4th October  - Middlesex Championships 10km Race - Victoria Park - 10:30am start
Official entries have now closed but if any club member really wishes to run get in touch with me.  I really need some helpers to come forward to make things run smoothly on the day. Specifically looking for folk to help set the course out (from 9am), marshalling the race (from around 10am) and closing down (from around 11:30am) and also a lead cyclist.  Hope to hear from some of you soon.

DATE CHANGE Wednesday 7th October - Chingford League Race #1 - Hog Hill Cycle circuit - Women 7:30pm, Men 8pm
Due to a prior booking at the Redbridge Cycle circuit the first league race of the season will be on a Wednesday night, and not on the Tuesday as usual.  Also note that at the cycle circuit fixtures men and women race separately due to volumes of participants. All details are on the noticeboard.

Saturday 10th October - Metropolitan League Race #1 - Claybury Woods - 1:55pm / 2:30pm
The Metropolitan Cross-Country League kicks off once again. The fixtures have been finalised and as usual all of the details are available on the Met League website.  This is the best cross-country league in London and both our men's and women's team compete in its top tier. It will be our primary focus for cross country this season and members are asked to prioritise these fixtures.  Our excellent junior squad will be there too, please make every effort to get there early and cheer them on from around 1:15pm.

Saturday 17th October - Chingford League Race #2 - Loughton - 2:30pm
Please keep the date in your diary for now. Full details will be posted in the usual places nearer the time.

Saturday 24th October - North of the Thames XC - Kingsbury 2pm Women / 2:30pm Men
This annual fixture takes place once again in the pretty Fryent Country Park.  This is a pre-entry event and the deadline for applications is 15th October.  I have posted more details on the noticeboard.

Thursday 29th October - Club Monthly 2.9 mile Handicap - arrive 7pm, starts 7:15pm
The first handicap of the season went well. All the results are on the noticeboard. October is no different, last Thursday of the month - what a great reason to get out on a cold Autumn night. 

Saturday 31st October - Potential date for the club 3.5 mile championships
Given yet another full calendar this is a potential date for race #2 in the club championships winter series. Run on a nice flat course in the park I have earmarked this as a potential date. The race is usually held on a Saturday morning.

AGM + Fixtures Card
Look out for a separate mail in coming days regarding the 2015 AGM (including the most improved athlete awards, sure to be tricky this year) and a handy PDF winter fixtures guide. Bet you can't wait.

The Register
More great news. Long-standing club member Chrissie Ward (formerly Shepherd) gave birth to a little boy, named Alexander on September 17th.  Despite what sounded like a very exciting birth, I understand all are doing well and a visit to the club may happen some time in the future. Congratulations from us all, Chrissie.

Club Secretary Rachel Morison and fellow club member Rupert Rowling were married in September in Northamptonshire, it's not clear how much running they did on their honeymoon but Rachel also picked up a few medals at the recent Isle of Wight fell running championships as well.  Congratulations to you both!

That's it for now
Simeon
Men's Road & XC Captain

Find out what your clubmates are up to on the Club Facebook page
Get the latest news and updates, follow @VPHTHAC on Twitter
Get news, updates and race results on the club noticeboard - handicap results are here: tinyurl.com/HandicapResults
Keep an eye out for forthcoming fixtures on the club website