February 2015 News and Chatter
Chair still not running!
It is now 6 weeks since my new aortic valve was fitted. I’ve started my physiotherapy rehab and can now walk comfortably 3-4 miles. It doesn’t seem much but it is definitely improving each day although the blood pressure still goes too low. As a target to aim for, I hope to do the shortened Trollers route in March as that is only 12 miles but it will be as a walk. Following on from that, Blubberhouse at the end of March and then Swaledale Marathon in June! One unexpected benefit of this surgery is that I’m about 12 pounds lighter! I wonder if the surgeon did some liposuction at the same time as the new valve!
Jolly Holly Jog 28th December
A full report has already been written on the Jolly Holly Jog, Ripon Runners’ most important event of the year. This year (2014) we perfected our electronic, shoe tagged timing system. Our tagging team, led by Lesley, managed to issue nearly 800 cable ties and shoe tags then retrieve them after the race with hardly any losses. Special thanks go to Tim Joynson our Race Director for his amazing organisational ability. So many Ripon Runners contribute to the success of this race that I risk missing someone but thanks also must be recorded to Simon Merrin, marshal’s leader, Paul and Ray for signage and Rick for transporting equipment. Claire and Monty sorted out the water whilst Jackie and Lesley (again) made sure that the finish was properly recorded and accurate results produced. Nigel organised the paraphernalia of the start/finish line. John Grundy carried out his role as safety officer with the efficiency of one who had held this role for some years. Lisa organised the junior Fun Race. To everyone who made the race such a success, Ripon Runners thanks you.
How gratifying that Ripon Ladies won the female team prize. Tori Green and Sharon Barlow were joint first place.
Ripon Ladies 2014 successes
Mention of our ladies team success in the JHJ leads me on to what must be Ripon Ladies most successful year ever! Team prizes were won at Muddy Boots, Ripon 10, Fountains 10k, The Bed Race (3rd year in succession) Pitstop, Harrogate, Darlington, Vale of York, Brass Monkey (Jan 2015) Ripon Ultra, Wetherby and JHJ.
For the first time in the history of Ripon Runners our Ladies won the Harrogate and District Evening League Series of Races. What a season, they must all still be celebrating!
Cover Bridge
After all that racing runners needed a relaxing social run with pub lunch. What better than Ray Raper’s most efficiently organised Cover Bridge meet. It was held on the Monday 29th December, the day after JHJ. 30 runners were split into three groups and they enjoyed a crisp, sunny, winter days’ running in lower Wensleydale. The pub lunch was the real draw of course.
Annual Dinner and Awards
For the first time this function was held at the Old Swan Hotel in Harrogate. We are fortunate that David Ritson, the General Manager, has become a Ripon Runner. It may not have been relaxing for him, having his running club swarming all over the hotel but feedback so far suggests this to have been our best ever venue! The hotel is spacious with function rooms away from bedrooms so we could continue until 1.00am. There was space for entertainment as well as the presentations which really is the most important part of the evening. The food was reported as being excellent.
The high point for many people was Bully’s entertainment, an inspired bit of theatre based on The Life of Jimmy Brown! A singer in Tyrolean dress sings the sad story whilst 4 guys dressed in little more than dressing gowns act out the saga. The dressing gowns keep popping open of course. The whole show brought the house down as one of the funniest acts at a Ripon Runners social event.
Thespians were John Bull (choreographer), John Grundy, Simon McCudden, Mike Pennock and Ursula Watson.
The Annual Awards went to:
Overall Men’s Champion – Alex Fawcett
Overall Ladies Champion – Sharon Barlow Hamilton
Male over 60 – John Grundy, Male over 50 – Ray Johnstone, Male over 40 – Gary Wilks, Male under 40 – Michael Elgie
Female over 55 – Helen Pickard, Female over 45 – Jo Wallace, Female over 35 – Donna Riddler, Female under 35 – Tori Green
The David Jelly Award for Ultra Distance Events – Paul Walker,
Most improved Male Runner – Simon McCudden
Most improved Female Runner – Kim Holden
David Dowson Award for most points by a Ripon Runner in the evening league –
Michael Elgie
Finally we must not forget all the hard work put in by Jackie in organising our annual dinner so successfully. A tremendous thanks to you, Jackie.
Behind the scenes Sheena did much to make our evening a seamless success. She secured the music for Bully’s team as well as organising the table displays and party games. You were much appreciated Sheena, thank you.
Rugby Club
It is 5 months since we moved to the much more spacious Rugby Club premises and with our growing membership this move had become essential. Personally I think the relocation has been a tremendous success, particularly as the officers of RRUFC are so responsive to our needs. I hope much more will come out of our partnership as there is much potential to our new found relationship, runners and rugby players working together for both clubs.
If anyone has suggestions or ideas for improving how we function within the rugby club then please let me know.