The Dark nights are here already, so everyone should be taking a fluorescent top with them on training runs, I still think we may get the odd sunny spell but autumn is all but here.
We managed another good day for our Charter 5K and another good turnout, for what is a short flat out run around the town. I find this 5k quite tough as the thought of one small and four big laps seems never ending and although the course seems flat the small climbs can wear you down at 5k pace.
The race is always very competitive as even relative newcomers are able to run 3 miles so the spread is nothing like that of a 10k.
The race was won by Eddie Simpson from Dallam in 15.10. Bob Atkinson from Barrow Striders made a rare return to road running and came home in third place. Dave Fulford was our first counter in fourth place in another Personal Best of 16.02 followed by Jeff Chadwick and Chris Howie in 6th and 7th places.
Prizes went to Jeff MV40 prize and Sharon Dixon first lady, Sharon also ran a great PB time of 18.24. Hoad Hills Alyson Knowles won the FV45 prize and Jackie Bragg the FV40 prize. The Hoad hill Ladies team of Sharon, Alyson, and Jackie won the Team prize.
It is also worth mentioning the Boxers, Jeff Moses of Barrow Amateur Boxing Club brings as many of his club members as possible to the local races as a training session and there are some good runners amongst them Jordan Watson was first home for them in 17.03 and also the first under 18.
The afternoon started with the juniors race over 1 mile, this was won by Ross Campbell, with Jason Lamb 2nd and Nathan Chadwick 3rd. The girl’s race was won by Olivia Miller with Sophie Seddon 2nd and Abigail Howie 3rd.
With autumn arriving, we see the start of the cross Country season. The first event is at Townley Park Burnley on the 8th November, if you feel this is something you want to try, have a word with Jeff Chadwick who will supply you with all the details. The cross country events are the only true team events that Hoad Hill Harriers compete in and require 6 finishers to count for the team. In past years we have actually managed 2 teams to count in the men’s, which is a remarkable achievement for a relatively small club. The ladies team only require 3 finishers so come on Ladies I am sure we can field a strong team.
Harriers visited Albert this month to run in either the Marathon or Half marathon and to experience the French Hospitality. This was a return visit following the successful visit by runners from Albert to Hoad hill last year. Ken Lamb, Paul Jarvis and Penny Moreton have all put pen to paper and provided the following reports of a boozy few days in France all of which will become apparent as you read through the articles.
A Drinking Club With a Running Problem
Our annual trip abroad has proved to be a huge success again. The only thing was the running seemed to get in the way of eating and drinking.
We arrived in Albert safely, just clearing the channel tunnel before it was closed. From the moment we were greeted by our hosts at the train station to the time we left our time was always filled with a visit here there and everywhere. I stayed with the Dormy family who were fantastic; my only regret was that I didn't make more effort to learn some more French before I left for France.
There were lots of great moments, too many to mention them all. The two most memorable moments for me were our visit to Thiepval and finishing the marathon. I’ll start with Thiepval, a really moving experience. We arrived at Thiepval after a visit to the museum in Albert which was all about the First World War battle of the Somme. This was a moving experience on its own; we then arrived at Thiepval to see the memorial and graves. The memorial is covered with the names of those who lost their lives. I found myself looking for my surname on the stones thinking I may see one or two of the same name, but there were too many to count in the end. I then moved from the memorial to the graves, there was row after row of head stones, as I got closer to read the headstones I noticed that a lot of them had no name only a regiment. At this point the tears began to roll down my cheeks and I had to turn away before everyone noticed me. I know the others were moved by this visit because of the few minutes of silence when we got in the van to leave.
Marathon day arrived and I found myself on the start line ready to partake in the smallest marathon I have run. A marathon I had not prepared well for but one I was determined to enjoy. It was not the flat marathon I was expecting; in fact it was quite hilly. I set off steady and by halfway I found myself in sixteenth place, but by 25k I was finished. It was now time to concentrate on just finishing. So out came the union jack which I had borrowed from Paul to run down the finish with.
It was nice to get to get to the last corner and hear those cheers as I’d struggled from a long way out in this marathon. That’s no.14 done now, bring on the next challenge.
I could go on longer, but there will be stories from others I’m sure.
Ken.
Poppy Marathon 2008
Eleven intrepid travellers had an epic incident packed visit to Ulverston’s twin town Albert situated on the frontline of the Somme battlefields. The first incident of note was the Eurostar train carrying our squad passed through the Chunnel only minutes ahead of the raging fire whose temperatures reached over 1000 degrees Celsius!
A lesser incident had previously held up the West Coast express when Paul dropped his breakfast bag on the line at Lancaster station. Red faced platform officials struggled to understand why there were 2 bottles of wine on the menu.
On arrival our group were whisked away to an official welcoming reception at the very grand Albert town hall. After fluent or fluid Franglais speeches the hosts whisked us away to settle in.
Friday opened with a visit to an underground war museum where the townspeople used to shelter during the bombardments. The horror of the effects of the First World War were graphically shown and magnified by our next call at Thiepval the cemetery to the fallen British soldiers. Sixty thousand were lost in the one day of assault alone. Wherever we visited it was obvious that an everlasting gratitude was felt by the French people of the Picardy region.
A more relaxed afternoon was spent visiting Amiens and its cathedral.
The eve of the marathon, Saturday, brought out AMAAC’s spoiling tactics with a 10k run through pleasant rolling countryside (we even waited for Terry as usual before Yves Passepont realised that Terry was still sitting in Old Blighty) This was followed by a pleasant lunch at the home of Pierre Varlet (Erik’s hosts).
Ever onward to the old town of Arras for the afternoon and a guided walking tour. This took us around the town’s brothels and wine cellars. AMAAC were determined that we were not going to outperform them in the big race! The final nail was driven home at a sumptuous champagne buffet reception back at Albert town hall where official gifts were exchanged. Our modest gift was an engraved glass goblet (kindly donated by our patrons - GSK). This was engraved with the words “Hoad Hill Harriers Friendship Trophy” to be awarded to the AMAAC club member who had contributed most in the year towards the social well being of the club.
At last race day arrived and the AMAAC tactics certainly worked (ask Ken) but what a great day. The sun shone the crowds though sparse were enthusiastic. The races through rolling historic battlefield sites finished back at a carnival-like marathon village. Once again we were plied with food and wine, entertained by bands, dancing troupes, more wine, Penny graciously received her magnificent trophy by pinching a Gaul’s cheek instead of the customary kiss. Fortunately Mike Larbalastier restored order with statesman-like diplomacy for his own age category trophy.
The evening celebrations took us to the new Ibis hotel for a lovely buffet meal and as much wine as we could drink (we won that event). More gifts were showered on us and we retired exhausted to our hosts.
Almost rested we entered our last full day kicking off with a visit to a brewery in Peronne. We were getting into the swing of it by then and after a smokescreen of outwardly interested questions we hit the samples at the bar. By this time, even we were slowing down so a cultural visit to a vintage aircraft museum was taken.
Our departure the next morning was a tearful but happy farewell (tearful for our lost livers). We left our good friends early to cope with a disrupted return Eurostar journey but it all went smoothly and we arrived back safely in Ulverston an hour ahead of our original ETA (apart from Sean’s umbrella).
All in all we had a magnificent time and links with AMAAC were reforged despite the incident with Penny.
Paul Jarvis
Albert - what an experience!
When I agreed to go on this year's trip to Albert with the club little did I realise what I was letting myself in for.
Arrived at the station to discover that Erik and I had matching Toronto marathon t shirts on - very Mr and Mrs. Even the passport control took a second glance as did the barman in Lille where we supped hot cappuccinos during a thunderstorm whilst waiting for our connexion to Albert. A few hours later we were still 'hitched' at the welcoming reception at the town hall.
Divorce quickly followed as although we ran together in the half marathon three days later, it was Sean's turn to be my 'husband', as we ran together around the course. Sean gave me the nickname of 'wife' for some reason and Evelyne my hostess almost fell for it. However I had my second 'divorce' in as many days as Sean was doing a personal best to escape the Mayor's secretary. He has succeeeded to the best of my knowledge. So I return back to England still single but still having had an extremely fun filled holiday and I still deny that I pinched Philippe's posterior at the prize giving, it must have been all the champagne, beer and wine that clouded everyone's memory of the event - it certainly clouded mine - hic hic!!
Penny Moreton
Thanks to Ken, Paul and Penny for putting pen to paper, hope the Detox goes well.
Graham.