The club takes part in the Surrey Cross Country League, Surrey County, Surrey Vets, Southern and National XC Champs and several other local cross country races in the winter and the Surrey Road League (which we have won every year for the last four years) in the summer. Members can run all cross country races and some of the relays (mentioned below) for free. We are a more serious running club than the name suggests and are always looking for new members of all abilities and ages.
In addition to the races listed above, teams are also entered in a number of relays: Nationals Masters and Green Belt (both in May), Parkland, Welsh Castles and Horton Park (June), Runnymede and Non Such Park in July, Surrey County, River Relay and Southern (all in September).
If you would like to contact me email: royreeder@hotmail.com or 'phone me at home on 020 8979 1385. Alternatively, see me most Thursdays (the club's main training evening) at the Hawker Centre, Lower Ham Road, Kingston, KT2 5BH.
*****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
FORTHCOMING EVENTS:
30 January 2010 - SOUTHERN CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPS, Parliament Hill, 2.50pm, 9 (yes, nine!) miles.
It was necessary to enter in advance for this race, though I will have a few spare numbers available on the day.
6 February 2010 - SURREY CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE (Race 4 of 4), 3pm, 5 miles.
Race starts at 3pm in Richmond Park (Sheen Gate). No need to register in advance, just arrive half an hour or so before the start to allow time to pick up your race number. Promotion to Division 1 is still possible, so please put the final race of the season in your diary. It's in Richmond Park so I am expecting a big turnout!
20 February 2010 - Inter club cross country race hosted by Croydon Harriers, Lloyd Park, 2pm, 10k.
New race, familiar venue. No need to register in advance, just arrive half an hour or so before the start to allow time to pick up your race number.
27 February 2010- NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPS., Roundhay Park, Leeds, 3pm, 7.5 miles
Let me know in advance if you would like to enter this race (I need to enter a team by 23 December).
*****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Races listed in capital letters count towards the Stragglers Championships. Scoring: best 5 from 8 races.
REVIEW OF CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP (AND SOME OTHER) EVENTS:
12 December 2009 - SURREY CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE (Race 3 of 4)
Only 14 Stragglers made the trip to Lloyd Park. Well done to Ben Osborn and Graham Brook who finished second and third respectively. With several other good performances, the team finished in first place on the day. Going into the final fixture we are in third place, trailing Dorking by 127 points so promotion is still possible.
Full results here:
http://www.stragglers.org/results/xcountry/2009-12-12-SurreyLeague-Men-Club.htm
5 December 2009 - ELLIS TROPHY
Serpies dominated the race with their tenth scorer in 17th place. A good turnout of 21 Stragglers, we finished third behind Hercules Wimbledon and just ahead of Ranelagh.
Full results here:
http://www.ranelagh-harriers.com/results/091205m.html
14 November 2009 - SURREY CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE (Race 2 of 4)
A brand new course around Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking was well attended (22 Stragglers finished). A welcome return to racing for Graham Brook saw him finish 6th, closely followed by Ben Osborn in 7th. James Flood, myself and PG weren't far behind, inside the top 21 finishers. Then the injuries to several runners showed and there were some big gaps before our final scorer came home in 84th place.
Results are here:
http://www.stragglers.org/results/xcountry/2009-11-14-SurreyLeague-Men-Club.htm
10 October 2009 - SURREY CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE (Race 1 of 4)
Overall a good course I thought, despite a lot of rain in the days before, not muddy being mostly on stony paths with a few tree roots to avoid and a couple of descents which had to be taken with care. The last time we ran here was January 1999, before I had had my arm twisted into running cross country!
A great run from Ben Osborn finishing 2nd. Our next scorers were James Flood and Anthony Jackson who found their first race in div 2 much less daunting than div 1. Thanks to Evan Bond and Nick Brown who struggled round with injuries picked up during the race, our club treasurer completed the scoring ten - well done Andrew!
Results are here:
http://www.stragglers.org/results/xcountry/2009-10-10-SurreyLeague-Men-Club.htm
3 October 2009 - MOB MATCH AGAINST THAMES, HARE AND HOUNDS
A win for us by 169 points to 212? Great food in the Hawker centre afterwards.
Results are here:
http://www.stragglers.org/results/xcountry/2009-10-03-THH-Mob-Match.htm
27 September 2009 - Southern Road Relay (Aldershot)
Another good event, this time the weather was very warm with bright sunshine and hardly a breeze to cool the runners.
http://www.stragglers.org/results/roadrelay/2009-southern6stage-Individual.htm
12 September 2009 - Surrey County Road Relay
We fielded four teams: senior, M40 and V50 (two). I did hope that our senior team might give Belgrave, Thames and Herne Hill etc a shock as most of the fastest runners in the club said they could run, however, this disappeared as 3 runners withdrew a few days beforehand.
Thankfully, I was able to call upon some reserves to make up the seniors team, Ben got us off to a flying start with a swift 15.29 before handing over to Graham. Unfortunately, Graham didn't run as well as he would have liked due to a headache (or was it a hangover!?). In the end, the team finished a creditable 11th.
In the M40 category I managed to field a surrey qualified team. Only recently turned 40, Peter Kennedy, led us off before handing over to Tony Maxwell and when our final runner, Jim Desmond, ran back onto the track we where in bronze medal position but unfortunately Hercules Wimbledon V40 team out-sprinted Jim and we finished a very creditable fourth.
Full results are here:
http://www.stragglers.org/results/roadrelay/2009surreyrelaysclub.htm
2009 Handicap 5km
Brilliant run of 16.52 by Wayne Smith in July 2009 saw him take the 35 points in the club champs.
13 August 09- Club 10k
Eleventh running of the event saw a second win for Graham Brook.
Thanks to the organisers (Simon Brazil and Pat Short) and their team of helpers who once again put on a very well organised race.
Full results are here:
http://www.stragglers.org/results/summerleague/ResultStragglers10K09All.pdf
9 August 09 - 2XU Belgrave Bolt 5k
Unfortunately, despite Jimmy Goulis finishing an excellent second in the race, Clapham Chasers pipped us to the Surrey Road League title.
November 2009 amendment: due to Clapham Chasers fielding an ineligible runner, the scoring has altered and we have been declared winners of the league after all.
Full results are here:
http://www.stragglers.org/results/summerleague/2009belgrave.htm
26 July 09 - Elmbridge 10km
Much cooler conditions than normal for this race and thankfully the organisers choose a date which didn't clash with the Molesey Regatta. Good runs from Jimmy Goulis, Graham Brook and newcomer Richard Lazell meant we finished behind a very strong Belgrave and, importantly for the Surrey Road League, just ahead of Clapham Chasers.
In the V60 battle, round one goes to Alan Purkiss (40.13) who beat Steve Sandham by 36 seconds.
Full results are here:
http://www.elmbridgeroadrunners.co.uk/pages/10k2009Results.html
28 June 09 - Dysart Dash 10km
Another hot day saw Jimmy and Wayne finish well up the field unfortunately our third scorer Danny Norman was a little way back so the team didn't do as well as I had hoped but we still lead the League table, closely followed by Ranelagh, SLH and Clapham Chasers.
Full results are here:
http://www.ranelagh-harriers.com/results/090628.html
31 May 09 - Dorking 10 mile
Another hot Dorking Ten. The men were second team, with Jimmy, Graham, Wayne and Allan scoring.
Full results are here:
http://www.dmvac.org.uk/results/d2009/
16 May 09 - National Masters Road Relays
All the way to Birmingham for a 3 mile relay?! Jim Desmond reports:
'The team came 25th out of the 34 teams in the V40 category. Also running was Dee Smale who collected a fantastic bronze medal in the WV35 category for WSEH.
I've competed at more events for Stragglers over more years than I care to remember, but this event has got to be up there with best there has been. The famous venue (Sutton Park in Birmingham) was spectacular, and the tough 3 mile course was on a perfect surface through the woods with excellent opportunity for support. The organisation was faultless, and the level of competition was phenomenal as you'd expect for a National Champs. It was great to see former International superstars such as Ron Hill, Paula Fudge & Steve Brace still competing for their clubs.
I reckon that we did OK on this big stage. There was super team spirit, all the guys put in good runs, and we placed very respectably for a 1st outing (especially considering the fact that 3 of our team were qualified to run in the V50 event, and 1 of them is only a month away from qualifying for the V60!!!).
Well done to Capt. Roy for making this happen. I'd definitely be up for this again, and if you're also old then why not join us?'
Splits were:
Roy Reeder 16.44, Steve Sandham 19.09, Rob Black 18.34, Simon Brazil 18.06, Jim Desmond 17.19, Ian Callander 18.26, Dave Griffiths 20.04, Nigel Rothwell 17.18
Nigel Rothwell's photos are here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rothwell_nt/sets/72157618238631655/
10 May 09 - Ranelagh Half
Also the Surrey Half Marathon Championship. I didn't take part but had quite a good view at my usual position manning the water station at Hampton Court Palace (seven miles). Graham Brook finished first Straggler again closely followed by Wayne Smith and Paul Graham. Wayne, PG and Danny Norman received Surrey Championship team medals (gold).
Full results are here:
http://www.ranelagh-harriers.com/results/090510.html
3 May 09 - Sutton 10k
Not a popular race - narrow start, 3 laps, usually very warm and soon after the London Marathon. Reasonable temperature for running this year but a burst water main meant a slight detour. After a lay off caused by a sore hamstring, Graham Brook was first Straggler followed by Paul Graham then (with others fading) yours truly completed the scoring team. We were second behind Clapham Chasers in the team event.
Full results are here:
http://www.suttonrunners.org/pdf/sutton10k2009Result.pdf
28 March 09 - Mob match against Ranelagh Harriers
A very good event, brilliant organisation and well-attended by both sides. Ranelagh had the first man home but with nine Stragglers in the first 13 we won by 2089 points to 2598 (first 48 to score). We also fielded more runners than them (58 to 51) - an impressive turnout for an inaugural race. I hope we can make this an annual event, hopefully the weather will be a bit more pleasant next year!
Full results are here:
http://www.ranelagh-harriers.com/results/090328.html
21 February 09 - National Cross Country Champs
Wasn’t there myself, but run on a fine sunny day in fairly mild conditions. There was still plenty of mud to deal with as usual at Parliament Hill. Mark Gray was first Straggler in 396th position overall followed by another eight mud-covered Stragglers.
Final race of the men’s Club Champs saw Rob Tyman wrap up a richly deserved Hero's prize, with Graham Brook taking the overall prize and Roy Reeder the V40 and Steve Sandham the V50.
Full results are here:
http://www.stragglers.org/results/xcountry/2009-02-21-NationalChamps-Club.htm
7 February 09 - Surrey Cross Country League
The final league race of the season was run over our own flat but muddy course. Most of the snow which had fallen earlier in the week had melted by the time of the race and the weather was perfect on the day. Good to see a big turnout of runners but disappointingly a few of our faster guys were missing. We finished eighth on the day. Dorking had a great turnout and just pipped us for eight place overall - so it back to division 2 again next season. A good turnout in the pub after the race too!
Full results are here:
http://www.stragglers.org/results/xcountry/2009-02-07-SurreyLeague-Men-Full.htm
24 January 09 - Southern Cross Country Champs
I was missing again, lack of fitness meant I didn't fancy 9 miles in the mud, Race report from Peter Kennedy:
'The South of England champs was the wettest race I’ve seen, I think; a gently undulating course at Hillingdon with plenty of flat sections where long stretches of waterlogged mud made for extremely heavy going; what’s more, there were four sapping laps of it. PK was first Straggler home, and the team managed to finish a solid 36th place, matching the ladies performance earlier in the day.'
Full results are here:
http://www.stragglers.org/results/xcountry/2009-01-24-SouthOfEngland-Club.htm
10 January 09 - Surrey Cross Country League
Your men's captain missed his first Surrey League Cross Country (other than through injury) since November 2001! Race report from Peter Kennedy:
'The Surrey League fixture on Farthing Down was mainly memorable for the extremely cold weather; about -4 in mid-afternoon, with freezing mist in the air, frost on every blade of grass, and a layer of snow covering about half the course. A strong turnout though from all clubs, with plenty at stake. Stragglers had a solid turnout but suffered an injury to key runner Graham B, who nevertheless limped home as 5th scorer; the result was a sound beating from relegation rivals Reigate, amongst others. Still, plenty of brave performances and plenty to feel proud of ourselves about.'
Full results here:
http://www.ranelagh-harriers.com/results/090110mr.html
6 December 08 - Ellis Trophy
A very high standard at the front of the race both Jimmy Goulis and Graham Brook recording times which would usually have won it. The team packed well with newcomers James Flood and Mark Gray finishing in our scoring ten. Despite a good turnout of 21 runners, we missed out to Serpies in the team competition, trailing them 165 points to 118.
Full results here:
http://www.ranelagh-harriers.com/results/081206m.html
Nigel Rothwell's photos are here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rothwell_nt/sets/72157610971765972/
15 November 08 - South of the Thames 5
Only 8 Stragglers made the trip to Croydon for this race. On arrival, Lloyd Park was scarcely recognisable with very little of the customary mud. We finished 7th (of 16 teams) in the 4 to score event, 5th (of 7) in the 8 to score.
Full results here:
http://www.ranelagh-harriers.com/results/081115r.html
8 November 08 - Surrey League Cross Country
Unfortunately, we had several absentees for this fixture over the rain-lashed Hercules Wimbledon course on Wimbledon Common and couldn't maintain the excellent start to the season but good runs by Jimmy Goulis (28th) and Graham Brook (30th) ensured we remain 120 points clear of Reigate in eighth place. I hope for a better turnout in the next race in Coulsdon on 10th January - please put the date in your diary if it's not in already.
Full results here:
http://www.ranelagh-harriers.com/results/081108mr.html
11 October 08 - Surrey League Cross Country
Our third season in Division 1, could we stay up? Off to a fabulous start with great team performance in Richmond Park (Pembroke Lodge) - only 11 points behind Hercules Wimbledon in fifth place, a point ahead of Belgrave and 210 points clear of the relegation zone.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 September 08 - Harry Hawkes 8
I missed this one due to being in Poland for the Pila half marathon but I gather this was a good event although club turnout wasn't great. Final club road championship event of the year. Final standings in the league were: first overall: Chris Walmsley; V40: Roy Reeder; V50: Ian Callander; Hero (most races): Noel Hollingsworth. Congratulations to them.
14 August 08 - Club 10k
10th running of our own club 10k championship and definitely the worst conditions under foot with the plenty of puddles on the towpath following a mid afternoon downpour. Wayne Smith and Anthony Jackson went off very quickly from the start with Wayne just getting the better of Anthony in the latter stages for his second win in this event. In the ladies event, great to see Phyllis Flynn also take her second win (eight years after her first!). 94 finishers - the third highest ever total.
Thanks to the organisers (Simon Brazil and Pat Short) and their team of helpers who once again put on a very well organised race.
10 August 08 - Belgrave Bolt 5k
Interesting new name, same boring old course in Wimbledon! Good conditions for running. I heard there were some fallers at the start and also one of the runners was run over by a car. No other surprises with Jimmy Goulis again first Straggler followed by improving Anthony Jackson with myself completing the SRL team (second behind Belgrave). With Anthony not being Surrey qualified Danny Norman was our third Surrey scorer (bronze medalists in the Surrey 5k team champs).
Team confirmed as winners of the Surrey Road League (for the third consecutive year).
20 July 08 - Elmbridge 10k
Late entrant Jimmy Goulis was first Straggler home followed by Danny Norman (returning to form) and myself - second Surrey Road league team behind a very strong Ranelagh team. This was sufficient to ensure we had an unassailable lead going into the final race. I picked up the first Elmbridge resident trophy (won by Sonia O'Sullivan in 2007 - my name on the same trophy as an Olympic medalist!).
Chris Walmsley, Paul Graham and Jim Desmond completed the six to score race team - first - just ahead of SLH and Ranelagh.
29 June 08 - Dysart Dash
Not everyone’s ideal 10K, with a narrow start and bumpy narrow towpath. Having done it several times in the past, wasn't disappointed to miss it (holidaying at Club la Santa in Lanzarote).
The men’s team welcomed back Jimmy Goulis again after a long absence due to injury who was first Straggler home followed Chris Walmsley, then a good run from Jim Desmond only just ahead of Trevor Ford.
The Surrey team comprising Jimmy, Jim and Trevor won bronze medals.
Other highlights were a big PB from Stragmag editor Bert Smith.
1 June 08 - Dorking 10
The usual hot conditions for this though no sun made it feel much more comfortable, an enjoyable run around the delightful undulating country lanes around Brockham with another big Stragglers turnout. First Straggler Graham Brook (6th in 55.51), followed by Anthony Jackson (who sprinted away from me in the last quarter mile like a track runner), me, Chris Walmsley, Paul Graham and Danny Norman (59.36 and only 6th Strag!)
Noel Hollingsworth was our second V40, closely followed by Steve Sandham our first V50.
Unsurprisingly, we featured strongly at the presentations - though don't quite see the logic in Chris Walmsley (who younger than me and finished behind me in the race) receiving a medal when I didn't! Just goes to show the strength of the V40s in the race unfortunately. First team again (3 out of 3 so far).
The |Surrey team comprising me, PG and Danny won gold medals.
11 May 08 - Ranelagh Half
Also the Surrey Half Marathon Championship. Only a week after Sutton but not good running conditions - very warm. By the time the runners reached the half way point at Hampton Court Palace where I was manning a water station they looked very red! A very familiar course around Teddington, Hampton Court and along the river, with plenty of familiar faces from Ranelagh and Stragglers cheering us along.
Graham Brook had a good run to finish second followed by Chris Walmsley, Paul Graham and Anthony Jackson - first team. Then Paul Belcher who along with Chris and PG received Surrey Championship team medals (silver).
4 May 08 - Sutton 10k
Off to a good start. It had been suggested that we should give this event a miss as its not a popular race - narrow start, 3 laps, usually very warm and soon after the London Marathon. But I thought it not popular with other clubs too, so a reasonable turnout could see us start the season with a win. I was correct - first Straggler home was Chris Walmsley (running well after an enforced lay-off after LM) closely followed by Paul Graham then yours truly with newcomer Anthony Jackson (who like Chris was close to 2.45 in LM) rounding off the scoring team. A narrow win over SLH.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
23 February 08 - Nationals
Only 3 Stragglers made the long trip to Alton Towers for the final xc of the season.
In our own Club Champs, Graham Brook won the overall award (for the third consecutive year), the V40 award went to me and the V50 award to Alan Pemberton. This is Alan eighth award - a great achievement. Names of the all the winners since inception can be found here:
http://www.stragglers.org/results/xcountry/honours%20board.htm
52 runners took part in at least one of the club championship races compared to 42 in the 06/07 season.
9 February 08 - Surrey League Cross Country
Going into the race, we were just 22 points ahead of Dulwich and 47 points ahead of Dorking so a big turnout was needed for the mudbath in Lloyd Park and you delivered! Thanks to Mark Caldecourt for traveling all the way from the Bournemouth for the race.
Our second first place on the day. This is the first time we have won division 2 and our points total of 1,189 was considerably better than our previous best of 1,456. Individually, congratulations are due to Graham Brook for winning the overall award and myself for winning the V40 award. So a clean sweep of the awards for us. Thanks to the following who (along with myself) ran in all four SL races: Graham Brook, Paul Graham, Colin Gray, Peter Kennedy, Ben Osborn, Nigel Rothwell.
26 January 08 - Southerns
Only 13 Stragglers ran this one and with it being in a Parliament Hill after a lot of rain hardly surprising.!
12 January 08 - Surrey League Cross Country
Good course which included running bits of the Ranelagh course, but the other way. Quite tough too, with hills and a wide variety of surfaces, as well as a terrifying hairpin bend just 200 yards into the race!
All to play for in the final race of the league on 9 February.
5 January 08 - Surrey County
Only 9 Stragglers ran round the usual muddy course in Lloyd Park, good warm up for the final Surrey league in February though.
1 December 07 - Ellis Cup
Same very familiar course for many of us. However, some fast guys from Hercules Wimbledon weren't as familiar with the course and missed a turn. Unfortunately we failed to make it a hat-trick, finishing third behind Serpies and Hercules Wimbledon.
10 November 07 - Surrey League Cross Country
A great team performance (our first 10 scorers were all inside the top 50). This is our best performance in division 2 since March 2003. First on the day and moved into first place overall, 92 points ahead of Dulwich and 121 points ahead of Dorking.
13 October 07 - Surrey League Cross Country, Richmond Park (Kingston Gate)
Great run from Graham Brook (first time we have had an individual victory in a Division 2 race). A good run from Wayne Smith too to finish third overall in his last race for Stragglers before emigrates to the States. It was also the first time I have seen anyone eating an ice cream after a cross country race.
The team finished second behind a very strong Dorking.