On Thursday evening last Kenilworth Runners held the seventh race of their Summer Series. This was a four mile event with the three groups, A, B and C starting separately at five minute intervals.

The race is known to club members as “Run the Gauntlet”. The race is given that name as it starts and finishes outside the Gauntlet Public House in Caesar Road. The course passes along Scott Road turns left into Oaks Road then left into St. Nicholas Road going onto Siddeley Avenue , left along Fishponds up John of Gaunt Road, back along Oaks Road to Queens Road onto Warwick Road and then back by the clock to Oaks Road and then to the final hill up Caesar Road.

This race has not been run for nearly nine years and apart from the race the navigation is quite a challenge. As far as we know nobody got lost! On an excellent night for running, if not for marshalling, with a steady drizzle of rain, 32 runners and marshals (including 4 guests who were most welcome) took part in this race. For the first time in this series no records were beaten but Martin Dorrill, Steff Shillington and Gwyn Davies all had good runs and cleverly played their jokers to get double points.

The league positions after Race 7 are as follows:- Overall Leader at Race 7 is Martin Dorrill with 280 points A group leader Bob Griffiths 233 points followed by Pam Wilkes 222 points and Mick Morris 214 points B group leader Gwyn Davies 250 points followed by Steff Shillington 248 points and Roger Wilkes 226 points C group leader Lou Frondelle 232 points followed by Roland Smythe 228 points and Mick Williams 210 points Martin Dorrill’s fine run has put him in a strong position to win the coveted Summer Handicap Title but he cannot afford to take anything for granted as Gwyn Davies of B group has, with some strong running over the series, put himself in a position to pip Martin to the post. Kenilworth Runners next race will be held on Thursday 30th August 2001 and the start will be outside the Honiley Court Hotel in Honiley.

16/08/01 Roger's Railway Race

On Thursday evening last and nearer to home a good turnout of runners took part in an annual club race down (or is it up?) the disused railway line to Balsall Common.

The race is called ‘Rogers’ Railway Handicap’ and starts at the Old Bridge in Crackley Lane. Navigation is easy as it goes 2.5 miles to just beyond Cromwell Lane Bridge and turns around to return to the start. On a dark evening with each runner having their handicap time set, which means that the fastest runners go last, Matthew Dyer was the first man and Annette Robinson the first lady to finish. Jerry Lewis and John Woodrow were second and third men with Jane Everett second lady and Denise Cheetham third..

 

18/08/01 Race The Train

In Mid Wales, the Runners took three prizes in this years Race the Train.

In conditions more akin to winter than summer, this years race was run entirely on the road due to the foot and mouth restrictions. Matin Dorrill excelled himself and finished the hilly course in a time of 1:30:15 for 8th place. Mick Williams was next home in a time of 1:33:38 and 23rd place. This was good enough for him to claim 3rd place in the Veterans category. Lou Frondella came in three minutes later in 1:36:53 for 39th place.

These placings were good enough for second place in the team event - won this year by East Cheshire Running Club. Roland Smythe was the next runner home in 1:39:13 and 62nd place. All four beat the train, which arrived back at the station in a time of 1:45:00. Other places were, Mike Cahill, 1:49:07 186th; John McNally and Kerry Waine, 1:55:58 for 253rd; Liam Berney 2:06:21, 328th and John Jones 2:26:38, 447th.

In the 10K race, again run entirely on the road and also very hilly, no one managed to beat the train - but the weather conditions were appalling - gusting winds and torrential rain. First back for the Runners was Andy Biss in a time of 54:26 (135th). He was closely followed by Gerry Lewis 54:33 (137th). Tony Knowles was the next over the line in a time of 56:33 (167th) and the fourth Runner to finish under the hour was Daniel Biss in 58:34 (192nd). Miranda Aston finished in 209th place and managed a time of exactly one hour. Jane McNally 61:56 (232nd); Uli Ull 64:15 (273rd) and Gary Bradbury with Annette Robinson 66:30 and 296th place were the other finishers. The field was smaller than last year because of the foot and mouth, but nevertheless 361 finished the race - including the giraffe - which was ahead of Gary & Annette!!

Photo Gallery:

Martin & Lou begin to stride out at the mile mark		John McNally, John Jones, Liam Berney and Colin Bricher - far right in red vest - just behind the leaders
Andy Biss 135th, 54:26; finds one last ounce of power to head off Gerry Lewis 137th, 54:33;in the 10K - sorry Gerry, but you are right behind Andy here - honest!		An exhausted Tony Knowles wishing he was somewhere else. 167th, 56:33
Liam Berney still smiling with only 200 metres to go.2:06;21, 328th		Daniel can't believe his old man has beaten him! 192nd, 58:34
Jane is just glad she wasn't running 15 miles! 232nd, 61:56		Uli sprinting to the finish - 273rd, 64:15
Not everyone was put off by the weather...fine weather for giraffes		Annette & Gary trying hard to catch the giraffe, but couldn't quite make it. 296th 66:30
John & Jane McNally enjoying a more relaxing pastime - Dolgeth Falls		After yestedays exertions, nothing better than a stiff climb to finish you off totally.
The peaceful setting that is Dolgeth Falls - well worth a visit - if only for the pint of Brains beer at the finish!		Mick trying his best to knock Martin off the tree after losing to him - again - in yesterdays race.

 

30/08/01 Summer League Race 8 - Honiley Hoof

Last Thursday evening, the 30th August, Kenilworth Runners held the last of their Summer Running League races. This was a 3.5 mile event and the shortest of the eight races in the series.

The event is known in the Club as ’The Honiley Hoof’ and following the normal club procedure three groups of runners were set of at 5 minute intervals. The eight races have attracted a good turnout of Club members and this race was no different as 34 runners and marshals attended and of these there were 5 ladies running.

The evening was dull and overcast with a tendency to rain, conditions that are ideal for running, as the race proved with no less than 14 breaking their set handicap times. The ‘Joker’ is a unique feature of the Kenilworth races, the use of which doubles the value of the points won at any one of the eight races. Careful use of the Joker can win trophies, injudicious use can ruin any chance of success. On the night, and before the race, runners have to decide if they feel in good form and if the course is to their liking and then play the one joker they get in the series. On the evening 26 runners played their Jokers clearly hoping for the advantage of the flat short course! The course on Thursday last started opposite the Honiley Court Hotel and proceeded through Beausale to turn right to Haseley Knob and again right to go around Clattyland Wood and so back to the start and then to an enjoyable drink in the Honiley Court Hotel.