Kenilworth Runners

AAA Mem. No:

M2402AWA

Race Results - for November 2001

Sunday 4th November	Dovedale Dash
Sunday 11th November	Winter League Race 2 - Catchem's Corner
Sunday 18th November	Leicester Half Marathon
Sunday 25th November	Winter League Race 3 - Litterick's Lowsenford Loiter
Sunday 25th November	Eynsham 10K

04/11/01 Dovedale Dash

After last years cancellation due to the river being flooded, it was business as usual for the 4 and a bit country mile "dash" around the Dales countryside. Six runners and two guests made the trip up to Dovedale in the mini bus - for some it was the first time of asking, for others, seasoned campaigners.....The number of runners hadn't seem to have dwindled as there were around 900 or so brave soles who entered on the day. With the weather appearing to be exceptionally kind - glorious sunshine and hardly a cloud in the sky - the mass start at the top of the hill took shape - ready for the word.

The ground shook as the mass of runners started the "sprint" down to the stream. One or two casualties fell in those first hundred yards or so - either losing a shoe or their grip - before the stream beckoned. The stepping stones were just visible above the water but as the runners went through they disappeared in a frothy spray. The water was very cold as it came just above the knees, but luckily it was only for a few seconds before you reached the other side and the gravelled path. With the excitement over it was now down to the serious business of running. It was now that you noticed the strong headwind and as you went across the first field you also noticed how soft the ground was. It made the going very difficult, but by this stage a lot of the early leaders had dropped back now they realised a race was on. The course continued through fields and a few bits of track before turning back and heading back along the stream for the finish - up the hill that you had run down! At the end of the race it was particularly heavy underfoot, but you had to carry on all the way to the top. If you were lucky enough to be one of the slower runners, you were actually forced to stop running about 100 yards from the finish as runners queued up to pass through the finishing funnel. At the finish you were presented with a certificate telling you where you finished. It was then back to the bus for a nice warm bath - courtesy of Gary - in a washing up bowl. All mod cons at Dovedale you know.

After everyone had finished it was down to the pub for a swift pint/sherry before tackling yet more hills on a 4 mile walk. By this time however, the weather had turned dramatically and it was now blowing a strong wind and drizzling. Still it made for a good end to the day...........November 3rd next year if you want to do something different.


Part of the crowd eagerly awaiting the runners - notice how calm the water is!	Martin, second from left, on his way to the stream	He's in, but there aren't too many other runners with him at this early stage


Next it's Rolands' turn......	Followed by Roger......	Martin - booking a blower? Surely not. Only the uphill finish to go!

Roland, hard after the heels of Martin. OK, he's over two minutes ahead!	In the wars - Roger was accidentally tripped up on the stony path just before the end as the more impatient runners pushed through the small gateway	With the stepping stones just visible, Rob Bench (left) leads Gary Bradbury (right) as they head towards the finish


John Logue - just in front of Gary & Rob as he too nears the finish	Gary - back to his root's, in soft focus, or is the picture just blurred?

11/11/01 Winter League Race 2 - Catchem's Corner

On a mild Remembrance Sunday a small number of runners turned up for the second race in this years winter league. With only a small number it was an opportune time to play a joker - as shrewdly played by Tim Payne & Roland Smythe. Time will tell if it was a wise move or not. With only two runners in the C group it meant that the B's & C's started together, some five minutes behind the A group. Having run in the National Cross Country Championships the day before, Richard Steel, Mike Cruickshank and Roland Smythe found it hard going round the 4.5 mile circuit. It was eventually left to Richard to break away at two miles, before Roland found the hills to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and had to let Mike Cruickshank go. Up at the front it was Helen Wilkes who was first home - good to see her making a return to the fold - we could have a good ladies team yet.

18/11/01 Leicester Half Marathon

On Sunday Mike Cahill represented the club in the Leicester Half Marathon which starts and ends at the motor cycle race track in Mallory Park near Leicester. The race left Mallory Park to head north through the delightful little villages of Kirby Mallory, Peckleton, Desford, Newtown Unthank and Botcheston before returning the same way. Conditions were cold and dull, ideal for running, but the course was very hilly none the less Mike had an excellent run completing in 1 hour 32 minutes and 5 seconds.

25/11/01 Winter League Race 3 - Litterick's Lowsenford Loiter

On Sunday morning 19 members of the Club travelled to Lowsenford to take part in the third race of the Winter Handicap Series.

Known to Club members as ‘Littericks Loiter’, this is a tough 5 mile race involving several hills. It starts and finishes near the Fleur de Leys Public House in Lowsenford and is probably the hardest race of the eight in the series. The race proceeds out of Lowsenford and up the mile long hill on the Lapworth Road until the motorway is reached. Just before the motorway it turns left to descend a sharp hill into a very pleasant country lane which weaves, rises and falls several times on its way past Copt Green until, after two left turns, a downhill is reached as the course passes Lapworth Park but another sharp climb is met near Bushwood Hall before returning to the Lapworth Road and then the heady finish downhill into Lowsenford.

Two Ladies took part in the race, Pam Wilkes and Pauline Dable, both having excellent runs on this very difficult course, whilst Tim Payne held onto the leading position with 195 points as the result of yet another superb run but must watch out for Mick Morris is steadily closing the gap down. As a result of this race the position in the Winter Handicap Series is as follows:-

A Group: Mick Morris 190; Bob Griffiths 137; Helen Wilkes 133.

B Group: Mike Cruickshank 137; Gerry Lewis 128; Kerry Waine 126.

C Group: Roland Smythe 128; Richard Steele 122; Martin Dorrill 50.

Due to the difficulty of the course no runner exceeded their handicap time, Mick Morris and Gerry Lewis were the closest to doing this, being 30 and 45 seconds slower, respectively.

25/11/01 Eynsham 10K

Also on Sunday morning but under much better weather conditions Club member Ted Hatwood travelled to Oxfordshire to run in the Eynsham 10 kilometre road race. Eynsham lies just outside Oxford and is only a short distance from the famous Blenheim Palace. The race circumnavigated the village of Eynsham with two and a quarter laps passing through some nice rural countryside.

The race was very popular and Ted started with over 600 other runners and had an excellent run finishing in 58 minutes and 23 seconds.