First a reminder about the Runner’s council meeting  on Tuesday, 29 July 2008 at 7.30pm in the Riccarton Arms, Currie, hope to see a lot of members there.

Also the club handicap run down WOL is on Sunday 17^th August – I managed to mistype the date in the last newsletter so it is NOT on Tuesday 19^th!  Anyone is welcome to enter this run, non-members as well -medals for all  finishers and trophies for M & F for Low & High handicap groups (members only). (£3 entry for non-members) 

Please let Ian May know beforehand if you want to run but dont have a handicap time. Tell him a recent 5k or 10k time and we will  work out a handicap for you.   Start time is   10am at Balerno High School.

The Handicappers Musings   (Ian May)

My fears about the Marathon Handicaps were in general unfounded as a number of club runners managed to beat their times!
It is now back to 5k and 10k handicaps which, perhaps unsurprisingly, seem, in general, to be rather closer to the times we all achieve.
Next handicap events are the 5k and 10k Scottish Gas races (both are club handicap events) on Sunday 3^rd August at 10:30 am – Pauline and Tom have entry forms, which are also available at www.edinburghac.org.uk, where online entry should also be available.We usually get a good turn-out at this event – so make a date and come along.
As many of you will be aware we have now presented the trophies for all the handicap events already held.  If you are a winner and still haven’t got your trophy you can collect it from me at club runs on Wednesdays or Sundays – if I am there!  Alternatively if you e-mail me we can arrange for it to reach you somehow!

As usual, if you require a handicap or have any queries or suggestions about the handicap system let me know.

Recent performances

Club handicap races

Edinburgh 10k handicap times

                                                  Time          Handicap Diff          Revised Handicap

Ian             SMITH                  46.26        =                                  
Christina   DOYLE                   54:50        49:00        +5:50         52:00
Morag       TWEDDLE             55.36        52:30        +3:06         54:00
Lorna        BROADHURST    58:30         1:06:00      -7:30          59:00
Breige       STEWART             1:08:20     1:10:00      -1:40         1:08:30
April          BIRRELL                1:09:10      1:06:00     +3:10          1:07:30

Male winner Ian Smith
Female winner Lorna Broadhurst

 Edinburgh marathon

Handicap winners were Norma Bone (06.40 under handicap) and Paul Houston (02.37 under handicap time)

Beltane (Peebles) 10k

                                                Time                 Position         Handicap        Diff
Hugh Chalmers                     44:26               53                   44:15                +0:11
Ian Smith                             45:10                64                   44:45               +0:25
Ian May                                 45:12                66                   45:00               +0:12                                                                                                

Beverley Dodgson                 44:37              57                     46:30              -1:53
Number of finishers -143

There was a rather disappointing turn out of club members this year for the Peebles 10k.  As last year, the event was well organised.  Beverley Dodgson won the female handicap and Hugh Chalmers won the male handicap in a close run event.

Other race results

Laggan 10K  31 May 08
49 Ian May    47.49

 Trossachs 10k 31 May  136 runners
44  Bob Douglas          50:11
73  Christina Morgan 55:40
115  Anne Douglas      64:14

 Carluke 10k  1 June 08   108 Runners
79 Alan Price             51.42

 Silerknowes 5k 4 June 08   159 Runners
75 Ian Smith  21.15

 Stranraer Half 7 June 08   212 Runners
62 Andreas Wilhelm  1.38.52

 Dechmont Trail 10K  8 June 08   146 Runners
111 Alan Price                         51.38

Vale Of leven  10k   15 June 08   659 Runners
30 Bob Turner                        35.06

 Seven Hills challenge 15 June 08
19 Bill Stobie              2.26.33
80 Sally May               2.50.22
98 Karin Mckendrick             3.07.04

 Portobello 4 Mile   19 June 08  123 Runners
92 Lorna Broadhurst             35.40
93 Anne Douglas                    35.43
101 Gail Crosbie                      36.53
103 Rhoda Ross                       36.55

 Dundee Half Marathon 22 June 08  654 Runners
168 Bev Dodgson                    1.43.12
600 Helen Robinson               2.25.02

 Jog Scotland 5k Inverleith  25 June 08    629 Runners     

19 Paul Thompson             20.04
57 Ian Smith                    21.43
111 Alan Greirson             23.57
128 Margie Leitch            24.36
311 Rhoda Ross                 28.29
454 Catherine Rutter     33.08
508 Lyn McBride              33.41
562 Marie Johnston       36.21
581 Sandra Lithgow         37.31
582 Doreen Mcintee       37.32

Well done to the Wednesday night Jogscotland girls who did this as their first ever race and all did brilliantly!

Red Moss 9k Hill Run 26 June 08  92 Runners
31 Alan Kerr                     44.36
50 Iain Morrice                48.20
57 Darren Cavaroli          49.10
61 Caroline Dunn              50.20
64 Tim May                      50.52

 Meadows 5k 2 July 08  87 Runners
55 Andreas Wilhelm       21.09

Report by Ian May on the Scottish Masters Track and Field Championships -
One never learns that you shouldn’t make promises to have a go at a track 5k after a couple of drinks at a club social event!  Well here I was at Pitreavie on the day of the Scottish Masters Track and Field day having never run competitively on a track.  I was in good company for the 5k as Boab Turner was also running in the same event which included men and one woman  for all age groups from 35 -65.  Boab suggested warming up which proved to be 5k at my race pace!  I must admit that the race itself was somewhat different to a road race in that one was called to assemble before the race, then given a number to put on ones shorts to indicate position at the start and then led out to the start – I felt like a real athlete – mind you this feeling didn’t last long!  Of course once the race started I ran the first few hundred metres much too fast.    After a couple of laps I settled to my normal pace and from my position I was able to watch Boab track another runner ultimately to overtake him and win the event in 16:45:07 being awarded a gold medal for the M35 category.  I finally reached the end in a pb of 21:16:67 and was awarded a silver medal for M60 category.  Boab then suggested a cool down run, again 5k at my race pace.   Bob D was also competing in a number of events and in M50 category - 
100m 3^rd 13.69 secs!
Discus 2^nd 24.71
Shot 2^nd 8.73

The event was really well run and the organisers and officials are to be congratulated. 

Will I do it again?  I suspect I will.  I did find it much harder that a road race.  The relatively small field meant that for most of the time I was on my own so I had no one to pace me so it does require a bit more discipline.  The target for next year – ah well that’s a secret! 

 There are a number of criteria in order for medals to be awarded the most important of which are the British Masters Athletics Federation Merit Standards shown below for 5000m for men; unfortunately I don’t have the women’s times.   If you can get inside these times then why not have a go yourself next year? 

M35          M40      M45      M50       M55      M60      M65      M70      M75      M80

18-39       19-20    20-05     20-55    21-52    22-58     24-16    25-51    27-51     30-32

 Junior News

By Bob D: “Some runners will be aware that we have an active junior section which normally closes during the school holidays, however we have the final meeting of the Forth Valley League meeting on Saturday, 19th July at Grangemouth Stadium ( not a date we would have chosen!).

 As there are quite a few events on the programme, we are likely to have some gaps in some age groups, so we thought it would be worthwhile throwing it open to the children of adult members, and have contacted those we know of. So if you have any active children who are running out of ideas in the hols who would like to have a go please let us know and we might be able to slot them in. The qualifying age range is at least 9 years old on 19 July, and under 15 years as at 31 August. We would require date of birth for the team sheet.

Normal training for juniors resumes after the summer holidays on Mon 25 / Wed 27 Aug (min age 8 y.o.).

Supporting the youngsters
We are keen to increase our pool of coaches and helpers, so if you would like to be part of the real grassroots development of future talent please get in touch. The talent is out there in our community, and it would be good to see us developing our share of regional and national athletes.

 Endurance Speed session during the summer
Although the juniors may stop during the summer, speedwork sessions for adults / distance runners continues throughout the year.

Who are they for?    Anyone who wants to add a bit of oomph to their training,
                                Anyone who wants to improve their race times.
What are they?         A mixture of Fartleks and paced / timed reps
                                    …uncomfortable, hard work.

What are they NOT?            Sprinting – that’s a different training regime
                                                and also available for older kids.

When / Where:          Malleny Park, Mondays @ 7:00
                                    Saughton Track, Thursdays @ 6.30

Club Web-site
During the winter & spring the club’s web site was refurbished to make everything (hopefully) a lot more usable. We like to hear thoughts from folk, esp those who’ve joined recently and whose first contact with the club was through the web-site.

The main front door to all our activities is at www.harmenyac.org.uk but the runners have their own self-contained flat with an entrance at www.pentlandrunners.org.uk 

To make it a bit more challenging – a wee quiz to see how easily you can find stuff on the site.

1 In what year was Harmeny founded?
2 What is YOUR target 10k handicap time (if you don’t have one, what is the 1^st target time on the list)?
3 What was the winning time of the Rigg Race in 1998?
4 Who won the club pursuit handicap (10k-&-a-bit down the Water of Leith) in 2006?
5 Who was the first Harmeny runner home in the Dunbar 10k in April this year?
5 What (in km) is the distance round Harlaw Reservoir, starting from Harlaw Car Park (according to our route maps)?
6 What is the club 100m record (Senior Men)
7 What brand name is on junior coach Robyn Hewat’s sweatshirt in her biopic?
8 At which track venue have the juniors competed twice in the Forth Valley League this summer?
9 What was 9-year-old Andrew Scott’s time for the 4.25 km race in our Water of Leith Mini Marathon in June this year?
10 What is Irvine AC’s vest colour?

 A prize (or prizes) to the winning entry. In the event of a tie there will be a draw. Please e-mail answers or general comments by 30 July to bob.douglas@harmenyac.org.uk.  

Coffee & Cake Runs
The last run down to the Water of Leith Visitor Centre proved very popular (as did Anne’s cakes), with over 20 runners, so how about another run to the Gyle Centre on Sunday 14 Sep (an easy run before the Linlithgow 10k the following week).

 Club Socials
Next bog & burn run will be on Sunday 27 July 10am at BHS as usual – Iain will be away but we will think of a ‘cracking’ route to do.

 News of members
Some of you might remember Andrew Neilson – fast young lad! He is heading off to pastures new, he is moving his tent from Glasgow to Saudi Arabia on the 19th July to work there on a permanent basis.

He assures Iain Morrice that he will continue running even though the heat is a constant 105. He will be keeping in contact and will let us know of any races he does in the deserts!. 

Remaining events for the club handicap medals are-

Sun 3 Aug        Scottish Gas / Granton 10k and 5k
Sun 17 Aug     Club 10k-&-a-bit pursuit handicap race  down WOL
Sun 21 Sep     Linlithgow 10k
Sun 19 Oct     Aviemore Half

 Other upcoming races

Sun 13 July    Famous Grouse Crieff 10k Morrisons academy
Sun 3 Aug       Scottish Gas / Granton 10k and 5k
Sat 9^th Aug     Haddington Half marathon
Sun 7^th Sep     Glasgow half marathon, 10k and junior run -see below for half price entry
Sun 21 Sep     Linlithgow 10k
Sat 4 Oct       Dunbar 10mile multi terrain race
Sun 5 Oct       Loch Ness marathon (and a 10k & 5k)
Sun 19 Oct     Jedburgh half marathon
Sun 19 Oct     Aviemore Half marathon
Sat in Nov      Glen Clova half marathon

 See the club website for more races coming up this year.

The full Scottish Athletics fixture list for the coming season is at http://www.scottishathletics.org.uk

 Other news

DRAM 2008 - Sat 20th September - 09.30am start
This is the Dundee adventure marathon and they are opening entry for 30 relay teams  - it seems we have quite a bit of interest in this event from club members.  It looks like 3 teams now.  If anyone else is interested let me, Norma Kenny (or anyone in fact) know.  And the teams need to enter.  

Please check for further details being added to the webpage over the next few weeks, which can be found at http://www.eventfull.biz/marathon.html

Glasgow half and 10k
Up until the 31st of July Run 4 It are offering HALF PRICE entry into the event with every footwear purchase over £60! That’s a saving of over £14 for the ½ Marathon and £12 for the 10k! This offer also applies to the junior event. This is an EXCLUSIVE offer to Run 4 It, so if you are planning to run, then now is the time to renew the shoes and make a great saving. (Certain conditions apply, please ask instore for details).