Harmeny Pentland Runners

Oct Update

Club AGM held last month and the Harmeny committee is as follows:

Secretary:     Bob Douglas

Treasurer:     Lorna Broadhurst

Membership Secretary:       Norma Bone

Welfare / Disclosure:           Judith Campbell

Pentland Runners & Tri reps:          to be decided

AC / Junior reps:                  George Miller (FVL), Sarah Bates, Derek Johnston

A proposal to set up a separate account for Pentland runners membership funds was voted in at the AGM and a small group are working out a suggested plan to get this set up and work out a few rules etc for administering the account. Also what format the pentland runners sub-committee (and the main club committee) might take. These suggestions will be circulated to all adult members for comments.

New membership year:

The membership year runs from 1 October to 30 Sep so membership fees are now due! Please pay promptly so we don’t have to chase people up.

Annual Membership fees for 2011/12: £22 (£25 for juniors)

Membership Form: An updated membership form (Word Document) for the new membership year 11/12 can now be downloaded from the club website  - please give completed forms and fees to Norma – thanks.

And don’t forget club members get 10% discount in Edinburgh specialist running shops (Run n Become, Run-4-It, Footworks).

Also a point to note is that £7 of the membership goes automatically to SAL as we are a SAL registered club. ( Individual Membership of Scottish Athletics (necessary to compete in championships  eg national cross country/T&F championships etc) is over and above this and it is up to individual adult members on whether to take out SAL membership, £18/year –it also means you pay £2 less entry fee for SAL registered races)

Family Discounts: Adult members with two or more children joining should be aware of the family discount. We charge full membership for the first 2 members of a family (eg mum + child 1) and only £7 for additional children (ie the SAL capitation fee).

We are also continuing the deal with Pentland Triathletes where the same basic membership fee (plus respective capitation fees) can cover both clubs for those who wish to join both.

London marathon

The club gets a small allocation of places in the London marathon. Last year it was three. In previous years priority has gone to those who had entered the public ballot for places but not been successful, and any places left over were drawn in our own mini-ballot amongst those who registered a desire. So:

If you were unsuccessful in the public ballot, please get in touch

If you didn’t enter the public ballot, but would like to be considered for a place, if there are any left over, likewise please get in touch

Those who are allocated one of the club places are ineligible for the following 2 years, ie you can only get a club once in 3 years.

Race reports:

TOM MATKO in Budapest

On 4^th September 2011, I ran my 1st half marathon abroad

This year I booked a holiday in Hungary. Then when I looked at the running calendar, I noticed that Hungary was holding its largest half marathon of the year on the last day of my holiday. The Budapest half marathon is in fact the largest half marathon in Central Europe, 

In Hungary in the Winter there is deep snow unlike the UK. In the Summer temperatures reach 40 C. This is because Hungary has no seashore

On the day we arrived in Hungary, the temperature was a whopping 41 C (the highest temperature I have ever experienced). For the entire 10 days in a row in Hungary that we were there, the temperature exceeded 35 C. When we went running in the mornings it was already 30 C. What was really enjoyable is that I never suffered from the heat. In a few days I was acclimatised to the heat all due to Hungary’s dry climate.

In the year 2000 on the 1^st day of the new millennium, I lined up at 9.30 am in Rome and completed the first marathon of the new millennium in the Western world, in a time of 3.36 (Auckland in New Zealand was the first in the world). I still even now considered Rome the most beautiful city I had ever visited. That was until I visited Budapest this year. Budapest, with its wide avenues, castles, government palace, universities, and multitude of statues on every corner, is a more majestic, relaxed and cleaner city than Rome. The most beautiful river in Europe is the Danube, and flows between the districts of Buda and Pest, which make up Budapest.

My wife had undertaken her undergraduate, masters and PhD studies in Budapest, and her first job. She can speak the language, which is impressive as it is one of the 5 hardest languages in the world to learn.

On the day of the half marathon, luckily there was some cloud. We were gathered in a large park in central Budapest, close to the Szechenyi thermal baths, and Heroes Square.. The route passes through some of Hungary’s most famous historical landmarks. It begins beside arguably the most famous thermal spa in the world (Szechenyi), then crosses Heroes Square, with its statues of all the former kings of the Austro-Hungarian empire, and the Hungarian museum and Modern Art Gallery. Then the route runs along a World Heritage Site, a wide avenue, through the centre of the Pest district of the city. The route crosses one of the bridges over the Danube, then runs along the riverside, past Buda castle, and re-crosses the river over its most famous bridge with 4 Lion statues.

The temperature registered 30 C at the start, making it the hottest race I have ever ran in. My tactic was to be extra cautious, and not run faster than 7 minute miles. Amazingly, at the first water station at 3 miles, I was exactly on 7 minute miling. The water stations were on both sides of the road, and were stocked with fruit, lucozade, water and other items. There were also showers every few miles, if you chose to run under them. I developed a neat trick. Take a cup of water and pour it over your head, then take another cup of water and drink the water. This you cannot do in Scottish races, as the water stations are too short !  I passed under 2 showers during the run,

Those tactics were beginning to pay off. In the second half, I was overtaking runners on a regular basis, as runners were starting to feel the effects of the heat. I noticed that one runner was passing everyone. So I decided to use him as a pace maker. I eventually overtook him at 9 miles, and pushed on. I was improving my placing with every mile, and the runners were thinning out around me.

I pushed on over Heroes Square in the final mile and entered the park. My wife and her friends from Budapest, were shouting their support. Two male runners just managed to keep ahead of me at the finish. By this stage, I knew I was not going to break 1.30, but this was of no consequence, as I had handled the heat beautifully by my race tactics. Two places ahead of me finished a runner from England. The guy infront of me was Serbian. They announced “Tom Matko from Edinburgh from Great Britain”. The guy just behind me was Russian. A truly international field !

At the finish the atmosphere was beautiful, the people very friendly, and supportive.   I was awarded a beautiful medal, which helped me remember that I had just completed my 1^st half marathon abroad. I was beaming from cheek to cheek.

I have run a 25K race in Paris and a marathon in Rome, but Budapest is undoubtedly a much better city to run in. I will hopefully in the future run the full marathons in Copenhagen, Stockholm, Vienna and Budapest. I believe strongly that the smaller European capitals are better for marathon running, as they are cleaner and better organised. Budapest has only 2 million residents.

I have found a new running shangri-la that is Hungary !

 Just you Go and Explore ! Never know what you might find !

My race time : 1 hour 31 min 41 sec. 245^th out of 6177 finishers.

My finishing position out of UK runners : 5^th out of 110 finishers.     

Tallinn Marathon 11th Sept 2011.   Can't get better value than this  - Donald Sandeman
As there were cheap direct flights from Edinburgh this seemed an ideal city marathon and along with Elaine decided to make this a week long break.   Entry was only 20 Euros and we got an excellent hotel just 200 metres from start/finish for 50 Euro a night B and B.  The old town is beautiful with dozens of winding cobbled streets, and is easily the best old eastern European city we have visited .   There is a marathon, a half marathon, a 10k and a Nordic walking 10k, all setting off at various times of the day with nearly 18000 competitors completing the four events.  Elaine originally entered the half but due to a lack of training she changed to 10k at last minute. The organisers accepted this without any problem.
The route was around the old town and an out and back along the Baltic coast. 1 lap for the half, two for the marathon and a shorter version for 10K. The route was ideal for PBs being almost totally flat.  The weather was wind free and the temperature a comfortable 15C rising to 22C in the afternoon.
The organisation can only be described as superb and fantastic value. There were hundreds of friendly marshalls, chip timing with results instantly available.   Feed stations and toilets were positioned every 2-3 K with water, energy drinks, gels, cake, sugar and fruit available for all. Live bands were also playing along the route. Your number had your name and national flag on it.   Marathon runners received a great medal, a nice techy shirt and usual bits and pieces along with a voucher for a return cruise to Helsinki, Stockholm or St Petersburg for 4 people (value about £140).   (We did the Helsinki trip. )
At the finish the marathon runners received a free buffet hot meal (3 courses) with huge choices and amounts.  Also FREE BEER and FREE HOT WINE.     Unfortunately the 10 K runners got very little, not even a medal, although they did get the cruise voucher.

The race itself was a bit of a disaster for me.  I was feeling fairly fit, stayed relatively sober the night before and was quietly confident of a sub 3.30.  I started off at 7.30 min miles but started to slow at about 10 miles . By 20 miles I was knackered and I was down to 9 min miles and being passed by everyone.  I had to push really hard to finish in 3.39 but was surprised to find myself 4th in age group!    Maybe just too many ultras this year, who knows?
Elaine found the 10K really crowded, particularly around the narrow streets and was reduced to walking pace at times by sheer numbers,  It would appear to be more of a fun run and you'd be better doing at least the half,

There's plenty to see in the area and we hired bikes for a couple of days, which were free to take on the train.
Out of dozens of city marathons I have done, I would recommend this one first, but don,t do the 10K.     Edinburgh could learn a lot for organisation and value   (but they could do that from any race).
 Next years race:-   9th September 2012

Cross country dates for 2011/2012

> Sat 22nd Oct National Relays Cumbernauld
> Sat 5th  Nov National 4K Bellahouston (earlier than usual)
> Sun 20th Nov East League Livingston
> Sat 10th Dec East Champs Aberdeen
> Sat 14th Jan East League Broxburn
> Sat 18th Feb National Champs Venue TBC

Results from races

If we’ve missed any results just let us know and Tom will add them to his list and we’ll give you a mention in the next newsletter – thanks.

A few results we missed were:

Kirkcudbright 1/2    28/5/11         Martyn Oakley 1:45:48

Balmoral        1/2      4/6/11          Martyn  Oakley1:51:17 

                                                              Alan  Price    1:54:55

(NB Balmoral was not your typical 1/2 marathon as 7-8 miles was off road & several people fell due to the roughness of the track - well worth doing though - fabulous scenery)

Dunbar 10k         98th    46.43      Jonathan     Page          

Parkrun 5k 27 Aug                                              194 Ran

4          Ryan Riddell                            16.45       pb

17        Kenny Tindall                          18.44       pb

41        Keiran Morgan                        20.58      

55        Keith Martin                           21.53      

65        Zoe Bates                                22.35      

80        Lucy Marshall                         23.05      

125      Kenny Gunn Russell                 25.42      

134      Sarah Bates                            26.02      

138      Alex Bates                               26.09      

151       Ellie Stewart                           27.21      

Speyside Way Ultra 36.5m 27 Aug                90 Ran

30        Donald Sandeman                   5.49.27  

37        Fionna Ross                             6.00.20  

50        Bill  McKenrick                        6.18.37   

87        Norma Bone                            7.59.19   

parkrun 5k 3 Sept                                              208 Ran

1           Ryan Riddell                            16.42       pb

9          Kenny Tindall                          18.39       pb

38        Keiran Morgan                        21.11       

71        Lucy Marshall                         22.54      

90        Chris Morgan                          24.02      

99        Kenny Gunn Russell                 24.49      

Glenmore 24Hour Race 3 Sept                        

16        Paul Houston                           11.38.58  For 60 Miles

Budapest Half marathon 4 Sep

245     Tom Matko                            1. 31. 41          6177 ran

Meadows 5k 7 Sept                                            58 Ran

44        Alan Greirson                          22.54      

Parkrun 5k 10 Sept                                             189 Ran

7          Ryan Riddell                            17.46      

53        Keith Martin                           21.47       pb

101       Kenny Gunn Russell                 24.32      

141       Louise Tindall                          28.02      

Cumbrae 10m 11 Sept                                         101 Ran

35        Ian Beattie                              1.13.24   

Hawick Half 11 Sept                                          49 Ran

29        Howard Oakely                       1.51.38   

Tallin marathon 11 Sep

            Donald Sandeman                 3.39              

Meadows 2 Mile 14 Sept                                    56 Ran

39        Ian Smith                                13.14       

55        Lorraine Syme Smith             18.28      

Parkrun 5k 17 Sept                                             198 Ran

2          Ryan Riddell                            16.53      

49        Keith Martin                           21.53      

111       Kirsty Stoddart                      25.37      

Stirling 10k 18 Sept                                           866 Ran

114       Gavin Orr                                 37.58      

232      Ian Beattie                              42.07      

428      Lorna Broadhurst                   47.45      

438      Lucy Marshall                         47.19       chip times

476      Alan Price                                47.56      

481      Cathrine Ramsay                    48.52      

Parkrun 5k 24 Sept                                            229 Ran

1           Ryan Riddell                            16.43      

101       Nicola Freedman                    23.45      

132      Beth Wedgwood                     25.35      

153      Ellie Stewart                           27.00      

River Ayr 44 Mile 24 Sept                                87 Ran

29        Donald Sandeman                   7.09        

51        Bill McKendrick                       7.55        

Rigg Race 25 Sept                                              82 Ran

6          Peter Kadobinskyj                  36.29      

10        Nial Darroch                           37.31      

13        Gavin Orr                                 39.32      

28        Tim May                                   43.24      

31        David Boyle                             44.06      

35        Ian Smith                                44.39      

37        Chris Morgan                          44.53      

45        Hugh Chalmers                       46.22      

51        Gordon Miller                          46.41      

52        Carol Blamire                          47.05      

55        Ian May                                   48.28      

57        Mark Galloway                        49.13      

58        Audrey Anderson                   49.29      

60        Mo May                                    49.43      

61        Amanda Pennycott                 49.55      

63        Peter McGavigan                    50.31      

65        Janis Brown                             52.23      

66        Paul Thompson                        52.24      

67        Nia Ball                                    52.49      

77        Morag Leitch                          56.22      

Parkrun 5k 1 Oct                                                159 Ran

4          Ryan Riddell                            16.40       pb

92        Beth Wedgwood                     24.34      

108      Ellie Stewart                           26.43       pb

Loch ness Marathon 2 Oct                                2363 Ran

594      Keziah Higgins                        3.46.38  

890      Alan Price                                3.57.01   

1174    Ian Feeney                              4.11.25   

Parkrun 5k 8 Oct                                                174 Ran

2          Ryan Riddell                            16.52      

26        Kenny Tindall                          19.58      

65        Gordon Miller                          22.49      

69        Lucy Marshall                         22.56      

84        Kenny Gunn Russell                 23.54      

102      Beth Wedgwood                     25.15      

Dunbar 10 Mile 8 Oct                                        83 Ran

9          Bill Murphy                              1.03.34   

40        Margie Leitch                         1.15.51    

68        Amanda Pennycott                 1.27.14   

Keilder Marathon 9 Oct                                    1108 Ran

129      Kenny Tindall                          3.40.43  

336      Donald Sandeman                   4.04.25  

356      Chris Morgan                          4.06.17   

Race Dates 

Sun 30 Oct Jedburgh half

Sat 12 Nov Glen Clova half

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

Scottish Athletics Hill Races        

 http://www.shr.uk.com/Calendar.aspx or speak to Fionna Ross or Iain Morrice.

Our contacts are (replace AT with @))

Bob & Anne – bob.douglasATharmenyac.org.uk

Norma - normaboneATblueyonder.co.uk

Frank - tooley.frankATgmail.com

Ian May (handicaps) - ianmayATtalktalk.net

Iain Morrice – iain.morriceAThotmail.co.uk

Fionna Ross  - FionnaRossAThotmail.com

Anne & Bob