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Other Heanor runners who took part were Jill Burke, Andy Marriott, Chris Mellors and Nigel Scollin. At the time of writing we were still waiting for the results to be published so don’t have their times or finishing positions!

Rainsford Records New PB At Long Eaton 5

Joe Rainsford was the top performer on the day for Heanor Running Club at last weekend’s Long Eaton 5 mile road race. In bright and ideal racing conditions, the sixteen year old Rainsford stormed to an impressive 6^th place finish to record a new personal best of 26.50. Running his customary well-judged race, Rainsford led the team home and was the first junior to cross the line.

In what was a perhaps disappointing turnout for Heanor RC in the fifth club championship race of the season, mainly due to injuries and members prioritising the following Tuesday’s Booths Decorators Road Race League fixture, those that turned out followed in Rainsford’s lead and put in decent performances. Rob Rainsford (32.43) managed to improve on his previous year’s time by ten seconds, this despite inconsistent training following the London Marathon, whilst Chris Riley (34.24), Alan Smith (35.56) and Nigel Scollin (36.57) completed the men’s efforts and secured their club championship points.

Glenda Alton (33.38) made a welcome return to form for Heanor RC to finish 75^th and 2^nd veteran female. Nicky Clayton (35.18), competing in her first race of the summer season, faded following a fast start whilst Heather Wesson (40.41) occupied the final counting position for the team. Donna Baker (42.37) narrowly came out on top in an exciting sprint finish with fellow member Tracie Morris (42.41) and Jodi Wainwright (47.19) continues to make solid improvements and rounded off a good team effort.

Long Eaton Results

Long_Eaton_13.06.10_Donna_Tracy

If you ran the Long Eaton 5 and fancy another crack at the distance then the Heanor Running Club 5 mile road race and fun run will take place again this year on Friday 30^th July. Now in its ninth year, the race starts and finishes at Shipley Hall Cricket Club and takes in the picturesque setting of Shipley Country Park. There is an extensive prize list and a memento and goody bag to all finishers. Visit the Heanor Running Club website www.heanorrunningclub.com for entry forms or enter online at www.runnersworld.co.uk.

Pride Park Relays Cancelled

Please note that the 2010 Pride Park Relays due to be run on Monday 26th July have been cancelled. In spite of requests from the Derbyshire AA no club or individual has offered to take on the responsibility of organising the event on behalf of Derbyshire AA. The Association regrets this decision and there will be an attempt to resurrect the race for 2011.

Barry Parker (Pride Park Relay Race Director)

BDL League

Hi Everyone

Please note the race hosted by Ilkeston Running Club on 15th June 2010 has now been moved from Nutbrook Cricket Club to Shipley Country Park.

Map of Race Route 15th June 2010

Directions to Teversal Grange for fixture 2: Sutton in Ashfield Harriers

As most of the clubs involved are based to the west of Sutton, I have written below the directions to Teversal Grange from Junctions 28 and 29 of the M1.

I have assumed that members of Mansfield Harriers will know their way to the venue. If not, you need to turn right onto Stoneyford Road after the New Cross traffic lights.

Teversal Grange is at the end of Carnarvon Street, marked by the red star on the left. The right turn that precedes it, Coppywood Close, also leads to Teversal Grange.

NB There is a new road that runs between the Pleasley roundabout and the top of Abbot Road – I think!

Heanor Running Club had seven members successfully complete the Virgin London Marathon last weekend (25/04). Following months of training, the seven members lined up in favourable running conditions along with 36000 others to tackle the challenging distance.

Lisa Palmer, taking part in only her second London Marathon, was the first runner from Heanor RC to cross the finish line. Palmer improved massively on last year’s time to successfully dip under the three hour mark and achieve an impressive personal best of 2h53.16. Alastair Hobday, running for Alzheimer’s, was next to finish. Uncertain whether he would make the start in time earlier in the week after volcanic ash delayed his return from Hong Kong, Hobday also improved upon his personal best and finished in a time of 3.12.09. Judith Gration, running for Encephalitis, followed up months of hard training with a rewarding personal best of 3.16.35 and was quickly followed by training partner Rob Rainsford, who completed the distance in 3.22.31. Heather Wesson finished in a very good time of 4.17.59 whilst Claire Woodward, one of Heanor RC’s newest recruits, battled against pain in both knees at 18 miles to finish in 4.23.23. Katie Bell completed the septet, finishing in 4.26.22.

Aside from the 26.2 mile event, Joe Rainsford also took part in the Virgin Mini London Marathon. Following his successful qualification for the East Midlands team at Holme Pierrepoint last month, Rainsford completed the three mile course in 16.01 and finished a sparkling 70^th out of 280 runners from across the United Kingdom.

Thanks from the runners go to all those who travelled down to offer their support and encouragement throughout the race.

Heanor RC members took to the streets along with 3000 others last Sunday (11/4) for the Derby 10k organised by Sporting Futures.

Starting and finishing once again in and around Pride Park Stadium, Heanor RC were well represented along the city centre route in what was also the third club championship race of the 2010 season. In ideal conditions, notable performances included: Steve Ashmore scooping the 25 club championship points with an 11^th place finish in 33.59, Alastair Hobday (36.14) coming out on top in a gun-to-tape three-way tussle with Lee Perkins (36.18) and Lisa Palmer (36.21), who finished 2nd woman, and there were PBs achieved by Simon Baker (41.11), Ed Godber (42.29) and Kate McNally (53.52) amongst others.

Derby 10k Results

Three men and two ladies teams competed at the 2010 LRRL Livingston Relays on Easter Sunday. Incorporating the East Midlands Road Relay Championships, the annual 3 mile event staged at Loughborough University attracted the usual wealth of regional running talent.

On a blustery but otherwise fine morning, Steve Ashmore ran the opening leg of the men’s 4-stage event for Heanor “A”. Ashmore, who made his Derbyshire debut at the Inter-Counties cross country last month, ran a well-judged 16.12 to bring the team home in 3^rd. Darren Ridout’s solid time of 16.52 managed to maintain a top-4 position before Joe Rainsford’s swift 16.33 effort brought the team back up into a podium position. Jon Wainwright anchored the team home in 17.18 but narrowly missed out on the medals. With some quality athletes on the final leg, the team finished a respectable 4^th behind OWLS AC, Charnwood AC and Barrow Runners.

Heanor “B”, comprising Lee Perkins (17.30), Rich Sims (18.58), Steve Wardle (20.04) and Steve Ashmore (16.43), managed to secure a top-10 finish whilst Heanor “C”, with Ed Godber (20.36), Richard Charlesworth, making his Heanor RC debut (20.36), Chris Mellors (20.08) and Darren Ridout (19.42), finished 17^th out of 20 complete senior men teams. Heanor RC was the only club outside of Leicestershire represented at the relays and performed well against strong opposition.

In the senior women’s 3-stage race, ran over the same 3 mile course, Heanor RC once again put in a spirited effort. Glenda Alton, who arrived for the start with minutes to spare, came 8^th on the opening leg in a time of 21.14. Jill Burke’s impressive 20.21 moved the team up into 5^th before Tracie Morris rounded off a good team effort, bringing the side home 7^th in 24.05. Heanor “B” secured a respectable 15^th position following the combined efforts of Jackie Hancock (27.21), Jodi Wainwright (26.07) and, another Heanor RC debutant, Kate McNally (24.31).

Heanor RC’s men made the trip to Wythenshawe Park, Manchester probably more in hope than expectation as the team sought to qualify for the National 12 stage final for the third consecutive year. In what were ideal running conditions on a flat and fast course, the boys put in a whole-hearted display that ultimately proved worthwhile as they finished in the final qualifying position of 25^th by the narrowest of margins.

Steve set the team on their way and put in a brilliant opening long leg (4.7 miles) performance to pass on to Alastair. Alastair maintained the momentum on the first short leg (3 mile) of the day and was followed by Ben who, as usual, put in a good performance off limited training. Rob decided to forego the Ashby 20, scheduled for the same day, and he, and the team, were finely rewarded. Chris clawed time back in the team’s quickest long leg of the day before passing on to Rich ‘Simmo’ Sims making his debut for the club. Looking comfortable, Rich passed the baton onto Darren who, together with Andy, Joe (his second race of the weekend), Jon and Lee helped establish the team’s healthy but nervy position. Believing he lay in 26^th (as indeed did the rest of the team) Tony put in a monumental effort as he attempted to claw back the vital position. Tony’s efforts unfortunately fell tantalisingly short as he lost out by just four seconds. But disappointment ultimately turned to satisfaction as the official results later showed - and the team once again qualified for the National 12 stage final.

Heanor’s ladies team finished in a commendable 23^rd place with the opening leg run by Nicky Clayton who ran a solid race to hand over to Jill Burke who gained six places before setting team captain Judith Gration on her way, also improving the placings by three positions despite some unwelcome interference from passers by. Next up was Yvonne who held on to the position before handing over to Heather who was a late call up and finally Jodi who ran a consistent leg to complete the team effort. All the ladies ran short legs of 3 miles.

Mens 12 Stage Results

Womens 6 Stage Results

Following my surprise qualification back in January to represent Derbyshire at the inter-counties cross-country final, Saturday 13th March saw me travel down the M42 to Birmingham where this year's event was being held.

On a relatively warm and sunny day, a vast improvement on the weather of late, I arrived full of both nerves and excitement. The car parked I headed towards the tented area to find my Derbyshire colleagues.

Walking amongst the tents the scale of the event dawned, greeted by tents from the width and breadth of the country, Norfolk, Kent, Cornwall, Cumbria, Scotland?! And here I was from Heanor Running Club!

The Derbyshire tent found, my county vest collected, and it was time to soak up the atmosphere and check out those all important camera positions to get my face on Sky Sports 4!

2.36pm Senior Men's 12km Race.
After an extensive warm up routine I took to the start line, somewhere near that runner..... Mo Farrah! I think I'm ready and well prepared. On your marks, get set, go..... mmm. Now as most of you know I'd consider myself a fast starter but amongst this company I felt that I was moving in slow motion perhaps even moving backwards. My confidence fell to pieces and at the end of lap 1 of 4 soon found myself at the back of the field.

Was I going to finish last Derbyshire? Last overall? Potentially lapped by that Mo Farrah fella? Come on Steve.

Starting lap 2 I began to relax, gaining momentum and even started to go past people. Feeling better I slowly moved up through the field. Lap 3 came and went as I pushed on. Lap 4 the same and before I knew it the finishing straight. Sprint finish, too right, Cornwall, too easy, South Wales, he's really going for it. Toe to toe we crossed the line to both record the same time, 43.19 but I'd beaten him!

Proud to have competed in my first inter counties race I had finished 244th out of the 285 who completed the course and was the 6th and final counter for Derbyshire meaning they finished one place above Nottinghamshire in the standings.

My message is that with the right training and application it is not beyond us all to achieve our potential and compete amongst the best.

I would like to thank all those well wishes for the messages of support both before and after the race it was greatly appreciated and well received.

Steve.

Booth Decorators Summer League Fixtures Announced

Looking forward to the summer road race league please take note of the following dates. History has shown that the more runners turn out for a club the greater the club's final positions at the end of the season - so it would be great to see everyone out for the first race to re-stamp our mark on the league.

Tuesday 20 April 2010 7.15pm	Belper Harriers	Denby Pottery
Tuesday 18 May 2010 7.30pm	Sutton Harriers	Teversal Grange
Tuesday 15 June 2010 7.30pm	Ilkeston RC	Nutbrook Cricket Club
Tuesday 13 July 2010 7.30pm	Wirksworth RC	Carsington Reservoir
Tuesday 3 August 2010 7.30pm	Heanor RC	Shipley Cricket Club

Please note there will be the cross country presentation after the Sutton race at Teversal Grange.

London Mini Marathon Trials

Trials for the aforementioned race were held at Holme Pierrepont on a sunny yet freezing morning. The trials are for 11 – 17 year olds to represent the East Midlands at the London Marathon over 4k and 5k dependant on their age, to qualify you had to have a top 6 finish. Two of our younger runners Cherese Naylor and Milly Newton were running in the 11-12 year girls race over an approximate 4k distance, both making their Heanor debuts and both very, very nervous before the start. They set off together, split in the middle before finishing together in a sprint finish, both of the girls did fantastically well and will have gained some valuable race confidence to take into the next race.

Joe Rainsford, fresh from his exploits at the relays the previous day was looking forward to the 5k race having missed out last year by one position. Joe set off and by the half way mark was holding onto 8th place, then he appeared heading towards the finish line in a very comfortable 6th place and had secured his place in the East Midlands team for Marathon day to conclude a pleasing day for Heanor RC.

Saturday 6th March the 6th Ed Prickett memorial road relays held at Nottingham University and a landmark day for Heanor Running Club - Deeming's Debut and The Radbourne's Return!

The return of Liz Radbourne to anchor home the women's team resulted in an excellent 6th place finish, a position not a miss in such an event and such company. Lisa on leg one set the tone returning in 2nd place to hand over to Nicky who herself had a solid run, 13.23, before Liz brought the team home, 13.00. Lisa in fact recorded the 3rd fastest women's time of the day 11.47, superb!

Meanwhile in the men's event Ben's eagerly anticipated return from injury saw him set off on the first leg for the 'B' team and once again showed his natural ability to record a time of 10.56, but it was Joe making the moves for the 'A' team completing the course in 10.47. The handover for the 'A' team set Chris off at pace to move up 6 places, 10.27, before Ashley Deeming made his yellow and blue debut. A good quality start to his Heanor career with a time of 11.13 and were sure there's more to come. Steve made up the 'A' team, 10.43, to see the team finish a creditable 17th place.

Special mention goes to Darren who despite competing in a gruelling duathlon that morning showed his commitment to the cause by making up the 'B' team, 12.57 who eventually placed 23rd out of the 33 teams.

Womens Results

Next up is the 6 & 12 stage relays.

Northern Athletics Cross Country Championships Report
Six Heanor Running Club members took the trip to Witton Park, Blackburn last Saturday (23/01) to take part in the North of England Cross Country championships.

On a cold and foggy but otherwise ideal day for cross country running, Joe Rainsford was first up for Heanor RC in the U’17M race. Competing at the top end of the age bracket, Joe put in a promising performance over the two lap 6k race. Joe started conservatively and subsequently overhauled 15 positions on the second lap to improve on last year’s position to finish 35^th in 22.19. Following a decent spell of training but with no real race to show for it, Joe finally got the chance to show the improvements he has been making throughout the winter and delivered in this well-judged performance.

Watching from the sidelines was Rob Rainsford, who had made the trip to Blackburn to undertake his officiating responsibilities for the NOEAA. From his position in the finish area as a dispersal steward, Rob offered some much-appreciated support and encouragement to the runners.

The disappointing low turnout from Heanor RC, owing much, however, to injury, illness and work commitments, meant the next race with any particular interest for our runners was the last race of the day and the turn of the Senior Men. Over a four lap 11.5k course, with two large and two small laps, it was the turn of Chris Rainsford, Steve Ashmore, Andy Marriott and Jon Wainwright to take on the mud soaked course and to tackle the Teaspoon and the Saucer.

In his first year at senior level, Chris finished 93^rd in 46.13 to complete a relatively satisfactory race following illness and injury over Christmas. Steve tackled the course with his usual guts and endeavour and was rewarded with a finishing position of 158^th in 49.03. This was a massive improvement again for Steve upon last year’s performance of 201^st in St Helens and points to another successful year in the offing. Andy Marriott, competing in his first ever cross country race for Heanor RC, chose a great race to start with and can be pleased with his efforts. Going into something of an unknown, Andy put in a strong and determined effort to finish 366^th in 56.25 in what will hopefully be his first of many. Unfortunately, Jon Wainwright became the latest member of the DNF club as three laps proved enough before the stomach bug he had been contending with throughout the day took over. The fact Jon was ill on the Friday before but still showed up and started makes his performance more noteworthy and he can be admired for his commitment and support for the Heanor RC cause.

For full results of Heanor competitors races click below or visit  Northern Athletics for more details.
Under 17 Men
Senior Men

Blackburn_23.01.10 Blackburn_23.01.10_Chris

Weekends Away
Hi Folks,

There are a couple of races coming up which may or may not interest you, however, they are both great venues for a couple of nights camping.

The first one is the Woodhall Spa - Events - 10k Road Race on 6th June, a fast, flat road race. Camping at Bainland Country Park, quite expensive but worth it.

The other one is the usual club venture to Race the Train, Tywyn, Saturday 21 August, 2010, various distances to race over xc.

Cheers Rob

Christmas Club Race Report / Results