Captain's Rantings - August 2007

(Previous rantings are archived below - left hand column)

This newsletter is long overdue and I apologise in advance if performances are missed but I will try and cover most of the races involving Loftus and Whitby runners.    

Chester Half

I will start the round up with a trip across the country to Chester where I met up with some of my old clubmates from Chester and Ellesmere Port AC to take part in the Chester Half Marathon.   Having had a really good build up I was disappointed on the day to be suffering from a lingering cold to suffer in the final few miles and end up finishing 10th in 77.22 minutes.   Although I was hoping for a 75 minute run the run was decent and it is an excellent race, well organised and a scenic course which finished on the “Roodee” racecourse.   Unfortunately I finished more like Muffin the Mule than Red Rum!

Fox and Hounds Race

Part of the Summer Fell Series we had Dave Parkin and Rob Howard flying the flag finishing 20th and 30th respectively……..obviously Dave the Fox was too fast for Rob!

Raby Castle 10km

After last year I said never again!   Some good performances on this tough course – the wind was kinder this year than last!   Andy Pearson 15th, Bill Bingham 17th, Tom Herbert 41st, Julie Mastrolonardo 59th, Graham Youngson 90th and Adele Thompson 195th.

Alec Duffield – Yorkshire Champ once more!

Alec had a great run at the Yorkshire Champs finishing 1st in the Under 20 3000m in 9-06.   Apparently he set off like a man possessed and employed some Kenyan tactics with changes of pace before a 61 second final lap to destroy the opposition.   Well done Alec – you have done us proud!

Ossy Oiks

Dave Parkin and Robert Howard took on the Ossy Oiks in May with Dave a very creditable 15th and Robert winning his V55 category.

Whorlton Run

Race 5 of the summer series saw Dave Parkin continue his fine comeback with an excellent 12th place.  Robert once again won the V55 category on what Dave Parry described as a “Sultry Evening” – I assume he was talking about the weather and not our pink vests!

Langdale End

A great performance by Alec saw him destroy the small but committed field on what I have heard describe as a “rather wet one!”.    Apparently Julie Mastrolonardo was actually seen swimming during this race!   Good to see Rob Williamson back to racing and an outing by Dan Middlemass. 

Cleveland Way Relay

A big well done to all of the A and B team members who braved the elements to provide strong competition in this event.  The A team led from start to finish and were the only team to go all the way through.  No-one got lost and everyone performed well.   The day was started by Dan Middlemass who had a storming start to the day with a pb performance on Leg 1.     Special mention should go to Steve Hardy who masterminded the winning team but also to Dave Horness who pulled together the B runners. 

Bill Bingham – Tough of the Track? (and Road!)

Is Bill the new Tough of the Track?  Bill as you all know is training tremendously hard at the moment in preparation for his Marathon.   Along the way he has produced some stunning performances and is proving that hard work really does pay off.  Despite clocking up regular 100 mile weeks he had a great performance over 5km at Redcar (17-10) a hard fought Half Marathon at Burn Valley (1.23.53) and also recently a pb (9-53) over 3km on the track.   Is there more to come…………………………….

Egton Bridge 10km

A 1-2-3 for our senior men with Andy Pearson, Bill Bingham and Lewis Rodgers taking the honours in this over distance 10km.  Julie Mastrolonardo was first home in the Ladies.  So many l&W runners in this local event it would probably be easier to list who was not present!

Tees Forest Races

I appear to be the sole representative at these races which is a shame because they are good fun, nice and quick, scenic and well organised by the Tees Forest Team.     Having been an ever present I find myself leading the series at the moment and with one race left there is only Paul Lowe who can beat me to the number 1 spot!   At the Summerhill race I was 4th,  4th at a very wet Darlington and 2nd at Preston Park.    The next race is at Acklam in about a months time.

“Funny of the Month”

Rumour went around (Cant reveal my source can I Alec!) that Neil Duffield in his bid for Ironman glory actually bought some Immac Hair Removal Cream.    The question is did he use it and if so where?    If anyone can shed any light on this rumour then let me know!

Coast Road 5km

Loads of good performances in this regular event on the coast.   Andy Pearson 5th in 16-48, Bill Bingham 8th in 17-10, Julie M 17-51, Dave Horness, 18-56, Robert Howard 20-56.    All winners of the usual bottles of wine which as we all know are a great training aid!

Andy Pearson

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Andrew Pearson

Performance of the Month

Tough one to call this month but I think Bill Bingham has the edge with his fantastic Burn Valley Half Marathon performance finishing in 1-23 just 6 minutes behind Gary Dunn who won the Brass Monkey in a sub 70 minute performance.

ANDY PEARSON