To make things easier over the winter, there is a change to how you book onto senior training sessions. Hopefully this is reasonably easy to understand and will make the coaches’ lives easier. 

If you have any problems, please contact Katie Royals or Neil Bates for support or to book you on. 

1. Athletes should go to this link and check to see if the session they want to book is full (i.e check the number - not percentage - of people opted to attend). If you are the first person you will not see any responses.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfTOba8z--9m6x6YBBPhjtDJXOJT7kSObIklCn5-GpcoLB8cQ/viewanalytics

2. Athletes will then need to go to this link to then register their intention and ensure that they have read the COVID19 Risk Assessment.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfTOba8z--9m6x6YBBPhjtDJXOJT7kSObIklCn5-GpcoLB8cQ/viewform

PLEASE NOTE: the COVID-19 risk assessment has been amended for current guidance and change in location so please have a quick look at it again here. 

The available sessions for next week can be seen below:

Session 1: 
Tuesday 20th October at 7pm with Mike Shrive. 
Speed endurance session
Meeting at Berkley Avenue, Chesham.
Limited to 25 athletes 

Session 2: 
Tuesday 20th October at 7pm with Steve Field 
Endurance session
​Meet at Severalls Avenue Chip Shop, Chesham
Limited to 25 athletes

Session 3: 
Thursday 22nd October at 5pm with Trevor Brawn
Off-road endurance session
Meet at Westwood Park, Little Chalfont.
Limited to 25 athletes.

Session 4:
Thursday 22nd October at 7pm with Mike Shrive
Speed endurance session
Meet at Rickmansworth Road car park, Amersham
​Limited to 20 athletes.

​After a rather long, Covid-induced, hiatus Race Report is returning. And what better way to kick it off than with a marathon special.

With the London Marathon becoming a virtual affair for 2020, the Chiltern roads were full of Harriers braving the elements to complete their own 26.2 mile course. Others descended on Dorney Lake to take part in a socially distant marathon, battling rain and wind throughout.

Firstly, I’m sure you will all join me in congratulating David Walker who remains an ‘ever present’, having completed his 40th London Marathon today. Daughter-in-law Lisa also completed her 10th London Marathon, running with David.

Another special mention must go to Barbara Ralph, who completed her 30th London Marathon in a very impressive time of 4:33:19. Not only has she secured a ‘good for age’ place for next year, she has now completed more London Marathons than any other women – an impressive feat!

Vanessa Morley completed her first marathon in 4:31:44, a great solo effort! Other London Marathon finishes include: Amber and Lia Stubbings, Michael Bailey (4:10:00), Tamsin Finch (4:58:13 including an extra mile for good luck!) and Peter Gregory (3:47:20).

Over at Dorney Lake, Aran Davidson ran a very impressive 2:29:30 and finished in 10th place overall. Adam Shute completed the tough course in 3:08:25, while Philip Lovelace ran 3:23:40 and Matt Lawrence finished in 4:08:35.

A special mention should also go to all the Harriers who turned out at various places on the courses to show their support, othering water, snacks, encouragement and even running with the marathoners when the going got really tough. The support and community within the club never ceases to amaze me. 

Chiltern Harriers junior athletes were in action at the first of a three-race series of cross country meetings organised by Peta Bee of Cookham Running Club.
 
The venue was Beeching Grove Wood near Maidenhead and the course was a tough, undulating circuit around farmers fields. The weather featured very heavy rain which made for tough conditions for the athletes. Some of those Chiltern Harriers taking part had run on the track at Harrow on Thursday and found competing again so soon a tough ask.
 
Each age group featured two waves, two minutes apart. This allowed for adherence to the England Athletics guidance and meant a maximum of 24 per race. U13s and U15s ran 3k, older age groups 4.5k.    RESULTS
 
U13 Girls
Wave 1 saw Olivia Clarke come in fourth of eight in 13.16. Olivia was seventh overall. The remaining Chiltern girls were in Wave 2 and in-form Emily Ford had a good run to win in 12.33, the fastest run across the two waves. Ellie Danner (13.14) was third in the wave (sixth overall), and Marlie Nkoane (13.30) was fourth (tenth overall).
 
U13 Boys
In Wave 1 Daniel Munn was a convincing winner in 11.13 with Alex Hughes second in 11.49 and Callum Powell fourth in 12.00. In Wave 2 Tom Ford was fifth in 12.15 and Felix Danielli sixth in 12.19. Overall Daniel won (one second ahead of the winner of Wave 2), Alex was equal third, Callum sixth, Tom tenth and Felix eleventh. There were 23 boys in total.
 
U15 Girls
Maddie Hughes was third (12.00), Frankie Baxter fourth (12.08) and Ellie Shield sixth (12.18) in the stronger first wave and held those positions overall. In Wave 2 Rosa Williams ran 12.48 to be third (ninth overall). Seventeen ran in total.
 
U15 Boys
Wave 1 saw great performances from the Chiltern contingent with Alden Collier first in 10.21, Thomas Redmond second in 10.22,  Oakley Denson sixth in 11.06, and Isaac Jessop-Tranter tenth in 11.57. In Wave 2 Ethan McCall went the wrong way near the finish but still managed third in 11.15. Alden and Thomas were 1-2 overall with Oakley seventh, Ethan ninth and Isaac fifteenth. There were twenty finishers.
 
U17/U20 Women
Holly Henderson was third in Wave 1 in 18.44, with Abbie Henderson fourth in 18.54 and Alice Brown ninth in 20.06. In Wave 2 Under 20s Millie Hughes (22.09) and Soraya Lockwood (22.51) were fifth and sixth in their age group. Overall in the U17s Holly was fourth, Abbie fifth and Alice eleventh.
 
U17 Men
In Wave 1 James Palmer was fourth in 16.40 and Luke Martin fifth in 16.43. Wave 2 saw Thomas Askey run 16.56 to be sixth and Will Shield 17.42 to be ninth. Thomas and Will had both run hard at Harrow on Thursday. Overall James was eighth, Luke ninth, Thomas eleventh and Will eighteenth.
 
U20 Men
Max McGarvie ran well for sixth in 16.59 and Alex Johnson, another Thursday competitor, ran 17.23 for eighth.

A number of Harriers are currently making their last minute race preparations as they get ready to take on the 40th London Marathon tomorrow (04/10/20), albeit virtually.

Although they are all running their own routes, you can still support them by tracking them on the London Marathon app or heading out onto the course if they’re running locally to you.

Conditions are not looking good currently (will this rain ever stop?!), so I’m sure all runners will appreciate any and all support.

To follow along virtually, download the London Marathon app. Here you’ll be able to track all our athletes running.
Here’s a list of those running:  

David Walker

David is one of the few remaining ‘ever presents’, having run every London Marathon to date. He will be running his 40th London Marathon on Sunday morning, but his first in Chesham.

Setting off at 8am, he will run a couple of laps around Berkeley Avenue, then a long loop out to Swan Bottom cross roads, before running back through Lee Common to home. He should be back at Chartridge Lane between 10:30 and 10:45. He will then run another lap of Berkeley Avenue and another Swan Bottom lap.

This comes to 20 miles and the final 6.2 miles will be decided "on the day".

Barbara Ralph

Barbara is completing her 30th London Marathon and has run more marathons than any other woman – a great achievement!

She is starting at 8am at Berkeley Avenue and will complete 8 laps of a 3.3 mile circuit. Her possible run time is about 4 hours 40, but anything under 5 hours will secure her a ‘good for age’ place for 2021 in her age category.

Vanessa Morley

Vanessa is kicking off her race at 7:30, running around Croxley Green and Rickmansworth before heading over to Amersham and back to Chorleywood to make up the full distance. She is aiming for 10 minute mile pace.

You can view her route here.

Matt Lawrence

Matt is doubling up by running the Dorney Lake Marathon as his virtual London Marathon route. Sadly, no spectators are allowed to ensure social distancing is maintained, but you can track him through the app and support virtually!  

Amber Stubbings (and sister Lia!)

Running to raise money for Rennie Grove Hospice, the Stubbings sisters are describing their race as a “run, walk, die effort”.

Certainly selling themselves short, the pair will be running around Chalfont St Giles, Gerrards Cross and Denham. They are setting off at 8am.

You can check out their route here.

Tamsin Finch

Tamsin will be tackling the 26.2 miles round Chesham. Always willing to help others out on their challenges, I’m sure she’ll appreciate it your support.
 
Good luck everyone!
If anyone else is running please get in touch with me (Katie Royals) via Facebook or Slack and I’ll add you to the list. 

A final track open meeting was added to the schedule at Harrow on Thursday and again a strong turnout of 21 Chiltern athletes ran very well.
 
There were one mile and 3000m races available and there was, again, a high proportion of PBs.
 
One Mile
 
With one mile rarely run, all Chiltern athletes ran PBs.
 
Race 2
New recruit U13 James Holdsworth ran well on debut to record 6.22.52.
 
Race 3
U13 Emily Ford continued her excellent competitive form to log a strong time of 5.46.69. Also in Race 3 were U17 Charlotte Docwra (6.01.27), U15 Savarnah Pandya (6.04.07), and U15 Beth Togneri (6.23.22).
 
Race 4
Lily Jessop-Tranter (U13) ran well for 5.38.40.
 
Race 5
U13 Daniel Munn had a good run to be second in 5.21.43.
 
Race 6
U15 Euan Pinder won this one comfortably in an impressive time of 4.55.36. Further Chiltern interest came from U15 Frankie Baxter (5.21.12), U15 Maddie Hughes (5.23.25), and U13 Alex Hughes (5.24.67).
 
Race 7
U17 Thomas Askey logged another Chiltern win with 4.35.00. U15 Oakley Denson was third in 4.46.24 with U15 Archie Pinder also running well for 4.49.56. U15 Isaac Jessop-Tranter completed the Chiltern presence in Race 7 with 4.58.97.
  
3000m
 
Race 1
U20 Millie Hughes put her recent good training form into practice with a PB of 11.54.89.
 
Race 2
Ellie Shield has recorded PBs in 800m and 1500m this season, and added 3000m with a race win in 11.08.6, her debut at the event.

Race 3
U15 Sammy Bennetts was fourth in 10.35.44
 
Race 4
U17 Will Shield recorded another Chiltern win with 9.58.65. U15 Max Baxter ran well for 10.11.48.
 
Race 5
Vet 50 Nick Hughes ran well for 9.47.59, just behind his time from a few weeks ago.
 
Race 8
With a PB of 9.05 set a couple of weeks ago, U20 Alex Johnson was targetting sub-9, but had to settle for 9.11.09 in a very fast race.

Nick Hughes’s group and Steve Perkin’s group combined to have an intra-club ‘open-graded’ 3000m race session at Merchant Taylor’s School on Saturday.
 
In cool, blustery conditions, fast times were hard to come by, but the athletes worked hard and there were some good performances, despite several athletes having run at Harrow on Thursday.
 
It was good to have some competition at the beginning of an autumn and winter season where cross country opportunities are likely to be at a minimum.

RESULTS

Harrow AC hosted another middle distance open meeting on Thursday featuring both 800m and 1500m. In quite good conditions a great turnout of Chiltern youngsters ran excellently with a high proportion of PBs achieved.
 
800m
Race 1
Marlie Nkoane (U13) made her age group track debut with second place in a  promising 2.44.61. Fellow first year U13 Charlotte Grosse also made her debut with 2.58.53.
 
Race 2
Two further first year U13s got underway in Race 2 with Zach Cleary seventh in 2.43.71 and Charlie De Sousa tenth in 2.52.51. U15 Savarnah Pandya was ninth in 2.48.63
 
Race 3
Second year U13 Lily Jessop-Tranter ran a big 9-second PB to be third in Race 3 with 2.31.94. U17 Charlotte Docwra made her track debut with a good run of 2.34.84.
 
Race 4
Second year U13 Olivia Clarke was also in PB form, fifth in 2.33.69.
 
Race 5
U15 Lesedi Nkoane was fourth in Race 5 in 2.29.61.
 
Race 6
U15 Ethan McCall took a whopping 12 seconds off his PB to be second in this one in 2.18.45.
 
Race 8
In-form U15 Isaac Jessop-Tranter won Race 8 with an excellent 2.11.32, four seconds ahead of his recently set PB. Frankie Baxter (U15) was 11th in 2.23.89.
 
Race 9
A further Chiltern win came in Race 9 courtesy of Thomas Askey with 2.03.87, again a new PB.
 
Race 10
The wins and PBs kept coming in Race 10 with U15 Alden Collier proving his record-setting year in 2019 as an U13 was no fluke with 2.01.42, putting him inside the top four in national rankings.
  
1500m
Race 1
U13 Emily Ford made an excellent track debut with second place in 5.19.96. First year U13 Katie Allsop made her target with a solid run of 5.50.26.
 
Race 3
In-form U15 Ellie Shield was seven seconds inside her previous best to be second in Race 3 in 5.08.69. Fellow U15 Rosa Williams was seventh in 5.18.62.
 
Race 5
U13 Alex Hughes ran a PB to be second in 4.56.73. Fellow U13 Daniel Munn made an impressive track debut to be close behind Alex in 4.57.62. U15 Maddie Hughes ran a season’s best 4.57.73 to be sixth in a close, exciting finish.
 
Race 6
U17 Will Shield has been away from track racing for a while but put his good training form into practice with a win in 4.34.00, in what was in fact Will’s debut at the distance. U15 Max Baxter ran a PB of 4.47.95 to be fourth. Callum Powell found himself in a race ahead of his fellow U13s Alex and Daniel, but hung on gamely to log a nine second PB of 4.58.87. All three lads are in the national top 30.
 
Race 7
U15 twins Euan and Archie Pinder impressed to be second and third in Race 7 with 4.32.02 and 4.32.27 respectively – both PBs by over ten seconds. In fourth was their coach Vet 50 Nick Hughes, running an impressive 4.35.22. Another PB came from U20 Joe Day, tenth in 4.48.82.
 
Race 9
U17 Louis Peterson, hampered by illness and injury for a long time, ran well to be third in 4.21.44, just off his PB.
 
Race 11
U20 Alex Johnson ran very well to continue his good season be third in 4.05.89.

A lack of races hasn’t stopped the Harriers from taking on endurance challenges.

Living up to her most inspirational award at last years’ social, Miriam Kempson ran the length of the
Ridgeway in a solo effort.  Not deterred by the official R86 being cancelled, Miriam set off to run it solo, with the support of many of her fellow Harriers.

Tim Dawson took on a lot of the organisation and, together with Rashi, offered support across the
whole 37 hours from a van. They raced from checkpoint to checkpoint, making sure Miriam had
everything she needed and that her support runners were all in the right place at the right time.
Ben Hetherington, Harriet Lemon, Tamsin Finch, Ruth Holroyd and Victoria Lucas all took shifts
supporting Miriam.

A special shoutout must also be given to Ellie and Neil Bates, who shared the
dreaded ‘night shift’ between each other.

Miriam thanked all her supporters, saying: “You were all stars and I can’t thank you all enough for
putting yourselves out for me. We are blessed to be part of a wonderful Harrier family.”

Harrow Open Meeting
 
Chiltern Harriers athletes had a very successful evening at Harrow on Thursday at the 3000m open meeting. The meeting was again covid-secure with controlled arrival times, warm-up areas and departure times, but maintaining a friendly atmosphere.
 
Race 3
A race full of young Chiltern talent saw several athletes making their debut at the event. U15 Max Baxter was the race winner in 10.24.93. In fourth place was U15 Maddie Hughes who ran a great race to log 10.44.31 (third in national rankings), and fifth was fellow U15 Frankie Baxter in 10.45.14 (fourth in national rankings). Also making their debuts were U17s Abbie Henderson (sixth in 10.50.03), Holly Henderson (eighth in 10.53.39) and Alice Brown (11th in 11.15.79). Alicia Bushell (U17) struggled with a stitch and was tenth in 11.07.93, well off her best time set last season.
 
Race 5
Vet 50 Nick Hughes was fourth in race 5 with a good run of 9.47.37. Also making his debut was U15 Isaac Jessop-Tranter who ran a very impressive time of 9.55.56 to be ninth (third on national rankings).
 
Race 7
In a very exciting race, U20 Alex Johnson ran a huge PB of forty seconds to be narrowly third in 9.05.45, less than a second behind the winner.
 
Race 8
Senior Aran Davidson just dipped under his target of nine minutes with a thirty second PB of 8.59.65 to be seventh.
 
September 24th sees the final in this series of Harrow open meetings which have been a great opportunity for Chiltern athletes to get some track experience. Several have already signed up for the 800m and 1500m on offer.
  
Aldershot Night of 1500m
 
U23 Harry Cox made the trip to Aldershot to run in the final race of the evening at a high quality 1500m meeting. Harry was an excellent fifth in Race 15 to log a seven second PB of 3.54.9.
Video of Harry's Race