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Steve Perkin’sexcellent report detailsour Club’s superb athletic achievements during 2019.
Spring Marathons On Tuesday evenings early in 2019 a group started using the ‘Hanson’s Marathon Method’ initiated in the club by Tom Powell. This is a structured progression of interval based training.A group of some 20 runners enjoyed this different approach to training for a Marathon. The initiative was very successful and is being repeated again this year. There were some great Marathon performances during the year including Ben Alexanderrunning 2.37 and Ali Young 3.01 in London, Mike Turney 2.54, Richard Clark 2.56 and Ross Jarman 2.59 in Manchester and Aran Davidson 2.37 in Berlin. Track and Field Our Young Athletes continue to perform very well despite the lack of a local track. The Seniors will again be using the track at Merchant Taylors on Thursday evenings during early to late summer. There are also opportunities for all members to make use of the Watford Open Graded Meetings which are on alternate Wednesdays from 8th. April. Please check Watford Harriers website for full details. Ridgeway Relay For several years Roger and Sue Ellerby have been organising and managing a team from the club to take part in thisrace which consists of 10 ‘legs’ over a distance of 86 miles from Ivinghoe Beacon to Marlborough.The club had its best result last year finishing 3rdout of 40+ teams. Each team must include at least 2 ladies. Roger hopes we can field a ladies team as well this year. Two of the ‘legs’ can be run by a male.This year’s race is on Sunday 28thJune. If you are interested in taking part and have not previously been involved please tell Roger.Being a ‘point to point’ racethere is a lot of organisation neededto ensure the ‘baton’ is successfully delivered to Marlborough. Chiltern Cross Country League As recently as Feb. 2020 we saw the conclusion of the Chiltern League season and wonderful to report that our club won the final fixture by over 200 points, a staggering performance.Our Young Athletes again dominated the day but there were also huge contributions from both our Senior Women and our Senior Men. James Repper is the Men’s Team Manager and he attended all fivefixtures but because of his devotion to doing the job thoroughlyfeltunable to run himself. As he is one of our faster runners thisis a shame. Is there someone who could share the task with him so he can compete as well as the person helping? Please letme know or contact James. Circuit Training A few members have suggested it would help them if we provided Pilates, Core Strengthening and Injury Prevention sessions etc. We do already have Circuit Training on Monday evenings in the Pavilion in Hervines Park and organised by Jamie Shepard. Full details are on the web site. Look under Seniors or ‘Juniors’.The session is graded to suit both Senior and Junior athletes and could be classified as ‘cross training’ and formulated to increase general, core and body condition, strength and flexibility.Just turn up and introduce yourself to Jamie. It is free for members. Web Site You will have noticed has been updated and is continuing to be improved. Our thanks to Howard Cave who has been our webmaster for ages and Matt Channer who is designing the new site and Andy Hickman who is also assisting. Many Senior athletes are now making use of the socialmedia application ‘Slack’ to share information about the club sessions, races, etc. Facilities We continue to use some sixteendifferent locations and I am very aware that for parents with siblings,training at different venues,is tiresome.We continue to strive for better facilities and fewer of them but there are no obvious opportunities at the moment although this could change. Please contact me immediately if you get to hear of any developments which may involve a school, sports club or a redevelopment of a brown field site. We have a working party already set up. Coaches and Officials Every year in my Chairman’s Report I have appealed for more help with coaching in particular. I am pleased to report that in the last twelvemonths we have been helped by a positive rush of volunteers albeit we have lost a few who have retired or relocated, but we still need more. We think the most likely candidates are in the 16-25 age group or aged over 50 or a parent. Are you in this range and could you help? There is great fulfilment in seeing younger and older athletes striving to reach their potential.If you are interested please let me know or speak to one of our coaches. Training courses are available and are paid for by the Club. Development Plan A new FiveYear Plan has been prepared and will be discussed by the Management Committee and will be placed on our website shortly.We anticipate the Club will continue to grow but there is still a need for more coaches and better facilities. We will also need help from many members to drive the club forward. Chiltern Way-Consultation Thank you for your responses and suggestions,manyof whichare reflected in the new Development Plan. Social and Awards Night Our ‘social’ team led by Ellie Bates continue to work tirelessly and a date for this year’s event will be advised shortly. Defibrillator We have purchased an AED and as the Seniors are likely to be the most vulnerable group this will be available at Tuesday and Thursday evening training sessions. The custodian is Mike Shrive and Andy Hickman is the organiser. Other groups can always borrow the equipment. Just contact Andy.Full training is being given and further details will be placed onourweb site shortly. Junior Training Camp We held our first ever training camp at Phasels Wood Activity Centre near Hemel Hempstead. Nearly thirtyYoung Athletes attended the threeday residential course which included running/group exercises /football/yoga and lectures. Thanks to Nic Hughes, Becky McCall and Katie Doran for organising.Another camp is being arranged for this summer. Volunteers A huge thank you to all the people who help at our training sessions, at our races, and who support and organise our eventswhatever the weather;and also members of our Management Committee. Ellie Bates who has been a substantial member of the Committeefor 5 years is standing down but will continuetoorganise our annual social and prepare weekly race reports. Thank you Ellie. Martyn Cartwright has retiredfrom coaching Young Athletes and I would like to thank him for his huge contribution over many years. Hopefully we can now look forward to another Olympic year which will again put our sport under the spotlight. Many of us were volunteers in London in 2012 and it would be fabulous if that ‘feel good’ factor could be repeated. Good luck with your endeavours in 2020. Trevor Davies-Chairman Chiltern Harriers hadanother excellent year in 2019, with success in cross country, road running,and track and field athletics.
As usual the first main event of the year was the Bucks CrossCountry Championships. Held this yearat Hughenden Parkin High Wycombe, there were wins for Under 13 girls, U15 girls and U17 women, U13 boys, U15 boys, and U17 men, so a clean sweep of the junior age groups. Frankie Baxter and Thomas Redmond won U13 gold, and Orla Williams won U15 gold. TheSenior women were second and veteran women won gold. The Senior men were second with Nick Hughes first Vet 40. In February the Chiltern Cross Country League concluded with Chiltern finishing, as usual, in a good third place. There were team wins for U13 boys, Veteran women, U15 girls, U13 girls, U11 boys and U11 girls. Individual winners were Nick Hughes (Vet 40), Thomas Redmond (U13 boys), Abbie Henderson (U15 girls), and Frankie Baxter (U13 girls). Other medallists included Callum Powell (U11 boys silver), Alex Hughes (U11 boys bronze), Lesedi Nkoane (U13 girls silver), Euan Pinder (U13 boys bronze), Holly Henderson (U15 girls silver), Orla Williams (U15 girls bronze), Nathan Hackley (U15 boys bronze), Angus Williams(U17 men silver), and Richard Slade (U20 men silver). The Southern Championships at Parliament Hill in late January saw the U13 girls win a bronze medal thanks to Frankie Baxter, Lesedi Nkoane, Maddie Hughes, and Marea Logan. The U15girls won gold courtesy of Orla Williams, Abbie Henderson,Holly Henderson, and Alicia Bushell. Orla was individual bronze medallist. U13 boys were 9th, U15 boys 8th, and U17 men 6th, a very good set of results. The National Cross Country was at Harewood House Leeds at the end of February and saw great runs from Frankie Baxter, Lesedi Nkoane, Maddie Hughes and Marea Loganto win silver in the U13 girls team race. Frankie excelled again running for Bucks AA to win bronze at the prestigious UKCAU National Inter Counties at Prestwold Hall in March,whilst Thomas Redmond in The U13 boys race finished a creditable 11th. At the English Schools Championships in Leeds a week later, Abbie Henderson was best placed Chiltern athlete, 11thin the Junior Girls race, with Holly Henderson also doing well to be 17th. In May the Chiltern-hosted Pednor 5 race saw team wins for Chiltern, thanks to Ben Alexander, Aran Davidson, Alastair Melville-Smith and Ben Hetherington for the men, and Ali Young, Natalie Hallas, and Katie Royals for the women. The race was used as the Bucks andHerts 5 mile championships, with Ben Alexander bronze medallist in Bucks for the men. The Pednor 5 Race Walk was won by Neil Bates in a great time of 45.13. May also saw the track season get going with the Bucks Track and Field Championships a highlight.Cameron Reid had a good weekend, winning U20 400m and 800m. In the U17s Finn Hobson won gold in long jump, silver in 100m hurdlesand high jump,and bronze in 200m;Alex Johnson silver in 800m and 1500m; andAlex Aldred bronze in 1500m.In U15s Adam Winstanley won bronze in 300m, Matt Aldred bronze in 800m, and Thomas Redmond silver in 1500m. Jerry Anderson won high jump and Noah Hobson won silver in 80m hurdles. Alden Collier had a doublewin in 800m and 1500m, with Isaac Jessop-Tranter adding 100m gold to his silver in 1500m.Max Baxter won bronze in 1500m. Charlie Ventress won silver in 75m hurdles and bronze in shot. Sarah Cross won Senior women’s javelin. Emily Gillespie won bronze in U17 women’s200m and 300m. Alicia Bushell won bronze in 800m, and Orla Williams silver in 1500m in stellar timeof 4.37. In U15s Serena Gueye was just pipped by Chisom Nwafor in 100m and Jemma Thomson won bronze in 200m. Chisom also won high jump, long jump, shot (Championship Best of 11.06m) and won silver in 75m hurdles. Abbie Henderson and Holly Henderson won a 800m/1500m gold /silver double with Alice Brown picking up 1500m bronze.Caitlin Gregory won discus silver.In the U13s Frankie Baxter had a great weekend winning, and setting new Championships bests,in 800m (2.22) and 1500m(4.55). Lesedi Nkoane won silver in 1500m. Chiltern celebrated the success of the 2018-19 Chiltern League season, as well as the results of the Club Senior Championship at the annual Social & Awards Evening, held Saturday 18 May at the Polish Club in Amersham. The Senior Championship rewards performance across the whole year, based on results from events spanning the whole range of distances. Age category winners were: Aran Davidson, Katie Royals, Andy Hickman, Tamsin Finch, Mike Turney, Miriam Kempson and Robert Gill. Despite rain making the conditions on the inflatable assault course rather slippery, a great evening was enjoyed by all. In June the Junior Tri attracted a good field again and amongst the winners were Hugo Mundy, Katie Allsop,Isaac Jessop-Tranter, and Frankie Baxter. A record number of Chiltern athletes were to selected to represent Bucks Schools at the English Schools Track and Field Championships at Birminghamin July. Ten young athletes wore the Bucks vest with Robyn Watkins running Senior Women’s 400m for Somerset Schools-Junior Girls Abbie Henderson (800m), Holly Henderson (800m), Chisom Nwafor (100m), Serena Gueye (100m); Inter Girls Orla Williams (1500m), Lily Holt (High Jump); Inter Boys Alex Aldred (800m), Alex Johnson (1500m), Angus Williams (1500m), Senior Boys Cameron Reid (800m). Best placed was Alex Aldred, fourth in the Inter 800m finalin a new PB of 1.54.98. A lot of hard work and organisation went into fielding teams inthe YDL Upper and Lower Age Group matches. The Lower Age Group team was third in the division of 8 clubs and the South Bucks composite team (which we share with Wycombe Phoenix) was third from 6 –very good results in competitive divisions. Frankie Baxterbroke both 800m and 1200m YDL recordsin the U13 age group. In September Shardeloes 10k saw an individual win for Fabian Downs and aChiltern team winfrom Fabian, Richard Slade, Aran Davidson and Alex Paul. The women also won with Sarah Quantrill, Hannah Wardley and Sue Elliott scoring. The autumn relays saw good results from the young athletes. At SouthernRoad Relays in September –U13 Girls gold (Frankie Baxter, Zoe Gilbody, Lesedi Nkoane), U13 Boys bronze (Alden Collier, Euan Pinder, Alex Hughes, Max Baxter) and U15 girl’sbronze (Maddie Hughes, Holly Henderson, Maddie Hughes). The National Road Relays went even better. Alden Collier, now on the last leg in the U13 Boys race, caught up three places to run a storming winning lap. Max Baxter and Euan Pinder had set the race up on legs 1 and 2. The U13 Girls were also winners with Lesedi Nkoane, Frankie Baxter and Zoe Gilbody well ahead of second place. The Southern Cross Country Relays saw further success –gold again for U13 Girls Zoe, Lesedi and Frankie, and for U13 boys Euan, Max andAlden. The B team was fourth and the C team tenth. Another win came from The U15 girls –Alice Brown, Holly Henderson, and Abbie Henderson, and a fourth courtesy of the U17 Men, Alex Johnson, Alex Aldred, and Angus Williams. An amazing day. In November the Herbert’s Hole Challenge completed the Chiltern-hosted races for the year. There was an individual win for Nick Hughes and for the team of Nick, Ben Hetherington, Michael Turney, and Neil Turner. The women also won courtesy of individual winner Bex Nkoane, Ellie Bates, and Ali Young. By Christmas Chiltern had lodged into third place in the Chiltern Cross Country League after three matches, including an overall win in Match 1. Steve Perkin, February 2020 We wanted to give you an update on this year’s Social Event & Awards Evening.
You will probably be unsurprised to know that it is unlikely that we will be able to go ahead on 4 July, as that will be the first day that our venue - Amersham & Chiltern Rugby Club - might be able to host us in accordance with the Government’s Covid-19 Recovery Strategy. After a short break from #HarriersChallenges, we've come up with two absolutely great ones for you to get stuck into. Given we think you'll want to take a little longer to think through / perfect your entries for these ones, you have until 1159 PM on Sunday 21 June to submit your entries. Read on...
Well, we’ve had the musical edition, the Easter edition, the home-schooling edition… it was about time we had the cheeky edition ;-)
So this week, we want to know what you’re up to during lockdown. Whether that be running, baking up a storm, building a wall or alphabetising your music collection, we want to see you doing it in your Club kit. For those of you who follow the Club's social media accounts, you will have seen that Harriers have been back to school this week, completing Katie Royals' home-schooling challenge!
22 Harriers joined in. Each were allotted a letter to 'draw' on Strava / Garmin Connect and then asked to post the results. As letters appeared, people guessed at what the mystery phrase could be. After a great response we can reveal that the phrase was: The advent of Spring is usually synonymous with new beginnings. Currently it can be difficult to see beyond the darkness, fear and anxiety. But, the glimmer of sun we’ve seen this past week and the clocks going forward tonight should serve as a reminder that a fresh start will come.
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