THIS IS FOR THE NEWS THAT IS NO LONGER FRONT PAGE NEWS

GOING FOR A BURTON

Why not join fellow Harriers in a relay along canal towpaths from Stafford to Burton – on Saturday 6^th July. This fun event  - for runners of all abilities – follows the successful inaugural running, last June, of our Olympic Relay when six clubs in the Staffordshire Athletics Network paused [for breath and a beer] at Branston Water Park before running in together to Shobnall Playing Fields to support the Network’s Junior Games. Participants will run with runners of similar ability and complete as many stages – ranging from about 2 to 6 miles – as they wish. Last year many runners made their own arrangements to transfer between stages. Some took advantage of a shuttle van provided by the club and although our regular driver is unavailable this year we will still try to make this facility available if there is sufficient demand.

There is an entry fee of £4 per runner, the proceeds going to help sustain the Network and the various activities it organises for club runners and coaches.

The Relay may be of particular interest to Harriers not wishing to run the full 13.1 miles of the Black Country Half Marathon on the same day. Interested runners should contact either John Finney [johnfinney26@btinternet.com] or James Thorpe [clarinetgod@yahoo.com] indicating their normal running pace [in minute/miles], the [rough] length [and number] of stages they wish to run, whether they wish to run early on or later in the day……..the Relay will start at 8amish and arrive at Burton by 1300/1330 hours. Runners should also let us know whether they ideally require transfer transport. We will also need personal contact details. Thereafter participants will be circulated with full details of the various stages to be run, who will be running which and with whom etc.

John Finney/James Thorpe.

As raised in the article this clashes with the Black Country Half Marathon (Harriers Charity Run)

The Olympic Relay

Saturday 23rd June 2012

What a super event this was. It was great to meet up with and run with members of other clubs along the canal to Burton. Here is a photo of the gang before they set off holding the Olympic Torch. 

For more photos go to the race reports page.

There was a blue drinks bottle left on the van at the end. Pete Burns has it.



Just in case people didn't see the Olympic Torch in Stafford. If Harriers have any photos to add to this record of the day then send them in.

NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THIS 2

Who was the Olympian who won a Bronze Medal in Athens, is competeing in their sixth Olympics in London and trained with the Harriers two years ago.

This is yet another snippet of information from John Finney our club historian which will be appearing in the book on the club's history.

Answer

Alison Williamson Olympic Archer

NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THIS 

Harriers Centenary

Not a lot of people know this. 2012 is the centenary of a Stafford Harriers forerunner club the Stafford and District Harriers. The club were formed in 1912 and met at an old pub in Martin Street called the Old Blue Posts which has long since been demolished. The club itself sank like the Titanic which is rather appropriate this Centenary year.

These facts and many others will be coming out in a book soon that is being written by our club Historian John Finney. It should make interesting reading.





Harrier Performances

I am updating the performance sheets.

Female

Male

Please can you check that I have your PB's correct?

Please remember we report pb's achieved whilest you're a member.

Please email me via info@staffordharriers.co.uk

Thanks Colin Mitchell



NEW EMAIL ADDRESSES

Some of you may notice that we have new email address:-

info@staffordharriers.co.uk

This replaces our old hotmail account (don't worry all emails are being forwarded to the new address)

We also have a new email address for all questions about our kit

kit@staffordharriers.co.uk



FRANK EVANS

I would like to thank my friends in the Harriers for the collection they had for my 70th birthday. I am going to buy some new running shoes ( to make me run faster) !! and a new razor  (to make me look younger) Ha Ha  and now I am 70 I am thinking of going tee-total!  Thanks once again Frank.



Movember 2011

Please say a big thank you to all those that contributed towards Movember. We raised £236 as a team which is a great contribution, however, I think others raised their own sums also. The point of Movember is to raise awareness not just money so a big thank you to those that took part and grew moustaches and those that actually contributed sponsorship

Thanks you

Simon Stanyer



Also a report from the NSRRA awards eveing is on the social page  Harriers winning for running and drinking again !!



CHRISTMAS DISCO

This was a very successful evening with around a hundred Harriers, families and friends rocking around the Christmas Trees. In the London Marathon draw, for our four places, we had a record 22 Harriers rejection slips in the bag. One of our juniors Amy Oliver started the draw off and the 'winners' were.

Running Number 24136  Craig Baxter

                         24137  Mark Bentley

                         24138  Lisa Percox

                         24139  Tim Hough

Then four reserves were drawn and they were

                         1st  Jacko Greatholder

                         2nd Dave Cook

                         3rd Chris Ross

                         4th Jill Ross.

A big thank you to Craig Baxter for organising such a great evening and of course to Jackie Grant for another of her famous spreads.



NORTH STAFFS CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE

On Saturday the Harriers took part in the last North Staffs League race of the season. We are still waiting for the results but we can confirm that the ladies gained promotion to the first division with a great team effort on the last day. The men missed out on promotion but were told they had finished third. However a later check of the results showed that we had in fact finished fourth.

 SARA BROOME

The one down side of the day was that our cross-country stalwart Sara Broome slipped and fell and fractured her ankle out on the course. In typical Sara fashion as she lay in the mud waiting to be stretchered off she was joking and continued to encourage the men’s team as the ran. All the Harriers hope that she makes a speedy recovery and that we see her back on the line next season. We will keep you posted on her progress.

Now this is what we call a true Harrier through and through.





CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

Entries are now being taken for the Cross Country Championships for both the Midlands and Nationals. This year the Midland Championships are taking place at Woolaton Park Nottingham on 28/1/12 and the Nationals are at Parliament Hill in London on 25/2/12.

The club do pay the entry fees for both these races but because the fees are per person we do ask that you enter only if you are going to run. If you enter and then fail to run we will ask that you reimburse the fees.

For the Nationals there already about 10 Harriers that are planning to go down on the morning of the race and then stay over night in London and come back on the Sunday. There is a problem arranging this at the moment as the costs of hotels that weekend have soared. We are still looking.



GREENHALL SCHOOL (Harriers Charity)

Greenhall Special School have invited any members from Stafford Harriers to their Children Christmas Performance on 7th December 2011

Pre-performance refreshments will be served at 0945am and performance starts at 1030, the play last approx one hour

If any one is able to go please ring me (George Singh) on 07973922836 or Office hours) 01785-229797 or e-mail me on george.singh1@virginmedia.com or ring the school direct on 01785-246159 or e-mail on headteacher@greenhall.staffs.sch.uk

Regards

George







OAKTREE PROJECT

On Saturday 26^th November, Bill Whitworth, Graham and Sue Williams plus myself, visited the Oak Tree Farm Project near Hilderstone to formally hand over the money we raised from this year’s Charity Run. A total of  £528.75 was raised this year, comprising £378.75 raised online (including Gift Aid), plus a cheque for £100 from patrons of the County Staff Club, courtesy of Bill Whitworth,and a cheque for £50 from Graham Williams.

The money raised online is released in increments from Bmycharity and the Project has already received some of this. The cheques were gratefully received by David Moreton, General Manager of the Project. The tea-room for which we were raising funds, has now been completed, and it was in there that Bill, Graham, Sue and myself spent a convivial hour or so in the company of David and  five of the Trustees.

We were served tea and coffee by one the people the project sets out to help- a ‘Team Member’ in Project parlance. The Project sees all of the people it helps as one big team. The gentleman serving us certainly enjoyed his role working in the tea-room judging by the beaming smile on his face. We also saw some of the prize chickens the Project is breeding.

If you fancy visiting it, the opening times are Monday to Saturday, 10am to 3pm. Tea, coffee, sandwiches and cakes are all available. You may also like to try the Farm Produce shop, which is open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 3pm and sells pottery, terracotta flower pots, seasonal produce and craft produce all produced on the farm . Just tell the staff you’re a Stafford Harrier-you’ll be guaranteed a warm welcome.

Mark Bentley.



Stafford Half Marathon

Online Entries for Stafford Half Marathon NOW open click here. 

Or from the Gatehouse Theatre in Eastgate Street

Or ring 01785 254 653.



WARNING -- ONE MAN AND HIS DOG

Judith Colman would like to warn other Harriers particularly ladies about one rather unpleasant character she has come across whilst running on Cannock Chase.

On a number of occasions on a Sunday morning, between the Glacial Boulder and Katyn Memorial, she has suffered a tirade of vile abuse from a man walking with his dog. It has been around 9 to 9.30 am. He is described as in his sixties with longish grey hair and fairly smartly dressed. Whether he would be so inclined, or brave enough, to carry out this abuse if there were more than one running, or if it was a lone male runner is debateable, but you just need to be aware.



 We have also had this plea for people to become officials

                                      ENDURANCE OFFICIALS COURSES

Dear Club Secretary,                                           
The West Midlands region of England Athletics is prepared to deliver Endurance Officials courses at any level and irrespective of numbers involved. As a county we need more officials. Without qualified officials there is every likelihood that events could be cancelled – be it road, country or track and field. An Endurance Officials qualification, even at basic level, is an ideal entry to officiating. Anyone who is interested should initially contact the County Officials Secretary, Pat Lockley, via e-mail:         patandchrislockley@blueyonder.co.uk

 LONDON MARATHON 2012

It will soon be the dreaded time when the London Marathon rejection slips start coming through the letterbox. Just a reminder to all Harriers that we have now received our clubs Four places for the race.

For newer Harriers who may not know about these places, the club is allocated places depending on the size of the club. These places are always drawn for at the Christmas Disco.

The criteria to enter this years draw is that you have been a member of the Hariers since April 2011 and did get rejected in the London 2012 draw. Just give your rejection slip to Pete Burns or any other committee member to give it to him and you will be in the draw.

SPORTS INJURY PRESENTATION

On Tuesday, 13th September we had a visit from Mr Robin Rees a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon who specialises in Foot and Ankle injuries. Mr Mark Price a consultant podiatrists and also a Physiotherapist discussing the new Shockwave Therapy.

There were also presentations by Podiatrist Louise Smith-Williams and Physiotherapist Anthony Meehan.

There were over forty in attendance for what was a very informative evening. Subjects covered were various foot, ankle and lower leg injuries and the treatment and prevention of them. Correct footwear and then an in depth look, (and I mean in depth), at surgical procedures.

It was a measure of how successful the evening was that the informal consultations and treatments that were on offer by all of the speakers after the talk went on until just after 10.30pm.

We owe a big thank you, to all the Rowley Hall Staff who made it such a successful night.





St Leonard's Sports and Social Club

Recently there was an EGM at the club to discuss the financial situation at the club. Not to go into too finer detail the outcome is that fewer and fewer people are using the social club and it a cause for concern for the future of the club.

I am aware that some Harriers don’t know about the bar facilities at the club. So I would like to remind all Harriers that on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s all of you are able to use the bar after training.

At one time the majority of those that trained would pop in for a quick drink and a chat about the training, injuries, up and coming races, the price of bananas or what ever.  It is a great way to meet socially and it also helps to break the ice for new members.



So why not give it a try?



RACE FOR LIFE

12/7/11

Email from Helen Wright

Hi Pete,

Please pass on my thanks to all of the Harriers who came along and took part in the Stafford race for life event last night. It was very emotional dedicating the event to Claire but also very successful and the turnout was great.

I really couldn’t have delivered the event without the support of the Harriers marshalling and I am very grateful.

I hope to see you all next year.

Helen

Helen Wright - Area Events Manager, Cancer Research UK









SHUGBOROUGH RELAYS

Wednesday 22nd June

Another great event with record entries and finishers. The timings have taken a little time to work out as they are done manually so they are still at the moment provisional. Any mistakes or problems please let us know.

A big thank you to all that helped out on the evening and to those who helped to get the course cleared.



Here they are:-



RACE FOR LIFE

Tuesday 12th July

County Showground Stafford.

As you will be aware this race was one that Clare Skelton was going to run. I know that there are a number of Ladies from the Harriers running the race and we asked if we could also supply marshalls for the evening. The organisers have got back and said they would be happy for us to help out. They need to know how many we can supply. So could you either contact us through the website or tell someone to get your name on the list at the club as soon as possible.



HARRIERS CHARITY RUN

 Saturday 2nd July

Mark Bentley

This year’s Charity Run is the Birmingham Black Country Half-Marathon once again. It’s also in this year’s Challenge so there are useful points to be had, along with the fact you’re doing something worthwhile for those less fortunate than yourselves. Once again we are raising funds for Oak Tree Farm Rural Project at Hilderstone, in order to build a tea-room for visitors there.

The tea-room will be a valuable source of revenue for the Project, which helps adults with learning difficulties. Last year 20 Harriers ran and we raised over £620 for the Project.

The run starts at the British Waterways Canal Dock, Wolverhampton (a 5 minute walk from the railway station) at 9am and finishes at Brindley Place, Birmingham (by the National Indoor Arena). You are set off in groups according to your ability. Your baggage is labelled with your race number and sent by van to Birmingham, where you pick it up again at the finish.

The best way to travel to and from this event is by train, the return fare from Stafford to Birmingham New Street is £9.10 (Remember to get off at Wolverhampton on the outward journey!)

To arrive in plenty of time for the start, I suggest we take the 08:03 Cross-Country Trains service from Stafford, arriving at Wolverhampton at 08:17.

After the race, we can have drinks at the Pitcher & Piano bar in Brindley Place before moving on to sample the many pubs and restaurants the Broad Street/Gas Street Basin area has to offer.

For those wishing to get back to Stafford reasonably early in the evening, may I suggest the 17:36 London Midland service from Birmingham New Street as the return journey, arriving at Stafford at 18:09. Those Harriers who have done the race before have thoroughly enjoyed the day out, and would be keen to do it again.

You can enter the race online via the Runner’s World website, or via post (there are entry forms in the file).

One last thing...

Please remember this is a Charity Run and we are running for a reason, so any donation, however small, would be appreciated.

You can donate online via the following link www.bmycharity.com/staffordharriers  . Remember, if you Gift Aid your donation we raise an extra 28% on each donation, so everyone’s a winner.

Also you can forward any monies raised to me- I will then donate them via the above link (with Gift Aid)

A link to the entry form is on our Race Calendar Page.





CLARE SKELTON

1975 -2011

Clare's funeral took place 11.30am on Friday 3rd June at St Thomas' Church, Walton on the Hill.

A message from Clare's family.

The family would like to gives thanks for the kindness and support that they have received and has been given to Clare during this difficult time.

Donations will be gratefully received and split between Cancer Reserch UK and Katherine House Hospice.

Alternatively, Clare would have been delighted to receive donations through her 'Race for Life' sponsor page.

For those of you who have not visited her web page CLICK HERE

I know many of our Ladies Harriers will be running the Race for Life and we are trying through Clare's family to contact the organisers to see if we can also help out as marshalls. We will keep you updated.