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April

Ernie Hall ran to form with an excellent 2:41in the London Marathon. Whilst not having the benefit of privileged start as the elite and AAA’s runners, it is worthy to note that besides the elite there were over 800 AAA runner’s ahead of him at the start and he finished in 400 position overall Colin Aldous had a great run and was pleased with his time, a personal best, of 3:07. His long winter training obviously paying off. Peter Ford held his own with a 3:12. He wasn’t unduly troubled by all the foreign runners, but was a bit peeved with Batman on the run into the Finish. We had three debut marathon runners in Clive Bonner 3:41. Peter Furness 3:3 and David Brown 3:50. All remarkable times. Our Chairman. Ian Robinson being a late entrant ran a calculated race to ensure that he won the Sweepstake, in 4:35. He also had a personal battle with a man on the toilet along the Mall. Unfortunately Tony Newman had to withdraw half way through the race, to add to his misery he had to share his journey back with a train load of Millwall supporters who gave him a lot of stick.

Erwin Losekoot. who emigrated to Scotland ran the Rotterdam Marathon on the same day as London, at half way he felt he was on for a 3hr finish, but the second half denied him. Finishing time of 3:13 gave him a position 1,131 out of 10.000 starters.

May

The first Time Trial was well supported and Stockley Park proved to be a popular venue The event revealed some surprisingly results: Brian Skinner led the charge followed by Ian Robinson with a 2 second gap. Bill Hart found that he had a 1 minute 29 second wait. Keith Morris was the next off at 4:12, Brian Matthews 5:03 after the start, Peter Ford closely behind at 5:59. Colin Aldous paid the price for last year’s performance with a 7:01 delay, while Jack and Ernie needed something short of a miracle to catch the leaders with a delayed start of 8:51 and 8:54 respectively. Steve O’Keeffe was a late entrant and was allocated a start time with lack. Ian ran a good leg finishing well within his expected time. Colin finished strongly and was pleased with his run. Unfortunately Ernie was not familiar with the course and had to stop a couple time to find his bearings. A special vote of thanks to Kay Tarrant for her role as impromptu course marshal, we nearly had more finishers than starters, when two joggers dared to ignore her instructions to turn left

The Concorde 10K saw the club strip probably equaling British Airways AC in numbers. Ernie Hall finished in 36:37 but had to work hard to stay with the first 18 home claiming the 2nd V40 prize. Colin Aldous finished closely behind in 39: 27. Peter Furness crossed the line with a personal best of 40:05, while an injured Jack Nisbet ran a conservative race finishing strongly with 42:03. Peter Ford, was not running to form, it was suggested that there was a burger van on the route and he stopped for one finishing in an improbable 42 min. Keith Morris. seemed to be out for a Sunday stroll, passing the 7K mark in a leisurely fashion to come home in 44:02.

June

The Club’s second time Trial was held on Wednesday 2nd June 1999. The starting order, more balanced following last month’s trial, with the exception of Tony Betteridge pacing up and down the start line, complaining when is it my trim, (serves him right for swanning off round the world instead of getting some training in). Ernie led the field, even if his start position was helped by his lack of navigational skills at the last trial, he finished with a course record of 25:11 though it must be said that he was assisted by a pace maker in the form of a guide dog picked up on the way. Colin finished with an improved time of 25:54, as did Peter Ford in 27:55. Ian must have peeked too early as his time of 32:27 was a minute down on last month. Peter Furness entered his first trial with a creditable 21:04. Others who entered their first trial were, Clive Bonner 29:43, Tony Betteridge 29:43 and Jac Williams 32:53.

The club was well represented at the Datchet Dash 10k with no fewer than 13 members. Being the second event in the club championships the attached table shows the latest position. Its good to see Ian and Brian Skinner battling for the points, though Ernie, Colin and Peter are closely in pursuit. One thing is for sure you must enter the events to gain points.

A case of Road Runner Rage was reported at the Wycombe Half Marathon when a finisher presented with a COFFEE MUG instead of the expected medal went ballistic at race officials, the race organiser is alleged to have done a sub 4 min mile pace to the safety of the race HQ. The suspect is alleged to be a certain Peter Ford, Tony Betteridge who also ran the race was not at that impressed either

The Summer Fair saw the Road Runners well represented. We had two attractions; Play Your Cards Right and Sink a Penny. Both proved highly popular, mainly because Play Your Cards right kept paying out and anyone who walked within 10 yards of Sink a Penny was presented with a prize. The highlight of the day was undoubtedly an enthusiastic Peter Furness who stole the show with an impersonation of Bruce Forsyth. Special thanks to Clive Bonner for providing the prizes.

Pam Swadling took part in the Flora Light Women's Challenge in Hyde Park. The race entries were closed before the day of the event, with the maximum of 10,000 women taking part. There was an impressive elite entry. with the winners spoils going to Lucy Elliot of Shaftsbury Barnet AC in a time of 15:40. Pam ran well in spite of the high temperature, which was touching 80 degrees and finished well up the field in 29:09.

July

Pam Swadling and Brian Matthews were among the 600 runners who took pan in the Harry Hawkes 8 at Thames Ditton. Brian set off at a brisk pace and paid the price towards the end to finish in 56:10. This was the longest distance that Pam has run, the extra miles and the hot weather took its toll and she struggled in the last couple of miles but eventually finished in 1:24:00

Jack Nisbet took part in the Wooden Spoon Society Ford Lakeland Challenge. This comprised of a kayak along the length of Lake Windermere in the Lake District a distance of 10.5 miles , a 26 mile cycle over the two highest road passes in the take district Hardknott Pass and Wrynose Pass which has gradients of 1 in 3 on numerous occasions followed by a little run over the top of Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England. The total time being 6:48:15 This was the time from start to finish as it was run continuously like a triathlon, no stopping in between apart from the time it took to change clothes. Although the team only managed 6th position over all, the first 6 teams broke the previous best time for the event which stood at 7:02:00.

August

The August Time Trials saw a good turn out. Ernie put in another blistering run to reduce the course record to 24:46, Colin with a consistent solid run of 25:58 placed him top of the table, Steve O’Keefe & Clive Bonner completed their second run in the series with respective times of 27:42 & 27:51, Peter Ford finished in 29:04 to claim second place in the table, Tony was closely behind in 29:05, lan 31:41, Brian Skinner 32:56 and Jac 32:56 continue to battle for those extra points. Nice to see Richard turn out for his Time Trial debut. Commiseration’s to Jack who had to withdraw due to injury, and thanks to Bill who could not run but assisted with the timekeeping.

Ernie, Ian, Colin and Jac ran the Hillingdon 10K in very, very wet conditions. Ernie ran 36:40 finishing 5th overall and 2nd male vet, Colin 41:29, Ian 47:37 and Jac 48:47. Jac also won 2nd lady vet 35. Ian felt that if he had tried a little bit harder he may have won first lady vet as he was running like an old woman. It was suspected that Colin may have been nobbled by a group of Hillingdon AC ladies in the bushes at the start. Sheltering form the rain he was surrounded by a group ladles, it is not clear what took place, but it could be send that a group of birds in the bush could be better than a bird in the hand.

The club was well represented at the Stragglers Wedding Day run, on the evening of Friday 6th August in Bushy Park. Overall winner was Richard Neuruka but not far behind was Ernie Hall in 26:20. with Peter Furness, Colin Aldous & Brian Matthews were in close contention. Brian Skinner 34:37, Jac Williams 34:49 and Pam Swadling completed the run in.

The Burnham Beeches Half Marathon featured in the Club Championships, however only four members entered this tough course. Ernie Hall finished in 1:22:18, Peter Ford followed in 1:34:53. Tony Betteridge 1:41:53 with Brian Skinner in 1:48. Ernie claimed 30th position in a field of 681 starters

Seven Club members traveled north of the border to take part in The Great Scottish Run Half Marathon. On a warm, sunny Glasgow morning 10,000+ runners headed by an impressive elite field embarked upon a surprisingly pleasant and scenic route Through The streets and parks of southern Glasgow. Erwin Losekoot led the Club home in a new PB time of 1:25:48. Colin Aldous followed in 1:29:00 followed by Peter Furness in 1:30:33 also a new PB. Clive Bonner was next home in 1:33:59. Ian Robinson completed the course in 1:49:21, with Jac Williams just behind him in 1:51:23. Brian Matthews ran his first Half Marathon for 18 months and found the distance a problem but managed to get round in 1:42:37.

September

Jac Williams and Colin Aldous tied the knot on 9th September 1999, having searched high and low for a vicar prepared to leap out of an airplane at 30,000 feet they settled for a conventional wedding.

October

Once again a lively night was experienced with the revisit of the Glam Rock group ‘LOOK’. Though having sadly had a family bereavement Chris Hart soldiered on to organise the event. Despite low number, especially lack of road runners, a good night was enjoyed by all. Profits on the night was inevitably low, however, as a result of the action of Malcolm Amos, a generous donation was made by the Golf section to the Charity Martin's Options Appeal

December

The Silly Hat Night did not attract a good turnout by previous years standards, but a good effort by those who did. An excellent buffet was enjoyed by a greater number of members, supplied by Peter & Mary.

A change of venue for Xmas Dinner & Dance to the Riverside Hotel, West Drayton, proved to be a very popular choice. The food was excellent, service superb, with sole use of facilities for dancing and the club presentations Though the action proved too much for some.