January

Peter Furness and Kay Tarrant started the year off by competing with an international field of runners in the Hyde Park New Years Day 10K & 5K. It was Peter’s sixth run in the event and considered the event gets better each year. Michelle Sampson completes an unusual hat-trick, winning the January 5K time trial for the third consecutive year. Gary Fiddes, Peter Furness & Matt Johns take on the challenge of the first Club Championship event of 2005, Fred Hughes 10M  - Matt Johns knocks 17 minutes off his PB. Another first for the Club, two runners in the County Championships.  

February

Stand up Tony Kent! New member Tony bags his first trophy with a win in the monthly handicap race. Middlesex Veterans XC Championships, Jack Nisbet finishes 17th V40 as sole Club representative at Mad Bass Woods. Watford half Marathon Jack Nisbet asks "Where was the Club?"  He was the sole club entry for this second of the club championships. Having run a Cross Country event the previous day he was pleased to finish this quite hard event in 1:26:28, in position 122 out of a total field of 1734.

Congratulations to Matt Wilkins and Michelle Sampson who almost single handedly saved the Club's blushes by finishing 5th from bottom of the Chiltern League Division 11 - in a team competition! Matt ended the season as 2nd Senior Male in Division 2 with Michelle 5th Senior Lady in only her 2nd season of cross-country. 

Michelle Sampson braced herself against the extreme cold and snow in the Bushy Park Trail Race and couldn’t understand why the old deer didn’t turn out to support them.

 Tom Waugh and Brian Skinner collect some valuable points for the club championship in the Wokingham half marathon.

March

Tom Waugh picks up his first club trophy in the last of the winter handicap time trial.  Peter Furness travelled to Paris to compete in the half marathon, having incurred a leg injury the previous week he was not in the best frame of mind. The fact that he had left his running watch at homes did not ease the torment, he arrived at the start minus his club vest and running number. How did he do? With a substitute number he completed the course in 1:51.

Jack Nisbet ran in the London half marathon. At the front of the race the times were pretty fast, with the winner coming in at 01:05:23, Jack finished in a creditable time of 01:23:48 – this was his best for 2 years, and managed to come 100th out of 5874 runners, finishing 9th in the 40-45 age group. Five members took part in the Maidenhead 10mile. With all our runners finishing under 84mins, Tom Waugh again maximised his points for the Club Championships.

April

Pre London Pasta Party was organised by Michelle and Jacquie with the usual splendid display by Tony Newman, unfortunately, we only had two entrants this year. Jack Nisbet finished in 3:06:12 and Liz Ioannou  in 7:24:06.

Brian Skinner and Tom Waugh continue their quest for points in the Club Championships by  running in the White Horse half marathon

May

The attraction of the Concorde 10K does not diminish, with the colours of the Hayes & Harlington road runners in full flourish. Gary Nisbet was just pipped into second position in the junior race, whilst his dad Jack, led home 13 club members, to finish in 38:38 min/sec. Peter Furness, Mick McGuigan and Martin Keegan, made up the first 4 club members to claim 4^th Male Team overall.

Tony Newman claimed maximum points in the first Summer Time Trial, with Mark Wright and Jack Nisbet finishing second and third respectively

June

In the Dysart Dash 10k, a two lap race in Richmond, with half of the distance running along the Thames towpath. Five club members competed with the highlight being a new PB at the distance for Martin Keegan.

The club undertook another charity fund raising challenge to circumvent the Isle of Wight in two days with teams running in relay. Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park, proved to be an excellent location to operate from. The facilities were first class, boasting an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, Fitness centre, Sauna and Private beach. The event did not go without incident as it was mainly along coastal footpaths, not all conducive to safe running, some not even open. Target achieved a fantastic weekend.

Mel & Ryan Jones stormed home in first and second position in their first Summer Time Trial with Tony Newman in third place. A total of 14 club members made an impressive field. 

July

The Elmbridge 10k, despite a very wet day the underfoot conditions along the towpath remained firm. It was a good day for all our competitors from the Club. Jack Nisbet led the club home in a performance that got him a gold medal (one of the unique things about the Elmbridge race is that the first 100 home get gold, the next 100 silver and the rest bronze). The race also marked the first run for the club of Mel Jones and a splendid PB from Maggie Newman. The Dorney Dash 10K, the second running of this event at the Eton regatta course drew seven club runners to compete in this leg of the club championship. The course had changed from last year and now took you round the whole of the site on the first lap before doubling back on just the one side in the second half. Peter Furness, Keith Morris and Ahad Rafat claimed first, second and third club positions. Mel, Ryan and Tony finish the third time trial in the fashion as last month to make a very interesting battle for the top of the table.

August

Target Zero this year offered everyone the opportunity a leisurely run around Stockley Park without a watch, as expected it turned into a race. Paul Evans running nearest to his predicted time. The event was followed by a BBQ back at the Centre.

Tom Waugh takes first place in this months Summer time trial with Tony Newman and Pam Swadling finishing second and third

September

Jack Nisbet visits the Lake District to compete in the Helvellyn Triathlon, The one mile swim completed in 26:07mins/secs. The cycle (38 Miles )  completed in 2:34:00. The run, a challenging climb up the Helyellyn then down again (2:07:00). Total Time 5hrs 16mins.

Peter Furness and Kay Tarrant take part in the WARR 5K in Calgary. Peter’s time of 20:04 was good enough for 3rd place overall in the non airline section and meant that he picked up an award at the post race banquet. Peter also ran the Toronto Waterfront half marathon completed in 1:34:00.

Ryan Jones finished of the final Summer time trial in first place in 29:34, but Tony Newman did enough to claim the Summer Time Trial Championship.

October

Saga Louts revisit Switzerland to run the Lausaunne 10K. The heavy rain on the Sunday morning didn’t dampen the spirits of the runners, Paul Evans finished in 56:53, Jacquie Howell, her first visit, ran the 6.5 miles course in 63:41, followed closely by Pam Swadling in 65.13.

Mel & Ryan did the Woburn "Save the Rhino" 10k. Mel got 55:18 - 20s quicker than her last (so new PB). and Ryan got a time of 46:01

Martin Keegan led the club runners home in the Southend 1oK with an impressive time of 44:22 in 341 position overall. Brian Skinner was second in 49:23. Tom Waugh was close behind in 50:55, despite starting well back of the field. Tony Newman surprised most with an improved time of 51:44, certainly impressed his adopted trainer Micky Ewins. Paul Evans was pleased with his 54:15. Maggie Newman must be highly delighted with her time of 54:21 to finish 4^th in her age category, with Pam Swadling 11^th in 66:20.

November

Twelve members lined up on this cold November night with plenty of support from our injured and post operation members. Maggie Newman set off with Jacqui Howell to set herself a qualifying time of 25:25min/secs. Graham Kent also set himself a good qualifying time of 18:50min/secs. Tony Kent claimed first position with an improvement of 1:24min/secs on his previous time. Ryan & Mel Jones both ran for qualifying times 20:04min/secs and 24:39min/secs respectively. In fact everyone improved on their October times.

December

Jack Nisbet & Martin Keegan braved the elements to compete in the challenging course at Aston Hall. This popular event still attracts a field of 481 runners, even with the change from the usual weekend to midweek format. The photo gallery attached to web site shows an impressive shot of Jack leading the pack over a heavily frost covered ground, but where was the hat? There was another fine shot of Jack working hard running up the infamous steps. Jack finished in 46th position with a time of 45:29min/sec, Martin finished in 145th position in 51.34min/sec.

Twelve members turned out for the third winter time trial. This was a closely contested trial with 4 members chasing their recently established qualifying times. Ryan Jones had to dig deep on his reserves to stay ahead of Graham Kent, Maggie Newman was pushed along the home straight by Tom Waugh to finish third and fourth respectively. Jacquie Howell is showing signs of regaining fitness hold on to fifth place. Sadly Mel Jones who completed the first lap full of promise was forced to a walk over the latter stage with a severe ankle injury.