Race Results

Well done to Anna C for her 2nd place (behind her nemisis, Clare Elms) and to the boys A team (Rich, Antony and Chas) for their 11th place. It is a pity we did not have one more lady running - any of our members could have walked round and we would have won (again).

One of our runners did not stop for the timers at the finish line and had to send in their result at a later date. Guess who? Clue - they probably did an extra 2 miles as 10 was not enough. No! Not Gary!  

06/12/2009 Lisbon Marathon

John De Castro - 3.09.27

"A hilly course and a windy day made this almost as hard as leaving the West 4 ladies behind while I set off to begin the next chapter in my life. Did not feel any pain until right at the very end of it all so happy with my performance. Ciao!"   

22/11/2009 The Lanzarote Challenge

West 4 Abroad.. Again!

Four races, Four Days.

Our Man Abroad

Day 4 - 21K
Paul Lemmon         1.21.08  (3.05.57) 20th out of 151
Isobel Rea            1.26.16  (3.23.43)  3rd Lady Overall of 76 / 1st Age Group
Richard Browne     1.26.41  (3.10.37)  28th man
Andrew Orchard    1.36.51  (3.41.28) 61st man
Keith Simpson       1.36.30  (3.43.39) 63rd man
Geoff Garbow       1.53.21
Shelley Martin      2.04.56   (4.50.41) 54th lady

You've got to love the Lanzarote stats!

The reasons given for the men's unexpectedly 'slow' times were Richard - hamstring, Keith - shin, Andy - toe, Geoff - lager.

Klaus is heard to have said Shelley had the biggest smile in La Santa, bless you Klaus! 

Day 3 - Beach Run and totals so far
Richard Browne    20.13 (1.43.57)
Paul Lemmon       20.09 (1.44.50)
Isobel Rea           23.18 (pb) (1.57.28) Still 3rd lady and 1st in age group
Andrew Orchard   24.37 (2.04.38)
Keith Simpson      25.46 (hungover) # (2.07.10)
Shelley Martin      32.31 (2.45.24)

Day 2 - 13K Ridge Run
Richard Browne    47.31
Paul Lemmon       48.33
Isobel Rea           53.55 (3rd lady and 3rd overall)
Andrew Orchard   57.04
Keith Simpson      57.37
Geoff Garbow      1.13.38
Shelley Martin     1.17.23

Day 1 - 10K Road Race
Paul Lemmon       36.09 (18th)
Richard Browne    36.13 (19th)
Isobel Rea          40.19  (4th lady)
Andrew Orchard   42.57 (pb)
Keith Simpson     43.47 (rubbish)  (Editor: Mr Simpson description, not mine)
Shelley Martin     55.32(pb)

01/11/2009 Marlow Half Marathon

In extremely wet conditions, a team from West 4 tackled the tough, hilly countryside of Marlow. Fresh from a two week holiday, Isobel ran in 3rd lady overall and Ali matched her position by coming 3rd in her age group!  

18/10/2009

Hanner Marathon Caerdydd

John Blake was proudly the first overall runner home for West 4 Harriers at the Cardiff Half Marathon. He knocked an impressive minute off his PB for his efforts!

John Blake 615th  1:31:13

A Texas oil tycoon once visited a South Wales colliery in Penllwyngwent, and as he was being shown around by a group of miners he stopped and said to them: “Hey fellas, do you have any urinals down here?”

The soot-blackened men glanced at each other clearly puzzled by the question.  After a moment’s reflection the foreman stepped forward tentatively and said: “Well now then, you see... we have a couple of Huw Evans’s and one Huw Thomas, but I’m sorry to say that I don’t think this pit has any Huw Rinals.”

And so went the Cardiff Half-Marathon, or Hanner Marathon Caerdydd as all good Welsh boys would know.

Cabbage Patch 10

Full List of Results

West 4 Harriers

80 1:00:55   HOLDEN, Matt
95 1:01:49   MCGHEE, Gary
110 1:02:30 CRITCHLOW, Anna
135 1:03:31 YOUSUF, Ali
162 1:04:38 FEHSENFELD, Burkhard
209 1:06:25 BROWNHILL, Alison
276 1:09:12 BROOKS, David
294 1:09:54 BOWEN, Andy
339 1:11:13 CARGILL, Susan
541 1:15:44 EATWELL, James
542 1:15:44 WINN, Rochelle
606 1:17:15 GARBOW, Geoff
630 1:17:47 BEAUSIRE, Anna
771 1:20:48 CLARKE, Louise
942 1:25:44 HOPWOOD, Fiona

11/10/09

Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon

Dave Brooks 1.35.44 - first ever half. Target time of 1.36! Race review from Dave:-

Perfect morning for running. Organisation excellent and for such a large event was pleased to be able to cross the start line with only 4 mins on the clock. Interesting route with good amount of support at certain points. Over half the route was in Hyde Park but the course was very well laid out to use the full park without too many twists and turns. Brilliant atmosphere on the course, and three of us hooked up about the 5 mile mark and stayed fairly close together for the remainder of the route. Managed to catch up with three carrots at the 11 mile mark and narrowly beat Ben Fogle's time so cannot ask for more than that!

Henley Half Marathon

Greg Reichmann  1:38:21

20/09/09

Berlin Marathon

Mike Hall           02:52:55  A fantastic PB!
Greg Reichmann 03.34.24

Great North Run

Chris Twiselton  01:22:09  143rd overall
Anna Critchlow  01:23:17  6th lady, 2nd in her age group!
Scott Mitchell   01:36:00 We're not sure what happened, we think he had a puncture..

Yellow Umbrella 10K

There is no stopping her - another pb for Issy! What is the secret of success? It seems hard work is the key (John DC did spot her on a Wednesday morning before work doing efforts around Gunnersbury Park, the night after hills!). Some of us would like to think there is an easier route to running faster. Now, where did I put my Scottish, 'see you Jimmy' wig.

Isobel Rea - 38.48

13/09/09 Probus (Cornwall) 10k

Very hilly course, much of it through country lanes. Almost home from home, with two other Richmond parkrun regulars including James Flood taking part. Best of all, a pb for Dave. Just shows you what you can achieve by joining the top running club in London ;0)

Dave Brooks - 43.19 

13/09/09 Chippenham Half Marathon

Nice scenic race, fantastic organisation, flatish course, good support from the locals, bit of sunshine, top goody bag with quality t-shirt - pity it is so far from London! Times:-

Keith Simpson - 1.31.25, Andy Bowen - 1.35.02, Alison Brownhill - D.N.G.O.O.B

05/09/09 Knarvik Mila Half Marathon

On 4th September, ten intrepid Westians travelled to Norway to tackle the Knarvik Mila Half marathon.  Norway is a beautiful, hospitable country and the very reserved locals were horrified when during the race, Shelley "the mouth" and Badders "the loud hailer" were screaming "COME ON WEST 4" whenever they saw the distinctive yellow and blue vests.

On a tough, windy course everyone had a good run, with special mention going to Anna C who was 3rd lady and to James, who ran the perfect race and got a new PB for his efforts. 

The prize giving ceremony was very special as the organisers decided to give it a very local flavour, entertaining the runners and their guests to a brass band, a choir and national dance routine. To top it off, the top three runners from the Mens and Ladies groups, were sung to the stage by the Mayor of the town. This was one of the most memorable prize givings we've been too and has given Keith some ideas for the FTTT finale...

A BIG THANK YOU to Mark from all of us for organising such a fantastic trip and putting up with all our school girl errors (sir I've lost my e-ticket, are we there yet? sorry mark, we're lost again)

In the members area, you can see some photos from our trip.

05/09/2009  Dorney Half Marathon  

09/08/2009  Sierre - Zinal 31K Mountain Race, Switzerland

cat  rang nom                              temps     
E    150.   FERGUSON RORY          3:53.53,2 
E    323.   FERGUSON WILLIAM      4:50.27,7  
FI   17.    BOTTOMLEY LOUISE       4:20.42,1    
VI   13.    BOTTOMLEY STEPHEN    3:08.40,7    
FI   28.    BROWNHILL ALISON        4:37.43,0  
E    344.  EATWELL JAMES             4:58.15,6 

Check out the race profile with its 2000 metres of climbing.

31/07/2009     Wedding Day 7k,  Bushy Park 

11/07/2009 Regents Park Summer 10K Series

Saturday May 2nd 2009

111  Louise Clark 00:48:20.0    Lady 13   WEST 4 HARRIERS

Saturday July 4th 2009

18   Isobel Rea    00:39:34.3    Lady 2

106  Louise Clark  00:48:56.5   Lady 18   WEST 4 HARRIERS

04/07/2009 Runnymede Relay

Download full results.  Report to follow.

02/07/2009 - Yateley 1Ok 

Another uncomfortably hot day, and that was just for those watching! Andy Bowen and Burkhard were both hoping that Keith would take their number and run in their place. No chance! Top honours go to Chris for knocking two minutes of his pb ("hardest race I have ever run"), Gary for making it one-all in his mini race series with Burkhard, and Dave for (just) winning the Larkham family fun run against Sarah. Also, big cheers for Ian Carson making it round ;0). In total there were 784 runners who started the race, but 14 did not finish. Full West 4 results:-

Chris Twisleton 37.44 23rd)                                                                                        Gary Robinson 40.48 (62nd)                                                                                  Burkhard Fehsenfeld 40.56 (66th)                                                                                Dave Larkham 43.17 (119th)                                                                                      Sarah Larkam 43.26 (121st)                                                                                        Andy Bowen 43.51 (125th)                                                                                            Ian Carson 51.29 (405th)

Winning times were gent, 34.06, and lady, 36.56 

28/06/2009 - Ranelagh Harrier's Dysart Dash 10K

On a hot Sunday morning a gaggle of West 4 gave the Dysart Dash 10K a bash.  Other than a jaded Andy Bowen and a 'tired from the tennis' Badham, everyone else had a good run and seemed pleased with their efforts in the heat.

And a big thanks to our lycra-clad Gary for supporting!

1    Stuart Major         Thames H&H            32:36     First Man
67    Jo Ronaldson        Ranelagh H             39:05    First Woman

54    Mike Hall                 West 4 Harriers     38:17  PB
62    Adam Rathbone        West 4 Harriers     38:53   
85    Isobel Rea               West 4 Harriers     39:59
108    John Blake             West 4 Harriers     41:25
147    Keith Simpson         West 4 Harriers     43:27  
176    Andy Bowen           West 4 Harriers     44:25    PW
181    Rachel Badham       West 4 Harriers     44:42  PW

Mens Team (3 to score)
1  Thames H&H         10          
2  Belgrave H            33           
3  Clapham Chasers   48        
17  West 4 Harriers      210

04/06/2009 - Crisis Square Mile Run

Matt and Rachel represented West4 in this 4 Mile race from St Pauls across the Thames along the South Bank and back to finish on the Millennium Bridge.   Matt started well and sticking with the leader early on and was unlucky not to hang onto second place finishing third out of the 2700 starters.   Rachel ran a strong race and  placed 2nd in the womens race!!   There are more pictures on the LBC site.

    3rd Male   Matt Holden       24.57

    2nd Lady  Rachel Badham   28.06

03/06/2009  -  Yateley 10k   

25/05/09 -  THE 1ST ANNUAL WEST 4 HARRIERS TRIP TO JERSEY - RACE AND WEEKEND REVIEW

The first 'annual' trip to Jersey? Well, myself and other west4ians enjoyed a weekend away on Rochelle's home island and I think it could be. We all had such a fun, relaxing time with the half marathon thrown in, it really was an ideal mini break for us runners.

Not sure how many of you have been to Jersey before but it really is a beautiful place, in particular the many sandy beaches, the people and the food. You get the feeling that the whole island is set up to cater for the visitor. Of course, the sunny weather helped (though we did have the odd shower). I ended up with my traditional pink head.

Who made the trip? Rochelle, of course, followed by nurse Louise, Issy and myself on Friday and Andrew Orchard on Saturday. Our early arrival allowed myself and the girls to meet up for dinner with Rochelle and some of her friends on the island. We ate at the restaurant where Bergerac was partly filmed (for those of you who are too young to remember or Greek, he was the poor man's Taggart). We had cheesecake to die for - Rhubarb and vanilla! Saturday was a nice easy day, with a stroll along the beach in the morning to the main drag (do not listen to Rochelle when she tells you how far something is - 15 minutes she said. Yes, only if you are doing 5 minute miles my love!). In the end, Lou and myself hailed a cab leaving Issy to speed walk the rest of the way. She had already been up at dawn to do a hill session! After a bit of shopping we met up with Daddy Winn who took us on a tour around the island - all I can say is that parts of it are breathtaking. Rochelle's father is probably the best tour guide you are ever likely to meet - you can tell he loves the island, and why not. In Jersey you cannot buy a property, or even rent anything more than basic accommodation unless you have lived there for 14 years. Or are a multi millionaire! No wonder, why would the residents want to spoil their lifestyle!

Later on we met up with Andrew who had now arrived, looking cool in his shades. We went again to the same restaurant to fill up on steak and red wine for race day.  

The half marathon course is point to point, starting in the in the hills by the sea and ending up by the beach. There were just under 400 runners but there did not seem to be any non Jersey clubs who had more out than West 4. The course was undulating in most parts, with the toughest hills in the first 3 miles. It was windy on the day but I would say that this course definetly has pb potential with good stretches of down hill that makes it fast.

As you would expect, the race was quite scenic with the best part coming at mile 12 when you emerged around a corner onto a steep slope down to the sea. The view across the bay was quite amazing. Do not take my word for it - go and run it next year. Overall our runners did well. Top marks go the Acton ladies. Issy came in 2nd lady, 17th overall - "was not in best form". Luckily she did not win it as you are not allowed to take the shield off the island. Could have been fun at customs! Louise knocked an amazing 14 minutes off her pb - that after feeling really nervous the day before. Am proud of you both - as ever.

I ran the Richmond half the previous week. My time of 1.41 was not good but I was even more disappointed with how bad I felt on the day. I was determined to put that right (not too much mind as my g&t's and red wine the night before will testify). I felt so much stronger and was helped by running with Andrew for a number of miles. We were flying past so many other runners, I think aided by Andrew's stash of jelly babies! He is such a gentleman - I think he must have said thank you to every single supporter along the route. He even apologized for leaving me in his slip stream along the last couple of miles. There was good support from the locals, much better than Richmond or Edinburgh and there were the cutest kids handing out jelly beans at mile ten.

The wind, and sun, were getting quite strong at that stage as we were coming towards the cliff tops near the sea. Andrew said that he was almost blown backwards at one stage. It  was a good idea to run behind someone bigger to block out the wind. Rochelle had a lot of men running behind her, but am not sure that was for the same reason!   

It just goes to show you the strength of the wind. I was only 4 minutes faster than the previous week but in terms of how I felt I was miles ahead. As I said before, on the right day this is a fast course.

We celebrated in the afternoon and into the evening, with another lovely meal (I had kangaroo this time, but the fish dishes were also amazing). If you like living life on the edge then meet up with Rochelle's friend Jade - the speed limit on the whole island is just 40 but she is one of the scariest drivers you will ever know. For walkers and cyclists there are 'green lanes' where they have the right of way over cars, with the speed limit down to 15. 

At night I managed to get two ladies' numbers. Unfortunately, one was Jade and the other her butch lesbian friend who thought Issy was the spitting image of Kylie and had the hots for Louise. Funny enough, when Lou and I were leaving for the airport her new admirer magically appeared in her car to offer us a lift. An example of the locals' friendly nature or someone hoping for a good bye kiss?!

The highlights of the trip for me, apart from the run, were the long walks along the beach, a giggling Louise rolling along the sand towards the sea and Andrew managing to get an entire wine bar up dancing to his karaoke version of Bohemian Raphsody. I tell you, it is worth going next year just on the off chance he may sing it again, or that Louise will sing her promised version of 'Like a Virgin'.

Thanks to Rochelle for coming up with the idea for the trip and also to Issy, Louise and Andrew for a making it a fantastic weekend. 

Keith

17/05/2009      Jersey Half Marathon

10/05/2009      Ranelagh Richmond Half Marathon

10/05/2009       Beverley 10k

06/05/2009        Sutton 10k  3rd May 2009

26/04/2009      London Marathon