2006 results

Results April 2006

Report for 28/29 April 2006

Bar le Duc, France 170km ladies | 200km men

Sandra Brown (Surrey Walking Club) wins the ladies 170km race in Bar le Duc.

Whilst the course was virtual traffic free (and therefore stress free) the weather was a major cause for concern.
Cool temperatures (14c) and light showers /rain were forecast, but it's good to know that the weather in France is just as unpredictable as in England. During the afternoon and early evening, the sun was as strong as the wind, but the rain showers were short lived. But then, close to midnight and catching everyone by surprise, the temperature plummeted to zero. Mistakes were made on dress - not nearly enough clothes for several athletes resulting in near hypothermia and combined with (literally) instant ice cold drinks hitting cold stomachs the weather took its toll on many an athlete.

Teams were selected on the basis of performances at the 2005 UK 100 miles championship, subject to availability.
men: Ian Statter (SWC), Dave Jones, Richard Brown (SWC)
women: Sandra Brown (SWC), Rosemarie Crellin, Cath Duhig

In addition to these six walkers, a further four decided to walk in this well-organised and enjoyable event. These included SWC members Kathy Crilley, Jill Green and Chris Flint.

The event was a very successful promotion by the Asptt Club, Bar le Duc. The French were delighted with the participation and performances of the English teams. This event incorporated the French national championship, and French walkers were in strong attendance. The best French ladies took part, with the notable exception of Kora Boufflert who felt the race was too close to the early June Paris-Colmar walk and might affect her preparations. Nevertheless, the French Ladies Champion, Sylvie Maison, walked an excellent race, maintaining her style to the end. In the men’s race, the Bar le Duc results also included good performances by some of the French athletes.

The ladies' team won the European trophy with an excellent team performance. Sandra Brown won the ladies' race in the good time of 20.49.11 for 170kms. The second and third placed ladies (stylish and experienced Belorus and Russian walkers) were both well over an hour behind the winner. French ladies took 4th and 5^th places. Rosemarie Crellin (6^th) and Cath Duhig (8^th) both walked very well to strong finishing positions and performances, giving England’s ladies the winning team performance over France in second place.

The England men's team achieved third European team place behind France and Belgium. Richard Brown led home the English men with 177.5 kms.
Ian Statter developed a very painful back after several hours of good walking, and retired.
Kathy Crilley always planned to walk around 50kms and then help the teams. All eight of those remaining on the road achieved over 100 miles (161 kms) in 24 hours.

The small support crew rose brilliantly to the challenge of having eight walkers on the 2.5kms road circuit for most of the 24hours. Kathy and Ian, after their own exertions, joined the other soigneurs in providing the support which is vital for successful performances.

Selected results follow which show the performances of all English walkers.

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Men	Name	Country	KM	Time
1	Urbanowski G	Pol	200	22.14.30
2	Erard C	Fr	200	22.31.31
3	Rodionov A	Rus	200	22.34.48
19	Brown R	Eng	177.5	23.56.23
21	Marshall K	(Eng)	177.5	24.16.42
24	Jones D	Eng	172.5	24.03.28
25	Flint C	(Eng)	167.5	24.10.23
	Statter I	Eng	52.5 (ret)
Ladies
1	Brown S	Eng	170	20.49.11
2	Tarrassevich M	BLR	170	22.01.47
3	Zagriajskaja I	Rus	170	22.16.15
4	Maison S	Fr	170	22.24.06
5	Varin S	Fr	170	22.38.55
6	Crellin R	Eng	170	22.44.14
7	Alvernhe D	Fr	170	23.24.57
8	Duhig C	Eng	170	23.31.12
10	Green J	(Eng)	167.5	24.10.22
19	Crilley K	(Eng)	55 (ret)

	Men: 3^rd Team
	Ladies:1^st Team

Report for 26/4/2006

Surrey County & Veterans AC 10km Track Championship:

This is one of the most pleasant fixtures with Battersea Park in spring bloom and all of the competitors local and well known to each other. The numbers were a little down with he Marathon the weekend before and an international 200km(!) race next weekend but close to 20 starters in spite. It was a pleasant evening but not too hot and the combination led to improved times for many of the competitors in this VAC hosted match which includes Surrey and Middlesex championships. Chris Flint worked hard in chasing Hannell and getting within a minute of the magic hour for 10km – this despite 24 hours of walking this Saturday in France in company of several other Surrey Walking Club members. Last Saturday’s efforts in the National 20 last weekend left Nolan Simmons just a little outside of his target despite a great effort towards the end as he sought to avoid being lapped by Hannel who used Nolan as target for a last effort to get a good time.

Results (Surrey County/VAC M60 in brackets):

6(2/1).P.Hannell 59 min 21 sec;
7(3/2).C.Flint 60 min 51 sec;
12(4/3).N.Simmons 64 min 34 sec.

Report for 22/4/2006

National 20km Championship:

As the busy season begins, Surrey Walking Club sent a full team to the wonderful Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield where the National Championships for Seniors at 20km and shorter distance Championships for the Younger Age Groups. Once again these events were only one part of the Sheffield festival of Athletics so there was plenty for the spectators to see. Surrey’s team was in national 5^th place not so much reflecting its quality of the team but the difficulty other clubs had in getting their members to travel. Though many of our own faster members were missing, some doing the London Marathon the next day for charity, those present recorded times up to recent levels and rather better for two of them. The weather was ideal for racing with mixed cloud and sun and just enough wind to keep the temperature down to a reasonable level. They all set off at a sensible pace and avoided a disastrous slowing and Nolan Simmons was able as usual to maintain and even slightly increase his speed towards the end. The field was very good at the front with two of the English Commonwealth Games team in the lead and frequently lapping our men over the 1km circuits. Behind them relatively local team Leicester were very strong but we were able to enjoy our view while not being discouraged ourselves.

Results:

22.P.Hannell 2 hr 7 min 21 sec; 28.N.Simmons 2 hr 11 min 21 sec; 31.D.Hoben 2 hr 20 min 32 sec.

Teams: 5.Surrey Walking Club

VAC 5 miles at Battersea Park

Earlier during the week Surrey were much more strongly represented with half of the field first or second claim members including a warm-up for our National Team members. It was great to enjoy the first of our many pleasant Spring/Summer evenings in Battersea Park with a pleasant temperature for a change. We were pleased to see International walker and Surrey member, Mark Easton, out racing and winning this race comfortably. Paul King in 3^rd was probably the most pleased with his time and despite hanging onto Paul for 2 of the 3 laps Hannell clearly lost him on the last circuit.

1.M.Easton 39 min 32 sec; 3.P.King 46 min 57 sec; 5.P.Hannell 48 min 10 sec; 7.C.Flint 50 min 24 sec;10.N.Simmons 51 min 48 sec; 11. P.Crane 51 min 53 sec; 14.D.Hoben 54 min 39 sec; 16.J.Fitzgerald 75 min 30 sec.