A fine group of 25 or so Thames members raced against BoE and K&P in the Park on Saturday. We ran out comprehensive winners, and Claire Sylvester ran particularly well as also did Andy Weir who completed a five mile pace run before the race after he picked up a flat tyre en route. Top results, courtesy of BoE below.

Men(4.8 miles)
1	Dave Symons 		25:42
2 	Andy Weir 		26:25
3 	Al Kennis 		26:35 
5 	Nic Gould 		27:11 
8	Dan Pescod 		29:31
9 	Peter Giles 		30:20
11 	Leslie Cherrington 	30:34
14 	Al Gibbons 		30:52
15 	Tim Nightingale		31:09
17 	Keith Spacie 		31:18 
20	Alan Leakey 		31:38

Women
1 	R Burbridge (K&P)    	32:02 
2 	Kate Symons 		32:27
3 	Clare Sylvester     	32:34

TEAM: 
1 	Thames Hare & Hounds 		39
2 	Kingston &Polytechnic 		81
3 	Thames Hare & Hounds B		136
4 	Bank of England     		154
5 	Kingston & Polytechnic B     	236
6	Thames Hare & Hounds C          	239

Andy Howse finished a fine second in the race billed as "the Dorset Three Peaks Challenge". Tim Woodthorpe, a late entry on the day, finished 8th, although his choice of slick racing shoes led him to cover rather more than the advertised 10.1 miles.

Chris Daniels made a typically bold return to racing - competing in the elite field at the Karrimor Mountain Marathon at the weekend. Chris completed the event - one of only 27 of the 60 elite starters to do so. Andy Robinson also took the challenge, finishing 8th out of 260 on the medium score.

New second claim signing Ewen Malloch narrowly saw off Ben Reynolds for 1-2 in the October race. The ladies captain also ran well - and avoided falling in the lake unlike one hapless lady deep in the field. Thames results below.

1.	Ewen Malloch	15.41
2.	Ben Reynolds	15.43
28	Pablo Lazo	17.35
64	Kate Symons	19.20
74	Nick Smith	19.44

Better known for its farmers market, Stroud also holds a top level half marathon in October. John McFarlane continued his "race yourself fit(ter)" approach with 67.59 , while Matt Jones took 1.30 off his best for 75.10. In the ladies, Julia Fea finished in an excellent 96.16.

With the top order depleted by international duty, Thames finished a mid-order 38th out of 63 teams on Saturday. Best by almost a minute was John McFarlane, but Mark Gilbertson also demonstrated a fine return to form while Al Kennis gave his achilles a good testing on the anchor leg. Results below.

1	Mark Gilbertson		19.13	50
2	Simon Wurr		19.24	42
3	John McFarlane		18.15	34
4	Andy Howse		20.05	38
5	Frank Dudbridge		20.33	38
6	Al Kennis		20.08	38

Thames played hosts to our across the Common rivals over the 5 mile course. Our 16 runners performed creditably, particularly Nic Gould who came in second and also Gavin Yeats who was making his debut in Thames colours. Sadly, however, the Hercules upper order was too strong and we went down by 89 points to 125. Full results below.

Position	Name   	            Time	THH	HW
1	Alex Bodin	28:39		1
2	Nic Gould	29:09	2	
3	Richard Xerri	29:53		3
4	Hugh Saxby	30:13		4
5	Ben Saxby   	31:00		5
6	Dan Bodin   	31:05		6
7	Jonty Summers 	31:16		7
8	Dan Pescod	31:29	8	
9	Martin O’Halloran	31:58		9
10	Leslie Cherrington	32:17	10	
11	Peter Giles	32:26	11	
12	Tim Nightingale	32:36	12	
13	Eric Blackmore	32:42		13
14	James Bogue	32:43	14	
15	Alan Gibbons	32:46	15	
16	Gavin Yeats	32:50	16	
17	Barry White	33:29		17
18	Keith Spacie	33:46	18	
19	Alison Carpenter	33:55	19	
20	Alistair Irvine	34:01	20	
21	Chris Hutber	35:13	21	
22	Ed Slyfield	36:14	22	
23	Andy Robinson	36:26	23	
24	Dennis Williams	36:34		24
25	John Bryant	43:53	25	
26	Doug Justins	49:27	26	
27	Kevin Burnett	50:40		27

Nick Altmann led Thames to a sound 9th place at the European Cup of Champion Clubs Half Marathon in Spain. On a tough, undulating six lapper, Nick soon settled himself in front of Paulo Guerra for a top 30 placing. Andy Weir ran well while Ian Harkness ignored his marathon victory of the previous week for a sound run. The captain closed the team, with Alex Gaskell providing valuable backstopping support. Results below.

1.	I Galan		JHayber		65.39
2.	A Chiaca    	Conforlimpa	65.41
3.	M Leone   	Carabineri	65.47

29	Nick Altmann			69.19
41	Andy Weir    			71.25
(47	Paulo Guerra    	Maratona     	72.51)
48	Ian Harkness			72.56
49	David Symons			72.58
74	Alex Gaskell			83.25

Teams (15 complete)
1	Conforlimpa 	(Por)
2.	Carabinieri	(Ita)
3.	Maratona CP	(Por)
4.	Jhayber		(Esp)
5.	Katowice		(Pol)
6.	Guadalajara	(Esp)
7.	Istanbul		(Tur)
8.	Endurance 72	(Fra)
9	Thames		(UK)
10	Kromeriz		(Cze)
11	Prinz Hendrik	(Hol)
12	Blovstroedloverne	(Den)
13	Guadalajara	(Esp)
14	Guadalajara mar	(Esp)
15	Belvaux		(Lux)
	Yuma Minsk	(Blr)

Pete Woodburn ran a strong 2.47.11.

Allie Outram clocked 79.18 at a blustery Riems in her inaugural GB vest.

Ian Harkness stunned the pundits with a splended 2.26.18 to win the Abingdon Marathon on Sunday. And it was job done for Wendy Lynas as well who recorded 4.50.34 to ensure qualification for the 2005 Comrades.

Phill Sly and John McFarlane stormed to an impressive 1-2 in the Cabbage Patch 10. Keith Donald, Maureen Poole and an incognito Tim Nightingale were also spied by the Thames supporters

1.	Phill Sly		49.33
2.	John McFarlane	51.22
93	Keith Donald	1.03.17
633	Maureen Poole	1.23.18

An elite TH&H team competed over the OUCC Shotover course. We ran well at the sharp end, but sadly lacked the depth to seriously challenge for team honours. Thames results below

1.	Matt Whitfield (RAF)	30.56
3.	Sam Aldridge		31.20
10	Matt Jones		33.25
20	Ed Catmur    		35.00
36	Simon Molden		36.48
39	Mark Brown		37.02

Team
1.	RAF 	15 points
7.	TH&H 	105 points

The weather might have been wet, but our veterans took full advantage of the conditions to record a string of medals at the Surrey County Veterans championships on Saturday. Man of the match award goes to Peter Giles who led the field to individual and team glory in the M60s while pick of the ladies was Alison Carpenter who took first place in the L45s. Thames results below

Ladies
1	J Ray (D&MV)		23.19
9	Alison Carpenter		25.05 (1st W45)
13	Clare Sylvester		25.04
24	Karen Jones		27.20
40	Di Leaky			31.30

Men
1	M Tennyson (G&G)   	35.12
29	Ian Higgings		38.45
30	Rhodri Davies		38.47
35	Peter Giles		39.30 (1st M60)
38	Leslie Cherrington		39.40
41	Richard Hignett		40.00
53	Tim Nightingale		40.41
55	Keith Spacie		40.52 (1st M65)
65	Al Gibbons		41.22
68	James Bogue		41.36
77	Robin Dickson		42.51
81	Alan Leaky		43.03
82	Andy Stainsby		43.06
95	Ed Slyfield		44.15
107	Jeff Armitage		46.43
113	Michael Bostelmann   	47.43
124	Frank Carpenter		52.22

Teams
M40	7th
M50	3rd
M60	1st

Chris Chataway ran his first 5000m in 48 years at Kingsmeadow on Wednesday. With Henk Altmann playing the Kuts card for the first ten laps the years were rolled back as Thames celebrated the 50th anniversary of the 5k world record. Sadly noone could get close to 13.51.6 but Paul Newby and Di Leaky won the two races on the night. Results below.

A Race
Name	                  handicap 5k	          Actual 5k
Newby, Paul		00:32:23			00:21:03
Jenkins, David		00:33:03			00:23:03
Justins, Douglas		00:33:08			00:22:28
Altmann, Henk		00:33:16			00:21:56
Lee-Gerrard,A		00:33:17			00:24:17
Simon, Andrew		00:33:20			00:22:40
Stimson, Giles		00:33:21			00:21:21
Dickson, Robin		00:33:22			00:19:02
Giles,Peter		00:33:34			00:18:14
Cherrington, Leslie	00:33:35			00:18:35
Spacie, Keith		00:33:36			00:19:16
Chataway, Chris		00:33:39			00:22:19
OHare,Liam		00:33:48			00:17:28
Davies, Rhodri		00:33:55			00:18:35
Johnson, Michael		00:33:56			00:20:16
Bryant, John		00:33:57			00:24:37
Carpenter, Frank		00:33:57			00:23:17
Edgington,Clive		00:34:02			00:19:02
Leakey, Alan		00:34:14			00:19:54
Turner,Richard		00:34:44			00:19:44
Eady, Anthony		00:34:51			00:24:11
Moorcroft,David		00:35:01			00:21:01
Bostelmann, Mike		00:35:15			00:21:15
Williams, Ronnie		00:35:48			00:35:48
Bull, Jeff		00:35:50			00:24:30

B Race
Name			handicap 5k	Actual 5k
Leakey, Di		00:23:25		00:23:25
Higgins,Ian		00:23:42		00:17:22
ONeill,Oliver		00:24:10		00:18:10
Sykes,Toby		00:24:11		00:18:31
Jones,Matthew		00:24:49		00:16:09
Symons, Kate		00:24:50		00:19:30
Snelgrove, Bill		00:24:51		00:18:11
Symons, Dave		00:25:00		00:16:00
Hutber, Chris		00:25:01		00:19:41
Pescod, Dan		00:25:03		00:18:43
Weir, Andy		00:25:08		00:15:48
Nightingale, Tim		00:25:10		00:18:50
Garnier,Anna		00:25:11		00:20:51
Smith,Nick		00:25:12		00:19:32
Altmann, Nick		00:25:16		00:15:36
Carpenter, Alison		00:25:17		00:19:37
Irvine, Alistair		00:25:18		00:19:38
Fea,Julia				00:25:19		00:21:39
Sylvester, Clare		00:25:23		00:20:23
Bright,Ian		00:25:57		00:23:57

Sam Aldridge shattered Ben Reynolds dream of a sixth victory, clocking 72 minutes to leave Ben 30 seconds adrift.

After her Surrey League activities the day before Lucy Hasell still had another date to keep over the weekend. She clocked a further victory in Sunday's Kingston 16 miles, recording fourth overall with 1:34:29.

Benita Johnson won the Great South Run in Portsmouth to add to her recent triumph at its northern conterpart. She clocked 52:32 for the 10 mile course to earn a comfortable victory.

Lucy Hasell set the TH&H ladies off to spectacular start coming home first over the Wimbledon Common course, seeing off Eleanor Baker on the last hill. Lucy was closely followed by Rachel (7) and Allie (11) with Alison (39) and Kate (41) making up the scoring A team to finish a commendable third team behind Ranelagh and Belgrave and ahead of rivals South London Harriers. Clare, Anna, Julia, Di and Wendy completed the B team. Results below.

Posn	Score	Name	        Club 	Time	Category
1	1	Lucy Hassell	THH	20.59	s
2	2	Eleanor Baker	SLH	21.02	s
3	3	Allison O Neill	RAN	21.12	v
7	7	Rachel Disley	THH	22.11	v
11	11	Alison Outram	THH	23.04	s
39	39	Alison CarpenterTHH	24.56	v
41	41	Kate Symons	THH	25.13	s
52	51	Clare Sylvester	THH	26.10	v
71	70	Anna Garnier	THH	27.13	v
89	88	Julia Fea	THH	28.18	s
134	133	Diane Leakey	THH	31.53	v
153	152	Wendy Lynas	THH	37.48	v


Team Results				
						Total		
1	RAN	A	3+5+6+12+13		39		
2	BEL	A	15+16+17+21+25		94		
3	THH	A	1+7+11+39+41		99		
4	SLH	A	2+19+20+30+35		106		
5	DUL	A	4+8+23+48+58		141		
20	THH	B	51+70+88+133+152	494		

Thames finished second to cross-the-common rivals Belgrave at the opening Surrey League fixture.

John McFarlane takes up the story...

2.45pm and the vice captain’s motivational emails had worked well, almost the entire first team was assembled and fit, (the only exception being our Aussie import, on European vacation), even Tim Beer was there looking disorientated and exhausted after a few hundred metres of strides.

The first lap saw Nick and myself tucking into the lead group, no one was willing to take the pace on a blustery day, and Nick bravely charged to the front, Steve Sharp was not having any of that, and at the end of the first lap put the boot in and the group was soon stretched to single file. I had no response to Nick’s aggressive start, and the deceptively hilly, short course was not to my liking, as he lengthened his lead on me, then things got worse as Belgrave’s Nash came past both of us. Dave Anderson, Bel’s GB x-country international showed he’s back to fitness, and effortlessly pulled away from Steve Sharp to take the win, with three Bels finishing in the top four things were not looking good, then came Nick, an excellent 5th in a very quick sub 23 mins, showing he’s getting back to his early year form that saw him run a 14.08 5km four months ago, I was 9th then came our new second claim summer signing Ewan Malloch, proving he is going to be a very welcome asset to the first team squad, and behind him some excellent packing with Andy W, Harkers and Si Wurr, 19, 20, 21, perhaps somewhat disappointing for the hard training marathon man Harkers, but there will be no hills next Sunday at Abingdon Marathon. The captain was 27th closely followed by our first vet Ben, Alex making the trip down from Bath very worthwhile 8th scorer in 35th and another new signing Tim closing the team in a creditable 38th in his first Thames outing.

Back to race fitness Al kennis and then Mark G were just outside the scoring ten, then Lazza and Tim were left to bring up the rear, battling it out with the first vet 55, less beer more miles required I think boys.

Bels beat us by 38 points on the day, but as their manager pointed out they will struggle to get such a strong team out for the other fixtures, especially their home race, and there is every probability, maintaining that sort of turn out, that we will break the trend of only winning the league after winning the first fixture.

1 	Dave Anderson (Bel) 	22:22 
2 	Steve Sharp (Bel) 		22:29 
5 	Nick Altmann 		22:58
9 	John McFarlane 		23:13
16 	Ewan Malloch 		23:56
20 	Ian Harkness 		24:18 
21 	Simon Wurr 		24:20
27 	David Symons 		24:33
29 	Ben Reynolds		24:40
35 	Alex Gaskell 		25:06
38 	Tim Woodthorpe 		25:10 
39 	Al Kennis 		25:11
43 	Mark Gilbertson 		25:15
50 	Andy Howse 		25:28
64 	Tim Beer      		25:59
72 	Larry Matthews 		26:14
78 	Nic Gauld 		26:30
139 	Andy Robinson 		30:21
148 	Al Irvine			31:58

TEAM: 
1 Belgrave H 181
2 Thames Hare & Hounds 219; 
3 Herne Hill H 303; 
4 South London H 445; 
5 Aldershot, Farnham & District 453; 
6 Guildford & Godalming 545; 
7 Reigate Priory 560; 
8 Ranelagh Harriers 639; 
9 Dulwich R 750

Lucy Hasell continued her winning streak with victory in 58.24.

John McFarlane ran 2.19.45 on his inaugural GB outing.

Sonia OSullivan, running her second half marathon in seven days, finished fourth in 1:10:33.

Fourteen Thames men and ladies turned out to secure victory in both the nine and fourteen to score. Individually, it was good to welcome Bill Snelgrove back to home shores, while Al Gibbons, Simon Leathes and the president also ran well. Thames results below.

1	David Symons		26.52
2 	Jamie McCullagh (K&P)	27.38
3 	Simon Wurr		28.00
8 	Bill Snelgrove		31.42
9 	Dan Pescod		31.45
10 	Alan Gibbons		32.43
12 	Keith Spacie		32.52
15 	Alistair Irvine		33.47
17 (1) 	Kate Symons		34.04
21 (2)	Clare Sylvester		35.04
22 	Chris Hutber		35.19
23 	Peter Blair-Fish		35.19
26 	Simon Leathes		39.00
30 	Andrew Simon		40.15
34 	Frank Carpenter            42.03

Team(9 to score)
TH&H 	96
K&P 	110
BoE 	194

Team (14 to score)
TH&H	231
K&P	278