ECH Men’s Captain report 2012/2013.
Well done to all in the East Cornwall Harriers men's team. 2012/13 has been another successful year both in terms of individuals and for the team as a whole. Due to the hard work of the committee and other club members, I believe the club consistently goes above and beyond what would be expected in terms of seeking to ensure all members benefit from an atmosphere where they can enjoy, progress and excel at their running and racing. Thanks must go specifically to committee members and coaches for giving up time and imparting knowledge and expertise in a range of areas to ensure the club is well run provides a safe environment for us all.
It should not be overlooked that this now comprises of a Monday juniors session, Tuesday training (for adults and juniors), Wednesday group, Thursday night club run and Saturday's run on the moor. We are fortunate to get variety in Tuesday training sessions and changing locations/terrain on Wednesday and Thursday nights. Thanks to Revis for the Saturday speed work sessions (mile reps, time trials) offering additional coaching and opportunity for those who want it, as does Mark's marathon training that has been in place since the start of the year for those doing a spring marathon. The club has not rested on its laurels and a number of members have taken Leader in Running FItness and Coaching Assistant training courses in the last year to supplement and assist the qualified coaches at the club. We owe a great deal to Revis, Terry, Ian and Mark as our level 2 coaches, and to Ray and Karen for developing Risk Assessments for our winter sessions.
Thanks to Rob Pick (Cornish Marathon) and Ian Ringer (5 Tors) for brilliant Race Director performances in the last year, as well as a thanks to all involved in the new-route club handicap race. A large number of us have benefitted from such events and greatly enjoyed participating in them.
I have spent time reflecting on all of the above as, if nothing else, my time as men's captain and on the committee has highlighted to me how much work goes into the running of the club. I had certainly not appreciated this beforehand and I would like to convey to the men's team how lucky we are to have such a committed and enthusiastic core, ensuring ECH goes from strength to strength.
Thank you to all male members this last year. You all contribute to making the club a welcoming and enjoyable place to socialise, train and compete. There is support and healthy competition in equal measure. Whether it be a gentle jog in good company, or smashing pb's and winning races, the individual's right to participate as much or as little as they wish is respected and this should not be overlooked.
Now, in terms of performance in the last year…
Well done to all who played their part in recording team performances at both the Grand Prix (GP) and Multi-Terrain Races Series (MTRS) races. Your sterling efforts saw us finish in 7th position in the GP, including 5th men’s team at five different GP races.
Congratulations to the following who completed 8 or more of the GP races and, in doing so, finished (in the Open Men category);23 Liam Gallantry, 31 Chris Ullman, 33 Jordan May, 40 Mark Andrews, 60 Ian Crowle, 72 Andrew Berry, 180 Alan Smith. Indeed, Chris Ullman (7 MV40), Andrew Berry (12 MV45), Mark Andrews (5 MV50), Ian Crowle (7 MV50) and the evergreen Alan Smith (3 MV70) all placed superbly in their individual age groups.
Last year saw the first MTRS. ECH men threw themselves into this new challenge and exceeded all expectation, finishing 3rd men’s team behind the near-elite Mile High team and the might of a huge St. Austell team. Personal thanks go to Liam and Jordan who, due to my 'gentle persuasion' probably felt at times that they had no choice but to enter some races(!) but their efforts greatly contributed to a really pleasing team placing at the end of the series. Thanks lads.
Individually, James Stevens came a superb 4th place overall in the 'Open Men' category, followed by Jordan May (19) and Chris Ullman (23 and 7 MV40), all completing the required 6 races to qualify, along with Ian Ringer (5 MV60) These were ably supported over the course of the year by a batch of regular 'multi-terrainers' including Liam Gallantry, Ian Littlewood, Mark Budge and Andrew Sims to ensure our brilliant end of year team placing.
Individual awards/age group prizes at races in the last 12 months are numerous and I have to apologise for not being able to list them all here. I am aware the club isn't just about racing and winning awards. However, for many members a major part is racing and improving performance. The performances of our peers can be inspiring and bring healthy competition to our running. And this report is one way of reflecting on individual achievements. As such, notable 'top 20' mentions must go to;
Dan Nash - 2nd place at Cubert, 1st (again) Brown Willy New Years Day run, 31st overall (1st under 20) at the Madrid Half Marathon in a staggering 1 hour 11 mins
Mark Budge - 6th place at Boconnoc 5, 10th at Meet Your Max, 15th at Lanhydrock 10
Steven Sims - 20th at Ivybridge 10k, 16th at Bude Lifeboat Run, 9th at Summer Turkey Trot, 17th at Plymouth 10k
James Stevens - 10th at Bude Lifeboat Run, 6th at Meet Your Max, 5th at Lanhydrock 10, 3rd at Remembrance Run
Jordan May - 4th at St. Dominicks Dash, 19th at Trelissick 10k
Josh Carnell - 4th at Lanhydrock 10, 6th at Summer Turkey Trot
Liam Gallantry - 17th at Lanhydrock 10, 14th at Tywardreath Trotter, 9th at Trelissick 10k
Chris Ullman - 18th at Duchy 20
David Philp - 15th at Duchy Marathon.
Age category prizes have been consistently awarded to, and are filling up the mantelpieces of, Mark Andrews, David Philp, Ian Ringer, and Alan Smith. Again, well done. Yet again, the men’s team did the club proud with turnout and performances at the summer relays. Top marks to Dan, Steven, Lewis and Josh - a superb 2nd place (by just 5 seconds) at the Erme Valley Relays, and Lewis, Steven, Jordan and Josh - another superb 2nd place at the Tavy Relays.
Well done to Mark Andrews & Ian Crowle for undertaking and completing the arduous Dartmoor Discovery last summer, and a round of applause to Ian Littlewood (winner) and Liam Gallantry (course record) on the new ECH handicap run in 2012.
Finally, a huge well done to EVERYONE in the men’s team who, like myself, don't reach the heady heights of the top of results pages yet still love entering races, contributing to team results, shaving seconds (and sometimes minutes off our pb's), cheering our club mates over that finishing line and, generally, just enjoying the social side that attending races in our club colours brings and sometimes (if you're a Crowle, Sims, Andrews, Pick or Richardson) having a pint or two afterwards! I'm sorry there isn't room in my small memory bank or in this report to mention everyone…
Good luck to everyone running London this weekend.
All the best for 2013/2014.I sincerely wish the next men's captain all the best in the role and hope all male members will support the new captain as I have felt supported in the last 18 months.
Paul.