DATE FOR YOUR DIARIES!!!

We meet every Tuesday and Thursday at 6-00pm until 7-00pm at Leyburn Road athletic track.

During the winter months (beginning of October – March) we gather on a Tuesday at Risedale School Gym, and on a Thursday at the track.

We have a membership of approximately 130. The youngest starting at 11years going right through to the Seniors and beyond. This gives the Club a family feel where young and not so young support, respect and encourage each other.New members are always made welcome regardless of experience. Come along and meet us….

Memberrenewal.doc

rzhnewsletter Autumn/Winter 0910.pdf 

  NEWSLETTER

SPRING / SUMMER 2009

CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS

At last this long, cold winter is drawing to a close!  Light nights are back and the track and road season beckons.  Well done to all athletes and parents, who have competed and supported all winter.  Once again we have shown that for a small club, we punch well above our weight and race well in the championship events!  Well done to all who represented us at county, school, area and national level.  Fergus Roberts capped a great season once again, with a fine silver medal at the English schools and an English vest awaits, so well done!  The AGM saw a new wave of volunteers and helpers taking over a number of important jobs within the club, which tells me that the club is in good hands, with people willing to share the vast amount of voluntary work needed to make the club what it is.

Graham Purvis and Ian Hepworth both stepped down at the AGM and on behalf of the club, I thank them for their long-standing work.  The track fees have gone up, but it is hoped that with a small rise in subs and a small degree of fundraising or sponsorship, we can get by.  If anyone has any suggestions or offers of sponsorship, then please get in touch with me.  The importance of the training venues are critical for the ability of coaching to be progressive, safe and of some meaning to the sport we all do.  We must therefore maintain the use of the track and for a short time, the gym, as they are paramount to the club’s well-being.

All aspects of coaching and club administration must not be taken for granted; we are all volunteers and must always respect the effort put in and respond in a positive way to club life.  Compete as much as you can and put something back into the club whenever and wherever possible.

Congratulations to Sarah Gregory who is expecting a baby in September! Good luck to her and Mark.  Also to Tad Zaranko and Sally Majoram, who are getting married at the end of May.

Finally can I say, that although numbers and standards are falling, especially in seniors nationally, we as a club continue to pursue our personal bests and compete at a high level.  As a group of ageing vets, we push ourselves on with great endeavour and with a good sense of fun.

P.S.  I promise to read the track rota and try not to leave you all outside the track too long!  Also as a seniors group, I will promise to attend more of the sadistic sessions you seem to think I set when I’m not at training.  It’s a must, or my quiet winter training and subsequent weight gain will result in track damage or not been able to get through the track gates, let alone open them!

Shaun

Shaun Purkiss-McEndoo:  Chairman

SECRETARY'S NOTES

I have been secretary since the AGM in November and I am busy learning the ropes. I am grateful to Graham Purvis, the outgoing Secretary and the other committee members for their help and support.  I am beginning to receive more information about events and competitions and will try and make sure to publicise these.  As part of my role as secretary of the club, I am busy updating the website and any contributions for inclusion are most welcome.  Please do not hesitate to contact me for further information.

Anne

Anne Wood:  Club Secretary

TREASURER’S REPORT

The current balance in the club accounts currently stands at £2,735.80.  The club is yet to pay for the track hire costs for 2009.  These costs have significantly increased and as a club, we are seeking other funding in order to secure our long-term future. Any fund raising ideas are always most welcome, so please have a think ……

It is important that club members return their subscriptions promptly, in order for the club to cover future costs and plan for developments and growth. Therefore when Tony comes running after you for money, please don’t run away!

Tad

Tadeusz Zaranko:  Club Treasurer

COACHING & OTHER MATTERS

General

During the winter we continued to use the Risedale Sports & Community College Sportshall in Hipswell as our indoor training base on Tuesday nights and Leyburn Road track as our outdoor base on Thursday nights.  Defence Estates have tightened up their finances and increased the charges for hire of the track, as well as billing us more frequently (every three months). We now have to pay a fee for an annual license each autumn too.

Coaching

Two coaching groups have been operating over the winter; endurance (Fiona Hughes) and sprints (Christiane Adams & Scott Woodhouse).  Fiona has been assisted on the roads by several parents/senior members, two of whom are now Level 1 coaches.  As usual I have been acting as a reserve for the sprint squad on Tuesdays. Now we are back at the track, despite transport problems, I hope to continue to take some athletes on Tuesday evenings mainly for throws and occasionally hurdles. On Thursdays they will join one of the other groups.  The four new Level 1 coaches have all been CRB checked as have one parent helper and one senior athlete.  Four Endurance athletes have also attended the Youth Talent Squads at Sheffield EIS High Performance Centre .

Development

The Tesco Voucher Scheme has been re-branded, enhanced and rescheduled, so there was no autumn collection in 2008.  The new scheme was launched on Monday 2nd March 2009 and will run for an extended period of 15 weeks until Sunday 7th June 2009.  Please collect as many vouchers as you can during this period and pass them to either your coach, myself or Denise Robson.

Two members represent the club on the Richmondshire & Bedale Athletic Development Group. Last year we got some light hurdles, medicine balls, shots and discuses via the group from region. This year we are hoping to receive funds from them for more equipment and another “wish list” is being prepared. An inventory of the contents of our container at the track was done last autumn and I will try and repeat this annually.

Last autumn England Athletics changed its structure and all the regional posts in Sheffield have disappeared. There is talk of replacing them with local officers, who will be at the trackside to help clubs in a more practical way.

Good Luck with the track and field season in 2009.  Last year we did well in all the competition leagues including the NSL, where we improved considerably and got promoted. Lets try and maintain this momentum.  Please support our teams in the leagues and also the Yorkshire Championships at Don Valley Sheffield on 9-10 May.

Graham

Graham Purvis:  Coaching Secretary

MEMBERSHIP

Due to Chris Allen currently working abroad, I have stepped in to bridge the gap in the interim during Chris’ absence.  The club subscriptions are now due and I am trying to reach everyone, by handing out the forms on training nights and sending them out by mail.  If anyone has still not received a form, then please let me know and I can send or e-mail you one.  Please be as prompt as possible in paying subs, as it makes everyone’s life easier and keeps the club running fluently.

Tony

Tony Ryder:  Assistant Membership Secretary

ROAD RUNNING PREVIEW

Thirsk, Yorkshire, England, 7.44pm, Tue 7th May 2009, picture the scene …… the late spring sun setting over the dales, a chill in the air, the prospect of a final frost, 300 and more runners massed behind the start line, numerous famous Harriers’ red and white vests dominating the view, it can only mean one thing – the start of this year’s Harrogate and District Summer Road League series is upon us.

Put yourself in the mind of the runners, quietly waiting for the starters signal, what are their thoughts?  Is this a PB season?  Will I break into the top 50 this year?  Can our team really win it this time around?  How can I possibly get to the buffet before Jon Orange eats it all?

The Harriers go into this year defending three titles; individual male and female seniors, secured in 2008 by Jon Orange and Rachel Ross-Russell respectively and the male veterans team prize, won for the third consecutive year by the ever-growing band of over 40’s.  As ever, we will be hoping to make inroads into the other categories and trying to improve on the 6th and 9th places gained by the senior teams.  20 runners represented the club in 2008, an improvement on that this time around would see us making a serious challenge to some of the ‘bigger’ clubs in the region.

A one-off payment of £5 will secure a number for the series and final handicap race.  Numbers are available from me and should be purchased before the end of April.  This allows names and categories to be submitted to the race organisers beforehand, to facilitate a very fast and efficient results service.  Each race is followed by an excellent, free buffet at a local hostelry or club house.  Those failing to enter before the designated time can still register at the first race attended, but all monies must be paid to me please.  The 2009 HDSRRL races:

7th May                  Thirsk

22nd May              Wetherby

4th June                                Harrogate

18th June              Richmond

2nd July                 Otley

14th July                Ripon (Handicap Race)

For further information about this years races, visit the revamped league website at  www.harrogate-league.co.uk

Of course the HDSRRL forms only part of the road running season with Harriers representing the club at various events from Lands End to John O’Groats, well, London to Edinburgh to be more precise!  Details for a selection of races can be found on the fixture list.

Tony

Tony Ryder:  Road Racing Secretary

CROSS COUNTRY REPORT (LADIES & JUNIORS)

Well another fantastic Cross Country season has been and gone and once again we had brilliant performances by all who competed.

NYSD Cross Country League

We had a good selection of athletes competing this year in this league, and we achieved some great individual results and team results. It will be impossible for me to name all the competitors so as usual all I am going to do is say well done to everyone and list the actual medal winners (anyone scoring 20 or more points receives a medal).  We also won the President’s Trophy overall, so well done to everyone who took part!!

Under 13 Boys:  Paul Harmsworth (Overall Winner) & Max Robson

Under 15 Boys:  Fergus Roberts, Marc Scott, James King

Under 15 Girls:  Maddy Winzer

Under 17 Men:  Sam Wood, Liam Fletcher, Thomas Allen & George Robinson

Under 20 Men:  Adam Scott & Doug Roberts

Under 20 Women:  Rosie Adams

Senior Women:  Kelley Haniver & Fiona Hughes,

Team Results:  U13 Boys Team 3rd, U13 Girls Team 4th, U15 Boys Team 1st, U17 Mens Team 1st, Senior Women’s Team 3^rd & President’s Trophy Overall Team.

Yorkshire Cross Country Championships

Winterhills, Rotherham

Well the name certainly fitted the venue this year, as we were competing in sub-zero conditions and you had to be brave to strip off before the race, but we still had a good turn out and some great results.

Under 13 Boys:  3rd Paul Harmsworth (amazing performance and qualified to represent Yorkshire), 13th Glen Ient (first Yorkshires ran very well), 21st Max Robson (first Yorkshires good result too)

Under 15 Boys:  6th Fergus Roberts (1st year Under 15 qualified to represent Yorkshire), 8th Marc Scott (also qualified to represent Yorkshire), 18th James King, 26th Dan Overin

Under 17 Men:  16th Sam Wood, 23rd George Robson

32nd Thomas Allen, 31st Liam Fletcher

Junior Men:  8th Douglas Roberts (qualified for Yorkshire)

Under 13 Girls:  No athletes competed. Emma King warmed up for the race, but felt poorly and did not start.

Under 15 Girls:  1st Maddy Winzer (fantastic race qualified for Yorkshire), 47th Rosie Stirr, 49th Amy Coulson

Under 20 Women:  6th Jo Adams (43rd overall in combined Seniors race, qualified for Yorkshire)

Senior Women:  72nd Fiona Hughes, 77th Sarah Gregory,

87th Laura Wrigley

Team Results:  2nd Under 13 Boys (fantastic result for the boys), 4th Under 15 Boys (missed out on count-back as got same score as team awarded 3rd place - seems a bit unfair), 7th Under 17 Men, 8th Under 15 Girls, 18th Senior Women

North of England Cross Country Championships Sherdley Park, St. Helens

Another good day out, starting with a coach journey to get the team there kindly driven by Len and Hazel Fletcher. We arrived to a good, challenging course, which was extremely muddy and hard work, but we were fortunate to have a nice bright day.  A lot warmer than the Yorkshires a couple of weeks before.

Under 13 Boys:  30^th Paul Harmsworth, 75^th Max Robson

Unfortunately with only 3 runners we were unable to challenge for team honours, as we need 4 to count for the Northerns (unlike the 3 for the Yorkshires)

Under 13 Girls:  88^th Emma King (good run flying the flag for R&Z)

Under 15 Boys:  14^th Fergus Roberts, 24^th Marc Scott, 94^th James King

Under 15 Girls:  13^th Maddy Winzer, 120^th Amy Coulson

Under 17 Men:  35^th Sam Wood, 63^rd George Robinson, 74^th Thomas Allen, 115^th Liam Fletcher

Senior Women:  131st Fiona Hughes, 230th Laura Wrigley (fantastic sprint finish from 200m out)!!

Junior Men:  37^th Doug Roberts

National Cross Country Championships

Parliament Hill, London

What a fantastic day out!  Once again a huge “thank you” to Len and Hazel Fletcher, who were our coach drivers.  It was an early start, however, the coach option definitely proved to be the best. The weather was amazing, like a summer’s day, with us all happily sitting in our t-shirts most of the day!

Under 13 Boys:  87th Paul Harmsworth

Under 13 Girls:  300th Emma King

Under 15 Boys:  25th Fergus Roberts, 30th Marc Scott, 216th Dan Overin, 331st James King

Under 17 Men:  116th George Robinson, 126th Sam Wood, 168th Liam Fletcher

Junior Men:  72nd Doug Roberts

Under 20 Women:  90th Rosie Adams

Senior Women:  283rd Fiona Hughes

R&Z athletes have also done fantastically well within the schools Cross Country season, with several athletes going all the way and making it to the English Schools final.  I do not have all of the results, so rather than make mistakes and leave someone out, I have not included these within this report …. except of course Fergus Roberts, who finished a fantastic 2nd and went on the following week to represent ENGLAND in a cross country in Wales.  Well done Fergus and well done to everyone else, you all had an exceptional season!

I would like to take this opportunity to say “thank you” to all the parents, who taxi the athletes to all these races and stand out in all weathers cheering the athletes on.  You play a very important role  ….  I would ask now that you do not take a rest, but keep the momentum going for the track season, you never know, we may get good weather!  We really do need all the help we can get, not just getting the athletes to the events, but also in officiating and you, the parents, starting to earn the team points!!

Athletes, I know not all of you enjoy the track season, but it is an important part of your development as an athlete, so please keep it going.  Let’s transfer the excellent results from the country onto the track and show the NYSD Summer League and the Young Athletes League that we mean business all year round!!  Seniors … don’t go hanging up your spikes, as we need you also for the Northern Senior League!

Once again thank you to everyone and well done to you all, it really has been a pleasure this season and it really makes it all worthwhile.  Thank you!!

Fiona

Fiona Hughes

Cross Country Team Manager

SENIOR MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY REPORT

Maybe this should be the veteran men’s cross country report!  Unfortunately there is not much activity nor members in the 20 to 35 age group.  Also it’s a good thing Ken has not written this report, as he would have had to write about himself an awful lot.  Ken has had a great winter and is enjoying his running again, training with a bunch of older men has given him confidence and relaxation.  The highlight of an almost, full cross country season was his 1st place in the North-East Vets (over 35) champs.  The highly competitive over-45 age group went to the British Masters Cross Relay Champs at Mansfield and as a group, we finished 12^th - a great result!  Jon orange lead us out and with Tad, Tony Ryder and Ian Scott running solid, mid-race legs, then myself and Paul Roberts bringing us home, a good day out in the cold was had by all.  There was some very interesting banter in the back of my van with Jon keeping us all entertained as usual!

The NYSD vets individual table is dominated by R&Z, with Tad Zaranko laying the foundations for another crack at the

London Marathon this spring.  Team wise, we again did well and at our home fixture, we came first thanks to a fit- again Rich Hunt.  Overall, as with most of our age groups in the NYSD, we get good support throughout the fields and with six to count in the men’s race, we do need the numbers and competition all the way through.  Apart from Ken and Tad, who went to most available races this winter, the rest of us stayed mainly with the NYSD.  We must, as a club, try and find some senior men, who can act as role models for our outstanding juniors and be competitive at the championship races. Not that the example and endeavour of our numerous vet runners can be taken lightly, the competition and commitment to training hard is always evident and thankfully, apart from Ken, we are all pretty close in racing and club sessions .

Shaun

Shaun Purkiss-McEndoo:  Chairman

PRE-SEASON TRACK & FIELD REPORT

This year’s Track & Field league is nearly upon us (where does the time go) and once again I am looking for competitors to turn out and represent the club.  Last year was a successful season for us, we were promoted back up to Div 3E from Div 4E - a great achievement!

Let’s see if we can repeat last years success and do well in Div 3E.  This can only happen if we have a good turnout of athletes in all the matches, as we can only do well if we have the numbers to compete.

The teams in Div 3E (2009) are:

 City of York ‘B’

 Jarrow & Hebburn AC

 Morpeth Harriers & ACV

 New Marske Harriers & AC

 R&Z Harriers

 Scarborough AC

The proposed dates and venues are as follows:

Saturday 2^nd May @ York (Host City of York AC)

Saturday 6^th June @ Jarrow (Host Jarrow & Hebburn AC)

Sunday July 5th @ York (Host Scarborough AC) 

Sunday 2^nd August @ Shildon (Host Richmond & Zetland)

After a superb performance last year, we are looking forward to an exciting T&F season and will be competing against some good teams in Div 3E and as ever, the competition will be tough.   Over the coming season, I would like to think we can have our best possible team available for each match and if we get plenty of enthusiasm and support, there is no reason why we shouldn’t be able to hold our own in this division and, dare I say it, push for promotion again!

As R&Z will be the host club for match 4 (at Shildon), I am

looking for willing volunteers (or victims) to help throughout the day. I am especially looking for help with the important task of recording the results during the match.  If anyone is willing to help, please get in touch with me (details below).

Chris

Chris Peacock

Senior Mens T&F Team Manager

PUBLICITY

As the winter season draws to a close, there has been plenty to report.  The deadline has changed for the Darlington & Stockton Times and now that we are aware of this, reports will be appearing in the paper once again on a Friday as usual.

Thank you to those who have taken the time to contact me with your results from individual events.  If you didn’t get your news to me, then please try, especially in the schools events, as these are not readily available and I depend on other to keep me “in the know.”  I do my best and check as many results as possible, but your help in this is vital in case I miss something!  Thank you to those people who have also taken photographs at many of the events and forwarded them on to me, as they are always in short supply, so please keep them coming!  If for any reason, you do not with to have your photo (or your child’s photo) on the website, in the newspapers or on other media, then please let me know. 

Good luck to those, who will shortly be running the London Marathon on 26^th April – Tad Zaranko, Tamsin Clark and Ian Hepworth.  Although I will not be able to run with you this year, due to my extra passenger, I will be cheering you all on from the sidelines at London.  Also to Rachel Ross-Russell, who has also deferred her marathon place until next year due to injury – we will be back!  I will be at the club as regularly as possible as we get closer to September, so all being well, I may be in some sort of shape to compete properly again during the winter season.

If you would like to be added to the club contact list for news and events, please forward me your e-mail address. 

Wishing you all a successful and enjoyable spring/summer season.

Sarah

Sarah Gregory

Publicity Secretary