January 2012: Loughton Ladies Finish 5th in the Essex League
Loughton Ladies continued the good form of the winter season by finishing 5th overall in the final Essex League standings after the race at Chingford on January 14th. Showing the advantage of consistent finishing, the Ladies managed to finish ahead of much larger clubs such as Orion, Colchester and Basildon.
Several individuals were well placed in the final standings. Gay Shillaker - 3rd in V45 class, Jean Hobbs - 4th in V55 class, Helen Real was the 7th Senior Women (11th overall).
The Men's Team finished 10th overall (out of 21 participating clubs). David Hobbs was 4th overall in V60 class.
January 2012: Loughton Ladies Win Chingford League Race
A week after their success in the Essex League, the Loughton Ladies Team triumphed at the Chingford League Race on 21st January. A solid turnout meant that the team scored 81 points, placing them comfortably ahead of Orion (100) and Eton Manor (105). The Women's Vets Team also scored well but had to settle for second place behind Orion.
The results consolidates both Ladies Seniors and Ladies Vets Teams in 5th place in the League with two races remaining.
The Men's Team also had a solid turnout and remain in 8th position in the league. The Vets team remain in 7th place.
December 2011: Mince Pie Relay
The annual Loughton AC Mince Pie Relay was held on the morning of 27th December.
Those willing and able to participate were seeded into 3 pools based on ability, and teams of three were drawn at random to include one member from each pool. Each team then has to complete 6 laps of the field - each lap being approximately 1300m.
36 runners (12 teams) took part. As is usual the most successful teams were comprised of those who managed to confuse the seeding committee most effectively! However, on this occasion, the fact that all the 5th leg runners were on the course at the same time suggested that the teams were as fair as possible.
The team of Paul Regan, Michael Hunt and Sandy Yamaguchi demonstrated that they had not over-indulged during the Christmas period by running out comfortable winners. Full results are on the Results page.
December 2011: Loughton Ladies Well Placed in County Vets Cross Country
The Loughton AC Ladies Vets team did particularly well to finish 6th in the County Championships held at Chigwell Row on 3rd December.
The team of Lorna Gaffney (18th), Gay Shillaker (33rd), Anne Heeks (37th) and Jean Hobbs (69th) scored 158 points, finishing behind the much larger clubs Woodford Green & Essex Ladies (56), Colchester (71), Springfield (78), Southend (105) and Orion (144). The men V50's managed to finish a team!
Meanwhile, in the Chingford League, the Ladies team have consolidated their position - 5th- after the latest round at Alexander Palace on 26th November. The Womens Vets team are in 6th position. The Men's team remain in 8th place and the Men's Vets team is still 6th.
Loughton staged its own Inter-Club Cross Country Race - The Ware Cup - on Saturday 10th December. The race was held on the club's traditional five mile cross country course over the Roding Valley Meadows - starting and finishing close to the clubhouse.
The race attracted 84 runners with teams from Victoria Park and Tower Hamlets, Orion and Eton Manor competing along with Loughton for the team prizes.
Victoria Park & TH won the Men's trophy ahead of Orion, while Eton Manor held off Loughton to claim the Women's cup.
November 2011: Loughton Ladies Win Inter-Club Vets Match
The Loughton AC Ladies team held off strong opposition to win the Inter-Club Vets match held over the traditional course at the Roding Valley Meadows on 5th November.
The team of Anne Heeks (3rd), Gay Shillaker (4th), Amanda Gibbins (5th) and Jill Tovey (11th) scored 23 points, ahead of Orion (31 points), Victoria Park & Tower Hamlets (38 points) and Eton Manor (50 popints).
The Mens team finished 4th, behind Orion, Vets AC and Eton Manor but ahead of Walthamstow and Victoria Park/Tower Hamlets.
Meanwhile, a good turnout has resulted in both the Men's and Women's teams improving their standings in the Essex League after the latest round at Basildon on 29th October. The Women's team are now 6th (out of 20) and the Men's team have moved up to 12th (out of 21).
In the Chingford League, the Ladies team have consolidated their position - 5th- after the latest round at Hog Hill on 1st November. The Men's team remain in 8th place and the Men's Vets team is still 6th.
See the Results page for the full results of all these races.
Congratulations to everyone who took part in these races and ran so well. Hopefully we can maintain this for the remaining league fixtures.
October 2011: Start of the Winter Season
With the nights drawing in and the leaves in Epping Forest beginning to turn, the winter season is now upon us. To date, there have been two Chingford League and one Essex League fixtures and the club's 5 mile road and cross-country championships have taken place. See the Results page for full details.
At the moment, the Women's team are in comfortable mid-table positions, lying 5th out of 10 in the Chingford League and 7th out of 17 in the Essex League.
In the Chingford League, the Women's Vets Team are one better than their Senior counterparts, being currently in 4th place.
The Men have fared less well, but are still in 8th place in the Chingford League and 14th place in the Essex League. The Men's Vets team is currently 6th in the Chingford League.
With two Essex League Fixtures and two Chingford League Fixtures before the end of November, there is every possibility that these positions will change in the near future. Let's try to ensure that Loughton teams move up the leagues by getting as larg a turnout as possible at these races.
The next league fixtures are:
Essex League : 29th October (Basildon), 19th November (Benfleet)
Chingford League : 1st November (Hog Hill), 26th November (Alexandra Palace)
In addition the club is staging the annual Inter-Club Vets match on the cross-country course at Loughton on 5th November. All club members are welcome to run whether Vets or not, but if anyone is available on that day and not wishing to run, then assistance will be required with course setting and marshalling. Please let John Hart or Tony Maycraft know if you are available.
See the Fixtures page for full details
September 2011: Loughton At The Isle of Wight
Loughton runners turned out in force at the annual SEAA Fell Running Championships , held in conjunction with the Isle of Wight Fell Race Series in September. A total of 15 runners took part altogether with 11 completing all 3 races - a record. They were joined by the usual army or supporters. Honours went to Lorna Gaffney and Anne Heeks who were 1st and 2nd in their respective classes while the Loughton Ladies team of Lorna, Anne and Amanda Gibbins were 3rd overall. Congratulations go to all those that took part and to all the prize winners.
Full results are on the Results page. Pictures are on the Pictures page.
Helen Real and Tony Maycraft completed the Ben Nevis Race on 3rd
September - the first Loughton runners for 8 years. In very wet conditions (both
overhead an underfoot) and poor visibility, Helen - running the race for the
first time - turned in a very creditable 2:41:33 for the 10 mile course with
4400 feet of climb. Tony had a run he would rather forget, suffering from cramp
for most of the descent and eventually finished in over 3 hours. Thanks are due
to John Cash, The Whiffin family (Jim, Jo, Abigail and Katie) and Monica and
Rosanna Maycraft who made the trip to Fort William to support the runners on the
hillside. All of the Whiffins and Rosanna made it to the top of the mountain despite
the bad weather.
Full results of all races are on the Results page. Pictures on the Pictures Page.
August 2011: Loughton Vets Teams Qualify for EVAC Final
Both of Loughton's Vets teams have qualified for the EVAC final, which is to be held on 11th September at Bedford.
The Women's team qualified by winning the Essex Division. In the final match at Southend on 3rd August they beat the Chelmsford team by 38 points to 37 and won the division by 145.5 points to 142.5.
The Men's team finished second in the Essex Division with 183 points, behind Chelmsford who amassed 216 points but ahead of Southend on 179. Due to the nature of the EVAC divisional structure - with varying numbers in each Division - the remaining places were decided by recalculating the results for each fixture as though it was one match (a lot of work for someone!). As a result of this, the Men's team qualified for the final along with Chelmsford and Southend.
One notable performance during the EVAC matches to date has been that of Mitch Belham, who set a League and Club V40 record in the high jump during the meeting at Chelmsford on 29th June.
The Women's team were in action again on Saturday 20th August at Braintree, having to endure poor weather conditions in the middle of the afternoon. The team scores were as follows: Colchester 249.5, Newham 244, Braintree 205, Loughton 167.5, Harlow 103, Huntingdon 88 (Eton Manor did not compete).
Well done to everyone who competed and thanks to all the officials who braved the weather.
July 2011: Latest Track & Field News
Loughton hosted a joint Southern Men's and Southern Women,s League fixture on 9th July. Fortunately the promised showers stayed away until after the competition had finished, making it a very pleasant afternoon for competing and officiating - if a little breezy.
The women's team performed really well, and the final result was: Newham 228; Colchester 184; Braintree 172.5; Loughton 165.5; Huntingdon 150; Harlow 131; Eton Manor 70. Well done, everybody! The next women's league match is on 20th August at Braintree.
The men's team struggled against very strong opposition. The final result was Cambridge 111; Bedford 105; Harlow 93; Loughton 42. The next men's match is on 13th August at Parliament Hill.
July 2011: Meanwhile on the Fells
Helen Real and Tony Maycraft travelled to the Lake District on 3rd July to take part in the Skiddaw fell race. The 9 mile 2700 feet course was a real mountain test and a serious warm up for the Ben Nevis race in September. Also warm was the weather, making this an even more severe test.
Once again, Helen was the star, completing the course in 1:49:50 - this time 21 seconds ahead of Tony - who she passed on the descent - and 12th woman overall! Full Results are on the Results page.
June 2001: Latest Track & Field News
June saw Loughton's Home fixture in the Eastern Veterans League. This was held on 1st June at Lee Valley on a very pleasant evening for competing and officiating.
The Women's team were the stars scoring 38 points to comfortably beat Chelmsford (23 points). The Men's team were involved in a very tight match and were eventually second with 47 points, behind Chelmsford (51 points) but ahead of Southend (41 points).
Congratulations to those who took part. A big thank you is also due to all the club members - some of them many years from being veterans - who turned out to help officiate and ensure the smooth running of the meeting. Loughton's next Home fixture is a joint Men's and Women's league match on 9th July - also at Lee Valley.
Helen Real and Tony Maycraft travelled to North Yorkshire on 4th June to take
part in the Pen-y-Ghent fell race. The 5.9 mile mountain course, with 1650 feet
of climb, was another stepping stone on the route to the ultimate goal of the
Ben Nevis race in September.
On a very windy day - with cloud periodically covering the top (see picture) - the winning time was much slower than previous years, so Tony was reasonably pleased to go over 2 minutes faster than last year.
However Helen was the star, completing the course in 68:43 - only 22 seconds behind Tony and 5th place woman overall. Helen tells me that she hasn't done much specific hill training - I wonder what her times will be when she does! Full Results are on the Results Page.
May 2011: Hatfield Broad Oak 10k
A number of Loughton runners took part in the Hatfield Broad Oak 10k road race on 30th May. They were supported by a greater number of club members who were also able to enjoy the attractions of the flower festival in this picturesque Essex village, on a beautiful Bank Holiday Monday (yes we did have one!).
Of the 1248 finishers, results were as follows:
240 Dave Tyson 45:03
329 Gay Shillaker 46:56
347 John Hart 47:12
464 Anne Heeks 49:52
Full results are on the Results page. Pictures are on the Pictures page
May 2011: Latest Track & Field News
The 2011 Summer Track & Field Season continued with the the Southern Women's' League meeting at Walthamstow on May 21st. The Women's team finished in fourth place with 159 points - behind Colchester (227), Newham (217) and Braintree (207), but well in front of Huntingdon (132), Harlow (122) and Eton Manor (121).
The main difference between Loughton and the teams ahead was the number of under 15 girls competing - so special thanks and congratulations are due to Anna Clark and Frida Petersen for representing the club so well at this match. Perhaps we can get some more Under 15s for the next match. Full Results are on the Results Page.
The next Women's League match is on Saturday 9th July at Lee Valley. This is a joint Home fixture with the Men's team so all help with officiating and organising is greatly appreciated. Meanwhile the Men's team have a fixture on 4th June at Colchester and the Vets team have a fixture at Lee Valley on 1st June - this is also a Home fixture
May 2011: Track Season Continues
The 2011 Summer Track Season continued with the first meetings of the season in the Southern Women's' League and the Eastern Veterans League. The Women finished in third place at Newham on 30th April. Team Manager David Hobbs said described this as a "great result, especially as it was so close between the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th teams."
At Chelmsford on 4th May, the Men's Veterans Team were first in the match an consequently head the division. They totalled 77 points, Chelmsford were second with 71 while Southend were third with 64. The Women's Veterans Team were second, being narrowly beaten by Chelmsford by 90 points to 83.
Well done to everyone who took part and thank you to those who helped officiating (especially at Chelmsford where it was very cold!).
Full Results are on the Results Page.
The next Women's League match is on Saturday 21st May at Walthamstow while the next EVAC meeting is our HOME fixture on Wednesday 1st June Lee Valley.
April 2011: Track Season Starts
The 2011 Summer Track Season got underway on Saturday 16th April when the women's team participated in the Alpha/Beta Trophy at Lee Valley. The final scores put Loughton in fifth position overall in the Beta Trophy classification. Team Manager David Hobbs said:
"Bearing in mind the limited number of athletes available for this match, this was an excellent outcome."
"Quite a few performances showed improvement on last season's times or distances, and there were even a couple of 'outright' pbs!
Well done to everyone who took part. Full Results are on the Results Page.
The first women's league match is on Saturday 30th April at Newham while the first men's league match is on Saturday 7th May at Hemel Hempstead. The first EVAC meeting is on Wednesday 4th May at Colchester.
A number of Loughton runners pounded in the heat from Greenwich to the Mall via the Isle of Dogs in last Sunday's London Marathon. All those who took part were very grateful for the support provided by the many club members watching along the route.
The finishing times of the Loughton runners are:
|
6308 |
Rob Sargent |
3:45:58 |
|
15813 |
Duncan Rayney |
4:28:04 |
|
19559 |
Jacqueline Cox |
4:43:07 |
Doubtless these figures reflect a number of stories, which may well appear in the future.
April 2011 : Loughton Mayor's Family Fun Run
Loughton AC assisted Loughton Town Council with the organisation of the Mayor's Family Fun Run on Sunday April 10th. 98 competitors completed the 3.5km course on the Roding Valley recreation ground - at various speeds! A considerable amount of money was raised for the Mayor's chosen charity - The Dream Factory - a local charity helping to brighten the lives of severely ill young people.
Loughton runners once again travelled to hillier parts of the country to test themselves against the fells
and mountains.
On 2nd April John Hart took part in the Pendle Fell Race near Burnley. In a field of 339, John was 281st covering the 4.5mile, 1500ft course in 53:06. Tony Maycraft was half way up the hill with his camera, and marvelled at the speed with which Ian Holmes (former British Champion and Ben Nevis winner) was able to descend - narrowly failing to pass the winner Jon Brown.
The following day, John and Tony took part in the Lad's Leap Fell Race to the west of Manchester. This was not the first time that Loughton runners had run here as a group made the trip when it was part of the English Championships in 2003. Over a 5.9mile, 1700 feet course, Tony was 74th in 70:43 while John was 100th in 79:55.
On 9th April, Helen Real, Anne Heeks and Tony Maycraft travelled to Llangollen in North Wales for the Llanysilio Fell Race. The 6.2 mile, 2100 feet course was tackled in unseasonably warm and pleasant conditions. No results have been produced at the time of writing but Tony took about 75 minutes, Helen was a few minutes behind, while Anne made a strategic mistake in not looking where those in front of her were going and ended up with a time that she would rather not be published! She did, however, still win the W50 class.