OLD SKOOL RUNNING.......
  
  

 MANY THANKS TO OUR PRIZE AND SUPPORT SPONSORS
 
 GPS-TRACKING-ROUTES
 
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SCHOOL ATHLETIC DEVELOPMENT

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SPORTS MASSAGE REHABILITATION

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FOR ALL YOUR CYCLING NEEDS

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Shoes and all - Brighton and Docklands

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Course Record holder
Lucy Hasell (B&W)

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Winner 2005
Ian Horrocks (HWAC)

Winner 2002 and 2003
H.Mulder (London Irishac)

  


 


 

Hosted by Hercules Wimbledon AC
race est. 1961

Certificate of course accuracy SE 07/086

COURSE RECORD (MENS) B.HOLT (HW) 48.10 1975 (WOMEN) L.HASELL (B&W) 57.35 2006

When the meal was over we all had a quiet rest in our rooms and I meditated on the race. This is the time when an athlete feels all alone in the big world. Opponents assume tremendous stature. Any runner who denies having fears, nerves or some kind of disposition is a bad athlete, or a liar.
Gordon Pirie

Huw Lobb (Bedford and C )takes the win 2007
Lucy Hasell (Bristol & West)defends her title
Jamie Helmer (HW)'quickest triathlete in running' prize winner
RESULTS OF 2007 RACE

champions

RESULTS OF 2007 RACE

QUOTE OF THE RACE

"Hi Richard, The cheque went 1st class tomorrow so you should get it tomorrow"...... identity of the well educated gent may be released later. (He is in the above picture and two entered online!)

For copies of the any pictures please contact Ray or myself, I can forward any mails to Ray. © 2007 Ray O'Donoghue

 

  • MEASURED CERTIFIED COURSE
  • FULL CHANGING AND TOILETS
  • REFRESHMENTS
  • QUALITY PRIZES THROUGHOUT THE AGE GROUPS see entry details
  • TRACK START AND FINISH - details of location
  • EASY TRANSPORT LINKS FROM MAINLINE STATION
  • The first national 'QUICKEST RUNNER IN TRIATHLON' AGE GRADED PRIZE FOR MEN AND WOMEN sponsored by Sigma Cycles.
  • ORGANISED BY RUNNERS SUPPORTING ATHLETIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. HERCULES WIMBLEDON ARE A WIMBLEDON PARK BASED CLUB
  • DEVELOPING AND MAINTAINING A LOVE FOR ATHLETICS. OUR WORK KEEPS CHILDREN MENTALLY, PHYSICALLY AND SPIRITUALLY STRONGER THROUGH POSITIVE THINKING, SELF DEVELOPMENT AND PHYSICAL ENDEAVOUR.
  • 2008 ENTRY FORM will be HERE

HISTORY

In 1961 Joe Brett organised the first Wimbledon Ten. Back then, cinder track's, simple shoes and cotton and wollen fabrics were the norm. Many athlete's had one pair of shoes each and these had to last at least a year, with regular repairs. Coal fires, outside lavatory's, no bath room, and hand washing of clothes was de rigour. This made them tough as old leather....bascollins

The first TV chef in Britain, Philip Harben, looked and cooked like a Frenchman. Fanny Craddock used food as a class symbol, but also made cooking exciting..To delve further into the history of athleticism, this article donated by Dr Stephen Instone of local club, Ranelagh Harriers, tells us the story of the ancient and modern games. Dr Instone's article. "The games were an attractive way of getting men fit"!

Forget the Olympics, one thing that did keep the athletes fit back in the 'good old days' were ample amounts of tea. The famous Lauriston Runners Club tea on Wimbledon common certainly had something in it that kept them nimble and light footed. The High street has seen many changes.. the Butcher has sold his last chicken and packed up and gone home, the watch repairer has quit and the Greengrocers never even arrived!

Lauriston Runners Club - Wimbledon Common
Running is as much a time for thought and solitude as it is for the physical benefits

Over to the athletes!.. they were also pretty quick and hard work brought the rewards with fast times and strong depth to the fields. Pete Mellor (Ponder End AC) took a decisive win chased by East London athlete Mel Batty (Thurrock AC) who later on became World Record holder for 10 miles and won the Nationals in 64' and 65' with a Silver in the International XC champs in 65. Joe promises to come down to celebrate the 50th anniversary in 2011.

2 years later Geoff Moulden took on the event and it still exists some 46 years later with the same undulating 3 lap course. An entry form is available here. Geoff was involved in helping at the race each year except on one occasion when it clashed with his daughter, Sarah's, wedding. Many people knew he was a qualified track judge but, perhaps less well known was that he was also a qualified starter, timekeeper and coach. Sadly, In 2005 Geoff passed away aged 75. To learn more of the passion and drive Geoff brought to the club please read his obituary..

In memory of Geoff the race now bears his name. The original course remains the same albeit a little more street furniture and a little more traffic....As an honoured member of Hercules Wimbledon the club is pleased to be able to continue this testing course in his memory and we look forward to welcoming you to this historic event. Hercules Wimbledon AC have a long history in Athletics. This historical log indicates the early beginnings of HWAC.

The mens course record is held by Bob Holt. His time of 48.10 in 1974 on this hilly 3 lap course would place him 1st in the UK rankings in 2004, 2nd in 2005 and 3rd in 2006. Five years earlier Mike Tagg, 1969 National XC champion ran a close 48.11 earlier in the season. The famous Holt brothers and Tagg pulled back the blistering early pace of Gerry North and entered the arena side by side with 300 yards to go for the closet battle in the history of the race. Tagg took the win and Dave and Bob battled it out for the placings.

The race is not only for the speed demons. Running is a means to an end for all of us. The jounrney is the same for a 50 minute runner or a 1.50 runner. This year we have many unattached runners and they will be supported just as much as the front end!!