News

Once again Spring/Summer is upon us and the start of the Track & Field season. First of all may I take this opportunity to congratulate all athletes who competed throughout the X-C season in near arctic conditions. With little interruption from the Foot and Mouth crisis, it proved once again a very successful season for our Club and its reputation. The Club has moved forward with the advancement of the new level 2 coaches and without their dedication and enthusiasm the success and the enjoyment of the younger members would be lacking.

The Club is constantly on the lookout for willing volunteers to help-out in anyway. In particular, if there are any budding Clark Kent’s out there, I am sure our roving reporter Mike Brooks would be grateful for any assistance with publicity.

I therefore wish you all the very best for the coming season and let’s hope the weather brightens up.

Kath Robinson, Secretary,

As this Newsletter "goes to Press", the Club Membership stands at 174. The breakdown of members, with categories/age groups @ 1/9/2002, is… under 11 boys & girls - 1 + 0

under 13 boys & girls - 13 + 16

under 15 boys & girls - 21 + 17

under 17 boys & girls - 12 + 11

junior men & ladies - 5 + 5

senior men & ladies - 21 + 7

veteran men & ladies - 22 + 4

…that is 155 competitive athletes, plus 19 Coaches, Life or Social Members. These are healthy numbers and they show in competition - last year the Club won two NYSD Aggregate Trophies (X-C and Road Relays) and all three T&F teams maintained their League places.

Competition for younger members is predominantly T&F in summer and X-C in winter but Seniors also compete on the roads and fells, year round. This is one reason why the Fixture List is so full - there is something for everybody, elite or novice, young or not-so-young, competitor or spectator. This "fullness" also encourages the whole Club, so that one supports another. Fiona Hughes would be the first to confirm there was nothing more heartening than the cheers and shouts of encouragement from the young ’uns during the X-C season. Perhaps we’ll see more of this during the T&F season.

Subs have risen this year, from £25 to £30 for students & juniors, from £30 to £40 for seniors, and from £60 to £80 for families. This is necessary to balance the books. The Club is now training all year at Catterick Garrison Athletic Stadium and the cost of track-hire is considerable. For this reason, the Committee is looking at all expenditure and making an appraisal of its cost effectiveness. Meanwhile, £30 and £40 equates to approximately 58p and 77p per week: we hope you agree that the Club is value for money. Please don’t be late paying your subs!

One way we could save some pennies is by e-communications. Consider the cost of distributing this newsletter - printing, paper, stamps and a lot of time - even if it were e-mailed to only half the Club, there would be a considerable saving. If you’re e-connected, let me know (or remind me) and we’ll take it from there.

Lastly, another plea to Seniors and parents of Junior members - there is always something else to be done, something that would help the Club run more smoothly – if we all do a little, nobody will have to do a lot!

Mike Brooks - Membership Secretary : mikebrooks@logistix.freeserve.co.uk

Once again there has been a good turnout of athletes during the winter months and training sessions have generally gone well. The newly qualified Level 1 coaches have got stuck in practising their skills. The junior athletes are now split into five groups each managed by a coach - Fiona Hughes, Peter Robinson and Faye Chilton, focusing on endurance, Wendy Prosser on sprints and myself on multiple events in particular speed, hurdles and throws. Further coaching assistance to the groups is provided by Ruth Suffell, Steve McAlhone, Kevin Bartram and Paula Akers. This has worked well both at the Clubhouse and on the track. On Tuesday nights, Wendy has routinely taken some of the older sprinters and throwers for weight training.

Five Level 1 coaches, Wendy Prosser, Faye Chilton, Ruth Suffell (throws and endurance, and two juniors at University, Louise Jackson and Andrea Woodvine (both endurance) all attended a Level 2 course during February and March 2002. One school sixth form student, Kim Bartram, has attended a Level 1 course in February. We are now reasonably well covered for all events but could do with someone to take a special interest in the jumps.

The High Jump has been neglected in recent years and this summer we plan to have a regular training session once a fortnight on average (weather permitting) and will need the assistance of seniors and/or parents to help us move the beds and other equipment to and from the shed.

Because of pressure of work mainly due to Foot and Mouth Disease, last summer track and field season was a write-off for me and I was unfortunately unable to contribute to the autumn/winter newsletter.

I was therefore unable to say my own thanks to Graeme Nicholson for all his tuition, support and encouragement over the years on the coaching front. I do so now. His legacy is a firm coaching base at the club but the momentum which he started, which is continuing well, needs to be maintained in the future. If any parents, senior or junior members, are interests in coaching please let me know.

Good luck in the new track and field season. Support your team managers in the leagues and have a go at the Yorkshire Championships in May. There are plenty of other meeting to keep keen athletes busy too.

Graham Purvis, Coaching Secretary,

We started the season with high hopes of doing well in all age groups in the NYSD League, but unfortunately due to injury and other commitments we only managed to field a team on two occasions the whole season. Nick Outhwaite was our most regular runner and showed the benefit of regular training getting better with every race. James Raper also competed regularly in the Under 17's and ran with his usual determination.

We did however achieve notable success in the Yorkshire Championships. Here Andy Lagan took the Gold medal in the Under 13's with a run of great determination. This did not come as a great surprise as he had earlier set the fastest time in the English School's Relay Championships - well done Andy. The Under 15's came away with two silver medals; one for Nick Zissler individual and a team for Nick, Philip Fitzpatrick, Tom Gill and Carl Outhwaite.

At the Inter Counties we had drama and success again for Andy, who despite arriving late at the start line being stranded in traffic and loosing a shoe mid race, collected a fabulous bronze for third place. This is the highest an individual has come in these Championships from this Club.

At the English Schools Championships we had three runners in the Junior Boys race for North Yorkshire - Andy Lagan, Philip Fitzpatrick and Tom Gill plus first reserve with Simon Pinkney. Nick Zissler ran in the Intermediate Boys race for County Durham. Scott Wardman ran for North Yorkshire in the Senior Boys race and Geoff Pinkney was named first reserve. All ran well but the step-up in both class and age was apparent.

Paul Zissler, Cross Country Manager Boys,

CROSS COUNTRY REPORT - JUNIOR/SENIOR/VETERAN MEN - WINTER 2001-02

The NYSD Cross Country season opened with the Relays at a new venue, Eastbourne School, Darlington and both the Senior and Veteran Men’s teams contributed to RZH winning the Aggregate Trophy. In the absence of a Junior Men’s team, Scott Wardman ran first leg for the Seniors, ran the equal fastest "lap" by a Junior and came in sixth; older brother James took over, ran the equal second-fastest "lap" by a Senior and gained 4 places; Shaun Purkiss ran third and held onto second place; Ian Scott ran the anchor-leg and, although dropping a place, helped earn bronze medals for the Club. Mike Brooks ran the opening leg for the Veterans, having competed in the Pinchinthorpe Plod Fell Race in the morning, and it showed! Given such a start (third last) Jim Robinson, Tony Colmer and Martin Carter had little hope of a medal and to their credit the team finished fourth.

The opening League race took place on 21^st October over a hilly and very muddy Hartlepool course. With only seven runners turning out (and five of those being Veterans) it wasn’t a surprise to finish ninth out of 10 teams. Shaun Purkiss was first home in 28^th place, Dan Brooks 33^rd, Tony Colmer 50^th, Jim Robinson 75^th, Mike Brooks 81^st, Paul Zissler 100^th and Ian Hepworth 124^th.

Sunday 4^th November 2001, the second League fixture at Acklam Grange, Middlesbrough and a date to remember: with 14 runners toeing the line, we had the best-ever performance from the RZH Seniors to finish first team.

It was a magnificent performance with Ken Harker and James Wardman finishing in 7^th and 8^th places, Dan Brooks was 17^th, Scott Wardman 25^th, Ian Scott 32^nd and Shaun Purkiss rounding-out the scoring 6 runners in 36^th place. Behind them, Chris Peacock was 65^th, followed by Tony Colmer 80^th, Mike Brooks 111^th, Colin Sewell 150^th, Ian Hepworth 151^st, Shane Boulton 167^th and Martin Carter 167^th.

The third fixture, scheduled for Thirsk, was cancelled as a knock-on effect from the F&MD crisis and our home date at Richmond School on 13^th January 2002 was next. Ken Harker led the team home again, improving to 4^th place, but James was missing - still nursing an injury sustained in the Abbey Dash. Younger brother Scott had a race-long battle with Dan Brooks and came out on top; they finished in 17^th and 19^th places ahead of Shaun Purkiss 34^th, Chris Peacock 48^th and new man Kevin Gordon 65^th. Tony Colmer headed the "B" team in 71^st place, followed by Ian Hepworth and Colin Sewell in 111^th and 115^th and Martin Carter 135^th. The team finished a very creditable fifth, just 9 points behind third place Hartlepool.

The Club had no competitors in either the Senior or Junior races at the Yorkshire County Championships at Rotherham and only one in each race at the Northerns at Allestree Golf Course, near Derby. Both survived the slippiest of fairways; Dan Brooks was 34^th and Mike Brooks 354^th in their respective races.

Whitby hosted fixture number 4 on 10^th February and, despite only 9 runners, the team performed well and finished fourth. Ken Harker was again first home in 5^th place and Jon Orange made a timely debut to finish in 16^th; Shaun Purkiss was 30^th, Kevin Gordon 44^th, Chris Peacock 51^st and Tony Colmer, back in the "A" team in 67^th place. Jim Robinson was seventh man in 78^th place, Mike Brooks 77^th and Ian Hepworth exactly 100^th.

The fifth fixture at Saltburn the following week, added to replace the fixture lost at Thirsk, clashed with the Yorkshire Vets X-C Championships. Several Vets weren’t available so, with having no complete teams, the usual suspects made it to the NYSD meeting. And a good job too because a similar number of Juniors and Seniors were missing due to injury, illness or family circumstances, and there were only 8 Harriers on the start-line. Fortunately RZH have a stronger pack at present and, even when James Wardman was forced to quit his comeback race, new man John Aspell from Aldershot and Jon Orange were there to finish in 15^th and 19^th places. Shaun Purkiss, consistent team counter, missed his only League race and Ian Scott was next home in 39^th place ahead of Tony Colmer 55^th, Jim Robinson 62^nd, Mike Brooks 67^th and Martin Carter 103^rd. The team were sixth on the day and remained third overall.

A very wet and soggy course awaited competitors for the last fixture at Windlestone Hall, near Newton Aycliffe on Sunday 3^rd March. Scott Wardman had an outstanding run on day and finished 10^th in the race and 1^st Junior Man. Second home for RZH was Jon Orange in 17^th place and Shaun Purkiss was 30^th, Dan Brooks was 43^rd, Tony Colmer 60^th, Jim Robinson 79^th, Mike Brooks 81^st, new man Wes "if all your races are like this, I want my money back" Hodgens 92^nd, Ian Hepworth 107^th and Martin Carter 112^th. The team were fourth on the day and also finished the season in fourth place.

The Club had 3 athletes score sufficient points to earn medals: Dan Brooks and Scott Wardman scored 29 and 28 points respectively in their Junior Man category and Jim Robinson scored 20 points in the Vet 2 category.

This was our best showing for a long time. Although Paul O’Mahoney has taken-up hockey, and both Karl Povey and Mark Hawtin were posted elsewhere, and Robin Carter went off to Warwick University, we have gained massively from the younger athletes moving-up, from the arrival of several new athletes (both in and out of the Forces) and from the much-improved form of some local runners. This winter we have gone from strength to strength. Well done, team.

Jim Robinson, Junior/Senior/Veteran Men’s Cross Country Team Manager

FEMALE CROSS-COUNTRY REPORT

WHAT A FANTASTIC SEASON WE HAVE HAD!!

If we could have counted two teams in the Under 13’s NYSD League, we probably would have managed 1^st and 2^nd places! Never can I remember a time when we were regularly getting five or six athletes running in one age group, let alone in the top ten!

Everyone who competed in the NYSD League did themselves proud by achieving excellent results and improving as the season progressed!!

Final Results:

Team: U13’s 1st

U15’s 3rd

U17/U20/Senior 5th

Individuals:

U13’s Jessie Roberts 1^st

Scarlett & Jessica Gray 4^th equal

Jo Adams 7^th

Ashleigh Robinson 11^th

Jade Cawthray 12^th

Katie Roberts 18^th

U15’s Rebecca Robinson 12^th

Georgina Zissler 15^th

U20’s Louise Jackson 1^st

Seniors Rachel Robinson 3^rd

Fiona Hughes 16^th

Richmond and Zetland Harriers were, for the 2nd year running, awarded the trophy for overall achievement in the NYSD League, although we have to share it with Middlesbrough and Cleveland this year.

Other excellent performances came through School events, the Yorkshires, Inter-Counties, Northerns, Nationals and English Schools - too many to list individually. Although don’t forget the first-ever Senior team medal in the Yorkshires.

I am sure all athletes can continue their success through to the track season, and indeed some have already started.

So well done for the past Cross-Country season, thanks and good luck for the future track season.

Fiona Hughes, Females Cross-country and T&F Team Manager

FELL RUNNING

Although the Fells have been "open for business" this Winter, after last year’s F&MD outbreak, most of our Fell Runners have been occupied by the Cross Country season due to fixture clashes.

Grete Buck and Mike Brooks contested the Pinchinthorpe Plod, the first race in the Northern Runner sponsored Cleveland Winter Series in October last. Over approximately 7 miles and 1100 feet, Grete finished 76^th and 1^st LVO50 and Mike finished 23^rd and 4^th MVO50.

In November, Grete tackled the Guisborough Three Tops, the second race in the series, which also incorporated the North East Counties Championships. In a bigger and better field, Grete finished in 89^th place and again was 1^st LVO50.

The third and fourth Winter races were over the Xmas/New Year break and had no takers but Louise Jackson opted for a run in race five, the Eston Nab Nee Nocker. Given the wet weather over previous weeks, the strong wind on the day was a blessing as it kept the clouds moving and, whilst it was extremely boggy in parts, it was very runable. Louise proved herself a natural Fell Runner as she tracked Alison Raw up the most serious climbs and was happy to finish 2^nd lady and 12^th overall. Mike Brooks also ran (when he didn’t walk or fall over) and finished 18^th and 3^rd MVO50.

The remaining races in the series clashed with the NYSD and, with scores from the best five from eight and a minimum of three outings, it meant no Harriers appeared in the final rankings.

We now look forward to the Cleveland Midweek series, again sponsored by Northern Runner. Although the first race, the Ossy Oiks on Tuesday 23^rd April clashes with the Harrogate Midweek Road Race at Ilkley, there are another ten races through the summer to choose from and scores from the best six will count.

As well as the Cleveland races, there are BOFRA races throughout the year in the Yorkshire Dales and Cumbria, which are similarly well organised, competitive and friendly.

More details from Mike Brooks .

SENIOR MEN’S TRACK & FIELD - SUMMER 2002

After a year on our travels we are now back in Division 4 North East with a host of Geordie Clubs - Birtley, Blaydon, Chester-le-Street, Gosforth, Morpeth "B" and Wallsend - and we would also have had Jarrow & Hebburn for company but they’ve been elevated to Division 3 to replace Elswick who have dropped out the League.

Dates for your diary:

League Match 1, Saturday 4^th May, Monkton Stadium, Jarrow

League Match 2, Saturday 8^th June, Riverside Stadium, Chester-le-Street

League Match 3, Saturday 6^th July, Clairville Stadium, Middlesbrough - RZH co-hosts

Knock-out Plate, Sunday 14^th July, venue to be decided

League Match 4, Saturday 3^rd August, again Monkton Stadium, Jarrow

On paper, we have more than 40 Junior/Senior/Veteran athletes, enough to give a good showing, but we need communication. Please tell us about availability in advance, don’t leave it until the last minute.

We also need Officials, qualified or not. We are co-hosts, with New Marske Harriers, of the double-header at Clairville so volunteer yourself and help the Club secure valuable match points.

If any athlete wants to compete in a specific track or field event, at any match, then please speak to myself or Chris. Although match points are important, we recognise it as equally important that individual athletes get what they want out of these fixtures.

Our Club has a good history of involvement with the Northern Men’s League. When Clubs like Darlington and Shildon, as well as Elswick, are dropping out then we can be proud that we are still in there - giving everyone the opportunity of valuable experience, in a multitude of events, in team competition and for fun!

T&F Team Managers: Shaun Purkiss  & Chris Peacock

ROAD RUNNING

Dear Team-mates,

This year it has fallen upon me - from a great height - to steer a team through the Road Race season.

After recovering from the effects of being "mugged" into the job (thanks Jim Robinson) I was then cajoled into presenting a piece for the newsletter.

The following should not be taken personally, although if you feel the starter’s loaded pistol is pointing directly at you then I have hit my target.

I am not going to grind on about last season and how we let opportunities slip through our fingers in the Harrogate & District League Road Race League, simply by the "Whippets" in our Club forcing the "Old Gadgers" to pick up points. The inability to turn up on the night under a host of excuses won’t wash with me "oh speedy ones"! Remember I have had twenty years plus to perfect my excuse book and, with my retail experience, I must have heard it all! Simply put, race wise, I want to be forced into oblivion! I don’t want to be a counter in the team - I want plenty of bodies finishing in front of me so that I can start to relax and take in the scenery in this wonderful, friendly series of races.

To remedy the situation I have come up with several ideas ranging from a system where each runner is given two names to phone so that messages, race dates and times etc circulate quickly to having each senior athlete tattooed with the race dates - on a visible part visible part of their anatomy.

In reality I would just like you all to look at the following race dates…

Tuesday 23^rd April, Ilkley Lawn Tennis & Squash Club, 7.45 pm

Tuesday 7^th May, Harlow Carr Gardens, Harrogate, 7.30 pm

Wednesday 22^nd May, Railway Social Club, Knaresborough, 7.30 pm

Thursday 13^th June, Thirsk Cricket Club, 7.45 pm

Tuesday 3^rd July, Hudswell Village Hall, near Richmond, 7.45 pm

Wednesday 17^th July, Handicap Race & Presentations, Ripon Cricket Club, 7.30 pm

…and turn up! I can assure you, you won’t be disappointed as each event ends with an RZH stewards enquiry, chaired by Mike Brooks, in a local hostelry.

Moving on from this series, once again there are numerous races countrywide that may whet not just your appetite. If you are competing in any event, certainly locally, I would be pleased to hear about it, as many of miss out on races simply because we don’t hear about them. Any available Entry Forms you see, ranging from Catterick to the Congo, I would be glad to have.

Finally, may I wish you all an outstanding season and pass on some words of wisdom from my "old mate" HH the Dalai Lama who says - "judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it." Think on that the next time you start looking for that little excuse book! Happy running.

Tony Colmer - Road Running Manager

TRACK AND FIELD SAFETY

I make no apologies for writing yet another note on safety. This is always a top priority for any club. Now we are back both nights at the stadium and the track and field season is fast approaching I thought it would be timely to mention the subject again.

The general scenario is that several groups of athletes will be using the track during evening training, both seniors and juniors. At the same time there may be throwing and jumping training going on in the field area.

As a routine at the beginning of the evening coaches should check and agree with other coaches and senior athletes which track lanes are being used by particular groups, also whether there are any field event activities taking place especially throwing involving the hammer, javelin or discus. Coaches should then warn athletes in their group about the safety aspects of their training and remain vigilant during the session.

Please enhance the safety aspects of training by:

GOOD COMMUNICATION

GOOD AWARNESS

GOOD CONCENTRATION

LISTENING TO AND FOLLOWING COACHES INSTRUCTIONS

Graham Purvis, Coaching Secretary,