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FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Training week to Friday 10 February 2012
Tuesday 7 January: Steady town run. (as usual meet at Freedom Lesiure Uckfield 7pm). This will be followed by the AGM.
Weds 8 February 2012 track sesssion ( Lewes Athletics track 6.50pm: coached sesssion all abilities welcome.)
Upcoming events: running
Next and last cross country for the season is Snape Wood Wadhust on 12 February. We are currently third in the league following our second place result at the last race. However Crowborough/Wadurst are only one point behind us. WE NEED A STRONG TURNOUT IF WE ARE TO DEFEND THIRD PLACE. Please click on Events for full details.
The first Sussex Grand Prix event is Chichester 10k on 5 February 2012. The event is not closed to entries and no entries on the day
You should also now think about entering the Eastbourne Half Marathon on 4 March (Postal entries close 29 Feb 12 online 3 Mar 12) and Hasting Half Marathon on 25 March both of which are Sussex Grand Prix Events.
Normal entries for Brighton Half Marathon are now closed (note this has beeen dropped from Sussex Grand Prix events 2012) you can enter via a charity place or apparently pay £75 for a 'Premier Package'
The Brighton Marathon club place has now been allocated. I have details of a charity (Refuge) with places.
If anyone is looking to do a local Marathon and has not got into Brighton there is a marathon at Heathfield on 1 April 2012 (and also half marathon) Events - Combined Events list for further details. At 22 January places still available (£32 for full marathon, £17 for half marathon)
The events list has been updated for all 2012 Sussex Grand Prix events: looking forward to plenty of support for these events in 2012: you need to do at least 8 of the events to get yoru full points, but there is 20 to choose from. (for full details Events then click on Sussex Grand Prix: events are also included in thecombined events list)
Click on events tab for further details
NEWS
Some race results are included below but also see Results tab for results for Uckfield Runners in recent races.
AGM 31 January 2012
The AGM took place on 31 January 2012. The committee was elected as follows: Peter Wilkes Chairman, Emma Hyland Deputy Chairman, Richard Page Finance Officer, Brian King Membership secretary, Graham West Events Offices, Tanya Edmundson Entertainments Officer.
 Cross Country Ashdown Forest Sunday 29 January 2012 (race 5 of 6)
Cold but dry and little: soon warmed up once you got going.
Best team result with second place for the combined Uckfield/Heathfield team. Great effort from all who participated from both Uckfield and Heathfield. From Uckfield were
Will Blandford 37.02
Graham West
37.03
Peter Wilkes 45.38
Catherine Harker 46.38
Tanya Edmundson 48.59
Fleur Blandford 49.26
See Photos page for more pictures.
 Cross Country Pett Sunday 8 January 2012 (race 4 of 6)
After the biting cold of last cross country this one was like spring, the sun stayed in but with no wind conditions were ideal for running. The course is a mix of field and woodland, with a long down hill descent at the start then a number of short climbs up and down fields before returning to the woods. Will, Graham, Peter and Fleur ran from Uckfield as part of the combined team with Heathfield. In spite of being a little short on ladies (with Catherine unwell and Tanya away) the team came third, our highest position this year: helped by the fact only the first two teams had a full complement of runners. This moves the team up to joint third overall with Crowborough/Wadhurst and Hastings AC.
Will Blanford 38.55
Graham West 39.58
Peter Wilkes 48.37
Fleur Blanford 50.32
See Photos page for more pictures.
 Cross Country Firle Beacon 18 December 2011 (race 3 of 6)
Certainly winter had arrived for this one, a slippy road to the windswept car park for the start. Still dry and the sun did come out. A scenic new course with view of the sea on one side and most of Sussex on the other. Downhill at the start and then a long climb back up, just the one hill. Overall the combined team with Heathfield came a creditable fourth out the ten teams competing. From Uckfield, Graham West 42.00, Catherine Harker 45.56 and Peter Wilkes 47.54. Numbers a bit down with people away and so near to Christmas but lets get a better turn out for the next one on 8 January at Pett.
See Photos page for more pictures.
Christmas meal at Crockstead
Good food, good music and good to see nearly everybody there.
Dance at Horam
Eight Uckefield runners took up the invite from Heathfield Road Runners our partner club in the Cross country for an evening of a live band and dancing. The band were excellant playing many classical songs from Free, the Beatles, Elvis and Dire Straits to mention just a few.
 Wok Inn Meal Sunday 13 November 2011
It is not just about running. To celebrate the clubs 20 year anniversary we had an eat all you want meal at the Wok Inn. Plenty eaten all round, personally I did not need to eat again until the following Wednesday. Four of the Founder members are still in the club, Peter, Richard, Sue and myself Graham.
 Warren Hill Cross Country race 2 of 6 Sunday 13 November 2011
The second cross country was at Warren Hill near Eastbourne. Another unseasonally warm and sunny day was a treat for a November Cross country. Overall the combined Uckfield Runners team came forth out of the ten teams a very credible result. From Uckfield were:
Graham West 34.51
Catherine Harker 41.26
Tanya Edmondson 41.31
Sonja Edmondson 41.38
 Crowborough 10k Sunday 6 November 2011
Seven Uckfield runners competed in the Crowborough 10k. Crowborough includes the second highest point in East Sussex (after Ditchling Beacon). The hill (Palesgate lane) in Crowborough at 159m is a Marilyn (a hill with a relative height of at least 150m). In the Crowborough 10k you go up it twice: not the fastest of courses then. Plus theres a ford (not a car the type with water)
Graham West 45.24
William Blandford 47.22
Brian King 51.37
Tanya Edmondson 53.59
Peter Wilkes 54.58
Fleur Blandfored 59.36
Ray Edmondson 59.46
Great South Run and Barnes Green Half Marathon 30 October 2011
Brian ran the Great South Run in 82 mins and Graham ran the Barnes Green half marathon in 1hr 40mins
Venice Marathon 22 October 2011
Well done to Tanya in completing the Venice Marathon in a very respectable 4 hours 8mins
Beachy Head Marathon 22 October 2011
Four Uckfield runners ran the Beachy Head Marathon on Sunday 22 October 2011. Excellent day for a run over the downs, sun shine and the views were magnificent. A very hilly marathon over the downs, nothing like hitting the Seven Sisters after 18 miles and then that last climb up to Beachy Head, it's a good day but I was glad to get to the top of that last hill. Tara Will and Fleur ran together but I wanted to get back for the jacket potato and beans at the end. Graham
Graham West 4 hours 33 mins
Tara Sinha 6 hours 4 mins
Will Blanford 6 hours 8 mins
Fleur Blanford 6 hours 8 mins
Track training From 26 October 2011
From 26 October Uckfield Runners can join Heathfield Road Runners (are partner club in the cross country league) for training at Lewes Athletics track on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month from 7pm. Please pay the track fee (£2.30) at the reception at Lewes leasure centre before the sessioin. Speak to Tara or Graham for further details or click here to view the track.
 Whitbread Hollow October 2011
Seven Uckfield Runners ran the first cross country race of the 2010/11season at Whtibread Hollow, Eastbourne. With bright sunshine and warm temperatures it seemed more like a mid summer run than the start of the Cross Country Season.
Awating the new Uckfield Runners vests so currently still in the old Utopia Runners vests apart from Ray with his own design of Uckfield Runners T shirt. From left to Right Ray, Tanya, Catherine, Graham, Nikki, Catherine and Peter
We run the cross country in a joint team with Heathfield. We had a full team of 15 meeting all the age and male/female mix which is always good to achieve. We finished 7th out of the 10 teams but it was a very strong turnout from most of the clubs probably encouraged by the unusually warm weather.
For full results go to www.eastsussexcrosscountry.co.uk/results
Sept 11 Change of name
The club name was changed from Utopia Runners to Uckfield Runners. We have always been based in Uckfield at the Freedom Leisure centre. The Freedom Leisure Centre was previously called Utopia Leisure Centre hence the name Utopia Runners but the name was changed to Freedom Leisure some time ago so it was decided to change the name.
Cross country 10/11
The Heathfield Utopia team finished 4th our of 10 teams this year. Not a bad result but would be nice to see more runners out in 11/12 to see if we can improve in the coming seasons
Sussex Grand Prix 2010
Well done to Graham West finished fourth in his age category Male 45 to 50, Tanya Edmondson who was 7th in her age category Female 55 to 60 and Ray Edmondson 7th for men over 65.
Cross Country 09/10
Again second place for Heathfield/Utopia. Excellant result
Sussex Grand Prix 2009: top 10 finishers
Ray Edmondson Finished 6th im the men over 65 category and Graham West finished 8th in his age category Male 45 to 50
Cross Country 08/09
The combined Heathfield Utopia Team finished a very credible second. Graham West of Utopia was second Man 40 for the season.
Cross Country 06/07
The combined Heathfield/Utopia team finished second overall.
An excellant result this gets us into the Plate race at the finals
in Nottingham to race against the second place team from other counties.
Highest finishing individual by category was Fleur Blanford (second
in from left at front) finishing just outside a trophy position
with fourth place in the Ladies 35 category. Well done Fleur. Graham
West managed a top ten finish in the men 40 category with eighth
overall.
John Reddyhoff
On Friday 15 September was a sad fairwell at the Funeral
of John Reddyhoff, who died at the age of 57, far to young an age.
One of the founding members of the club, before being diagnosed
with Motor Neurone Disease (following what was thought to be an
injury that wouldn't go away) he was certainly one of our keener
members. He competed in both the London Marathon (4 times) and New
York Marathons, raising funds for Starlight and Dreams come true
both of which grant wishes for seriously ill children. I recall
he completed the London in 3 hours 22 mins then the fastest time
for any Utopia Runner, I tried my hardest to beat this time myself
but never quite succeeded. I ran many a training run with John,
we would run two laps of the town circuit together in the winter
on the basis if we had made the effort to come out whathever the
weather we might as well make it a worthwhile run. Racing of course
was different, once the gun when off then, like all good runners,
it was a competition to see who could finish first.
When the club first started our colours were blue on a white background,
however some of our many supporters (ie spouses, grilfriends/boufriends
and offspring) complained we were too hard to spot. It was suggested
we should adopt a more conspicious colour. It was John who came
up with the supplier who had some yellow vests with block Panel.
That is how the yellow and black became our colours.
John donated the John Reddfhoff Cup to be presented to the most
improved runner. The members vote on it each year and I have no
doubt we will continue to see members worthy of the award. Notably
the award is not based on the final standard achieved, but the improvement
achieved, a suitable testimony.
Graham West
 J
John presenting the 2004, John Reddyhoff cup for most improved
runner to Emma, Club Christmas function December 2004.
Herstmonceux
Castle Relays Aug 2005: Mens team 4th
It was the turn of the men to perform at the Castle relays
with overall 4th from 9 mens teams. Michael Brown's performance
is worthy of note with a time of 7.46 this was the eventh fastest
time overall. The Lady's team put in a brave effort but with neither
Julia or Emma able to make the team and Liz Wells running in spite
of injury the team was not at full strength, Jenny Cantrell took
a very worthy place in the team but had to run two legs whilst Helen
was suffering from a cold but did still put in a respectable performance.
Buxted Relays
July 2005: Utopia ladies win Relay
The team
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Julia
Jones, Elizabeth Wells, Helen Parsons, Emma Hyland |
Helen
Parsons, first leg |
Closing
sprint from Julia on the last leg |
The Utopia ladies team
beat off stiff competition from the Crowborough Ladies to take victory
in the relay race at Buxted Park on Wednesday 20 July. Through out
the four legs the lead alternated between the two teams, at no time
either having a clear lead, and all the runners giving maximum effort.
This lead to a close final leg with Julia Jones for Utopia starting
just behind Crowborough but took the lead just before the final
hill on the the one and a half mile leg. Reaching the top just ahead
of the Crowborough lady there was no scope to let up over the final
200 metres Julia retaining the lead to bring victory for the team.
An excellant effort from all the runners, Helen Parsons, Elizabeth
Wells, Emma Hyland and Julia Jones. Congratulations to Helen who
was the fastest lady overall. The Utopia mens team (Adrian Cornford,
Michael Brown, Kevin Smith and Graham West) also put in a credible
performance finishing fourth.
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