Heartfelt Thanks

Debbie Hepworth requested that her thanks were conveyed to everyone who paid their respects to her late husband Tim last Friday (January 9th).

There was a touchingly large turn-out at the Service of Remembrance at Hardcastle Crags, near Hebden bridge, the Committal at Burnley Crematorium and the subsequent get-together in the Stubbing Wharf, Hebden Bridge.

It was universally agreed that it was such a tragedy that such a wonderful 'reunion' of old friends, many former members of Spenborough AC, should happen in such terrible circumstances but that Tim would have been proud

The Service of Remembrance was held in a clearing of the woods near Gibson Mill and formed a magnificent and very apt setting, as Tim was so passionate about outdoor pursuits throughout his life.

He will always be sorely missed but never forgotten.

RIP

Yorks XC Champs Success!

Spenborough's Liam Stedman and Bethany Ellis scored a historic championship double in the two younger age groups of the county cross-country championships (thus proving to some of the 'slightly elder' members that age is EVERY substitute for experience).

Liam gained a comfortable 20-second victory over local lad - Rotherham's Luke Cotter in the Under-13 Boys section but, although Paul Davis also grabbed a creditable 15th place, Spenborough had no third finisher as the team prize went to Rotherham.

Bethany claimed the gold medal in the Under-13 Girls division by the narrowest one-second margin, ahead of Halifax Harrier's Holly Callagham.Emma Wilkinson (7th) and Katie Byrne (22nd) provided excellent support to enable Spen to grab a set of silver medals in the team competition behind winners Sheffield and Hallamshire.

Full results:
http://www.noeaa-athletics.org.uk/FileUploads/yorkshire_men_x_country_results09.xls
http://www.noeaa-athletics.org.uk/FileUploads/yorkshire_women_x_country_results09.pdf

Yorkshire XC Championships 2009

A freezing cold day in Rotherham welcomed the competitors for the 2009 championship. A small number of entries from Spenborough ensured that a complete team finish was unlikely.

A prior commitment from myself meant that my participation seem impossible but a late cancellation and a quick call to Chris Jones who was already at the course to confirm the start time of the race gave me just enough time to jump in the car and fly down the M1 to arrive with about 20 min to spare.

This may have been a smart move as when I got there Chris was shivering and his teeth were chattering looking like he had little enthusiasm to compete. Frank (Reddington) was there at the course but was nowhere to be seen. A sure sign of his serious intentions as he was off on his own getting himself in the 'zone'.

The only other Spen entrant was Kevin Ogden but he had not arrived. Not surprising as Kevin is not renowned as a cross country specialist.

Lining up at the start the plan was to keep the warm gear on for as long as possible and only remove it at the very last minute. I decided to stick with the plan of keeping warm and kept on the tracksters, hat and gloves (big jessie!). Chris went for the gloves and just to highlight how cold it was Frank wore a long sleeve top under his Spen vest(unheard of).

Just to make sure everybody was chilled to the bone the officials (thanks Gordan) kept everybody on the line a further couple of minutes explaining the rules and regulations.

The course was a 5 lapper with some steep climbs and plenty of switchbacks so you could see your fellow competitors. Great if you are closing on people. Not so great if you are fading. The grass was frozen underfoot to give a hard, fast running surface.

At the gun Chris and myself stayed well to the back of the field with Frank stating his intentions early by pushing up into the pack. Quite quickly Chris chased and caught Frank with myself following not far behind.

After passing Frank, Chris pushed on and it wasn't until the start of the second lap that I was able to to catch up with him. Over the next lap I managed to open up a 40m lead over Chris with Frank bravely hanging on about 100m further back. I knew I would need this advantage as over this sort of distance my stamina was always going to be suspect.

Over the last couple of laps Chris and I fought out a titanic battle with Chris closing on the hills and myself pulling away on the flatter sections. Into the last lap Chris had got the gap down to about 20m but I knew if I could get to the top of the last hill in front my basic speed would carry me home.

Frank's usual mid to late race surge was unfortunately lacking today and into the last lap it looked like he had given up the ghost. To be fair Frank had been suffering with a chesty cough all week and only made a late decision to run.

The final result ended with me being the first Spen home, Chris less than 10sec behind and Frank somewhere in the region of a minute back. Sweet revenge for myself as Frank has beaten me in the last 2 yorkshire XC championships. Chris was well pleased with his performance as he had achieved his goal of beating Frank too.

Overall a good day even though we finished toward the rear of the field. Many thanks to the other Spen runners and spectators who stayed to cheer us old duffers round the course. Always most welcome especially on a day like today.

Results

168 46:05 Michael Dransfield
172 46:16 Chris Jones
186 47:18 Frank Reddington

205 runners

Full results here

Photos

End of 1st lap with Chris just ahead of Michael (behind the K&C runner)

Frank crossing the drainage ditch



Michael in full flight



The three amigos post-race

Ovenden Fell Race (3rd january)

3rd race in 4 days for me, and after a grand total of 260 miles running in 2008, I was about to clock up my 17th race mile (assuming I finished) getting me off to good start for 2009 (ok, so 6 of them were in 2008).

I tried my best to talk some of our Spen team mates into turning out, but in the end opting for freezing your nuts off on a Saturday morning seemed less attractive than alternative options to everyone else, and on the day, I was the only one from the club who turned up. "You're all a bunch of softies" I say ;)

I was quite surprised at the number who did turn out though, 137 in all, boosted by the race being part of Bingleys internal club championship series. It was pleasing to see a couple of my friends from other clubs, both who had run at the Giant's Tooth 2 days earlier, and one of whom had also done the Auld Lang Syne.

John (my Rotherham buddy) said he'd run along with me, but wasn't fit (hah) and told me not to go off to fast otherwise he'd just drop off (hah, hah). Whilst I had to warn him that I'd had 6 pints the night before (always good to get the excuses in early eh)

We got chatting with Nigel (Halifax buddy) at the start, and then all set off from the embankment, and up the hill side towards the Withens. Despite John's lack of fitness and his warning me about not going off too fast, I was struggling to keep up with him, and by the time we reached the top, he was a good 20 yards ahead of me and Nigel was some way behind.

To cut a long story short, I never caught John, although I came close a few times, and Nigel passed me after about 3 miles (as usual) but I later pulled him back (less usual). I think for him it was too many races in a short time especially since he was coming back from a fractured ankle injury, so I expect it will be the last time I beat him this year!

The ground was frozen hard, which made it more runnable, and the times were generally pretty good. I finished 53rd from 137, which I was really happy about. Probably my best race of the 3.

Results

I really enjoyed the race, nice route, location and good organisation.

Race information

Tribute to Tim Hepworth

TIM HEPWORTH 1945-2008

One of the finest and most highly regarded coaches in Spenborough & District AC’s history Tim Hepworth tragically died on Christmas Eve, December 24th, from a pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs).

Although remaining independent and not actually a member of Spenborough, Tim was, for many years, the premier tutor of 400 metre runners at the club, several of whom went on to County, International and, in the case of Peter Crampton, Olympic recognition.

He took Peter to European Junior Championship glory at Birmingham in 1987 in a still club record time of 46.03 and many feel it is much to do with Tim’s regular and passionate presence at the Princess Mary Stadium in Cleckheaton that, right through to his retirement, and in these days of constant poaching by bigger clubs, Peter never saw a need to leave his local club.

Tim also encouraged many less naturally talented but enthusiastic athletes to get the best out of themselves and, just as importantly, gain enjoyment and camaraderie whilst doing it.

More importantly he was a true friend and confidant to so many people from all walks of life and was always happy to share his love of the great outdoors with everyone he knew.

It is surely fine testimony that, even after moving out of the area to Hebden Bridge some years ago, many of those mentioned maintained close contact with Tim and his wife Debbie (also a regular feature of the Spenborough set-up for many years).

Tim was a fine athlete in his own right as well as a passionate walker and cyclist and gained huge respect for his commitment never to ask anything of others anything he wouldn’t ask of himself.

His views were always forthright, sometimes controversial, yet usually justified and, whether agreeing or disagreeing, there were few who did not respect him for them.

All who knew Tim will find his premature loss incalculably hard to stomach; those that didn’t know Tim should be saddened that they never had the privilege.

To Debbie and other family members, we express our deepest sympathies in these difficult times and can only offer in consolation the thought that he will remain in the hearts and minds of many of us forever…

Keith McGhie

Pennine 10k - 2009

COLD COMFORT

The 2009 road racing season in West Yorkshire kicked off with Halifax Harriers’ annual Pennine 10k in Brighouse, which has now been going for over two decades and seemed to some to take that long this year.

A healthy (or in some cases not so healthy, following Christmas endulgance!) Spenborough contingent donned plenty of winter warmers to offset the cold conditions and pushed their way towards the front at the start - most knowing full well it was the highest placing they would hold all day!

Kevin Ogden (to whom few of the previous sarcastic comments apply) powered his way through to a fine eighth place (third in V35) amid a good quality field headed by former England international Andrew Pearson.

A grimacing, once evergreen but now decidedly deciduous, Keith McGhie was next home in red and gold in 14th place, an agonising one second away from the V45 prize (come on Halifax Harriers - you can afford more than one prize in each of the vets catergories in a field of over 300!).

Mick Howard, Mark (SMK Sports) Kitchen, first Spen female Jackie Carter, Hazel Pike and Edward Wilkinson (check out the picture of them chatting near the finish - more effort in future please), completed the Princess Mary Stadium-based assault on what was a tough race.

Full results

New Years Day 2009 - Giants Tooth Fell Race

What better way to clear your head after ringing in the New Year than running a short fell race? For me, running on New Years Day has become something of a tradition over the last few years, and I particularly like this race since it's nice and short at 3 miles, and you still get that feeling of starting off the year by doing something positive.

Sadly, it was a pretty poor turnout from Spenborough, just Gareth, Matthew and Chris (me). Although Michael and Frank turned out to support (always appreciated) and I dragged Sue and Sarah along for extra support and to take some snaps of the event.

I led the Spen boys for 60% of the race, but Gareths superior flat speed proved to be too much and he passed me on the reservoir embankment and maintained the lead until the finish. Matthew gave a good account of himself as one of the younger entrants and finished in a respectable position.

It would be nice to have a few more red & gold shirts in the field, as we are always outnumbered by the other local teams like Halifax and Holmfirth. So come on guys let's try to get our act together and show up in numbers!

And here are the results

All photos courtesy of Sue Jones.

Gareth finishing with Chris a couple of places back (you need to look carefully or double-click the picture)...


Matthew mixing it up with the adults...


The runners...

The runners + team mangement & support crew...

New Years Eve 2008 - Auld Lang Syne Fell Race

Over 550 runners turned out in freezing weather for a final race of the year, although only one Spen male runner (me) and 3 ladies. Despite having deliberately not over-done the cycling on the lead up, I had what was probably my worst run of the year and felt uncomfortable from start to finish, only just finishing in the top half. Rubbish!

Click here for a full write up, and results.

Ingleborough Fell Race 2008 (AM, 7 miles, 2000ft)

There was a good Spenborough turnout for this Summer Classic. Best battle was between the evergreens Frank Reddington and Steve Moss. The guys should the youngsters (the 40 somethings) the way to do it.

The ever mysterious Skip Donaghue managed to be first Spen home and strangley managed to ease his club vest past all the cameras.

Frank won the battle of the supervets coming home just ahead of Steve Moss














Then less than a minute covered Michael Dransfield, Chris Jones and Gareth Patchett.
































Edward Wilkinson was next Spen back. claiming "this fell running is so easy"

Jackie Carter won the battle of the ladies coming in 16 minutes ahead of Hazel Pike


















Matthew Jones also had a good run in the Junior Race

The Curse of the Badger Stone - 24th May 2008

An epic tale of youth vs experience on Ilkley Moor

'The Curse of the Badger Stone'

Starring (in order of appearance) :

Ryan & Michael Dransfield

Emma & Edward Wilkinson

Matthew & Chris Jones

Act 1 - In the beginning...

The concept was simple; a relay race that matched a team of parents against their offspring to find out who would win. Simple eh? The event we chose was the “Badger Stone Relay”, an annual fell race held at Ilkley. Rumour has it that one of us (might have been Chris) had a navigational disaster at the same event last year causing the Spenborough trio to finish in last place?

Act 2 - The curse strikes once...

The first attempt to run the race in 2008 was back in April with a line-up that included James and Martin Thompson. However, we arrived only to find the race had been cancelled at the last minute. Still we had an enjoyable training run, and Michael got the chance to try his hand at bog snorkelling.

Act 3 - The curse strikes twice...

Not to be put off, we decided to try once more at the re-scheduled event on 24^h May. But this time, James Thompson, was unable to take part due to injuring himself in a bizarre shopping trolley accident. This effectively ruled out both James and Martin, due to our parent/offspring competition rules. Undeterred, we found two willing and capable substitutes in Emma and Edward Wilkinson, and the race was on once more!

Act 4 - The curse strikes thrice...

The teams were there, the weather was good, and the race was on! Ryan v Michael on leg 1, Emma v Edward leg 2 and Matthew v Chris on leg 3.

Ryan got off to an early lead ahead of Michael, but it was close, and no-one was prepared to accept my bet that Michael would win-out. They disappeared out of sight, and when they re-emerged on the descent, Michael had pulled out a lead, handing over a 30 second advantage to Edward.

Edward set off with intent, but Emma was in hot pursuit and closing him down. Again they disappeared from view, and it was some time later, we were all surprised to see Edward on the descent but no sign of Emma!

Unfortunately, Emma had made a wrong turn on the unmarked course during the descent, and lost valuable time. Consequently, Chris had a big lead on Matthew, which meant that it was always going to be an uphill (joke) battle for the youngsters from there on.

So experience won out over youth this time, but how long can it continue?

Sweets for the youngsters (1^st junior team) and beer for the parents (2^nd vets team), and a fun afternoon out for all. Watch out for a re-match in the near future!

Calderdale Way 2007

Good weather for the 2007 Calderdale Way and a decent results with Spenborough finishing 45th despite a weakened team.

Dan Stewart and Jeff Hornby off to a strong start on leg1. A tough leg that tends to attract each clubs strong pairings. Back in 45th place.

Then Chris Jacobs and Steve Moss pulled back places on leg 2 to get us to 38th.

New boy Chris King partnered Michael Dransfield on the fast and uphill leg 3. Chris (endurance man) found the speed a bit high and the distance a bit short and we dropped to 50th.

Then Dave Lane and Paul Sutcliffe (on the other tough leg) gained a place to be followed by

Frank Reddington and Gareth Patchett who pulled back another 3 places.

Steve Carter and Martin Thompson then sneaked back one more place on leg 6 to complete the 45th overall.

Complete Runner West Yorkshire X-C league meeting1 West Bowling, Bradford - Saturday 23rd October 1993

‘SPEN SURPRISINGLY CLOSE TO LEEDS’

The cross-country season is back and it is clear already that the fleet footed men in red and yellow are set for their finest season ever!

The traditional season opener was the first race in a series of four ‘Complete Runner West Yorkshire Cross Country League’ meetings, which have been re-vamped to include all age groups, male and female as well as extending over the whole season with the final meeting in February. It was held at St Blaise School in West Bowling, Bradford on Saturday the 23rd of October.

The senior men’s race had a turnout of just under 200 runners, lower than in previous years due to pre-entry requirements but Spenborough A.C. turned out 15 starters which included all but a few of our very best runners.

Former National junior champion Richard Findlow sped around the 6 mile, 5 lap course (made up of woods and playing fields) to win easily in 31.48, while club star Jeff Hornby put himself in the early running for the overall title by beating defending league champion John Taylor into 4th with an excellent 3rd in 32.12.

Jeff was backed up with some awesome Spen packing with Lee Warburton in 7th (33.05), Paul Dobson (9th in 33.36), Gary Damiani (14th in 34.13), Mick Dransfield (23rd in 34.59) and Alf Wolfenden (27th in 35.04). That gave the team an excellent second place, just 13 points behind defending league champions Leeds City A.C.
This provoked Grandville Beckett into stating that Spenborough had come ‘surprisingly close to Leeds’, but with the likes of Jamie Warburton and Darren Hanson not in our team I think we have the potential to win the league or at least one of the remaining three fixtures which would leave Leeds’ team manager John Lunn / Rumplestiltskin quaking in his tights!

Michael Sykes made a fine cross-country debut in 31st (35.36) while Myles Chandler (your man at the race and in it) faded a little on the last lap to come home in 37th (35.56). First year junior Simon Brooksbank finished 85th (37.57), he was the 8th junior home whilst our other junior entrant Robert Moon did not finish after a very fast start. ‘The Spen’ editor Douglas Grubb got some good distance work in, ready for his move up to 800m by punishing himself for 38.58 minutes and was rewarded with 101st place. (The real rewards WILL come during the track season, won’t they Doug!).

Frank Reddington was pleased to stage a mini comeback in 116th (29.32), while John Swinden, 125th, brought the B team home in 15th (2nd B team). Other Spen finishers were Geoff Pearce in 152nd and star Spen decathlete Jon Wilkinson who added another discipline to his vast range with a brave 176th place, to say he looked slightly knackered at the finish would be a massive understatement but any extra stamina gained by Jon will come in handy when he once again becomes Spen’s ‘one man track and field team’ next season.

Ranking scorers at Bradford (and overall after 1 race)

1.Jeff Hornby (3rd) 20pts
2.Lee Warburton (7th) 15pts
3.Paul Dobson (9th) 12pts
4.Gary Damiani (14th) 10pts
5.Mick Dransfield (23rd) 8pts
6.Alf Wolfenden (27th) 6pts
7.Michael Sykes (31st) 4pts
8.Myles Chandler (37th) 3pts
9.Simon Brooksbank (85th) 2pts
10.Douglas Grubb (101st) 1pt

INJURIES with Myles Chandler

Trusty tips / catchphrases which have kept me clear of injury over the years include: ’Warm ups? - It’s a mugs game’, ’Cool downs? - It’s for wimps’ and ’Stretching? - Get out of my face’. I find that this attitude combined with a very tough training regime will always see you at the sharp end of good class races.

The one time I did get injured it was more due to accident than anything else. It was the Yorkshire steeplechase championships and my bold front running tactics were stretching defending champion Mick Hawkins to the limit. Then disaster struck at the penultimate water jump, I slipped on the barrier and went plunging into the freezing wetness, twisting my ankle and breaking my leg as I landed. Then I felt Hawkins’ spike plant squarely into my back, tearing the skin and dislocating several vertebrae. After a few seconds of nauseating pain, I managed to will myself to my feet but in my pained efforts to regain the lead I lost direction slightly and found myself in the hammer throwing sector……………….I came round a few seconds later and realised that I had helped to create a new stadium hammer record by adding an extra few metres to the throw, staggering backwards with the hammer embedded in my face. Fully blinded by the impact but still with thoughts of glory filling my mind, I used my acute hearing to get myself back onto Hawkins’ shoulder in the ideal attacking position (by sheer luck I had come back onto the track where I had left it, hence avoiding disqualification). The rest of the race is a pained blur but the gold medal above my mantelpiece is a tribute to my ability to shrug off minor injuries.

Within a few days of discharging myself from hospital I was back into my special training regime involving cold baths at 4 a.m. every morning, rubbing hot gravel into my bare chest and running a barefoot marathon (usually the three peaks) all before breakfast.

TOP 20 EXCUSES FOR …….producing a poor performance

- I’ve tried to come back from injury too quickly
- I haven’t been doing enough mileage
- I’ve been doing too much mileage
- I was just using it as training
- I wore a brand new pair of shoes
- I still had Thursdays track session in my legs
- I just had nothing in my legs
- I felt something twinge just after the start
- I didn’t put long enough spikes in
- I fell in that ditch
- My shoe came off in that sticky muddy bit
- I had about five too many ales last night
- I got spiked
- I hate cross country racing in these conditions
- I got off to a bad start and lost interest
- I was just doing it for the team
- It was longer than I expected
- It was not as far as I thought it was going to be
- I didn’t get any sleep last night
- I never really expected to finish anyway



"I hate cross country running"

World Javelin Record attempt by Jon Wilkinson (written by Ron ‘funny man’ Stones)

On 5th June 1993 in our home Northern men’s league match at Spenborough, Jon Wilkinson will attempt a world record in the javelin. The current WR of 91.46 by Steve Backley is well within his reach.

To help Jon the club has been rallying round members & supporters to turn up and provide vocal & physical assistance. Two groups of helpers are needed, one group is to gather outside the fence in line with the start of the run up. The other group will be at the opposite end of the stadium – again outside the fence (we do not want to get Jon disqualified). The first group will be organised by ‘Big Pete’ Crampton (the blowers). The second group at the far side will be the suckers.

The idea is that when Jon releases his spear, the two groups will ‘explode’ into action and cause a movement of air that will carry the javelin those few extra meters needed to create a new World Record !.

Leading up to the big day, Pete’s group which includes other sprinters and some of his big meaty rugby mates will be in strict training culminating, so I’ve heard , with extra portions of beans, gassy ‘pop’ and lashings of boiled egg on the eve of the competition. This will create extra ‘puff’ by way of ‘farting’ and ‘belching’ to blast the javelin on its way.

The other group, as yet without a leader, is a little less organised and in fact is one or two members short . We actually need the same number of suckers as blowers in order to set up an equilibrium. If you wish to become a sucker, would you please contact Jon as soon as possible.

VII CROSS - Subida a la ’Fatima’ - 9200m(road) - 8th May 1993 - Pinoso, SPAIN.

The evening was hot for the Pinoso hill race on May 8th but the Spen warm weather training squad was out in force. Entered for the mighty Spen were Jeff Hornby, Paul Dobson, Richard Lee and myself, Myles Chandler. The gun went at 7.15 p.m. and Jeff soon placed himself in the leading pack on the opening road laps, before the two main laps which went up a hill and back down. To quote Jeff. “the start was not very fast”. Well it was fast enough for me and I soon realized that a prize was out of the question as I felt very sluggish.

At the top of the first climb the battle to be ’champion’ had become a two horse race, with local star Juan Sanchez providing a stiff challenge to Spen hero Jeff Hornby.
Paul Dobson was well placed in 5th which was good to say his decision to run was left until that afternoon. ’Prize hunting’ Richard Lee was in about 25th, but with juniors in front that final 15th place senior trophy was still within his grasp! I was out of the reckoning in about 30th place. Things stayed like that on the second lap and on the sprint in, Hornby was beaten by Sanchez and had to settle for the title of ‘sub-champion’ but his trophy took up half of his return luggage capacity - It’s that BIG - honest. In 4th was Paco, who is in John Rawlins’ training group and in 5th was Spen’s Paul Dobson, also gaining a massive prize. Just out of the prizes (16th senior and 19th overall) was Richard “I just missed out on a trophy by one b****** place” Lee and he was gutted / suicidal after the race. I came about 27th and was surprised to get a goody bag containing wine, water and salt!

At the end of the day fun was had by all and I must say that the Spanish know how to lay on an enjoyable road race. If it was like that here (free entry, big crowds, loads of prizes, smaller fields) I could even get to like ’mind numbing’ road racing. The holiday was better than expected and I think we all returned fitter and browner than when we went, except Gary who remained drip white despite constant sunbathing and contracted some kind of mild disease, ’feared leprosy’ to quote Richard!

View from….BENIDORM - Wine(beer), Women(not really) and Spen!

A large section of Spenborough’s star distance running squad got together to organise a two week training/drinking/sunbathing holiday in Spain. The self funded package holiday destination was still undecided as we walked into Lunn Poly, lead by Richard Lee who said “we want somewhere hot and cheap”. Where else but sunny Benidorm! Five of us went on a Thomson Square Deal, 2 week, self catering holiday at £165 each - cheap, even for May 1st to May 15th. Here is a profile of the famous five:-

Jeff Hornby - Age 31 - Single



Running achievements:- Yorkshire 10k Track Champion, England vests for cross country and fell.
A good laugh, gets serious about training and can be fussy about detail






Gary Damiani - Age 30 - Single



Running achievements:- 7th in Tour of Tameside, prolific fell racer.
‘The club nutter’ - often has a different perspective on life to everyone else, his approaches to women can often cause one to cringe with embarrassment.






Myles ‘Shafter’ Chandler - Age 22 - Single



Running achievements:- Yorkshire silver medal in junior steeplechase.
Likes to joke and mouth off, his acting around often descends into utter stupidity.







Paul ‘Dobber’ Dobson - Age 24 - Single








Running achievements:- Recently won Spencer’s Arms Dash, 109th in National cross country championships.
Good natured and easy going, often has to turn women away!








Richard Lee - Age 31 Single / divorced








Running achievements:- 1min 56sec for 800m as a 16 year old!
Charismatic beer monster, will have a good time anywhere where they serve BOOZE!
Always joking, likes one liners and innuendoes



On arrival in Benidorm we met some runners on our first outing into town. These were British people who lived in Benidorm, Mick and Vic, veteran runners capable of doing 1 hr 35 min for a half marathon. Mick owned a British bar, which could at best be described as tacky (the sort of place where ‘Aggado’ goes down well). Richard soon found the bar with the cheapest ale - 100pts (70p) per pint - but sadly this closed at 10 p.m., as it was mainly a food bar.

At the market Gary got the price of a leather watch strap down to 300pts from 500pts, then took 500pts change back from a 1000pts note without argument. Examples of Gary’s ‘uniqueness’ cropped up daily and included suggesting that we use a fishing line to retrieve Paul’s trunks after they went over the apartment balcony - we were 23 floors up! And coming home with 15 condoms after taking 12.

The nightlife was good and it did go on all night, we usually lasted ‘til about 3 a.m. (Richard 5 a.m.). This was late enough to take in a few of the weird and wonderful ‘shows’ which went on in the clubs, namely:- Sticky Vicky, Raunchy Barbara and Sexy Sapphire! - these are a must if you ever visit Benidorm.

On the second day we met some proper runners, including a fellow track star from the world famous Spenborough A.C. - Richard Sykes, formerly coached by international coaching guru Tim Hepworth, is living in Benidorm for a year. He trains with Johnny Rawlins, another British Citizen, capable of 14min for 5000m (he was better than Jeff anyway).Johnny’s dad was coach to these two and some locals, we also joined in for some very high quality sessions as well as running up to twice a day on other days. (Jeff turned into a training monster and Richard thought he may ruin the ’holiday’ - a clash of priorities there I think).

The running peak of the holiday was Spenborough’s participation in a local road race, proving that Spen A.C. is an international racing club, which gets fear and respect the world over! The race entry was free and the people were very friendly, prizes went down to 15th and the trophies were massive. The athletics scene in Spain is quite impressive. A race report follows:-

View from Parliament Hill - The Men’s National X-C Championships Parliament Hill, London - 27th February 1993

The National Cross Country Championships at Parliament Hill fields on Hampstead Heath in London proved to be the ultimate test of cross-country running. The course had everything:- plenty of hills (the start was straight up a huge hill!), ditches, woods, fast stretches and of course knee deep bogs which claimed literally hundreds of victims. The three lap ordeal was an advertised 9 miles but most runner were grateful that it was nearer 8.5 miles, still the longest hardest race of the year.



As international superstar Richard Nerurkar lead Bingley to the team title with a fine win in 42.52, Spenborough had two in the top 100, great running at this level considering most of the 2156 finishers would call themselves athletes (not joggers who make up the numbers in large road race fields). The finishing order of these two Spen stars was a shock to everyone as Lee Warburton reached heights thought beyond his grasp with a mind blowing 44th place in 45.32, while previously established Spen No.1 Jeff Hornby failed by his own high standards in a nevertheless excellent 67th place in 45.32. Jeff was hoping for a top 20 place as his phenomenal training sessions may have indicated, but he didn’t peak and will have to wait another year.

nother disappointed Spen athlete was Alf Wolfenden, who was running very well in the 200’s when he fell into a deadly clay bog and later lost a shoe, taking about three minutes to find it and put it back on again, he bravely carried on to finish outside the scoring team (625th in 51.28). This was the second time this season that Alf has finished a cross country race smeared head to toe in mud and it is not difficult to see why he prefers road running.

The third Spen runner was Dave Sunderland (288th in 48.50), who peaked magnificently here and has produced the goods in all the big races this season. Then came Darren Hanson (405th in 50.16) enjoying his first National and having a tremendous battle with Mick Dransfield (467th in 50.23). Darren pulled away in the second half of the race, enough to hold off Mick’s finishing kick on the fast run in to the finishing funnels.



The scoring team was completed by Dave Baskerville (561st in 51.08) to give Spenborough a glorious 29th team from 238 scoring clubs, the best National performance in Spenborough history. The battle not to be last man in (for Spen) was fierce ans was only resolved in the last mile as your ’scoop’ Myles Chandler (636th in 51.34) pulled away from Tony Patchett (659th in 51.42), decent performances which meant that all 9 of the Spen squad finished in the top third of the field.

With Spenboroughs’ best ever team performance clearly having room for improvement (Alf’s disaster and Paul Dobson’s injury cost us hundreds of points), Spenborough A.C. proved that petty minded tent deprivation (’you can’t put tents up on the Heath, you’re breaking a 400 year old by-law! - quote, obnoxious park keeper) and a 400 mile coach trip can not stop our progress, and I look forward to next season with anticipation.

View from the medal rostrum - Halifax and District X-C Championships Low Moor, Bradford 20th February 1993

Just a week before the National Cross Country Championships, the be all and end all of the club cross country season, Spenborough turned out five members of the by now established squad and promptly came away with team Bronze medals in this annually held Championships, which although not too meaningful is a good warm up for ‘The National’.

The 7.5 mile course was very dry but the three large laps, which crossed the open hillside, were exposed to blasting winds, made the running slow and hard. Individual star of the day for Spenborough was Lee Warburton, who gave his mounting confidence another boost by adding the individual Bronze medal to his team Bronze by finishing 20 seconds behind winner John Taylor of Holmfirth (41.38) in a time of 41.58.

With teams requiring five scorers the rest of the squad packed into the top 30 (out of over 70 finishers) and all ran to recent form with Alf Wolfenden (13th in 44.49), Dave Baskerville (17th in 45.49), Dave Sunderland (20th in 46.09) and your ‘scoop’ (Myles Chandler - 30th in 47.32) taking the almost worthless, sorry I mean priceless team medals.

Also placing highly for Spenborough were Keith Miller (32nd in 48.03) coming back from injury well and the ‘ageless’ Frank Reddington (36th in 48.38), the cross country team manager who has sadly been forced to leave himself out of the National team.

Yorkshire CCA X-C Championships Millnerfield farm - Bingley - 23rd January 1993

Just a week after the Northern Championships the hardcore of the Spenborough cross country squad were back in action in the Yorkshire Team Championships. With the dismal weather turning the four laps of farmers fields into a 7 mile mud bath, incorporating long hills, ditches and a great pile of festering manure to run through, the course was a real treat!.

With none of our ‘big guns’ competing, the opportunity to be the first Spen runner home was there for the taking and this turned into a fierce three way battle between Darren Hanson, Alf Wolfenden and Dave Sunderland, who all excelled to place in the top 45 of 248 finishers. Longwood International Andrew Pearson eased round the difficult course to win in a time of 36.12.

Dave Sunderland stormed through as usual, but Darren Hanson and Alf Wolfenden responded with Alf pulling away until the treacherous downhill section took his leg from under him leaving him rolling about in the freezing mud, winded and gasping for air for a few vital seconds. This was enough for Darren to pull away and hold his advantage to the finish with Alf’s brave attempt to pull him back failing by just one second.

Darren was 37th in 40.51, Alf was 38th in 40.52, Dave Sunderland was 44th in 41.07 and Mick Dransfield had another superb run to come 59th in 41.58. After dropping out last week Myles Chandler just wanted to finish in the scoring team but Frank Reddington was having a blinding run and he was drawn into a last lap battle with the former veteran ace just beating him inti 91st place (43.24), Myles Chandler was 90th in 43.18.

Other Spenborough finishers were:- Last minute entry using Ray Padgett’s number, Kevin Bentley (196th in 48.09) and bringing up the rear ‘father to be’ Alan Whittaker (230th in 52.27) perhaps suffering the effects of a phantom pregnancy? However, credit must go to him for finishing because Dave Baskerville-’fear of injury’, Tony Patchett-’I just felt nothing in my legs’














and Graham Pearson-’I never really expected to finish anyway’ all found the going too tough. What was almost a Spenborough ’B’ team did well to place 6th of 48 complete teams.

Ranking scorers at Bingley

1.Darren Hanson (37th) 20pts
2.Alf Wolfenden (38th) 15pts
3.Dave Sunderland (44th) 12pts
4.Mick Dransfield (59th) 10pts
5.Myles Chandler (90th) 8pts
6.Frank Reddington (91st) 6pts
7.Kevin Bentley (196th) 4pts
8.Alan Whittaker (230th) 3pts

Northern X-C Championships Pontefract Racecourse – 16.1.93

By the time the ‘Northerns’ came around the sharp end of the Spenborough squad had been hit hard with injuries. Out of action on the day were Paul Dobson (stress fracture), Lee Warburton (bad knee injury) and Gary Damiani (knee injury). All three would have scored highly in the team but their absence provided a chance for some of the lesser lights (including me) to stake their claim for a National team place as Spenborough still turned out the full quota of ten starters.

The Pontefract racecourse was exposed to the gale force winds which battered the North of England all weekend, making the muddy 7 mile, 3 lap course very tough indeed. Despite the injuries the Spen team still performed with the scoring six packing into the top third of the 970 finishers to give Spenborough A.C. 20th place out of 101 clubs. Club star Jeff Hornby displayed his best form of the season so far with an excellent 17th place in a time of 36.02 (Stockport’s Bashir Hussain beat Longwood’s Andrew Pearson by one second to win in 34.39). Jeff himself was disappointed as he was in the top ten on the second lap but this performance gave a good indication that better things might come in the National Championships on the 27th of February in London.

The next four Spenborough runners finished within 30 seconds of each other as ever improving Dave Sunderland stormed through the field into 191st (39.05). Super vet Ray Padgett had a good run in 206th (39.13), while Darren Hanson got to grips with the mud in only his second cross country race ever as he came 215th (39.21) just ahead of consistent Alf Wolfenden in 227th (39.29).

The team was completed by Mick Dransfield (327th in 40.31) whose increasing fitness level this winter has seen him lose almost all of his ’five bellies’. Tony Patchett (388th in 41.11) and Frank Reddington (457th) were next, both still with hopes of getting into the National squad, but ‘prize hunting’ Richard Lee (575th) was just using this race as a warm up for the much more important Woodkirk Valley 10k ’Invitation International’ road race the day after was ’overwhelmed’ to receive a commemorative centenary championship medal given to all finishers, and described by Richard as “rather gorgeous”.

Missing from the list of finishers and without a gorgeous medal was your flagging reporter Myles Chandler with a sad excuse about a shoe coming off in the mud. But coming in behind ’former veteran ace’ Frank Reddington has signalled the end of many a running career before now. A special mention must be made of Jamie Warburton’s stupendous 9th place in the junior men’s race as it was probably the best Spen performance of the day. Next year he will be a senior and could combine with brother Lee, Paul Dobson and Jeff Hornby to make Spenborough a team to fear.


Ranking scorers at Pontefract

1.Jeff Hornby (17th) 20pts
2.Dave Sunderland (191st) 15pts
3.Ray Padgett (206th) 12pts
4.Darren Hanson (215th) 10pts
5.Alf Wolfenden (227th) 8pts
6.Mick Dransfield (327th) 6pts
7.Tony Patchett (388th) 4pts
8.Frank Reddington (457th) 3pts
9.Richard Lee (575th) 2pts