LONDON MARATHON SHOCKING NEWS !

London Marathon To Ban Bottled Water

Written by Monkey Woods

Story written: 18 February 2008

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Parched? Line up!

The organisers of the London Marathon have today announced a ban on bottled water, and in the future, runners will only be able to obtain water from huge taps placed strategically along the 26-mile route.

The ban comes after environmental groups complained that producing bottled water costs billions of pounds, leaves a massive carbon footprint, and renders inhabitants of places like Fiji without drinking water and 'downright thirsty'.

Since its inception in 1981, the Marathon has provided runners in the event with a welcome supply of refreshing cold water which can be drunk, or used to cool the head, torso or bollox, if desired. It can also be thrown at rival competitors.

For this year's race, though, giant taps operated by Fijians will be the only relief from the unrelenting boredom.

Athletes have been quick to react, claiming that enormous queues at the taps will bring the race to a standstill, whilst others say that, water being freely available will result in every tramp in London turning up for a much-needed shower.

UK Environment Minister Phil Woolas, speaking on the BBC, said:

"The amount we spend on bottled water is totally unacceptable, as is the amount we spend on Warfare, MP's salaries and expenses, nationalising banks and other such wastes of taxpayers money through corruption and incompetence."

Lord Sebastian & Co, head of the British Olympic bid and a keen water drinker himself, said:

"I always drank bottled water, Steve Ovett drank from a tap, and Steve Cram, being from Up North, drank straight from the River Tyne. I don't think it makes that much difference, does it?"

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TRIMPELL 20

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9th place in THE STANDISH HALL TRAIL RACE

PAIN AND THE GLORY ON THE STANDISH TRAIL
warmer windy weather greeted us for the start of THE STANDISH HALL TRAIL RACE, run over 2 laps with 4 climbs this race seems in my mind to be tougher and more intense than even the Parbold hill race.
On the start line was Richard Carey a regular top ten finisher in past races,richard told me he had been recovering from injury, so when he shot off at the start like a scalded cat i wondered if he was bluffing ! After 3/4 of a mile of cobbled path we reached the first hill, which reared upwards into the distance. slowly a pulled Richard back and came along side him as we reached the summit, the look of pain etched across his face told its story and Richard waved me passed. next is Brian davey, back in top form and showing his fell running strength
Not far behind Tracey Peters was having the run of her life, showing the selectors that they had made the right decision in picking her to represent merseyside at the national X/C champs. Eddie was running well until he felt his calf muscle pull as he made his uphill assault, Eddie carried on for another 3 miles until the pain became to much.Margot Bowker was the next victim to pull out after her shoe cut deep into her heel reducing her to a painful limp.Liz stanfield looked strong as she led Carole James followed shortly by a very confident looking Sarah Reynolds [ sarah has been training hard on the hills of parbold under the watchful eye of club coach STORMING NORMAN and it seems to be working wonders ].
after the steep hill we plunged downwards at speed heading towards the woods,I was starting to wish i had road shoes on at this point as my old fell shoes felt like two stiff planks strapped to my feet, each uneven surface had me swaying from side to side like a drunken sailor out at sea.
On reaching the woods we all went off course taking in a extra long loop of at least 8 tenths of a mile,it seems that some mischievous woodland creature, maybe a elf or upset fairy had moved the tape !
some how we all made it back onto the correct route to finish our first lap.
I was now in 9th place as we made our way up the 1st climb again and feeling pretty good. over the hill and then back down dale onto the woods again,this time we all went the correct shorter loop through the woods and then up a steep ascent dodging in and out of the trees to test the legs to the max, we then reached the hardest part of the course a uphill track over a muddy field. i lose one place here just before we turn left for the final 600 m. Rob Mcgrath shouts encouragement which gives me renewed energy, i reel in the guy in front of me and then sit on his shoulder to keep out of the wind, a sudden gust blows him sideways across the uneven surface,he stumbles and a take my chance with a rapid acceleration that takes me clean away and gives me 9th place,14 places improvement on last year and in a bigger entry of runners.i also won first v 45 proof that high mileage pays off. next in is a reborn Brian Davey finishing with a brilliant 15th place 46.48 Richard carey battled on to finish in 30th 49.23 a brave effort ! Tracey Peters did a storming performance to finish 40th 50.57 a star of the future me thinks ! my brother andy bowker was next in but does not show on the results, maybe he sprinted in too fast for the time keeper to see! liz Stanfield had a great race with 58.45 and only one week after completing the parbold race. carole james had a solid run with 1.01.27 Sarah reynolds finished with a glint in her eye and a beaming smile to finish in a very respectable 1.09.07 sheila marshal once again put in a great run to take first lady vet 60 with 1.14.19
Norman marshal was full of praise for his girls after the race even breaking out into a smile!
Paul Carrol,race organizer was more than happy with the second biggest ever turn out for the race with 188 runners finishing the extra long 6.9 mile course.
After we had a relaxing pint in the hesketh arms pub and talked of our days battles on the standish trail, a fantastic fun day out for sure !
FULL RESULTS CLICK HERE
CLICK HERE FOR, JON'S SANDHILL 6, PAULS 20 MILE ROUND SOUTHPORT TRAINING RUN AND MORE ON EVERTHING 'RUNNING'.

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my next race is THE STANDISH HALL
TRAIL RACE, CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS, its a good fun challenging race with steep hills,fast descents,forest trail and muddy fields, WHAT MORE COULD YOU ASK FOR !
I've been feeling a bit tired since the parbold hill race, the very cold freezing weather has not helped. my body just wants to run steady in this cold weather,i long for some nice warm sunny days to bring the legs back to life !

Mon 18th feb speed session with club =2.11
tue easy run in sandhills = 49 mins
wed steady run round parbold and harrock hill, on and off rd = 2.02
Thur Rob Mcgrath@s interval session, 5 x 1/2 mile at 5.24 - 5.30 pace The weather turned warmer and with it the sharpness in my legs returned. = 50mins
PHOTO, RICHARD CAREY IN ACTION IN LAST YEARS RACE

JILTED GENERATION

LOOKING FOR 70'S PUNK, PROG ROCK ?
CHECK OUT THIS SITEGREAT MUSIC 2 RUN 2

PARBOLD HILL RACE PHOTO'S BY NEIL THOMPSON

PHOTO'S OF SWAC MEMBERS AT PARBOLD

TAKEN BY NEIL THOMPSON, CLICK HERE TO SEE HIS EXCELLENT PHOTOGRAPHS

RESULTS PARBOLD HILL RACE

The sun shone bright on THE PARBOLD HILL RACE but after freezing temperatures the night before there was still a chill in the light S.E. wind.
Setting off in the playing fields i got hemmed in and had to wait until we got out onto the road to give it full throttle ! I made my way though a fast moving pack of runners until we turned left up the quarry climb. Am not sure if it was the 2 hours sleep after my night shift or the slight chill in the air but my legs seemed to lack a bit of sharpness, the mind was willing but the body was still half asleep.I made my way up the steep climb among a sea of bobbing runners, after about 5 mins we reached the top and got ready for the dash down through the parbold fields. This was great fun,legs flying round at maximum speed. i made up a few places in my down hill plunge, up ahead the runners were well strung out.I got back onto a group of runners inclinding first lady Katie ingram as we came off the fields and onto Lancaster road, ready for the next challenge up the famous Parbold hill. as the road steepened i started to drop back, this was not good! my legs would only go at a steady pace even though my mind screamed at them to go faster.The group just in front slowly pulled away , negative thoughts started to flood my mind,am going to get passed,i'm slowing down, Then something clicked in my mind and i started thinking positive [ come on you can do this, almost at the top now,keep driving hard, everyone is suffering }.
once over the top there is a short downhill before turning left onto a farm track and the climbing starts in earnest once again. 2 runners pace me, I hang on to the second one and he drags me along. the wind is behind us now and my legs start to warm up. I can feel am starting to run better as we climb up harrock hill, the legs are showing more willing and i climb at a faster cadence. Am closing in on the group in front again and this gives me renewed energy.
Past the old ruined wind mill and then turn right, down a dangerous narrow slippery, rocky path, great care is needing here unless you want to take a tumble, then out onto the green fields for a very fast downhill gallop, the only thing to slow you down are two fences in the way, i take the girlie approach and side fault them, if your name is Andy Hudson you most probably hurdle them straight! next we go over a wall and run through some trees, the little guy in front takes a short cut i follow only to smash my head on a low branch { they don't call me the tree hugger for nothing ! ] shaken but not stirred i get passed by Andy eccells of wigan Phoenix,i grit my teeth and hold onto him for the last mile and come in to the finish neck and neck just missing out on 36th place by a gnats whisker! I finish 4 mins faster than last year and 12 places higher but left pondering what 8 hours of sleep might have reaped
Rob Ashworth had a fantastic run with 20th place 44.06 i finished second for the club with 46.48
Ray Handley had one of his best ever runs with 48.02 49th. Brian davey 64th 49.17. mike cunningham 75th 50.11
some old faces came out of the wood work inc Garry Kenny 50.29. colin Wolfarth 57.48 and EX SWAC member Brian Gow was also seen out on the course. fast improving Brian O'Reilly had a great run with 50.55 88th .Andy bowker finished with 55.14 b johnson 283rd 1.02

Vicky Harvey was first back for our ladies with 1 hour 16 secs. C handley ran 1.02 for 282 place liz stanfield 1.04 for 305th place Carole James 311th R thomas 315th mechelle spencer after running 17 miles the day before ran 1.05 and 316th place very good training for her up coming marathon, and bev rothwell finished just ahead of margot bowker and sharon pardoe.

I think every one came away having enjoyed the challenge and the beautiful parbold countryside.

LOOKING FOR PHOTO'S OF THIS RACE PLUS ASHURST BEACON THEN CLICK ON THIS LINK

PARBOLD HILL RACE RESULTS

CLICK HERE FOR PARBOLD HILL RACE RESULTS

PARBOLD HILL RACE 15TH FEB 2008

Tomorrow i am racing in the Parbold hill race, my best result was 29th in 2004, last year i was 49th. It will be interesting to see how i run this time off my Arthur Lydiard training.I am hoping for a good run maybe with a finish in the 30's. The weather man has predicted cold sunny weather with a south east wind,I think it would be a good idea to wear a base ball hat to keep the low sun out of your eyes. the sun can be very dazzling especially when running down hill through the trees.I once remember running into a tree when being blinded by the sun, OOH ! painful { they don't call me
"THE TREE HUGGER" for nothing !]. It's not rained much in the last two weeks but i reckon it will still be Muddy.
Anyway have a good one if your racing,
THE LIZARD