It’s Christmas! We hope you enjoy the read and if you’d like to contribute any articles, please email them to info@hj. Thanks for reading!

Committee activity

At the meeting on Wednesday 30^th Nov we discussed the usual matters arising, club accounts, new club vest supplier, website development, up and coming events (including the forthcoming awards night presentation), spring marathon training, proposed changes to the club challenge trophy awards and SGP/WSFRL 8’s for 2017, learn to run, Gunpowder Trot, Horsham 10k, quiz night, member involvement in the club and agreed to meet again on 11^th January. More on some of this below……………….

HJ Winter Handicap – 6^th Dec

For those who have never run the handicap race before, it’s two laps (about 4.5 miles in total) starting at BBHLC and then around Hills Farm, Blackbridge and Guildford Roads with start times staggered to suit your 5 or 10k time so the steady runners leave first and the whippets leave last! If we get our timings right, everybody will finish at the same time!

Awards Night and pre-Christmas social evening – 6^th Dec

Following the handicap race we will be holding the annual awards presentation and a pre-Christmas drink in the bar. Why pre-Christmas you may cry? Well, it’s a busy time of the year for most and, with venues getting rather pricey with questionable service(!), we intend to arrange something a little bit special for you in the New Year instead of the traditional Christmas party! Better value, better attendance and hopefully better for everyone! Awards will presented for the four Challenge Trophy events, Itchingfield time trial, SGP and WSFRL 8’s, winter handicap and all important draw for Brighton and London marathon places via the club ballot!

HJ Hoodies

Orders has been placed for those who paid up by the cut off date and will be available before Christmas.

Gunpowder Trot – Thanks and Feedback

A huge thanks to everyone involved in putting on the Gunpowder Trot last month. We have had some fantastic feedback from several clubs, for example, this from Henfield Joggers:

“I just wanted to drop you a quick email to say what a fantastic event it was this morning. Lovely course, nice variety to it and a nice mix of scenery, hills and flat. Great marshalling all the way from coming into Horsham and the car parks and around the course – very encouraging and very clear with directions. Then fantastic cake to finish! A big thumbs up all round from all at Henfield.”

It’s great to know that runners enjoyed the event, but we want to know about the experiene of our volunteers too. Please take a few minutes to complete our volunteer survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GunpowderTrotFeedback . We are keen to know about any suggestions you have for improving the event next year.

West Sussex Fun Run League Stats

127 Horsham Joggers took part in the 17 races throughout the 2016 season and 2 members completed all 17! 1 member completed 16 races, 6 completed 11 races, 5 completed 10 races, 5 completed 9 races and 30 completed 8. So after all that, we finished 7th in the League. Interestingly, the average number of Horsham Joggers per race was 26 compared to Burgess Hill Runners with 61, Saint & Sinners 42, Hove Hornets 31 and Portslade Hedgehoppers with 29 per race.

So it’s all to play for in 2017 and the league starts again on Sunday 1^st January with the aptly named “Hanover 5”! All entries are £3 and need to be made via league rep, Jenny Boyd or by bank transfer to the HJ account by Friday 23^rd December and there will be no late registrations after 11:00am on the day, as they want to get both races started on time.

Spring marathon training

Coach Fiona has kindly re-jigged the schedule which will start on Monday 2^nd January (yes, it’s a bank holiday!) with 10miles up the beautiful mount Langhurst and back. Raff will be collecting a list of volunteers to organise the routes and water stops. The full schedule is here: hj-marathon-plan-2017

Santa Run at Brinsbury College

ED – Abbie has been in touch and asked us to share this………………………

My name is Abbie, I work for a charity based in West Sussex called Building Heroes. I am organising a Santa run event on the 17th December 2016 at Chichester college, Brinsbury campus to raise funds for our courses. It is a 5k course with an optional mini mile for children. Alongside the run on the 17th, I am arranging a Christmas market to help increase funds and awareness. The market is fun for all ages, with over 40 stalls and food and drink. Building Heroes was formed in 2013 to help military veterans transition into civilian life. We do this by, offering veterans a free 5-week residential property maintenance course. This year we established our training partnership with Chichester college who deliver our course. Since then we have trained over 50 veterans. Throughout the programme we work with the veterans to identify an appropriate career path for them whether it’s employment, self- employment or further training. Please could you let your members know about the event. You can sign up via – http://www.buildingheroes.org.uk/events/santa-run

Race vests and T-shirts

We are expecting a new batch from Simitar Sports any day now but current stock is still available from Up & Running in Horsham for the meagre sum of £20 and £22 respectively. But why bother? Well, aside from looking like part of team hj at all events, you do stand a chance of disqualification or missing out on team medals if you are not bedecked with hj kit in a championship or league event. Unfortunately this happened to one member at the recent Barn Green Half who could have walked away with a team medal from Sussex AA had they been wearing official club kit!

HJ Challenge Trophy changes for 2017

The four races will remain the same as this year – Chichester 10k (Feb – new course!), Haywards Heath 10 miles (May), Barns Green Half (Sept) and Steepdown Challenge (Oct) but the committee felt that these races are now so successfully attended that we will be awarding trophies for each 10 year age category (not 5 years as before) from senior male/female to V70. Also the SGP 8 and WSRFL 8 awards will now become 10’s just to give you even more effort before grabbing a gong!

Founder members

Three of Horsham Joggers founder members celebrated their 70th birthdays this year. Although they no longer take part in running events they are still very active. Pictured are: Sandra Curtis, Dave Maurice & Shirley Hamilton

Horsham 10k help

Yep, this article is still here because only a few kind souls have stepped up to the plate and, following the announcement that we will be flying solo next year, we still need to put a new team together so if you are able to volunteer for some of the key roles like, Chief Marshal, Sector Marshal, Clerk of the Course, Set up leader, Breakdown leader etc etc, then please email us at info@hj. There are small tasks and large tasks to be coordinated in the New Year so any offers of help will be appreciated. With a membership of over 500, we must be able to find another half a dozen people to help with this, surely?

Dates for your diary

Tuesday 6^th December – Winter handicap and awards night

Saturday 17th December – Building Heroes 5km charity fun

Tuesday 20^th December – “Ho Ho” run (including a visit to the local Christmas light displays)

Monday 2^nd January – Spring Marathon Training starts!

So that’s it for another year. We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy and healthy New Year! Cheerio 😉

Lots to talk about this time but first and apology; if you receive this newsletter by email then you probably also received a random email about “Learn to Run” a few days ago. Sorry about this but the editor was meddling with the website controls and clicked the wrong bit to publish it to all you lovely people instead of just editing it for the future. Sorry about that. Learn to Run will be back next year.

Moving on then……………………

WSFRL block payment update

Following last month’s news that WSFRL races must now be pre-entered by hj block booking or individually on the day, there were inevitably a few teething problems and so we have streamlined the instructions as follows. Pre-entry to any future WSFRL race can be made in two ways;

1) Payment of £3 per race in cash to Jenny Boyd by the Tuesday evening before the race. You can pay for multiple future races in one go if you want to.

OR

2) Payment of £3 by bank transfer to Horsham Joggers by the Tuesday evening before the race. Again you can pay for multiple future races in one go if you want to. This option requires you to enter our bank details (account no: 20523984 – sort code: 20-23-97) with your name and the race(s) that you are entering as the reference (for instance; Peter Perfect – Hickstead, Steepdown) followed by the amount (in this example, £6).

Please note that only a payment secures your place and it takes time for the volunteers to process these details and make the block booking before the race. Unfortunately we can’t accept late payments, emails or facebook messages pleading for a place. Latecomers will have to enter on the day (subject to availability) and pay the slightly higher entry fee.

Please note that our home WSFRL race is fast approaching (6^th Nov) and we will soon be calling for volunteers to help out on the day.

Barns Green Half Marathon – 25^th September

Our favourite, local half marathon is just one week away and again it promises to be well attended by team hj. The addition of a new 10k route this year is bound to draw in the crowds so make sure you arrive there in good time for the team photo at 9.45am at the hj gazebo on the field wearing your official race shirts/vests or hoodies.

Looking for a PB at the BG 1/2 this year? Perhaps the table below will help you pace yourself? Just select a target finish time from 1:30:00 to 2:20:00 in the left hand column, make a note of the split times and check them against your watch as you pass each mile marker on the course. Obviously this is a theoretical, even pace and doesn’t allow for the terrain so you may want to bank some time on the downhill bits to spend on the uphill bits! Good Luck!!

half-marathon-split-times

ITCHINGFIELD TIME TRIAL RESULTS

These have now been updated for all 4 trials and can be found here: Time Trial Results

Thanks to John Dykes and his team for volunteering to put on this event.

Winter Headtorch Runs

Mike De Frateschi (Up & Running) is organising these trail runs again this year. Every Thursday at 7pm throughout the winter from various venues. They have effectively taken over from the Winter Pub Run’s so if you want to be notified of when and where to meet each week, please email horsham@upandrunning.co.uk to be included on the mailing list. Next week’s run will be from the Sussex Oak, Warnham.

Goodwood Cross Country relay – 1st October

The relays are held on Goodwood Race course (opposite the Grandstand) PO18 0PS. The course is on grassland and footpaths and if you are interested in joining a team please contact Pete O’Connell by email: purpledrummer@sky.com

Facebook notifications

Facebook has become the main platform for hj communications recently and is a great way to share training information, reviews, photos, stories, opinion and banter. However, we are aware that it doesn’t appeal to all members as some of you don’t like the idea of having a Facebook profile. Well worry not! You can still keep up to date with hj’s most recent posts via our website. Just go to www.horshamjoggers.co.uk and you can view our recent posts on the right hand side of the pages. Enjoy!

Horsham 10k help

Well, after our recent appeal for help, one kind soul has stepped into the breach and taken up the Race Secretary role so massive thanks to Claire Miller for that. We still need to put a new team together by the end of 2016 so if you are able to volunteer for some of the key roles like, Chief Marshal, Sector Marshal, Clerk of the Course, Road Restriction leader, Set up leader, Breakdown leader etc etc, then please email us at info@hj. There are small tasks and large tasks to be coordinated in the New Year so any offers of help will be appreciated. Many thanks.

Twinning Association visit to LAGE – May 2017

If you are interested in this next year’s trip, please see the link below or speak to David Maurice.

lage-visit-letter

Dates for your diary

Sunday 25^th Sept – Barns Green 1/2m & 10k– SGP (and HJ Challenge trophy race)

Saturday 1^st Oct – Sussex XC Relay Championship – Goodwood

Sunday 2^nd Oct – Lewes 10m – SGP

Sunday 2^nd Oct – Alf Shrub Memorial 5m

Sunday 9^th Oct – Heron Way 10k

Sunday 9^th Oct – Hickstead Gallop – WSFRL

Sunday 30^th Oct – Steepdown Challenge – WSFRL (and HJ Challenge trophy race)

**SAVE THESE DATES**

Sunday 6^th Nov – Gunpowder Trot – WSFRL (HJ’s home fun run – Volunteers required!!)

Friday 18^th November – HJ Quiz night at Horsham Cricket Club – *REVISED DATE*

AND FINALLY………

London to Brighton cycle ride

On Sunday 11^th Sept our blind runner, Mick Duplock, completed this gruelling tandem cycle ride. If you want to support his charity fundraising then please use the link within his cycling partners story below.

We had a great ride with wonderful weather.  On Saturday it rained most of the day, but Sunday was stunning – warm, sunny, dry and little wind.  We started early – left home at 6.15, and began cycling at 8. Lunch stop was at Turner’s Hill – good food, well organised.  Together, our sponsorship was about £375. Thank you so much for digging deep.  CVM are most appreciative ***LINK***http://www.doitforcharity.com/MickD.  

Skyline with DoItForCharity, said that the whole event with 4000 cyclists, (ages about 12 to 80). Over 300 different charities were represented on the day and a staggering one million pounds raised so thank you.  That was the longest ride that Mick has ever done.  No punctures, no mechanicals; one near miss with a hedgerow after another cyclists was turning right onto a footpath. The toughest part of the ride was the 1 mile climb up Ditchling Beacon, which we did without walking, keeping going in 1st gear – we did wonder if we would make it. We saw and spoke to 5 other tandem pairs.  No other blind riders though.  

Evening all! Just a few bits of news this time so let’s get on with it shall we?

The Chairman’s bit…….

As summer pushes on I would just like to personally thank everyone who continues to lead Tuesday groups. You help in ensuring that everyone especially new members do not get left behind is immeasurable.

I just wanted to brush up on a few housekeeping guidelines to taking a group, please bear in mind these are only suggestions and I do not want to put anyone off thinking of taking a group, but they will help to make your fellow runners feel more at ease!

1. Make sure everyone knows the route.
2. Nominate someone to be a back marker
3. Check someone has a mobile phone in case of emergency.
4. Regroup if possible during the run.
5. When you finish ensure your back marker has returned.

Bank holiday Monday see’s the Horsham Round taking place so please get your teams together and send them in on the registration form to info@hj and don’t forget we will have a “bring your own food to cook” BBQ after!

September brings Horsham Parkrun’s 2nd anniversary on the 3rd and also for some hardy folk the Bacchus on the 11th! As this is a day of heavy drinking as well as running, the idea has been floated of hiring a coach. If you are interested please email info@hj or reply via social media.

Phil.

WSFRL update

From September and beyond, all entries for WSFRL races will be made as a block club entry. Monies must be received four days before the race. This is in line with other clubs.

There are 5 races left in the calendar:

4th Sept  Fittleworth 5

11th Sept Tilgate Forest

9th Oct    Hickstead Gallop

30th Oct   Steepdown Challenge

6th Nov   Gun Powder Trot (Horsham Joggers)

Jenny Boyd will be taking monies for race entries, paid in advance. You can pay for all races, or individually if preferred; £3.00 per race.

6th Nov is Horsham Joggers “Gun Powder Trot”. Race members are requested to reserve this date to volunteer as marshals or helpers on the day.

HJ Merchandise: clearance sale

Are you in need of a t-shirt to cover yourself up with after a race? If you are a size Small, why not grab one of the remaining 25th anniversary t-shirts: they are good quality cotton in grey with a maroon HJ logo. Fiona will have them available for the next couple of weeks at a clearance price of £2. First come, first served.

Continuing the anniversary theme, there are 3 women’s black 30th anniversary technical t-shirts remaining: 1 in size 14, and 2 in size 16. The sizes come up a little small, so would be ideal for size 12 and 14 runners respectively.  Clearance price of £5 for a technical tee – get in!

We also have some of the black track jackets, 1 each in unisex sizes Small and Large, and several in both XL and XXL.  These are ideal for keeping yourself warm after after a summer run. Originally offered at £25, these will be for sale at £15.

This offer will run until the end of September, after which we will be donating the leftover garments to charity clothing banks. Please see Fiona at any Tuesday or Thursday session, and bring payment by cash or cheque.

Leadership in running fitness course (LIRF)

In October there will be another LIRF course run by England Athletics and open to all hj members who want to gain some training in leading others. The club is happy to fund this training for any members who intend to use it to lead a group or assist with learn to run course etc. For more details please click below:

England Athletics – LIRF

Drinking water at BBHLC

Following concerns from a few members about the availability of fresh water after long runs, the BBH Duty Manager has said that the drinking water tap is in the disabled toilet on the ground floor by the gents. So if members want to fill up water bottles then they can use this tap. If they just want a cup of water then there is a jug of cold water in the cafe area that people can use to fill up beakers. The duty manager said he would speak to the staff on duty on Sunday to make sure that they direct people to the ‘disabled’ toilet and not the ordinary toilet.

Dates for your diary

Will Page 10k (SGP) – Sunday 28^th August

Horsham Round – 30 mile relay. Monday 29th August with BYO BBQ afterwards

Fittleworth 5 (WSFRL) – 4^th September

Final Itchingfield time trial – 6^th September at 7pm!

Hellingly 10k (SGP) – 11^th September

Tilgate Forest 5 (WSFRL) – 11^th September

*****Save the date – The legendary hj quiz night – 11^th November (detail to follow)****

And finally – A Bit of Fun: What is your running spirit animal?!

What’s Your Running Spirit Animal?

Well it’s been a while since we issued a newsletter so we best crack on then……………….

THE CHAIRMAN’S BIT

Hands on Sports Therapy – Tony Schofield took his first session with us last Tuesday and we hope you enjoyed it! He is offering some great deals on treatments and massages, check them out here http://www.handsonsportstherapy.org/#!the-therapy-club/l01ba

Horsham parkrun turns 100! – On Saturday 16th July our local parkrun hosts its 100th event! Where has the time gone! Anyway the theme is “100 not out” so the order of the day is a cricket or all white theme! We love to see as many of you as possible so be by the pond 8.50am for a 9am start! Also afterwards we will be hosting (weather permitting) a picnic brunch with a few games, bring your own food and drink it should be a beautiful morning.

Ride London – For the third year there is an opportunity for HJ members to be involved with this event on Sunday 31st July . We man one of the drink stations in the Leith hill area. Due to road restrictions we need to be in place early (7am ish) and will be free to go by about 2pm. Kit and lunch are provided and I guarantee it is an event not to be missed. More specific timings and locations will follow. If you are interested email info@horshamjoggers.co.uk and mark your email “Ride London” and we will pass it on. Or have a word with me (Phil Liberman) at club or parkrun!

Race attire – We now have our lovely race t shirts which have made a great new addition to our club clothing line! Could we please respectfully ask that if you are entering a club event or have entered a race through the club name you wear ether the club race vest or t shirt and not learn to run t shirts, 30th anniversary t shirts etc we are rightfully proud of our club and in return we want to show it off to the world in the most professional way! Thank you

Horsham Round – This fabulous 29mile relay event will once again be starting from Horsham Park Bandstand and will include some selected local teams by invitation only. We’ll be taking team registration forms soon so if you can put together a team, watch this space and Facebook for details of how to register.

WSFRL entries – As from September, entry to WSFRL races will only be available en mass via your club rep (Jenny Boyd). This is to allow the league to simplify the registration admin and keep costs low. Most league clubs already operate this group entry system with hj bucking the trend! So from September onwards, if you want to enter up to two days before the race, please ensure you let Jenny know and more importantly PAY YOUR MONEY as we cannot sub anyone for the entry fee on a “I’ll pay you later” basis.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Steyning Round Hill Romp (West Sussex Fun Run League)Wednesday 6th July 2016 (Beer and BBQ Afterwards)

New Forest – 10 miles (Runaway weekend). Sunday 10th July

Phoenix 10k (SGP) –Wednesday 13^th July

Horsham Riverside Walk – 13 miles. Saturday 16th July (see: horshamtowncommunitypartnership)

Seven Styles Fun Run – 4 miles (West Sussex Fun Run League)Sunday 24th July

Bexhill 5k (SGP) – Wednesday 27^th July

Highdown Hike – 3.6 miles (West Sussex Fun Run League)Wednesday 3rd August

Hove Hornets Stinger – 9.5 miles (West Sussex Fun Run League)Sunday 21st August

Will Page 10k (SGP) – Sunday 28^th August

Horsham Round – 30 mile relay. Monday 29th August with BYO BBQ afterwards

HJ HOODIES ORDER

Orders for the HJ hoodie have now been taken are will be processed for manufacturing. If you haven’t paid by the deadline date (30^th June), you won’t be getting your hoodie. Harsh but fair!

HIGH WEALD TRAILS

We are lucky enough to be surrounded by beautiful tracks and trails, none more so than the High Weald Landscape Trail and St Leonards Forest. The scenery is breath taking and the opportunity to seek solitude during a solo run or chat with friends on a group run is second to none. However, we have been contacted by the land owners and local farmers and asked to remind our members that they must stick to the designated rights of way and not deviate onto private land which is marked as such. The future of our events and other local races (Heron Way 10k for instance) relies on the good will of the land owners and we need to maintain this relationship.

THE TWINNING BIT – BEER AND SAUSAGE ANYONE?

Horsham Joggers and Mel’s Milers triumph in Lage!

Horsham Joggers & Mel’s Milers were represented at the 45^th International Horsterberg Volkslauf series of races In Horsham’s German twin town, Lage. Carol Hoare And Amanda Reilly of Horsham Joggers participated in the 10k event and on an extremely warm morning over an undulating course through forest, returned excellent times of  1hour 3mins  and 1hour 10mins respectively resulting in their leading the field in their respective age groups. Mel’s Milers Colin Shaw took part in the half marathon coming home in a time of 2hours 5 mins to take the honours in the M70 age group. As is customary, the host club T G Lage warmly welcomed the Horsham party & entertained them over the weekend with sightseeing visits, parties & barbecues.

If you’d like to go next year, please see attachment below for a visit to Lage in May 2017. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me. David Maurice

letter re visit to Lage May 2017 _1_

KIDS ATHLETICS COURSE

I am running an athletics course for young children over the summer. I am doing it with Mel from Mel’s Milers at the BBH track. Could you possibly send out this flier to Horsham Joggers? Thanks, Sam Lloyd-Smith

(Consider it done Sam! – Ed)

HORSHAM 10K – 2017

I know, I know, it’s ages until the next one but there will be some key changes to next years race, including Horsham Joggers taking on the entire event after many years in association with The Lions Club. This will open up some key roles which will need to be filled by the end of this year so that we can share the responsibility among the team leaders. If you have ever wanted to get involved and organise a section for the day, please email info@horshamjoggers.co.uk Some of the roles to be filled will include; Race Secretary, Chief Marshal, Clerk of the Course, Road Restriction team leader, Sector Marshals, Break Down team leader etc. Thanks, Paul Aylett

As Looney Tunes used to say; That’s all folks! – Ed