February continued in the same way as 2010 started for UKnetrunner - quiet - with only a handful of members racing. A number of members have turned their attentions to Ultras over the past year and last month saw Matt Dunn doing his first 2 day ultra and Nick Dunk battling through a 50 mile ultra. Massive respect to both.

With the worst of the cold weather behind us, here's hoping that spring will bring a return to running for those amongst us who are injured, and plenty of PBs for those who are tuning up for the start of warmer racing.

Personal Bests
5k: Zoe Stockdale (27:30)
10m: Tim Moss (1:07:16), Mike Pullon (1:08:46), Dave Mullaney (1:21:56)
10k: Graham Kirk (39:13), Richard Lake (41:40)
Half: James Barnes (1:42:24), Martin Walker (1:45:46)

Achievements
Matt Dunn: Finished the two day Pilgrim Challenge Ultra (33 miles each day) in an excellent time of 15 hours
Nick Dunk: Completed the Not for Nothing 50 - yes, 50 miles! - in a cracking time of 13:35:14
Graham Kirk: Broke the 40 minute barrier for 10k for the first time.

2010 has started relatively quietly for UKnetrunner. The obvious highlight was the Not The Roman IX 12k, where Pearce Phillips, Jon Hullis and Pete Stockdale scooped the men's team 3rd place award. There was a large attendance of UKnetrunners (fit and injured) for the annual handicap event and club AGM. Pearce took the handicap event (again) and all who attended the AGM enjoyed the opportunity to socialise.


Personal Bests
5m: Pearce Phillips (30:14), David Kindred (35:28)
10k: James Barnes (47:18)
12k: Pearce Phillips (45:50), Matt Leatham (51:10), David Kindred (55:44), Colin Hewes (57:54), Matt Dunn (57:54), Mark Willcocks (1:04:33), Mike Hudson (1:11:36)
Half: Matt Dunn (1:44:50)

Debuts
12k: Jon Hullis (48:46), Claire Hesketh (1:00:11), Dave Mullaney (1:02:04)

Achievements
Pearce, Jon, Pete: Winning the team prize at NTRIX for the second consecutive year

Now it's even easier to stay up-to-date with club happenings and the chatter on the forums - you can download a UKnetrunner App for your iPhone.

The App is completely free and is available from http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/uknetrunner/id352712858?mt=8

Many thanks to Club Captain, Matt Dunn, for putting this together.

A total of 18 UKnetrunners completed the Not the Roman IX 12k. They were joined in support by a crew of injured club members who were happy to be part of this event even thought they were unable to run. There were many good perforances and PBs and once again we walked with a team prize in the men's event. Pearce Phillips, Jon Hullis and Pete Stockdale picked up 3rd placed team - the second consecutive year that UKNR has won this prize.

The event also hosts the annual 12k handicap which was a very close affair this year.

In third place, with a net time of 39:45 was Wendi Witton
In second place, with a new time of 38:49 was Matt Leatham
But the winner, for the second consecutive year, was Pearce Phillips with a net time of 38:20

Well done to Pearce who also finished 12th overall in the race (as well as picking up the team prize).

Last year's race winner, Pricey, was one of the injured crew but kept himself occupied by taking some snaps of the other club members. He received many compliments from the runners for his position at the top of a hill - a vantage point thoroughly recommended to anyone else looking to take some race day photos! You can view the photos by clicking the link below:

Flickr!

It was then off to the pub for the AGM and a celebratory drink or diet coke.

A brief overview of the AGM is as follows:

Elected Committee Members
Chair/PR - Brigitte Groves
General/Membership Secretary and Treasurer - Alan Lacey
Website Administrators - Matt Leatham and Stephen Price
Grand Prix/Handicap Co-ordinator - Stephen Price
Club Captain - Matt Dunn

You'll notice from the above that Alan Lacey has stepped down from his role as chairman of the club. Alan is the co-founder, with Jeff Steed, of Uknetrunner. They should both be proud of the club they formed - they established UKNR as a strong running club providing valuable support for members (and non-members on the club forum) which has resulted in a never ending supply of PBs. Perhaps even more valuable are the friendships that many club members have found through the club and for that alone we all offer a massive thanks to both Alan & Jeff.

Alan, will of course still play a very active role within the Committee as he controls the business side, finances, membership and the more 'technical' bits!

Taking over the reigns as chair from Alan is Brigitte Groves who is very pleased to have been voted in as Chair, and intends to continue to do her best for the club and its members. Brigitte is one of the founder members of the club and has already been very involved in the running of the club. We're sure she'll do a fantastic job.

Runner of the year
This deservedly went to Mark Willcocks, for the extraordinary lengths and sleep depravation he goes through to meet with fellow club members at races. A couple of club members were asked to best describe Mark, their replies were tenacious and car-key-tastic (with reference to an "incident" at the Round Norfolk Relay). Our new club chair added "kind, supportive, funny and beneath the bravado lies a heart of gold and a loyal friend". Well done Mark and long may you continue to entertain us with your forum posts!

Achievement of the Year Award
Ian Thomas was selected by the Committee as the winner of this award, recognising the great commitment and determination with which IAn approaches his running. He has been totally focused on achieving his goals and although not always succeeding he should be proud of the many PBs he has achieved. He stormed his way through the field at the Round Norfolk Relay and at Abingdon Marathon secured himself a Good for Age place for the 2011 London Marathon. Currently injured and resting, but well done Ian and we look forward to your comeback.

Handicap Events
NTRIX 2010 - Pearce Phillips
Edinburgh Marathon - Claire Hesketh
Great Eastern Half Marathon - Colin Hewes

Grand Prix
Group One winner - Matt Dunn
Group Two winner - Ian Thomas (Despite the points being equal, Neil Ramage hadn't completed the minimum number of distances [3].)

The minutes from the 2010 Uknetrunner AGM will be circulated, but pressures of work mean this might not be immediate.

Apologies for the last minute posting of the handicap times.

UKnetrunner will once again be taking over Stratford - although injuries and lack of training due to severe bad weather has caused some members (including myself) to be unable to take part, and others to be participating rather than racing. Good luck for speedy recoveries to all.

NTRIX Handicap Times (Based on best of 12k / 10k performance in past 12 months)

Stephen Price - Scratch (nil handicap)
Pete Stockdale - 6min10
Jon Hullis - 7min28
Pearce Phillips - 7min30
David Robertson - 10min28
Matt Leatham - 12min21
David Kindred - 13min52
Matt Dunn - 14min18
Mike Jarman - 14min31
Colin Hewes - 15min33
Steve Gunn - 17min09
Deane Ward - 17min29
Claire Hesketh - 19min35
Mark Willcocks - 21min29
David Mullaney - 22min12
Paul Vincent - 26min41
Mike Hudson - 28min54
Zoe Stockdale - 31min46
Wendi Witton - 34min09

As usual the way it works will be your finishing time minus your handicap. The person with the lowest time when this calculation has been applied will be deemed the winner - simples!

Will Mike Jarman defend his title? We will soon see..... a trophy will be presented to the winner at the AGM in the afternoon (2.30 onwards at the Granville in Barford)

Please note: If your name is not on the list it is because:-
- You didn't confirm that you wanted to be entered into the handicap - in response to my mail
- You have no times logged in your member details on the website.

I Look forward to seeing you all at the 2010 NTRIX - good luck to all!

Alan Lacey
Secretary - UKnetrunner