Issue 6 – 23-12-2010

RELAY

Issue 6:
23rd December 2010:
Communicating with Members

Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year

To all members and their families, former members, and our many friends and supporters from Industry and Commerce and the Stadium.

Thank you for your time, dedication and hard work for the benefit of Birchfield Harriers in 2010.

With very best wishes from the club.

NDAYISENGA WINS – ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL DAY FOR BIRCHFIELD HARRIERS MEN AND WOMEN – Peter Whitehouse reports –

Birchfield Harriers began their assault on the second match of the Birmingham Cross Country League fixture at Perry Barr with high optimism. Both the men and the women had had a fantastic opening to the league in their first fixture in Leamington Spa, where the men finished in 2nd position, whilst the women placed 3rd. The first fixture had produced some outstanding performances from Jean Ndayisenga, and Biniam Ande in particular.

Less than favourable conditions faced the Birchfield athletes when they stripped off into their vests and shorts to form a shivering queue on the start line. For what was about to face them was a few miles of snow, ice and slush. There were no problems however for Danielle Johnson, who ran a strong race to lead the Birchfield women’s team home by finishing in 15th place. The 18 year old was almost immediately followed by another 18-year-old stag, Tamara Armoush. The Birmingham University student who claimed that running on that course was ‘impossible against the slush, made it look only too possible by clinching Harriers 2nd spot by finishing in 17th place. The scoring was completed by Sophie Williams who finished in 21st place to conclude another successful day on home soil / ice.

The men were led home by the ever-dominant Jean Ndayisenga. Ndayisenga, who was persuaded to dust off his spikes, due to the off putting conditions, cruised around the ten kilometre course, being closely followed by another Stag, Biniam Ande. Ande who eventually finished 2nd, made his attempt at trying to shake the Burundian athlete off, but it was again Ndayisenga who capitalised on his experience on the cross country over the young gun Ande, to pull away in the final moments of the race to secure a small margin of victory. Ande, who was gracious in defeat to his teammate, declared afterwards, “I’ll get him next time”. Perhaps the run of the day had to go to Ben Sharman. The 21 year old, after finishing in 24th position at the first match, audaciously began his race by attacking the front pack. His persistence paid off with the stag finishing in 13th place, which is a considerable leap forward for the Wolverhampton University graduate who now aims to continue his progression throughout the season. Next home for Birchfield was Adam Watt, who used his experience from living in Aberdeen to good use, as he efficiently battled against the cold to record 35th place. Peter Whitehouse closely followed Watt and used his track speed to sprint past Birchfield’s 6th counter Abdul Abdulrahman securing 43rd position for himself, whilst Abdulrahman consolidated the team with his 51st place. After two matches, Birchfield Harriers occupy 3rd spot, just behind Coventry and Tipton.

Results:

MEN – Team 3rd
1st Jean Ndayisenga, 2 Biniam Ande, 13 Ben Sharman, 35 Adam Watt, 43 Peter Whitehouse, 51 Abdul Abdulrahman, 111 Jon Cullen, 118 Pete Dimbleby, 149 Chris Aston, 161 Simon McNamee, 199 Brian Worthington.

WOMEN – Team 5th
15th Danni Johnson, 17th Tamara Armoush, 21 Sophie Williams, 28 Naomi Eaton, 31 Lucy Farnell, 44 Sarah Rudge, 45 Cally Read, 56 Sally Latham, 74 Nicola Woods, 84 Lucy Archbold, 190 Mary Ross, 198 Alison Aberdeen, 207 Helen Bloomer, 212 Marion Peake, 219 Tracy Clark.

Next match: Men -Coventry, 15th January 2011.

CALENDARS NOW ON SALE – NEW YEAR FAST APPROACHING!
The 2011 calendars featuring the 12 for 12 athletes have arrived and are on sale at £5 each. Proceeds will be divided between Macmillan Cancer Support and the club. This is an opportunity that you should not miss and, if you have any problems in obtaining your calendar please contact the club office.

RELAY APPEARS AS OFTEN AS NECESSARY.
RELAY will be published as often as necessary to cover the latest news of the clubs work. It has been a busy time for the club over the last two months, thus the need to publish frequently. Our aim is to keep you informed as soon as possible of the things that are happening in your club. If you like RELAY please tell other members – if you don’t, please tell us!

FOLLOW THE CLUB – VISIT THE BIRCHFIELD HARIERS WEBSITE AT
www.birchfieldharriers.net

Be proud to be a Birchfield Harrier!