updated 25.10.13

Hi all,

So hopefully Summer is here to stay for a while as the next social has been arranged with a beach theme, see below:

Event: ARENA 80 SOCIAL - Beach Volleyball at Yellowave (YW)

Date: Friday 30th August 2013

Time: Court is booked from 7-9pm, arrive from 630pm

Entertainment: BBQ & Live Music Evening - Come and join us for an evening of yummy BBQ food and chilled acoustic tunes. For more info see here http://www.yellowave.co.uk/content/whatson

(This is already put on by YW, its free, apart from the BBQ which is £10 if we want it, see below)

To keep the costs to a minimum for everyone the club have kindly agreed to pay for the court hire costs, thank you Arena 80!

Please email me (holly.freeman@groundedevents.co.uk) as soon as possible, (but before Friday 16^th August) to let me know whether you can come along – I need to know numbers as this will determine on how many courts I book.  When you email me please can you also let me know your preferred option A, B or C (see below).  It is also important that if you say you are coming, you do turn up on the day, otherwise the club will lose out.

There are a few options for what we do for food on the night, they are:

A: We all buy a ticket for the BBQ (£10 each) and all stay in YW to eat, drink and play volleyball. (note we can’t reserve tables, but it shouldn’t be too busy)

B: We have a BBQ on the beach between 7-10pm and you all bring something to throw on the barbie.  It might be nice to have our own area, but we would probably only be able to access the beach by going via the front entrance of YW, so this would mean the group would be a bit split (i.e. with some of us within YW and some of us on the beach).

C: We sort out our own eating arrangements (eat before we arrive, or bring some food/snacks, or eat when you get home)

If the weather is crap, we may have to cancel and I will let you know nearer the time what options we have for doing something else.

COME! It will be fun and Danny has already set the competition on fire by saying he will be the 2013 volleyball champion, any contenders for bringing him down?

Thanks all,

Holly

Wednesday Night Club Runs (Not for beginners)

Meet at 7pm for a Road/Downland Run. We start prompt at 7:00pm so it's best to arrive 5 minutes early. Run duration is 6 or 9 miles.

17th April will be the last week meeting at the King Alfred, Kingsway side at 7pm prompt. Distance approx 6 - 9 miles. 

24th April we will meet at the car park leading up to the Dyke.

During May we will meet at the Northern end of Ditchling Road just before bridge that goes over the A27.

If trouble on night call Steve 07963251388

Note: No qualified club coach is present for this session.

As I mentioned the other week, I have today been to Downs View School to give them our cheque for £400.

We took a couple of pictures (attached - quite similar, just took 2 for the hell of it) and it's me, Adrian Carver (head teacher) and Sandy Austen who chairs the charity which raises funds for the school.

I had a guided tour of the school which was really interesting and saw first hand the soft play area, which was certainly in need of the renovation which our donation will help to achieve.

I have to say I believe our members made a good decision.

Perhaps you would be kind enough to put this on the website as I think It's important that the members hear about what they voted for.

Graham Shorter

Link to info on 2013 vest T&F League

Arena 80 running week to Wales

After last years successful trip, we have organised a return to the same location for a week of running/cycling/walking or just relaxing to Tenby in Wales. The dates are from Saturday 18^th May to Friday 24^th May. It is on a self catering basis, for which we all share the cooking, the cost for the week, which includes petrol for traveling, accommodation and food, is £140.

The accommodation available consists of one house that sleeps 12 and x2 houses that sleep 6 each, there is an indoor swimming pool, sauna, gym and tennis court on site too, to view the place click on this link www.ivytowerhouse.co.uk

Normally we run in the morning, use the facilities, then head off locally for the afternoon sightseeing etc., with a recovery run in the evening before dinner and then relax as you please, everyone can make their own arrangements for the day should the wish to do so, running is not an obligation, you are there to enjoy yourself.

At this price it is true value for money, please ask last years participants for their comments, we already have 10 people going (9 from last year returning) so please let me know if you are interested ASAP, I can guarantee you will have fun and enjoy the activities and be in good company, though I cannot guarantee you the fantastic weather we had last year.

To secure your place, a non refundable deposit of £60 is required, please see me at the track, e –mail me or call me on 07963251388 should you require further information.

Regards,

Steve McNealy

Early decision on training tomorrow at Withdean, with track still completely covered with snow and no safe alternative to do reps and a long season ahead I have called it off. It will be safer for you to do your own thing tomorrow.

Dear All

Following my plea at a chilly Preston Park yesterday, can I remind everyone that I am after volunteers to marshal at the Brighton Half on February 17th.

We will receive a generous donation towards club funds if we can provide 20 volunteers, but I'm still some way short. You will be needed from circa 7.30 to 11.30 on the morning.

Additionally, we have been given 5 FREE places in the race and if you would like one of these. all I ask is that you provide at least 2 volunteers. Experience is not necessary as all Arena volunteers will be marshalling in the same area. However, the deadline to take up one of the free places is this Friday, January 18th, so time is of the essence.

If you are interested in just volunteering, or taking one of the free places, please email me at theshorterfamily@hotmail.com

At this stage, I just need names and a mobile number to give to the organisers.

Look forward to hearing from you

Graham Shorter - Treasurer

All
With temperature due to drop later and track being wet Withdean have advised it could be icy, so we will be meeting in Preston Park North West corner inner path opposite rockery/a23 side at normal time.

No coach attending track on Monday as per social information below, the Olympic torch will be in the area. Back to normal on the 23rd which will include a 1k time trial.

One of our runners Louise Schweitzer has written a book called Walks on The South Downs, 26 Walks in the New National Park, which may become some of your training runs. This book also includes the Adur Challenge route which can be your first tick. If your interested then  it is available on Amazon ( £8.09p) or from City Books.

Thank you to all of those who turned up for our Olympics themed picnic we had a lot of fun.

For your calendar here are our next events:

16 July – Watching Olympics Torch relay in Hove Park. Note there will be no track session on this date. Meet on East side of Park next to maze at 5:30pm, it should reach the park by 6:00pm. I won’t be there as I am away for work, so look out for your fellow club members.

22 July – Golf on the pitch and putt course at Rottingdean followed by Fish and Chips. No ability to actually hit a ball is required, I promise you that Rich and I will be worse than you so please come along you won’t look as silly as us J PLEASE LET ME KNOW by 13the July if you are coming as I need to book in advance, please e-mail me at lyds_bb@hotmail.com

In August we will doing volleyball - think that scene from Top Gun J - and we may even have a beach party.

Please do try and support our social events because. I should also say these events are always open to your friends and family.

Thanks

Lydia

To all the Hove Park Helpers,

Thanks everyone that turned out to help with the children's races and 5K.

I think this was probably our best turn out from the club to help out on an event, you did yourselves proud.

I hope you enjoyed the experience and will be back for more next year!

Thanks again,

Mike Naylor.

Hi
Following todays race at Haywards Heath which was the 5th in the A80 Super Series and the next being Worthing 10k, I have made the date for the Adur Challenge as the 10th July.
For those new to the club this is a handicapped event with those quicker ones going last, so staggered start from 6.30pm. It takes place along 10km's of the banks of the River Adur in Shoreham and crosses 2 bridges, if you want to get back to the start. With it being handicapped it is open to all our athletes.
Please let me know if you want to take part so I can set the handicap. arena80ac@hotmail.co.uk

Cheers

Bob

Hi Everybody,

We are now a few weeks away from hosting one of our own events 'Hove Park Road Races' on the 10th of June. For anyone who has not been involved before these are junior races around Hove Park for a number of age groups starting at 10:00 followed by the West Sussex Fun Run 5K at 12:00.

They are great fun to help with and watch and there is enough time (revised timetable for 2012) to warm up and take part in the 5K.

For those of you who have helped in the past, you're needed again!

Please let me know if you can lend a hand - Email mikeandchrisnaylor@hotmail.com

Best wishes,

Mike.

Dear Vets

I attach the full programme of events for the 2012 Vet's League season, We have a mens team entered, but any eligible women are very welcome to participate as guests. I should be grateful if you would let me know on a meeting by meeting basis if you wish to participate so that I can get the team declarations prepared. I am usually at the track on a Monday, or email me at theshorterfamily@hotmail.com

Vets League Events Programme

Thanks

Graham Shorter

Hello all,

Thanks to all who attended our last social event at the Foragers in Hove, it was a great success, even if the food portion size was a bit too small for Paul G

I will arrange another evening out soon.

Christ's hospital relays - 7th April

Your Captains are establishing teams. A fun event, and a nice one for your family and friends to come and watch. As usual followed by cakes.

Pub run – 29^th April

The next event for your diary is our pub run from the Seven Sisters country park on Sunday the 29^th of April. This event will enable you to do your Sunday run with club members. I will provide some suggested routes over a range of distances.

We will follow the run with some carbo-loading in a local pub. In the next few weeks I will need to establish numbers to reserve a table at the pub, so please let me know by the 15^th of April if you’d like to come along.

Please invite friends and family, as they can enjoy a walk along the coast whilst you run. Or if you are recovering from your marathon you can always come along for food and to show-off your medal.

Racing in France – 18^th August

Don’t forget to let me know by the 31^st of March if you are interested in going away for the weekend to Northern France for a race.

Dear club members,

You'll be excited to hear that our 1st social event got 2012 is taking placing on Saturday the 25th of February from 7:30pm.

You, your family and friends are invited for a beer or two at the Foragers Pub in Hove. For information on the pub, please see: http://www.theforagerspub.co.uk/

I will try and book us a seating area. I look forward to seeing you there, and celebrating the end (for most of us) of our cross-country season.

If you have any questions please e-mail me at lyds_bb@hotmail.com

Thanks

Lydia

Dear Over 35's

The dates for the Vet's league for 2012 have now been confirmed and are as follows:

Wednesday May 2, Eastbourne
Wednesday May 30, Lewes
Wednesday June 27, Lewes
Monday July 30, Withdean

As always, there are events ranging from 100m to 5K, plus a selection of throwing and jumping (for the more technically minded, field events) if you want to have a go at something different. The full schedule of events has not yet been published, but I have last year's and it is proposed to follow the same format.

These evenings are always most enjoyable, and the standard does vary from the very good (Paul Gasson or even better!) to the not so very good (me), so there will be some competition whatever ability you are.

In the past we have had a good presence at these events, but due to retirements and injuries, we've been a bit lacking for the past couple of years. It really is a good opprtunity for a competitive track run with our own age groups. There are separate events for over 50's to keep it interesting.

If you would like to know more, please speak to me at the track (I'm there most Mondays) or drop me an email on theshorterfamily@hotmail.com

Graham Shorter
 

Hi
Due to very low temperatures Withdean track has been closed for safety reasons. We will be meeting in Hove Park for Monday night training starting at 6.45. Meet at the top end of the straight central path which cuts the park in two and is lit by green coloured lights. Usual time for longer endurance reps.

Cheers

Bob
 

Please see below our A80 social calendar for 2012. I have tried to schedule a range of events to suite all, and have made sure they don't clash with key races. The social events are also open to your friends and family.

Our next social event is our end of cross-country social on the 25th of February, a chance to celebrate our successes, look forward to future races, and for the men to swap cake recipes. Cross country did seem like the great British bake-off at times.

We are also proposing to go to Northern France in August to run Le Touquet 10km or 20km.

Please can you let me know by e-mail:
- by 5th Feb if you'll be at our end of cross country social on 25th Feb, as this will enable me to select a suitable venue; and
- Soon if you are interested in going to France, I know its a long way off, but I can look into good accommodation deals.

My e-mail address is lyds_bb@hotmail.com

Thanks

Lydia your extra special social secretary

Super Series 2012 Events

There are 12 scoring events in the Super Series with the Mar race and Jul Adur challenge date to be arranged.  It's one race each month with your best 6 events to count.  The selected races incorporate different levels of standard, distances, terrain and leagues. Club vests MUST be worn in non-club events and runners must enter as Arena 80. You must take part in at least 6 to be considered for a prize.

Scoring : The 1st Arena person home will receive 1 point, 2nd will get 2 points etc. 30 points for every race missed. There are separate men's and women's categories.   

2012 Events
Date	Event	Details
Jan 8th	Sussex XC Champs	SX Stanmer
Feb 5th	Chichester 10k	SGP Chichester
Mar
Apr 7th	Sussex Road Relays	SX Christ's Hospital, Horsham
May 6th	Haywards Heath 10	SGP
Jun 6th	Worthing 10k	SGP
Jul  TBC	Club Adur Challenge	A80 River Adur, Shoreham
Aug 28th	Will Page 10k	SGP Newick
Sep 15th	Henfield Seven Stiles	WSFRL Henfield
Oct	Sussex XC League	Goodwood
Nov 18th	Brighton 10k	SGP Brighton
Dec 22nd	Hove Park 5k Age Graded % Race	A80 Hove Park

1st - £25 + free membership 2013/14
2nd - £15
3rd - £10

We have a busy period of races approaching in January which we always attend in strength, please could you check your diaries, (for those under the thumb, with their wives,) to see if you are available for any of these races. I am away for Xmas and need to post out the entries
by 23rd of December.
Club vests must be worn at each event to score for the club, these are always good races to shake off all the mince pies and Xmas puddings
that have been consumed.

Races as follows :-

Sussex cross country champs (Plus A80 1st Super Series Event) - Stanmer park, 8th January, 1.30pm over 7.5 miles (a hard course up through the woods but for all abilities, a good team event)

Sussex cross country league - Bexhill, 14th January, 2.35pm over 8k (a MUST for all to run to preserve our place in league one, THIS RACE IS IMPORTANT)

Sussex Masters Champs - Lancing leisure centre, 21st January, 2.00pm over 5.4 miles (Must be 40 or over)

National cross country Champs - Parliament Hill, 25th February, 3.00 pm over 12k

( go to http://www.englishcrosscountry.co.uksitefor info)


Please let me know if you want to run any of these ASAP, I will e-mail you more about each event as they approach.

Sorry that I have not been around lately, what with injury and work running has had to go on the back burner.

Have a good Xmas and New Year, make sure you run off the extra pounds in between as I want our lean, mean, running machine back on track for the first race at Stanmer.

Best regards,

Steve.

So if you’d like to volunteer to help on the day, please register on the Brighton Marathon website : http://brightonmarathon.co.uk/. And if you’d like to be in my brilliant team, please drop me an email as well.

Chris (mikeandchrisnaylor@hotmail.com) or phone 07973 189511

Timmy Gedin wins Sussex 10K Challenge for 2011

Arena women 1st Team In Sussex 10k Challenge

Scarlett Miller , our younger member won the Children's Primary School 9 year old girls Cross Country event today at Waterhall. Won by 50 metres out of a massive field of competitors so dad pretty proud.
 
Even going to be in the Argus. Hope she handles the fame better than Michael Jackson did.

Hi All
We have, following a vibrant period of increased membership, managed to receive 3 places for the 2012 London Marathon. The draw for places, based on the usual club rules for these, will take place on the 19th Dec 2011 at the track during our end of term Soiree. Please let me know if you are interested in being part of the draw based on rules below.

Rules

A80 LONDON MARATHON DRAW RULES

1st Round

Only A80 1st claim club members who have been fully paid up for 1 year are entered into the first round of the draw. With the following proviso's:

a) They must provide proof of rejection to the coming years race by agreed date. (19/12/11)

b) Anybody who ran last year under the club allocation can't be put in the first round of the draw.

c) Reserves will also be drawn in priority in case of drop out.

d) Anybody winning a place and then withdraws must hand their place to the priority reserve.

2nd Round.

Only takes place if insufficient uptake by club members in first round. (Often happens)

a) They must provide proof of rejection to the coming years race by agreed date. (19/12/11)

b) Must be 1st claim club members, no qualifying period required.

c) Anybody gaining a place in the draw last year can take part.

3rd Round

a) Open to all 1st claim club members.

4th Round

a) Open to all members 1st and 2nd claim.

Regards Bob  arena80ac@hotmail.co.uk

Keith turned in a fantastic display at the Half Ironman at the weekend recording times of

1h:01m swim 2h:45m bike and 1h:44m run. Total time 5h 38m.

Tam Coleman, Michael Miller and Fiona Jamie were honoured to have been able to support him on this tremendous achievement and brilliant time.

Keith Turner is taking part in the Vitruvian (swim 1900m,  bike 85 K, and run 21K) with Tam, Fiona & Michael. If you would like to sponsor him please use this link

http://www.myactionaid.org.uk/keithvitruvian

With first and second places at Steyning, and second place at Tilgate Forest, plus a general increase in Arena 80 entrants, the club is doing well this season, so far.

There are two more exciting events in September, that may appeal -

Sunday 4th September - Fittleworth 5 miler, start 11.15 am. This is multi-terrain, in the heart of the Sussex countryside, which gives a challenging race plus a great outdoor experience!

Saturday (note Saturday) 17th September - Henfield 4 miler, start 4.00 pm. This country run includes 7 stiles, along the river bank and old railway line - an unusual but enjoyable event.

As usual,the entry fee for these races is only £2 (or £5 on the day). I can enter individuals on the club composite entry form(s) provided I hear by late August.

John Mason johnwtax@fsmail.net

We still have a small stock of Arena 80 RONO jackets which are ideal for warming up in or just looking great - They are a windproof jacket with removable sleeves, turning the jacket into a running gillet.

We are able to sell them at a bargain price of £40.00 (they would normally retail at £100.00 plus)

We have Small & Medium in men's sizes and Small Medium & Large in women's.

Interested: email mikeandchrisnaylor@hotmail.com

To all Hove Park volunteers - Thanks one and all for your support on Sunday - In chilly and eventually rainy conditions we had the our best turnout yet for the children's races, 232 children finished to receive their medals, 47 more than last years races.
 
We had 250 adults in the 5K race
 
We've had several emails from runners thanking the club and zero complaints, so a good days work all round.
 
Without you these races would fold, so many thanks again for turning out!
 
Best wishes,
 
Mike Naylor 

Congratulations go to the A80 men's 100 mile relay campaign as they finished 1st Vets and 2nd Seniors a best ever for the club. A fantastic team effort all round ably supported by the navigators and drivers.

Social Events for Arena 80 Members and Family 

The following events are being organised for Arena members and their families, I have checked to ensure that they do not clash with races; if anyone knows different could they please let me know. steve.ali@lineone.net

More details on each event will be sent out nearer the time, these are dates for you to enter into your diary and to let me know if you have an interest and numbers expected.

Please do not leave this to the last moment as most things have to be booked in advance.

Monday 30^th May - (weather permitting) picnic at The Anchor Inn – Barcombe Mills 11.00am onwards. Please go to their website for directions and all that they offer (boating on the river) www.anchorinnandboating.co.uk. Bring your own lunch by the river or use the pub facilities, the choice is yours. The lane approaching the pub is narrow and can get busy.

Bring bats and balls, Frisbees or just relax and socialise, or if you fancy it, hire out one of their boats for an hour.

Saturday 18^th June – Pitch and putt golf at Rottingdean Windmill followed by fish and chips down on Madera Drive. Meet at 1.00pm, this will take a few hours, longer if you are rubbish! Handicaps will be applied to anyone who is good…. Cost is £6.00 if you bring your own clubs or £7.00 to hire.

Friday 15^th July – Volleyball on Madera Drive at 7.00pm, cost is £20.00 an hour split amongst the numbers playing followed by a pint!!  This event needs to be booked ASAP so please let me know numbers ASAP

Saturday 13^th August – Bowling at the Marina. More details nearer the time.

steve.ali@lineone.net

Steve McNealy

The track is closed on the 23rd May, 30th May and 6th June. On these dates we will be in Preston Park in North East corner on main grass area.

On the 20th May (27th May if weather rubbish) we will once again descend on the tranquil setting of Woods Mill (just outside Small Dole nr Henfield) and have a slow amble and frequent stops listening out for the Nightingale, whilst at the same time enjoying this fabulous nature reserve.

Afterwards if you wish Chris Naylor is arranging a meal at the Royal Oak, Poynings a favourite haunt from previous years.

We will be leaving the car park at Woods Mill at 6.15 to start the walk so late comers will have to sing for their supper. If you want to come to the meal as well then e-mail Chris on mikeandchrisnaylor@hotmail.com by the 12th May (my birthday).

Woods Mill location and details.
 

They arrive in April and sing until late May and early June. They leave again from July to September. They can be heard singing throughout the day, as well as at night.

Who fancies a long weekend playing in the snow this winter?

Ragnvi (many of you will remember her from Arena – on the right in the picture alongside Clare) lives in the south of France, found a great cross country skiing resort in the Pyrenees.  Clare, Vicki and I went a few years ago and vowed we’d go back – and now I am planning to and would like to invite you to come too.

The best part of cross country skiing is the peace and quiet on the slopes, no lifts, no crowds, and miles of beautifully maintained tracks where you can ski at your own pace through the trees, stopping for a hot wine or chocolate whenever you fancy.  It’s easy to pick up as there isn’t much technique - only the toecaps are connected to the skis so you have very little control – fun on the downhills!.  The snowploughs mark grooves into the snow to keep the skis on track, and if the uphill gets a bit tough, it’s easy to take the skis off and walk as the ski-shoes are just like trainers.  Winter running clothes are perfect so no major expense on kit and the shoes, skis and poles are cheap to hire in the resort.  And it’s a good alternative to running – you should come back fitter!

The plan would be for a Thursday – Monday Ryanair flight from Gatwick to Biarritz, then hired transport for the 2 hour drive into the mountains.  Ragnvi will organise accommodation and meet us there.  Probably end January / early February aiming to avoid key races if possible.

I’ve no idea of costs yet but if you’re interested then please let me know – ideally by the end of May so we can get a good deal on hotel/chalets if there are a lot of us. 

Any queries, please email me

Chris

mikeandchrisnaylor@hotmail.com

Dear All (but particularly the Over 35's)
 
The Vets Track League is nearly upon us again. There are 4 meetings again this year, at Eastbourne on May 11 and June 1, and at Lewes on June 29 and July 25. There are separate events for over 35's and over 50's, covering track events from 100m to 5k, with the usual throws and jumps thrown in for the more adventurous of us. As usual, there will no doubt be some serious athletes, but the more people the participating clubs can put out, the better the competition will be. So can I encourage anyone who is interested to email me, or speak to me at Monday training. It would be useful to know in advance how many participants we shall have, but there's no limit, so all are welcome. It really is good fun and a great opportunity to test yourself on the track for a change, against likeminded people of similar ability.

Programme

Graham Shorter

A highlight of the Brighton Marathon Expo (http://www.brightonmarathon.co.uk/exhibition.html) on Saturday 9^th April 2011 will be the Saucony Seminars which take place during the day from 11am to 5pm.

Appearing at these seminars will be a host of famous names from British athletics including Sally Gunnell, Steve Cram, Liz McColgan, David Hemery, Eamonn Martin, Charlie Spedding and Hugh Jones.

The seminars are free of charge: anyone attending the Expo is welcome to come along!

Timetable between 1pm and 4pm is:

I think the honours this year must go to the men for achieving way beyond what they have ever achieved before. The men have become a very close knit bunch of runners and they have inspired and supported each other to great personal performances. The result being:

First time they have ever won an individual Sussex XC League event, highest ever overall finishing position of 3rd in Div 1, highest ever overall finish position in the vets of 2nd. This is their time and I know it can only get better with the enthusiasm the men have for excellence.

The women remain a very tough act to beat within Sussex and due to their National interests this year those that didn't use to feature have, like the men, given their all in every race. This has resulted in them achieving 3rd in Div 1, and have finished 2nd in Div 2 and thus gained promotion.

Individually the women in the O45 category came 2nd and 3rd in the forms of Caroline Wood and Tam Coleman respectively.

In the O55 Chris Naylor was out of sight in 1st place and continues to achieve exceptional times in every race she competes in.

The respective XC Captains will no doubt send you their response to this outstanding achievement but they must be personally congratulated for leading the teams to new and continued success, so a very well done Fiona Jamie and our own Stevie Wonder (McNealy)

What will Olympic year bring in the XC section for A80, is there a Premier League.

Senior Men - 3rd Timmy Gedin

V1 Vet Men - 4th Charlton Rudwick

Every year we choose a different charity and hand over money from our race profits. However this year we discussed directly with the Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital and sourced the items they requested ourselves to the value of around £570. So today two of our senior committee members Graham Shorter (treasurer) and Caroline Wood (secretary) visited the children's hospital and took along the toys. Another reason why you joined A80, so well done to everybody who helped raise this sum.

On the 28th Feb at 7.45 A80 will be using the B&H club house next to the track for a meet the captains evening, this will include some nibbles and mulled wine. With the season just getting underway and the women having a new captain it would be very pleasing to see as many members as possible attending. Steve and Fiona can answer your questions and highlight the races we intend to target this year, plus any other questions on our thriving club.

Hi
We have just been notified that we have been allocated 2 places in the Brighton Marathon 2011 which will cost £42, if you are interested in taking up a place I will pass on the details to you. These places must only be used by A80 affiliated runners and aren't transferable.
First come first served will apply. arena80ac@hotmail.co.uk

Regards
 
Bob

Gemma Sharp who has carried out a fine job for the Ladies over the last few years has had to step down due to other commitments and the club would like to thank her for all her time and effort in this role, it has been very much appreciated.

The club are pleased to announce that Fiona Jamie has agreed to take over as Ladies Captain and Caroline Wood has agreed to the role of Vice Captain. Fiona will be contacting you in due course. Tam Coleman has kindly stepped in and will take over as XC Captain. A fine team the Ladies have.

Early news

Women were 1st Team -  Caroline Hoyte 1st, Holly Wheeler was 5th, Julie Briggs 7th and Caroline Wood 14th

A80 Results

Hi everyone,
 
Well done on another successful year of running with Arena 80.
 
I have endeavoured to keep a track of all your efforts and compiled an annual list of rankings over measured road distances from 5K to the Marathon. The rankings are based on first & second claim members, so any times you did prior to joining will not be listed. I have used chip timings as opposed to gun timing to try and make things fairer.
 
Also included are the rankings from 2007 (when I first recorded times) through to 2010.
 
There were quite a few new members in 2010, hopefully you are all listed.  
 
Please let me know of any amendments.
 
Here's to a successful 2011!
 
Mike Naylor 

The club have only been able to pass on one of the three London Marathon places we have for 2011.

If you are interested in one of the other two please let us know by the 22nd December, first come first served.

Due to vagaries of the weather we have decided to cancel training completely on Monday and also get together afterwards at Withdean club house, this will be arranged for early in the New Year.

Training on Wednesday from King Alfred and also Thursday in Hove Park is still on unless you hear otherwise.

On Saturday 25th a few Arena runners will be doing the 5k in Hove Park at 9am as usual.

Hi
Looks like temperature is going to be about 3 tomorrow evening and Withdean have informed us that track likely to be icy again. So for one more week we will meet in North West corner of Preston Park for 6.30 start. 
 
Regards
 
Bob

Conditions are forecast as poor still for Monday the 6th Dec so we will be at Preston Park once again in North West corner by Petrol Station/ Phoenix Races start.  Session starts at 6.30.

Dangerous conditions will persist tomorrow so training off.

Due to predicted freezing conditions we will meet at Preston Park on inner road in North West corner where Phoenix races start at 6.30.

The club have now received new vests and going to printers this week. Club absorbing some of cost so only £20.

Some people have enquired about hoodies, if we can get 10 interested people then we will place an order. So if you would like one of these, then try somebodies on for size and let us know at arena80ac@hotmail.co.uk

Having spoken to a number of club members, the general consensus was that Al Doumo, on the 11^th December was favourite. The cost of the 3 course meal is £24.90, which includes a disco, so those wanting to can shake their thing afterwards! 

I need to pay a deposit of £10.00 per head, and intend to book for 30 people. Please bring your £10.00 to the track on Monday next to book your place for this evening of fun and drunken revelry.  If you can’t make it to the track please contact me either by email or phone. (numbers below) 

Below is the web link for Al Doumo

http://www.alduomo.co.uk/venue_and_events/Christmas_Party_Ideas/Friday-Saturday-Dinner-Disco.aspx

Kind regards

Paul Gasson 

office tel 0845 055 0743 mobile 0771 4144447

fax 0845 094 1623

arena80ac@hotmail.co.uk

This years trophy for most inspiring road run goes to Andy Payne for his gritty performance at the Brighton marathon.

We have once again received 3 member places for the London marathon, if you are interested please e-mail arena80ac@hotmail.co.uk.

The following criteria will once again be used to ensure fairness of distribution: (we don't always have enough takers)

A80 LONDON MARATHON DRAW RULES 

Only A80 1st claim club members who have been fully paid up for 1 year are entered into the first round of the draw. With the following proviso's:

a) They must provide proof of rejection to the coming years race by 19th Dec 2010.

b) Anybody who ran last year under the club allocation can't be put in the first round of the draw.

c) Reserves will also be drawn in priority in case of drop out.

d) Anybody winning a place and then withdraws must hand their place to the priority reserve. 

2nd Round.

Only takes place if insufficient uptake in first round.

a) They must provide proof of rejection to the coming years race by 19th Dec 2010.

b) Must be 1st claim club members, no qualifying period required.

c) Anybody gaining a place in the draw last year can take part. 

3rd Round

a) Open to all 1st claim club members.

4th Round

a) Open to all members 1st and 2nd claim.

The Arena 80 women’s team recorded their best ever performance when they took the silver medals in the South of England Road Relay championships at Aldershot at the weekend.
Aldershot dominated the race leading throughout the four legs but Fiona Clark gave the Arena team a terrific start on the opening leg to hand over in second place in 13:08 which proved to be the seventh fastest leg of the day.
Gemma Sharp slipped to seventh place on lap two clocking 14:48 while veteran Julie Briggs clocked 13:39 to move back to fifth place on lap three.
Over the final lap fellow vet Caroline Hoyte stormed up three places to record the best ever placing by a Sussex team in this event.
Hoyte’s time of 12:52 was the fourth fastest lap of the day.
(Reg Hook Sussex AA's)

A notice has been sent out via e-mail concerning AGM in October. Please consider standing on the committee as the club can only gain from added input and support.

W40: 16:26 Caroline Hoyte                Hyde Park                               05/09/10

Hello!
 
This year I am in charge of organising the Arena 10k (eeeek!!) and am in need of marshalls to help on the day.
Please could anyone who is available and would like to help email me isobelmuir@hotmail.com so I can gather numbers and then work out who can go where. If you have marshalled before (or not) and have a specific role you would like to carry out then please tell me otherwise I will assign people myself. I will then send a further email detailing what I would like each person to do and if you have any complaints then (I shall run away and hide) I shall re-jig until everyone is happy.
 
Please feel free to email me any suggestions as this is my first attempt at marshall gathering and dissemination.
 
Many thanks in advance.
 
Isobel. 
 

Those of you who have taken part in SDR will know that it is an excellent event.

For those of you who haven’t a little background information. 

SDR takes place on the first Saturday in June.  It follows the South Downs end to end from Beachy Head to the outskirts of Winchester, a distance of approximately 100 miles.

Teams of six runners take part and each runner has to run three non consecutive legs totalling 14-18 miles.  Each leg varies in length and is 4 to 8 miles long.

The course is unmarshalled and self navigated although there are checkpoints  through which you have to pass.

The slowest teams start at 6am and thereafter teams start at half hourly intervals with the fastest teams setting off at 9am.

The course record is around 10 hours. 

Arena has taken part in this event over many years and after a break  in 2010 we had two teams competing.

This is the story of the women’s aka mixed team.

At Xmas 2009 we planned to have a Veteran  women’s team.  The original line up was Fiona, Julie , Lisa, Lynne, Chris Naylor and Caroline Wood.  In March 2010 we met up over a glass of wine and decided who would run which legs to give us all time to train generally for the event and to practice specific legs, this being the ideal situation.

Of course situations become non ideal and injuries rear their heads so a month before the event our ladies team acquired Chris Callaghan, young and keen, and then two days before the event Mark Stephenson, not so young but could read a map (essential as he had no time to practice any of the legs).

Saturday June 5 was HOT.  Our objective was to have a good day and complete the distance.

Chris Naylor, unfortunately injured and unable to run came along to navigate, check the team in and out of each checkpoint and give good advice.

I set off at 0630 steadily as advised and was soon in Jevington to hand over to Fiona.  As soon Fiona had the baton we leapt in the bus to get to the next drop off/pick up point.  We did this for each leg as some of the carparks were small and the access roads narrow and we didn’t want to arrive late.

Fiona finished leg 2 having decided bumbling along with the dogs was a lot easier than racing and handed over to Mark.  Luckily Mark was able to site on a runner ahead of him (while keeping an eye on his map) and he sailed along.  It is not always a good idea to assume the runner in front knows the course as Crawley and Orpington teams found out to their cost when they went way off course and did not finish.  Julie was soon on her first leg and then Chris Callaghan flew up leg five having seen it for the first time five days beforehand.  Before she knew it Lisa was on leg 6 then it was back to me again on the familiar territory of Saddlescombe and Truleigh Hill which by 11am was like an oven.  I tried to keep cool by pouring water over me but it dried out instantly.

I caught and overtook the only runner in front of me then was running on my own the rest of the way which was very peaceful.  A few walkers asked me if I was in a race and I told them it was a 100 mile one (they probably thought I was running all 100 miles myself!)

The next few legs continued in similar vein and by Harting Hill we were overtaken by Brighton and Hove women who had started an hour after us then on leg 16 Arena men finally passed us.

Chris Callaghan had not had time to practice leg 17 but luckily we were able to keep meeting up with him in the bus so were able to encourage and keep him on track.

Fiona ran the glory leg 18 very strongly and it was wonderful to see her come in to the playing field and over the finish.

A tired team got back in the bus for the drive home (thanks to Fiona, Julie and Mark for all their driving).

If you like offroad (real) running, hills and lovely scenery  then this is the event for you.

I hope I have whetted appetites for next year’s race –  roll on SDR 2011!

Caroline Wood

A few of us have been going to Woods Mill Nature Reserve in Small Dole for the last couple of years to see and hear Nightingales, Owls etc. It's a lovely place to visit in the evening and afterwards we go for a pub meal close by. This year we are going on Tuesday the 15th June so if you are interested please contact Chris Naylor at  mikeandchrisnaylor@hotmail.com

Contact Steve on steve.ali@lineone.net

From the 24th May to 21st June inclusive we will be in Preston Park on a Monday due to Withdean being booked. Meet same time in North East part of Park.

We have our Hove Park Road Races coming up on the 6th of June, some members have already volunteered to help, if you are available to help please let Mike know on:
 
Mikeandchrisnaylor@hotmail.com
 
Many thanks.

Sussex Vets Track and Field 2010 

Due to falling numbers and in an attempt to stimulate some interest, the 2 meetings at far ends of the County have been dropped this year to try and encourage more participants in the 2 meetings that will go ahead. These are at Eastbourne on May 26th and Lewes on June 30th. These meetings will cover all the normal events from 100m to 5000m, and all the field events as usual. If we were all fit and available, we would put out a very strong team, so with a lesser commitment this year, let's get out there and compete. 

Just to remind you, these meetings are for men over 35 with separate events for over 50 and over 60. 

Please let me know if you are interested in taking part. 

Graham Shorter theshorterfamily@hotmail.com

After all the runners had started the Brighton Marathon, Steve Ovett was standing alone at the start point. We had been at Varndean School together, in the same school year and class from 1968 to 1973. We also played in the football team together as full-backs. He was the fastest left back you have ever seen - if the winger got past him he just sprinted back and tackled again. Before you say it, i was the slowest right back! I waved to Steve and he came over and said "Steve, how are you, you look just the same" then "have you still got the Jag in the garage?" What a good memory.
I had an E-type Jag in my 20s and Steve was a real sports car enthusiast. I remember he had a TR6 at 18 or 19.
We spoke for a while until he had to stop to do a radio interview. Needless to say it was good to catch up with someone i grew up with and
who is a real nice guy as well as one of our greatest ever athletes.
 
Steve Wood

Dear Sir/Madam
 
I'm just writing to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generous contribution to my fundraising. I am sorry to say that when I finished the marathon on Monday the 19th of April at 1415hrs I was completely exhausted and could barely string a sentence together; I am only just recovering now. I'm sorry if I didn't seem appreciative at the time, it has taken me a couple of days to track you down but finally I've found you and I just want to say a sincere thank you!
Yours sincerely

 
Matt C Rhodes
"Never Say Die"

Camping Trip 2010

We can now confirm the Arena 80 Camping trip will take place from Friday 23rd July to Wednesday 28th July at Hollands Wood campsite, near Brockenhurst in the New Forest.  This trip is open to all members and their friends and family.

For full details click here.

In perfect conditions the Arena 80 senior women’s team removed exactly one minute from their ten year old course record in the Sussex Road Relay championships at Christ’s’ Hospital.
This was without doubt the classiest performance of the afternoon but they did field three of the strongest roadrunners in Sussex.
Fiona Clark ran a stunning opening leg in the three times two mile course as she clocked 10:59, only seven seconds outside club mate Caroline Hoyte’s seven year old lap record, to become only the second woman to crack the 11 minutes barrier over this course.
Clark finished exactly half-a-minute clear of Worthing’s Rachael Ogden who was the fastest 1,500-metre runner in Sussex last season and she was not hanging around as she recorded 11.29.
Julie Briggs stretched the lead over Worthing on the second leg in 11:45 while lap record holder Caroline Hoyte took the Arena 80’s winning lead to nearly two minutes with a fine clocking of 11:11 on the final circuit.
Such is the current fitness of Clark, who recorded the days fastest lap ahead of Hoyte and Ogden, that she ran the final leg for a non scoring Worthing team in 11:25 and at the end of the afternoon clocked 11:53 for a non scoring Crawley men’s team.

(Reg Hook)

Men O50 Pick Up A Stunning Bronze Medal

Paul Gasson 3rd 1500m

"I am dead chuffed to tell you all that I managed third place in the 1500 metres and achieved my first and probably last National medal! In a time of 4.47, a very exciting race, (for me at least) I was in third place for five of the seven laps, and was overtaken at the start of lap six. However, with about 100 metres left, I thought “this is now up to my ability to kick and out sprint the guy in third place”. It worked! I caught him just before the finish line. He wasn’t too pleased, he said he didn’t hear me coming; it must have been the roar of the crowd! Maybe I’m getting carried away now, but it was the most satisfying moment in my running career.  

Kind regards

Paul Snakehips Gasson

A80 2nd team

Caroline Wood 2nd O45, Clare Aquilina 2nd O50, Chris Naylor 2nd O55

1st O60 Mike Naylor

1st O55 Chris Naylor

2nd O45 Jenny Hughes

3rd O40 Steve McNealy

The club will be continuing its support of the Beacon Half Marathon on the 21st February by providing marshals at the Hove end of the course. If you are able to assist, please contact Martin Booty on either 01273 881736 or martinbooty@hotmail.com. This race brings in the funds that keeps the membership fees down and the opportunities to develop as a club, so your continued support is vital, don't forget to ask friends or family to help.