Inter Club Series 2007

[SteveJ]

The dates have been announced and there is an article in the forthcoming Harrier (hopefully.) One of the issues debated at the Inter-Club meeting attended by Alan Appleby & I concerned the food after the races. One of the proposals was to not supply food, which was carried after some lengthy debate amongst the clubs, with the situation to be reviewed after 1 year. The reasoning behind the proposal was that it was becoming too expensive to provide and, with increased numbers taking part, runners were not in some cases getting food! It could be argued that some take more than their fair share too...
The clubs taking part have been asked to reconsider, in the light of feed-back from some of the other clubs already. What do people think? Is the food important? Do you want the food whatever? Would you be prepared to have food knowing that the portions could be minimal, if the quotes are high? We need to know what peoples` views are... please comment on here or just talk to Alan & I over the next few weeks.
Thank you - Steve Jackson

[annefsweeney]

I am sure that people would not stay as long afterwards if there was no food. So I think it encourages the social side of the competition and we all know that this is of far greater importance as can be seen by the manner in which clubs rallied their runners to the start linelast year.
Perhaps people could be asked nicely not to be greedy? Adam, Chris, Gary, Brian & others should be well rested from competition to take part in this social event by April

[rick]

I have difficulty getting to the Inter Club races these days but for me part of the enjoyment was the social side.

Free sandwiches aren't the be-all and end-all of the of the series but they are a nice touch. Shortages are nothing new. There were times when if you were at the wrong end of the room when the sarnies came round you missed out.
It's difficult to do the catering when you don't know numbers in advance. A warm summer evening might bring out twice as many participants as a wet and cold one.

Blackpool, Wyre and Flyde have been discussing the subject here:
northfyldeac.proboards77.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1169555837

[bobshepherd]

I can easily do without the free food. Just bring on the free beer.

[bobshepherd]

Apologies for seemingly putting an end to a serious item. The fact is that attempting to feed an unknown number is a thankless & costly task. Of course I have also seen people seemingly attempting record breaking efforts at piled high plates. I was one who missed out on food at one of the Interclubs, but I had gone for a pint first. I noticed several people who hadn't run, joining the queue for food. Maybe they'd produced the goods?
If food is back as an item to consider, then an element of reason & fairness will have to be adopted. The ones who selfishly snatch more than their share need curbing. Maybe a count up of food available, linked to the number of entries is the only way. The people who are catering will need to put up a little sign saying something to the effect " There are 200 runners tonight, therefore there are only two savoury items & one sweet item available per person. Please consider the ones at the back of the queue".

[John whiteman Wesham]

Argument against

Inter Club Sandwich's etc.
1) When I first started taking part in the Inter Club Races there were 40 to 50 runners competing.
2) Last year on more than one occasion there were well over 200 and on one occasion 231 runners taking part.
3) Catering for 40 & 231 runners is a little different.
4) Whilst I agree providing food is good socially, the food situation has now got out of hand.
5) Many people queue up for the food only to be disappointed to find that there is nothing left, that does not bode well for that particular club.
6)It is unfair for the smaller clubs to cater for the larger clubs when the expense is the same.
7)We rely on a small number of willing helpers to provide the food, that is not fair, particularly when they are unsure how many to cater for.
I have noticed in recent years that runners have been comparing one club against the other as to what each club has provided. Surely that can't be right.
Are we legally within the Food Hygiene laws?
Finally, it can't be of any hardship for runners themselves to bring their own food if they require anything.

[SteveJ]

The provisional results for the first interclub at Lytham (3.4.07) were OPEN:- 1st Blackpool, 2nd Preston, 3rd Wesham. WOMEN 1st Preston, 2nd Blackpool, 3rd Wesham. VETS 1st Blackpool, 2nd Wesham, 3rd Preston. VETS 50 3rd Preston.
It was announced that Helen Clitheroe had recorded 26:22 for 7th, taking 3 minutes off the course record. Wonderful! There were good conditions to run in, with a slight breeze, nothing like the weather for the St Annes 10!
Thank you to Lytham for the organisation.

Thank you to all who ran and offered support and encouragement.

It would be nice to see more Preston runners at the next one, our own on the 16th May at the Vernon Carus Club, Factory Lane, Penwortham. It doesn`t matter whether you are fast or slow... the event is for all, it`s a club event with a very friendly competitive club spirit and about supporting your fellow runners to help the overall positions. Please make an effort.

Alan Appleby is going to be asking for marshalls over the next few weeks, so if you cannot run, then please volunteer to help. Alan will be back from Portugal in a few weeks and can be seen down at the track if wished.

[Philippa Walsh]

I think it is better when food is provided and would be prepared to bring along a platter of food to the Preston interclub.
If it is acceptable with the venue WILLING Harriers members could provide the food. Lytham made such a good job of it last night they have set a high standard. I think there would be sufficient food provided by Club members as it is very much a one off event for the yearand people could sign up ti say they will contribute. Being able to socialise on a pleasant evening is great but not much fun on an empty stomach.

[Tony Croft BWFHS]

Results from last Tuesday's race at Lytham are now on John Schofield's site.

[Tony Croft BWF]

Second attempt at the full address!

www.ukresults.net/2007/interclub01.html

[annefsweeney]

I think the problem that we have is that the venue wont allow us to provide our own refreshments and we have to pay them to put to make the butties and charge a large amount. Having said that - I think it rude to partake of other club's generosity and give nothing in return. Surely we can all contribute ? each and get a subsidy from the club so that we dont look mean when I believe all except one of the other clubs are providing?

[Tony Croft BWF]

Provisional results from Wednesday evening's race have gone out for checking. In the meantime here are the provisional team positions and points. Many thanks to all the volunteer marshals, time-keepers and recorders who braved the apalling weather.

Overall
1 PH 130
2 BWF 149
3 WRR 223
4 LRR 544
5 RR 827
6 CAC 873

Women
1 BWF 42
2 WRR 43
3 PH 45
4 LSA 90
5 CAC 236
6 RR 270

Vets
1 BWF 43
2 WRR 87
3 PH 106
4 LSA 138
5 RR 227
6 CAC 444

V50
1 BWF 17
2 WRR 43
3 RR 63
4 LSA 74
5 PH 75
6 CAC 144

V60
1 BWF 13
2 RR 17
3 LSA 34
4 WRR 73
5 CAC 78
6 PH 87

[SteveJ]

Thank you Tony. Well done to all who ran and it was nice to see a healthy representation from our Wednesday night group. It wasn`t that bad, was it? Many people looked as if they had run a XC instead...
Thank you to all who stood out in that rain at the various marshal posts and at the finish and to help me direct the cars to the car park before the start.

[Tony Croft]

Final (hopefully correct) results have now been despatched to John Schofield . John is in Chorley Friday (18th) evening and has promised to put the IC results on when he gets back.

[Tony Croft]

Results now available on John Schofield's site - www.ukresults.net/2007/interclub02.html